PRIESTFIELD STADIUM
Priestfield Stadium has been a League ground for 96 seasons
from 1 Jul 1950 to the current day
and from 1 Jul 1920 to 30 Jun 1938
and from 22 Feb 1895 to 24 Feb 1895
The 45th ground used for a League game
Current capacity: 11,582
Opened: 1893
TENANTS
Teams that have used this ground as a home
| Team | From | To | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Gillingham | 1 Sep 1893 | Current | The club was a founder member of the Football League Division 3 in 1920, failed to gain re-election in 1938 and was elected to Division 3 [S] in 1950. The ground was closed for one match following crowd trouble at the Oldham Athletic game on January 14th, 1961 (2-3) and this was played at the Stonebridge Road ground of Gravesend & Northfleet FC. The club was also involved in Football League Play Off Matches at the neutral venues of Selhurst Park and Wembley Stadium. | |
|
Arsenal | 22 Feb 1895 | 24 Feb 1895 | Temp | The match was played here due to the Manor Ground being closed for five weeks following a crowd disturbance at the Burton Wanderers fixture (1-1) on January 26th, 1895. |
|
Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 Aug 1997 | 22 Jul 1999 | As a temporary measure the club moved here from the Goldstone Ground and in 1999 moved to Withdean Stadium |
LEAGUE EVENTS
Promotions, relegations and ground moves associated with this ground
| Date | Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1920 | Gillingham | Founder member of Division 3 |
| 30 Jun 1938 | Gillingham | Not re-elected to the League |
| 1 Jul 1950 | Gillingham | Expansion of Division 3 South |
| 13 Aug 1997 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Moved from Goldstone Ground to Priestfield Stadium |
| 1 Jul 1999 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Moved from Priestfield Stadium to Withdean Stadium |
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
New Brompton FC was founded in 1893 and a suitable plot of land in the east of the town purchased for Β£600. On opening it was known as the New Brompton Football & Athletic Ground and the facilities included a pavilion and a 400 seat covered stand on the north side. Although the venue hosted its first Football League match two years later when Woolwich Arsenal was banned from using itsβ Manor Ground and played one game here, Priestfield Road, as it was now known, had to be used for sheep grazing and a variety of events in order to make ends meet.
A stand was constructed on the south side in 1899 and, upon the change of name to Gillingham FC in 1913, a new main stand (badly damaged within one month by a gale!) opened on the north side. Following their entry into the Football League in 1920 the terracing was expanded and improved and when, in 1927, a cover was built over the east end this was the last major improvement made prior to the record attendance of 23,002 being set at the FA Cup 3rd Round tie v. Queens Park Rangers (1-1) on January 10th, 1948.
In post-war years the name of the ground was altered again, this time to Priestfield Stadium. New terracing was constructed in 1955, the main stand refurbished in 1965 and seats installed in the main stand paddock in 1975 before the venue was radically altered during the 1990s when new stands were built on the south side and at the east end.
In 2001, a new two-tier main stand was opened on the north side and the west end was demolished and replaced with a temporary open seated stand giving an all-seater capacity of 11,582 at the start of the 2007/8 season. The pitch size was 114 x 75 yards.
GROUND DETAILS
adapted from "The Extreme Groundhoppers Guide"
- Ground address
- Priestfield Stadium Redfern Avenue, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4DD
- Main phone
- 01634 300 000
- Ticket office
- 01634 300 000
- Ticket prices
- Adults Β£23 (Β£20), Over 65's Β£19 (Β£16), Under 21's Β£16 (Β£13), Under 16's Β£11 (Β£9), Under 11's Β£7 (Β£6)
Programme
- Food & drink
- For a quick pint turn down Gillingham Road to the corner of Barnsole Road the Livingstone Arms is friendly and good for neutral and away supporters its only 7 minutes from the ground. This is a very good football pub; footy memorabilia adorns the walls (and ceiling), numerous screens show games on Sky and the bar staff are supremely organised and work well as a team to serve the thirsty hoards that frequent the bar up to kick-off but the plastic pint glasses well I can see their point.
- If driving
- The ground is located on the east side of Gillingham, so continue on the M2 and exit at junction 4. At the roundabout follow the signs to Gillingham A278, and then continue along the A278, straight over the next two roundabouts, (following signs for town centre). At the third roundabout take the first exit (Signposted Gillingham/Chatham A2). Continue along this road for half a mile, passing 'The Gillingham Business Park' & the 'Right Honourable Pilot' pub.
Continue straight over the next roundabout and then turn right at the traffic lights into Woodlands Road. Continue along Woodlands Road, straight over the mini roundabout to the traffic lights. Turn left at these lights into Canadian Road, and then first right into Toronto Road. Continue along Toronto Road, and then turn left into Gordon Road (Note: this is one way). The away end is at the far end of the ground, so I suggest that you continue to the far end of Gordon Road, and find a car park.
- Public transport
- The ground is about a ten minute walk away from Gillingham railway station, which is served by trains from London Victoria, Charing Cross, St Pancras and Stratford International, the quickest trains leave from St Pancras and Stratford International. Turn left out of the station main entrance and follow Balmoral Road until you come to a crossroads, go straight on into Priestfield Road to the ground.