Longmead Stadium
Darenth Avenue
Tonbridge
Kent TN10 3JW
Telephone: 01732 352417
Nickname: The Angels
DIRECTIONS BY CAR (FROM HASTINGS)
Take the A21 and follow the signs to Tonbridge. From Tonbridge town centre take the A227 Gravesend Road. Turn left at 2nd mini roundabout by 'Pinacles public house into Darenth Avenue. Ground is at far side of Sports Ground.
Longmead Stadium
Darenth Avenue
Tonbridge
Tonbridge moved there in the 1970s when they lost possession of their old Angel Ground. Longmead has a stand running the length of the 'far side' (from where the entrance is) with about 200 seats (I think!), plus some wooden hard-standing. Behind both goals are medium-sized covered terraces (the North and South Mezzanine stands). On the 'near' side there is some terraced hard-standing and also a small press/VIP box.
There is railing all the way round the ground and also floodlights. There is a club shop and clubhouse on the near side of the ground, and there are two refreshment stalls, one on the near and one on the far side. Due to grants and
fundraising by the club, it is hoped that a 250-seat stand on the near side will be built soon together with a new clubhouse to assist the club's efforts to climb the pyramid.
Away View by David Bauckham
The first thing to say about Longmead Stadium is that there is plenty of car parking. That said, the lane which circumvents the parking areas en route to the entrance to the ground is guarded by �sleeping policemen�. Not all of these are marked, as one soon finds out when driving over them.
Anyway, back to the ground. The clubhouse can be found to the right of the main entrance, adjacent to the announcers box. It�s comfortable enough, whith plenty of seating available but I would imagine gets a bit cramped when busy. One visiting supporter commented that it may be the �smokiest� in the League.
There is no cover on the near side of the ground, except for the rather quaint Directors� Box (see picture above). �Terracing� is provided courtesy of a number of carefully arranged railway sleepers.
The remaining three sides of the ground do however, provide good covered accommodation. The far side of the pitch is completely covered, with the stand (transported from Angels� previous ground near the railway station), running almost the length of the pitch. The middle section is seated, with terracing provided on either side. At either end of the pitch are two identical �Mezzanine� stands, erected during the 2000/01 season. I�ve since christened these �twins� Harold and Hilda! These provide a good, elevated view of the action. The metal cladding on the steps enable the home fans (and travelling ones for that matter) to make quite a noise when their team is doing well.
All in all, Longmead Stadium is reasonably well-appointed, with plenty of scope for further development. Half-time refreshments are available on either side of the pitch, and announcements are audible. Goal scorers, times and substitutions were all announced.
Away View by David Bauckham
The first thing to say about Longmead Stadium is that there is plenty of car parking. That said, the lane which circumvents the parking areas en route to the entrance to the ground is guarded by �sleeping policemen�. Not all of these are marked, as one soon finds out when driving over them.
Anyway, back to the ground. The clubhouse can be found to the right of the main entrance, adjacent to the announcers box. It�s comfortable enough, whith plenty of seating available but I would imagine gets a bit cramped when busy. One visiting supporter commented that it may be the �smokiest� in the League.
There is no cover on the near side of the ground, except for the rather quaint Directors� Box (see picture above). �Terracing� is provided courtesy of a number of carefully arranged railway sleepers.
The remaining three sides of the ground do however, provide good covered accommodation. The far side of the pitch is completely covered, with the stand (transported from Angels� previous ground near the railway station), running almost the length of the pitch. The middle section is seated, with terracing provided on either side. At either end of the pitch are two identical �Mezzanine� stands, erected during the 2000/01 season. I�ve since christened these �twins� Harold and Hilda! These provide a good, elevated view of the action. The metal cladding on the steps enable the home fans (and travelling ones for that matter) to make quite a noise when their team is doing well.
All in all, Longmead Stadium is reasonably well-appointed, with plenty of scope for further development. Half-time refreshments are available on either side of the pitch, and announcements are audible. Goal scorers, times and substitutions were all announced.
