Richmond Park (football ground)

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Richmond Park

Full name	Richmond Park
Nickname	Richer
Built	1925
Opened	1925
Capacity	5,500
Home of	St Patrick's Athletic FC
Pitch size	108 x 64 m

Richmond Park is a football stadium in Dublin, Ireland. It is the home ground for Irish football team St. Patricks Athletic of the Eircom League. It is situated in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore. The area where the ground now stands was formerly used as a recreational area by the British Army, who were stationed at the nearby Richmond Barracks, hence the name Richmond Park.

The ground lies behind rows of terraced housing in a natural valley. The main stand seats 1,800 people. Behind one goal, at the Inchicore end, the space is unused but the club have plans to build a 2,000 seat stand. The hardcore St. Pat's supporters gather at the other end. Although known locally as the "Shed End" the official name is the John Minnock stand, as it was financed with money received from his transfer to Charlton Athletic. The camac terrace, across from the main stand, is used by both home and away fans, and named after the river that runs behind it.

After the creation of the Irish Free State, and therefore the removal of the British Army, the ground lay idle for 3 years before League of Ireland club Brideville F.C. began using the ground in 1925. In 1930 Brideville were forced to move to Harolds Cross Greyhound Stadium to accommodate St Patrick's Athletic moving in. St. Pats continues to use and develop the ground until 1951 when they entered the League of Ireland. The league deemed the ground unsuitable and St. Pats were forced to use a variety of grounds in Dublin as they fought to upgrade Richmond Park. In 1960, after serious development, the ground played host to St Pats first home league game in Inchicore. The ground closed for redevelopment in May 1989, however due to St Pats hitting financially difficulties they did not return until December 5, 1993.

The ground is often used for Republic of Ireland underage and women's teams. It staged the League Cup final in 1982 and 2003. It has played host to a two Leinster Senior Cup finals, as well as many junior and intermediate finals. In 2001, 2002, 2003 and part of 2004 Shamrock Rovers played their home games in Richmond Park as tenants of St. Pats. In 2005 Dublin City FC played the first 10 games of their season in the ground, under a similar arrangement. Richmond Park is usually used by non league clubs in surrounding areas when they qualify for the FAI Cup.

In 2005 the board of St. Pats spoke to their fans about a potential move to a new municipal stadium in Tallaght where they would share with Shamrock Rovers. Outraged by this the clubs fans revolted and a pressure group called 'Pats for Richmond' was set up to mobilise and organise opposition to the plan. In July 2006 St. Pats board of directors gave a clear indication of staying by purchasing local pub Richmond House (also known as McDowells) in order to give the club's fans a social base.