Clifton Grove was a football ground in Rotherham, England. It was the home ground of the original Rotherham Town club.

Clifton Grove
Map
LocationRotherham, England
Coordinates53°25′49″N 1°20′20″W / 53.4304°N 1.3389°W / 53.4304; -1.3389
SurfaceGrass
Opened1891
Closed1896
Tenants
Rotherham Town

History edit

The ground was opened on 26 September 1891 for a Midland League game between Rotherham and Grantham Rovers.[1] It was located to the east of Rotherham town centre and consisted of a covered seated stand on the northern touchline, which had been moved from the club's previous Clifton Lane cricket ground and an open seated stand behind the eastern goal.[1]

In 1893 the club was elected to the Football League, and the first League match at Clifton Grove was played on 9 September 1893, with Rotherham defeating Grimsby Town in front of 3,000 spectators. This was also the highest League attendance recorded at the ground, and was equalled on 1 September 1894 for a 3–1 defeat by Burton Wanderers.[1]

In 1896 the club was voted out of the Football League and subsequently folded. The last League game at Clifton Grove was played on 16 March 1896 with just 300 watching a 2–2 draw against Lincoln City. After the club folded, the ground was subsequently used for housing.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Paul Smith & Shirley Smith (2005) The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds Second Edition 1888–2005, Yore Publications, p38, ISBN 0954783042