Longmead Stadium: Tonbridge Angels FC

From Tonbridge Angels

Built by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in 1980, Longmead Stadium was created as a replacement for Angel Ground, which the council had decided to turn into a shopping centre. The stadium was built as compensation for Tonbridge Angels, who had objected to being forced to leave their home ground and unsuccessfully took the council to court over it. The Angel Ground was a venue filled with history, having also been a venue for first-class cricket in Kent between 1869 and 1939. Its location in the centre of Tonbridge is what made it such an appealing one for the council and a shopping centre.

For their part, Tunbridge Angels Football Club was founded as Tonbridge Football Club in 1947, with the ‘Angels’ being added two years later after they started playing their matches at Angel Ground. The two were inextricably linked, therefore, which helps to explain why the club was so reluctant to leave. The club has bounced around the lower leagues for most of its existence, but some notable names have passed through at one point or another. Ex-players include Malcolm Macdonald, who went on to play for England, Ron Saunders, who won the English top-flight as Aston Villa’s manager, and Roy Hodgson.

Stats

Longmead Stadium Photos

Longmead Stadium Empty Seats

Longmead Stadium Stands

Longmead Stadium Entrance

Longmead Stadium Seating Plan and Where to Sit

It is fair to say that Londmead Stadium is basic in terms of facilities, with the two end behind the goals being very similar to each other thanks to the covered terraces and flat standing areas either side of them that you’ll find there. The Main Stand is all-seater and runs along one side of the pitch, whilst the other side is mostly open to the elements, barring one covered structure that serves as the Director’s Box.

Tonbridge Angels Ticket Prices

Tonbridge Football Club was founded in 1947, becoming Tonbridge Angels two years later when the club started playing its games at the Angel Ground. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the football club is known as the Angels, with the original idea for the formation of a team being made by a local businessman named Herbert Portch. It was one of four clubs to be elected into the Southern Football League for the 1948-1949 season, with around 5,000 people turning up to watch the first fixture against Hastings United, which the away side won 2-1. It took the club a while to get going, making little progress during the 1950s.

The 1972-1973 campaign proved to be the first one that could be referred to as really successful, with the Angels winning promotion to the Premier Division by finishing as runners-up to Maidstone United at the same time as they reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. Just a few years later and the club entered voluntary liquidation after struggling financially. There have been numerous ups and downs for Tonbridge United over the years, including victory over the Metropolitan Police in 2019 that saw that club win the ‘Step 3 Super Play-Off’ and gain promotion to the National League South, the highest the club had been in the football pyramid.

How To Get Tonbridge Angels Tickets

If you’re after tickets for Tonbridge Angles matches then the best place to look is the club’s excellent website. You can select exactly how many tickets you want for each of the available age brackets. You can also pick up tickets on the turnstiles on the day of the game.

Where to Buy

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Getting To Longmead Stadium

Train – Tonbridge Railway Station is found about two miles from the stadium, so that is where you’ll be heading if you’re going to be getting the train in. It is served by the likes of London’s Charing Cross Station, as well as Redhill and Dover Priory.

Bus – The closest stop to the ground by bus is Cage Green, The Pinnacles. It is served by buses 208, 218, 219 and 222, with a short downhill walk taking you to the station.

Car – If you’re planning on driving to Longmead Stadium then the best thing to do is to use your sat-nav. If you’re coming from the north then you’ll want to take the M25 onto the A21, leaving that when you see signs for Hildenborough or the B245. As you get closer, you’ll begin to see signs for Tonbridge Farm Sportsground.

By Air – London Gatwick Airport is around 20 miles away from Tonbridge, so that’s obviously the best one to aim for. That being said, any of the London airports will serve you well.

Taxi – Given the proximity of the train station to the ground, you’d be unlucky if you had to spend any more than £10 on a journey between the two, traffic depending.

Parking Near Longmead Stadium

There is a large car park at the ground that is free to use, so that is always the best place to head to if you’re planning on driving to Tonbridge Angels matches. You will be able to park on the streets around the ground as well, of course, but do make sure that you’re respectful of locals who live in the area.

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Useful Resources

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Pubs and Bars Near Longmead Stadium

About Tonbridge Angels

Tonbridge Football Club was founded in 1947, becoming Tonbridge Angels two years later when the club started playing its games at the Angel Ground. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the football club is known as the Angels, with the original idea for the formation of a team being made by a local businessman named Herbert Portch. It was one of four clubs to be elected into the Southern Football League for the 1948-1949 season, with around 5,000 people turning up to watch the first fixture against Hastings United, which the away side won 2-1. It took the club a while to get going, making little progress during the 1950s.

The 1972-1973 campaign proved to be the first one that could be referred to as really successful, with the Angels winning promotion to the Premier Division by finishing as runners-up to Maidstone United at the same time as they reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. Just a few years later and the club entered voluntary liquidation after struggling financially. There have been numerous ups and downs for Tonbridge United over the years, including victory over the Metropolitan Police in 2019 that saw that club win the ‘Step 3 Super Play-Off’ and gain promotion to the National League South, the highest the club had been in the football pyramid.

Longmead Stadium History

When the club was elected to play in the Southern Football League for the 1948-1949 campaign, a lease was taken on the Angel Ground, which has been the home of Kent County Cricket Club. The link with the hotel is why the club added the word ‘Angels’ to its title, with the landlords being the local council. A minor disaster struck in 1977 when the council confirmed that it wanted to sell the Angel in order to develop the ground into a shopping centre. Tonbridge Angels were deeply unhappy with this, taking the council to court over the matter. The council won, but as a compensatory offer decided to build Longmead Stadium.

Located with in a small park, the Main Stand gives the appearance of the stadium being much older than it actually is. That is thanks to the fact that Tonbridge Angels brought the ground with them when they left the Angel Ground, dismantling it and putting it back together again when they got their new stadium. The ground has been used for numerous things aside from Tonbridge Angels matches. In 2008, for example, a charity match took place between an Alan Rodgers XI and an All Star team, which included the likes of Gary Stevens, Andy Townsend and Jason Cundy. In 2012 it was the location of a beer festival, showcasing real ales from the local area.