Wilderspool Stadium
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 Interactive map of Wilderspool | |
| Full name | Wilderspool Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Fletcher Street, Warrington |
| Coordinates | 53°22′57″N 2°35′17″W / 53.38250°N 2.58806°W |
| Owner | Warrington Borough Council |
| Operator | Warrington Wolves |
| Capacity | 9,200 (900 seating) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | Manual |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1881 |
| Opened | 1881 |
| Renovated | 1888 |
| Expanded | 1983, 2000 |
| Closed | 2014 |
| Demolished | 2014 |
| 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.
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 Australia 16-7.[1]
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.[2] 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.[3] The final game was played in September 2003 with Warrington beating Wakefield 52–12.[4]
The stadium was finally demolished between August and October 2014.[4] A plan for 160 houses on the site was submitted in 2019, more than 16 years after the final game at Wilderspool.[5]
The scoreboard from Wilderspool was restored and placed in Warrington's Victoria Park in 2017.[6]
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