1968-1978 The Northern Premier League

1968-78 The Northern Premier League

With the advent of the Northern Premier League in 1968, an introductory handbook was produced which gives the capacity of Springfield Park as 45,000

The Shevington End, 1970 (courtesy Chris Wilkinson/Lancashire Publications)

Springfield Park 1972 (courtesy Andy Werrill)

During 1972 to ease finances, Wigan Athletic applied to adapt Springfield Park for greyhound racing. The proposal was refused as the clause from 1932 still remained.

The shortlived Shevington End Stand (courtesy Groundtastic)

In October 1973, Wigan Athletic announced that a new stand was to be erected on the Shevington End at a cost of £45,000, with work commencing in the next few months. It was hoped that on completion of the project the seating capacity would be 1,337, but as finances were limited the building work would start with a 90’ centre section providing cover for standing spectators. The steelwork from the present stand was to be used as a basis for bar and canteen facilities. The work was part funded by brewers, Greenall Whitley. The stand, which was never finished, was demolished in 1976 and the steelwork was sold to a local engineering firm for a profit, this due to a steel shortage at the time. Officially, the stand was removed because it stood too close to the pitch and impaired visibility and a new, smaller stand was constructed as a replacement. This was the final structure to sit on the Shevington End and was fondly known by a generation of supporters as “The Cow Shed”.

Springfield Park 1973

John Wilkie became the last player to score a non-league goal at Springfield Park, as Bangor City were beaten 2-1 on Wednesday 3rd May 1978.

Springfield Park became a Football League ground for the second time on Friday 2nd June 1978, when Wigan Athletic were elected to the Football League Division 4 after 34 attempts. Many cosmetic improvements were made to the ground during the next two months, mainly by volunteers, who helped to prepare Springfield Park for League football.