MANOR FIELD
Manor Field was a League ground for 21 seasons
from 1 Jul 1893 to 30 Jun 1913
The 35th ground used for a League game
Opened: 1888 • Closed: 1913
TENANTS
Teams that have used this ground as a home
| Team | From | To | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Arsenal | 1 Aug 1888 | 30 Jun 1889 | Arsenal's first spell at Manor Field (later named Manor Ground) only lasted for one season. Although an improvement on the Sportsman's Ground it was still very basic, and when an estimated 10,000 fans turned up for the London Charity Cup final on 5th April 1889 it was clear the club would need to find a proper ground. At this time they were borrowing wagons from the barracks for fans to stand on and using the Railway Tavern as changing rooms. They played their last game here on 3rd May 1889. | |
|
|
Arsenal | 1 Aug 1893 | 27 Apr 1913 | The club was elected into the Football League Division 2 in 1893 as Woolwich Arsenal FC. The ground was closed for five weeks following a crowd disturbance at the Burton Wanderers fixture on January 26th, 1895 and home games were played at Priestfield Road and The Lyttelton Ground. In 1913 the decision was taken to re-locate to Islington, some ten miles away, and establish Highbury Stadium. |
LEAGUE EVENTS
Promotions, relegations and ground moves associated with this ground
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 clubβs 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.
MAP
Manor Field