James Price James Price

Rectory Field, Blackheath RFC, 1883-2016

The tale of Blackheath FC is as almost as old as of the that of rugby itself, and with that comes a ground with as much history as any. This is the story of Rectory Field.

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James Price James Price

Coundon Road, Coventry Rugby, 1921-2004

Several non-descript apartment blocks occupy the site where the famous Coundon Road once stood, only the streets named after George Cole and David Duckham give a hint to its former glories.

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James Price James Price

College Grove, Wakefield RFC, 1935-2004

It’s 2004, the last game of National League One. Wakefield and Coventry know whoever loses goes out of business. Wakefield lose, and College Grove hosted rugby union for the last time.

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James Price James Price

Beacon Park, Plymouth Albion, 1919-2003

Home to Plymouth Albion for 84 years, it was a 'magical place' for former Bath and England hooker Graham Dawe, who enjoyed many good times on this iconic Devon ground.

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James Price James Price

Brierton Lane, West Hartlepool, 1970-1999

When the final whistle went in West Hartlepool’s 11-10 win against London Scottish in April 1998 little did any of those watching know it would be the home side’s last game there.

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James Price James Price

Bramley Road, Saracens F.C., 1939-1996

Unlike our other Ghost Grounds, rugby still takes place weekly on the fields of Bramley Road, and the club colours, and even their name, still grace the shirts of home side Saracens Amateurs.

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James Price James Price

Edge Hall Road, Orrell RUFC, 1950-2007

If things had gone differently for Dewi Morris’s Orrell, Edge Hall Road would have been home to the 1991/92 English champions. However, defeat to Wasps cost them the title on the final day.

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James Price James Price

The Reddings, Moseley RFC, 1883-2000

As amateur-era grounds go, few were as tough as The Reddings. Home of Birmingham club Moseley RFC, even the mighty All Blacks fell to defeat here. Twice.

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James Price James Price

Repton Avenue, Wasps R.F.C., 1923-1996

Almost three decades have passed since Wasps played at Repton Avenue, but the clubhouse that has been enjoyed by countless legends of the game still stands, albeit in a rather different guise.

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James Price James Price

County Ground, Exeter Chiefs, 1893-2006

The smell of fuel still hung in the air from the night before. Picking their way through burnt-out clutches were Exeter RFC, making their way to training at the club’s historic County Ground.

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James Price James Price

Ireland Avenue, Nottingham R.F.C, 1904-2004

Ireland Avenue was Nottingham’s home for over a century, hosting infamous fixtures throughout the decades and was home to countless elite players, Brian Moore and Rob Andrew among them.

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James Price James Price

Stradey Park, Llanelli Scarlets, 1879-2008

It was the oldest stadium in Wales when it was demolished. It hosted early internationals, witnessed David versus Goliath wins and served as a beloved fortress for a century.

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James Price James Price

The Avenue, London Irish R.F.C., 1931-1999

On the southern banks of the Thames, between the famous tracks at Kempton Park Racecourse and Charles I’s old hunting ground, once stoodd The Avenue, the spiritual home of London Irish.

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James Price James Price

Chandos Park, Roundhay R.U.F.C., 1932-2007

Union has long been a ‘minority’ sport in the north, but there was a time when minnows Roundhay produced international talent and competed with the best from Chandos Park.

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James Price James Price

Memorial Ground, Bristol RFC, 1921-2013

Bristol is a place famous for many things, and high on that list is its contribution to English rugby. For a long time, the Memorial Ground in Horfield was the rugby epicentre of this great city.

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Eleanor Bradley Eleanor Bradley

Landseer Avenue, Dings Crusaders, 1948-2017

A windowless clubhouse, a single changing room, a sloping pitch and a strict no cancellation policy, Landseer Avenue was an intimidating ground for any Dings Crusaders opponent.

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Eleanor Bradley Eleanor Bradley

Claro Road, Harrogate RUFC, 1896-2015 

Where Harrogate called home for almost 120 years, and Yorkshire where Geoff Cook’s England came to train, streets named after former players are the only reminders of the history beneath.

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