St Andrew's (stadium)

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = St Andrew's
nickname =


location = Birmingham, England
fullname = St Andrew's Stadium
coordinates =
broke_ground = 1906
opened = 26 December 1906
renovated = 1993–1999
expanded =
closed =
demolished =
owner = Birmingham City F.C.
operator = Birmingham City F.C.
surface = Grass
Constructor =
construction_cost = £10,000
architect = Harry Pumfrey
nicknames =
tenants = Birmingham City F.C. (1906–present)
seating_capacity = 30,009cite web
url=http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Records/0,,10412,00.html |title=Birmingham City Records |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |accessdate=2008-03-25]
dimensions = 110 x 74 yd (100 x 68 m)

St Andrew's is a football stadium located in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, England. It has been the home of Birmingham City F.C. since 1906 and has a seating capacity of just over 30,000.

History

The Small Heath Alliance played their first competitive matches on a piece of wasteland on Arthur Street, near to the junction with the Coventry Road. Their first ever game was played in November 1875 against Holte Wanderers from Aston, and ended 1-1. They occupied this pitch throughout their initial season of 1875-76, moving to their first enclosed ground, in Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, for season 1876-77. The capacity at Ladypool Road was understood to be around 3,000, and the first match is believed to have been in September 1876 between Small Heath and Nechells, with the home team winning 2-0 in front of around 500 supporters.

As interest in the team grew, they moved back to Small Heath in the summer of 1877, occupying a ground in Muntz Street, where they stayed before switching to St. Andrews in December 1906.

Initially, the Muntz Street ground could house around 10,000 spectators, but when the team left after 29 years, its capacity had grown to almost 30,000. The first game to have been played at Muntz Street was a friendly match against Saltley College on September 11, 1877 in front of only a handful of spectators. Small Heath won 5-0. Although it had a well-appointed stand, the state of the pitch was uneven, rutted and sloped from end to end and from one side to the other, and was known locally as 'The Celery Tranches'.

Many teams were reluctant to play at Muntz Street, and on occasions, the team were offered money in exchange for switching venues. Wednesbury Old Athletic offered the club £5 to switch their Walsall Cup tie to their own ground. Small Heath took the money and went on to win 4-1 at Wednesbury's ground. On another occasion, Wednesday offered Blues £200 to switch their FA Cup tie, although on this occasion, after taking the money, Small Heath lost 2-0.

Originally, Blues paid yearly rent of £5 for Muntz Street. By 1905, this had risen to £300. However, it was becoming clear that the ground was becoming inadequate as their support grew. In February 1905, an estimated 32,000 crammed in to see a game against Aston Villa F.C., and the record attendance was estimated to be close to 34,000 for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the FA Cup in February 1906.

St. Andrews was 'discovered' by former player, director and chairman, Harry Morris. He saw 'a wilderness of stagnant water and muddy slopes' off Garrison Lane, Bordesley Green, and envisioned a footballing arena. A band of gypsies had lived on the site for quite some time, and it is widely believed that when they were asked to move from the site, a curse was placed on the club.

t Andrews' Construction

Harry Morris asked a local carpenter, Harry Pumfrey (not an architect) to draw up plans for the building and laying out of the St. Andrews ground. Pumfrey was a fan of the football club from Small Heath, and it is recorded that the both he and the clerk of the works, Mr. T. W Turley, displayed 'wonderful enthusiasm, working day after day in the thick of the toil, putting in up to 14 hours work on at least 4 days of each week.' The men worked to get the ground ready and asked for no payment in return. It is estimated that around £2,000 was saved as a result of the work of Turley and Pumfrey.

When work began on the Garrison Lane wasteland, the first consideration was the playing surface, and in order to make this, two huge pools, filled with artesian spring water had to be drained. Once this was done, tons of rubble, including brick-ends and piles of ashes, were rolled down into the holes in order to fill them. By mid-June 1906, some convert|10000|sqft|m2|-3 of soil had been laid. The extent of the turfed area was convert|123|yd|m|0 by convert|83|yd|m|0, providing a four yard (4 m) border around the playing surface of convert|115|yd|m|0 by convert|75|yd|m|0, which was one of the biggest in the country at the time. The playing surface was surrounded by a six-yard (5 m) wide cinder running track.

The second major project was to ensure that there was a large embankment on one side of the ground, the unreserved side. So the site was offered as a tip, and people from the surrounding areas paid the club to empty their rubbish there. It is estimated that thousands of tons were dumped, bringing the club an additional £800 in cash. Even in its earliest days, this embankment was known as "The Spion Kop". The terracing was made up of old railway sleepers and, when completed, had a reported capacity of 48,000 spectators. Once the rubbish had been firmly bedded down, the club made clear its intention to erect a roof over the Tilton Road goal, in order to shelter at least 12,000 supporters from the inclement weather.

"The Grandstand", which ran alongside the Garrison Lane side of the ground, was said to be one of the largest in the country at the time, and could accommodate 6,000 seated supporters, with a further 5,000 being able to stand under cover, on the terraces in front. In the stand itself were six sections for spectators, and the seats themselves were approached by two flights of stairs. The space under the seating was used for the club offices, the boardroom, cycle store, four refreshment rooms, and a training area that contained a nine-foot square plunge bath, changing rooms for the players, and a spacious billiard room, that was furnished by a wealthy Birmingham businessman, Sir John Holder.

Thirty-six turnstiles were situated around the ground; 16 on the Emmeline Street side of the ground, ten at the Garrison Lane side (also giving access to the unreserved section), and ten more in St. Andrew Street (for the Stand and reserved side of the ground).

Behind the goal at The Railway End, terrace accommodation was provided for 4,000 spectators. It is said that when completed in December 1906, St. Andrews could house close to 75,000 fans. The total cost of building St. Andrews was £10,000.

