Jump to content

Swansea.com Stadium: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°38′32″N 3°56′06″W / 51.6422°N 3.9351°W / 51.6422; -3.9351
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
rv/v
Line 18: Line 18:
| seating_capacity = 20,750
| seating_capacity = 20,750
|}}
|}}
The '''Liberty Stadium''' ({{lang-cy|Stadiwm Liberty}}) is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the [[Landore]] area of [[Swansea]], [[Wales]]. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,750 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the [[List of stadia in Wales by capacity|third largest stadium in Wales]] after the [[Millennium Stadium]] and the [[Cardiff City Stadium]]. It is also the home of [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] and the [[Ospreys (rugby team)|Ospreys]]. As a result of Swansea City's promotion the stadium is the first [[Premier League]] ground in Wales although Cardiff City who are Wales' biggest club have spent more time in the top flight than Swansea and this really hurts the locals who are said to suffer from second city syndrome. It is the second smallest stadium in the Premier League after [[Loftus Road]].
The '''Liberty Stadium''' ({{lang-cy|Stadiwm Liberty}}) is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the [[Landore]] area of [[Swansea]], [[Wales]]. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,750 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the [[List of stadia in Wales by capacity|third largest stadium in Wales]] after the [[Millennium Stadium]] and the [[Cardiff City Stadium]]. It is also the home of [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] and the [[Ospreys (rugby team)|Ospreys]]. As a result of Swansea City's promotion the stadium is the first [[Premier League]] ground in Wales. It is the second smallest stadium in the Premier League after [[Loftus Road]].


==History==
==History==
With the [[Vetch Field]], [[St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground|St Helen's]] and [[The Gnoll]] no longer being up-to-date venues to play at, and both the Swans and the Ospreys not having the necessary capital to invest into a new stadium, [[City and County of Swansea council|Swansea council]] and a developer-led consortia submitted a proposal for a sustainable 'bowl' venue for 20,520 seats on a site to the west of the [[River Tawe]] on the site of the [[Morfa Stadium]], an athletics stadium owned by the [[City and County of Swansea]] council. It was funded by a 355,000&nbsp;ft retail park on land to the east of the river. The final value of the development being in excess of £50m. Most of that was paid by Magic Daps and his council tax. <ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.swanseacity.net/page/LibertyStadium/0,,10354,00.html| title= Liberty Stadium| publisher= swanseacity.net|year=2010| accessdate=14 May 2010}}</ref>
With the [[Vetch Field]], [[St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground|St Helen's]] and [[The Gnoll]] no longer being up-to-date venues to play at, and both the Swans and the Ospreys not having the necessary capital to invest into a new stadium, [[City and County of Swansea council|Swansea council]] and a developer-led consortia submitted a proposal for a sustainable 'bowl' venue for 20,520 seats on a site to the west of the [[River Tawe]] on the site of the [[Morfa Stadium]], an athletics stadium owned by the [[City and County of Swansea]] council. It was funded by a 355,000&nbsp;ft retail park on land to the east of the river. The final value of the development being in excess of £50m.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.swanseacity.net/page/LibertyStadium/0,,10354,00.html| title= Liberty Stadium| publisher= swanseacity.net|year=2010| accessdate=14 May 2010}}</ref>


The first capacity crowd recorded at the Liberty Stadium was on the 1 November 2006 when The Ospreys beat Australia 24–16.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/ospreys/6094366.stm| title=Ospreys 24–16 Australia| publisher=BBC| accessdate=2 October 2010| date=1 November 2006}}</ref> The stadium has also hosted four [[Wales national football team|Wales Football]] internationals, see below. Possible increase in capacity has been mooted as Swansea have secured Premier League status for the 2012–13 season, as the 2011–12 season saw regular sell-outs.
The first capacity crowd recorded at the Liberty Stadium was on the 1 November 2006 when The Ospreys beat Australia 24–16.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/ospreys/6094366.stm| title=Ospreys 24–16 Australia| publisher=BBC| accessdate=2 October 2010| date=1 November 2006}}</ref> The stadium has also hosted four [[Wales national football team|Wales Football]] internationals, see below. Possible increase in capacity has been mooted as Swansea have secured Premier League status for the 2012–13 season, as the 2011–12 season saw regular sell-outs.


==Naming==
==Naming==
During its construction, a variety of names were suggested for it: most commonly used was "White Rock" stadium (after the copper works of the same name which existed on the site historically). However "White Rock" was only used as a temporary name during its construction and when work was finished, the name was dropped and the stadium owners began looking for sponsors for the stadium.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3914539.stm | title= Stadium name puzzle for fans | publisher=BBC News | accessdate=21 July 2004 | date=21 July 2004}}</ref> While sponsors were being searched for, it was called the "New Stadium Swansea". On 18 October 2005, Swansea-based developers Liberty Properties Plc won the naming rights to call it the "Liberty Stadium" with a sponsorship deal worth 4 figures (£10.99p).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/4352630.stm | title= City stadium takes sponsor's name | publisher=BBC News| accessdate=18 October 2005 | date=18 October 2005}}</ref>
During its construction, a variety of names were suggested for it: most commonly used was "White Rock" stadium (after the copper works of the same name which existed on the site historically). However "White Rock" was only used as a temporary name during its construction and when work was finished, the name was dropped and the stadium owners began looking for sponsors for the stadium.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3914539.stm | title= Stadium name puzzle for fans | publisher=BBC News | accessdate=21 July 2004 | date=21 July 2004}}</ref> While sponsors were being searched for, it was called the "New Stadium Swansea". On 18 October 2005, Swansea-based developers Liberty Properties Plc won the naming rights to call it the "Liberty Stadium".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/4352630.stm | title= City stadium takes sponsor's name | publisher=BBC News| accessdate=18 October 2005 | date=18 October 2005}}</ref>


