Woodlands Memorial Ground

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Woodlands Memorial Ground is a rugby stadium in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. It is the home ground of Fylde Rugby Club, who have used it since May 1920. From 2006 to 2010, it was also home to the Blackpool Panthers rugby league team.

Key facts
- Capacity: about 7,500 (7,000 standing and 500 seated) based on a 1990 figure, with little change since; some older estimates put it higher, but safety standards suggest a lower number now.
- Surface: grass
- Built: 1919; opened 1920

History highlights
- The ground was named Woodlands Memorial Ground in 1946 to honor members who died in World War II. It was purchased for £7,000.
- During World War II, the Army used the site; after the war, the club returned and rebuilt.
- The 1950s saw the erection of dressing rooms, and in 1964 a major England trial was held with a pavilion extension opened.
- In 1970, a big crowd of 7,600 watched the North West Counties play the Fijian Tourists.
- In the late 1990s, Fylde faced financial trouble to compete in National One and sold a small part of the grounds to recover. The sale proceeds funded extensive redevelopment starting in January 2005.
- A new clubhouse opened in October 2005, capable of hosting about 500 people.
- In 2009, the Northern Rail Nines group matches were played at Woodlands, with the finals at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool.
- In October 2006, a six-year contract linked Blackpool Panthers with Fylde R.F.C., making Woodlands the base for the Panthers’ administrative and National League activities.
- International rugby returned in February 2015 when England Counties XV played Scotland Club XV at Woodlands.

Woodlands Memorial Ground remains an important venue for Fylde Rugby Club and a notable site in the area’s rugby history.