As excitement builds for the final of the UEFA European Football Championship, which is set to hit our screens this Sunday evening, there seems like no better time to reflect on the stadiums that have, over the years, hosted countless memorable matches. These historic structures are not just venues for sporting events; they are cultural icons, repositories of shared memories, and architectural landmarks. However, the conservation of these stadiums often presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to balancing their significance with the complex requirements of modern sporting infrastructure. In this blog post we dive into the detail, so kick back and enjoy!
A Brief Overview of the Significance of Historic Football Stadiums
Historically, football stadiums were very simple. The earliest known football grounds originated during the medieval period, when large open fields were utilised for a variety of sporting activities. These early 'football stadiums' comprised little more than large, open fields where local communities would gather together to enjoy watching and playing all manner of sports. Indeed, it wasn't until the 19th century that football stadiums began to emerge within the landscape, taking the form that we recognise today. With the introduction of reduced working hours, members of society had more time on their hands. Football began to increase in popularity, giving rise to the establishment of organised football leagues and clubs. Alongside this grew the need for larger and more sophisticated stadiums that catered to the needs of both players and fans, culminating in the construction of many new football stadiums, including some of the largest and most famous in the world.
Amongst the most notable stadiums constructed in this period were Anfield and Old Trafford. Anfield, which is renowned for its famous Kop stand, was built in around 1884 and can now accommodate more than 54,000 fans. Old Trafford was built in 1910. The stadium and ground that Old Trafford was built on cost John Henry Davies £60,000. The site was located around five miles from Bank Street, close to the Manchester Ship Canal and the Trafford Park industrial estate. Davies appointed Scottish architect Archibald Leitch to design the new stadium. Leitch, who also built Craven Cottage, White Hart Lane and as well as many other iconic stadiums situated throughout the UK had a simple brief: "Create the finest stadium in the North." And although he had to scale the capacity down to 80,000 to save money, he succeeded.
Perhaps one of the most significant developments in the construction of football stadiums at this time was the introduction of fully enclosed structures. These stadiums featured roofs that allowed fans to watch games all year round, regardless of the unpredictable, Great British weather. Old Trafford seated 12,000 under cover, with room for up to 70,000 on open terraces. Leitch completely enclosed the football ground by introducing curved terracing around the corners. He also added more lavish facilities, such as a gym and a plunge bath, as well as billiards, massage and laundry rooms. The wealthier fans no longer had to walk a considerable distance to obtain their half-time snacks either as dedicated attendants were on hand to guide them between tea rooms and their theatre-style tip-up seats.
But the glory of Old Trafford soon came to a shuddering halt. The stadium, like so many that came before it was almost entirely destroyed as part of WWII bombings and thus, underwent a significant period of reconstruction during the mid 20th century. However, this wasn't the case for all stadiums, with some structures demolished and the teams moved to new stadiums. Fortunately, the legacy of several lost clubs has in some cases been captured through aerial imagery, taken by RAF Pilots.
However, it wasn't just due to the war that teams often chose to relocate. Arsenal for example, which was historically based at Highbury Stadium in London moved to the newly built Emirates Stadium in 2006. Following this, the stadium was redeveloped for use as residential apartments. Football clubs moved, and continue to move for various reasons. Sometimes existing sites cannot accommodate further redevelopment or a move is recognised as likely increasing revenue. Another driving factor was Lord Justice Taylor's report on the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster that recommended a move to all-seat grounds.
Modern Stadiums
Over the years, football grounds in the UK have undergone significant transformations, to meet the demands of the game, players and fans. From improved seating arrangements to VIP areas and state of the art facilities, stadiums have evolved immensely. It would of course be remiss of us to not touch on Wembley Stadium at this point, one of the largest and most iconic football stadiums in the world.
“Wembley is the cathedral of football. It is the capital of football and it is the heart of football.” - Pelé
The original Wembley Stadium, which was referred to as the Empire Stadium, was built by Sir Robert McAlpine, to house the British Empire exhibition of 1924-1925. Much of Humphry Repton's original Wembley Park landscape was transformed during this time, to make way for the exhibition. The stadium also served as the principal venue of the London 1948 Olympic Games. Despite experiencing financial difficulties for much of the time that it operated, the stadium remained in use until 2000, following which the construction of the new stadium began in 2002. It was from this point onwards that the grounds were dubbed the 'hallowed turf'. But of course Wembley is about so much more than just football. As the pre-eminent sports and entertainment venue in Britain, it has hosted a wide range of events from rugby (league and union) to speedway championships, stock car and greyhound racing – and just about everything in between. Music is also woven into Wembley's identity too - as attested to by the Blue Willow Team who were lucky enough to have seen the the one and only Taylor Swift at the stadium last month.
Future Change
With so many of our beloved football stadiums such as Old Trafford having been designated in the late 20th century, you may be wondering how developers successfully make such considerable changes to such significant assets? Well stadiums aren't exempt from listed building consent, and developers must seek permission to make alterations to these structures, just like you would with any other listed building. However, there is an element of debate as to whether Local Planning Authority's are more lenient when it comes to deciding on applications pertaining to listed stadiums, by virtue of the fact that the structures are retaining their existing use and the facilities contained within them are usually just being 'upgraded'. Useful information relating to sports and recreational buildings in the UK that are listed can be found in the dedicated Historic England Listing Selection Guide.
Whilst the majority of the alterations made to stadiums are positive, and result in significant public benefit, this has not always been the case. In 2021, the planned construction of the new Everton FC Stadium led to the City of Liverpool being stripped of its UNESCO World Heritage Status, following a secret ballot by the UNESCO Committee at a meeting in China. Unesco had said that the developments, including the planned new Everton FC stadium, threatened the value of the City's waterfront and had resulted in a "serious deterioration" of the historic site. Liverpool is only the third site to lose its World Heritage status since the list began in 1978.
As we look forward to the upcoming Euros final, it is essential to remember that the stadiums hosting these events are more than just venues. They are historic landmarks that embody the spirit and history of football. The conservation of these iconic structures requires a thoughtful approach that respects their legacy while accommodating the needs of modern sports. By doing so, we can ensure that future generations continue to create and cherish memories in these hallowed grounds.
At Blue Willow Heritage, we provide expert advice on planning, the historic environment and conservation works to historic buildings. If you need support managing your historic farm buildings, then Blue Willow Heritage can help! If you would like to discuss your project or simply need some impartial, no-obligation advice, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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