Draughty and lacking atmosphere - that's new survey's verdict on John Smith's Stadium

A footy fan’s survey has given the thumbs down to Huddersfield Town’s stadium – leaving it hovering just above the relegation zone.

Stuart Court, who runs the ground guide website ToThe92.co.uk ranked the John Smith’s Stadium 19th out of the 24 Championship clubs.

As part of a fundraising drive Stuart visited all 92 English football stadia in 12 days and delivered his verdict.

While he was impressed with the Huddersfield stadium’s overall design, he gave it a blasting for letting in the wind and for its lack of atmosphere.

The survey, in conjunction with building supplies firm www.buildingmaterials.co.uk hailed the stadium, opened in 1994, as the “original Banana Stadium” for its curved stands.

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It added: “Although it looks quite impressive from the outside – the ground has won many design awards and is well worth a visit – the huge gaps in each corner mean that atmosphere seeps out and the wind invariably gusts in.

“Leg room and facilities, however, are excellent. Food outlets aren’t over-priced and they have a reasonable disabled section that can cater for a large number of wheelchair users and their carers.

“Outside you’re able to walk around the stadium due to its location off the beaten track. There is a car park on site and transportation links are very good.”

Stuart visited all 92 grounds to raise money for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London and to update the ground guide on his website. See the full list below.

Huddersfield Town fans at the John Smith's Stadium

Stuart told the Examiner the impressive design was also its biggest flaw and said: “The open corners really allow the wind to whip in and can make for a cold experience watching.

“Closing the corners in some way would make the stadium so much nicer but also more intimidating. Closing the corners keeps the atmosphere in and the sound can echo round.”

Stuart added: “I actually do like the stadium. It’s just surrounded by 23 other very impressive builds.”

Stephen King, chairman of Huddersfield Town Supporters’ Association, said it was hard to disagree.

“We know that at times this season the atmosphere wasn’t what it could be but groups such as North Stand Loyal are trying their best to improve it,” he said.

“In terms of the design I would probably agree because it’s quite an open environment which doesn’t capture the acoustics.

“Ultimately, it’s all down to what happens on the pitch to get people excited and out of their seats.

“This season we have been too inconsistent and it’s been frustrating for everybody.”

Top of the table in the survey was Derby County’s iPro Stadium followed by Rotherham’s New York Stadium and Brighton’s American Express Stadium.

Leeds United’s Elland Road was ninth while the bottom three were Wigan’s DW Stadium, Brentford’s Griffin Park and The New Den at Millwall.

Mr King said his favourite Championship stadium was Molineux, home of Wolves, while he liked olde worlde Brentford for its “pub at each corner.”