The Final Whistle Blows On The Dell

On Friday 13^th July 2001, one of British football’s most iconic grounds was consigned to history after Hughes and Salvidge successfully completed the demolition of The Dell Stadium in Southampton in July 2001.

This project was high profile due to the 100 plus years that Southampton Football Club had been playing at the ground, renowned for its tight pitch and intimate atmosphere.

The site was purchased by Barratt Homes and is now a housing estate named The Dell with buildings aptly named after Southampton greats such as its favourite son Matthew Le Tissier, scorer of the final goal ever netted on its hallowed turf.

Southampton Football Club has since moved to their new home, St. Mary’s Stadium, on the banks of the River Itchen.

Hughes and Salvidge were asked to create a spectacle to initiate the first phase of demolition. Delegates from Southampton City Council, Barratt Homes and Southampton Football Club were invited to attend the event and watched as explosives brought the iconic floodlights down onto the pitch.

The buildings on this site ranged from large brick to steel structures including offices, changing rooms and hospitality facilities as well as the large stadium.

You can read more about it here: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/archive/2001/07/14/5616825.Dell_of_a_bang_/

Photo credit: http://worldsoccertalk.com/2013/05/02/whatever-happened-to-the-dell-southampton-fcs-former-home/