MANOR FIELD
Manor Field was a League ground for 21 seasons
from 1 July 1893 to 30 June 1913
The 35th ground to be used for a League game
Opened: 1888 • Closed: 1913
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
Royal Arsenal FC first used the site, north of Plumstead, in 1888 when it was known as the Manor Field. There were no facilities as such, wagons were borrowed from the nearby barracks to act as stands when the size of the crowd warranted it and players changed at the nearby Railway Tavern. It was after they had moved to the Invicta Ground in 1890 and returned three years later, as Woolwich Arsenal FC, that the venue was substantially improved and became known as the Manor Ground.
Initially a new 2,000 seat main stand was built on the north side with raised embankments on the south and wagons again in occasional use to provide additional standing accommodation. The Southern Outfall Sewer, running past the south east corner of the ground, provided a free view for spectators and, to counter this a full length seated stand was built along the south side and high concrete terracing constructed at the east end, effectively eliminating this problem.
Initially a new 2,000 seat main stand was built on the north side with raised embankments on the south and wagons again in occasional use to provide additional standing accommodation. The Southern Outfall Sewer, running past the south east corner of the ground, provided a free view for spectators and, to counter this a full length seated stand was built along the south side and high concrete terracing constructed at the east end, effectively eliminating this problem.
During the remainder of the club’s occupancy, the north stand was rebuilt and concrete terracing installed at the west end before they moved to Highbury (later renamed as Arsenal Stadium) in 1913. The site of the ground is now occupied by an industrial estate.