Huntington Stadium

History

The stadium, which was financed by the Ryedale District Council and was initially named the Ryedale Stadium, was completed in October 1989.

York Wasps played their first ever match at the Huntington Stadium when they lost to Hull Kingston Rovers 36–26 in front of a crowd of 3,105.

2009 saw the first ever game at the stadium live on Sky Sports. York were victorious as they beat Oldham 20–18 to go second in the Championship.

The 2014 season was announced as the final season at the stadium for the York City Knights. They won the league and lifted the trophy at the final home league game against London Skolars. The final game at Huntington Stadium ended in a 32–24 defeat for the York City Knights by Hunslet Hawks in the Championship 1 Play Off Semi Final.

Demolition and replacement

It had long been proposed that the Knights should share a new municipal stadium with York City F.C. and it was announced in July 2010 that the preferred location would be the site of the current Huntington Stadium.

A community archaeology project was undertaken by York Archaeological Trust in 2015 to record the site of a Roman Marching Camp Site. The work of the local community project "Dig York Stadium" produced a historical record.

After the York Dig had concluded on 19 June 2015 it appeared that demolition of Huntington Stadium would be able to commence. However, the project faced more delays after a legal challenge to its planning application.

The new municipal stadium, York Community Stadium, completed in December 2020.

References

References

1. (6 February 2015). "Former York rugby chairman John Stabler calls for Knights to be brought back in to community stadium project". York Press.
2. (20 January 2003). "Knights in shining ardour".
3. (26 June 2009). "Huge crowd sees York City Knights go second in Championship One".
4. (8 September 2014). "Knights coach hails spirit of the champions".
5. "March Report". York City Knights.
6. (6 July 2010). "Site chosen for new York community stadium".
7. "Dig York Stadium".
8. (10 March 2016). "York Stadium: Football & rugby clubs say new delay will cause uncertainty".
9. (3 August 2016). "New bombshell for York stadium plan – Vue Cinemas lodge legal challenge".
10. (17 December 2020). "York's long-delayed 8,000-seat stadium completed".