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Connah’s Quay Nomads

Essity Stadium

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Capacity: 3,000 (Seats 250)
Club Nickname: The Nomads
Year Opened: 1993
Address: Marsh Lane, Flint, Flintshire, CH6 5PJ
Pitch Type: Artificial
Undersoil Heating: No
Home Kit: Red and White
Last Update: February 26, 2026

Essity Stadium features one brick stand and a couple of smaller metal stands fitted with seats. Visitors will also find a series of standing areas, including a sheltered spot for avoiding the worst of the weather on a rainy day. Fans can get a good view of the pitch from all sides.

The ground is also equipped with a small bar and ‘cafe’ that serves tea, as well as a social club for fans, but on the whole, it would be fair to say the venue is more focused on functionality than style. That said, there is a certain charm to the place, and the surrounding area offers good food and drink options.

Plans for new stadium

In November 2025, Connah’s Quay Nomads announced that they have plans to build a new 4,000-seater stadium that they can call their permanent home.

The club are looking to partner with the Welsh Football Association and the Welsh Rugby Union in order to complete the construction on the ground, which they would share with rugby team Shotton Steel RFC, alongside opening the venue for hosting international matches.

Nomads move to the Essity Stadium

Leaving the Deeside College Stadium, Connah’s Quay Nomads have played their home fixtures at the Essity Stadium since the start of the 2023-24 season as part of an agreement with Flint.

Speaking on the deal, club Co-Owner, Darren Pritchard, said:

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Flint Town United to their their ground for our home fixtures, starting in the 2023/24 season. Having attended a few games there, it’s a fantastic facility and brilliant playing surface – a huge improvement on the pitch at the Deeside Stadium.

I’d like to express our thanks to Darryl and the Board at Flint for expediting the request and I trust this will be the first of many sporting initiatives between the two long-standing Flintshire clubs.”

Some places to enjoy a drink near the Essity Stadium include:

  • Brewers Fayre – 45 Church Street, Flint, CH6 5AD
  • The Welsh Harp – Prince of Wales Avenue, Flint, GB CH6 5JU
  • Anglesey Taverns – 41 Chester Street, Flint, CH6 5BL

The Essity Stadium can be found within walking distance of Flint Castle, and is situated on the banks of the Dee Estuary.

By Train

The closest train station to the ground is Flint, which is approximately a five minute walk from the stadium. The station is regularly serviced by trains from Chester, Wrexham, Manchester Picadilly, Holyhead and Cardiff.

Car Parking

There are a small number of parking spaces available at the nearby RNLI Lifeboat station.

Single-match prices for Connah’s Quay Nomads are as follows:

  • General Admission: £8
  • Concessions: £4
  • 12-16 year olds: £4
  • U12: FREE

Average Attendance

2024-2025: 234 (Cymru Premier)
2023-2024: 268 (Cymru Premier)

Connah’s Quay Nomads’ rivals include Rhyl, Flint Town, Airbus UK Broughton and Cefn Druids.

If you require hotel accommodation in Chester 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 Club Website: www.the-nomads.co.uk

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

Ground Layout

Ground Layout of Connah’s Quay Nomads

Reviews

Avatar of Jay Condron (CQNFans) Jay Condron (CQNFans)
Game AttendedConnah's Quay Nomads Vs Barry Town United
CompetitionJD Cymru Premier
Date02/12/2023

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

This was one of my first games back since doing my ankle in early August that same year, also it was the first time we faced Barry at home since they got relegated in the 21/22 season

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

(Note Connahs Quay Nomads now play at Flint Town United Cae Y Castell ground) Was relatively easy, the bus journey was straight forward from my home address to flint outside the local aldi and farmfoods.

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

We went to the subway prior to kickoff and went to the club house outside the ground.
Avatar of Will Will
Game AttendedSheffield United vs Derby County
CompetitionChampionship
Date25/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I Knew it would be great support from both teams and the ground was only 1 hour from me so it’s a great away day for Derby fans.

