{"id":35525,"date":"2015-08-04T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2015-08-04T09:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/old.thearsenalhistory.com\/?p=10713"},"modified":"2026-03-21T09:51:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T09:51:22","slug":"historical-plumstead-arsenal-landmarks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thearsenalcollection.org.uk\/?p=35525","title":{"rendered":"Historical Plumstead Arsenal Landmarks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Plumstead and Woolwich Trip: <\/strong><\/p>\n

A few years back on 6th August 2013 Andy and myself went on a\u00a0tour around the areas where The Arsenal FC foundation occurred in Plumstead and Woolwich.<\/p>\n

\"Invicta
Invicta terracing in the 1970s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

We\u00a0set off from the Greenwich Heritage Centre <\/a>after a little bit of research into the Sportsman Ground and the 1876 Plumstead Common enclosure revolt.<\/p>\n

\"Greenwich
Greenwich Heritage Centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As I had knowledge of the area it, I had planned a circuitous route which would take in many of the sites and we jumped into my trusty Astra.<\/p>\n

First up was the Lord Raglan Pub<\/strong>: 158 Burrage Road, SE18 9BL. This is important as it was where the original first year records and minutes were destroyed by the club\u2019s first centre back Richard Price while engaged in drunken revelry.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Lord Raglan Pub<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just up the road is the Prince of Wales Pub<\/strong>,\u00a0111 Plumstead Common Road, SE18\u00a03AU \u2013 Now, sadly, has been turned into a hostel. It was at this pub that Dial Square Cricket Club formed a football section\u00a0in October 1886. Outside the pub is a plaque with accurate information about the pub\u2019s seminal role in the formation of The Arsenal.<\/p>\n

\"Prince
Prince of Wales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Plumstead Common Cricket pitch<\/strong> is just to the back of the Prince of Wales, difficult to see now as the common has been landscaped and had trees planted where they used to play.<\/p>\n

\"Plumstead
Plumstead Common – used to be Cricket Pitch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turning left into Plumstead Common Road after a few hundred yards we came across the first dressing room: The Star<\/strong>\u00a0in Jago Road. Since 1887 this has been\u00a0externally rebuilt but at least it is in the same location as then and has the same name.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Star Pub<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A couple of deft left turns and we arrived at the Plumstead Common Football pitch<\/strong> \u2013 where Royal Arsenal first played January 1887. It is bordered by Waverley Crescent and Heavitree Close. It is very easy to walk there from the cricket pitch, and the original pitch is now partly covered by tennis courts and a bowling green.<\/p>\n

\"Plumstead
Plumstead Common – Football Pitch in 1887<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Further up Plumstead Common Road to the right is the Who\u2019d A Thought It<\/strong> pub \u2013 7 Timbercroft Lane, Plumstead, SE18 2SB. Owned by 1910 Arsenal Chairman Jock Craib, a tall whisky drinking well known landlord during the Woolwich Arsenal FC period. This used to be my local as I lived in Tuam Road while writing \u201cThe Crowd at Woolwich Arsenal FC\u201d in its original format. Please note the authentic throwback 1990-91 shirt which I can just about still fit into [I still can – MA2015].<\/p>\n

\"The
The Who’d a Thought it pub<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next is a journey down the steep hill down Lakedale Road and into Conway Street to the Invicta Ground<\/strong> \u2013 where you can still see the terracing in gardens of Hector\u00a0Street at the intersection of Mineral Street. Andy and myself were very lucky to knock on the door of a Mrs Patel, lovely Arsenal fan, who let us into the garden and we were able to stand on the terraces where our Arsenal predecessors had stood over 120 years ago. The concrete appears to the untrained eye to be in remarkably good condition.<\/p>\n

\"Terracing
Invicta Terracing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Two Royal Arsenal fans supporting the Plumstead Reds from the Invicta Ground terraces<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We didn\u2019t get to these locations, which would have been our next sites, because of time restraints and the fact they are on main roads. They will be visited on our next trip.<\/p>\n