Culverden Stadium

Summary

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.

Culverden Stadium
Culverden Stadium
Map
LocationCulverden Stadium, Culverden Park Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells
OwnerTunbridge Wells F.C
OperatorTunbridge Wells F.C
Capacity3,750 (250 seated)

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

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Keep off the pitch". Kent and Sussex Courier. 9 November 1962. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Wells' shoot-out record". The FA. September 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  4. ^ Champions League. "How to take the perfect penalty". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ Harris, Mary (13 January 2023). "Community 'devastated' after serious fire at Tunbridge Wells Football Club". Kent Live. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Saints off to Kent - but Goddy are going nowhere". Hunts Post. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ cladougie (15 February 2012). "Bingo At Culverden Stadium". This is Kent. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.

51°08′40″N 0°15′03″E / 51.14432°N 0.25087°E / 51.14432; 0.25087