110 years of Wilderspool Stadium
By Neil Dowson
This week marks 110 years since the opening of
Wilderspool Stadium. The first match was
staged on the 3 September 1898 against Swinton, when a crowd of 7,000 witnessed a
drawn game, 3 –3. Robert Bate scored the
first points at the new ground, when he scored Warrington’s try. Warrington
had to re-locate due to the building of Fletcher Street and its houses, on a
portion of their old field. This was the
club's sixth venue since formation.
Fortunately, after fears that Fletcher Russells had earmarked the
adjacent land for development of their factory on Priory Street, the Club were able to
agree a ten-year lease on Wilderspool with local brewers Greenall Whitley. Latchford Rovers Rugby Club previously used
this pitch.
£251 was spent on removing some of the ground fencing and establishing the boundaries of what became Wilderspool
Stadium. The grandstand was moved from the old ground to the Priory Street side of the new
ground. Wilderspool Stadium takes its
name from Wilderspool Causeway.
“Wilderspool” means “wild beast’s pool”.
So it was perhaps appropriate that the ground was nicknamed the “zoo” in
the 1970’s & 1980’s.
Ten years ago today the club played Huddersfield Giants to end a fabulous week of
celebrations marking the centenary of Wilderspool.
The week started with a family fun day and
display in the Birchwood Mall.
Thursday
saw a Centenary Dinner in the Touchdown Club attended by many famous past
players.
There was a fans forum with
Darryl Van de Velde, Paul Cullen, Danny Farrar and
John
Smith on the Friday.
On the Saturday the club held a Centenary Display of memorabilia and
photographs with current players signing autographs.
The Wolves defeated the Giants 36 – 8.
Danny Farrar playing in the unusual position
of scrum half led his team to a memorable victory.
Lee Briers, Mark Forster, Michael Eagar (2),
Mike Peachey, Steve McCurrie and Danny Farrar crossed for tries and Lee Briers
the only player from either side still playing in Super League kicked 4 goals.
The
highlight of the day was the par
ade
of past players led by the oldest surviving player at the time, 91 year old
Bill Shankland.
Sadly Bill had a fall at
his hotel the following day and died shortly afterwards.
Shankland was the greatest all-round sportsman
to play for
Warrington.
He excelled at rugby league, golf, rugby
union, swimming, boxing, cricket and athletics.
He played in four m
ajor
finals for
Warrington,
in a different position each time.
He
played test match rugby for both the Wallabies (union) and Kangaroos
(league).
Three times he was in
contention to win the British Golf Open with a third place his best
finish.
He boxed and swam for
Australia,
swimming against American superstar Johnny Weissmuller and he played cricket
with the great Don Bradman.
Five years on we played our last Super League match at Wilderspool.
Despite the move to The Halliwell Jones
Stadium the ground is used as much today as it was then.
The Warrington Wolves reserve and under 18
teams play all their home matches at Wilderspool as do the Warrington Service
Area teams and Warrington Wizards.
The
Wolves first team squad use the gym under the
Brian
Bevan Stand and the pitch for outdoor training, as do the reserve team, under
18’s and Scholarship squads.
Bank Quay
Bulls even held their Challenge Cup Tie against Hunslet Hawks at
Wilderspool.
The pitch is still in
magnificent condition and spectators can watch matches from the east end of the
Bevan Stand
. Wilderspool Stadium will again
be used for the 2009 season.
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email: Wire2Wolves@warringtonwolves.com
