Bescot Stadium
| Banks's Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Bescot | |
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| Full name | Banks's Stadium |
| Location | Bescot, Walsall, England |
| Built | 1989 |
| Opened | 1990 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction cost | £4.5 million |
| Capacity | 11,300 |
| Tenants | |
| Walsall F.C. (1990-present) | |
Bescot Stadium, also known as the Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1989-90, by GMI Construction, with a reported build cost of £4.5m, and was opened in 1990. The stadium replaced the club's previous ground, Fellows Park, which was located a quarter of a mile away.
The stadium currently has an all-seater capacity of 11,300, following an extension on the then Gilbert Alsop Stand, a second tier was added and all poles were removed, it is now an impressive two-tiered cantilever stand which holds over 4,000 supporters, the stand name was recently changed to the "Tile Choice Stand" from the "Floors-2-Go Stand" and is still the main vocal area for home supporters since the ground was opened. It also has extensive conferencing and educational facilities.
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History [edit]
The stadium was opened, in 1990, by Stanley Matthews. The first game was played on 25 August 1990, the opening day of the 1990-91 Football League Fourth Division campaign. 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 from Stuart Rimmer.[1]
Originally both ends of the ground were standing areas, and the capacity of the ground was around 9,400. The away supporters end was filled with seats later in the 1990s. Following an extension to the Tile Choice Stand (formerly known as the Gilbert Alsop Stand), during the 2002-03 season, it is now an all-seater stadium, with a capacity of 11,300.
The stadium has been host to England under-21 and under-19 international matches, Aston Villa reserve matches (winter fixtures only) and England women's international matches.
Facilities [edit]
Bescot Stadium has two large conferencing suites, named the Bonser Suite and the Stadium Suite. The Bonser Suite adjoins the rear of the West Stand (formerly the H. L. Fellows Stand), while the Stadium Suite is underneath the upper tier of the northern most stand (currently the Floors-2-Go Stand). Both suites host conferences, cabaret evenings, concerts and events.
In addition to this, there are three further bars within the Stadium; the Swifts and Priory Lounges to the rear of the western most stand, and the Bescot Bar, which is located beneath the lower tier of the Tile Choice Stand. There are food and beverage kiosks in all four corners of the ground, whilst the Bonser Suite doubles as a restaurant on match days.
For the upcoming 2012/2013 Season two new bars will be in place and ready to use - one located underneath the away supporters end, holding up to 200 people, and another underneath the Five Rivers Family Stand.
Stadium ownership [edit]
It was reported in the Express and Star Newspaper on 6 June 2008, that Walsall were attempting to sell the stadium to Walsall Council, and renting it back to secure the club's financial future. The Council, however, stated they did not have the funds to purchase the ground.
During Spring 2011, the owner of Bescot Stadium, Jeff Bonser, announced via his proxy, Suffolk Life, that the stadium was for sale on the open market. Steve Jenkins, record producer and lifelong Walsall supporter, tried to drum up support for the council to buy the land.[2] [3]
On 11 July 2011, the idea of council ownership of Bescot Stadium was finally put to bed after the council voted 28-24 against purchasing the stadium.
Plans [edit]
Plans to develop the southern most stand (which usually caters for away supporters) were announced by the club during 2005. The proposed development would mean using the blueprint of the northern most stand (currently the Floors-2-Go Stand), which stands opposite it.
Funding for the redevelopment was to come, in part, from a large advertising board on the back of the stand facing the M6 motorway. The board would be the largest illuminated sign adjacent to a motorway in Europe.[4]
However, due to the club's fall from the Football League Championship to Football League Two in the space of three seasons, and the subsequent drop off in attendances, the redevelopment plans were put on hold.
In 2009, the club erected a large advertising hoarding to the south of the southern most stand, facing the M6 motorway. However, the financial success of this hoarding has been limited. For example, it was successfully rented for only 4 months and 2 weeks of 2010.
Attendances [edit]
Highest
- 11,049 - Walsall vs. Rotherham United, 9 May 2004, Football League First Division.
Lowest
- 1,793 - Walsall vs. Chesterfield, 31 August 2010, Football League Trophy.
Average
- 2011-2012: 4,274 (Football League One)
- 2010-2011: 3,846 (Football League One)
- 2009-2010: 4,028 (Football League One)
- 2007-2008: 5,619 (Football League One)
- 2006-2007: 5,642 (Football League Two)
- 2005-2006: 5,392 (Football League One)
- 2004-2005: 6,081 (Football League One)
References [edit]
- ^ '20 years at Bescot' Walsall Web-Fans, 25 August 2010
- ^ 'Steve Jenkins makes a new point' Express & Star, 9 June 2011
- ^ 'Walsall back Steve Jenkins vision' Express & Star, 17 May 2011
- ^ Motorway sign 'biggest in Europe' BBC News, 11 October 2007
Coordinates: 52°33′55.56″N 1°59′26.54″W / 52.5654333°N 1.9907056°W
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