Wikipedia / Wilderspool Stadium
Wikipedia / Wilderspool Stadium
Wilderspool Stadium was a rugby league stadium in Warrington, England. The ground was Warrington RLFC's old ground before moving to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
History
In 1898, Warrington RLFC moved to the Wilderspool Stadium. A 10-year lease was agreed with Greenall Whitley for land on the east side of their previous ground, a pitch previously used by Latchford Rovers Rugby Club. Warrington's previous pitch was used to build houses in Fletcher Street.
Wilderspool Stadium was modernised and extended in the inter-war period, becoming one of the finest venues in rugby league, and being awarded host status for Championship finals, Challenge Cup semi-finals, and tour games. A new west perimeter wall and turnstiles were built at Wilderspool around 1921. In 1925 the supporters' club provided Warrington with covered accommodation on the popular side of the ground and two years later, they donated a scoreboard. In 1926, the perimeter wooden fence being replaced by a concrete wall. New dressing rooms underneath the main stand were opened in January 1934.
During the Second World War, Wilderspool was requisitioned for the war effort; being used as a storage depot.
The record Kangaroo Tour attendance at the stadium was on the 1948-9 tour when 26,879 saw Warrington defeat 16-7.
Wilderspool's record attendance was created in the 1948-9 season when 34,304 spectators turned up to see Warrington lose only their second game of the season to Wigan.
In April, 1953, Wilderspool staged its first international, a match between Wales and Other Nationalities.
In 1958, the popular side terracing became fully covered and soon after the Fletcher Street End was given a roof.
In 1965, floodlights were installed at Wilderspool.
A stand was completely destroyed by arson in 1982. The Brian Bevan stand was built in 1983 to replace the one lost to arson.
During the 1994 Kangaroo tour, Australia defeated Warrington 24-0 at Wilderspool before a crowd of 11,244 in the Kangaroos' last game at the ground.
Warrington RLFC left Wilderspool for the Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2003. The final game was played in September 2003 with Warrington beating Wakefield 52–12.
The stadium was finally demolished between August and October 2014. A plan for 160 houses on the site was submitted in 2019, more than 16 years after the final game at Wilderspool.
The scoreboard from Wilderspool was restored and placed in Warrington's Victoria Park in 2017.
Rugby League Test matches
List of Test and World Cup matches played at Wilderspool Stadium.
Game# | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
1 | 15 April 1953 | def. Other Nationalities 18–16 | 8,449 | |
2 | 1 December 1973 | def. 15–5 | 10,019 | |
3 | 20 September 1975 | def. 22–16 | 5,034 | |
4 | 24 March 1979 | def. 12–6 | 5,004 | |
5 | 8 October 1995 | def. 25–24 | 8,083 | |
6 | 20 October 1995 | def. 28–26 | 1,950 | |
7 | 16 November 2003 | def. 68–6 | 2,536 |
Rugby League Tour Matches
Wilderspool also saw Warrington and the county team Lancashire play host to various international touring teams from 1907–1994.
Game | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
1 | 21 December 1907 | Warrington def. New Zealand 15–13 | 10,000 | |
2 | 14 November 1908 | Warrington def. 10–3 | 5,000 | |
3 | 8 February 1909 | Warrington drew with 8–8 | 7,000 | |
4 | 30 December 1911 | Australasia def. Warrington 34–6 | 8,500 | |
5 | 29 October 1921 | Warrington def. Australasia 10–3 | 16,000 | |
6 | 14 December 1921 | Lancashire def. Australasia 8–6 | 6,000 | |
7 | 9 October 1926 | Warrington def. New Zealand 17–5 | 5,000 | |
8 | 26 September 1929 | def. Lancashire 29–14 | 24,000 | |
9 | 21 December 1929 | Warrington def. 17–8 | 12,826 | |
10 | 20 September 1933 | def. Lancashire 33–7 | 16,576 | |
11 | 14 October 1933 | Warrington def. 15–12 | 16,431 | |
12 | 17 March 1934 | English League XIII def. France 32–16 | 11,100 | 1934 French rugby league tour |
13 | 29 September 1937 | Lancashire def. 7–5 | 16,250 | |
14 | 27 November 1937 | Warrington def. 8–6 | 12,637 | |
15 | 30 October 1948 | Warrington def. 16–7 | 26,879 | |
16 | 11 October 1952 | def. Warrington 34–10 | 21,478 | |
17 | 19 November 1952 | def. Lancashire 36–11 | 5,863 | |
18 | 27 October 1956 | Warrington def. 21–17 | 15,613 | |
19 | 19 September 1959 | def. Warrington 30–24 | 17,112 | |
20 | 14 September 1963 | def. Warrington 28–20 | 20,090 | |
21 | 30 September 1967 | def. Warrington 16–7 | 11,642 | |
22 | 11 October 1978 | Warrington def. 15–12 | 10,143 | |
23 | 29 October 1980 | Warrington def. New Zealand 11–7 | 5,680 | |
24 | 31 October 1990 | def. Warrington 26–6 | 10,200 | |
24 | 9 November 1994 | def. Warrington 24–0 | 11,244 |
References