Culverden Stadium

The Culverden Stadium was opened in 1962 as a permanent home for Tunbridge Wells.^[1] The occasion was commemorated with a charity football match between Tunbridge Wells and a TV All Stars team which included Jess Conrad and Bernard Bresslaw.^[2] On 31 August 2005, during an FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay, the Culverden Stadium was the location of a record set for the most penalty kicks taken in a penalty shoot-out. The match was won by Tunbridge Wells against Littlehampton Town 16-15 after 40 penalty kicks.^[3] This was recognised as an FA and European record.^[4] In September 2006, the Culverden Stadium was subject to a series of vandalism attacks. The clubhouse was broken into and equipment was stolen. A later attempt was thwarted after Tunbridge Wells officials boarded the windows of the clubhouse.^[5] The record crowd at the Culverden Stadium was 1,810 set in March 2013 for an FA Vase quarter final between Tunbridge Wells and Hadleigh United.^[6]

In January 2023, the clubhouse was damaged by a fire.^[7]

The Culverden Stadium was recognised in non-league football for having a poor surface. It also has a sloped pitch.^[8] To address this in 2012, Tunbridge Wells set up a pitch fund to gain funds to improve it.^[9]

The Culverden Stadium hosts the annual Courier Cup in August.^[10] The Culverden is also used for non-football purposes with it being used as a location for bingo.^[11]

51°08′40″N 0°15′03″E / 51.14432°N 0.25087°E / 51.14432; 0.25087