Forest Green FC, The New Lawn, Football Ground Guide

Contents
What's The New Lawn Ground Like? Western Thermal Main Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Away Supporters? Where To Drink? Nympsfield Road End (photo) How To Get There & Where To Park By Train Ground Layout Admission Prices Programme Price Fixtures 2012-2013 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation The New Lawn Location Map

What's The New Lawn Ground Like?
The club moved a short distance to their new ground at beginning of the 2006/07 season. Now when I mean a 'short distance' then I literally mean only a few hundred yards up the road from their old Lawn Ground which is has now been re-developed for housing. The ground is situated on the western edge of the picturesque Cotswold town of Nailsworth. The name Forest Green is taken from the area of the town where the clubs home is found. The ground is sited on top of a fairly steep hill and quite exposed to the elements; so warm clothing is advised when visiting. Technically the new ground does not have an official name at the moment as the Club are hoping to attract a corporate sponsor to purchase the naming rights to the stadium. In the meantime, the ground has been dubbed 'The New Lawn'. The stadium is dominated by the smart looking Western Thermal Stand at one side of the pitch. This 2,000 all seated capacity stand, has a cantilever roof as well as row of executive boxes running across the back of it. Opposite is a small open terrace, which is only seven steps high. Running along the back of this terrace are 4 floodlight pylons. Surprisingly the team dugouts have been located at this side of the pitch, rather than where you would have expected in front of the main stand. Interestingly both ends have to different degrees been relocated from the old Lawn to the new ground. At the Nympsfield Road end of the ground, is a covered terrace, the roof of which came from the Barnfield Road side of the old ground. Opposite is the EESI Stand, which is a covered seated stand that is given to away supporters. This stand is of interest as it was the Trevor Horsley Stand which was transported from the Club's old ground and re-erected at the New Lawn. Top Of Page
Western Thermal Main Stand
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What Is It Like For Away Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the EESI Stand at one end of the ground. This stand is covered and all seated and up to 500 supporters can be accommodated. If a larger away following is expected the the open Barnfield Terrace at one side of the pitch can be allocated instead. My visits to The Lawn have been most enjoyable it would be difficult to find a more friendly and welcoming club than this one. In comparison the club is not one of the biggest, but can regularly boast of crowds between 800 to 1,100. If the chance arises, a visit to this Gloucestershire ground is a pleasant days outing in a unique setting. If you are looking for a Meat Pie, Beef Burger or Hot Dog to buy inside the ground, then you will be disappointed, as the Club has decided not to sell any meat products. Instead there are Veggie Burgers and Pizzas on offer, as well as chips and curry sauce. I guess as a bit of a 'tongue in cheek' the club also do a a vegetable pasty called the Badger pasty! Top Of Page
Where To Drink?
The best option for a drink though is in the clubs own bar, the Green Man, which is built into the back of the Main Stand. This bar serves real ale, hot food and has a number of televisions showing televised sports. However, when a large away following is expected, then the Club reverts to allowing only home fans entrance to it. If you have a bit of time on your hands then there is the Village Inn on the A46 on the North side of the town. This CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed pub is also home to the Nailsworth Brewery. There are some other pubs and food outlets are at the bottom of the hill in Nailsworth, which is about a 15 minute walk down the hill. But unless you are rather fit then the walk back up to the ground is not for the faint hearted as it is up a steep hill. Top Of Page
Nympsfield Road End
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How To Get There & Where To Park
When planning a trip here, don’t try and find Forest Green on your road map, look up Nailsworth, south of Stroud in Gloucestershire. The best way to approach is from the M5 and exit at junction 13 and head for Stroud on the A419. At Stroud turn onto the A46 towards Nailsworth. This will bring you into the centre of the town, when you reach the Information Centre take the first right at the mini roundabout which goes up a steep hill sign posted Forest Green. The Lawn is at the top of this hill. Turn left at the roundabout at the 'summit' into the Club car park, which holds 250 cars. The cost of parking is £3 per car. Please note though that this car park is often full an hour before kick off. Map showing the location of the New Lawn Football Ground (at the bottom of this page). Top Of Page
By Train
There is no railway station in Nailsworth itself. The nearest is in Stroud which is three miles away. I would therefore consider getting a taxi from the station to the ground and booking one back for your return. Otherwise as John Aitken informs me; 'You can also take a bus from Stroud to Nailsworth. Stagecoach numbers 93 & 46 both operate from Stroud to Nailsworth. The bus station is behind Merrywalks shopping centre. Route 46 departs from bus stop M. Ask the driver to let you off at Beechwood Close in Nailsworth. It is than a four minute walk to the ground'. A timetable can be found on the Stagecoach website (PDF document). Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Admission Prices
Home Fans: Western Thermal Stand: Adults £16, Over 65's £12, Under 21's/Students £8, Under 16's £5 Other areas of the ground: Adults £14, Over 65's £10, Under 21's/Students £7, Under 16's £4 Away Fans: EESI (South) Stand: Adults £16, Over 65's £12, Under 21's/Students £8, Under 16's £5 Concessions apply to over 65's and students with valid student card. Top Of Page
Programme Price
Official Programme £2.50 Top Of Page
Fixtures 2012-2013
Forest Green Rovers FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website) Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 4,836 v Derby County, FA Cup 3rd Round, January 3rd 2009 Average Attendance: 2011-2012: 1,035 (Blue Square Premier) 2010-2011: 950 (Blue Square Premier) 2009-2010: 1,012 (Blue Square Premier) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The New Lawn
Paul Willott (Luton Town) 27/10/12 Morgan Nock (Kidderminster Harriers) 26/12/07 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They have a huge choice of places to stay and their booking facility is straightforward to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. Access their Nailsworth & Cotswolds Hotels and Guest Houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. Top Of Page
Map Showing The Location Of The New Lawn Football Ground, Railway Station & Listed Pubs
Instructions for using the map: - Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in / out using the + / - keys. - Click and drag an area of the map to move around or use the up/down, left/right arrows - Click the Satellite button to see aerial view photograph. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net and I'll update the guide

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Forest Green Rovers The New Lawn

Forest Green Rovers
The New Lawn