Swinton stadium plans move closer

Swinton are close to being able to submit a planning permission request for their proposed new stadium at Agecroft.

Plans to return the Lions to the town have hit several delays in recent years, with plans originally mooted back in 2006.

The club has played outside of the borough of Swinton and Pendlebury since their old Station Road home was sold in 1992.

A club statement read: “The Club are considering two schemes for their new ground at Agecroft before submitting planning permission to Salford City Council.

“A decision is imminent on the final orientation of the stadium and also we are reaching the end of our discussions on the scheme that gives the best value for money.

“Once that decision has been taken a request for planning permission will be submitted.”

In June 2011, the club had announced that plans for a 4-5000 capacity stadium costing up to £3.m were at an advanced stage, and that they had hoped to commence building work in January 2012 and move in by the end of April.

Those dates have long since passed, and the club spent last season playing at Leigh Sports Village.

After leaving Station Road in 1992, Swinton played at Gigg Lane for 10 years, before a brief spell at Moor Lane in Kersal, home of Salford City FC.

From 2003 until 2010, the Lions played at Park Lane in Whitefield, home of Sedgley Park RUFC.

In 2011, a year in which they won the Championship 1 title, Swinton played at The Willows, home of local rivals Salford.

With the City Reds moving on to the new Salford City Stadium for 2012, Swinton then moved on to Leigh, groundsharing with the Centurions, as they wait for permission for the Agecroft move.