The Theatre of Chips


By Alan Bateson


Scarborough Athletic FC, are well known to supporters of Bamber Bridge FC, as we have played them home and away on countless occasions over the last few years. The current club however were only formed In 2007 as a “Phoenix Club” following the demise and winding up of the original Scarborough FC earlier in the same year.


The McCain Stadium in it’s prime

Scarborough FC were originally formed in 1879 and played at The Athletic Ground in the Town from 1898 until they were dissolved in 2007. Scarborough became the first club to gain automatic promotion to the Football League from the then newly formed National Alliance League in 1987. The Manager at the time was none other than Neil Warnock. Prior to this date non League clubs hoping to gain entry to The Football League had to apply for election, with the bottom four clubs in the Fourth Division also applying to be re-elected. The 92 members of the Football League voted on who would come up or who would go down.


The McCain Stadium before it fell in to disrepair

During the time Scarborough FC played in the Football League, The Athletic Ground became known as “The McCain Stadium”, due to Sponsorship of the Stadium by The McCain Foods Company based in the Town, and famous for producing McCain Frozen Oven Chips.

The “Theatre of Chips” as it was nicknamed had a Capacity of just over 6,000 by the time the clubs 12 year reign in the Football League came to end. The first League Fixture at the Stadium However, saw a Division 4 match against Wolverhampton Wanderers with an attendance of 7,314. The record Attendance for The Athletic Ground was 11,162 for an FA Cup Tie against Luton Town in 1938



In 1990 Scarborough FC played a prestigious home pre season friendly match against Red Star Belgrade. In front of 2,000 fans, the home team looked resplendent in their new Red kit sponsored by "Black Death Vodka" complete with the "dripping blood" logo which would later have to be toned down at the request of the Football League. The visiting Champions of Yugoslavia won the match 4-2, and that season went on to win The European Cup.

In the 1990’s The ground was also shared with Scarborough Pirates Rugby League Club in a bid to boost funds, but the project failed with only four games in two years attracting gates of over 1,000

Impressive Stand at The McCain Stadium
Following The demise of Scarborough FC in 2007 with debts in excess of £2.5 million. The McCain Stadium fell into a state of disrepair and was regularly vandalised, with the changing rooms being set on fire in 2008 leading to a decision by the local Council to demolish The stadium 3 years later,The land was to be sold for Building Development. The only part of the ground preserved where the Cast Iron entrance gates.

The Stadium and pitch being reclaimed by Nature
The winding up of Scarborough FC and the sale of the ground to Developers paved the way for the newly formed Supporters Group (The Seadogs Trust) to pay off the debts and form a new club. Scarborough Athletic FC was born. The new club secured a place in the Northern Counties East, Division One with effect from 2007 to 2008.

Crying shame when a Stadium is left to rot away like this

With no available venue in their own Town, The newly formed Scarborough Athletic were forced too look for an alternative venue. Local non League side Bridlington Town came to the rescue with The Seadogs making Queensgate their home ground despite this being approx 18 miles away from Scarborough. The arrangement continued for 10 years until Athletic returned to Their home town. Construction of The New Scarborough Sports Village had started in 2016, with The first game being played their in 2017 when a Sheffield United XI were the visitors for pre season friendly. 2,000 supporters attended that opening game.


Queensgate, Home of Bridlington FC and Temporary home of The Seadogs for 10 years

Promotions through The North East Counties Leagues were followed by success in The Northern Premier League Division One North. The Seadogs winning promotion to The Northern Premier League in 2018 finishing runners up to Champions South Shields. Bamber Bridge were also promoted that season along with Scarborough Athletic, beating Prescot Cables in The Play Off Final
The new Club having progressed through the non League pyramid in pursuit of a return to the Football League have seen their new home ground under constant development ever since. A New 3g pitch was laid and a covered end terrace was built behind one goal. In 2019 a new covered Stand along one side of the pitch was erected increasing the Capacity At The Flamingo Land Stadium to 3,252. The new Club were promoted from The Northern Premier League in 2022 beating Warrington Town in the play off final to claim their current status in the National League North.


The Current home of Scarborough Athletic FC The Flamingo Land Stadium

The Original Sponsors Logo on the left and the ammended version on the right
I definately prefer the original !!.