Longmead Stadium

Longmead Stadium
The Longmead Stadium pictured in 2010
Map
Full nameLongmead Stadium
LocationTonbridge, England
Coordinates51°12′41″N 0°16′09″E / 51.2115°N 0.2691°E / 51.2115; 0.2691
OwnerTonbridge and Malling Borough Council
OperatorTonbridge Angels F.C.
Capacity3,000 (720 seated)
Opened1980
Tenants
Tonbridge Angels

The Longmead Stadium is an association football stadium in Tonbridge, Kent, England. It is home to Tonbridge Angels, who currently compete in the National League South.

History

The Longmead Stadium was built in 1980 by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council after they had decided to redevelop Tonbridge Angels' Angel Ground in 1977 into a shopping centre.[1] Tonbridge Angels were against the plans to evict them and demolish the Angel Ground and so took out a legal challenge against the plans. Three years later, the High Court ruled in favour of the Council but after negotiations, the Council offered the club the Longmead Stadium as compensation.[2][3] One of the stands at the Longmead Stadium was named "The Jack Maddams Stand" after a former Tonbridge Angels striker who had died.[4] In 2008, the Longmead Stadium hosted a charity match between an Alan Rodgers select XI and an All stars team that was captained by former Tottenham Hotspur player, Gary Stevens as well as Andy Townsend and Jason Cundy.[5]

Outside football

The Longmead Stadium was also used as the location of a temporary office for the Tunbridge Wells branch of the charity, Headway UK after they were obliged to move from their old location at Pembury Hospital due to redevelopment of the hospital.[6] In April 2012, the Longmead Stadium hosted a beer festival intending to show a number of real ales from areas around clubs in the Conference South.[7] It also hosts the West Kent Garden and Leisure show.[citation needed] The Longmead Stadium also hosts the annual Tonbridge fireworks displays to commemorate Guy Fawkes Night.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Domesday Reloaded: TONBRIDGE FOOTBALL CLUB". BBC. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  2. ^ Stoneman, John (2008). The Road from Wembley. Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 104. ISBN 978-1848760295.
  3. ^ "Club History". Tonbridge Angels. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  4. ^ "100-stadium tour for fans in memory of footballer". This is Kent. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  5. ^ "All stars for local legend". This is Kent. 5 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  6. ^ "New home on horizon for charity". BBC News. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  7. ^ "Festival in home of Angels". This is Kent. 19 April 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  8. ^ "THE skies of West Kent have been alight all week as communities get together for their bonfire and fireworks celebrations". Kent and Sussex Courier. 2 November 2012. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2013.