Maine Road
The former home of Manchester City, Maine Road was a record-breaking stadium in Moss Side.
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England, that was home to Manchester City from 1923 to 2003. It hosted FA Cup semi-finals, the Charity Shield, a League Cup final and England matches. Maine Road's highest attendance of 84,569 was set in 1934 at an FA Cup sixth round match between Manchester City and Stoke City, a record for an English club ground. At the time of its closure in 2003, Maine Road was an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 35,150 and of haphazard design with stands of varying heights due to the ground being renovated several times over its 80-year history. The following season Manchester City moved to the City of Manchester Stadium in east Manchester, a mile from the city centre and near Ardwick, where the club originally formed in 1880.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Moss Side, Manchester, England
- Built
- 1923
- Renovated
- 1931, 1957, 1970, 1994
- Expanded
- 1935
- Closed
- 2003
- Demolished
- 2004
- Owner
- Manchester City
- Operator
- Manchester City (1923–2003)
Lore & Background
Plans to build Maine Road were first announced in May 1922, following a decision by Manchester City to leave their Hyde Road ground. A 16.25 acre former brickworks on Maine Road was purchased for £5,500. The road was originally known as Dog Kennel Lane but renamed Maine Road (after the Maine law) during the 1870s at the insistence of the Temperance movement. Construction took 300 days at a total cost of £100,000.
The first match at Maine Road took place on 25 August 1923 when 58,159 fans watched Manchester City beat Sheffield United 2–1. The highest attendance for an English football club playing at their own stadium was recorded at Maine Road in 1934, when 84,569 fans watched Manchester City play Stoke City in the sixth round of the FA Cup on 3 March 1934. The stadium was shared by Manchester United after the Second World War as Manchester United's Old Trafford ground had been damaged during the Manchester Blitz.
The highest attendance for a league game at Maine Road occurred during this period, when 83,260 people watched Manchester United play Arsenal on 17 January 1948. The final competitive match before the closure of the stadium took place on 11 May 2003 with a Premiership match against Southampton.
Reader's Guide
Maine Road was located in Moss Side, Manchester. The stadium's capacity at closure was 35,150 all-seater. The Kippax Stand, built in the 1990s, was the tallest stand in the country at the time. The Platt Lane end was redeveloped in 1992–1993 as the Umbro Stand. The final match was a 1–0 loss to Southampton on 11 May 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the record attendance at Maine Road?
The highest number of fans to attend a match reached 84,569 people during an FA Cup fifth-round game against Stoke City in 1934. This massive crowd highlights the significant support the club commanded decades ago.
When did the final match at Maine Road take place?
The last competitive fixture occurred on May 11, 2003, signaling the conclusion of the stadium's long history. Following this date, the team moved to their new ground for the upcoming season.
What is a notable feature of Maine Road?
The Kippax Stand stands out as a memorable architectural element within the historic venue. It was a key part of the structure that hosted supporters throughout the club's residence there.
More in Stadium & Culture
Elsewhere in Manchester City
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