Edge Hall Road
Orrell played their home games at Edge Hall Road from 1950 until 2007. Sub-landlord Dave Whelan, who was granted ownership of the lease on the land in 2001 after paying members £1,000 each for their shares, subsequently bought the freehold of the site on the death of the owner and sold the three pitches that had hosted the 2nd, 3rd and 4th XV's as well as all Junior sides for over £3 million.
As Edge Hall Road was brown-belt land, Whelan was required to provide the same facilities of the three fields at an alternate venue before a deal to build housing on the land could be finalized. Eventually, he contributed £400,000 to the construction of the all-weather pitch at St John Rigby college, making a significant personal profit.
In 2008, current owners Wigan Warriors tied up a sponsorship deal with the Co-operative. As such, Edge Hall Road has been renamed the Co-operative Community stadium.
Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan has suggested the stadium may soon be upgraded to host low-key rugby league games due to scheduling conflicts between the Warriors and Wigan Athletic F.C at the JJB Stadium.
Read more about this topic: Orrell R.U.F.C.
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