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The Rectory Field

The view of the ground from the West corner in 2017, prior to the Grandstand demolition
Address	Second Avenue Devonport Plymouth England
Coordinates	50°22′21″N 4°09′54″W
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Capacity	2,000
Surface	Grass
Opened	June 1896 (1896-06)
Tenants
Devonport Services R.F.C. 1928– Devonport Albion R.F.C. 1896–1920

The Rectory Field is a rugby stadium based in Devonport, Plymouth. Since 1928 it has been the home of Devonport Services R.F.C.

History

Ownership

Built on the glebe land of Stoke Damerel Church, Paradise Road, the boundary was described as being "bordered on the North by Church Path, on the East by the Military Hospital, on the West by the Old Rectory ground, and on the South by Stonehouse Creek and the foreshore there." The Rectory House was demolished sometime between 1862 and 1895, and the Old Rectory Ground became terraced housing.

The original lease for the rugby ground is dated 24th June 1986, and detailed the 14 year hire of the Rectory Field to Devonport Albion R.F.C.. In 1920 the site was sold by the Church for a sum of £6,500, for "the use of the Admiralty and their Successors in trust for His Majesty King George V, his Heirs and Successors for the Public service." Eight years later, the ownership was conveyed to the Trustees of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Sports Control Board. The grounds were subsequently leased to Devonport Services R.F.C. who have been tenants ever since.

Facilities

By 1914, two stands had been erected, one to the North, and a Grandstand to the South, however these were largely demolished during the Plymouth Blitz, reducing specatator capacity to just 50.

Post-war, the grounds were put out of action for two years while pitch-levelling and stand reconstruction works took place. Prior to the works, it was said that the pitch had a drop of 12-foot across from one end to the other. The North Stand was rebuilt, and named the Luddington Stand, after M.A.A. Bill Luddington, who won 13 caps for the England national side whilst at Devonport Services R.F.C.

Modern Day

The Old Grandstand at Rectory Field, prior to demolition, as seen from Stonehouse Creek

A record attendance of 7,000 was reported in 1993, for a game between the Combined Services and the All Blacks, during the visitors' 1993 tour of Britain. The game finished 13–3 to the All Blacks, despite the home Combined Services team taking an early lead.

Road access to the ground is on the end of Second Avenue, off of Rectory Road, while pedestrian admission is through a turnstile that is in place on Corea Terrace, in the West corner of the site.

In 2005 the South Stand was closed, after the aged wooden construction had been deemed a fire hazard. The stand was eventually demolished in 2020–21. Remaining to the North is the Luddington Stand, allowing for an estimated capacity of 2000.