"Shildon AFC - Dean Street"

A bit of an iconic Non-league ground and one that has recently been improved with a new stand - mercifully not one f the arena types.
One I've long wanted to visit and with a large crowd, plenty of banter and good football being played, it was one of the best Step 5 venues I've visited

Location

Right in the town / village centre, about 200 yards from the shops and pubs, so it's easy to find somewhere to get something to eat and drink (if you don't want to use the supporters club in the ground). Shildon Station is someway south of the centre, so it's probably about a 10-15 minute walk to the trains. No car park at the ground, but plenty of street parking.

View

The Main (Pavilion) stand seating area was closed during my visit, but a lot of people were standing on the raised area around the foot of the stand. There is another small area of cover on the same side, called the Lee Hainsworth Stand, after a Shildon player killed in an RTA in 2004. The far side of the ground has a new all seater stand, which looks fantastic and must seat 200. Each end of the ground is uncovered

Facilities

Could only find one set of bogs...inside the supporters club / bar, underneath the main stand.

There is a well stocked club shop in a portacabin to the left of the main stand and the match programme is glossy and pretty good for £2

Food & Drink

The supporters club has a fully stocked bar. There is one food outlet besides this, next to the club shop. This sells the usual burgers, hot drinks etc. I had a cheeseburger and a cup of tea and it only cost me £3....burger was very nice.

Police & Stewards

No police....stewards are a helpful and friendly bunch

Atmosphere

This was a midweek league game and the crowd was an impressive 352 (for Step 5 non-league). There are step 3 teams that get considerably less than that !
Crowds in the Northern league have, in my experience, always tended to be a bit noisier than those down south and Shildon were certainly no exception, with lots of shouting and good humoured banter

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