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Introduction |
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Bootham Crescent has been City's home since 1932. Formed in
1922 the club had spent their existence at Fulfordgate on the
outskirts of the city.
Towards the end of the club's third season in the Football League,
concern was expressed about the poor support and the decision
was made to move to a ground nearer the city centre. For several
years York Cricket Club had played at Bootham Crescent but in
1932 they moved to new headquarters at Wigginton Road. Bootham
Crescent subsequently became vacant and on 26th April, 1932
a meeting of shareholders approved the move from Fulfordgate.
Feverish activity during the summer of 1932 saw the erection
of the Main and Popular stands and the transfer of a good deal
of equipment from the old to the new ground.
The official opening was on 31st August, 1932 when Stockport
County were the visitors. The club president, Sir John Hunt,
formally opened the ground by a cutting a chocolate and cream
coloured ribbon - the colours of the club. Also in attendance
were the Sheriff of York (Mr Arnold Rowntree), Mr Roger Lumley
MP, Mr Arnold Kingscott, treasurer of the Football Association,
and other personalities in the football world. The attendance
was 8,106 with receipts of nearly £400 and the result
of the Division Three (North) fixture was a 2-2. draw.
In recent years the following non-football events have been
staged at the ground. A pop concert was held in September 1979
plus a firework display to celebrate the centenary of the Yorkshire
Evening Press in October 1982. An American Football match took
place in the summer of 1988 and in January 1989, Rugby League
football was staged for the first time at Bootham Crescent.
York RLFC entertained Leeds and the attendance was 11,347.
In January 2005 the ground was renamed KitKat Crescent following
a financial rescue deal from Nestle Rowntree.
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Years At Bootham Crescent |
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