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

Very short walk from Sheffield train station so plenty of time to get in a pub. Also not so long of a walk back if you lose. Very clear walk as well all the way is along the road and the stadium is hard to miss

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

I went to a cinema pub near the ground, a savoy I think great calm before the storm as it’s very quiet. Cheapish drinks but good drinks and you always sit on a sofa! Unusual for an away fan!

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

Good away end quite big. We filled it up we had nearly 3 thousand so it was great before the game however they drown you out with music. The ground is huge and the fans managed to near enough fill it. Your right behind the goal as well so plenty of limbs if you score.

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

Game was poo but the fans made up for it. We chanted and chanted even after our goal keeper got sent of, we only conceded a penalty in the last minute. It was a stupid penalty as well our centre back forgot he wasn’t in net and tipped it over his own player. Huge queue for food or drink but that’s expected toilets were standard.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

We had a police escort and the united fans tried to rub it in, their was a crazy women shouting Yorkshire for about 5 minuets until a policeman finally had enough and shut her up. But as I said before it’s a short walk back to the train station so theirs no where to get lost.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Good day out and would always recommend it to any fan who’s debating going. I’ve never tasted victory their but I’m sure it would be sweet.
Avatar of Steve Smytheman Steve Smytheman
Game AttendedConnah’s quay v airbus uk
CompetitionNathaniel mg cup Wales
Date21/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Working nearby and a good opportunity to get a game in.

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

very easy sat nav to the ground. Free parking on site but noted plenty on the small estates nearby that would not inconvenience residents.

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

Straight to the game. Arrived slightly early but locals very friendly and knowledgable.

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

It is, as you would hope, exactly as described in the guide. The raised bank behind the goal would in theory provide the additional extra space, but it’s already set back because of the athletics track. In addition spare goals etc and the curved end of the track mean it would be a really poor viewing platform. No away end, fans free to mix and that helped raise the atmosphere a little.

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

Good quality game. Home side were three up inside 15 minutes but to airbus credit they never gave in and got it back to 3-3 at half time. They ran out of steam a little in the second half and whilst the goals were good, a 6-3 final score looked about fair. No bar in the ground and cafe closes just after half time.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Easy away from the ground, I was heading back to Liverpool where tunnel closures and lack of knowledge took a strange route through Tranmere to.. no idea really!

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

This was a good level competitive game played with spirit and cost £7. Go support local leagues for a relaxing game
Avatar of James Baxter (Neutral) James Baxter (Neutral)

Gap Connah's Quay v Cardiff Metropolitan University
Welsh Cup Quarter-Final
Saturday 29th February 2020, 2.30pm
James Baxter (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Deeside College Stadium?
 
I was spending the weekend with a friend who lives in Flintshire. Our original plan was to go to another Welsh Cup quarter-final, Flint Town United v Prestatyn Town, on the Friday night, followed by a Cheshire non-league game on the Saturday. But waterlogged pitches put paid first to Flint, then to Chester, Witton and Nantwich, leaving Connah's Quay as our final option. We didn't regret it though.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
Easy. My friend lives 5 miles or so from Connah's Quay and knows the way to the ground. We drove in and parked on the Deeside College car-park, right next to the ground.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
We went straight into the ground and had hot drinks there. It seems like a friendly, welcoming club.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Deeside College Stadium?
 
It is an athletics stadium. The one stand offers a fine, elevated view, not just of the pitch, but of part of the Dee Bridge off to the left. There is a standing area in front of this (the stand, not the bridge!). On the other three sides, the athletics track is surrounded by little grassy banks backed by hedges and/or trees. So it's a pleasant sort of place, if not particularly atmospheric. Great credit is due to the ground staff, as the pitch looked almost unaffected by weather that had caused so many other nearby games to be called off.
 
Our View
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
I don't think I've ever been at a game where such a strong wind has blown straight down the ground. At one point in the second-half, the Connah's Quay goalkeeper took a goal-kick, then had to come and punch the ball clear as it blew back towards him. Connah's Quay had the elements behind them in the first-half. They forced lots of throw-ins and corners, most of which were launched towards the Mets' six-yard box. The visiting defence dealt admirably with most of them. Connah's Quay striker Michael Wilde did meet a couple with headers, which he directed off-target, while Kris Owens rattled the bar with a direct free-kick. The home team finally took a 37th minute lead through Greg Horan's header, only to lose it to Mets' first attack of the half, in the second minute of stoppage-time. A slick move down the right was neatly finished off by Chris Baker. Given the strength of the wind, Mets would have been happy with a half-time deficit of 1-0, so this goal was a major bonus. 
 
