Former home ground of both Leicester Fosse and Leicester Tigers. In June 1881 it also hosted Leicestershire County Cricket Club against an All England XI. The ground was situated a mile north of the town and opened in 1880, it was short-lived as a ground though, and was closed in 1901 when houses, shops and part of the British United Shoe Machinery were built on the site. Now the area is bordered by Roberts Road, Buller Road, and Macdonald Road.
Description of the ground:….. “a handsome ground, suitable for cricket and trotting matches, bicycle races, athletic sports, flower shows, and all kinds of outdoor fete. There are two entrances, both from Belgrave road, close to which he dressing rooms are placed. These are fitted with every convenience for competitors. Other rooms are provided, one of which is to be the committee room. The trotting track is well laid, with a width of 25 feet, and three laps to the mile. Inside this is the bicycle course, equally well laid, 15 feet wide, and four laps to the mile. At the top end , also on the Belgrave side, he two tracks join, and continue together for some distance, but the requisite distinction is clearly drawn by rail fence. On the Ross’s walk side there are other two entrances through which will be admitted the paraphernalia belonging to travelling shows which may at any time occupy the ground. For sprint races, a track 200 yards long has been formed, and will be found exceedingly useful. Mr E T Hutchinson, of Humberstone-road, had the contract for levelling, and constructing the track, and the boundary wall erected by Mr W Cox, of Burton-street. Although the preparations are in a very forwards state, it must not be supposed that the ground is complete – in fact there has not been time enough to carry out the scheme of the company in all its details. It is proposed to build a stand, capable of holding 2,000 or 3,000 persons, while a gymnasium and hotel form part of the plans…..” Leicester Chronicle– 22 May 1880
Year | Milestone |
1880 | The ground was opened on 5 May 1880 by Edwyn Sherard Burnaby, the MP for Leicestershire North as a 10-acre site with mile long running and cycling tracks, cricket and football pitches. Cycling, trotting and athletic events were all held. Leicester FC (Tigers) first official game against Moseley on 23 October. Leicester FC also played at least one match under association rules – beating Hinckley 2-0 in November. Just 5 months after opening, the ground was flooded. |
1881 | The ground was enclosed which allowed a gate to be taken. However this harmed the ability to build a following, so Tigers moved to Victoria Park in January 1881. In June Leicestershire County Cricket Club played against an All England XI. Leicestershire won by 75 runs. |
1882 | Leicester Tigers moved back to the ground for the 1882-83 season. |
1887 | Leicester Fosse played their first game at Belgrave – in October against Notts County Reserves – they lost the match 5-0. Fosse played 8 matches – all friendlies at Belgrave – winning 1 (Leicester Wanderers), losing 4 (Notts County Reserves, Burton Swifts, Kettering, Mil Hill House) with the results unknown in the remaining (Leicester Association, Loughborough, and Rushden). |
1888 | Leicester Fosse played their final game at Belgrave in April. Fosse played 8 matches at Belgrave– all friendlies – winning 1 (Leicester Wanderers), losing 4 (Notts County Reserves, Burton Swifts, Kettering, Mil Hill House) with the results unknown in the remaining (Leicester Association, Loughborough, and Rushden). |
1892 | Leicester Tigers moved to Welford Road. |
1901 | Ground closed. Houses, shops and part of the British United Shoe Machinery were built on the site. |