Haig Avenue

Haig Avenue
Former names	Ash Lane
Location	Southport, Merseyside, PR8 6JZ
Coordinates	53°38′17.12″N 2°58′43.88″W
Opened	1905
Owner	Sefton Council
Operator	Southport F.C.
Surface	Grass
Capacity	6,008 (1,608 seated, 4124 standing)
Field dimensions	115 x 78 yards
Tenants
Southport F.C.

Haig Avenue is a football stadium in Southport, England that holds 6,008 supporters, with 1,608 seated and 4,124 standing. Since being opened in 1905 it is the home ground of Conference National side Southport F.C..

Location

The ground is situated to the east of Southport just off the A570, the main road to Ormskirk. It is sited at the edge of a residential area, adjoining school playing fields.

The stadium

Haig Avenue now has a capacity of 6,008 people (1,884 seated, 4,124 standing) though the record attendance is 20,010 against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1932. These days the ground seldom operates at more than a quarter full, although nearly full houses have been registered for key matches such as the F.A. Trophy semi-final against Slough Town which Southport won to reach their first ever Wembley final.

The ground has a covered main stand, called the Grandstand, opposite an uncovered terrace, known as the Popular Side. Behind the goals, the south (Scarisbrick) end is covered; this is where the majority of the home fans congregate. The north (Blowick) away end is open to the elements. The south stand is called the Jack Carr Stand, after a popular director at the club, and was named shortly after his death.

The stadium does not carry a sponsor's name. There are limited car parking facilities, however these are reserved for home, away and match officials.

History

Southport F.C. (in yellow) vs Kidderminster Harriers F.C., 2005

Southport FC moved to what is now called Haig Avenue in 1905 (then called Ash Lane). The ground was officially called Haig Avenue after Earl Haig in 1921.

The Grandstand that now stands at Haig Avenue was opened in 1968, 2 years after the original main stand had burnt down. The wooden structure, which had been purchased from the Southport Flower Show burnt down the day after a game against Wrexham on Boxing Day in 1966 (A game which Southport won 1-0). Most of the clubs possessions including kits, went up in flames with only the club safe surviving. A temporary main stand was put up instead during the season Billy Bingham's side won promotion to the third division. Eric Morecambe presented the club with a trophy to commemorate their achievement.

Events

The ground has played host to Youth Internationals in the past, and has also been home to both Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C. reserves. It has also numerous hosted FA Women's Cup ties.