Maine Road

Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester. It was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003, when they moved to the City of Manchester Stadium.

History

When Maine Road stadium was built on the site of a former brickworks in 1923, it was dubbed "The Wembley of the North", the original Wembley Stadium having opened in London only a few months earlier. The new stadium's capacity was 80,000, making it the second largest in the country, behind Wembley itself, and at its first match 56,993 fans watched the home side lose to Sheffield United F.C.

Related Topics:
Wembley Stadium - London - Sheffield United F.C.

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The stadium was shared by Manchester United for a period after the Second World War, since Manchester United's Old Trafford ground had been partially destroyed during the Manchester Blitz. The highest attendance at an English football game at a League ground was at Maine Road on the March 3, 1934, when Manchester City played Stoke City in front of 84,569 fans in the 6th round of the FA cup.

Related Topics:
Manchester United - Second World War - Old Trafford - Manchester - Blitz - March 3 - 1934 - Stoke City - FA cup

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Maine Road hosted two England internationals, November 13 1946 a 3-0 defeat of Wales and November 16, 1949 a 9-2 win over Northern Ireland in a 1950 World Cup qualifier. A number of wartime internationals were also held at the ground.

Related Topics:
England - November 13 - 1946 - Wales - November 16 - 1949 - Northern Ireland - 1950 World Cup

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The final competitive match before the closure of the stadium took place on 11 May 2003. Manchester City ended the Maine Road era with a 1-0 defeat to Southampton F.C., with Michael Svensson scoring the stadium's last goal.

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Demolition of Maine Road started shortly after the end of the 2002-2003 season, and development of a new housing estate is due to begin in late 2005 as part of the ongoing project to regenerate the surrounding Moss Side and Rusholme areas.

Related Topics:
2002-2003 season - 2005 - Rusholme

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