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, Salford, England. It was the home ground for the Salford Rugby League Football Club for over 100 years. The stadium could hold up to 11,363 fans, with 2,500 seats available.
Contents
History of The Willows Stadium
The Willows stadium got its name from the many willow trees that grew in the area. In 1900, the Salford rugby team agreed to rent about 5 acres (20,000 square meters) of land. They played their very first game at The Willows on December 21, 1901. They won against Swinton with a score of 2–0. A large crowd of 16,981 fans came to watch this exciting first match.
Stadium Upgrades and Changes
Over the years, The Willows stadium was updated several times. In the 1960s, a part of the stadium called the terrace was made flat. This was done to build the Salford Football and Social Club, which opened on June 16, 1966.
The stadium also got new features to improve the fan experience. On March 11, 1966, the floodlights were turned on for the first time during a match against Widnes. This meant games could be played at night. Later, on November 26, 1989, a new electronic scoreboard was added. It cost £50,000 and was placed above the Willows Variety Centre.
The Final Match at The Willows
The Salford City Reds played their last game at The Willows in 2011. They then moved to a new home, the Salford City Stadium, at the start of the 2012 season. The very last match at The Willows was against the Catalans Dragons. Salford lost 18–44, but 10,146 fans came to watch. This was the biggest crowd for a Salford City Reds home game in the Super League.
Future Plans for The Willows Site
After the stadium closed, plans were made for the land. In 2013, a group called City West Housing Trust suggested building new homes on the site where The Willows once stood.
Big Rugby League Matches at The Willows
The Willows stadium was not just for local games. It also hosted many important international rugby league matches. Teams from different countries came to play here.
International Test Matches
Many "Test matches" were played at The Willows. These are games between national teams. For example, in 1922, Great Britain played against Australia in an Ashes series game. About 22,000 people watched that match! Other countries like England, Wales, New Zealand, and France also played important games at this stadium.
Tour Matches Against International Teams
The Willows was also a popular place for "tour matches." This is when international teams, like the Australian Kangaroos or the New Zealand Kiwis, visited England. They would play against local clubs like Salford or county teams like Lancashire. These games were a great chance for local fans to see top international players.
Images for kids
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Pre-match warm ups viewed from the North Stand for Salford and the Leeds Rhinos in 2001 at the Willows
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The North Stand in 2005
