The Oval – One of Northern Ireland’s most historic sporting venues

Chester FC travel to Belfast this weekend for a pre-season training camp centred around a clash with Glentoran at the BetMcLean Oval.

The penultimate test of our preparations for 25/26, the contest will be an important one against a side who finished third in the Northern Irish top flight last term.

Nestled in the East of the city, the Oval is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic and historic sporting venues, and a ground that Glentoran have called their home since 1892.

Bombing in World War 2 left the stadium with a crater in the middle of the pitch and both grandstands destroyed, leading a stretch of eight years from 1941-49 that saw no football played on the ground.

Glentoran returned four years after the end of the war and in 1953 the main stand, that still houses fans to this day, was built. It towers over the pitch with the upper tier larger in size than the lower and an overall capacity of 2,720 seats.

The Railway Stand, situated opposite the main stand, was refurbished in 2000 by bolting seats to the old terracing which had become outdated. It now houses around 2,000 spectators and Chester FC fans who wish to sit down and enjoy the match can purchase free tickets in this stand, or in the City End terrace.

Aside from the two seated areas, the rest of the Oval is covered in old-fashioned terracing that covers and rises above steep grass banks at either end behind the goal. Alongside the Railway Stand, travelling Seals can also purchase tickets for free in the City End terrace.

While the Oval now operates at a capacity of 6,050, the record attendance dates back to 1966 for a European Cup Winners Cup tie that saw Rangers travel to Belfast, a contest that was watched on by a staggering crowd of 55,000.

We can’t wait to see all you travelling Seals at the Oval, Up the Seals!