Home of Chelmsford City FC
Since 2006
Capacity 3,000
★★★★★
★★★★★
22/2/20 Chelmsford City 1-1 Slough Town at Melbourne Stadium in the Vanarama National League South. Adult entry £13 (bought online otherwise its £15 which is too much), 16 years £5 (no discount online offered, bizarre), Programme £3 (most expensive but it’s good quality), Chips £2.50 (portion is small for the amount you pay). Not the greatest of places to go and watch a football match. The running track around the pitch nullifies any attempt to make some atmosphere. There are a few seats in the ‘stand’ opposite the main stand. The main stand itself is enormous and is too far away from the pitch. Behind the goals at one end is a small covered box terrace, the other end is open to the elements, and yesterday it was very windy. Parking is also a problem as there simply isn’t enough spaces although it is free. The bar is excellent and the food on offer is what you would expect but overpriced. The volunteers are helpful and friendly and a credit to the club. I would recommend that you only go if you have to!!
UPDATE 23/4/22 Third visit. Chelmsford City 1-1 Slough Town. I have taken off another star because today one of our supporters was denied access to the ground with his snare drum due to some stupid council bylaw. It beggars belief that you would be stopped bringing something along to try and create some atmosphere. This place is a soulless bowl!! I only visit because I have to. The volunteers and staff were happy and helpful as they normally are. The only plus point.
7 months ago
History (from Wikipedia)
Chelmsford moved into New Writtle Street Stadium in 1922,[17] having previously played at Broomfield Road, New Street and King's Head Meadow in the centre of the town.[18][19][20]
After their establishment, Chelmsford City continued to play at the New Writtle Street ground, which the club purchased in 1939. During the early parts of World War II the ground was shared by Southend United,[7] before it became a barrage balloon site in 1942. On two occasions (the 1930s and 1940s) the stadium hosted greyhound racing.[21][22][2] The record attendance of 16,807 was set for a local derby with Colchester United on 10 September 1949. Floodlights were installed in 1960 and several plans were made to increase facilities at the ground, including installing a swimming pool and building office blocks or a hotel, but none came to fruition.[2] The club's first floodlit game was against Wisbech Town on 21 September 1960, with the official opening coming in a friendly against Norwich City on 3 October 1960.[19]
In 1997, the site was sold to developers and the club had to move out of Chelmsford. They initially shared at Maldon Town's Wallace Binder Ground, before moving to Billericay Town's New Lodge. In January 2006, the club moved back to Chelmsford when they became a tenants at the Melbourne Stadium, also known as Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre. The centre first had a track in 1934, before a cinder track was opened in 1962 alongside two seated stands on one side of the track, together holding 700 spectators.[23] It hosted Chelmsford City Ladies matches, as the pitch inside the track was too small for men's football.[23] The Ladies team left the ground when the stands were dismantled, although a new 270-seat stand was built in the early 2000s.[23]
Chelmsford City announced that they would be moving to the Melbourne Stadium in March 2004.[23] Following the announcement another stand was built on the other side of the pitch.[23] The first game back at Melbourne Park was against former landlords Billericay Town on 2 January 2006 and was played in front of a then-record crowd of 2,998. The club has plans to upgrade the stadium to a 5,000 capacity capable of achieving the necessary 'A' ground grading.[24] The current record attendance at Melbourne Park is 3,201 for a game against AFC Wimbledon on 15 March 2008.[25] In December 2020, the stadium was renamed the EMG Inspire Stadium as part of a sponsorship deal.[26]
After their establishment, Chelmsford City continued to play at the New Writtle Street ground, which the club purchased in 1939. During the early parts of World War II the ground was shared by Southend United,[7] before it became a barrage balloon site in 1942. On two occasions (the 1930s and 1940s) the stadium hosted greyhound racing.[21][22][2] The record attendance of 16,807 was set for a local derby with Colchester United on 10 September 1949. Floodlights were installed in 1960 and several plans were made to increase facilities at the ground, including installing a swimming pool and building office blocks or a hotel, but none came to fruition.[2] The club's first floodlit game was against Wisbech Town on 21 September 1960, with the official opening coming in a friendly against Norwich City on 3 October 1960.[19]
In 1997, the site was sold to developers and the club had to move out of Chelmsford. They initially shared at Maldon Town's Wallace Binder Ground, before moving to Billericay Town's New Lodge. In January 2006, the club moved back to Chelmsford when they became a tenants at the Melbourne Stadium, also known as Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre. The centre first had a track in 1934, before a cinder track was opened in 1962 alongside two seated stands on one side of the track, together holding 700 spectators.[23] It hosted Chelmsford City Ladies matches, as the pitch inside the track was too small for men's football.[23] The Ladies team left the ground when the stands were dismantled, although a new 270-seat stand was built in the early 2000s.[23]
Chelmsford City announced that they would be moving to the Melbourne Stadium in March 2004.[23] Following the announcement another stand was built on the other side of the pitch.[23] The first game back at Melbourne Park was against former landlords Billericay Town on 2 January 2006 and was played in front of a then-record crowd of 2,998. The club has plans to upgrade the stadium to a 5,000 capacity capable of achieving the necessary 'A' ground grading.[24] The current record attendance at Melbourne Park is 3,201 for a game against AFC Wimbledon on 15 March 2008.[25] In December 2020, the stadium was renamed the EMG Inspire Stadium as part of a sponsorship deal.[26]
Things to do in Chelmsford.
The Ivory Peg.
The Angel.
Pleasant food, reasonable price, friendly staff. Perfect for a nice Sunday lunch. Nice atmosphere and layout of the pub, with a great ever changing menu! Read More