Football Stadia - Past, Present & Future

[Terminal Boardom]

Rather than hijacking threads like the WoLOLves one, I propose that any discussions regarding stadia takes place here. There is a wonderful history associated with football grounds throughout the country. For example, who knew that Stamford Bridge existed as a sports ground long before Chelsea FC was born and that Fulham were asked to make use of the ground?

A lot of grounds were designed and built by Archibald Leitch. Some were immensely grand, for example, the main stand at Ibrox. Yet some were much lower key. Who knew that the main stand at The Den was also one of Leitch's designs?

[Wimb]

Always wondered if there ever any concrete plans ever made up redevelop Elm Park? Obviously it would have been a bit of a mare and been quite a small stadium but was it ever attempted?

Spent a good hour or so reading this blog the other day from a member of the '92 club'

http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/

Also http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/ is great for looking at grounds that have now disappeared.

[Stuka]

Always wondered if there ever any concrete plans ever made up redevelop Elm Park? Obviously it would have been a bit of a mare and been quite a small stadium but was it ever attempted?

Spent a good hour or so reading this blog the other day from a member of the '92 club'

http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/

Good link, thanks for that. I never understood why friendies don't count when 'doing the 92'. I've been to Barnet v Arsenal and as far as I'm concerned, I've done Underhill!

[soggy biscuit]

In terms of new stadiums it's all about Al-Ahli in Doha's new one called 'The Wall'

[No Fixed Abode]

[Dare to Dr£am]

That is terrible.

[Stuka]

HAHA superb!

[Bring Back The SB]

Chelsea don't even fill their ground now so why move to a much bigger one?

Empty seats in the Champions League is unforgivable.

[Fox Talbot]

Always wondered if there ever any concrete plans ever made up redevelop Elm Park? Obviously it would have been a bit of a mare and been quite a small stadium but was it ever attempted?

Spent a good hour or so reading this blog the other day from a member of the '92 club'

http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/

Also http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/ is great for looking at grounds that have now disappeared.

Jack Mansell had a vision - new seated stand where the South Bank was and a pub in the corner - dunno which corner. Before that there were immediate post war plans for roofs on the ends but it took about 20 yrs to finish roofing the South Bank (1936-57??).

[Terminal Boardom]

Jack Mansell had a vision - new seated stand where the South Bank was and a pub in the corner - dunno which corner. Before that there were immediate post war plans for roofs on the ends but it took about 20 yrs to finish roofing the South Bank (1936-57??).

I think the best that could have been done for Elm Park would have been to build a two tier stand where the South Bank was. Covering both ends would have been very problematic owing to the proximity of houses behind both ends. The alternative, albeit radical, would have been to dig down and have the pitch considerably lower. That would have allowed for bigger stands along the sides. But in reality, EP was in the wrong part of town. Perfect in 1896 when built as none of the surrounding houses were built at the time.

[Rev Algenon Stickleback H]

Early in the last century Reading had the chance to move to directly opposite the railway station. A town centre ground would have been brilliant, and would probably have made the club.

Good link, thanks for that. I never understood why friendies don't count when 'doing the 92'. I've been to Barnet v Arsenal and as far as I'm concerned, I've done Underhill!

It all comes across as a bit trainspotter-ish, and be about completing a collection rather than the actual football.

Collectors like to think of themselves as an exclusive group, and as so will come up with rules to make the task more difficult so it stays exclusive.

[Nick Shorey my Lord!]

Charlton Athletic. The Valley. Wasn't this main stand the largest all standing piece in Europe at the time? It was epic

[who are ya?]

[SWLR]

So Rev Stick - you say the Holt End was bigger than the Wolves South bank... but i want the facts.

[Deadlock]

Can we add "plans that never happened" as well?

[Terminal Boardom]

Did anyone go to Odsal in 1986?



Many stadia have been dubbed the "Wembley of the North", even Port Vale. But the one stadium that attracted in excess of 100,000 was Odsal Stadium in Bradford.

[SWLR]

Can we add "plans that never happened" as well?

You just sunk HMS Warrior.

I place my stadium on E6.

[SWLR]

Can we add "plans that never happened" as well?

You just sunk HMS Warrior.

I place my stadium on E6.

[SWLR]

Can we add "plans that never happened" as well?

You just sunk HMS Warrior.
I place my stadium on E6.

[Jerry St Clair]

Hampden Park is now a shadow of it's former self.....the floodlights alone are epic.