Queen Elizabeth II Stadium (Enfield)

In 1939, construction of a new sports venue for Enfield began. The centerpiece was an athletics stadium, with additional space on the site for ball sports and a swimming pool.[1] Due to the Second World War, work on the site was suspended, with the stadium not being completed until 1953.[1] The athletics stadium, named after Queen Elizabeth II for her Silver Jubilee in 1977,[3] was used as a training venue by a number of significant British athletes, including Sebastian Coe, Daley Thompson and Linford Christie, all of whom won Olympic titles.[4]

By 2008, the venue had fallen into disuse. Enfield Town F.C., which had been formed in 2001, and who had been groundsharing with Brimsdown Rovers,[5] came to an agreement with Enfield Council to refurbish the stadium for use as a multi-use venue, with the track being resurfaced and the stadium brought up to the standard required for football in the Isthmian League.[5][6] Enfield Town moved to their new stadium in 2011, with their first official game taking place against a Tottenham Hotspur XI.[7]

In 2014, during upgrades to the New River Stadium, the London Skolars played six home games at the QEII stadium during the second half of the rugby league season.[8]

In 2018, the stadium was one of the venues for the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup, with ten games played there: six group games, and four in the knockout round, including the final on 9 June 2018.[9]

The main element part of the stadium is the pavilion, completed in 1953. This is a Grade II listed building built in Art Deco style,[10][1] and serves as the clubhouse, main stand and changing rooms. Opposite the main stand is a second, small seated stand, while behind each goal, inside the perimeter of the running track, are two covered terraces. The running track was reduced from eight lanes to six during the refurbishment from 2008 to 2010.[11]

Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, taken from the Clubhouse, showing the covered seating, two covered end terraces and six lane track.