Jubilee Stadium
Last Update:
April 20, 2022
What Is The Jubilee Stadium Like?
Following a period of ground-sharing with Cheltenham Town, the Club now share the Jubilee Stadium, the home of Evesham United FC. Although located 23 miles from Gloucester it is hoped that their stay will be just one season, whilst their new Meadow Park Stadium in Gloucester is being built.
Although Evesham United play two leagues below Gloucester City in the Evo-Stik Southern League, the ground is a modern and tidy one, being first opened in 2012. Located on the very Southern edge of Evesham it enjoys a semi-rural location with fine views of hills in the distance beyond the West side of the stadium. On the East Side of the ground straddling the half way line is a small Main Stand. Running for around a quarter of the length of the pitch, this simple prefabricated stand contains 300 seats in seven rows and is covered. It has a small enclosed glassed area at the back, for the stadium announcer and is free of any supporting pillars. It is though quite set well back from the pitch. There are flat standing areas to either side of this Main Stand. Oddly the team dugouts are not located in front of this stand but on the opposite East side. This side has no spectator facilities as such, just a pathway running alongside the pitch perimeter fence.
At the Social Club or Town End there is a small covered standing area behind the goal. Set back from pitch side, this flat standing area has a number of supporting pillars running along the front of it. At the opposite South End, there is a prefabricated open terrace, which was installed in 2017. It is comprised of six steps and although like the other stands at the ground it is set back from the pitch it at least provides an elevated view of the match. The Jubilee Stadium has a set of eight floodlights four of which run down each side of the ground.
In a corporate sponsorship deal the stadium is officially known as the Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium.
New Meadow Park Stadium
After an absence of 13 years the Club may finally be going home after it was announced that the construction of a new ground on the site of the former Meadow Park ground will begin on January 6th 2020. The Club were forced to leave their Meadow Park ground in July 2007, after some of the worst flooding recorded in the area, engulfed the stadium, with water almost reaching the height of the crossbars! The Club have been desperately trying to return to Meadow Park, but have had to overcome a number of obstacles to make it happen, which it seems to be doing at long last. The new stadium will have a capacity of 3,648 including two 350 seat stands that will be built either side of the halfway line. If construction goes to plan then the Club hopes to kick off the new 2020/21 season back at Meadow Park.
As some of you may already know, the Gloucester City Stadium is a relatively new build. Due to destruction from flooding back in 2007, this stadium has needed to undergo a bit of a makeover. The stadium itself was actually completed as recently as 2020, and things have certainly gone down well with Gloucester City fans so far. Thanks to the renovation effort, the capacity of the previous stadium has been boosted. Now, a total of 4,000 fans can watch Gloucester City during home games, which is a fair increase from the previous number.
A computerised image of how the new stadium will look:
Image courtesy of Gloucester City FC.
The current surface of the Gloucester City Stadium, or Meadow Park as it is commonly referred to, is 4G. This was another part of the renovation that has taken place over the last 10+ years. In total, the renovation of the stadium has cost the club around £4 million. This is obviously quite a bit of cash for a club the size of Gloucester City, but regardless, they got the funds together through various channels and today, the stadium is enjoyed by all.
The stadium itself is actually located on Sudmeadow Road. And if you have previously been to any Gloucester City games prior to 2007, you’ll know exactly where this is. Interestingly, the new stadium only has space for 762 seated spectators, all of which are based under the shelter of the stadium on the side of the pitch. So this means that more than 3,000 fans are able to watch the game from a standing position, something which is quite common in the lower leagues.
Today, the stadium looks better than ever, with a quality pitch and floodlights around the various parts of the ground. Of course, the cost involved has been far from ideal, but they now have this stadium up and running!
What is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
On the rare occasion that visiting fans will be segregated at the Jubilee Stadium, then away supporters are housed in the South End of the ground. This open end has a small terrace with flat standing areas to either side. It has a capacity of 400 fans. Entrance to this end is via a new turnstile block, located to one side of the Main Stand. Normally a relaxed and friendly day out.
Where To Drink?
