Last Update:
July 26, 2024
The Tameside Stadium was officially opened by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005. It a modern seated stadium, that overall is quite smart looking and wouldn’t look out of place in a higher league. It comprises a fair sized Main Stand on one side, a covered terrace opposite and two open end terraces.
The Main Stand sits astride the half way line and runs for about half the length of the pitch. Although in capacity terms it is not that large (7 rows comprising 524 seats), the stand itself looks a lot larger. This is firstly due to the fact that the seating area is raised above pitch level, meaning that spectators have to climb a small set of stairs to enter it.
Secondly, the roof of the stand is elevated quite high above the seating area, with a fair-sized back panel. It is also cantilevered, meaning that there are no obstructing pillars to hinder your view of the playing action. The blue block of seats have the letters TMBC spelt out in white across them. This is in reference to the local council who were one of the funders of the stadium. In front of the Main Stand are the team dugouts.
Opposite the Main Stand is a good-sized covered terrace. In some respects, it mirrors the Main Stand in terms of width (it too sits astride the halfway line and runs for around half the length of the pitch), has a high-placed roof and has portions of open terracing to each side.
Both ends have open terraces that although not that high (around seven steps) do run the full width of the end. The stadium has a set of four tall floodlights.
Outside the stadium there is a statue of three football players, who were born locally and played in the World Cup; Geoff Hurst (England), Jimmy Armfield (England) and Simone Perrotta (Italy). It is unusual to see such statues at this level.
Most visiting fans are impressed with the stadium, its facilities and friendliness of welcome. If you get chance then visit the Programme Shop inside the stadium, which has a vast number of football programmes for sale (many at very reasonable prices).
There is a fair-sized Club Bar at the stadium which welcomes visiting fans. Otherwise, in terms of pubs, you will be forced to go into Ashton-under-Lyne town centre which is around 15 minutes away.
Pubs in Ashton include:
- Prince of Orange – 109 Warrington St, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6DW
- Star Inn – 108 Old St, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7SD
- The Sycamore – 4 Stamford Square, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6QX
Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A6140 towards Ashton-under-Lyne.
After passing a Cineworld Cinema on your right you will reach a set of traffic lights (with a couple of sporting statues on your left as you approach the lights), where you turn left (signposted Local Traffic) onto Richmond Street.
Go over the railway bridge, straight across the mini-roundabout and then take the next left into the stadium complex.
There is a large car park at the ground which is free.
The nearest Railway Station is Ashton-under-Lyne which is located just over a mile or a 15-20 minute walk away from Tameside Stadium. The station is served by trains from Manchester Victoria and Huddersfield.
Five minutes walk away from the stadium is Ashton West Metrolink stop. This stop is on the line from Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly. Journey time from Piccadilly is just under half an hour trams run every 12 minutes.
On reaching Ashton West, cross the road (keeping the Cineworld Cinema behind you) and proceed along Richmond Road. Go over the railway bridge and you will see the stadium over on your left.
Curzon Ashton ticket prices:
- Adults: £17
- Concessions (OAPs and students): £12
- U16s: £2
Official Matchday Programme: £2
Ashton United, Hyde, Stalybridge Celtic and Droylsden.
Record Attendance
3,588 FC United v Stourbridge
Northern Premier League, 21st April 2015.
Average Attendances
2023-2024: 400 (National League North)
2022-2023: 379 (National League North)
2021-2022: 340 (National League North)
2020-2021: N/A (Covid)
2019-2020: 107 (National League North)
2018-2019: 450Â (National League North)
2017-2018: 531Â (National League North)
2016-2017: 405 (National League North)
If you require hotel accommodation in the Manchester area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.
Official Website:Â www.curzon-ashton.co.uk
Special thanks to Russell Cox for providing the photos of the Tameside Stadium. Visit his Wycombe Wanderer ground hopping blog.
Curzon Ashton v Guiseley
National League North
Monday 4th March 2019, 7:45 pm
Matt Burtz (Neutral)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Tameside Stadium?
I flew across the pond to attend two Everton games in one week, with their second game being the derby at home on Sunday. (I also managed to squeeze two more games in.) When I booked my flight home I chose to leave from Manchester on Tuesday just in case the Everton game got moved to Monday night. When the game was confirmed for Sunday I made plans to say in Manchester on Monday night to be closer to the airport. Long story short, I hadn't planned on seeing a fifth game until I opened the paper to see that Curzon Ashton were home on Monday night. A quick check of this site confirmed that it could easily be attended. This allowed me an opportunity to see a game in England's sixth tier and I was not about to pass it up.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I was staying more or less halfway between Victoria and Piccadilly Stations and after doing the Old Trafford tour in the afternoon I returned to my room, put on some extra layers because of the forecast, and made the quick walk to the Piccadilly Gardens Metrolink stop. Roughly half an hour later we pulled into Ashton West and I followed three men who appeared to be going to the game. It was already dark but the lights were visible and the walk was accomplished in maybe 10 minutes.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As noted in other reviews, there really isn't anything near the ground unless you count the chain restaurants on the other side of the tram stop. After getting in I bought a scarf and a programme and made my way to the bar for a pint, partially to get out of the cold but also because there was nowhere else to have a beer! The service was friendly and I spent some time checking out the club accomplishments on the walls. After leaving the bar I briefly chatted with one fan before the game started who said he was a Stockport County supporter, but clearly, he just liked going to games as the weather conditions were not exactly hospitable.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Tameside Stadium?
