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Berwick Rangers

Shielfield Park

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Capacity: 4,131 (Seated 1,366)
Club Nickname: The Borderers
Year Opened: 1954
Pitch Size: 110 x 70 yards
Address: Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2EF
Phone: 01289 307 424
Pitch Type: Grass
Fax: 01289 307 424
Undersoil Heating: No
Home Kit: Gold and Black
Last Update: September 29, 2020

Shielfield Park has a classic oval shape, with a cinder track surrounding the playing area, which is used by the Berwick Bandits Speedway team during the summer. The Main Stand is on the west side of the pitch. It is all seating, mostly with quite large plastic tip up seats, but a section at the northern end are backless. There are a row of floodlights running across the front of the stand which could impede your view. On the opposite side there is terracing which doers’t extend all the way to the far end. The central part of this side has a good sized roof which should provide excellent cover in all but the worst driving rain. This area is known as the ‘Ducket Enclosure’.
There is no access at all to the northern end as most available space is taken up by the bend of the speedway track. Whilst at the southern end there is just a flat pathway to access the ‘Ducket’ side. Although there is nothing to prevent spectators standing in this area, it is a long way from the pitch, and of course a very long way to the far end goal. There is a pronounced slope from the south end down to the north end. This slope is also prevalent in the Main Stand as the walkway at the front of the seats goes down also. Some of the seats are not exactly parallel with the pitch.

 

 

 

Supporters are not normally segregated at Shielfield. If segregation needs to be enforced then the Main Stand can be split between home and away supporters. If necessary, such as a visit by one of the old firm sides, then all of the terracing can be allocated. As Bill Purvis adds; 'Visiting supporters can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and friendly banter both in the ground and in some of the local hostelries before the match. We do take exception however to being called "English ********" especially as most of the team and half the support are Scots'!

Nick Vagg informs me; 'There is the Black & Gold pub adjacent to the ground which is popular with both home and away fans. It has been recently refurbished and has a big screen to show SKY Sports'. Bill Purvis adds; 'Otherwise, coming into the ground by car on the B6354 (see directions) you will pass the Grove which is always popular with both sets of supporters. If you are walking from the Railway Station you will pass several pubs most of which are not too bad, however, once you cross the River Tweed into Tweedmouth you will come upon the Angel Inn on your left which has plenty of Berwick football memorabilia adorning its walls and is a favourite haunt of the home support. After the Match many go to "Barrels Alehouse" which is a well known pub situated at the Berwick end of the Old Bridge'. There is also the Bonarsteads Bar on Northumberland Road, which also welcomes away fans.

From The North
From the A1 around Berwick and continue crossing the River Tweed. Then take the left turn towards Spittal (B6354). After about one mile, you will reach the entrance to the ground on your left.

From The South
From the A1, take the right turn towards Spittal (B6354). After about one mile, you will reach the entrance to the ground on your left.

Car Parking
There is plenty of free car parking available at the ground.

Berwick-upon-Tweed Railway Station is around a twenty minute walk away from Shielfield Park. 

Thanks to Colin Wallace for providing the following directions from the station to the ground: 'When you leave the station car park, turn right and follow the road around to the left (the opposite direction to the traffic flow on a one way street). Turn right into Castlegate (this is the main road in to town). Go under the archway of the old town walls and you will come across a mini-roundabout that is opposite to the bus station. Turn right and cross the Royal Tweed Bridge. You are now in Tweedmouth. At the other end of the bridge just follow the road as it curves around to the left, passing a school and a Co-op Superstore. Just after that you will come across a railway viaduct. Turn right here into Shielfield Terrace and the ground is 150-200 yards down on your right.

Brian Scott adds; 'Anyone who would like a more scenic route which avoids the town and most of the traffic, but does not increase the journey time (unless you stop to look at the wildlife in the river), might like to follow this easy route, but with some steep steps. Also not suitable after dark. Come out of the station and go right – down some steps into Castle Vale Park. You will find the Castle Parks Trail and go down the sloping path and then down some steps to the north bank of the river Tweed. To your right you will have stunning views of the river and The Royal Border Bridge opened in 1850. Turn left onto the river walk path and go under The Royal Tweed Bridge which opened in 1928. If you keep to the river in front of some houses you will come to the Berwick Old Bridge which was built in 1633. Cross the bridge taking time to look down at the wildlife, and at the end of the bridge bear left into Main Street. Follow this road up a slight incline and left into Prince Edward road and then you are back on the original route.'

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:

If you require hotel accommodation in Berwick-upon-Tweed 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. Just input the dates below that you wish to stay and then select from the map the hotel of interest to get more information. The map is centered to the football ground. However, you can drag the map around or click on +/- to reveal more hotels in the city centre or further afield.

Adults £10
Concessions £5  

Official Programme £2.

Bill Purvis informs me; 'Matches against Stranraer are jokingly known as Border derbies although it is probably somewhere around 190 miles between the two towns!'

