Basingstoke Town Football Club were founded in 1896 following a merger between Aldworth United and Basingstoke Albion. In 1909, they merged again with another local team Hants Ironworks and had almost instant success winning the Hampshire League title in 1912. more...
The club had several temporary grounds in the town including Castlefields, but eventually in 1945, they were offered a 99 year lease at Winchester Road by the late Lord Camrose, and in honour the ground took his name.The team have had their ups and downs over the years but despite failing to qualify in the original Conference South, they were allocated Hendon’s place when the team from Middlesex refused it, finishing a place below them in the Isthmian League Premier Division.Over the years the ground has been developed from a basic wooden stand and single terrace with a clubhouse added in 1969, followed a year later by the Main Stand, terracing added to the remaining three sides and the construction of several flood light pylons all within a few short years.Since the initial development, three of the four terraces have been covered and whilst the ground could undoubtedly do with some cosmetic improvements, it isn’t a bad place to watch football.
Modernisation/Improvements
Unfortunately, in the current climate, few non-league teams are able to finance ground improvements unless they are able to guarantee on the field success to go along with it so there are few plans in teh pipeline....less
General Ground Information
The ground is a fairly-traditional non-league standard with three part-covered sides, an open terrace, covered disabled area and Main Stand seating. Despite the very best efforts of individual supporters and the supporters club who have worked tirelessly over the summer to paint and generally touch-up the ground, the ground still needs a massive amount of money spent on it – and with the current financial state of the club, this is likely to be quite a way off. The limited recent improvements that have been carried out are along way behind that of other clubs at the same level and have been carried out in a fairly hotch-potch manner with no apparent end vision in sight. more...
The 600-capacity traditional Main Stand offers elevated seating accessed by a couple of sets of steps at the front of the stand which are fairly steep but do have a handrail. As with most stands built more than 10 years ago, the roof is supported by 4 pillars which, although painted a rather nice shade of yellow, can obstruct your views of the pitch. Whilst the stand is covered, it doesn’t always manage to offer that much protection (especially if sat in the front rows or at either side) and the seats are the plastic, backless little numbers which means that you can have someone’s knees digging in your back or various spilt beverages dripping down your newly cleaned coat if the stand is full..
Adjacent to the Main Stand is a covered shallow terrace. There are only 4 steps of terracing and as with the Main Stand, there are several roof supports. Both the terracing and the Main Stand have a large paddock area in front which means that supporters are quite a distance from the playing area.
On the opposite side of the pitch is a second covered terrace with again has a huge paddock area in front though there are no supporting pillars to interfere with your view. Again, it is a relatively shallow terrace with just 3 steps and looks in need of a little bit of TLC.
Behind the goal is a covered terrace which, whilst not the prettiest stand you’re ever likely to see with blue corrugated metal cladding behind, it is the closest stand to the playing area and as such is popular with vocal home supporters.
Entrance to the ground is via 2 turnstiles opposite the Social Club which lead on to the uncovered terrace behind the goal and the Supporters Club shop.
The Camrose is rarely segregated with both home and away supporters allowed to mix.
There are two refreshment kiosks in portacabins and a drinks vending machine in front of the Main Stand. Toilets are located behind the Main Stand.
The Camrose is fairly unique in having its own Physiotherapy Clinic at the ground for public use so if you’ve done yourself an injury following a Friday night five-a-side with the lads, or lasses, this is the place to come! ...less
