History
St Helens RFC moved to Knowsley Road in 1890, defeating Manchester Rangers in their first match. The stadium pre-dated the birth of the Northern Rugby Football Union (which would later become rugby league) by five years. Having been formed in 1873, St Helens RFC were a part of rugby union when they moved into Knowsley Road. The stadium changed in appearance very little in its 120 years.
Lord Derby open the new Pavilion on 26 Dec 1920 at a match against Wigan. A ground record 35,695 fans turn up to watch Saints play Wigan on Boxing Day 1945. In January 1950, the training pitch was laid down. In February 1951, the newly-completed Eccleston Kop covered enclosure was opened and was named after Supporters' Club Secretary George Eddington. In August 1958, the club's new grandstand is opened by Sir Harry Pilkington. The structure cost £32,000 and could seat 2,400.
In September 1961, new metal goal posts replaced the wooden originals after storm damage. The new popular side enclosure is erected in 1962. The old wooden structure that it replaced was given to Liverpool City for their ground at Knotty Ash. Saints' new floodlighting system opened by Sir Harry Pilkington on Jan 27 1965. Bar and restaurant complex was opened at Dunriding Lane End of the Knowsley Road Stadium in 1973.
Players' dug outs are moved from the Main Stand to the popular side in 1983. In September 1989, work starts on nine executive boxes and an electronic scoreboard at the Dunriding Lane End.
In 2006, Knowsley Road was renovated slightly. On the club's new sponsorship deal with Earth Money, the stadium got new signs, new dug outs were installed, as were the toilet facilities which had been long complained about by supporters.
In 2006, Knowsley Road was approved as an international Test venue after safety and capacity improvements. It subsequently hosted an international test fixture in 2006 between Great Britain and New Zealand, which Great Britain won.
In June 2007, club chairman Eamonn McManus announced plans for a new 18,000 capacity stadium, with a Tesco store and plaza with 2,000 car parking spaces for the 2011 Super League Season. These plans were approved by local councillors in May 2008. Plans were put on hold and building work did not start on time. Knowsley Road was closed at the end of the 2010 Super League Season and St Helens played their home games at Widnes' Stobart Stadium for the 2011 Super League Season.
The last first team match at Knowsley Road was the St Helens vs Huddersfield game, a play-off semi-final on the September 24, 2010. St. Helens won 42-22, the final try on the ground being scored by retiring club captain Keiron Cunningham.
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