The Rock, Rhosymedre
{{Short description|Welsh stadium}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = The Rock
| nickname =
| image =
| fullname =
| location = Rock Road, Rhosymedre, Wrexham, LL14
| coordinates = {{coord|52.977212|-3.069646|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground =
| built =
| opened = 2010
| renovated =
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Cefn Druids A.F.C.
| operator =
| surface = 3G
| construction_cost =
| architect =
| structural engineer =
| services engineer =
| general_contractor =
| project_manager =
| main_contractors = J Ross Developments{{cite web|url=http://www.pickstockhomes.com/jrossdevelopments/projects/cefnmawr/index.html|title=Projects|publisher=pickstockhomes.com|accessdate=16 March 2009}}
| former_names =
| tenants = Cefn Druids A.F.C. (2010–present)
Wrexham A.F.C. Women (2023–present)
Cefn Albion F.C. (2017–2023)
Gresford Athletic F.C. (2023–2024)
| capacity = 3,000 (500 seats)
| dimensions =
| scoreboard =
}}
The Rock is a football stadium in Rhosymedre, Wales. It is currently the home stadium for Cymru North teams Cefn Druids, as well as Wrexham AFC Women.
In March 2009 planning permission was granted to demolish Cefn's old stadium, Plaskynaston Lane, and replace it with a Tesco supermarket.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7942019.stm|title='Oldest club' Tesco deal approved |publisher=BBC|accessdate=16 March 2009 | date=13 March 2009}} Delays to the beginning of construction put the project back by 12 months and the club moved into the new stadium in August 2010.{{cite web|title=Druids are ready to rock in Rhosymedre|url=http://www.welsh-premier.com/index.php/headline-news/2549-druids-are-ready-to-rock-in-rhosymedre|publisher=Welsh Premier League|accessdate=17 October 2010|date=29 August 2010}} {{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}
Cefn Druids and Gresford Athletic announced in March 2023 that they had signed a multi-year agreement to groundshare at the stadium, effective immediately and during at least the 23/24 season.{{Cite web |title=Gresford Athletic to Groundshare with Cefn Druids |url=https://www.gresfordathleticfc.com/news/gresford-athletic-to-groundshare-with-cefn-druids-2763763.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=www.gresfordathleticfc.com |language=en}} The agreement remained in place until September 2024.{{Cite web |last= |date=20 September 2024 |title=Gresford Athletic confirm groundshare move with Airbus UK Broughton |url=https://nwsport.co.uk/2024/09/20/gresford-athletic-confirm-groundshare-move-with-airbus-uk-broughton/ |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=Grassroots North Wales |language=}}
In March 2023, it was announced that Wrexham AFC Women would move to The Rock in order to obtain a Tier 1 license.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23425600.wrexham-afc-women-train-play-rock-stadium/|title=Wrexham AFC agree multi-year deal with Cefn Druids for women's section|date=31 March 2023|website=The Leader}}
Facilities
The new complex at Rhosymedre includes a 512-seat stand, a club house and a television gantry. As it is sited in a disused quarry, one side of the stadium features a sheer rock wall. In 2016, a 3G pitch was installed at the stadium.{{Cite web|url=http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/welsh-premier-league-clubs/cefn-druids-afc-rock-stadium.html|title = Cefn Druids AFC | the Rock Stadium | Football Ground Guide| date=March 2017 }}
Attendances
The record attendance at the stadium was set in June 2017 as 1,854 attended a friendly against Wrexham.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/report-cefn-druids-1-3-wrexham |title=REPORT | Cefn Druids 1-3 Wrexham | Wrexham AFC |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925101908/https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/report-cefn-druids-1-3-wrexham |url-status=dead }} The record attendance for a regular season league game at The Rock is 662 for a game against TNS. A Europa League play off game against Cardiff Met in May 2018 attracted a crowd of 779 supporters.{{Cite web |url=https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/stadium-and-attendances-cefn |title=Stadium and attendances |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184830/https://welsh-premier.com/index.php/stadium-and-attendances-cefn |url-status=dead }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.cefndruidsafc.co.uk/the-rock/ The Rock at Cefn Druid's official site]
{{Welsh Premier League venues}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rock}}