Wealdstone FC were formed in 1899 and remained an amateur club until the 1970s. In 1984/85, they became the first of only three clubs to achieve the non-league double — winning both the Alliance Premier League (as the National League was then known) and the FA Trophy. Only Colchester United and Wycombe Wanderers have since matched that feat.

The Stones played at Lower Mead in Harrow until 1991, when financial difficulties forced the sale of the ground. A supermarket now occupies the site. What followed was a long period of groundsharing — with Watford, Yeading, Edgware Town, and Northwood — until they finally settled at Grosvenor Vale in 2008, formerly the home of Ruislip Manor. The Hive stadium – which is as near to the neighbourhood of Wealdstone as the old Lower Mead ground was – was originally intended to be Wealdstone’s home, but in the end, after much drama,  it ended up as the home for old rivals Barnet, despite being several miles from Barnet.

Although founder members of the new nationwide fifth tier in 1979 — and its champions in 1984/85 — Wealdstone endured a long period in the football wilderness. From 1988 to 2013, they bounced between various divisions of the Isthmian and Southern Leagues. A step back up came in 2014/15 when they entered the Conference South, spending five seasons in the sixth tier. Promotion to the National League followed in 2020/21, returning the club to the fifth tier after 32 years away.

Since then, they’ve established themselves as a lower-half side in the division, with a best finish of 13th to date.

Vinnie Jones is perhaps the biggest name associated with Wealdstone. He spent two seasons with the club in the mid-1980s, making 38 appearances, before signing up to become part of the Wimbledon `Crazy Gang’ and then, in turn, developing another career in acting. He was present at their FA Trophy victory at Wembley over Boston Utd in 1985, but didn’t play on that day.

Future England U21 and 2012 Olympics Great Britain manager, Stuart Pearce, also started out his footballing career at Wealdstone, making 176 appearances for them between 1978 and 1983.

Gary Waddock was appointed as Wealdstone’s manager at the end of February, replacing Sam Cox (in place since May 2025), who, while having kept the Stones safe from the relegation zone, hadn’t quite lived up to the more ambitious expectations of the club’s newish owners. Waddock’s most recent managerial role was as long ago as 2019, where he had served as an interim manager at Southend Utd. He had also served as caretaker manager in Portsmouth, but had longer roles in charge at Aldershot Town (on two separate occasions, in 2008 leading them into the EFL), Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford Utd and Queens Park Rangers. More recently, he had been assistant head coach at Cambridge Utd when they were promoted to League One in 2020, and came to Wealdstone from Walsall, where he had been Mat Sadler’s assistant head coach since 2023. It might be worth quickly drawing a veil over Walsall’s 2024/25 season in League Two – which comprised a quite exceptional first half followed by a slow and prolonged collapse that led to promotion – which had looked in the bag in December – being at the very least postponed for another year.

In his earlier career, Waddock really made his mark as a midfielder for QPR, with over 200 appearances for them over eight seasons. He also played for Charleroi in Belgium, Millwall, Bristol Rovers and Luton Town. He also earned 21 caps for the Republic of Ireland team.  As a local boy – born in Kingsbury, just the other side of Harrow, it may that coming to Wealdstone is a kind of homecoming.

Alright, no more and not less. Mid-table, with some ups and downs over the season, but generally safe from relegation and even with an outside chance of promotion. For a club which only escaped relegation in the final week of the last two seasons, this means a lot. New ownership and (two rounds of) new management seem to be contributing to this upturn, while plans for a new stadium (adjacent to the A40 near Hillingdon tube station) are still working themselves out. Some results that have contributed to the team’s good showing this season include a 2-1 victory over Halifax Town, a controversial 3-2 victory over Southend Utd (at which both teams’ managers were red-carded, and which was later followed by another victory over Southend in the FA Cup ). A pair of 4-0 defeats, by title-chasing York City and Boreham Wood represent the other side of the coin, but on the whole the Stones have performed creditably for much of this season, and will soon be playing Marine in the FA Trophy semi-final. In the league, since Gary Waddock arrived as Manager at the end of February, things have picked up a little. A convincing 4-1 defeat of struggling Braintree was followed by an even more convincing 5-1 rout of Solihull Moors. The one troubling show for the Stones came in their first game under Waddock’s command, where Jim Bentley’s revitalized Morecambe managed to defeat them 3-2.

This season’s fixture for Rovers at Grosvenor Vale, played in November 2025, was a somewhat frustrating 1-1 draw, with an early goal by Isaac Moore being cancelled out by Wealdstone’s response in the second half.

The Stones’ most recent league visit to Nailsworth was in September 2024, ending in a 2-2 draw. Rovers were two goals up less than 10 minutes into the game, thanks to Christian Doidge and Adam May, but two Wealdstone responses, including one in the 89th minute, meant the points were shared.

More recently, the 3-0 defeat by Wealdstone at The New Lawn in a FA Trophy game, at the end of January this year, has been something of a low point in Rovers’ season – perhaps a taste for revenge may fire up the home team this time, even if their is a “new manager bounce” to contest with now, too.

Forest Green Rovers F.C. – The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL6 0FG

Parking is available in the adjacent school car park, just a short walk from the stadium. Spaces cost £15 per car and must be booked in advance by calling 0333 123 1889 (Monday, Thursday and Friday at 11am to 2pm) or by emailing reception@fgr.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can use the Park and Ride service from Renishaw (Bath Road, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL5 5EY). It opens at 12:30pm on matchdays and costs £5 per car (card only).

If parking on surrounding streets, please be considerate of local residents.

Rovers Raffle – organised by the Supporters Club to subsidise away travel, ground improvements, Women’s, Academy teams etc. Tickets cost £1 each (cash or card accepted) with winners announced at half time or check winning numbers here – Raffle Results – Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club

Fan Zone – Fan Zone to the right of the ground entrance, behind the North Stand. Open to home & away supporters. The Fan Zone has a food truck, bar, toilets and a large marquee with picnic benches and live music from about 1:30pm.

The Green Man  – Normally home fans only,  serves food and drink. Opens 12pm.

Gym Bar – Open again in the East Stand, and open to other home supporters after the match.

Club Shop – Opens 12pm. TNL is a cashless stadium. To find out about hospitality and events, please email hospitality@fgr.co.uk.