By 1904 the ground had developed into a 40,000-capacity venue, hosting an FA Cup semi-final between Newcastle United and The Wednesday the following year.

The stands and terraces were arranged in a haphazard manner due to space constraints, and by 1920 the club had outgrown the cramped venue.

A decision to seek an alternative venue was hastened in November 1920, when the Main Stand was destroyed by fire.

When their fifth pitch arrangement collapsed in 1887, with the landlord of the Bulls Head Hotel demanding a rent increase for the use of a nearby field, the club were forced to seek an alternative venue.

[2] Then-captain Kenneth McKenzie discovered an area of waste ground on Hyde Road in Ardwick and near to his place of work, and informed the club committee.

[3] Lawrence Furniss, the club secretary, ascertained that the ground was owned by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company.

Following an initial letter of enquiry by Gorton player Walter Chew to railway company estate agent Edwin Barker,[4] Furniss and Chew negotiated a seven-month lease at a cost of £10,[2] and the club changed its name to "Ardwick A.F.C."

A few weeks later, using materials provided by the nearby Galloway engineering works,[5] a rudimentary football ground was ready for use.

[10] In 1910 multi-span roofing was built on the three previously uncovered sides of the ground, resulting in covered accommodation for 35,000 spectators.

[11] Even though improvements were made the ground suffered problems when hosting large crowds, due to narrow surrounding streets and a shortage of turnstiles.

[12] A reporter for the Manchester Football News summarised the access problems: "The croft is a nightmare in wet weather, and altogether the approach is easily the worst of any I know".

A 1913 cup tie against Sunderland drew a crowd officially recorded as 41,709, but believed to be significantly higher.

Use of mounted police was a particularly contentious issue, the chairman of the committee asking "If the ball struck a horse, and the creature plunged among the people, who was to be held responsible for any injuries that might accrue?

[16] During the suspension of competitive football in the First World War, Hyde Road's redevelopment was put on hold and the venue was used to stable 300 horses.

[3] Later in the wartime period the club became the sole leaseholder of the ground, no longer dependent upon support from Chesters brewery.

[18] In November a fire caused by a cigarette end destroyed the Main Stand, and Manchester City began to seek a new home.

During this period the owners of the Hyde Road Hotel, Chesters Brewery, had a large influence over the football club, leading Ardwick to be nicknamed "The Brewerymen".