Stadium "Stamford Bridge": description, photo

"Stamford Bridge" - the fourth category of UEFA stadium, designed by Scottish architect Archibald Leitch and built in one of the central areas of London - Fulham. Arena is considered to be the home ground of one of the giants of English football - London "Chelsea". "Stamford Bridge" - the ninth of spaciousness stadium Albion, today his rostrum ready to accept about 42 thousand people. Built arena in the late nineteenth century and home to the "aristocrats," she began in 1905.

Paradoxically, one of the oldest and most beautiful stadiums in the history of England took just five international matches. Four of them are directly involved in the England team and all matches to win.

Name

Concerning the origin of the name - "Stamford Bridge" - there are many different fantasies and legends. According to one modern versions, in the nineteenth century near the site where the stadium of English football club "Chelsea" is built, Stanford brook flowing into the Thames. In turn, the bridge built across the creek near King Road, wore a similar name - "Stenbridzh". Accordingly, a kind of symbiosis of these two names, and gave the name of one of the oldest and most exciting soccer stadiums in England.

History

Grand opening of the stadium took place in 1877. Initially, the "Stamford Bridge" was not pure football arena. On the perimeter of the playing field settled treadmills, so the first quarter century of the stadium has at its disposal the London Athletic Club for athletics competitions. When the prerequisites for the transfer of the ownership structures football functionaries, the first contender for the new arena was the club "Fulham", but the team from the same area of ​​London refused the offer and the stadium moved to the newly founded FC "Chelsea". Looking at the modern stadium in Fulham, it is difficult to believe that originally, only one could take the podium and the audience did not exceed its capacity of 5000 people. As such, the sports facility remained until 1930. As long as the canopy was not mounted on the South Stand of the stadium "Stamford Bridge". Stadium capacity increased when in 1939, the North Stand was built. Against the background of the old buildings, it looked somewhat ridiculous, but in this form lasted until 1975. At the same time it was opened and a new East Stand - a real masterpiece of architecture and design ideas. This is the only part of the stadium, which is preserved to this day in the same form in which the open.

Reconstruction: "Stamford Bridge" in the last century and the threat of bankruptcy

In the late 70-ies of the last century London "Chelsea" had very serious financial problems and to repay existing debt, the owners of the club took an unpopular decision - to sell the arena construction company. This development could lead to the fact that the club had no place to play their home games, and another shopping center might be opened on the site of the handsome stadium today. Over time, the club led by President Ken Bates heavy and expensive campaign to return the stadium began, which lasted for 10 years. Litigation ended quite comical: in 1992, went bankrupt now own construction company, so the arena is returned to the ownership of the club.

The revival of the stadium "Stamford Bridge" began with the global restructuring of the North Stand, which traditionally housed the organized group of fans. Next in line was the South Stand. At the time of the work is to install temporary spectator seats. A platform itself shifted close to the edge of the field. In parallel with this work was carried out on the construction of the hotel "Chelsea Village". It was part of a global project of complex reconstruction.

Until 1998, work on the transformation of the stadium took place according to the schedule, however, at the final stage there was a delay associated with obtaining permission from the city authorities on the restructuring of the upper tiers of the West Stand. After all the legal delay reconstruction, which lasted more than eighteen years, was completed.

It should be noted that the conversion process is affected not only the stadium, but also the complex of the club as a whole. It is called the "Chelsea Village". two four-star hotels have been built, several restaurants and meeting rooms, underground parking, entertainment club, business center and even a nightclub.

Matthew Harding State

North Stand - Matthew Harding State - third roominess and employs 10,884 people. Named in honor of one of the directors of "Chelsea", who died tragically in a plane crash. Tribune is built on two levels and is traditionally placed so-called Ultras. Northern construction arena - the leader in the number of season tickets sold for the season.

Shed End

Shed End - south grandstand of the stadium "Stamford Bridge". As the opposite side, it consists of two layers, the lower of which is usually reserved for the visiting team fans. Next to the South tribune placed the board with the names of dead fans of the club, as well as a museum dedicated to the centennial of "Chelsea". Shed End - Stand with the smallest capacity, only 6831 people will be able to be here.

The East Stand

Until 2005, the guest sector were located in the lower tier of the East Stand, however, at the request of their odious Jose Mourinho moved to the Shed End. East Stand is often called the heart of the stadium. It is a tunnel from which the team out on the field, home and away changing rooms, press center and commentary box. It is no secret that this is where the best view of what is happening on the pitch. Capacity of the stadium is 10 925 people, and the spectator rows are arranged in three tiers.

West Stand

This is the biggest and the newest building of the stadium "Stamford Bridge". Capacity of the West Stand of 13,500 people, and the design itself, by analogy with the eastern side - a three-tiered. It has built a special cabin for VIP-class guests who have names of legendary players, "Chelsea" of the last millennium.

Future Plans

Earlier this year, the mayor of the City of London approved the construction of the football club "Chelsea" a new arena on the site of the present stadium "Stamford Bridge". Photo layouts project submitted for approval by the club functionaries "aristocrats". Stadium will not change its location, but significantly add to the number of seats. It is expected that the updated arena will be able to take the stands 60 thousand people, and reconstruction will cost the London club of half a million euros. It is also expected that by 2021, will be carried out until the construction work, "Chelsea" will be forced to spend their home games at the stadium "Wembley".