Knowsley Road
Encyclopedia
Knowsley Road was a stadium located in Eccleston
, St Helens, Merseyside
. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves. The stadium was demolished during Spring 2011 and a new construction - Cunningham Grange is being built, named after club legend, Keiron Cunningham.
When the Main Stand was built it provided a new changing room facility and gymnasium for the players, replacing the smaller, outdated ones situated at the old Pavilion End of the ground next to the scoreboard. Players would come out of the new tunnel before kick off to a centralised view of the stadium, facing the Popular Stand.
When the Main Stand was constructed, it created an overhang at the top of the stand. This was due to the fact that the old Eccleston railway ran below the site of the new stand, linking the Triplex (Pilkington) factory to the town centre. The railway has long gone now, and replaced by the club's car park.
. When St.Helens are on television, the Popular Stand regularly are heard singing and chanting due to the small distance between the cameras and the supporters.
The Dunriding Lane End of the ground was known as the 'boys' pen' - a spot where all the 'die-hard' fans congregated during the post-war
years of the stadium. During the 1970s and 1980s, the club became aware of the need for corporate facilities in line with other clubs and the decision was made to build a bar, restaurant and executive boxes for the fans, and to give them a new and luxurious match day experience.
. It was the second biggest stand overall at the ground, and was boasted for being the tallest, with the best views of the pitch. In the 1960s, a roof was placed on the Eddington End of the ground. The Eddington End is generally known as the 'away end' as it was where most away fans congregated on match days. It became a famous haunt for local derby chanting between arch rivals Wigan
.
) by five years. Having been formed in 1873, St Helens RFC were a part of rugby union
when they moved into Knowsley Road. The stadium changed in appearance very little in its 120 years.
Lord Derby open the new Pavilion on 26 Dec 1920 at a match against Wigan. A ground record 35,695 fans turn up to watch Saints play Wigan on Boxing Day
1945. In January 1950, the training pitch was laid down. In February 1951, the newly-completed Eccleston Kop covered enclosure was opened and was named after Supporters' Club Secretary George Eddington. In August 1958, the club's new grandstand is opened by Sir Harry Pilkington. The structure cost £32,000 and could seat 2,400.
In September 1961, new metal goal posts replaced the wooden originals after storm damage. The new popular side enclosure is erected in 1962. The old wooden structure that it replaced was given to Liverpool City
for their ground at Knotty Ash
. Saints' new floodlighting system opened by Sir Harry Pilkington on Jan 27 1965. Bar and restaurant complex was opened at Dunriding Lane End of the Knowsley Road Stadium in 1973.
Players' dug outs are moved from the Main Stand to the popular side in 1983. In September 1989, work starts on nine executive boxes and an electronic scoreboard at the Dunriding Lane End.
In 2006, Knowsley Road was renovated slightly. On the club's new sponsorship deal with Earth Money, the stadium got new signs, new dug outs were installed, as were the toilet facilities which had been long complained about by supporters.
In 2006, Knowsley Road was approved as an international Test venue after safety and capacity improvements. It subsequently hosted an international test fixture in 2006 between Great Britain and New Zealand, which Great Britain won.
In June 2007, club chairman Eamonn McManus announced plans for a new 18,000 capacity stadium
, with a Tesco
store and plaza with 2,000 car parking spaces for the 2011 Super League Season. These plans were approved by local councillors in May 2008. Plans were put on hold and building work did not start on time. Knowsley Road was closed at the end of the 2010 Super League Season and St Helens must play their home games at Widnes'
Stobart Stadium
for the 2011 Super League Season.
The last first team match at Knowsley Road was the St Helens vs Huddersfield
game, a play-off semi-final on the September 24, 2010. St. Helens won 42-22, the final try on the ground being scored by retiring club captain Keiron Cunningham
.
Eccleston, Merseyside
Eccleston is a civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, Merseyside, England. According to the 2001 Census it had a population of 10,528....
, St Helens, Merseyside
St Helens, Merseyside
St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census...
. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves. The stadium was demolished during Spring 2011 and a new construction - Cunningham Grange is being built, named after club legend, Keiron Cunningham.
The stadium
Knowsley Road consisted of four stands of open terracing and one seated stand called the Hatton's Family Stand.The Family Stand
The Family Stand was the only section of the stadium which had a seated area, although there was still areas for standing supporters. The players entered the field from a gateway under the stand and the dugout was also situated in the Family Stand. The Family Stand contained an area for the media such as local radio stations. It was built after the Second World War, funded by local businesses. The actual design of the stand means that it only runs for two thirds of that side of the pitch.When the Main Stand was built it provided a new changing room facility and gymnasium for the players, replacing the smaller, outdated ones situated at the old Pavilion End of the ground next to the scoreboard. Players would come out of the new tunnel before kick off to a centralised view of the stadium, facing the Popular Stand.
When the Main Stand was constructed, it created an overhang at the top of the stand. This was due to the fact that the old Eccleston railway ran below the site of the new stand, linking the Triplex (Pilkington) factory to the town centre. The railway has long gone now, and replaced by the club's car park.
