 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Athletic Ground, Richmond" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(October 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 The one and only stand at Athletic Ground, Richmond | |
 Interactive map of Athletic Ground | |
| Location | The Athletic Ground, Twickenham Road, Richmond, London TW9 2SF |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°28′01″N0°18′11″W / 51.467°N 0.303°W /51.467; -0.303 |
| Owner | Richmond Athletic Association |
| Capacity | 4,500 (1,000 seats) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1886; 139 years ago (1886) |
| Tenants | |
| Richmond (1889—1998, 2000–) London Broncos Academy (2021–2023) London Scottish (1894—1997, 1999–) Old Tonbridgians (2009) | |
Built in 1886, and located inRichmond upon Thames,London, theAthletic Ground is a rugby ground, managed by Richmond Athletic Association, home toRFU Championship sideLondon Scottish andNational League 1 sideRichmond.[1][2] The first team pitch has a stand capable of seating around 1,000 people, though in the past temporary stands have been erected in the considerable space around the pitch to boost the seated capacity. Lower league side, Old Tonbridgians RFC, also play home games at the Athletic Ground.[3] As well as rugby, a small football team by the name of Mortlake FC play at this ground.
The original facilities include six other pitches and two bars which are available for hire, a canteen, changing rooms, a physio room, a shop and offices. Part ofOld Deer Park, a huge continuous leisure area, the Athletic Ground was bordered by thePools on the Park leisure centre,Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, and health centre, and also a driving range. Three pitches have been marked out on the driving range which closed down in the 1990s as did Richmond Bowls Club which is now used as a play area for neighbouring Falcons School.
The Athletic Ground is also host to the National Surveyor 7s, Lloyds Insurance 7s, Neptune City 7s, Law Society 7s, Middlesex Club 7s, NABs Media 7s and Rugby Rocks.
The complex has considerable parking facilities for its size, and is often used as a stop-off for fans on their way toTwickenham Stadium.
Rugby Union clubLondon Scottish announced they would leave the Athletic Ground after 127 years following the 2020–21 season.[4] However as Scottish 1st XV would not participate in the Championship season[5] and there would be no community leagues in 2020–21 they would not play at the Athletic Ground in 2020–21.[6] It was later confirmed they would remain at the Athletic Ground.[7]
In February 2021 it was confirmed thatrugby league sideLondon Broncos would move their academy to the Athletic Ground for three seasons from 2021.[8]
England played ten Test matches at the Athletic Ground between 1891 and 1909. In five of those matches against Scotland (listed below), England failed to win:
| Date | Competition | Home team | Away team | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 March 1891 | 1891 Home Nations Championship | England | 3 | Scotland | 9 |
| 9 March 1895 | 1895 Home Nations Championship | England | 3 | Scotland | 6 |
| 5 February 1898 | 1898 Home Nations Championship | England | 6 | Ireland | 9 |
| 3 February 1900 | 1900 Home Nations Championship | England | 15 | Ireland | 4 |
| 21 March 1903 | 1903 Home Nations Championship | England | 6 | Scotland | 10 |
| 18 March 1905 | 1905 Home Nations Championship | England | 0 | Scotland | 8 |
| 13 January 1906 | 1906 Home Nations Championship | England | 6 | Wales | 16 |
| 5 January 1907 | Friendly | England | 41 | France | 13 |
| 8 February 1908 | 1908 Home Nations Championship | England | 13 | Ireland | 3 |
| 20 March 1909 | 1909 Home Nations Championship | England | 8 | Scotland | 18 |
In theassociation football codeEngland enjoyed more success againstScotland, playing one match here in 1893 as part of the1893 British Home Championship and winning 5-2.[9]
TheFA Amateur Cup final was also played here in 1894, withOld Carthusians F.C. beatingCasuals F.C. 2–1.
Authority control databases: Geographic |
|---|