It seemed small from the bridge crossing the railroad tracks but I just needed to adjust my expectations from having been at Goodison Park the day before. I snapped a photo of the statue in front before making my way to the turnstile where I got the authentic experience of actually paying at the turnstile instead of a ticket window. Twelve pounds were exchanged and I asked if I could sit wherever I wanted; this question was met with a chuckle and an affirmative response as I was informed that they weren't expecting a large crowd. I took a lap around the pitch to check everything out. The Main Stand offered a good perspective and I was also intrigued by the covered terrace on the opposite side.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
After having had a seat for my previous four games I was excited to be able to stand on a terrace behind the goal, and I positioned myself behind the goal Curzon Ashton were attacking. To my surprise, I was the only person out there. There were some Guiseley fans behind the goal they were attacking but it was just me and their goalkeeper when the ball was at the other end.
Guiseley put the ball in the net fairly early on but it was disallowed for a reason I'm still not completely certain of (I don't think it was offside, so it must have been a foul). Maybe ten minutes later Curzon Ashton attacked and a nice move from their active winger led to a shot from the edge of the box that the goalkeeper blocked, but the rebound fell to the striker who slotted it home. Shortly after the goal, it started raining a bit more steadily and I decided to take cover under the terrace and stood there until half time. I was getting hungry so at the half, I used the toilet with no issues and had a hot dog in the snack bar; there were some tasty looking items on the menu but I was running low on cash and the hot dog was among the cheaper options.
For the second half standing in the wind had lost its appeal so I took a seat in the third row very close to the halfway line. Guiseley huffed and puffed but never could score the equalizer and Curzon Ashton emerged with a not entirely deserved 1-0 win. The visitors were probably the better side overall but we all know that sports are not always fair. One aspect of the Tameside I noticed quickly is the complete lack of a scoreboard or any visible clock. I suppose your watch serves the same purpose but this still struck me as odd and I never did get used to it.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
With an announced attendance of 271 (of which maybe 25 were Guiseley fans) leaving was not difficult. The wait for the tram was fortunately only about three minutes and its warmth was welcome after a chilly couple hours. I was back in my hotel room by 10:30 pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Everyone I interacted with was welcoming on an inclement Monday night, and for semi-professional players the football seemed to be of decent quality. The Tameside Stadium is well designed except for the lack of a scoreboard. Despite the cold I enjoyed my night, and though it's unlikely that I will have the opportunity to return anytime soon I would readily do so.
Curzon Ashton v Darlington
National League North
Saturday 26th January 2019, 3pm
Matt (Darlington)
Curzon Ashton v Ashton United
National League North
Wednesday 26th December 2018, 3pm
Jeremy Gold (Neutral)
Curzon Ashton v Blyth Spartans
National League North
Saturday 26th August 2017, 3pm
John Hague (Blyth Spartans fan)
Curzon Ashton v Stalybridge Celtic
Conference National League North
Monday 25th January 2016, 7.45pm
Maxwell Meadows (Groundhopper)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Tameside Stadium?
Coming up from Essex I am not too familiar with the non-league scene in the Greater Manchester area and this was to be my first visit to such a club.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
No problem as I parked for the day at Ashton Moss Metrolink station. For £5 I got a day ticket that gave me unlimited travel on the net work. I took the opportunity to check out Manchester city centre that included a visit to the People's History Museum and the Marble Arch pub on Rochdale Road.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Just prior to the roundabout turn off to the ground, by Cineworld, there is a large parking area surrounded by various eateries. You are spoilt for choice.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Tameside stadium?
As it was an evening game the stadium was brightly lit. This impression was enhanced by the light reflecting off the large area of concrete terracing opposite the Main Stand. Despite being the Tameside derby, fans were not segregated. The singing/chanting Curzon supporters remained on terracing adjacent to the Main Stand and in front of the bar. Stalybridge fans congregated behind the goal they were attacking. Although this was low, uncovered terracing it was perfectly adequate for the crowd. Overall the ground had the feeling of being wide open. A quick look around behind the terraced areas showed space for expansion should the club ever feel the need. The sense of exposure was heightened on the night in question as a bitterly cold wind that blew down the length of the pitch. Standing at the top of the covered terracing straddling the half-way line there was no where to hide from the cold.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Being a derby the game had a good atmosphere. Unfortunately the standard of football could not match the expectation. There was little effective goal-mouth action in the first half. It was not until about the 25 minute that that Bridge threatened the Nash keeper. For their part Nash did not really threaten until about the 40th minute when they failed to convert a couple of chances. This was despite the best efforts of the Nash 7, ably supported by the right back to attack their opponents defence. Their cause was not helped by apparently only playing one striker up front. For their part Bridge appeared to persist in their plan of knocking a quick ball over the midfield in the hope that one of their forwards could get to it. With a brisk following wind this was doomed with the ball invariably going out for a goal kick. In the 2nd half Nash steadied a bit and put more into attack. The 7 remained effected with his opposite number on the left wing coming into play more. Despite holding a narrow defence Bridge held firm getting numbers in the box. However, Nash's better football frustrated their opponents, on about 75 minutes Bridge had a player sent off for another rash challenge. Despite this Bridge held out, even mounting attacks right at the end when they could have snatched all the points with a show of good football and tenacity. It ended 0 – 0, a just result with neither side showing a sufficient cutting edge where it mattered.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
With the main car park full I went to the overspill car park just up on the approach road to the ground. The volume of traffic made it difficult to leave but to their credit drivers were amenable to letting cars out into the queue. Consequently it did not take to too long to get away and back on the main road.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite the score and the cold it was an enjoyable visit to an ambitious young club with a new ground. Credit to the programme as well. It was a good read with a number of very specific Nash articles. This included 'some things you might not know about Stalybridge', 'On this day', 'Howay the Nash' and 'Noddy's bit.' Worth every penny. It cannot be easy living in the shadow of the 'Manchester TV teams', to quote the programme, consequently I wish the best to teams such as these and look forward to another visit in the north-west.