Maine Road Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Maine Road
Construction
Location	Moss Side, Manchester
Coordinates	53°27′4″N 2°14′7″W / 53.45111°N 2.23528°W / 53.45111; -2.23528
Owner	Manchester City F.C.
Capacity	35,150 (at closing) 88,000 (maximum)
Built	1923
Opened	23 August 1923
Closed	11 May 2003
Demolished	2003–2004
Tenants
Manchester City F.C. (1923–2003) Manchester United F.C. (1946–49)

Maine Road was a famous football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England. It was the home ground for Manchester City F.C. for 80 years. The stadium was built in 1923 and closed in 2003. It got its name from the street it was built on.

When it first opened, Maine Road was the biggest club stadium in England. It was the second largest stadium in the country, only smaller than Wembley Stadium. In 1934, a record 84,569 people watched a game there. This was an FA Cup match between Manchester City and Stoke City. It's still the record for an English club ground. The stadium changed a lot over its 80 years. Before it closed, Maine Road could seat 35,150 fans.

The 2002-03 season was Manchester City's last at Maine Road. The very last match was played on May 11, 2003. The next season, Manchester City moved to their new home, the City of Manchester Stadium. Maine Road was torn down in 2004.

Building the Stadium
Early Years and Changes
Modernizing the Stadium
Moving to a New Home
Other Uses of Maine Road
Maine Road Football Club
Images for kids
See also

Building the Stadium

Plans to build Maine Road started in May 1922. Manchester City F.C. needed a new home because their old ground, Hyde Road, was too small. It also had damage from a fire in 1920.

The club bought a large piece of land on Maine Road for £5,500. Building the stadium began in late 1922. The first plans were for a huge stadium that could hold 120,000 people. This was later changed to 80,000 seats. Even so, it was still the second largest stadium in the country. People even called it "The Wembley of the North."

There was a story that a "gypsy" put a curse on the stadium. This happened when their camp was moved from the area. However, this story is most likely just an urban myth. Many football grounds have similar tales. Building Maine Road took 300 days and cost £100,000. When it first opened, it had one covered stand for 10,000 people. The other three sides had open standing areas.

Early Years and Changes

The first game at Maine Road was on August 25, 1923. A crowd of 58,159 fans watched Manchester City beat Sheffield United 2-1.

The stadium saw its first changes in 1931. A corner between the Main Stand and the Platt Lane end was rebuilt with a roof. The record attendance for a club game in England happened here on March 3, 1934. Manchester City played Stoke City in front of 84,569 fans. More changes were made in 1935, adding a roof to the Platt Lane end. This made the stadium's capacity reach its peak of about 88,000.

Progressive capacity and attendances for Manchester City matches at Maine Road

After the Second World War, Manchester United shared Maine Road. Their own stadium, Old Trafford, was damaged during the war. United paid City to use the ground. The highest attendance for a League game at Maine Road happened during this time. On January 17, 1948, 83,260 people watched Manchester United play Arsenal. This is still a national record for a League game.

Floodlights were added in 1953. In 1957, the stand opposite the Main Stand was rebuilt. It was named The Kippax Stand. This stand became known as the place where the loudest Manchester City fans gathered. In 1963, benches were put in the Platt Lane end. This meant Maine Road had more seats than any other English club ground. In the 1970s, the North Stand was built. It was a modern stand that stayed until the stadium closed.

Modernizing the Stadium

By 1990, some parts of Maine Road were quite old. The Platt Lane stand was knocked down in 1992. A new all-seater stand, called the Umbro Stand, was built in its place. It opened in March 1993 and also had special executive boxes. This stand was later renamed back to the Platt Lane Stand.

In May 1994, fans could no longer stand during games. The stadium became all-seater to follow new safety rules. The Kippax Street Terrace, where many fans stood, was demolished. The last game where standing was allowed was on April 30, 1994. A new three-tier stand was built in its place. It could hold almost 14,000 fans. When it was finished in October 1995, it was the tallest stand in the country.

Maine Road on May 11, 2003, shortly before Manchester City's final game at the stadium

The new stand looked very modern. However, it also showed how the stadium had been built in different stages. All four sides had different heights and styles. There were plans to make the stadium even bigger, to hold 45,000 people. But these plans were stopped when Manchester City was relegated from the Premier League in 1996.

Moving to a New Home

Plans for more expansion at Maine Road were eventually dropped. Instead, the club decided to move to the City of Manchester Stadium. This new stadium was being built for the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

The last official football match at Maine Road was on May 11, 2003. Manchester City lost 1-0 to Southampton. The last goal scored at the stadium was by Michael Svensson. After the match, there were performances by music bands.

Manchester City's last goal at the stadium was scored on April 26, 2003. It was scored by Marc-Vivien Foe. He sadly passed away later that year while playing for his country.

Maine Road Football Ground being demolished

After City moved out, some other sports teams thought about using Maine Road. However, none of these ideas worked out. An auction of the stadium's parts took place in July 2003. It raised £100,000, which was given to local community projects. The stadium was torn down starting in late 2003. This took seven months. Two years later, new homes were built on the site.

Other Uses of Maine Road

Maine Road was not just for Manchester City games. It also hosted two international matches for the England team. The first was in 1946 against Wales. The second was in 1949 against Northern Ireland. This second game was England's first ever World Cup qualifier. The stadium also held many rugby league matches.

The stadium was used in several movies. It appeared in the 1948 film Cup-tie Honeymoon. More recently, it was in the 2000 film There's Only One Jimmy Grimble. It was also in the 2003 TV show The Second Coming.

Maine Road was a popular place for rock concerts. Famous bands and artists like The Rolling Stones, Queen, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and Guns N' Roses played there.

One of the most famous concerts was by the Manchester band Oasis in April 1996. They were big Manchester City fans. This performance was later released as a video. Prince also played at the stadium twice in the early 1990s.

Maine Road Football Club

There is also a non-league football club named Maine Road F.C.. This club was started by Manchester City fans in 1955. They used to have their headquarters next to the Maine Road stadium.