Woodside Park ,
Dunmow Road,
Bishop’s Stortford,
CM23 5GZ
History
The club were formed in 1874 and had a fairly low-key start to life, using the grounds of the polo club at Silver Leys and the town’s Grammar school's playing fields as their base up until 1900. more...
Subsequent moves to a farmer's field and a field behind the Bishop's Stortford Steam Laundry did little to improve the situation or to find the club a permanent home. However, this search was finally ended in 1919 when they found a new home known as Brazier's Field. Work was done on the ‘ground’ before Rhodes Avenue was built, including the donation of a wooden pavilion from the polo club.
1931 saw further development including construction of a wooden stand and in the 1950s covered terracing was introduced at both ends of the ground. In the 1960s, as other grounds began to improve and develop, Rhodes Avenue saw construction of a 250 - seater stand which included dressing rooms and social facilities.
The increasing cost of football in the late 70s and early 80s resulted in to mounting debts and a financial struggle which ended with the club having to sell the land at Rhodes Avenue to property developers at the end of 1997.
The clubs’ new home, Woodside Park, was inaugurated with a pre-season friendly against Norwich in July 1999, though the official opening was two months later when they played Spurs. Whilst the club are continuing to settle into their ‘new’ home, there are rumours of yet another move, so chances are there’ll be a new chapter in the clubs’ not-to-distant future.
Woodside Park is a relatively new stadium being just 5 years old. There is a covered all-seater grandstand with a capacity of 298 which also houses the Press Box and Directors Box. As seating in the stand is raised, the views from here are generally good with no supporting pillars to block the view. It is accessible by two sets of stairs (six steps) from the front of the stand. more...
The only possible obstructions which are likely to affect children more than adults are the high concrete dugouts which can limit a small section of the nearside touchline (though this is only an issue when the stand is full) and the relatively high walls that divide seating in the Main Stand so if you’re sat at one of the stand it can be difficult to see the nearside corner at the other end.
There is a covered area to the left of the Main Stand which is reserved for wheelchairs and their carers. Behind the Main Stand is the clubhouse with direct access from the ground via the Town End paddock, near the food outlet. Toilet facilities are located in the airport end of the paddock by the grandstand as well as by the town entrance from the paddock to the clubhouse.
The remaining three sides of the ground are enclosed with a wooden fence and three steps of shallow terracing. Behind the two goals there is a covered paddock and additional rows of terracing. The Airport End faces Stansted Airport and the Town End faces back into Bishop’s Stortford itself. Both shelters are identical in design. There are also metal railings running all the way round the ground which have the perimeter advertising affixed but which can provide somewhere to lean if you’re getting a little weary.
The far side terrace is completely uncovered and so tends to be relatively empty when the weather’s not so hot.
Whilst the ground is fully functional some away supporters have criticised it for its lack of character which is a common complaint with many of the new build grounds especially at the lower levels. However, it is after all a football ground and not likely to be entered for any architectural awards, so there can’t be too many complaints.
