|
THE
SMETHWICK
END
|
|
|
Capacity:
5,816
Opened: 3rd
September 1994
Cost:
Combined (see below)
Stand Replaced:
Smethwick End Terrace.
|
Following the Hillsborough disaster, the club needed to move towards
the creation of an all-seater stadium so the terracing at the
Birmingham Road and Smethwick Ends were replaced by two new stands,
completed for the 1994-95 season at a combined cost of £4.15 million,
though roughly half of that figure (£2,097,000) was funded by the
Football Trust.
This stand was opened on the 3rd September 1994 for a friendly
fixture against Scottish side Kilmarnock whilst the first five league
fixtures were played away from home that season.
History
The terracing which it replaced was used for the last time
against Luton Town in a League one clash on the 1st January 1994,
although a small part of the terrace, in between the old Rainbow and
the new Smethwick End was used to house away supporters up to and
including the Coventry City FA cup game on the 18th January 1995.
For a time in the mid to late nineties the stand was sponsored by
West Midland Travel.
It also incorporates the stadium control centre with an electronic
clock. Away supporters are allocated approximately 3,000 tickets for
one half of this stand although it has been known that the entire end
has been given to away supporters.
|
