Getting to The Avenue
From London: Sunbury is situated in the South-West corner of Greater London, near the start of the M3. Take the A316 from Chiswick. Exit at the last junction before the M3. Take the first exit off the roundabout (signposted A308 Kingston, Kempton Park). Take the second road on the right, signposted The Avenue. The club entrance is approx 400 yards down The Avenue on the right.
From the M25: Come off at Junction 12 onto the M3 (heading towards London). Exit at Junction 1 (signposted Sunbury, Kingston). Take the fourth exit onto the A308 (towards Kingston, Kempton Park). Take the second road on the right, signposted The Avenue. The club entrance is approx 400 yards down The Avenue on the right.
The Spiritual Home of London Irish
Sunbury-on-Thames has been the home of London Irish since 1931 when the club bought 11 acres of land off the then Avenue Road for the 'huge' sum of £1,280.
The intention was to provide a home from home for wandering Irish men and women regardless of creed or politics and a welcoming and hospitable venue to entertain rugby players and supporters from all over the world. Excluding the period 1940-1959 when the first XV played at Blackheath, the Sunbury grounds have been the home of the Exiles since then.
Over the decades the property has been developed to provide playing, training, administration and hospitality facilities that befit the club's status among the leading clubs not just in England but also in Europe.
Today the Avenue provides not only the administration and training headquarters for the professional squad, it is also the base for the London Irish England Rugby Academy and the Amateur Club.
The facilities include four pitches. The main pitch is used for training by the professional squad and for games by the development team and the 'Wild Geese', the top team in the Amateur Club.
On Sunday mornings during the season, the Avenue resounds to the noise of up to 400 mini-rugby players and coaches that take over the grounds for training and matches.
The grandstand complex contains offices, changing rooms, treatment and meeting rooms and a gymnasium. It also includes two hospitality facilities: Fitzy's Cafe on the ground floor and the Four Provinces Bar on the first floor. Contact: Terry Long on 07989 540809 or email mtlong@aol.com. The Four Provinces Bar is open for major events at the club and is available for private parties.