The Club has space for around 15-20 wheelchair users with accompanying carer in the North Stand. The Club admit wheelchair users and carer free of charge.

Berwick Rangers FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).

Record Attendance

13,365 v Glasgow Rangers
Scottish Cup 1st Round
28th January 1967. (Berwick Won 1-0).

Average Attendance
2018-2019: 478 (League Two)
2017-2018: 434 (League Two)
2016-2017: 427 (League Two)

Official Web Site: www.berwickrangers.com
Unofficial Web Site: Supporters Trust

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I'll update the guide.

Special thanks to Luke Crawford for providing the photos of Shielfield Park Berwick Rangers.

Ground Layout

Ground Layout of Berwick Rangers

Reviews

Avatar of Ben Norman (Neutral Visiting Cheltenham Town Fan) Ben Norman (Neutral Visiting Cheltenham Town Fan)

Berwick Rangers v Bonnyrigg Rose
Lowland League
Tuesday 30th July 2019, 7.45pm
Ben Norman (Neutral Visiting Cheltenham Town Fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Shielfield Park?
 
I have a soft spot for Berwick Rangers for a long time, being the only senior English football side playing in Scotland!
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
An easy to find the ground with ample parking space. It was less easy to work out where the turnstiles were! Turns out going towards the club bar in an attempt to find the ground entrance was the wrong idea.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
Robert's takeaway just up the road can be recommend, has an incredible supply of options on offer. Those in the club shop were friendly and helpful.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Shielfield Park?
 
It was a nice ground with a small club atmosphere, but the stands are far from the pitch!
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
The game was a 5-3 victory for Bonnyrigg, so plenty of action, an exciting match! The Club Staff were very friendly and helpful at half-time and the locals were friendly too. It was lacking atmosphere, but maybe only 400-500 were in attendance, and Berwick had lost about 12 on the bounce and recently been relegated so that's forgivable.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
Fairly simple by car!
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
A fun day out, exciting match, not the best atmosphere but friendly people.
Avatar of Mark Steele (Neutral) Mark Steele (Neutral)

Berwick Rangers v Cowdenbeath
League Two
Saturday 27th October 2018, 3pm
Mark Steele (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Shielfield Park?
 
For me, the heart of Scottish football is the people who are supporting their local teams rather than heading off to Ibrox or Parkhead in search of silverware. So I was looking forward to seeing some "real" football.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
Berwick-upon-Tweed is not a large town so providing you are at least roughly in the right place, you'll find the ground signposted soon enough. More than ample parking at the ground which is also free, so no complaints there at all.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
There is a good bar and clubhouse at the stadium but I was running a little later than expected so I just headed through the turnstile.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Shielfield Park?
 
The Supporters Club have done a lot of work at the stadium in recent times. There is a modern stand and a new toilet block. There is terracing – both covered and uncovered – opposite the stand. Also, the ground had been tidied up since some of the photographs on the site were taken – no tyres around the outside of the pitch, for a start. Given the attendances at this level, the ground is more than adequate. A surprisingly good range of food and drink was also available and there is a club shop just inside the turnstile. So for a seemingly small ground, there is actually a lot here.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
The game was unusual to say the least. Berwick were reduced to 10 men after 14 minutes following an off-the-ball incident. Cowdenbeath went 1-0 up shortly afterwards and gained a second goal following a pretty obvious dive which got them a penalty. Things got worse for the home side in the second half. Inconsistent refereeing saw Berwick reduced to 9 men following a straight red card for apparently dangerous play although Cowdenbeath's striker Swann only received a yellow for a worse challenge. But Berwick could have no complaints about their third and final red card – a second yellow for an unnecessary shirt pull. The ensuing free kick would lead to Cowdenbeath's third goal. Really the card count decided the game.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
It was really easy to get away. Small crowds mean less traffic congestion.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
I really enjoyed my first trip to Shielfield Park and will definitely go again this season.
Avatar of Brian Scott (Neutral) Brian Scott (Neutral)

Berwick v Edinburgh City
Scottish League Two
Saturday 6th May 2017, 3pm
Brian Scott (Neutral fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Shielfield Park?

I had tried to attend a Berwick game at the beginning of December 2016 but was thwarted by the match being called off due to cup games and I went on up to Falkirk instead. To be honest I was really looking forward to my visit to the town of Berwick more than attending the match itself!

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I had a good journey up from Stowmarket by train arriving at 4pm on the Friday. Staying for two nights at the Walls Bed & Breakfast which I can highly recommend. Shielfield Park is very tucked away behind houses, and although it is very close to the railway line, it is screened by trees. But with the directions given on this guide and my map, I found it easily. Whilst waiting outside the ground for the turnstiles to open I had noticed a large 'artic' lorry parked on the grass car park. At 2pm the curtains were drawn back and a huge number of racing pigeons were released. This was a first for me, never having seen this spectacle before in my life.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Feeling very energetic and with plenty of time to spare I set off on a long coastal walk from my accommodation on the north of the river, over the old bridge, through Spittal and down the coast as far as an old 'pill box' type of structure on the cliff top. This can be seen from the railway line. My return walk was more inland ending up at the ground feeling the need for a sit down! The locals were very friendly, but some rather difficult to understand with me being a Southerner!

