Old Football Stadiums - Photos

[Rangerista]

Goodison Park 1964 (Goodison Road Main Stand & Terrace). This was unfortunately replaced with a triple-decker stand/paddock in 1970 although Leitch's Bullens Road & Gwladys Street Stands remain to this day -

Looks like Mr Leitch had varied the classic balcony trademark by doubling up on the X in each segment.

 

[Rangerista]

https://imgur.com/p0Mn8fC

Maine Road

The stadium looks like a blank canvas waiting to be developed with an overall uniform plan. How in feck did City make such a pig's ear of it, with the Kippax and 3 different stands?

And don't even start me about the ridiculous monstrosity that eventually replaced the Kippax!

 

[Rangerista]

Rangers end doesn't look as big as the other end. Suppose it would be pay at the gate in those days and Rangers fans would just wrap further round the stadium.

I've never really seen it adequately explained why the Rangers End at the Piggery was the eastern terrace, the same at Ibrox, but was the western terrace at Hampden.

Does anyone have any historical insight?

 

[cochise]

I've never really seen it adequately explained why the Rangers End at the Piggery was the eastern terrace, the same at Ibrox, but was the western terrace at Hampden.

Does anyone have any historical insight?

No insight just geographic speculation. In the old bowl stadiums the majority of the home crowd would arrive from the city centre and mostly enter and congregate at the nearest end. So the far ends became the away ends.
At neutral Hampden could it be as simple as W end is nearest Ibrox and E nearer to Parkhead?

 

[Rangerista]

No insight just geographic speculation. In the old bowl stadiums the majority of the home crowd would arrive from the city centre and mostly enter and congregate at the nearest end. So the far ends became the away ends.
At neutral Hampden could it be as simple as W end is nearest Ibrox and E nearer to Parkhead?

Yep, sounds a plausible explanation.

 

[Slayer]

St James' Park (Newcastle Utd) 1975 -

Elland Road (Leeds Utd) probably mid-70s -

 

[Slayer]

Somerton Park (Newport County) - Now a housing estate -

 

[Slayer]

Looks like Mr Leitch had varied the classic balcony trademark by doubling up on the X in each segment.

The Bullens Road & Gwladys Street stands still have that trademark Leitch lattice -

 

[Rangerista]

The Bullens Road & Gwladys Street stands still have that trademark Leitch lattice -

Indeed, but he seems to have varied it on the old Goodison main stand.

 

[Slayer]

Villa Park (Holte End) (1976 v Rangers) -

 

[Slayer]

Indeed, but he seems to have varied it on the old Goodison main stand.

Agreed mate. Sorry, I didn't quite get what you were pointing out the first time.

 

[Slayer]

Villa Park (1907) - Complete with running track & before the ground was squared off -

 

[Slayer]

Leeds Road 1932 (Huddersfield Town) - now a B&Q and retail park -

 

[Ali59]

St James' Park (Newcastle Utd) 1975 -

Elland Road (Leeds Utd) probably mid-70s -

Elland Road is before 1970, covered side was seated under the shed by 1970.
Kop end was demolished in 1968 and moved back.

 

[Slayer]

San Siro Milan (1970 ish) -

Aztec Stadium (1966) -

 

[huistrasleftpeg]

Not a football stadium per se, but an iconic arena all the same:

 

[Ticketybloo]

Leeds Road 1932 (Huddersfield Town) - now a B&Q and retail park -

Size of the open terracing is much like Charltons old Valley.

 

[Slayer]

Not a football stadium per se, but an iconic arena all the same:

The old Municipal Stadium alongside Lake Erie. Fantastic old stadium with easily the best NFL fanbase. Stood on the old Dawg Pound terracing for a fateful game in January 1987 and I've hated John Elway ever since.

 

[niloC]

Villa Park (1907) - Complete with running track & before the ground was squared off -

Stunning.

 

[Slayer]

Size of the open terracing is much like Charltons old Valley.

I only went to Leeds Road twice in the early 70s because HT plummeted down the Leagues pretty sharpish thereafter. It certainly was a big terracing along the side but it might have been covered by the time I went there (long time ago so I can't remember for certain)?

The open terracing along the side reminds me a little bit of the old Easter Road.

 

[KA1960]

I only went to Leeds Road twice in the early 70s because HT plummeted down the Leagues pretty sharpish thereafter. It certainly was a big terracing along the side but it might have been covered by the time I went there (long time ago so I can't remember for certain)?

The open terracing along the side reminds me a little bit of the old Easter Road.

I went to Leeds Rd for an FA cup tie against Chelsea in 1982 and the terracing was much smaller and covered by that stage

 

[Boldvale]

That does not look safe

Wasn't really a consideration back in the day.

 

[Kentbear]

Leeds Road 1932 (Huddersfield Town) - now a B&Q and retail park -

I bought a car in a garage in Leeds Road Huddersfield last week, and thats where the John Smith Arena is now.

 

[huistrasleftpeg]

The old Municipal Stadium alongside Lake Erie. Fantastic old stadium with easily the best NFL fanbase. Stood on the old Dawg Pound terracing for a fateful game in January 1987 and I've hated John Elway ever since.

I’m jealous of you there mate. The Browns were my team in part after seeing their fans with the bulldog masks on in the old dilapidated stadium (albeit with character) going nuts.

Would love to take in an NFL game some time.

