THE DELL-AN ANNIVERSARY

https://historicsouthampton.co.uk/

Look up Russell Masters

19th May 2001 The word most often used to describe Southampton's former home at the Dell was 'cramped' and a cramped capacity crowd of 15,252 saw a dramatic and memorable end to their 103 years at the ground. In the last competitive match at the Dell, Arsenal were the visitors for a Premier League fixture with the Gunners twice taking the lead. Hassan Kachloul equalised twice for the Saints before 32-year-old Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier came on as a sub and scored an 89th minute winner. Amazing! A week later Southampton entertained Brighton in a friendly for the very last match at the ground - Brighton United had been Southampton's first opponents at The Dell on 3rd September 1898. 

The stadium was opened in September 1898, with the inaugural match on 3 September being against Brighton United. The first goal at the stadium was scored by Watty Kaye, with the others from Abe Hartley, Jim McKinsey and Tom Smith, as Southampton won 4–1. It hosted an international match in 1901, as England defeated Ireland 3–0 in the 1900-1 in the British Home Championship...for those of you who don't understand that last bit it was an annual competition played between the  Home Countries.
In 1927, the original West Stand was demolished (together with the club secretary's house) and the new West Stand was built. This was designed by Archidald Leitch one of the greatest football stand designers of the day, who had also designed stands at neighbour Fratton Park, Roker Park and at Goodison Park. (worth having a look back at the stands before their modernisation)

A year later, on the last day of the 1928–29 season a dropped cigarette caused a fire which destroyed the East Stand. A replacement stand was built which mirrored the West Stand, increasing the ground capacity to approximately 30,000. 

On 30 November 1940, a German bomb fell on the stadium during The Blitz, creating an 18-foot crater in the Milton Road penalty area. While the pitch was being restored, Southampton had to play their remaining fixtures in 1940–41 away, although in February 1941, they played a "home" War Cup tie with Brentford at Fratton Park, Portsmouth. In March 1941, an explosion of munitions stored at the ground caused a major fire in the West Stand although this was rebuilt soon afterwards. At the start of the 1941–42 season, they played their home games at Dew Lane, Eastleigh, before the Dell was re-opened in October 1941.

The Dell, the much-loved home of Southampton FC from 1898 until 2001. I wrote a short history of the stadium a few years ago: https://historicsouthampton.co.uk/the-dell/