History
The stadium was opened, in 1990, by Stanley Matthews. The first game was played on 25 August 1990, the opening day of the 1990-91 Football League Fourth Division campaign. 5,219 spectators watched Walsall draw 2-2 with Torquay United, with the stadium's first goal being an own goal scored by Walsall defender Matt Bryant after 65 seconds. The first goal scored for Walsall, at the stadium, was from Stuart Rimmer.
Originally both ends of the ground were standing areas, and the capacity of the ground was around 9,400. The away supporters end was filled with seats later in the 1990s. Following an extension to the Tile Choice Stand (formerly known as the Gilbert Alsop Stand), during the 2002-03 season, it is now an all-seater stadium, with a capacity of 11,300.
The stadium has been host to England under-21 and under-19 international matches, Aston Villa reserve matches (winter fixtures only) and England women's international matches.
Read more about this topic: Bescot Stadium
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“For a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940)
“This above all makes history useful and desirable: it unfolds before our eyes a glorious record of exemplary actions.”
—Titus Livius (Livy)
“I think that Richard Nixon will go down in history as a true folk hero, who struck a vital blow to the whole diseased concept of the revered image and gave the American virtue of irreverence and skepticism back to the people.”
—William Burroughs (b. 1914)