Overview

After leaving Islington, Middlesex looked at two venues - one at Tufnell Park and the other at Lillie Bridge in West Brompton (near the present Stamford Bridge stadium). Despite concerns about the playing surface, the ground, the home of the Amateur Athletics Club, was hired for 100 guineas. The fears proved founded, as the turf did not take and was further hindered by 1870 being exceptionally hot. The membership fell off dramatically, and in 1871 only one match was played by Middlesex, against Surrey, and another by Gentlemen of the South v Gentlemen of the North a week later. The committee acted swiftly, and the rather remote location of the ground and poor pitches were blamed. The venue continued to be used for cricket for some time after, and John Wisden is buried at the nearby West Brompton Cemetery.
Martin Williamson