McDiarmid Park
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McDiarmid Park is the home of St. Johnstone Football Club from Perth, Scotland. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.
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[edit] History
For 65 years, St. Johnstone called Muirton Park, in the city's north end, their home, but in 1986 the ground was purchased by a retail group who wanted to demolish it - and the adjoining ice rink - and build a supermarket in their place. In return, the club would be relocated, at no cost to them, to a brand-new stadium at the western edge of the city. A local farmer, Bruce McDiarmid, donated the land on which the stadium now stands.
[edit] Football
McDiarmid Park, the UK's first all-seated, purpose-built football stadium, was officially opened on August 19, 1989, prior to a Saints victory over Clydebank.
The stadium provides excellent facilities for its patrons, with parking for 1,000 cars and 100 coaches, a synthetic playing surface adjacent to the ground (which is used as the team's training ground), and conference facilities within the main (west) stand.
The south stand is named the Ormond Stand, after Willie Ormond, the club's most successful manager to date.
[edit] Women's Football
The Scotland Women's national football team play their home games at McDiarmid Park.
[edit] Rugby
On November 13, 2004 the Scotland national rugby union team played Japan there in a historic first test match north of the River Forth. The result was a 100-8 scoreline in favour of Scotland, the first time the Scottish rugby team had scored a century. Chris Paterson scored 40 points (three tries, 11 conversions and one penalty).
The stadium has hosted several of Scotland's "A" team: a victory over Italy in 1999, a draw over Argentina in 1999, a win against Samoa in 2000, and a loss to Italy in 2003. Also, the Glasgow Warriors (formerly the Glasgow Caledonians) played their home games at McDiarmid Park.
On November 21, 2006, Scotland "A" will face Australia in Perth, their first appearance on home soil in three years[1].