 

[calderbear]

Seeing that photo of Broomfield always reminds me of the stand alone stand at Stamford Bridge of yesteryear. Unreal how many seem packed in their.
[url=https://postimages.org/][/URL]

What got me about that stand was the fact that there was no real backing in the format of a concourse etc.

 

[Tiny_Kilby_Loyal]

I bought a car in a garage in Leeds Road Huddersfield last week, and thats where the John Smith Arena is now.

Arnold Clark?

 

[Guerilla]

Iconic, if only for the piss houses

 

[the upsetter]

Iconic, if only for the piss houses

Broomfield Park?

 

[BSPECIAL]

My uncle used to take me there when I was a wee boy.

Cruel man. Report him to childline

 

[LOL 133]

Volksparkstadion Hamburg

Closed in 1998 and was demolished.

Current capacity is 57,000 including terracing in the Nordtribune (North Curve) where the Ultras are located.

1999

The finished article

What a stadium!

Fantastic from HSV.

 

[Kentbear]

Arnold Clark?

Sandal

 

[Slayer]

I’m jealous of you there mate. The Browns were my team in part after seeing their fans with the bulldog masks on in the old dilapidated stadium (albeit with character) going nuts.

Would love to take in an NFL game some time.

Of all the NFL stadia, the Municipal was definitely the closest to a British football ground atmosphere. Used to get 80,000+ every game with pretty much everyone well oiled so the noise was incredible. The new stadium is really good as well, albeit with a slightly smaller capacity. I remember a game around Christmas 2001 against the Jaguars when the Browns fans (justifiably imo) had a near riot inside and outside the new ground as a result of dubious refereeing. Brilliant atmosphere once again though!

I've done all the NFL stadia now apart from the new Raiders stadium in Vegas and the new Rams/Chargers stadium in LA, both of which I hope to visit next year, post-Covid.

If you really want huge crowds though, go to one of the College Football stadia where the capacities can be as much as 30-40,000 higher than the NFL stadia.

Safe travels if you do make it across the pond.

 

[The Modfather]

I witnessed Mojo's Rangers debut there.

As I did too, me and my old battered Cortina

 

[norm1890]

great thread

 

[Kowloon72]

Dongdaemun Stadium in Seoul. Really historic, shame they demolished it. Actually hard to find decent pictures online.

Built in 1925 during Japanese Occupation, it was basically two stadiums beside each other. One for football and athletics, the other for baseball. It was eventually demolished in 2000, but by that time the football ground had already been turned into a carpark and a local wet market.

It hosted an Olympic QF in 1988, and Korea's first ever professional football match in 1980.

In all its glory.

The two stadiums together

After being turned into a carpark.

Demolished

Today - Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

 

[Slayer]

Not so much football stadia as football pitches. Hackney Marshes in 1962 -

 

[calibear1872]

Last time I was in that ground.. We won the league.. Think Gary mcsweegan scored.. Was a wee bit tipsy.. Lol

Me too and ended up on the pitch

 

[High Society]

I preferred Highbury to that soulless bowl they're in now.

Agree for atmosphere but it only held 36k and there were 30k new ST holders in the Emirates it was a no brainer

 

[Mainstandbear]

Not a football stadium but looks like the old Murrayfield held quite a few.

 

[Clicker]

Not a football stadium but looks like the old Murrayfield held quite a few.

Hard to believe that a crowd of 104,000 were crammed into Murrayfield for a Scotland v Wales game before the east stand was built, it looks nothing near the size of pre-redevelopment Hampden, Ibrox or even The Piggery.

 

[Bear Of Yorkshire]

Hillsborough, Sheffield

The large covered stand to the left is where Rangers were housed in the second of the two friendlies a few years ago, and was the first Cantilever Stand in the country to run the full length of the pitch. The South Stand opposite was actually moved brick by brick from the old stadium site in 1899 and features a clock designed by Archibald Leitch.

 

[Adam_]

I feel that way about most grounds. I much preferred the old stadiums, and I think a lot of atmosphere went with them. It also feels like the old working class fan culture was ditched with them to pay for the new state-of-the-art grounds

Couldn't agree more no soul in new stadium's all look and feel the same

 

[Adam_]

Leicester City's Filbert Street.

A ground that I found really unique in its day with turnstiles that were built into the surrounding terraced houses.

https://imgur.com/a/LVD6M06

https://imgur.com/a/Co4qm1B

https://imgur.com/a/LeumLdp

I Have been there a couple of times good old ground

 

[RobGer]

Iconic, if only for the piss houses

Remembered for Mo Johnstones first public appearance for Gers and got good reception much to annoyance of some- he didn't score and saved it for Aberden game

 

[ScotiaPapac]

I loved the brutalist architecture of Cardiff Arms Park. It looked so modern when I first saw it in 1990 when Scotland played rugby there. I don’t know why they demolished it, although the new stadium is great.

 

[huistrasleftpeg]

Staunch points for anyone who gets this one, we played well against one of Europes greatest teams at the time.

fluttershy shed

 

[Bobby Russell]

Staunch points for anyone who gets this one, we played well against one of Europes greatest teams at the time.

fluttershy shed

Olympic Stadium, Kiev ?

 

[Willem Bear]

Olympic Stadium, Kiev ?

I think you’re right Bobby, GREAT spot!

 

[huistrasleftpeg]

Olympic Stadium, Kiev ?

I should never doubt the knowledge of my fellow Bears

 

[Orangeandblue]

I should never doubt the knowledge of my fellow Bears

Last time Rangers played in front of a 100,000+ crowd back in 1987.