Knowsley Road

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = The GPW Recruitment Stadium


location = St Helens, Merseyside
fullname = The GPW Recruitment Stadium
nickname =
built = 1890
opened = 1890
seating_capacity = 17,500
tenants = St. Helens RFC

Knowsley Road, renamed The GPW Recruitment Stadium after a sponsorship deal on May 6th 2008, has been the home of St Helens RLFC since 1890 and is one of the most famous grounds in rugby league. St Helens Town FC have played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road since 2002. In the past the venue has also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves.

Knowsley Road stadium is located in Eccleston in Dunriding Lane / Knowsley Road's residential area.

St Helens RLFC are currently making preparations to move to an, as yet, unbuilt new stadium. The plans for the New St Helens Stadium became more concrete in June 2007, as St Helens RLFC Chairman Eamonn McManus announced plans for a new 18,000 capacity stadium, with a Tesco store and plaza with 2000 car parking spaces. These plans were approved by local councillors in May 2008. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/st_helens/7411951.stm |title= Saints stadium plans win backing |accessdate=2008-05-21]

The plans can be seen on [http://www.sthelensstadium.com sthelensstadium.com] .

The stadium

This ground has a capacity of 17,500.

The attendance record for the ground is 35,695 set on 26 December 1949 for a game between St. Helens and Wigan .

The attendance record for a Super League match is 18,098 in 1996 for a game between St. Helens and Warrington.

The ground consists of four areas of open terracing and one seated area. The majority of the ground is under cover although the Dunriding Lane End is not. The Family Stand contains the seated area, while the Eddington End now holds the visiting supporters, although this area was once popular with home supporters.

The Popular Side, whilst containing standing areas is also where the television and commentary area is located.

The players enter the field from a doorway below the Family Stand, succeeding a players' tunnel in the Dunriding Lane end after the changing rooms where moved.

The stadium boasts a restaurant and the club's official store.

History

St Helens moved to Knowsley Road in 1890, defeating Manchester Rangers in their first match.

Knowsley Road enjoyed something of a face-lift at the beginning of the 2006 season when the club's new sponsorship deal with Earth Money was struck. New signage, a lick of paint and new dug-outs were installed. Toilet facilities, which had for a long time been complained about by fans, were finally improved.

Knowsley Road was recently approved as an International Test Venue after recent safety and capactity improvements. It subsequently hosted an international test fixture in 2006 between Great Britain and New Zealand, which Great Britain won easily.

See also

* English rugby league stadia by capacity
* Ground improvements at English football Stadia

References

External links

* [http://www.saintsrlfc.com/ St Helens website]
* [http://www.sthelensstadium.com/default.htm New St Helens stadium site]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6253618.stm Jon Wilkin column: On Knowsley Road and the new stadium]