Just thought i would try something new on the forum. As the title states its grounds of the Northwest. It can be any sport and can be for any reason why you post about the ground. I’ll start it with a ground not a million mile from me that i have nver visited. Its still stands despite the team moving out to a new stadium but is in a state of total disrepair with most of the ground condemmed.
Wikipedia give it the following write up and it is in constant use still to this day but sadly showing its age and will no doubt be demolished.Not sure any football has been played on it and nor will any be played in the future with the locals stating its too small a pitch for football.Youtube has some cracking old videos of the stadium and its former team playing and fighting in its pomp!
Wilderspool Stadium
Wilderspool
Full name Wilderspool Stadium
Location Fletcher Street, Warrington
Built 1881
Opened 1881
Renovated 1888
Expanded 1983
Surface Grass
Capacity 9,000
Tenants
Wilderspool Stadium is a rugby league stadium located in Warrington, England. The ground was Warrington RLFC’s old ground before moving to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. It holds just over 9,000, after substantial decreases for crowd safety. It was their home for well over 100 years, and the move to new ground was widely considered long overdue; one of the stands was deemed unsafe, there was no disabled access, and seating for just over 500.
In 1888 with increasing crowds, a new stand for the supporters was built. The Brian Bevan stand was built in 1983 after the old stand was gutted by a fire causing £300,000 worth of damage.
It was scheduled for demolition when the club moved out in 2003, but the council kept it open, and Warrington Wizards now play their home games there.
Good idea for a thread, I’ve always had a fascination with grounds from a very young age
I’ll go for a local one; The Barton Stadium, home of Winsford United.
Although it’s in a bad way these days, unbelievably during the 1940’s 8,000 crammed into the ground to watch them against… Witton Albion. Despite it’s crumbling terracing and rusty railings, the ground maintains a unique character. Unfortunately for Winsford, they have been getting crowds between 80-110 consistently for the last ten years.
Does anybody know why Winsford are so poorly supported? Even during their Conference North days, they were only getting around 200. Seeing as Winsford’s population is almost double Northwich, it doesn’t seem to add up.
There were plans to relocate the pitch further to one side for an astroturf to be installed, although that seems to have fizzled out. Their best option is to relocate to Knight’s Grange in the long term as the majority of the ground is beyond repair.
Deepdale PNE. Two Witton games linger in the memory. A cup win under lights in some dodgy cup final against Chorley and a thrashing in the FA Cup second round. The ground is very different now.
Time to bring this thread back up to the top and let’s pay a lot of attention to the Barton stadium. Anyone got any new information on ground improvements, capacity, ground grading,facilities, current landlords and tennants etc. If anyone has any memories feel free to share them. I seem to recall a bin man from everton played for them, the dog poo on the track when the greyhounds were still there, having a game called off in the 90s at half time when we were losing and winning on pens in a cup match in the 90s. It has seen better days and am surprised it is still standing to be honest
Yes if memory serves me right, did Marc Hawkes score a really late equaliser? And there no 5 smashed a penalty out of the ground in the shootout I reckon that ball is still rising
I also remember Joe Royle being there to watch his son or nephew play for Winsford, you don’t get to meet many legends at the Barton Stadium.
I was talking to an 1874 person I know and he believes that they will be playing there next season, I reckon Club Shop may have heard the same
remember winning the mid cheshire cup with two late goals by liam watson. the winner got me out of jail it was my future wife’s birthday. if it had gone to extra time she may not of married me.
If you think Stafford is bad wait for two teams week in week out at winsford! Still can’t tell the difference between vics and 1874 as both appear to be the same in so many ways
According to a recent Runcorn Linnets programme article, Winsford Town Council are working with the club to draw up plans for houses on the present site of the ground, and in return will supply the club with a ‘conference standard stadium…’
Like that’s ever gonna happen!
On celebrities at the Barton Stadium, Viv Anderson is a regular there now to watch his son, Charlie Anderson.
