Bescot Stadium
| Bescot | |
 |
|
| Full name | Banks's Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Bescot, Walsall, England |
| Capacity | 11,300 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1989-90 |
| Opened | 18 August 1990 |
| Construction cost | £4.5 million |
| Tenants | |
| Walsall F.C. (1990-present) | |
Bescot Stadium, also known as the Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Walsall, England, and the current home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1989-90, by GMI Construction, with a reported build cost of £4.5m.
The stadium replaced the club's previous ground, Fellows Park, which was located a quarter of a mile away.
The stadium was opened on 18 August 1990, by Sir Stanley Matthews, prior to a friendly match with neighbours Aston Villa in front of 9,551 spectators.
The first competitive game was played a week later on 25 August 1990. 5,219 spectators watched Walsall draw 2-2 with Torquay United, with the stadium's first goal being an own goal scored by Walsall defender Matt Bryant after 65 seconds. The first goal scored for Walsall at the stadium was by Stuart Rimmer.
A sponsorship deal with Banks Brewery in 2003 saw the name changed from Bescot Stadium to Banks Stadium.
The stadium has been host to England under-21, under-19 and under-17 international matches, Aston Villa reserve team matches and England women's international matches.
On February 5, 2013, it hosted England’s under-21’s international friendly against Sweden under 21’s with the hosts thrashing the visitors 4 - 0 with Tom Ince scoring a brace and Jonjo Shelvey and Connor Wickham also scoring. There was 9,758 in attendance.
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