Wilderspool Stadium
{{Short description|Rugby League stadium in Warrington, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Wilderspool
| nickname =
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| image = Wilderspool.jpg
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| fullname = Wilderspool Stadium
| former_names =
| location = Fletcher Street, Warrington
| coordinates = {{coord|53|22|57|N|2|35|17|W|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground =
| built = 1881
| opened = 1881
| renovated = 1888
| expanded = 1983, 2000
| closed = 2014
| demolished = 2014
| owner = Warrington Borough Council
| operator = Warrington Wolves
| surface = Grass
| scoreboard = Manual
| construction cost =
| suites =
| architect =
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| capacity = 9,200 (900 seating)
| record_attendance =
| Suites =
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| tenants = Warrington Wolves (1898–2003)
Warrington Wizards (2003–2012)
|}}
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 {{rlnt|Australia}} 16-7.[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/kangaroos-tour-1948/game-1/warrington-vs-australia.html 1948 Kangaroo tour @ Rugby League Project] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121141/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/kangaroos-tour-1948/game-1/warrington-vs-australia.html |date=17 May 2014 }}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mywarrington.me.uk/timeline.htm|title=Timeline|publisher=My Warrington}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/sep/16/rugbyleague.warrington|title=Wilderspool braced for final hooter|last=Andy Wilson|date=16 September 2003|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 December 2013}} The final game was played in September 2003 with Warrington beating Wakefield 52–12.{{cite web|url=https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2014/08/07/wilderspool-demolition-paves-way-for-wire-regeneration-masterplan|title=Wilderspool demolition paves way for Wire Regeneration masterplan|date=7 August 2014|first=Simon|last=Malia}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2019/02/08/160-homes-plan-for-former-wilderspool-stadium-site/|title= 160-homes plan for former Wilderspool Stadium site |first=David|last=Skentelbery|publisher=Warrington Worldwide|date=8 February 2019}}
The scoreboard from Wilderspool was restored and placed in Warrington's Victoria Park in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/17438742.wilderspool-stadium-scoreboard-restored-in-victoria-park/|title=Wilderspool Stadium scoreboard restored in Victoria Park|first=Adam|last=Everett|date=17 February 2019 |publisher=Warrington Guardian}}
Rugby League Test matches
List of Test and World Cup matches played at Wilderspool Stadium.[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/venues/wilderspool/results.html Wilderspool results @ Rugby League Project]
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| style="background:#bdb76b;"
! Game# !! Date !! Result !! Attendance !! Notes | ||||
| 1 | 15 April 1953 | {{rl|WAL}} def. Other Nationalities 18–16 | 8,449 | 1952–53 European Rugby League Championship |
| 2 | 1 December 1973 | {{rl|AUS}} def. {{rl|GBR}} 15–5 | 10,019 | 1973 Ashes series |
| 3 | 20 September 1975 | {{rl|ENG}} def. {{rl|WAL}} 22–16 | 5,034 | 1975 Rugby League World Cup |
| 4 | 24 March 1979 | {{rl|ENG}} def. {{rl|FRA}} 12–6 | 5,004 | 1979 European Rugby League Championship |
| 5 | 8 October 1995 | {{rl|NZL}} def. {{rl|TON}} 25–24 | 8,083 | 1995 Rugby League World Cup Group B |
| 6 | 20 October 1995 | {{rl|RUS}} def. {{rl|USA}} 28–26 | 1,950 | 1995 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament |
| 7 | 16 November 2003 | {{rl|ENG}} def. {{rl|FRA}} 68–6 | 2,536 | 2003 European Nations Cup |
Rugby League Tour Matches
Wilderspool also saw Warrington and the county team Lancashire play host to various international touring teams from 1907–1994.
| class="wikitable"
! Game !! Date !! Result !! Attendance !! Notes | ||||
| 1 | 21 December 1907 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Kiwis|16}} New Zealand 15–13 | 10,000 | 1907–08 All Golds tour |
| 2 | 14 November 1908 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australia old|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 10–3 | 5,000 | rowspan=2|1908–09 Kangaroo tour |
| 3 | 8 February 1909 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington drew with {{leagueicon|Australia old|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 8–8 | 7,000 | |
| 4 | 30 December 1911 | {{leagueicon|Australasia|16}} Australasia def. {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington 34–6 | 8,500 | 1911–12 Kangaroo tour |
| 5 | 29 October 1921 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australasia|16}} Australasia 10–3 | 16,000 | rowspan=2|1921–22 Kangaroo tour |
| 6 | 14 December 1921 | {{flagicon|Lancashire|16}} Lancashire def. {{leagueicon|Australasia|16}} Australasia 8–6 | 6,000 | |
| 7 | 9 October 1926 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Kiwis|16}} New Zealand 17–5 | 5,000 | 1926–27 New Zealand Kiwis tour |
| 8 | 26 September 1929 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{flagicon|Lancashire|16}} Lancashire 29–14 | 24,000 | rowspan=2|1929–30 Kangaroo tour |
| 9 | 21 December 1929 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 17–8 | 12,826 | |
| 10 | 20 September 1933 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{flagicon|Lancashire|16}} Lancashire 33–7 | 16,576 | rowspan=2|1933–34 Kangaroo tour |
| 11 | 14 October 1933 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 15–12 | 16,431 | |
| 12 | 17 March 1934 | {{leagueicon|England|16}} English League XIII def. {{leagueicon|France|16}} France 32–16 | 11,100 | 1934 French rugby league tour |
| 13 | 29 September 1937 | {{flagicon|Lancashire|16}} Lancashire def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 7–5 | 16,250 | rowspan=2|1937–38 Kangaroo tour |
| 14 | 27 November 1937 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 8–6 | 12,637 | |
| 15 | 30 October 1948 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 16–7 | 26,879 | 1948–49 Kangaroo tour |
| 16 | 11 October 1952 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington 34–10 | 21,478 | rowspan=2|1952–53 Kangaroo tour |
| 17 | 19 November 1952 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{flagicon|Lancashire|16}} Lancashire 36–11 | 5,863 | |
| 18 | 27 October 1956 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 21–17 | 15,613 | 1956–57 Kangaroo tour |
| 19 | 19 September 1959 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington 30–24 | 17,112 | 1959–60 Kangaroo tour |
| 20 | 14 September 1963 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington 28–20 | 20,090 | 1963–64 Kangaroo tour |
| 21 | 30 September 1967 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington 16–7 | 11,642 | 1967–68 Kangaroo tour |
| 22 | 11 October 1978 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 15–12 | 10,143 | 1978 Kangaroo tour |
| 23 | 29 October 1980 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington def. {{leagueicon|Kiwis|16}} New Zealand 11–7 | 5,680 | 1980 New Zealand Kiwis tour |
| 24 | 31 October 1990 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington 26–6 | 10,200 | 1990 Kangaroo tour |
| 24 | 9 November 1994 | {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington 24–0 | 11,244 | 1994 Kangaroo tour |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Warrington Wolves}}
{{1975 RLWC Venues}}
{{1995 RLWC Venues}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Warrington
Category:Sports venues in Cheshire
Category:Rugby League World Cup stadiums
Category:Defunct rugby league venues in England
Category:1881 establishments in England
Category:2014 disestablishments in England