Somerton Park
Encyclopedia
Somerton Park was a football, greyhound
and speedway
stadium in Newport
, Monmouthshire
. In April 1912 Newport County
had been accepted to play in the Southern League
for the 1912–13 season
. Shortly afterwards, the site for the ground was obtained by the Club's chairman Bert Moss. On 17 November 1932, the first greyhound meeting took place at the stadium.
The stadium was nearly sold for housing in June 1919, but it was bought and transferred to a committee of employees from the John Lysaght's steel works. It remained the home of Newport County through many reformations until the club went bankrupt on 27 February 1989. County's 77 years at the stadium had brought many highs and lows, the most notable being the Welsh Cup
and Fourth Division
promotion triumph in 1980
and the European Cup Winners' Cup
quarter-final appearance in 1981
, but the final few years brought the trauma of two successive relegations which saw the club lose its Football League status after 68 years, and finally go out of business on 27 February 1989. County were members of the Football Conference
that season
but their bankruptcy saw them expelled from that league for being unable to fulfill their fixtures .
The club was again reformed within four months and began the 1989–90 season
as a Hellenic League
side. The new club's first season was spent in Moreton-in-Marsh
, followed by two seasons at Somerton Park, the next two seasons were played in Gloucester
before finally settling at the newly-built Newport Stadium
for the 1994–95 season
, where the club have played their home matches ever since. By 1993 Somerton Park had finally been redeveloped as a housing estate.
The stadium's record attendance was 24,268 for a Football League Third Division South
match between County and arch-rivals Cardiff City
on 16 October 1937.
The stadium was home to the Newport Wasps
speedway team between 1964 and 1977, attracting some the biggest names in the sport. The tight track meant that turf had to be brought on to make the corner flag area for football matches and removed once the match had finished.
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
and speedway
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
stadium in Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire (historic)
Monmouthshire , also known as the County of Monmouth , is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county....
. In April 1912 Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
had been accepted to play in the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
for the 1912–13 season
1912–13 Newport County A.F.C. season
The 1912–13 season was Newport County's first season in the Southern League.-Results summary:Note: Two points for a win-Southern League Second Division:-Welsh Cup:-League table:-External links:* -References:...
. Shortly afterwards, the site for the ground was obtained by the Club's chairman Bert Moss. On 17 November 1932, the first greyhound meeting took place at the stadium.
The stadium was nearly sold for housing in June 1919, but it was bought and transferred to a committee of employees from the John Lysaght's steel works. It remained the home of Newport County through many reformations until the club went bankrupt on 27 February 1989. County's 77 years at the stadium had brought many highs and lows, the most notable being the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
and Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
promotion triumph in 1980
1979–80 Newport County A.F.C. season
The 1979–80 season was Newport County's 18th consecutive season in the Football League Fourth Division and their 52nd season overall in the Football League....
and the European Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
quarter-final appearance in 1981
1980–81 Newport County A.F.C. season
The 1980–81 season was Newport County's first season back in the Third Division since relegation in 1962 and their 53rd season overall in the Football League....
, but the final few years brought the trauma of two successive relegations which saw the club lose its Football League status after 68 years, and finally go out of business on 27 February 1989. County were members of the Football Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
that season
1988–89 Newport County A.F.C. season
The 1988–89 season was the first season played in the Football Conference by Newport County since their relegation from the Football League at the end of the 1987–88 season...
but their bankruptcy saw them expelled from that league for being unable to fulfill their fixtures .
The club was again reformed within four months and began the 1989–90 season
1989–90 Newport A.F.C. season
The 1989–90 season was the first season played by the reformed side since Newport County were expelled from the Football Conference mid-way through the 1988–89 season....
as a Hellenic League
Hellenic Football League
The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league...
side. The new club's first season was spent in Moreton-in-Marsh
Moreton-in-Marsh
Moreton-in-Marsh is a town and civil parish in northeastern Gloucestershire, England. The town is at the crossroads of the Fosse Way Roman road and the A44. The parish and environs are relatively flat and low-lying compared with the surrounding Cotswold Hills...
, followed by two seasons at Somerton Park, the next two seasons were played in Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
before finally settling at the newly-built Newport Stadium
Newport Stadium
Newport Stadium is a football and athletics stadium in Newport, Wales. It is currently the home of Newport County A.F.C., Llanwern F.C. and Newport Harriers Athletic Club. Albion Rovers F.C...
for the 1994–95 season
1994–95 Newport A.F.C. season
The 1994–95 season was Newport's first season at the newly built Newport Stadium. They finished the season as champions of the Southern League Midland Division by a margin of 14 points and with it promotion to the Premier Division...
, where the club have played their home matches ever since. By 1993 Somerton Park had finally been redeveloped as a housing estate.
The stadium's record attendance was 24,268 for a Football League Third Division South
Football League Third Division South
The Football League Third Division South was a level of English professional football which ran in parallel to Third Division North from 1921 to 1958....
match between County and arch-rivals Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
on 16 October 1937.
The stadium was home to the Newport Wasps
Newport Wasps
Newport Wasps are a British motorcycle speedway team based in Newport, South Wales. They were the 1999 Conference League champions.-History:The Wasp logo incorporates the traditional black and amber colours of the City of Newport...
speedway team between 1964 and 1977, attracting some the biggest names in the sport. The tight track meant that turf had to be brought on to make the corner flag area for football matches and removed once the match had finished.
See also
- Rodney ParadeRodney ParadeRodney Parade is a stadium in the city of Newport, south Wales. Located on the east bank of the River Usk in Newport city centre it is primarily used for rugby matches and is the home ground of Newport RFC and the Newport Gwent Dragons regional team.-History:...
- LiswerryLiswerryLiswerry , also spelt Lliswerry, is both an electoral district and community of the city of Newport, South Wales. The area is governed by the Newport City Council.- Community boundaries :...
- Newport County A.F.C
- Lovells Athletic F.C.Lovells Athletic F.C.Lovell's Athletic F.C. was the works team for Lovell's sweet factory in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, which played professional football from 1918 until 1969.-History:...