The Popular Stand
The Popular Stand was an all standing section of the ground and is the most popular stand for home supporters. The stand was built in the 1960s at a cost of over £30,000 at the time. It spreads across the full length of the pitch, offering some of the best views and arguably one of the best atmospheres anywhere across the ground. It holds the famous Scaff - the gantry in which the press gather including Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
. When St.Helens are on television, the Popular Stand regularly are heard singing and chanting due to the small distance between the cameras and the supporters.
Dunriding Lane End
The Dunriding Lane End was the only stand without a roof. It contained 9 corporate boxes, as well as the stadium restaurant and the official store. Prior to being moved to the Family Stand, the changing rooms were situated at the Dunriding Lane End and players would enter from a tunnel.The Dunriding Lane End of the ground was known as the 'boys' pen' - a spot where all the 'die-hard' fans congregated during the post-war
Post-war
A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...
years of the stadium. During the 1970s and 1980s, the club became aware of the need for corporate facilities in line with other clubs and the decision was made to build a bar, restaurant and executive boxes for the fans, and to give them a new and luxurious match day experience.
The Eddington End
The Eddington End is a typical KopKop
Spion Kop is a colloquial name or term for a number of terraces and stands at sports stadiums, particularly in the United Kingdom...
. It was the second biggest stand overall at the ground, and was boasted for being the tallest, with the best views of the pitch. In the 1960s, a roof was placed on the Eddington End of the ground. The Eddington End is generally known as the 'away end' as it was where most away fans congregated on match days. It became a famous haunt for local derby chanting between arch rivals Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
.
History
St Helens RFC moved to Knowsley Road in 1890, defeating Manchester Rangers in their first match. The stadium pre-dated the birth of the Northern Rugby Football Union (which would later become rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
) by five years. Having been formed in 1873, St Helens RFC were a part of rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
when they moved into Knowsley Road. The stadium changed in appearance very little in its 120 years.
Lord Derby open the new Pavilion on 26 Dec 1920 at a match against Wigan. A ground record 35,695 fans turn up to watch Saints play Wigan on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
1945. In January 1950, the training pitch was laid down. In February 1951, the newly-completed Eccleston Kop covered enclosure was opened and was named after Supporters' Club Secretary George Eddington. In August 1958, the club's new grandstand is opened by Sir Harry Pilkington. The structure cost £32,000 and could seat 2,400.
In September 1961, new metal goal posts replaced the wooden originals after storm damage. The new popular side enclosure is erected in 1962. The old wooden structure that it replaced was given to Liverpool City
Liverpool City (rugby league)
Liverpool City was a semi-professional rugby league club from the city of Liverpool in England.-The first Liverpool City - 1906-1907:A professional club first emerged in Liverpool, called Liverpool City in 1906, playing at the Stanley Athletics Ground. They hold an unwanted record in the...
for their ground at Knotty Ash
Knotty Ash
Knotty Ash is an area of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. Historically within Lancashire, at the 2001 Census, the population was 13,200.-Description:...
. Saints' new floodlighting system opened by Sir Harry Pilkington on Jan 27 1965. Bar and restaurant complex was opened at Dunriding Lane End of the Knowsley Road Stadium in 1973.
Players' dug outs are moved from the Main Stand to the popular side in 1983. In September 1989, work starts on nine executive boxes and an electronic scoreboard at the Dunriding Lane End.
In 2006, Knowsley Road was renovated slightly. On the club's new sponsorship deal with Earth Money, the stadium got new signs, new dug outs were installed, as were the toilet facilities which had been long complained about by supporters.
In 2006, Knowsley Road was approved as an international Test venue after safety and capacity improvements. It subsequently hosted an international test fixture in 2006 between Great Britain and New Zealand, which Great Britain won.
In June 2007, club chairman Eamonn McManus announced plans for a new 18,000 capacity stadium
New St Helens Stadium
Langtree Park is a rugby league stadium in St Helens. It has a projected capacity of 18,000. It is the home ground of St Helens RLFC, and St Helens Town F.C.. The stadium was granted full planning permission on 20 May 2008. On 11 July 2008 the go-ahead was given without the need for a public...
, with a Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
store and plaza with 2,000 car parking spaces for the 2011 Super League Season. These plans were approved by local councillors in May 2008. Plans were put on hold and building work did not start on time. Knowsley Road was closed at the end of the 2010 Super League Season and St Helens must play their home games at Widnes'
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
Stobart Stadium
Halton Stadium
The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
for the 2011 Super League Season.
The last first team match at Knowsley Road was the St Helens vs Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
game, a play-off semi-final on the September 24, 2010. St. Helens won 42-22, the final try on the ground being scored by retiring club captain Keiron Cunningham
Keiron Cunningham
Keiron Cunningham is a former British professional rugby league footballer. A Great Britain and Wales international representative hooker, he played his entire club rugby career at St...
.
Stadium records
- The attendance record at Knowsley Road is 35,695 set on December 26, 1949 for a game between St Helens and WiganWigan WarriorsWigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
.
- The attendance record for a Super LeagueSuper LeagueSuper League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
match is 18,098 in 1996 for a game between St Helens and WarringtonWarrington WolvesWarrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
.
See also
- English rugby league stadia by capacity
- Ground improvements at English football stadia