Liberty Stadium, Swansea
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| Stadiwm Liberty | |
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| Former names | New Stadium |
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| Location | Morfa, Swansea SA1 2FA |
| Coordinates | 51°38′32″N 3°56′06″W / 51.6422°N 3.9351°WCoordinates: 51°38′32″N 3°56′06″W / 51.6422°N 3.9351°W |
| Broke ground | 2003 |
| Opened | 2005 |
| Owner | Swansea council |
| Operator | StadCo |
| Surface | Desso GrassMaster |
| Construction cost | £27m |
| Architect | TTH of Newcastle |
| Capacity | 20,532 |
| Tenants | |
| Swansea City A.F.C. (2005-present) Ospreys (Celtic League) (2005-present) |
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The Liberty Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm Liberty), referred to as New Stadium during construction, is a purpose-built sports and concert arena and conferencing venue in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of over 20,532 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the fourth largest stadium in Wales.
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[edit] Opening
On its opening on 10th July 2005, it became the home to Swansea City Football Club (replacing the Vetch Field) and the Ospreys Rugby Union Club (replacing St Helen's and The Gnoll). The opening match at this venue was between Swansea City and Fulham (then managed by former Swansea player Chris Coleman) on 23 July 2005. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
[edit] Naming
During its construction, a variety of nick names were suggested for it: particularly commonly-used were "Morfa" (after a former athletics stadium on the opposite bank of the Tawe) and the "White Rock" stadium (after the copper works of the same name which existed on the site historically). While a sponsor was being sought for the stadium, it was called the "New Stadium". Following sponsorship from Swansea-based developers Liberty Property, it became the "Liberty Stadium" on 18 October 2005.
[edit] Ivor Allchurch
A statue of Ivor Allchurch was unveiled before a league match with Oldham Athletic. It was to commemorate the Swansea-born star who during two spells for the club scored 164 goals in 445 appearances.
[edit] Concerts
On 1 June 2007, The Who played a concert there, supported by Killing For Company and The Charlatans.
Elton John played his only Welsh gig of 2008 at the Liberty Stadium on 29 June 2008 in front of an estimated record crowd of 25,000 [1]. He was supported by Richard Fleeshman.
[edit] References
- ^ "Rocket Man Elton John At Full Power For Swansea Date" (in English). South Wales Evening Post. 2008. http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=258861&home=yes&more_nodeId1=161375&contentPK=20980356. Retrieved on 2008-07-03.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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Football League Championship venues, 2009-10
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