Melbourne Community Stadium: Chelmsford City FC

From Midstream Lighting

Originally known as the Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre, Melbourne Stadium, as the home of Chelmsford City is known now, had its first track built in 1934. It is far to say that it has undergone numerous changes since then, not least in order to house the football team when it moved their in 2006. Chelmsford City haven’t had much luck with football grounds, having moved to New Writtle Street in 1922 before the site was sold in 1997. After that, they had to move around to pretty much wherever would take them, which included having to depart Chelmsford itself for a period of time before eventually returning.

Quite how far back to history of Chelmsford City Football Club goes will depend on whether you think the decision to close down Chelmsford Football Club in order to turn professional means that there is no direct link between them. Chelmsford FC was formed in 1878, whilst Chelmsford City was created in 1938. Interestingly, Chelmsford didn’t actually gain city status until 2012, so those involved in the football club were pre-empting things somewhat by putting ‘city’ in its title. Known as The Clarets, Chelmsford City have enjoyed some ups and downs over the years, most of which have been spent in football’s lower leagues.

Stats

Melbourne Community Stadium Photos

Melbourne Stadium Chelmsford - Fans in the Stands

Melbourne Stadium Chelmsford - Entrance

Melbourne Community Stadium Seating Plan and Where to Sit

The stadium where Chelmsford City play their games is mainly used for athletics, with the Main Stand on the east side of the ground being the dominant area for seating. It is raised slightly above pitch level, boasting a capacity of 1,000 seats and also offering a terrace area in front. On the opposite side, the back wall of the Sports & Athletics Centre has a small roof fitted to it to offer some protecting to punters looking to watch the match from the terrace area or the small section of seats. There are terraces behind each of the goals, too. If segregation is in place then away fans are on the Sports & Athletics Centre side.

Chelmsford City FC Ticket Prices

In order to get a sense of how much you’ll be expected to pay for a ticket to see Chelmsford City play football matches, you can look at how much they cost during the 2023-2024 campaign:

• Adult: £17
• Concession: £12
• Students (17-24): £6.50
• Youth (12-17): £6.50
• Under-12: Free

It is between £1.50 and £2 cheaper to buy your ticket in advance of the game, whilst you can also get a family ticket for two adults and three kids for £25 if you buy it in advance.

How To Get Chelmsford City FC Tickets

When you’re based in the lower leagues, you need to do what you can in order to ensure that people can attend your matches and know all about you, given the lack of media attention you tend to get. It is why many of the National League sides have good website and Chelmsford City are no exception. If you’re looking for match day tickets then that it where to head, with the ticket office on the day of the game also being an option.

Where to Buy

• Ticket Compare

Getting To Melbourne Community Stadium

Train – Around two miles from the football ground is Chelmsford Railway Station, which is served by trains from London Liverpool Street. It will take you 30 minutes or so to walk from the train station to the stadium, depending on your personal walking speed.

Bus – From directly outside the train station you will be able to get the 54, 56 or 340 buses, which will take you towards the stadium. Ideal if you’re not much of a walker.

Car – Anyone looking to drive to Chelmsford will need to be getting either the M11 and come off at Junction 7 or the M25 and Junction 28. You will want to get onto the A414 towards Chelmsford itself, at which point you can start looking out for the signposts to the ground.

By Air – Should you be flying in in order to watch a Chelmsford City match, Stansted Airport will be your best bet. It is only about 20 miles away, so is ideally situated. Of course, Chelmsford is a commuter town from London, so you can get there via pretty much any of the London-serving airports.

Taxi – There are usually a good number of taxis at the train station, which will charge you about £10 to take you to the football ground, traffic dependant.

Parking Near Melbourne Community Stadium

There is a free car park at the stadium, but it tends to fill up quite quickly. As a result, you might be more tempted to look for on-street parking in the surrounding area. If that’s what you’re going to do, just remember to be respectful of the residents and follow the traffic signs.

• See Available Parking Near Melbourne Community Stadium

Useful Resources

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Pubs and Bars Near Melbourne Community Stadium

About Chelmsford City FC

Chelmsford Football Club formed in 1878, being put together by members of Chelmsford Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in order to present its members with something to do when the weather got colder. An attempt to put together a football club for similar reasons had been made by Chelmsford West End Cricket Club six years earlier, but that didn’t materialise. The amateur club played in the lower leagues for several decades, but in 1938 it was decided that they should become a professional club. Having seen Colchester Town fail in its bid to do the same, a decision was taken to disband the club and then reform.

As a result, Chelmsford City Football Club was created in 1938 and soon accepted into the Southern League. To all intents and purposes these were the same clubs, but the pendants out there will doubtless argue the case on that front. The new club got underway in the Southern League with a 3-3 draw against Bristol Rovers Reserves on the 27th of August 1938. Their existence has mostly been spent in the lower leagues, winning the likes of the Isthmian League, the London League and the East Anglian Cup, as well as appearance in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy several times over the years, although never winning either.

Melbourne Community Stadium History

Chelmsford FC played at New Writtle Street from 1922 until the decision to disband the club in 1938. As yet more evidence that there is a clear link between the two sides, Chelmsford City continued playing there when the club was formed, going on to buy the stadium in 1939. In 1997, however, the site was sold to developers, with Chelmsford City having to leave the local area in order to carry on playing matches. They originally shared a ground with Maldon Town, then moved to Billericay Town’s New Lodge at the start of 1998. In March 2004, it was confirmed that they would return to Chelmsford to play at Melbourne Stadium.

Following the announcement of Chelmsford City’s imminent arrival, a new stand was built at the stadium, which was primarily used for athletics. The stadium had boasted a running track since 1934, with a cinder track opening in 1962 along with two seated stands. It had hosted Chelmsford City Ladies matches, but the pitch was too small for men’s football and therefore needed to be expanded. The club’s first game back in Chelmsford was against Billericay Town on the 2nd of January 2006, with nearly 3,000 people turning up to watch. It is not a stadium designed for football, so supporters are located quite far the pitch.