"Tip Top Stadium"

Kimberley Park Prudhoe is situated along the Tyne Valley midway between Newcastle and Hexham on the south side of the Tyne.

Until this year it was the home of Prudhoe Town who competed in the world's second oldest football league, The Northern League. However, despite having the district's highest population of 12,000 people, the club struggled to get bodies through the gate and usually had gates of about 30. I have read somewhere the ground capacity is 3,000, indeed I have attended games where there has been gates in excess of 1,000. One such occasion being a groundhoppers weekend in the early 1990s when Prudhoe hosted Peterlee. Other matches with large gates have come against Newcastle Utd reserves and Blyth Spartans in The Northumberland Senior Cup.

The ground itself was built on reclaimed land from what was the former tip (Hence tip top stadium!). There is a small green hut in one corner that acts as the club house, indeed the popularity of its bar and generous sponsor, helped keep Prudhoe going in its latter years

I am writing this review the day after Stocksfield became the new tenants at Kimberley Park, they play in The Northern Alliance Premier Division (one level below the Northern League!) and opened up with a 5-0 defeat against derby rivals Wark.

The ground is fully fenced with trees on 3 sides and floodlights installed that give this ground a homely feel. Stocksfield's first gate was an encouraging 93, hopefully they will fare better in getting supporters through the gate than Prudhoe did.. Good luck to them!

Location

The nearest train stations are at Prudhoe or Wylam, both about a mile away. Your best bet though is 604 Arriva service from Newcastle that runs half hourly through the day and hourly in the evening that stops 50 yards from the entrance to the ground (opposite the former Eastwood School) for those that drive there is ample parking on site!

Admission prices for Stocksfield v Wark in Premier Division of the Northern Alliance was £1 for adults and 50p for kids with a free programme... beat that for value!

View

Covered terrace and seating available with good views to be had from all parts of the ground.

Facilities

Bar and toilets are available.

Food & Drink

Prudhoe Town did this well, However Stocksfield relied upon the bar for soft drinks and crisps.

Police & Stewards

Not applicable.

Atmosphere

First game for Stocksfield and as it was a derby match there was good friendly banter between supporters.

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