Station Road, Swinton
Australia perform their "war cry" before the 2nd Test, 9 November 1963
|
|
| Full name | Station Road |
|---|---|
| Location | Station Road, Pendlebury |
| Coordinates | 53°30′54″N 2°20′04″W / 53.51504°N 2.3344°WCoordinates: 53°30′54″N 2°20′04″W / 53.51504°N 2.3344°W |
| Owner | Swinton RLFC (1929–1992) |
| Capacity | 60,000 |
| Record attendance | 44,621 - Warrington v Wigan, Challenge Cup Semi Final, 7 April 1951 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1929 |
| Built | 1929 |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Expanded | References |
| Closed | 1992 |
| Demolished | 1992 |
Station Road was a stadium in Pendlebury, near Manchester, England. It was the home of Swinton Rugby League Club between 1929 and 1992 and was widely recognised as one of the finest grounds in the Rugby League.
Swinton moved to Station Road when they were at their peak, having won all four major trophies ("All Four Cups") the previous season, one of only three clubs (plus Hunslet and Huddersfield) ever to do so. The decision to purchase the land, which stood alongside the railway line and Swinton railway station, was made after a breakdown in negotiations with their existing landlord at their Chorley Road ground, their home since 1887.
In its heyday it boasted a capacity of 60,000, although with a record attendance of 44,621 for Warrington v Wigan in the 1951 Challenge Cup semi-final this was never really tested. All in all 19 internationals (including 15 test matches), 5 Championship finals, 17 Lancashire County Cup finals, 4 Premiership finals and 30 Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-finals were played at the ground. In addition two World Cup matches were played at Station Road.
The biggest win in any international match at Station Road was when Australia defeated Great Britain by 50-12 in the second Ashes test during the 1963 Kangaroo tour. Played in front of 30,843 fans, the match became known as the "Swinton Massacre" as the Kangaroos ran riot. Winger Ken Irvine crossed for 3 tries giving the British fans (and his opposite, Lions winger Mick Sullivan) a taste of his legendary speed, while other stars for Australia were Reg Gasnier and Peter Dimond who crossed for 2 tries each, and Gasnier's Centre partner Graeme Langlands scored 2 tries and kicked 7 goals. After winning the first test 28-2 at Wembley, the victory saw Australia regain the Ashes they had lost to the Lions at home in 1962.
...
Wikipedia