The Daggers’ inexorable rise from the Ryman League to the summit of League 2 has been matched by an equally impressive transformation of the facilities at Victoria Road. The latest addition is a shiny, 1,200 seat stand at the Pondfield Road end due to be opened this month.
Despite rapid stadium developments since the Daggers’ incarnation in 1992, Victoria Road has always retained its lived-in, compact charm, one reason perhaps behind the Daggers imperious home form over the years. Let’s hope this new piece of furniture won’t disrupt the feng shui at RM10, especially as the Daggers hold an unbeaten home record this term.
As a seasoned Dagger since 1998, I’ve seen the ground change markedly in the last ten years or so. Here’s a look back at how things have moved on in that time.
The old, wooden, South Stand lining one length of the pitch was something of a relic by the time it was torn down at the turn of the century. I’m not sure what year it was built (suggestions welcome) but what it lacked in comfort it more than made up for in character. A real throw-back, it represented an era when the game was nowhere near as professional and at times sanitised as it is today. It felt charmingly non-league.
Yet, let’s be honest, its proximity to the playing surface was always something of a problem, especially for those wingers on the receiving end of some hefty challenges! Yet it was a striker, Junior Samuels, who left an indelible mark on the old stand. Unable to halt his run in time, he slid, and went head-first into the frame of the home dug-out one Saturday afternoon. Talk about commitment to the cause!
The Barking College Stand was constructed in the early nineties, increasing the stadium’s seating capacity by approximately 250. Positioned next to the existing South Stand, seats lined the entire length on one side of the pitch. Often bereft of spectators however, it became commonly known as the Mary Celeste. A quaint little stand, it has seen more action in recent times. As building work on the new away stand has progressed apace, it currently houses all away supporters on match days thus packing it to the rafters.
On gaining promotion to the Conference Premier in 2000, the club was obliged to increase its seating capacity to at least 1,000, in line with Football League requirements. At that point it only stood at 800, thus paving the way for the impressive Carling Stand to be built. A huge project, it was funded by lucrative FA Cup runs, a generous grant, as well as sponsorship to the tune of £150,000 from Bass Brewers plc. The stand made its debut for the belated Essex Senior Cup Final against Canvey Island, played on August 4, 2001, which the Daggers won 5-3 on penalties.
That year also saw the introduction of crush barriers throughout the terraced areas of the ground. An important safety measure, for me it also brought something of a ‘big club’ feel to our comparatively modest surroundings. I think it had something to do with the grand terraces seen at St James’ Park, Exeter, and Morecambe’s Christie Park which had these in abundance. A small thing I know, but the barriers made things look ‘proper’.
Since then, there has been little work done on the stadium in terms of expansion or renovation of viewing areas, although new turnstiles and toilet blocks have been installed, as well as markedly improved pitch drainage facilities.
So the new away stand is an exciting addition to Victoria Road. But what effect will the new structure have on the atmosphere inside the ground? There’s certainly some truth in the idea that seated football fans make less noise than those who stand. For example the volume from Daggers fans at Stonebridge Road over the years (especially when we were allowed underneath the covered terrace) was staggering. I think that was partly due to the rocking-back-on-your-feet hollering that goes with standing up at football matches. In addition, the constant orders to ‘sit down’ by tannoy announcers in big FA Cup games, emphasises the togetherness a standing group can bring.
But having everything ‘enclosed’ with away supporters protected from the elements will almost certainly make the away end a more raucous area. This should be welcomed, as one of the reasons we go to football each week is to experience the atmosphere and the occasion it brings. One person who will no doubt enjoy the banter coming from the away end in the months to come is a certain Mr. Roberts. He’s looked a touch lonely in recent weeks!
