McCain Stadium
Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England
McCain Stadium, Scarborough, England — opened 1898, opened as the 'Athletic Ground' when Scarborough F.C. relocated there from cricket-club grounds, 29 rugby league games hosted, home of Scarborough F.C. (football), primary long-term tenant, 1898-2007; Scarborough Pirates (rugby league), one season only, 1991-92.
Sourcing caveat: Floodlights not confirmed (though very likely present given the football club's League status by the 1980s, this is an inference, not confirmed). Playing surface not confirmed.
Ground facts
| Opened | 1898, opened as the 'Athletic Ground' when Scarborough F.C. relocated there from cricket-club grounds (This ground no longer exists: it closed in 2007 when Scarborough F.C. was dissolved/wound up, and was demolished September-November 2011. Overwhelmingly a football ground; its rugby league connection was a single failed season.) |
| Home club | Scarborough F.C. (football), primary long-term tenant, 1898-2007; Scarborough Pirates (rugby league), one season only, 1991-92 |
| Games hosted (rugby league, on record) | 29 |
| Top recorded crowd | 1,427 |
| Capacity | 6,408, comprising Main Stand, 'The Shed,' East Stand, West Stand, plus terracing |
| First rugby league match | Scarborough Pirates' inaugural competitive match, 25 Aug 1991, won 14-10 v Doncaster |
| Years used | 1984–1992 |
| Location | Scarborough, North Yorkshire |
Name history
- Athletic Ground — 1898-1988
- McCain Stadium — from 1988, under a sponsorship deal with McCain Foods; the ground was nicknamed the 'Theatre of Chips' as a result
Rugby league history
Overwhelmingly a football ground (home of Scarborough F.C. for over a century, record attendance 11,162 for an FA Cup match v Luton Town, Jan 1938), also used for rugby union (Scarborough RUFC, from 1926-27), baseball (Scarborough Seagulls, one season, 1936), and greyhound racing (early 1960s). Rugby league arrived via the Scarborough Pirates, formed January 1991, who competed in the newly formed 14-club Third Division and finished 9th (10 wins, 14 losses), but struggled badly with attendance (only 4 of 14 home games drew over 1,000 spectators) and folded in June 1992 owing £113,000, with chairman Geoffrey Richmond citing insufficient local support. Coach: Len Casey; captain: Peter Smith. No rugby league Test, representative, or notable Cup fixture beyond the single 1991-92 season was found.
Primary long-term tenant was Scarborough F.C. (football); also used for rugby union, baseball, and greyhound racing.
Sources
Data last verified: 11 August 2026.
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