Wilderspool Stadium
Wilderspool Stadium was a rugby league stadium in Warrington, England. The ground was Warrington RLFC's old ground before moving to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
History
In 1898, Warrington RLFC moved to the Wilderspool Stadium. A 10-year lease was agreed with Greenall Whitley for land on the east side of their previous ground, a pitch previously used by Latchford Rovers Rugby Club. Warrington's previous pitch was used to build houses in Fletcher Street.Wilderspool Stadium was modernised and extended in the inter-war period, becoming one of the finest venues in rugby league, and being awarded host status for Championship finals, Challenge Cup semi-finals, and tour games. A new west perimeter wall and turnstiles were built at Wilderspool around 1921. In 1925 the supporters' club provided Warrington with covered accommodation on the popular side of the ground and two years later, they donated a scoreboard.
In 1926, the perimeter wooden fence being replaced by a concrete wall. New dressing rooms underneath the main stand were opened in January 1934.
During the Second World War, Wilderspool was requisitioned for the war effort; being used as a storage depot.
The record Kangaroo Tour attendance at the stadium was on the 1948-9 tour when 26,879 saw Warrington defeat 16-7.
Wilderspool's record attendance was created in the 1948-9 season when 34,304 spectators turned up to see Warrington lose only their second game of the season to Wigan.
In April, 1953, Wilderspool staged its first international, a match between Wales and Other Nationalities.
In 1958, the popular side terracing became fully covered and soon after the Fletcher Street End was given a roof.
In 1965, floodlights were installed at Wilderspool.
A stand was completely destroyed by arson in 1982. The Brian Bevan stand was built in 1983 to replace the one lost to arson.
During the 1994 Kangaroo tour, Australia defeated Warrington 24-0 at Wilderspool before a crowd of 11,244 in the Kangaroos' last game at the ground.
Warrington RLFC left Wilderspool for the Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2003. The final game was played in September 2003 with Warrington beating Wakefield 52–12.
The stadium was finally demolished between August and October 2014. A plan for 160 houses on the site was submitted in 2019, more than 16 years after the final game at Wilderspool.
The scoreboard from Wilderspool was restored and placed in Warrington's Victoria Park in 2017.
Rugby League Test matches
List of Test and World Cup matches played at Wilderspool Stadium.| Game# | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
| 1 | 15 April 1953 | def. Other Nationalities 18–16 | 8,449 | 1952–53 European Rugby League Championship |
| 2 | 1 December 1973 | def. 15–5 | 10,019 | 1973 Ashes series |
| 3 | 20 September 1975 | def. 22–16 | 5,034 | 1975 Rugby League World Cup |
| 4 | 24 March 1979 | def. 12–6 | 5,004 | 1979 European Rugby League Championship |
| 5 | 8 October 1995 | def. 25–24 | 8,083 | 1995 Rugby League World Cup Group B |
| 6 | 20 October 1995 | def. 28–26 | 1,950 | 1995 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament |
| 7 | 16 November 2003 | def. 68–6 | 2,536 | 2003 European Nations Cup |
Rugby League Tour Matches
Wilderspool also saw Warrington and the county team Lancashire play host to various international touring teams from 1907–1994.| Game | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
| 1 | 21 December 1907 | Warrington def. New Zealand 15–13 | 10,000 | 1907–08 All Golds tour |
| 2 | 14 November 1908 | Warrington def. 10–3 | 5,000 | 1908–09 Kangaroo tour |
| 3 | 8 February 1909 | Warrington drew with 8–8 | 7,000 | 1908–09 Kangaroo tour |
| 4 | 30 December 1911 | Australasia def. Warrington 34–6 | 8,500 | 1911–12 Kangaroo tour |
| 5 | 29 October 1921 | Warrington def. Australasia 10–3 | 16,000 | 1921–22 Kangaroo tour |
| 6 | 14 December 1921 |  |16leagueicon|Australasia|16leagueicon|Warrington|16leagueicon|Kiwis|16leagueicon|Australia|16rlnt|Australia |