==Opening==
==Opening==

Revision as of 02:52, 5 January 2013

For other uses, see Swansea.com Stadium (disambiguation).
Liberty Stadium
Stadiwm Liberty
The Liberty
Map
Former namesWhite Rock Stadium
LocationSwansea, Wales
Coordinates51°38′32″N 3°56′06″W / 51.6422°N 3.9351°W / 51.6422; -3.9351
OwnerSwansea Council
OperatorStadCo
Capacity20,750
SurfaceDesso GrassMaster
Construction
Broke ground2003
Opened10 July 2005
Construction cost£27 million
ArchitectTTH Architects, Gateshead UK
Tenants
Ospreys (2005–)
Swansea City A.F.C. (2005–)

The Liberty Stadium (Template:Lang-cy) is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,750 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the third largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium Stadium and the Cardiff City Stadium. It is also the home of Swansea City and the Ospreys. As a result of Swansea City's promotion the stadium is the first Premier League ground in Wales. It is the second smallest stadium in the Premier League after Loftus Road.

History

With the Vetch Field, St Helen's and The Gnoll no longer being up-to-date venues to play at, and both the Swans and the Ospreys not having the necessary capital to invest into a new stadium, Swansea council and a developer-led consortia submitted a proposal for a sustainable 'bowl' venue for 20,520 seats on a site to the west of the River Tawe on the site of the Morfa Stadium, an athletics stadium owned by the City and County of Swansea council. It was funded by a 355,000 ft retail park on land to the east of the river. The final value of the development being in excess of £50m.[1]

The first capacity crowd recorded at the Liberty Stadium was on the 1 November 2006 when The Ospreys beat Australia 24–16.[2] The stadium has also hosted four Wales Football internationals, see below. Possible increase in capacity has been mooted as Swansea have secured Premier League status for the 2012–13 season, as the 2011–12 season saw regular sell-outs.

Naming

During its construction, a variety of names were suggested for it: most commonly used was "White Rock" stadium (after the copper works of the same name which existed on the site historically). However "White Rock" was only used as a temporary name during its construction and when work was finished, the name was dropped and the stadium owners began looking for sponsors for the stadium.[3] While sponsors were being searched for, it was called the "New Stadium Swansea". On 18 October 2005, Swansea-based developers Liberty Properties Plc won the naming rights to call it the "Liberty Stadium".[4]

Opening

On 10 July 2005, The Liberty Stadium was opened and became the home to Swansea City (replacing the Vetch Field) and the Ospreys (replacing St Helen's and The Gnoll).

On 23 July 2005, The Liberty Stadium was officially opened as Swansea City faced Fulham, (then managed by former Swansea player Chris Coleman) in an friendly match.[5] The match ended in a 1–1 draw with the first goal being scored by Fulham's Steed Malbranque.[6]

Statues

Before a league match between Swansea City and Oldham Athletic, a statue of Ivor Allchurch was unveiled to commemorate the Swansea-born star who during two spells for the club scored a record 164 goals in 445 appearances.[7]

Plans

Seating at the Liberty Stadium is often sold out during Swansea City matches. Swansea City have expressed a desire to have the capacity of the stadium increased and have held talks with Swansea Council during the 2011/2012 season for the future expansion of the Liberty stadium which would be completed in a number of phases beginning with expansion or redevelopment of the east stand.[8]Plans for a new McDonald's fast food restaurant to be opened near the stadium threw expansion plans into doubt.[9] However, the planning application was withdrawn.[10]

International fixtures

The ground has also hosted Wales football international fixtures.

Date Competition Home Team Score Away Team
17 August 2005 Friendly Wales  0–0  Slovenia
15 August 2006 Friendly Wales  0–0  Bulgaria
20 August 2008 Friendly Wales  1–2  Georgia
3 March 2010 Friendly Wales  0–1  Sweden
7 October 2011 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier Wales  2–0   Switzerland
6 February 2013 Friendly Wales   Austria
26 March 2013 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier Wales   Croatia

Concerts

Date Artist
1 June 2007 The Who
29 June 2008 Elton John
23 June 2010 Pink
1 June 2011 Rod Stewart
12 June 2011 JLS

Statistics and average attendances

Season Swansea City[11] Ospreys[12]
2005–06 14,155 8,567
2006–07 12,720 9,147
2007–08 13,520 9,487
2008–09 15,186 9,063
2009–10 15,407 8,284
2010–11 15,507 8,855
2011–12 19,946 7,259

See also

References

  1. ^ "Liberty Stadium". swanseacity.net. 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Ospreys 24–16 Australia". BBC. 1 November 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  3. ^ "Stadium name puzzle for fans". BBC News. 21 July 2004. Retrieved 21 July 2004.
  4. ^ "City stadium takes sponsor's name". BBC News. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 18 October 2005.
  5. ^ "City stadium ready for kick-off". BBC Sport. 22 July 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2005.
  6. ^ "Swansea 1–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. 23 July 2005. Retrieved 23 July 2005.
  7. ^ "Swans unveil Allchurch monument". BBC Sport. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 15 October 2005.
  8. ^ Wales Online – Liberty Stadium extension under discussion with Swansea council
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ [2]
  11. ^ "Swansea City Attendances". Swansea City. 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Ospreys attendances". Magners League. 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liberty Stadium.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swansea.com_Stadium&oldid=531385088"