Ainslie Park

Ainslie Park
Ainslie Park is located in Edinburgh
Ainslie Park
Ainslie Park
Location in Edinburgh
LocationPilton Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland[1]
Coordinates55°58′18″N 3°14′0″W / 55.97167°N 3.23333°W / 55.97167; -3.23333
Capacity3,612 (534 seated)
SurfaceArtificial Turf
Opened2008
Tenants
Spartans F.C.
Spartans W.F.C.
Hibernian L.F.C.
Edinburgh City
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale F.C.
2008–present
2008–present
2016–2021
2017–2022
2021–2022

Ainslie Park is a football stadium located in Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish League Two club Spartans and the club's women's team in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). In addition, Edinburgh City shared the ground between 2017 and 2022 during the redevelopment of Meadowbank Stadium, and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale also played there during the 2021–22 season. Another SWPL team, Hibernian, also previously played there from 2016 to 2021.

History

Spartans F.C. had previously played at City Park, in the Crewe Toll area of Edinburgh, until moving to Ainslie Park in November 2008.

In March 2017, Edinburgh City reached an agreement with Spartans to use Ainslie Park for three seasons while Meadowbank Stadium is being redeveloped.[2] Edinburgh City announced they would return to Meadowbank in 2021,[3] but this was delayed by ongoing works, and they stayed at Ainslie Park for the 2021–22 season.[4]

Hibernian Women played at the stadium for several seasons until 2021, when they relocated to Almondvale Stadium in Livingston, West Lothian.[5]

East of Scotland Football League club Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale moved all their men's first team matches to Ainslie Park for the 2021–22 season, due to problems with the pitch at their Saughton Enclosure ground.[6]

Facilities

Ainslie Park on Pilton Drive in north Edinburgh is the home ground of Spartans, part of their Community Football Academy. The new facility incorporates a fully enclosed stadium which meets SFA and SFL criteria, with an artificial pitch, floodlights, seating for 504 spectators and an overall capacity of 3,000. Another full size, floodlit artificial pitch sits adjacent to the main playing area and the accommodation incorporates six changing rooms, a club room, committee room and a physio room. The Club ground holds a PA system and a bar for spectators.

Transport

Waverley and Haymarket, the main railway stations in Edinburgh, are both approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) from the stadium.

The nearby Ferry Road is served by Lothian Buses route numbers 21 and 27.[7] Services 19, 29, 37 & 47 also run within 0.5 miles (0.8 km) of the stadium.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Spartans Community Football Academy". The List. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. ^ Pilcher, Ross (29 March 2017). "Edinburgh City and Spartans confirm three-season groundshare". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  3. ^ McGlade, Neil (31 March 2021). "Edinburgh City set for Meadowbank return in 'major step' for club". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  4. ^ Delaney, James (3 May 2022). "Meadowbank Stadium 'finishing line in sight' as delayed arena to open". STV News. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Hibernian Women to Play Home Games at Tony Macaroni Arena". Hibernian F.C. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  6. ^ Thomson, Scott (15 July 2021). "Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale boss Ryan Harding delighted with club's temporary new home". Edinburgh News. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Ainslie Park". Spartans FC. Retrieved 1 May 2017.