Broadhurst Park: Happy 10th Birthday!

This time ten years ago, we walked out on to the pitch alongside SL Benfica for the grand opening of our Broadhurst Park home. A decade after the club was formed, we welcomed the Portuguese giants - 47 years to the day since they faced Manchester United in that famous European Cup Final - on an evening of celebration of what can be achieved with the power of supporter-ownership.

The evening will live long in the memory of all who were there, with a stadium record 4,232, including a contingent of Benfica supporters, packed into the new stadium. The visitors celebrated a 1-0 victory, courtest of a late goal from Diogo Goncalves - who, eight years later, went on to score against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League whilst playing for FC København. A further friendly on 1st August against, then-fan-owned, Wrexham for the Supporters Direct Cup saw the spoils shared following a 1-1 draw. 

The first competitive match at Broadhurst Park took place on the 11th August 2015, with a National League North match against Stockport County. A first half goal from Rory Fallon gave the Reds the lead, but two second half goals saw the Hatters take the three points. Three months later saw another big occasion, as we reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for just the second time in our history, as we faced Chesterfield of League One. Ex-FCers Charlie Raglan and Ollie Banks featured for the Spireites, with Banks scoring their fourth in the 4-1 victory. That season also saw our record league victory at Broadhurst Park, as we beat Lowestoft Town 6-1 - with six different goalscorers for FC.

The first FA Cup replay at Broadhurst Park came in 2017-18. After being pitted away against Stockport County in the Third Qualifying Round, Karl Marginson’s side earned a replay with a 3-3 draw, after being three-nil down at half-time. The replay at Broadhurst Park on the Tuesday evening saw the Reds have two players sent off before half-time. Despite this, it was FC who took the lead through Tom Greaves shortly after the break – and we went on to an incredibly improbable 1-0 win. The footnote to that match was that it was ultimately Margy’s last home match with the club, as he left three weeks later, after twelve years in charge.

2018/19 saw our women’s first team start playing their games in the main stadium, something which the club has proudly maintained ever since. The women have had some memorable moments, including a 5-4 victory over Yorkshire-rivals Leeds United in 2024.

2020-21 saw another famous FA Cup run, albeit under very different circumstances. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were awarded a walk-over in our home Third Qualifying Round against Alfreton Town as they were forced to withdraw due to positive tests in their squad. The Fourth Qualifying Round saw us drawn against Guiseley, with an 89th minute winner from Fin Sinclair-Smith putting us into the First Round Proper for just the third time.

A home draw against Doncaster Rovers was greatly anticipated, but ultimately had to be played behind closed doors, as Greater Manchester was plunged back into lockdown a few days before the game. It was a strange sight seeing an empty Broadhurst Park on BBC1’s live coverage, as Rovers ran out 5-1 winners – although the goal of the game was arguably Regan Linney’s solo effort for Neil Reynolds’ side.

Aside from a hastily-arranged friendly against Clitheroe a week before Christmas, the Doncaster game was the last action on the pitch at Broadhurst Park for over seven months. However there was still plenty going on in the background, with the SMRE Bar operating as a food hub, supporting local people in North Manchester through the pandemic.

The ground reopened for football in June 2021 with a friendly against an FC Legends side managed by Karl Marginson. That season also saw, remarkably, European football come to Broadhurst Park as the club took part in the inaugural Fenix Trophy. Our first home game in the competition in March 2022 saw a 10-0 victory over Warsaw side AKS Zly, but the day was one of celebration and fans coming together. Our other home group match was a much tighter affair, as we overcame Brera of Milan 2-1.

A record victory in all competitions came in the Fenix Trophy in March 2024, as a depleted Krakow Dragoons side were beaten 14-0, including five goals from Aaron Bennett.

Last season, new manager Mark Beesley’s first home league match in charge ended in a 3-2 defeat by Lancaster City back in October last year. However, his side then didn’t lose again at home until the end of February this year. That hopefully bodes well for this coming season.

There’s obviously plenty of action at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoons (and some Tuesday evenings) but anyone visiting throughout the week will find it a hive of activity.

Hundreds of people use the training pitches every week, including our Academy who sealed a league title in 2024 with victory here over Halifax. The function rooms are used by a variety of local organisations including schools and community groups – and EFL side Barrow AFC who have chosen Broadhurst Park as their training base during the week; a real testament to the facilities we have to offer. The addition of the new community gym last year shows our commitment to offering something for the whole community.

It's been a remarkable decade here, on and off the pitch. As Broadhurst Park celebrates its tenth birthday, lets raise a glass as we look forward to the next ten years and beyond!