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OLD IGNATIAN ASSOCIATION
Although having been in existence for many years the profile of the Association changed dramatically in the early 1960's. Through the efforts of a dedicated and enthusiastic group of Old Ignatians a sports ground was acquired and a pavilion built on a site in Woodford. The facilities provided 3 football pitches, 3 rugby pitches and a cricket square. At these new headquarters the Association flourished and all of the sports sections expanded as well as providing a very good social centre. Unfortunately in the early 1970's progress in the shape of the proposed M11 came along and we were compulsorily acquired. Which meant we were homeless. For a few years in the late 1970's we used Woodcroft, a small sports ground in Winchmore Hill but that proved to be too small and unsuitable and again we were homeless.
Our period of being homeless will in the next year come to an end. In 1999 we purchased the former Belling sports ground in Turkey Street, Enfield adjacent to the New River and the school playing fields with the intention of building a new headquarters for the Association in the Enfield area. We are aiming to re establish a social centre, provide some of the sporting facilities that we enjoyed at Woodford and be able to broaden the scope of the Association's activities. We have obtained planning permission to erect suitable buildings and are currently deciding on the finer details of the building and what it will provide. We are anxious that the building will not be just a sports pavilion but will also cater for the requirements of Old Ignatians who are not necessarily sports minded. We are discussing with the school their possible use of the pavilion and facilities and what their requirements might be. It is anticipated that before this year is out we will be in a position to start the building work and be able to use the new building next spring. In the meanwhile we have already started preliminary work on the ground and are hoping to provide a good playing surface for September 2002.
In the years since we left Woodford it has been difficult for the Association to offer any focus for its activities other than through sport. For a long time, to their credit, both the Football Club and Rugby Club managed to survive without a permanent base and continued to flourish in difficult circumstances. Both sections play their home games on the playing fields which are along the Great Cambridge Road, Enfield.
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