Highbury Stadium: the age-old history of the legendary building

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

History includes many objects of art, architecture, sports that played a significant role, but were forgotten after many years of their service. Highbury Stadium is a clear example of this. Its history and significance is unique, and its current life is amazing. Let's get to know him better.

Highbury Stadium

The football stadium is located in the London area of the same name. The area of its field was 100 by 67 meters, and the capacity of the fans was designed for 38.5 thousand people. The official opening took place on September 6, 1913. It became the home ground of Arsenal Woolwich Football Club. And it existed in this status until May 7, 2006.

The stadium has undergone two major reconstructions: the first in 1932 (the West and East stands appeared) and in the 80s and 90s some old buildings were demolished.

Historical background

Arsenal Woolwich FC was founded in 1886, but for 27 years the players did not have their own stadium,where they could not only train, but also play matches. Football players initially played in a vacant lot near the arms factory. But numerous pits and cobblestones got a lot of trouble. The next deployment area was a site that belonged to a pig farm, but even here the soil coverage left much to be desired. After the first achievements of the football club, the players were invited to the stadium "Invicta". This was a real breakthrough, as not only the stadium was equipped with stands, but also locker rooms.

Since 1893, Arsenal have been shaking with money troubles. And in the summer of 1913, the main owner of the club, Henry Norris, decided to move closer to the center of London, to the Highbury area, to further establish his team there. An agreement was reached with the local college that for 21 years the football team would lease the land and would not play games or practice during religious holidays. The loan cost Arsenal £20,000. But the opportunity to have Highbury as their home stadium was worth it. A year later, the team got rid of the word "Woolwich" in its name.

Turnstiles and terraces were built with Mr. Norris' money. Initially, the fan capacity was only 9,000. But subsequent construction allowed the stadium to become larger and more technically equipped.

In the first match on September 6, 1913, the host side defeated Leicester Fosse 2: 1. Thus began a newstage in the life of the club and its fans.

In 1925 Highbury Student Stadium was purchased from the college under full club ownership for £64,000. In connection with the latest changes, the management decided to rename the stadium, which happened 5 years later. The new name "Highbury" has become "Arsenal Stadium".

After the east stand was built in 1936, Arsenal now housed an office, a dressing room for players and a main entrance called the marble hall.

Post-war years of the stadium

During the Second World War, Highbury Stadium in London was used as an ambulance station. The consequences of the war left their mark on this sports facility: a bomb completely destroyed the roof of the northern part of the stadium.

And already in 1948, during the Olympic Games, the stadium took part as one of the venues for sports competitions. It began a gradual revival, and by 1951 searchlights appeared there, and 5 years later the roof of the northern wing was completely restored. In the southern part, a lawn was laid for a training club. Since 1991, work began to increase the capacity of the stadium.

What happened to the legendary stadium after 93 years?

In 2006, with the last referee's whistle, not only the final of the serial games of the outgoing season ended, but also the life of the stadium as the main sports facility in London. Perhaps there is not a single Englishman who does not know the addressHighbury Stadium. So long is its history, and so significant in the role of the formation of the legendary English club.

Arsenal have moved to a new stadium. What happened to the old one? What is Highbury Stadium like now?

After 93 years of sports service, the stadium has been redesigned and turned into a modern residential complex designed for 650 apartments.

The field of the eminent stadium has turned into a city garden, which can be accessed through equipped tunnels for football players. It is possible to buy an apartment in Highbury Square from 500,000 pounds.