West Ham say goodbye to Upton Park…here’s how six other Premier League teams got on in their stadium farewell
West Ham say farewell to the home of 112 years' worth of memories when they take on Manchester United tonight in their final game at Upton Park.
Like a number of Premier League clubs before them — and more to come — the Hammers are trading in a traditional four-sided football ground for a modern, state of the art stadium with an increased capacity.
Saying goodbye to an iconic home is always an emotionally-charged affair but West Ham will be determined not to let the occasion get the better of them and deliver a fitting send-off for their fans — here's how six other Premier League sides fared in similar circumstances.
Read more: Fixtures and fittings of West Ham's Boleyn Ground set to go under hammer
Highbury: Arsenal 4 – 2 Wigan, 7 May 2006
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The perfect goodbye. Highbury never looked better than during its curtain call game, when fans in red and white t-shirts decorated the 93-year-old stadium in Arsenal colours. Wigan were comfortably dispatched and, to put the icing on the cake, Spurs' loss to West Ham on the same day meant the Gunners secured Champions League qualification ahead of their rivals.
Maine Road: Manchester City 0 – 1 Southampton, 11 May 2003
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Manchester City weren't able to leave Maine Road with happy memories before moving into the City of Manchester Stadium — now known as the Etihad — as Southampton spoiled the going away party. The last goal scored by a City player came from Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe who died 45 days later.
Filbert Street: Leicester 2 – 1 Tottenham, 12 May 2002
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Before Jamie Vardy, Claudio Ranieri and the King Power there was Andrew Impey, Mickey Adams and Filbert Street. Despite being relegated from the Premier League earlier in the season, Leicester waved goodbye to the 22,000 capacity ground with a win over Tottenham.
The Dell: Southampton 3 – 2 Arsenal, 19 May 2001
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With over 200 goals for the club and three player of the year awards, Matt Le Tissier was a fitting star of the show in Southampton's final game at The Dell, hitting a stunning half-volley on the turn in the 89th minute to give Saints a 3-2 win over Arsenal.
Roker Park: Sunderland 3 – 0 Everton, 3 May 1997
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Sunderland were forced to move out of Roker Park after the FA ruled stadiums must adopt all-seater status following the Hillsborough disaster. Their final campaign at the ground was not a happy one — the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League — but they did at least leave with a victory.
Baseball Ground: Derby County 1 – 3 Arsenal, 11th May 1997
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Arsenal were unforgiving opponents for Derby in their final game at the Baseball Ground after 108 years, with a brace from Ian Wright and a Dennis Bergkamp strike crushed the Rams.