There is a fair sized Social Club at the stadium which normally welcomes visiting fans. The nearest pub is the Strawberry Field, located just under a mile away alongside the A46. This pub which is part of the Hungry Horse chain also offers food and is family friendly. On the same retail complex is a Frankie & Benny’s, McDonalds and a Morrisons Supermarket. Otherwise, there is not much else near to the stadium. Evesham Town Centre is one and half miles away (and probably a bit too far to walk from the ground before the match), where there are a number of pubs to be found including a Wetherspoons outlet located on the High Street.
Directions and Car Parking
From The North and Midlands M42
Leave the M42 at junction 3 and take the A435 towards Evesham. Follow the A435 and then as it becomes the A46, for 19 miles to reach the outskirts of Evesham. At the roundabout that is the Junction with the A44 and has a services area on one side, take the second exit to continue along the A46 (signposted M5 South/Oxford). Continue straight across at the next three roundabouts and at the fourth take the second exit into the Club Car Park.
From The South and M5
Leave the M5 at Junction 9 and take the A46 towards Evesham. Follow the A46 for ten miles, until you reach a roundabout on the very outskirts of Evesham, where you take the first exit into the Club car Park.
Car Parking
There is a fair sized car park at the ground which is free.
Post Code for SAT NAV: WR11 2LS
By Train
Evesham Railway Station is located around two miles from the Jubilee Stadium, so best to jump in a taxi. The station is served by trains from London Paddington and Worcester Foregate.
If you do want to walk, then it is a fairly straight route which should take around 35-40 minutes. On leaving the station walk up to the main road and turn right, towards the town centre. Keeping the Station Hotel on your left, proceed along the High Street and through the town centre. On reaching the end of the High Street and with the ‘Ye Olde Red House’ pub on your right, then at the roundabout take the first exit onto Abbey Road. Follow this road around the outskirts of the park and then over the River Avon. Once across the River, the road becomes Cheltenham Road. Keep straight along Cheltenham Road for one mile and you will reach the Jubilee Stadium on your right.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
Admission Prices
All areas of the stadium:
Adults £13
Over 65’s/Under 19’s & Students £8
Under 16’s £3
Under 11’s Free (when accompanied by a paying adult)
Programme Price
Official Matchday Programme £2.50.
Fixture List
Gloucester City FC & National League North fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
Local Rivals
Cheltenham Town.
Average Attendance
Average Attendance
At Jubilee Stadium, Evesham:
2018-2019: 342 (National League South)
2017-2018: 284 (National League South)
At Whaddon Road Cheltenham:
2016-2017: 494 (National League South)
Map showing the location of the Jubilee Stadium In Evesham
Find and Book Your Evesham Hotel And Help Support This Website
If you require hotel accommodation in Evesham 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.
Club links
Official Web Site: www.gloucestercityafc.com
Unofficial Web Site: Tiger Roar
Gloucester City Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Gloucester City v Spennymoor Town
National League North
Saturday 1st February 2020 3pm
Jubilee Stadium
Myles Munsey (Ground hopper)
Reasons for visit
This has been on my list for some time because although Gloucester are in the North division I have always regarded them as a de facto southern club. Anyway, they are well within range for a good day out. With winter coming to an end and longer days round the corner a football outing is always more enjoyable.
Getting there
A mid-morning train from Newbury changing at Reading arrived in Evesham at 12.38. Popping into Butlers Café in the main street for a light lunch I continued on through this charming town full of half-timbered buildings. Crossing the river I carried on up through the ribbon development of swanky housing estates to find the stadium right on the edge of the town.
Before the game
I always like to arrive in good time to check out the facilities. Again the staff here were engaging and friendly from the stewards to the turnstile operators. The lady turnstile operator was blissfully unaware of this website though after some lively banter concerning ground hopping! I hope she reads this! With programme and team sheet in hand, I went in.
