Springfield Park (Wigan)

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Springfield Park was a multi-use stadium in Wigan, England. It was the home ground of Wigan Athletic F.C. until the club moved to the new JJB Stadium after the 1999 season. At its largest, the stadium held 35,000. On average during the numerous seasons played at Springfield Park, Wigan Athletic fans numbered 3,000 in the stadium.

The stadium had previously been home to Wigan County, Wigan United, Wigan Town, and Wigan Borough as well as Wigan and Springfield Borough rugby league sides.

[edit] History

It was designed by architect R.T. Johnson and was built in 1897 at a cost of £16,000. It was owned by The Wigan Trotting and Athletic Grounds Company Ltd.

Wigan rugby league team became sub-tenants of Springfield Park, which they shared with Wigan United AFC, playing their first game there on 14 September 1901. A crowd of 4,000 saw them beat Morecambe 12-0.

Wigan rugby league team's record crowd at Springfield was 10,000 when they beat Widnes on 19 March 1902. The last game was on 28 April 1902 when Wigan beat the Rest of Lancashire Senior Competition. Wigan then relocated to Central Park.

Wigan Borough F.C. joined the football league in the 1921-2 season and played their home games at Springfield Park. Wigan Borough resigned from the football league during the 1931-32 season. Shortly afterwards Wigan Borough went out of business and a new club, Wigan Athletic F.C., was formed and continued to play their home games at Springfield Park.

A rugby league side known as Springfield Borough played at Springfield Park for one season in 1987-1988.

Wigan Athletic F.C. moved to the new JJB Stadium after the 1999 season.

Coordinates: 53°33′17.69″N, 2°39′02.38″W

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Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club
Wigan Warriors
History • Records • Stadium • Players • Honours
Seasons
2006 • 2007 • 2008
Stadiums
Folly Field (1872-1877) • Prescott Street (1877-1901) • Springfield Park (1901-1902) •
Central Park (1902-1999) • JJB Stadium (1999-)
Captains
Andrew Farrell (1998-2005) • Sean O'Loughlin (2006-)
Coaches
Andy Goodway • John Monie (1995-1997) • Frank Endacott (1999-2001) • Stuart Raper (2001-2003) • Mike Gregory (2003-2005)
Denis Betts (2004-2005) • Ian Millward (2005-2006) • Brian Noble (2006-present)
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