Huntington Stadium
| Full name | Huntington Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Ryedale Stadium |
| Location |
Huntington, York, England |
| Coordinates | 53°59′5″N 1°03′12″W / 53.98472°N 1.05333°WCoordinates: 53°59′5″N 1°03′12″W / 53.98472°N 1.05333°W |
| Capacity | 3,428 |
| Record attendance |
4,977 vs Halifax 5 January 1990 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1989 |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Closed | 2014 |
| Main contractors | Birse Construction Ltd |
| Tenants | |
|
York Wasps (2003-2014) | |
Huntington Stadium (formerly Ryedale Stadium) is the former stadium of English rugby league teams York Wasps and York City Knights.
History
The stadium was completed in October 1989 by contractors Birse Construction Ltd. It is situated two miles north of the city centre at Monk's Cross, close to the A1036 Malton Road. The stadium was financed by Ryedale District Council and was named the Ryedale Stadium.
Huntington Stadium's record attendance for a rugby league match was set on 5 January 1990 when 4,977 turned up to watch a Division 2 match against Halifax.
York Wasps played their first ever match at the Huntington Stadium when they lost to Hull Kingston Rovers 36-26 in front of a crowd of 3'105.[1]
2009 saw the first ever game at the stadium live on Sky Sports. York were victorious as they beat Oldham 20-18 to go second in the Championship.[2]
On 6 March 2011 in front of just 434 fans, the York City Knights recorded the highest ever score in rugby league Challenge Cup history when they defeated Northumbria University 132–0.
In 2011 the University of York will face Lancaster University in a first team rugby match, the first time the two sides have met in such surroundings. The game is part of the annual Roses sporting competition between the two universities.
The 2014 season was announced as the final season for the York City Knights. They won the league and lifted the trophy at the final home league game against London Skolars.[3] The final game at Huntington Stadium ended in a 32-24 defeat for the York by Hunslet in the Championship 1 Play Off Semi Final[4]
Structure and facilities
The stadium has a capacity of 3,428. Its facilities include an all seated Main Stand incorporating executive boxes to the rear, an all standing Popular Stand, floodlights, an electronic scoreboard and an athletics track.
The stadium also has a large multi purpose sports hall, a fitness room and superb social facilities, including the Galtres Bar, which is open to season ticket holders on match days. However, Huntington Sports and Social Club is now in use as a pre-match venue for any fans attending games.
There are 180 car park spaces available to the home and opposition supporters on match days. This match day car park is located at the end of the main Courtneys/Waterworld car park and costs £3.
Future
It has long been proposed that the Knights should share a new municipal stadium with York City F.C. and it was announced in July 2010 that the preferred location would be the site of the current Huntington Stadium.[5]
Demolition
A community archaeology project was undertaken by York Archaeological Trust in 2015 to record the site of a Roman Marching Camp Site. The work of the local community project "Dig York Stadium" produced a historical record[6]
After the York Dig had concluded on 19 June 2015[7] demolition of Huntington Stadium will be able to commence in the near future.
The project faces more delays[8] and the whole site remain empty as it awaits a legal challenge to it Planning Application[9]
References
- ↑ http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/archive/2003/01/20/7914682.Knights_in_shining_ardour/?ref=arc
- ↑ http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityknights/4460810.Huge_crowd_sees_York_City_Knights_go_second_in_Championship_One/?ref=arc
- ↑ http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityknights/11459500.Knights_coach_hails_spirit_of_the_champions/?ref=arc
- ↑ http://www.yorkcityknights.co.uk/Match/Report/228827
- ↑ "Site chosen for new York community stadium". BBC News. 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
- ↑ "Dig York Stadium". Dig York Stadium. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
- ↑ https://digyorkstadium.wordpress.com/
- ↑ "York Stadium: Football & rugby clubs say new delay will cause uncertainty". York Press. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
- ↑ "New bombshell for York stadium plan - Vue Cinemas lodge legal challenge". York Press. Retrieved 2016-08-05.