General view of the Jubilee Stadium from the South Terrace
First impressions
No two ways about it. This is a basic ground and very exposed so not a good idea to be here on a wet day, if, like me, you have a long walk back to the station. The last time I was in Worcestershire (at Bromsgrove to watch Worcester City) likewise I was watching a team in exile. Although the facilities are perfectly adequate for this level there are no ‘extras’ and sadly there is very little to suggest that this is Gloucester City FC. Everything is labelled Evesham. That I suppose are the rules.
To offset the modernity the view of the distant Malvern Hills is great and the surrounding practice pitches that stretch down to the River Isbourne offer some light relief.
Having eaten in town I did not use the one and only catering outlet next to the Main Stand but I did note the prices:
Beefburger £3
Cheeseburger £3.30
Sausage and chips £3
Chips £1.50
Sausage bap £2.50
Tea and coffee £2
Hot chocolate and Bovril £1.30
Canned drinks £1.20
The game
I had checked the forecast before setting off so I knew this was going to be a bright and breezy day. Not cold but a little fresh round the extremities. A woolly hat was in order. A good day for watching football if not for playing because a combination of strong gusts and bright sunshine made things difficult. Caps required for goalkeepers. Because of the complete lack of segregation (and a low crowd of 236) I was easily able to move up and down the touchline according to where the goalmouth action was (this being far warmer than sitting down) and spent some time talking to the surprising number of Spennymoor fans who had made the four-hour coach journey south. A friendly bunch, very dedicated and with all the northeastern humour that you might expect.
Despite the potentially tricky conditions this was a good game with plenty of action – a little disjointed at times but played with energy and enthusiasm. After a bright start, Gloucester fell behind on 27 minutes Glen Taylor turning and finishing well after a knock-on following a free kick. Soon after Spennymoor saw a shot cleared off the line, they doubled their lead a minute before the interval with an assured finish by James Roberts after a spell of penalty area pinball. Back came Gloucester 10 minutes into the second half when Lewis Brunt rifled in a free kick from the edge of the box. As the sun sank low in the west, the floodlights came on and then a half moon appeared in the south. How strange! 35 minutes of huffing and puffing followed but the Tigers could not find an equaliser. The 2-1 win for Spennymoor puts them within touching distance of the play-offs but for Gloucester life is getting difficult.
.
Getting away
I was ready and waiting by the exit when the whistle blew and took 37 minutes to walk back to Evesham station still in daylight to comfortably make the 1736 train back to Reading.
Overall thoughts
This could be Gloucester’s last season ‘out of town’ (hopefully playing back at Meadow Park very soon) so it will be a great shame if they do not survive at this level. I enjoyed the game and the occasion but felt rather let down by all the negative connotations of ground sharing. Absolutely nothing outside the ground to suggest that Gloucester were at home That said one of the better games I have been to of late.
Gloucester City v Curzon Ashton
National League North
Saturday 2nd November 2019, 3pm
Jeremy Gold (Neutral)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Jubilee Stadium?
This was the only ground in the National League North that I hadn’t yet been to so it was great to finally be able to complete the set.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I live up in Manchester so I went along with the Curzon team and fans. They open up their team bus to fans which is a great idea and the trip was a bargain at just £10.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
There’s not very much at all around the ground and the weather wasn’t the best so I went straight in to have a wander around. Everyone was very friendly and you hope Gloucester will soon get back home as it must be very difficult for them to operate away from their home town.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Jubilee Stadium?
For the standard, it is not a bad little ground. Quite exposed to the elements but there is some cover with a stand on one side and a covered end behind one goal.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was a tight affair where Curzon twice had the lead only to give sloppy goals away. Both sides had chances to win but I think a 2-2 draw was about a fair result. There was not too much atmosphere but it probably wasn’t the day for it to be fair with the swirling rain coming in off the hills.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Very easy as I was on the Curzon bus, time after the game to go in the clubhouse and chat was nice as the players got changed.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A really good day out and what non-league is all about. Everyone from Curzon were so welcoming from fans to players. Evesham’s ground is hopefully just a stop-gap for Gloucester until they return home. There’s nothing wrong with it but I guess it is still not home.
Gloucester City v Eastbourne Borough
National League South
Saturday 29th September 2018, 3pm
Brian Scott (Neutral)