NENE PARK was once the home of an EFL side – but is now an empty field hosting car boot sales.
In it’s heyday, 6,431 fans would fill the stadium every other week.
It was the home of the now defunct Rushden & Diamonds.
The ground saw several promotions as the club rose from the fifth tier Conference to as high as League One in 2003.
Now Premier League side Sheffield United travelled to Nene Park in 1999 for a FA Cup replay, which the Blades won on penalties.
Arsenal and West Ham both played there in pre-season friendlies two years later.
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The stadium was also used for England Under-21 and England C matches, as well as becoming a training base for athletes during the London 2012 Olympics.
By 2006, Rushden & Diamonds tumbled out the EFL and ran into huge financial problems.
The club were kicked out the Conference after being unable to guarantee they could complete the 2011-12 season due to cash flow issues.
With debts spiralling out of control and at a reported £750,000, they entered administration and the team dissolved.
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Demolition of Nene Park commenced six years later as developers hoped to turn the site into a retail and entertainment hub.
But the venue in Northamptonshire remains empty today, with only car boot sales every Sunday giving the abandoned field any sign of life.
Memories of the past are scattered across the site, however.
A sign directing fans to the stands and ticket office can still be seen.
Tiles in the shape of the club’s badge at the once VIP entrance are smashed but still on the floor.
Gates to the stadium are covered in graffiti and the pitch is now an overgrown wasteland but gives some resemblance to the site’s pomp.
Phoenix club AFC Rushden & Diamonds were founded soon after the club shut down and they compete in the eighth tier of English football.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