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Shielfield Park?

Once more another first for me. I'd never seen a football ground with a speedway track around it. Yes, I'd seen oval grounds before, such as the old Stamford Bridge, Chelmsford City and the old Wembley, but not a cinder track for bikes. This made for a rather odd feel with no stands at either end.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

This was the last game of the season and Berwick were next to bottom and with the outside chance of ending up bottom, so with there league status in doubt. If Berwick lost and Cowdenbeath won, then Berwick would be bottom. Berwick just needed one point to guarantee safety. Berwick scored in the 16th minute from a clever ball passed through and the player putting the ball through the keepers legs. In the 28th minute it was 2-0 and Berwick looked safe. In the second half Edinburgh improved and pulled two goals back in the 74th and 85th minute, to make a nervy end to the game. Great relief all round when Berwick scored a third goal in the 92nd minute. It could have been very different if Cowdenbeath had managed a last minute goal as that game ended 0-0.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

I had a pleasant walk back over the old bridge to my B&B on the walls overlooking the river. My room has brilliant views of the river and all three bridges.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A most enjoyable weekend to finish my football travels for this season, in which I visited 31 new grounds. I don't think I can manage that number next season as it gets harder the more I visit.

Avatar of Brian May (Edinburgh City) Brian May (Edinburgh City)

Berwick Rangers v Edinburgh City
Scottish League Two
Saturday 6th May 2017, 3pm
Brian May (Edinburgh City fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Shielfield Park?

With Edinburgh City having already secured their league status for another season, but Berwick aware that defeat for them could push them into the relegation play-off, this promised to be a good game. This was also a first-time visit to Shielfield Park for me.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

The drive from Edinburgh took around an hour and Shielfield Park wasn't far from the A1 and was easy to find. There is loads of parking available on a grassy area right outside the stadium.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

We had left quite late, so didn't have time for anything else before the game and went straight into the ground. The tension of the occasion meant the home fans didn't seem particularly interested in making friends but neither were they in any way threatening.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Shielfield Park?

Shielfield Park is an old ground that seemingly hasn't changed much in a long time. There is a speedway track around the pitch and only the sides of the pitch have dedicated spectator areas with a partially covered terrace along one side and a seated stand opposite. Both have supporting pillars that do disrupt the view of the pitch – which has a noticeable slope on it. Behind one goal is a flat tarmac area whilst the opposite end is fenced off. There wasn't any segregation in force on the terraces but away fans were asked to occupy only certain blocks of seats in the Main Stand. At the back of the main stand is a glass fronted area for directors and hospitality. The ground is old, but it does have character.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.

The facilities are somewhat basic with a small toilet block inside the turnstiles and a couple of toilets in the main stand. Catering is provided by a fish & chip van, with prices a bit on the steep side and the mince beef and onion pie was slightly soggy and disappointing. The Berwick fans were understandably quiet early on given the precariousness of their situation, but as their team roared into a 2-0 lead before half-time, they found their voices. However, City struck back with two goals in the last quarter to give a nervy last few minutes before Berwick grabbed an injury time winner to ensure that they would avoid the dreaded play-off.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

The traffic away from the ground cleared quickly and we were back on the A1 within a few minutes.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

Shielfield Park is an unusual ground worth a visit if only for the quirk of being a Scottish League ground in England!

Avatar of Arron Botterill (Doing the 42) Arron Botterill (Doing the 42)

Berwick Rangers v Albion Rovers
Scottish Football League Two
Saturday 28th February 2015, 3 pm
Arron Botterill (Doing the 42)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Shielfield Park?

I often stay up in Northumberland so like to take in a game if Berwick are at home.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Very easy. I turned off the A1 signposted Spittal. Continued down this road and saw a sign for Shielfield Park.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Went to a couple of pubs. The Leaping Salmon on the banks of the River Tweed is a Wetherspoons pub, whilst I also visited the Black and Gold pub just up near the ground.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Shielfield Park?

Shielfield Park is a traditional old style ground which has a strange speedway track round so the pitch is slightly set away from the stands. No real segregation only for big cup games as fans either sit in the stand or terrace opposite.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Game was quite dour for about 60 minutes before any main action occurred. Albion ran out 2-0 winners. The food is good and cheap. There is a burger van just to the side of the stand which also does fish and chips.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Fairly easily there were only a few hundred in attendance so was a case of going straight back to t he A1.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

Enjoyable day out seeing a different ground. Was nice to still see terracing in the ground although it was very cold this time of year!