Memorial Stadium ranks higher than Ashton Gate in list of Britain's best stadiums Bristol Rovers have beaten Bristol City when it comes to having the city's best stadium, according to a list of Britain's best please log in to view this image A general view of Memorial Stadium. Bristol Rovers may be pining for a new stadium, but their current home has been ranked higher than rivals Bristol City in a list of Britain's best football grounds. FourFourTwo has compiled a list of the top 100 stadiums across England, Wales and Scotland, and they have plumped for the Memorial Stadium over Ashton Gate as Bristol's best stadium. Millions have been invested into Ashton Gate's redevelopment over the years as it has become a multi-purpose venue that is home to the Robins and Bristol Rugby. But FourFourTwo seemed to prefer the Mem's quirkier features, although neither stadium was given a particularly high ranking. Ashton Gate came in at 76 on the list, one place behind Bath City's Twerton Park, and the adjudicators wrote: "Situated in the foreground of rolling Bristolian hills and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Ashton Gate is a sleeping giant. "Its 27,000-capacity is rarely full but the acoustics are excellent – often amplifying dedicated chants to drinking cider." The Mem, meanwhile, may often be maligned for its ramshackle appearance and long use of maligned temporary stands, but it ranked 71st on the list, clear of their cross-city rivals. please log in to view this image General View at Ashton Gate "Many grounds don’t have one memorable stand," FourFourTwo said. "The Memorial has two. The blue East Stand rises high above the rest of the ground, while the lighter West Stand looks more like a cricket pavilion." Many will certainly brush the rankings off as a "hipster" view of Britain's football venues, but the Mem does have a certain character that is lost in many modernly-built or redeveloped stadiums, with the Thatchers Terrace at the north end of the ground providing a raucous atmosphere. Rovers, of course, have long wanted to find a new home, with the Fruit Market in St Philip's Marsh emerging as a possible site, if they finally do relocate they will have a challenge in replicating the charm of a not-so-pretty yet very noisy stadium. please log in to view this image The South Stand at the Memorial Stadium. The list named Ibrox, home of Glasgow Rangers, as Britian's best stadium, with their Old Firm rivals and Celtic Park following in second place. Anfield, Craven Cottage and Old Trafford complete the top five, with Lewes' The Dripping Pan named the best non-league stadium. FourFourTwo's top 20 Ibrox Celtic Park Anfield Craven Cottage Old Trafford Villa Park Tottenham Hotspur Stadium St James' Park (Newcastle) Tynecastle Park Wembley Stadium Emirates Stadium Bramall Lane Stamford Bridge The Dripping Pan The Hawthorns Elland Road Carrow Road Easter Road Goodison Park Fratton Park https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport.../memorial-stadium-ranks-higher-ashton-6417190 https://www.fourfourtwo.com/feature...ums-grounds-britain-uk-england-scotland-wales
As with all opinions like that it's subjective. The author thinks the Mem is 'better' than AG when whoopie-doo. That's his/her prerogative to have a preference. It's like saying one colour, or one piece of music is 'better' than another. When comparing the two stadia as 'fit for purpose' venues however, I would suggest that even the most hardened gas fan would agree that AG is better equipped to host sports teams, entertainment events, conferences etc, and I would also suggest that it is worth more money in terms of Real Estate value (I don't know how Real Estate value compares between North and South Bristol so I might be wrong). IMHO the only advantage the Mem has over AG is it's proximity to the M4 and M5 for visiting fans, but the parking is just as dire.
"Its 27,000-capacity is rarely full but the acoustics are excellent – often amplifying dedicated chants to drinking cider." Ashton gates acoustics are ****e. The grounds atmosphere ... Bristol Sport even created a singing section, tucked away in the corner so it cannot spoil the corporate ambience.
