Damson Park (Solihull)

Damson Park is an association football stadium in Damson Parkway, Solihull, West Midlands, England. It is the home of Solihull Moors, the club formed when Solihull Borough and Moor Green merged in 2007. Birmingham City W.F.C. of the FA WSL have used Damson Park for home games since 2014.

General information

Arena capacity: 5,500 spectators

Address: Damson Parkway, Solihull, B92 8PS

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 52°26′19.99″N 1°45′26.07″W

Year of construction: 1999

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 102 x 64m

Seating plan of Damson Park

Jerroms Stand

The Jerroms Stand is single-tiered and consists entirely of standing terrace.

The concrete standing section contains flat ground at the front but has three rows of terracing at the back, each row on slightly higher ground than the last. The Jerroms Stand in turn has two walkways, one in front of the standing section, right by the pitch, and the other behind the standing section and along the backwall. The back walkway is very narrow in places, but you can find a Tuck Shop along the back wall here as well as one of the turnstile entry points.

Supporting pillars come down at regular intervals along the front of the stand and so your view is likely to be restricted somewhat as a result. Supporters are not permitted to stand on the walkway in front of the terraced area, despite it being on lower ground.

There are also no windshields in place at either end, as the open sides are needed so that supporters can get from one part of the ground to the other.

Damson Homes Stand

The Damson Homes Stand consists of two tiers of seating, which are stacked on top of one another.

The lower tier, consisting of several blue seating blocks, is the area for supporters. The upper tier is the executive area, consisting of smaller blue seating blocks and a row of executive boxes at the back. These executive tier can be accessed by staircases that are in place at either end of the Damson Homes Stand.

The changing rooms, dugouts and tunnel are all based towards the front of the lower tier.

Large supporting pillars hold the upper level above the lower level, and so your view is likely to be restricted somewhat if you are sat in any of the lower tier seating blocks.

This tier also doesn’t have a back wall, and no windshields in place at either end. Protection from the wind on cold days and nights is limited as a result, especially if you are sat in one of the blocks at either end of the Damson Homes Stand.

Draintech Stand

The Draintech Stand consists of a single tier of standing terrace with a corrugated iron roof overhead. Black fences are in place, which divide the terraced area into four similarly sized sections, and a row of black metal bars runs across the front for fans to lean on.

The stand has no supporting pillars coming down from the roof, ensuring a clear view for everyone stood inside, but there are no windshields in place at either end.

Refreshments and programmes can be bought from the northwest corner of the stadium if you are stood in this stand.

Gas Centre Stand

The Gas Centre Stand is made up of three separate seating areas.

The one closest to the stadium’s northeast corner is the oldest, and you can clearly see how its red seats have faded in colour with age. The outermost rows of this seating area are coloured black instead of red.

The other two seating areas are made up entirely of blue seating. Each section has a soft canvas roof, and these held up by supporting pillars that will restrict your view unless you are sat right at the front. With the sides left open as well, protection from the wind or rain can not be as strong as elsewhere, especially if you are sat at the ends of the rows.

The Gas Centre Stand’s outer concourse is behind two blue seating sections. You can get to here through gaps in between them.

The southwest corner of Damson Park now contains a large electronic screen that can best be seen by those at the opposite end of the football ground. It is positioned up high so that fans can still make use of the walkway underneath.

Away Fans

Away fans are typically housed behind the goal in the Draintech Stand, where they are usually given any of its sections.

Solihull Moors do also offer the red seating section of the Gas Centre Stand as an alternative for away fans as well.

Access to the away section of Damson Park is usually done through turnstiles in the ground’s northeast corner.

Where to buy tickets?

Ticket prices for Moors games are simple to understand. Matches are split into two categories: Category A and Category B. Your ticket price will then be dictated by how old you are as the price is the same regardless of where in the ground you would like to sit.

Tickets are available over the phone, from the club’s online ticketing platform (at a reduced rate) or by calling in to the ticket office in person. You can also buy tickets at the club on the day for most matches.

How to get there?

Leave the M42 at Junction 6 and take the A45 towards Birmingham. After around two miles, you will come to a major set of traffic lights that has a Holiday Inn over to your right and the entrance to Birmingham Freight Cargo Terminal. Turn left at these lights (Sign Posted, Land Rover/Damsonwood) into Damson Parkway. Go up to the roundabout, on which there is an entrance to the Land Rover car plant. Go completely around the roundabout to come back on yourself. The entrance to the ground is a short distance down on the left.

The postcode used by the Club takes you a fair distance from the stadium. This postcode for SatNavs: B92 0PF takes you much closer to the roundabout by the Land Rovers Works next to the stadium.

Car Parking

There is a fair sized car park at the ground, which costs £5. However, it does fill up quickly so make sure you arrive in plenty of time. For some bigger games then the NCP Car Park at the Birmingham Airport Cargo Terminal (B26 3QT) allows fans to park there at a cost of £2. But you need to inform the NCP staff on entry that you are there for the football and they will issue you with a ticket. The NCP Car Park is just under a mile away from the ground, or about a 20-minute walk.

By Train

Solihull Railway Station is served by trains from Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone. The ground is situated two and half miles away from the station in a roughly north-easterly direction.

It is quite a difficult walking route to describe. However, there is a half hourly bus service available throughout most of the day. From the station platforms descend the steps and turn right and exit the station to the east into what is Station Approach (not to be confused with Station Road, which is actually in the town centre). To get to the ground you need the X12, which departs from the Station Road bus stops opposite John Lewis (stop SB). It is a six-minute walk. Once in Station Approach, turn right and head in an approximately easterly direction, crossing several roads, and going to the south of the big roundabout. It might be possible to catch a bus from Station Approach to the first stop, which is Station Road. Bus number 957 goes every 15 minutes plus others.

