The Lawn Ground
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
who currently play in the Conference National
. The Lawn Ground also hosted local cup finals as well as being home to Forest Green's Ladies and youth sides.
The ground was located at the top of a steep hill in the hamlet of Forest Green and had 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. 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.
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. 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 known as The New Lawn, which is only a few hundred yards from the old Lawn, from the start of the 2006-2007 season
.
Nailsworth
Nailsworth is a town in Gloucestershire, England, lying in one of the Stroud Valleys in the Cotswolds. It has a population of around 6,600 people and lies on the A46 road....
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and was, from 1890 to 2006, home to the English football club, Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
who currently play in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. The Lawn Ground also hosted local cup finals as well as being home to Forest Green's Ladies and youth sides.
The ground was located at the top of a steep hill in the hamlet of Forest Green and had 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
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
semi-final on April 18, 1999. 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.
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. It also featured a quirky watermill
Watermill
A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour, lumber or textile production, or metal shaping .- History :...
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
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
, 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
Forest Green New Stadium
The New Lawn is a football stadium and home to Forest Green Rovers F.C., a professional football club based in the town of Nailsworth in Gloucestershire. They play their football in the Conference National and previously played their home matches at The Lawn Ground. The name of the new stadium is...
, which now hosts all their matches. The Rovers began playing at the new stadium known as The New Lawn, which is only a few hundred yards from the old Lawn, from the start of the 2006-2007 season
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
.