Wave Goodbye To The Williams Stand

Thursday, May 21st 2015

After 57 years, the iconic Williams Stand at Ashton Gate witnessed its final sporting event last night as Bristol Rugby played Worcester Warriors in the Championship play-off final first leg.

Bristol's 28-29 play-off final first leg loss to Worcester Warriors will be the final game played before the Williams stand is demolished this summer and replaced as part of the £45m rebuild of Ashton Gate.

Williams Stand seating will be introduced into the new Bristol Sport Museum when it opens.

However, due to time constraints as the next part of the Ashton Gate rebuild gets underway this week, supporters will be unable to buy seats as they did when the Wedlock Stand was demolished last summer.

Following yesterday's Championship play-off final first leg between Bristol Rugby and Worcester, work has already begun to completely strip the Williams Stand.

The fact that seats are bolted together, especially those in the wooden seated areas, makes the task impossible to allow fans to purchase individual seats.

Instead Bristol Sport plan to hold on to seats ready for inclusion in the new Museum, which will form part of the new South Stand.

Last week an appeal was made to the general public for artefacts that could be donated or lent to the Museum.

The response has been tremendous so far. If you would like to help out, e-mail jack.lomax@bristol-sport.co.uk.