AN abandoned Premier League stadium which hosted North Korea games at the World Cup had parts of it sold to the highest bidder before it was eventually demolished.
The ground was used for each of North Korea’s group matches at the 1966 World Cup.
However, Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park was demolished two years after the club left for the Riverside Stadium.
Ayresome Park had been Boro’s home for 92 years until their move in 1995.
With a capacity of more than 26,000, the stadium was used for the 1992-93 Premier League season as the club finished 21st and were relegated.
Following Boro’s move to the Riverside, Ayresome Park was demolished in 1997.
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Before that, though, parts off the ground, which was designed by legendary architect Archibald Leitch, were auctioned off.
Over 15,000 items were featured in a £3 catalogue for the auction, including seats, fencing, parts of the pitch and gym equipment.
Stadium memorabilia, office furnishings and kitchen equipment were also on sale.
A viewing day was held ahead of the auction in 1996, giving fans the chance to check out the individual lots on offer.
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A sign reading “home team only” was pictured inside the ground.
Individual chairs were even labelled as lots by staff, with old turnstiles and dated floodlights also spotted at the venue.
Parts of the Ayresome Park pitch had already been destroyed by tractors ahead of the demolition.
Boro’s old ground was one of eight stadiums used during the 1966 World Cup in England.
The ground played hosts to North Korea’s 3-0 loss to the Soviet Union, 1-1 draw with Chile and their famous 1-0 win over Italy.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
