Gloucester City
Floodlights
In contrast to
Longlevens,
which didn’t hold
a drinks licence,
at the top of the
banking next to
the grandstand
was a large
social hall; from
which it was
hoped a steady
stream of income
would
flow. In front of
the clubhouse, where, City were keen to emphasise, it was possible to view the pitch in glassfronted comfort, was a bank of concrete terracing, which stretched round to the start of the bend
of the oval shaped arena. In the early days this area remained uncovered, but eventually a
large lean-to was attached to the roof of the clubhouse. Further shelter was later provided on
the other side of the grandstand where a small roof was erected over the earth banking. Like
the lean-to in front of the clubhouse, this very much gave the appearance of being an afterthought, the roof lining up untidily with that of the stand. One feature of the new ground, which
the club considered unique, was the service they were able to offer to car users. Because of the
amount of space available at the top of the banking, drivers were allowed to watch the match
from their vehicles if they wished.
Fans turning up for that first Thursday evening match against Wimbledon would have been surprised that the club had neglected to include floodlights in their plans for the new stadium. In
1952, Longlevens had been one of the first grounds in the country to have permanent floodlights
installed and many lucrative friendlies were held before the FA authorised the use of floodlights
for competitive matches. In view of City’s history as ‘floodlight pioneers’, it was all the more
strange that floodlights didn’t arrive at Horton Road until as late as the 1978-79 season.
Greyhound racing was tried for a spell during the 1970s as the track around the pitch was belatedly put to use. It had initially been intended for athletics, a requirement insisted by the council
when they sold the land to City in 1960. A lack of finance, not helped by moderate crowds,
meant that plans to increase the spectator accommodation were put on permanent hold. Instead of an asset, the openness of the venue soon became a hindrance. As the ground became increasingly dilapidated and the bleakness of the surroundings ever more depressing, it
became obvious that the club would have to move on. A deal to sell Horton Road was agreed
in 1979, but it wasn’t until August 1986 that the new ground at Sudmeadow Road was ready for
use. Home to Gloucester City for only 22 years, the ground at Horton Road soon disappeared
beneath a new housing estate, thereby consigning to history Gloucester City’s brave, but ultimately overreaching attempt at creating a super- stadium.
Groundtastic
page 27
Issue 23