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Moving Home Although always considered a Southampton Club, Trojans actually now play in the Test Valley District. Over the years there have been many homes - 1874 the first games were played at Porters Mead, which is now called Queens Park on Queens Terrace. (by the Dock Gates)
1884 the Club donated the sum of two guineas towards the purchase of the proposed Cricket Ground in Bannister Park, until recently, the County Cricket Ground, and commenced playing rugby there in the 1884/85 season.
1897 Freemantle Ground, Stafford Road
1905 County Cricket Ground, Northlands Road
1923 G H Brown's farm in Wide Lane, Swathling with Atlantic Park (now Southampton Airport) being used for the dressing accommodation.
1929 Southampton Stadium, Banister Road
1931 Bannister Court as well as G H Brown's farm
1933 11 acres of land purchased in Cemetery Road, Swaythling (sold in 1945)
1946 County Cricket Ground, Northlands Road
1947 Sports Centre, Southampton
1958 Stoneham Park (the present ground). The ground, 22.8 acres, was purchased in 1953 for £1,205 and was another example of the members' foresight, as the timber in the ground was sold for sums almost sufficient to cover the cost of purchase! In 1958, a temporary corrugated iron changing room was completed and the foundations of the pavilion commenced. The temporary iron shed is still in existence, now being used as the groundsman's shed, and the original concrete plunge bath is still there. The pavilion was officially opened by
A.T. Voyce, President of the Rugby Football Union, on 27th December 1960.
The Prime Years
Throughout the early and mid 1900s, Trojans went from strength to strength and provided many County Players as well a number of Internationals.
The modern peak was probably reached in the early 1960s when the Club could justifiably consider itself to be the premier civilian rugby club in the South of England (outside London). In 1961, seven rugby sides were fielded with over 200 players available for selection. |
