The Central Ground was a football stadium in Northwich, Cheshire, which was the home ground of Witton Albion Football Club between 1910 and 1 May 1989. A Sainsbury's supermarket now occupies the site.

The Central Ground
Full nameThe Central Ground
LocationNorthwich, Cheshire, England
OwnerWitton Albion
OperatorWitton Albion
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Opened1910
Closed1 May 1989
Demolished1989
Tenants
Witton Albion (1910–1989)

History

edit

Witton Albion's first ground was adjacent to the Parish Church Vicarage. In 1897 and 1910, the club moved to Magdala Place. By 1910, the club moved to a new site near the Victoria Saw Mills on Witton Street. Over the next ten years, the club leased the land for £15 per year, and in July 1920, the club purchased the land outright for £750, and was renamed as the Central Ground.[1]

In the 1960s, a small grandstand was constructed at the southern perimeter of the ground. The northern perimeter included a terrace area that ran the length of the pitch. The goal ends featured grass embankments with hooped metal railings.

Witton Albion sold the Central Ground to J Sainsbury PLC in 1989, and the football club moved to Wincham Park, a new ground in nearby Wincham later that year. The final match at the Central Ground was a 1–1 draw against Frickley Athletic on 1 May 1989. A new Sainsbury's store was erected on the site along with a new link road, Venables Road.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Witton Albion: Full History". Witton Albion official web site. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  2. ^ "The Central Ground, Witton". Daniel-clark.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.