The Willows, Salford

The Willows

The Willows North Stand
Full name The Willows
Location Willows Road,
Salford
M5 5FQ
Coordinates 53°29′11″N 2°18′34″W / 53.48639°N 2.30944°WCoordinates: 53°29′11″N 2°18′34″W / 53.48639°N 2.30944°W
Owner Iain Watson
Capacity 11,363 with 2,500 seats
Record attendance 26,470 vs Warrington (Challenge Cup), 13 February 1937
Surface Grass
Scoreboard Electronic
Construction
Built 1900
Opened 1901
Renovated 1966, 1971, 1975, 1989
Closed 2011
Demolished 2012
Tenants

Salford City Reds (1901–2011)

Swinton Lions (2011)

The Willows was a rugby league stadium in Salford, England. It had a final capacity of 11,363 with 2,500 seats.

History

In 1900, Salford agreed a 14-year lease on 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land belonging to the Willows Estate Company, named after the abundance of willow trees in the area. They made their debut at the Willows on 21 December 1901, beating Swinton 2–0 in front of 16,981 fans.

In the 1960s, the terrace was flattened at the Willows Road end to make way for the Salford Football and Social Club which was officially opened on 16 June 1966.

The Willows switched on its floodlights for the first time in the match with Widnes on Friday 11 March 1966. On 26 November 1989, Salford unveiled a new £50,000 electronic scoreboard above the Willows Variety Centre.

Salford moved to the Salford City Stadium in Barton-upon-Irwell at the start of the 2012 season.[1] The last match at The Willows saw them lose to Catalans Dragons 18–44 in front of 10,146 fans, a record for a Salford home match in Super League.[2]

Redevelopment

In 2013, a proposal to redevelop the site for housing was put forward by City West Housing Trust.[3]

References

External links

Preceded by
Headingley
Leeds
Challenge Cup
Final Venue

1902–03
Succeeded by
Headingley
Leeds
Preceded by
Fartown
Huddersfield
Challenge Cup
Final Venue

1910–11
Succeeded by
Headingley
Leeds
Preceded by
New Barnes
1878–1901
Salford Red Devils
Home Ground

1901–2011
Succeeded by
Salford City Stadium
2012–present