WHEN already-relegated Leigh RMI run out to face Blyth Spartans on Saturday it will be for the final time at their iconic Hilton Park home.
Next season the club will be in their dazzling new 12,000 capacity stadium at the Leigh Sports Village for their UniBond Premier League campaign.
Although the Railwaymen have only played at the ground, a reminder of years gone by with it's huge banks of terraces and unusual scoreboard, for the past 14 years since ceasing to exist as Horwich RMI, the ground will hold many fond memories for the club's faithful band of supporters, not least the visit of Kevin Keegan's Fulham for an FA Cup First Round replay in November 1998 that saw over 7,000 fans in attendance for a fixture that was televised live by Sky.
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That famous cup run certainly isn't the only success that the club enjoyed at the ground, however, earning promotion from the UniBond First Division at the end of a nail biting 1996/97 campaign before romping to the UniBond Premier League title in the season 1999/2000 season, the trophy presentation ironically taking place prior to a home fixture with Blyth Spartans.
The club then defied the odds by surviving in the Conference for five years, earning league success with terrific victories over both Rushden & Diamonds and Chester City, whilst also taking a Wrexham side boasting the likes of Carlos Edwards, Lee Trundle and Dennis Lawrence to extra time in a thrilling LDV Trophy tie.
To be part of a piece of history, Hilton Park's final game takes place on Saturday at 3pm with admission costing a reduced £7 for adults, £4 for OAP's and students and just £1 under 16's.
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