The Lawn Ground

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Lawn Ground is located in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, England, and was, from 1890 to 2006, home to the English football club, Forest Green Rovers F.C. who currently play in the Conference National.[1] The Lawn Ground also hosted local cup finals as well as being home to Forest Green's Ladies and youth sides.

The ground is located at the top of a steep hill, and has a total capacity of 5,141 people. Forest Green matches drew approximately 1,000 spectators on average at the Lawn Ground. The ground's record attendance is 3,002 for a match between Forest Green and St. Albans City, in a FA Trophy semi-final on April 18, 1999.[2] The Lawn is floodlit,.[3] and about 60 percent of the stands are covered.

Until the 1950s, the Lawn was little more than an open field, but the Rovers' success required upgrades to the stadium. At this point, terraces were constructed for fans and a "famously partial leveling of the pitch" occurred.[4]

In 1996, the Trevor Horsley Stand, named after the chairman of the club, Trevor Horsley, was constructed for over £200,000. This stand seated 300 and included 3 hospitality boxes, underground changing rooms, board room, function room, bar, a health suite and offices.[3] It also featured a quirky watermill behind the stand. Aside from the Horsley Stand, the rest of the ground, about 80 percent, was terraced.

The biggest terrace stand was the covered Barnfield Terrace. The terrace was built during 2001 and 2002 to increase the ground's capacity, and Forest Green fans paid to have their names engraved onto bricks inside that stand. The Barnfield Terrace was sponsored by Rockwool. When the Rovers left the ground at the end of the 2005-2006 season, this stand was due to be transferred brick by brick to their new ground.

Other sections of the Lawn Ground included the Nympsfield Road Terrace.

The Lawn Ground was due to be demolished and turned into housing after the Rovers moved into the new, modern Forest Green New Stadium, which now hosts all their matches. The Rovers began playing at the new stadium, which is only a few hundred yards from the old Lawn, from the start of the 2006-2007 season.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Forest Green Rovers. The FSF Ground Guide. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
  2. ^ Forest Green Rovers. Football Conference (2007-08-08). Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
  3. ^ a b Miller, Kerry (1996-10). The New Forest. Non-League Monthly (from ForestGreenRovers.com). Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
  4. ^ Blue Square Premier Club Facts. FootieNicknames.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
  5. ^ Forest Green Rovers. Football Ground Guide (2007-01-13). Retrieved on 2007-10-11.