Culverden Stadium
 Culverden Stadium | |
 | |
| Location | Culverden Stadium, Culverden Park Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells |
|---|---|
| Owner | Tunbridge Wells F.C |
| Operator | Tunbridge Wells F.C |
| Capacity | 3,750 (250 seated) |
Culverden Stadium is an association football stadium in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. It is the home ground of Tunbridge Wells F.C. It has a capacity of 3,750, with 250 seats. It is located in Culverden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells.
History
[edit]The Culverden Stadium was opened in 1962 as a permanent home for Tunbridge Wells.[1] The occasion was commemorated with a charity football match between Tunbridge Wells and a TV All Stars team which included Jess Conrad and Bernard Bresslaw.[2] On 31 August 2005, during an FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay, the Culverden Stadium was the location of a record set for the most penalty kicks taken in a penalty shoot-out. The match was won by Tunbridge Wells against Littlehampton Town 16-15 after 40 penalty kicks.[3] This was recognised as an FA and European record.[4] In September 2006, the Culverden Stadium was subject to a series of vandalism attacks. The clubhouse was broken into and equipment was stolen. A later attempt was thwarted after Tunbridge Wells officials boarded the windows of the clubhouse.[5] The record crowd at the Culverden Stadium was 1,810 set in March 2013 for an FA Vase quarter final between Tunbridge Wells and Hadleigh United.[6]
In January 2023, the clubhouse was damaged by a fire.[7]
Pitch
[edit]The Culverden Stadium was recognised in non-league football for having a poor surface. It also has a sloped pitch.[8] To address this in 2012, Tunbridge Wells set up a pitch fund to gain funds to improve it.[9]
Usage
[edit]The Culverden Stadium hosts the annual Courier Cup in August.[10] The Culverden is also used for non-football purposes with it being used as a location for bingo.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "STADIUM ANNIVERSARY: Tunbridge Wells FC has big grounds for optimism". Kent and Sussex Courier (archived at HighBeam). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Keep off the pitch". Kent and Sussex Courier. 9 November 1962. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Wells' shoot-out record". The FA. September 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ Champions League. "How to take the perfect penalty". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Wells blast "mindless morons" after attack causes £10k of damage". Kentish Football. 18 September 2006. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Brilliant Tunbridge Wells book spot in FA Vase semi-finals". This is Kent. 26 February 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ Harris, Mary (13 January 2023). "Community 'devastated' after serious fire at Tunbridge Wells Football Club". Kent Live. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "Saints off to Kent - but Goddy are going nowhere". Hunts Post. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Tunbridge Well FC's Culverden Stadium to get boost". This is Kent. 11 May 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Get down to the Culverden Stadium in Tunbridge Wells this weekend for a feast of local football". This is Sussex. 21 July 2010. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ cladougie (15 February 2012). "Bingo At Culverden Stadium". This is Kent. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.