Solitude is a multi-use stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Cliftonville F.C. The stadium holds 8,000 and was built in 1890. The stadium underwent partial renovation in 2002, when a new stand was built at one end of the ground to house visiting supporters. Further work is set to be undertaken in the near future, in order to bring the home of Ireland's oldest football club up to European standard.
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History
Opened in 1890, Solitude holds the distinction of having the first ever penalty in International Football taken there. Previously consisting of two pitches (the second of which was sold off and now contains housing), Solitude is the oldest football ground in Ireland. Solitude has hosted a number of Cup Finals and International games. During the 1890s and early 1900s Solitude was the home ground of Ireland. During the 1890s the ground hosted 11 home internationals. On March 3 1894, after thirteen attempts Ireland, playing at Solitude, finally avoided defeat to England. Against an England team that included Fred Spiksley and Jack Reynolds, Ireland gained a 2-2 draw. Goals from Olphert Stanfield and W.K. Gibson inspired Ireland to come back from 2-0 down to gain a 2-2 draw. The ground continued to host Ireland internationals into the early 1900s, but was gradually replaced as Ireland’s home ground by Windsor Park and Dalymount Park.
Main Stand
The main stand at Solitude, situated on the Western side of the ground, houses the majority of the Cliftonville support on any given home matchday. It was constructed during the 1950s, and has two tiers. The lower tier is terracing, and the upper tier has a mixture of seating and benches, and holds over 1,000 people. Also contained within the main stand at Solitude, is Cliftonville Social Club, Cliftonville's licensed premises.
The Cage
Undoubtedly the most famous part of the old ground, the Cage holds many memories for the older generation of Cliftonville fans, despite its impending replacement. The condition of the Cage, situated on the southern side of the ground has deteriorated so such an extent that it no longer holds the same attraction of watching a match from as it once did. As a result, it will be replaced by a new 1,600 all-seated stand, with new dressing room facilities. Work is expected to begin in March 2007.
The Away End
Often referred to as "The Bowling Green End" (due to the bowling pitches behind it), the away end on the north side of the ground underwent a major facelift in 2001, when the covered terracing used to house away fans was replaced by an 860 all-seated stand. Despite being one of the better facilities for away fans in the local game, it is rarely filled, with only Glentoran F.C. and recently Linfield F.C. bringing capacity away crowds to Solitude.
The Whitehouse
Another famous part of Solitude, the Whitehouse currently contains the changing facilities and the board room. However the building of the new stand in place of the Cage is expected to relive the Whitehouse of these duties, and some have suggested that this historic part of Irish football will be preserved in the form of a museum.
