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On a #PhoenixToRichmond walk to commemorate the 90th anniversary of our first competitive game.
A glorious day to celebrate 90 years of football for @stpatsfc.
A glorious day to celebrate 90 years of football for @stpatsfc.
We started here - the 15 Acres in the Phoenix Park. The team met at this pavilion and played on Pitch Number 4 in that first game. The Phoenix Park was the club’s home ground for that first season.
Interestingly, Bohs’ underage teams were playing there this afternoon. Bohemians also have history at the Phoenix Park, being founded here in 1890.
For their second season, Pat’s moved up to the AUL Division 3, requiring a move to a new ground. This ground was at Bluebell and is likely to have been this site on Bluebell Lane, which I visited earlier today. This is at the back of Mr Price on Kylemore Rd.
Pat’s played in Bluebell from 1931-33 and again from 1935-39. It is likely but not definite that the same pitch was used on both occasions. The pitch is sometimes referred to as Flood’s Field but local fans sometimes called it “the home of football.” Here’s a thread about it. https://twitter.com/historystpats/status/1266019353121689600
In between these seasons at Bluebell, from 1933-35, Pat’s played at a pitch in Chapelizod. This pitch is likely to have been adjacent to the modern Donore Harriers track. It was a couple of hundred yards from the future stadium used by Pat’s in the fifties.
From 1939 Pat’s moved to Richmond Park. But on entry to the League of Ireland in 1951, Pat’s were forced to move grounds while renovations took place. From 1951-54 Pat’s played at Glenmalure Pk, Milltown, the home ground of Shamrock Rovers.
From 1954-56 Pat’s played closer to home at Chapelizod Stadium. The stadium was used for greyhound racing and speedway. It’s now the site of housing and an industrial estate which I walked to earlier.
Pat’s played at Dalymount Park, home of Bohemians, from 1956-60 while renovations to Richer were finished. As many as 21,000 fans attended Pat’s games at the famous old venue. One of these pics seems to feature Pat’s directors at the ground, the other a Saints team there in 1958.
The Saints returned full-time to Richmond Park from 1960 (having played occasional games there during the fifties) and remained until 1989, when renovations were again needed.
The 1989-93 period was a tumultuous time for the club, who moved out to Harold’s Cross while Richmond was redeveloped.
Pat’s return to Richmond Park in 1993 heralded the spell of another golden era for the club. Two great YouTube videos cover the return.
Today’s walk finished at a quiet Richmond Park, where these days fans aren’t even allowed in on match days. But our journey over 90 years of football has shown the tenacity and commitment we need for the next ninety.
#PhoenixToRichmond
#PhoenixToRichmond
