One of the key requisites for enjoying a ground is that it must have ‘character’. Culverden Stadium certainly has this.

View more images of Culverden Stadium here.

Culverden Stadium is a well-maintained ground, aided by a supportive local council, and tucked away at the end of a long approach road behind the Kent & Sussex Hospital. New concrete terracing has been laid behind the near goal, replacing a more shallow version that originally extended a bit further around behind the corner flags. There is a large car park and a new clubhouse; with the whole ground enclosed by a perimeter rail filled in by advertising boards.

Two metal cladded, and rather undistinguished dugouts stand on the west side of the ground. One would have preferred a couple of red and white painted brick versions but you can’t have everything, and at least they blend reasonably well with the trees behind. In any case, the main interest lies on the opposite touchline and the main stand.

The pitch slopes downwards towards the far end, where it drops away sharply behind the goal. The slope of the pitch is underlined by the staggered roofing of the original committee facilities and original clubhouse/changing rooms that stands on the half-way line, and the two covered stands (added later) on either side, of brick and wooden construction. Combined, these extend virtually the whole length of the eastern touchline and, although they are not especially elevated, they do nevertheless give the stadium its main definition.

Mike Floate writes: ‘A ground to be walked around and enjoyed to the full well before the game’. Take his advice.

Ground details
Capacity: 3,750
Seats: 250
Floodlights: Yes

(Ground Review reproduced with the kind permission of www.pyramidpassion.co.uk)