Unlike many of the clubs that have built new grounds, Derby County have kept their old stadium, the Baseball Ground, in working order. It is used for youth games, mainly, although training sessions and trials are sometimes held there. Located in a classic inner city environment, this old stadium presents a completely different picture from Pride Park. Cramped, dark, aggressive, close to the pitch, the stands are full of pillars. Incredibly, most of the lower rows of seats appear to be below the level of the pitch!

A warm welcome. Unfortunately, not many visiting fans received one.

The dugout was so low, that the Bald Eagle used to hit his head on its roof. A classic old stand. Note the row numbers, wooden seats, wooden steps, and the no smoking sign!

The Director's Box

The two ends of the ground. Both are old style double decker stands, with a paddock leading down to the pitch. The gangways are diagonal because the pillars obstructed the view of the goal.

Despite this impressive lattice work of steel, the roof would still have fallen down without supporting pillars.

The 1970's built Toyota Stand

Remember, remember. The way grounds used to be. The pillars had to be protected from the heads of the local fans with foam wrapping, tastefully done in the club colours of course.