Once on the X12 bus be sure to ask the driver to drop you off at the Rover Works entrance at the Damson Parkway/Damson Lane roundabout. You cannot see the Rover Works or the football ground until it is too late and the bus will be on the dual carriageway! It is then a two-minute walk further up Damson Parkway crossing the Rover Works entrances by the roundabout. You can view the X12 timetables on the National Express website. Please note that the last X12 bus back into Solihull on weekday evenings departs at 21:35, so you may need to arrange for a taxi instead.

To get to the ground it may be easier to go via train to Birmingham International Railway Station on the Euston to Birmingham New Street line. Then simply catch the X12 bus towards Solihull. That is the same bus that passes the ground from Solihull Town centre (as mentioned above). On Saturday afternoons the X12 runs every 20 minutes, from bus stop SB at the Birmingham International Station, which is roughly one and half miles from the ground, however but it is not a good idea to walk from the station to the ground it as it is mostly busy roads with no footpath. The journey time is around eight minutes and costs £2.30 for adults. The same bus also stops at Birmingham Airport for those who want to fly in!

Where to eat and sleep?

There is a clubhouse just outside the ground, which welcomes away supporters. This has a staggering four bars inside, three downstairs and one upstairs. The number of bars that are open on a matchday depends on what attendance is expected. If the game is segregated then normally one of these bars is specifically allocated to visiting supporters. The clubhouse also has a small external seated area situated out front. If the game is not segregated then the Club kindly allows away fans to leave the ground at half time to access the Club bars. Inside the ground near the corner of the away sections is a small indoor area called the ‘Sadlers Bar’ that amongst other alcoholic drinks serves Sadlers Peaky Blinders Ale.

If parking at the Birmingham Airport Cargo Terminal NCP Car Park, then there is a Holiday Inn on site, which also has a bar. Otherwise, there are no other places to drink close by to the ground, so it would be a case of stopping somewhere en route.

Facilities

There are a number of hospitality packages at Damson Park all in lounges that have been refurbished.

The Jerroms Vice-Presidents Suite

The prestigious Jerroms Vice-Presidents Suite, located within the newly refurbished Damson Homes stand, has undergone a rather extensive makeover.

Distinguished guests have access to a private balcony where they will enjoy the game in premium seating on the halfway line.

The suite remains a first-class dining affair offering a high-quality three-course meal courtesy of The Butchers Social. Guests will be greeted by the maître d’, who will be at your service during your whole experience.

You will enjoy the company of the chairman and home & away directors. Bar and table service is available throughout your time serving a selection of premium wines, beers, spirits, and soft drinks.

Guests are encouraged to wear smart casual attire (no football shirts).

Matchday Box Packages

Enjoy a relaxed matchday experience from the comfort of one of the executive boxes. Each executive box has its own private balcony and premium seating where up to 10 guests can soak up all the atmosphere.

A day in an executive box can be the perfect way for family and friends to celebrate a special occasion.

Whether that be birthday celebrations, a wedding anniversary or a special milestone, watching from a box will give you a day to remember.

Accessibility

Eight accessible bays are allocated in the Damson Homes Stand and are clearly signposted.

For segregated fixtures, away supporters may request a space in the away end at ground level and allocation of a space would be subject to safety requirements for the fixture.

Disabled supporters not requiring wheelchair access can sit in all areas of the ground along with their personal assistant, providing they are able to access the area, subject to safety requirements of the ground.

They are also subject to the relevant price of the seating category of the area that they choose to sit in.

The club has an accessible toilet situated in the Main Bar of the Damson Homes Stand.

The Club is also committed to building a designated toilet block to facilitate the Damson Homes Stand, which will include accessible toilets.

Accessible services + information:

1. Assistance dogs. Supporters requiring a guide dog companion will be able to enter the stadium through wide gates, which do not have an obstacle such as a turnstile. It’s recommended that any supporter who is intending to attend a match with a guide dog should make the club aware in advance to the fixture to establish ticketing availability and in order that prior arrangements can be made.
2. Hearing loops. Solihull Moors will be installing hearing induction loops at key points throughout the stadium as part of ongoing stadium improvements.
3. Food concession stands. The club has three serving counters available in the Jerroms Stand, Gas Centre Stand and Draintech End, which can be accessed by wheelchair users. In the event any assistance is required at the serving counter our Refreshment Hub staff and Stewards are always available to assist.
4. Total number of parking spaces. Solihull Moors FC provides 8 accessible parking spaces. Due to demand and the size of our car parking facility, spaces are unreserved and available on a first come first served basis. Spaces are within 10 metres of the point of entry to the stadium.

History

Known for sponsorship reasons as the ARMCO Arena, it has been the home of Solihull Moors Football Club since their founding in 2007. The Moors were formed following a merger between Solihull Borough Football Club and Moor Green Football Club that had been sharing Damson Park since 2005. The ground was originally home to Solihull Borough, having been built in 1998 after the club purchased the Damson Parkway site which was formerly a golf driving range.

Moor Green had played at “The Moorlands” since 1930, but an arson attack in 2005 left their home severely damaged and unusable. Seeking a new place to play home matches, they agreed a deal to share Damson Park with Solihull Borough, despite the two clubs being considered local rivals. By January 2007, it had been determined that rebuilding “The Moorlands” would not be financially possible, and the advice was to merge with another local team if Moor Green FC was to continue operating. Moor Green and Solihull Borough eventually agreed to merge in March 2007 and the new club Solihull Moors was formed on 1st June that same year. Moors had to share Damson Park with Birmingham and Solihull Rugby Football Club until 2012.