Stadio Moretti: The Historic Home of Udinese Calcio and Speedway Racing
Before the modern era of sports complexes, Udinese Calcio navigated a journey through various pitches and stadiums to find a permanent home. Among these, the Stadio Moretti stands out as a venue of significant historical importance, serving not only as a football ground but also as a hub for high-octane motorcycle racing.
The Early Years of Udinese Calcio
The origins of Udinese's playing grounds were humble. The club's first pitch was situated behind the "Dante Alighieri" elementary school, where they played until 1914. On October 11, 1914, a second pitch was inaugurated outside Porta Venezia for a match against Venice. However, this venue was short-lived, largely due to the onset of World War I.
Following the resumption of sporting activities, the club established a new pitch in Viale Venezia, positioned between Via Moretti and Via Mentana. This site was officially inaugurated on August 31, 1919, with a match against Padova, which Udinese lost 1-2.
The Era of Stadio Moretti
The club eventually moved to a facility named after a prominent local beer brand, which owned the plant and operated a factory in the immediate vicinity. This venue, known as the Moretti, became the site of the most prestigious achievement in the club's history. During the 1954-1955 season, Udinese finished second in the league standings, trailing only AC Milan and coming remarkably close to winning the scudetto (the official title of the Italian league champion).
The Moretti was a unique multi-purpose facility. It featured an oval dirt track surrounding the pitch, which was used for speedway motorbike racing, giving the stadium a distinct character compared to traditional football grounds.
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Decline and Demolition
With the eventual construction of the Friuli Stadium, the Moretti began to fall into disrepair. For a brief period, it served as the club's sports center and hosted matches for the Primavera team (the youth academy team). One significant limitation of the stadium was its lack of electric lighting. Consequently, during the 1970s, Udinese had to relocate evening Coppa Italia matches to the Cosulich Stadium in Monfalcone or the Omero Tognon Stadium in Fontanafredda.
By 1998, the structure was demolished, with only the covered grandstand remaining until the final teardown.
A Hub for International Speedway
Beyond football, the stadium was a prestigious venue for motorcycle speedway. Its specialized dirt track attracted high-level competition, most notably hosting the qualifying rounds of the Speedway World Championship in both 1971 and 1972.
Key Facts
- Peak Achievement: Udinese finished 2nd in the league (behind AC Milan) during the 1954-1955 season at the Moretti.
- Unique Feature: The stadium featured an oval dirt track for speedway motorbikes.
- World Events: Hosted Speedway World Championship qualifiers in 1971 and 1972.
- Lighting Issues: Lack of floodlights forced evening matches to be moved to Monfalcone or Fontanafredda in the 1970s.
- Final Fate: The stadium was demolished in 1998.
| Period/Date | Venue | Key Event/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Until 1914 | Dante Alighieri School Pitch | First official pitch |
| Oct 11, 1914 | Porta Venezia Pitch | Inaugurated with Udinese vs. Venice match |
| Aug 31, 1919 | Viale Venezia Pitch | Inaugurated with match vs. Padova (1-2 loss) |
| 1954-1955 | Stadio Moretti | Finished 2nd in the league standings |
| 1971-1972 | Stadio Moretti | Speedway World Championship qualifiers |
| 1998 | Stadio Moretti | Complete demolition of the structure |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the most significant football achievement at Stadio Moretti?
The most important result occurred during the 1954-1955 season, when Udinese finished second in the standings behind AC Milan, nearly winning the scudetto.
Why did Udinese play some 1970s matches at other stadiums?
Because Stadio Moretti lacked electric lighting, evening matches for the Coppa Italia had to be moved to the Cosulich Stadium in Monfalcone or the Omero Tognon Stadium in Fontanafredda.
What made Stadio Moretti different from a standard football stadium?
The stadium was surrounded by an oval dirt track specifically designed for speedway motorbike racing.
Which international sporting events were held at the stadium?
The stadium hosted the qualifying rounds of the Speedway World Championship in 1971 and 1972.
When was the Stadio Moretti finally demolished?
The structure was demolished in 1998, although the covered grandstand had remained for some time prior to the final demolition.