There are few finer sights in football than seeing an away end erupt into raptures after a late winner. However, with more and more clubs opting to house away supporters at the side of the pitch rather than behind the goal, the sight is becoming less common than ever before. Luckily for those of us who love to see bedlam amongst travelling supporters, there are still a few among the 92 English Football League stadiums that position away fans in their traditional position.
Rotherham United
Over the years, Rotherham United supporters have been through the mill, excuse the pun. They were evicted from their Millmoor home back in 2008 and exiled to neighbouring Sheffield, specifically to Don Valley Stadium. However, since their new home, the New York Stadium, was built back in 2012, the club has embarked on greener pastures.
In the 11 years since the amphitheatre was constructed, the club has won promotion no fewer than five times, as well as picked up the EFL Trophy. Admittedly the club has been relegated three times as well, however, they avoided relegation from the Championship last season, ensuring that they would play two consecutive seasons in the same division for the first time in six years.
Websites that provide online betting in Zambia and other countries have given them a 250/1 shot at promotion this season, indicating that another year spent looking over their shoulder may well be on the cards.
However, a 2-0 victory at home against 2023 Playoff finalists Coventry City will have boosted their hopes of avoiding the trap door to League One. And anyone who was watching that game will have noticed just how impressive that away end is in South Yorkshire. The Sky Blues crammed more than 2,000 fans into the stand behind the right-hand goalposts, but unfortunately for them, they didn't have a goal to celebrate. That isn't usually the case.
Blackburn Rovers supporters were able to celebrate two goals in three second-half minutes to salvage an unlikely 2-2 draw back in August. Both league leaders Leicester City and Bristol City have also had plenty to shout about at the stadium, with the former netting an 84th-minute goal there, while the latter bagged a last-gasp 95th-minute winner much to the delight of the Robins' travelling army. And we're guessing there will be plenty more goals at that end in the coming months.
Arsenal
The Emirates Stadium is without a doubt one of the most impressive in the country. With a capacity of 60,000, it is also one of the biggest. And as anyone who watches Match of the Day will tell you, there is nothing quite like seeing that away end erupt, especially in a crunch clash at the Premier League's summit.
Unlike the aforementioned New York Stadium, the away end at the Emirates is more on the corner than it is directly behind the goal. Despite that though, the television cameras are always at the perfect angle to capture limbs all over the shop. You only need to check the highlights of Manchester City's visit there last season, a game which saw both Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland net late goals to secure a 3-1 victory and celebrate with their adoring public.
