The Halliwell Jones Stadium - six years in the making
by Mike Parsons
THE important dates as recorded by Warrington Guardian that have led to the building of Warrington Wolves' new home.
Dec, 1997: New stadium back on the agenda for the first time since the late 1980s. Investors splashed out £150,000 on initial planning.
Mar, 1998: Warrington Borough Council hold exploratory stadium talks with representatives from Warrington Wolves, Wolves' main sponsors Greenalls, Super League and other interested parties.
Aug, 1998: Behind the scenes, consortium of businesses put together for a club takeover - tied in with Warrington's bid to find a modern home for Wolves' team. Sept, 1998: Chairman Peter Higham and his directors depart to make way for new board of directors.
Oct, 1998: The consortium set to rescue debt-riddled club collapses - the Emerson Group and Martin Dawes Ltd pull out of the deal. Club heading towards voluntary liquidation. Warrington Borough Council step in with a plan to buy the leasehold for the Wilderspool ground, thereby providing the cash to help pay off estimated debts of £1.5m.
Oct, 1998: Unveiling of Burtonwood Air Base as the favoured site for Wolves' proposed new stadium. The second site on the council's list is a 100 acres area behind Crosfields.
Oct, 1998: Council to pay close to £1m for the leasehold to the Wilderspool Stadium ground.
Dec, 1998: A business consortium of the Greenalls Group, Warrington Borough Council, Bill Holroyd and Simon Moran form Warrington Sport Holdings Ltd to take over command at Wilderspool Stadium with a £1.6m injection of cash, including the council's purchase of the Wilderspool Stadium leasehold. The deal saves Wolves from extinction.
Jan, 1999: Peter Deakin is the new chief executive of Wolves. John Smith steps aside. Apr, 1999: Lord Doug Hoyle is the new club chairman.
July, 1999: Wolves' owners reveal Alfred McAlpine as their preferred developer and a three-year £1/2m sponsorship is tied in. No site is revealed for the £15m facility but in the running are Limekiln in Burtonwood and the former Carlsberg-Tetley land on Winwick Road.
Aug, 1999: Wolves could share their new stadium with Sale RU Club ö meetings take place.
Aug, 2000: Wolves and Tesco joint £8m venture announced for Winwick Road site.
Aug, 2000: Council say yes, but refer the development to the Government to decide if a public inquiry is required.
Aug, 2000: Peter Deakin quits as chief executive of Wolves.
Nov, 2000: Andy Gatcliffe is Wolves' new chief executive. Jan, 2001: Stadium/Tesco Extra store public inquiry granted. Guardian launches 'Save our Club and Stadium' campaign to help keep club afloat while waiting for public inquiry inspector's report.
May, 2001: Planning inquiry starts and runs to May 24 at the Parr Hall, Warrington.
Aug, 2002: Paul Cullen appointed as new head coach, steers Super League team away from relegation.
Dec, 2002: Tesco's preferred developer, BARR Construction, is revealed as developers to new stadium and store.
Dec, 2002: Council's development control committee approve the reserved matters application for a Tesco Extra Store, rugby stadium and petrol filling station with car and coach parking on the former Tetley Walker brewery site, Winwick Road.
Dec, 2002: Government announces planning inspector's approval of £12m development.
Jan, 2003: Wolves break ground at the Winwick Road site and construction begins.
July, 2003: First grass seeds planted in the soil. Aug, 2003: First seats positioned in the stadium.
Sep, 2003: Naming rights of the stadium go to Halliwell Jones.
Oct, 2003: BARR Construction hand over stadium to Wolves.
Feb, 2004: Wolves first home fixture of Tetley's Super League IX at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