Looking Towards The South End
In the second period, Mets based their threat less on set-pieces than on the pace of striker Will Evans. It was he who scored their winning goal on 63 minutes, and he later hit the post with a fine individual effort. A late cameo from Connah's Quay sub Michael Bakare suggested that their attack would have had a bit more variety if he'd played from the start. As it was, they went down to their first home defeat in nearly a year. I haven't seen an official attendance for the game but would guess there were 280-300 or so present. A few were away supporters, though they seemed to be either related to, or friends of, the Mets players. We didn't try the pies, but the hot-drinks were most welcome on such a day.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
Easy. It took about five minutes to leave the car-park and the roads around the ground were clear.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
My over-riding thoughts were that Connah's Quay did superbly to get the game on and that the players of both sides deserve huge credit for making the best of very demanding conditions. I've seen much (much) worse games at supposedly higher levels and in far better conditions. It was a very decent cup-tie, and it rescued our Saturday afternoon.
Avatar of John Meechan (Edinburgh City) John Meechan (Edinburgh City)

Connahs Quay v Edinburgh City
Scottish Challenge Cup Semi Final
Saturday 16th February 2019, 7.35pm
John Meechan (Edinburgh City)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Deeside College Stadium?

It was a chance to see my team play outside of Scotland (for the first time) and also a chance for my team to make a televised final (also for the first time). Plus it would be nice to visit North Wales.

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

The nearest train station to the Deeside Stadium is Shotton which is located two miles away along a straight road. Buses are very rare in this part North Wales. However, the taxi company based in Shotton is really good. Shotton is a well-served railway station and is on the Manchester to Llandudno or Holyhead line. The ground was easy to spot so no real complaints on this front, just need to prepared to pay £5 for a taxi each way, but it could have been worse.

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

I took the Megabus to Manchester then after a pint in the Lost Dene I continued my journey on the train to Shotton. I then took a taxi to the Northop Hotel where I was staying. I would highly recommend the Northop Hotel should accommodation be required, it is a beautiful old country hotel in a rural location which is a short journey from Shotton Station. The grounds around this hotel are fantastic and the service is superb. 

After this I visited the Weatherspoons next to Shotton Station which was fantastic and had some lovely local ales, it was also surrounded by shops and takeaway restaurants. I also visited the Sir Gwayne & The Green Knight pub which is located next to the Spar shop by the ground, the pub was very warmly but had a poor choice of beers. I also had a look in the Connahs Quay social club but as the beer selection was so bad I decided not to stay.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Deeside College Stadium?

I liked the look of the ground; modern with a decent-sized covered stand. The only downside was that the spectators were far away from the pitch due to the athletics track, however, I was impressed all round with the facility and I can imagine that it's a great benefit to the local area.

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

A boring 1-1 each draw after City went 1 up really early, then disaster struck as we lost on penalties, however, fair play to the Nomads for making the final. I feel sorry for them as the SFA decided to play the final a long way from them in Inverness. The atmosphere was fantastic, a lot of passion and noise from both sets of supporters. The catering was really poor, they ran out of pies really early. The stewards were fine.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

I phoned for a taxi to take us back to the Northop Hotel and it turned up really quickly. The taxis in Shotton/Connahs Quay are well run and very reliable. It would have been more fan-friendly if this was an earlier kick off as if this was the case then I could have got the train to my friends place in Stockport and saved money a hotel. I am not saying I would have done this, but I do think fans deserve that choice and an earlier kick off time would have allowed this.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

I would highly recommend Connahs Quay for a Football day out. The only downsides are; social club/pie shop catering and the lack of buses. Apart from this everything else was pretty much perfect, the people were very friendly and welcoming to the Edinburgh City fans so a big shout out to the citizens (no pun intended) of Shotton/Northop/Connahs Quay.