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As well as St Johnstone matches, McDiarmid Park has been chosen to host the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup on nine occasions. It has also been used for rugby union, including a full international between Scotland and Japan in 2004, several Scotland A fixtures, and some home matches of the former Caledonia Reds team.

History

St Johnstone had played at Muirton Park since 1924, but it had fallen into disrepair by the 1980s. In December 1986 the club received the news that Asda wanted to purchase Muirton Park and the adjoining ice rink to build a supermarket on the site. The Taylor Report noted that there had been a happy "confluence of factors" that allowed St Johnstone to make this development.

The stadium was designed by Percy Johnson-Marshall and built by Miller Construction. The stadium was a prototype and based on legislative advice that was soon to become out of date, but a good facility was built for a reasonable cost. Lord Justice Taylor visited the ground as part of his inquiry into the disaster. The legendary Sir Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton were also in attendance. With just 30 minutes played of the match, the stadium was temporarily plunged into darkness caused by a fault at an electricity substation. Although the stadium's emergency generators were able to provide lighting in the stands, it was 23 minutes before play was resumed.

St Johnstone enjoyed great success when the stadium first opened. The club won promotion to the Premier Division in their first season at McDiarmid. This would have allowed a commuter link road from the neighbouring A9 road to be built.

Structure and facilities

thumb|St Johnstone hosting [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park in 2001. View is from the North Stand.]]

thumb|West Stand (2013)

McDiarmid Park, the first purpose-built all-seater stadium in the United Kingdom, consists of four covered, single-tier stands. The floodlights at McDiarmid are the same ones used at Muirton Park.

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. On 21 November 2006, Scotland "A" faced Australia in Perth, their first appearance on home soil in three years.[http://www.stjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitem.asp?NewsID=1817] On 23 February 2007, Scotland "A" hosted Italy at McDiarmid Park.

Non-sporting usage

For many years the stadium hosted the Scottish convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, which brought thousands of worshippers to the local area every summer. In July 2009, a mass baptism was held, which included the use of a pool. Over 8,000 people attended the three-day event. The 2012 convention was their last year at the stadium as the religious organisation opted to use The SSE Hydro arena at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow for their national convention.

On 6 July 2008, Elton John became the first musician to play at the stadium.

See also

  • Stadium relocations in Scottish football

References

;Sources

  • McDiarmid Park official site