The Willows, Salford facts for kids
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| Full name | The Willows |
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| Location | Willows Road, Weaste, Salford M5 5FQ |
| Coordinates | 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 RLFC (1901–2011) Salford United (1906–1936) Swinton RLFC (2011) |
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The Willows was a famous rugby league stadium located in Weaste, a part of Salford, England. It was a special place for rugby fans for over 100 years. The stadium could hold up to 11,363 people, with 2,500 seats for spectators. It was the home ground for the Salford Red Devils rugby team for a very long time.
Contents
The Willows: A Rugby League Home
The Willows stadium was a key part of Salford's history. It was known for its exciting rugby matches. Many important games were played here, making it a beloved spot for the community.
A Look Back: The Stadium's Story
The story of The Willows began over a century ago. It was built on land that had many willow trees. This is how the stadium got its name.
Early Days and First Games
In 1900, the Salford rugby team found a new home. They leased a large piece of land. The team played their very first game at The Willows on December 21, 1901. They won against Swinton with a score of 2–0. A huge crowd of 16,981 fans came to watch that exciting match.
Modern Updates and Big Changes
Over the years, The Willows was updated to make it better for fans and players.
- In 1966, a new club building was opened. This added more facilities for the team and supporters.
- The stadium got its first floodlights in 1966. This meant games could be played in the evenings.
- A new electronic scoreboard was added in 1989. It cost £50,000 and showed scores clearly.
The Salford City Reds played their last game at The Willows in 2011. They lost to the Catalans Dragons in front of 10,146 fans. This was a record crowd for a home game in the Super League. After this, the team moved to a new stadium called the Salford City Stadium in 2012.
International Rugby Moments
The Willows was not just for local games. It also hosted many important international rugby league matches. Teams from different countries came to play here. These games were a big deal for rugby fans in Salford. They showed off the stadium to a global audience.
What Happened Next?
After the stadium closed in 2011, it was demolished in 2012. In 2013, plans were made to build houses on the site. This meant a new chapter for the land where The Willows once stood.
More Information
- Find out more about The Willows
- See pictures of The Willows
Images for kids
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The Willows site before houses were built.
| 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 |
