IT has been there for more than 80 years and derelict for the past six, but after thousands of games, demolition of Vetch Field has finally started.
Bulldozers moved in on the ground's main stands yesterday.
The ground was home to the Swans from 1912 until they left for their new home at the Liberty Stadium in 2005.
Ward councillor for Castle Barbara Hynes said the work was welcome and overdue.
"It has taken a long time for it to be done, and I am sure residents of Sandfields will be pleased that the work has begun," she said.
"Now that something is being done, hopefully some developer will come in and give the residents what they want for the area.
"I would like to see some low cost housing there and a community centre — some sort of provisions for the community would be great.''
Mrs Hynes also had a word of comfort for any Swans fans who were sad to see the old ground demolished. "Of course the Swansea City fans will be sad. I remember my father and my husband going to games at the ground and there will be a lot of memories of the place. It is a sad day for them," she said.
"I remember going there when Swansea City were going into the old first division. It was very exciting, and hopefully that will happen again soon."
Late last year Swansea Council secured �700,000 of funding from the National Assembly Government's regeneration area programme to demolish the old ground.
The council had hoped developers would be interested in using the site for affordable housing and a community centre.
But no developers have been forthcoming, and the authority is now looking to landscape the ground after the work is completed.
Development of affordable housing and green space were identified by the local community in a consultation exercise undertaken by the council as two key priorities.
The demolition work is expected to take four months to complete.
robert.goodman@swwmedia.co.uk
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