Galpharm Stadium | |
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Full name | Galpharm Stadium |
Former names | Alfred McAlpine Stadium |
Location | Huddersfield, England |
Coordinates | 53°39′15″N 1°46′6″W / 53.65417°N 1.76833°WCoordinates: 53°39′15″N 1°46′6″W / 53.65417°N 1.76833°W |
Built | 1994 |
Opened | 1994 |
Owner | consortium |
Operator | KSDL (Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd.) |
Surface | Grass with Under-soil heating |
Capacity | 24,500 |
Field dimensions | 115 x 76 yards |
Tenants | |
Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants |
The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.
Contents |
The Stadium
The Galpharm Stadium seats 24,499 people along with hospitality boxes and conference rooms. There are four stands. The main stand, the Direct Golf UK Stand or Riverside Stand incorporates two-tiers of seats, with a row of 26 executive boxes running between them. This stand also houses the offices and suites. The Britannia Rescue Stand, opposite the Riverside and commonly referred to as the Kilner Bank Stand, is a large, single-tiered stand which seats over 7,000 spectators. It was previously sponsored by John Smith's and is still called this by many today. The John Smith's South Stand, which seats 4,054, is usually allocated to away fans. It is built into natural banking and is the most basic of the stands. The Fantastic Media North stand is the tallest stand with two tiers, 16 hospitality boxes and a viewing room for players' guests, built into the leisure centre. The lower tier consists of temporary seating that can be removed for events such as concerts.
Construction
During planning and construction, the stadium was referred to as the Kirklees Stadium. It was built by Alfred McAlpine,[1] designed by HOK Sport and was awarded the RIBA Building of the Year award for 1995,[2]
The decision to build a new stadium for Huddersfield Town was made in August 1992. Construction began the following year and it was completed in time for the 1994-95 season, enabling the club to move to its new base after 86 years at Leeds Road.
When the stadium opened only the two side stands (the Riverside and Kilner Bank stands) were ready. The South Stand was opened in December 1994. Construction on the North (Panasonic) Stand began in 1996 and it was completed in 1997, bringing the overall capacity of the stadium to approximately 24,500. The estimated cost of construction was £40 million.
Ownership
Initially, the stadium was owned by a consortium made up of Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Huddersfield Town F.C. and Huddersfield Giants in a 40:40:20 proportion. Following the purchase of Huddersfield Town F.C. from the administrators, Ken Davy became chairman of both sports clubs, which are owned by companies he controls.[3] The present ownership of the stadium is Ken Davy's company, Huddersfield Sporting Pride owns 60% and Kirklees Metropolitan Council 40%. The current Managing director of the stadium company is Ralph Rimmer. On December 24th 2009, Huddersfield Town F.C. announced that 40% of the shares owned by Huddersfield Sporting Pride would be transferred to the current chairman Dean Hoyle, with the deal expected to be completed in the New Year.
Sponsorship
From 1994 until 2004 the stadium was known as the Alfred McAlpine Stadium. Alfred McAlpine had been the main construction contractor and its name was part of the payment contract for ten years. The company elected not to renew its sponsorship which was taken up by Galpharm Healthcare, leading to the new tname. Individual stands are sponsored by local businesses.
Sporting venue
The stadium is home to Huddersfield Giants RLFC and Huddersfield Town Football Club.
It hosted its first match in August 1994 when Huddersfield Town lost 1–0 to Wycombe Wanderers in Football League Division 2. Former Blackburn Rovers player Simon Garner scored the goal for the visitors.
Other important matches in Rugby League and Rugby Union have been held here. Rugby League World Cup matches were held at the stadium in 1995 and 2000.
Date | Competition | team | team | ||
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14 October 1995 | 1995 Rugby League World Cup,Group 1 | Australia | 66 | Fiji | 0 |
22 October 1995 | 1995 Rugby League World Cup, Semi Final | Australia | 30 | New Zealand | 20 |
19 November 2000 | 2000 Rugby League World Cup, Semi Final | Australia | 46 | Wales | 12 |
The stadium has held World Club Challenge matches and semi-finals of the Challenge Cup. The finals of the now defunct Regal Trophy competition were held there in 1995 and 1996. Wigan Warriors won on both occasions.
Despite Huddersfield not being a strong rugby union area, the stadium has been used for four full cap international rugby union matches. It hosted three qualifying matches for the 1999 Rugby World Cup and one pool match in the group. Half the matches have seen century scores; by England against Netherlands (110-0) and by the All Blacks versus Italy (101-3).[4]
Date | Competition | Home team | Away team | ||
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14 November 1998 | 1999 Rugby World Cup qualifying Europe Round C Pool 2 | England | 110 | Netherlands | 0 |
18 November 1998 | 1999 Rugby World Cup qualifying Europe Round C Pool 2 | Italy | 67 | Netherlands | 7 |
22 November 1998 | 1999 Rugby World Cup qualifying Europe Round C Pool 2 | England | 23 | Italy | 15 |
14 October 1999 | 1999 Rugby World Cup, Pool 2 | Italy | 3 | New Zealand | 101 |
Concerts
Artists that have performed at the stadium include Bryan Adams, The Beautiful South, Blue, Bon Jovi, The Eagles, Elton John and R.E.M., among others.
References
External links
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