Capacity: 5,000
Seats: 202 (in West Stand)
Floodlights: There are 8 fully working floodlights
Food/Refreshments: 2 Burger Vans + Longmead Lounge (Bar Area)
Tonbridge Angels moved to Longmead Stadium in 1976 after protracted negotiations had dragged on for three years after plans were drawn up by the Council to sell off the club’s Angel ground to a supermarket chain.
The Angel had been home to The Angels since the clubs formation in 1948, and up until WW2 had been used solely for cricket and was one of Kent Cricket Club's favoured grounds. It’s former use was apparent by the position of the 400 seat main stand, that sat at an angle to the pitch, almost behind the near-side goal.
When The Angels moved, the stand was moved with them and reassembled along the western touchline at Longmead Stadium. These days only the middle section is seated, with only limited hard standing on either side. From afar however, it remains an impressive structure. The Angel Ground was to be the inspiration for the new name 'Tonbridge Angels'.
The first noteable thing about Longmead is the large amount of car parking available to home and travelling supporters outside the stadium. The entrance to Longmead Stadium was refurbished before the 2005-06 season and the turnstiles are now decorated with white doors with the Angels crest on. On entering you will find the programme hut directly on your left and the first of two burger vans on your right. If you walk past the programme hut on your left you will come to the Club Shop, fully painted in blue.
The clubhouse can be found to the right of the main entrance, adjacent to the P.A hut. The clubhouse, now re-named the Longmead Lounge was also refurbished before the 2005-06 season and details of the Longmead Lounge can be found further down this page.
For the time being there is no cover on the near side of the ground, except for the Directors’ Stand which seats around 50 home and away directors. Previously there were some rather precarious railway sleepers on this side, however these were removed due to Safety issues when the club moved to the Isthmian league in 2004.
At either end of the pitch are two identical stands, erected during the 2000/01 season and named after the sponsor and company that provided them, 'Mezzazine'. These provide a good, elevated view of the action. These can hold between 300 and 400 supporters and provide acoustic levels to help create a great atmosphere at Longmead Stadium. |
