MOOR LANE ’ S CLASS ACT
In keeping with Manchester FC ' s high standing in English rugby union , on 3 December 1938 Moor Lane was chosen as the venue for a trial match between England and a Possibles XV . Earlier that year the tall banking on the Moor Lane side of the ground had been terraced and an attendance of between 8,000 to 10,000 was expected for the match . Though no official crowd was given , the ground was said to be full to capacity , making it probable that somewhere approaching 10,000 were at Moor Lane that afternoon . However , with Salford , Swinton and , for a while , Broughton Rangers on their doorstep , Manchester FC were in the middle of a rugby league stronghold , and they departed Moor Lane in 1968 and moved to Grove Park in Cheadle Hulme .
Next at Moor Lane were Langworthy ARLFC , who stayed for three seasons before ground owners Salford Council announced plans to demolish Moor Lane and replace it with a school . Nothing came of the plans but , empty and unloved , Moor Lane fell into disrepair until Salford Amateurs arrived on the scene in 1979 . Formed as Salford Central in 1940 , the club had enjoyed some success in the Manchester League , latterly playing at a basic ground in Hough Lane . With the view of playing at a higher level , Salford Amateurs merged with Cheshire League side Anson Villa in 1980 . Changing their name to Salford FC , the club set about bringing Moor Lane back to life , fixing the roofless stand and making the venue habitable again . Rewarded with a place in the Cheshire County League for 1980 / 81 , Salford became founder members of the North West Counties League in 1982 / 83 . Floodlights were erected in 1990 as Moor Lane was gradually brought up to
Moor Lane in 1981 Photo : Bob Lilliman
Matchday at Moor Lane in 1987 Photos : Bob Lilliman
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