The ground was initially taken on a 21 year lease and the area on which it was built covered seven and a half acres.

St. Andrews was officially opened by Sir John Holder on December 26, 1906, when Birmingham City played Middlesbrough F.C. in a Division One fixture. It was touch and go whether the opening game would go ahead. As is often the case in December, thick snow covered the pitch and terraces, and scores of volunteers worked throughout the morning of the match to clear the playing area. The game finished goalless in front of 32,000 fans who had braved the Arctic conditions.

Ground developments took effect gradually, and by the end of 1939, the rear of the Tilton Road End was covered, as was the Railway End. On February 11, 1939, the highest attendance ever to assemble inside St. Andrews, 67,341 saw Blues play Everton in a fifth round FA Cup tie. Shortly following the commencement of World War II, the Chief Constable of Birmingham closed the ground because of the danger of air-raids, and Blues played away from home or at neutral venues. The matter was raised in Parliament, as St. Andrews was the only football ground in the country to be forced to close down, and the ban was ultimately lifted in March 1940.

During World War II, the Main Stand was being used as a temporary fire station. In January 1942, a member of the National Fire Service attempted to put out small fire in a brazier with what he thought was water, but his bucket contained petrol. The Main Stand was completely destroyed by the fire along with most of the clubs records. The club played at Leamington and Villa Park, returning home in 1943. After the war, the club set about rebuilding St. Andrews. The construction of the Main Stand got underway in the early 1950s, and floodlights were used for the first time in October 1956, when Blues drew 3-3 with Borussia Dortmund. During the 1950s and 1960s the Tilton Road and Kop were covered and a replica of the Main Stand was built at the Railway End.

During the 1970s, the ground became the centre of a major political wrangle in Birmingham. The ASDA supermarket chain had proposed to develop the large open space of land behind the Kop, and their plans were shared with the fans. They had offered to share the cost of building a new stand, which in turn, would have incorporated an ASDA supermarket underneath, similar to successful partnerships at Selhurst Park and Boothferry Park. However, the Co-Op, who had plans to build a supermarket nearby, and local merchants who feared the competition, eventually brought the plans to a halt.

Over the next few years, many small, cosmetic changes were made to the ground, but it was not until the Taylor Report and the arrival of David Sullivan did the football club finally get an all-seated stadium.

Present St Andrews

Since World War II, redevelopments at St. Andrews had been very minimal, with the only big change being the rebuilding of the Railway End. Over the years, capacity at St. Andrews had gradually been reduced, from 68,000 before the war, down to 53,204 by 1963. By 1988, the capacity had dropped further, down to little over 38,000. However, after the tragedies at Hillsborough and Valley Parade, and the subsequent issuing of the Taylor Report, the capacity at St. Andrews dropped to 28,235. It became clear that it was time to completely renovate the stadium in order to bring it into the 21st century.

Initially, chairman at the time, Samesh Kumar, spoke of simply placing benches on top of the terracing, in order to comply with the Taylor ruling. However, after the takeover of multi-millionaires, David Sullivan and the Gold brothers, plans were quickly put forward to completely rebuild the stadium. However, the initial plans were quickly redrawn after Karren Brady made a visit to Old Trafford and saw what had been achieved there.

The first stage of the redevelopment began after a last home game against Bristol City F.C. on 16 April 1994. After the game, supporters 'took what they could from the old ground, including concrete, screws, bolts and even letters from the old scoreboard'.

Work on the new stadium began soon after, with former Birmingham City players Bob Latchford, Bob Hatton and Trevor Francis officially 'breaking ground' on the new stand. The £4.5 million redevelopment incorporated a 7,000 all-seater Tilton Road stand, and the Kop with an additional 9,500 seats. The Tilton Road end was open for the first game of the 1994/95 season against Chester City, while the Kop was finished in time for the Coca-Cola Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers on October 4th.

The new ground was officially opened on November 15 1994, when almost 20,000 witnessed Baroness Trumpington unveil a plaque, and witnessed a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Soon after the completion of the Tilton and Kop, plans were laid out for the development of the Railway Stand. However, once again, unforeseen problems arose, when it was discovered that a small parcel of land that needed to be used belonged to Railtrack. After many months of wrangling, permission was eventually granted, and the building of the New Railway Stand got underway. The new stand officially opened in February 1999, and houses 9,500 spectators and the new dressing rooms.

The last remaining pre-1994 stand at St Andrew's has been earmarked for reconstruction since about 2000, but this work has yet to begin, despite City having been in the Premier League for all but one season since 2002.

Transport

The nearest train station to the stadium is Bordesley, on the Birmingham to Stratford Line between Moor Street and Small Heath stations, which has regular services only on match days. The stadium is a 20-minute walk from New Street station, which is served by direct trains from most parts of the country, and slightly less far from Moor Street, which is served by Chiltern Railways trains from London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill. Digbeth Coach Station, served by National Express coaches, is a 15-minute walk away, and buses run along the Coventry Road past the ground. There is very limited parking at the stadium itself, but a secure outdoor car park is available at Birmingham Wheels Park, less than 15 minutes walk away, and parking is permitted in the streets surrounding the ground. [cite web
url=http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Travel/0,,10412,00.html |title=Travel Match Pack |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |accessdate=2008-04-02] [cite web
url=http://www.footballgroundguide.com/birming.htm |title=Football Ground Guide Birmingham City |publisher=Duncan Adams |accessdate=2008-04-02]

Details

Records

Record Attendance: 66,844 v Everton, February 11, 1939 (FA Cup Fifth Round)

Average attendances

Division One
*1906-07: 19,222
*1907-08: 15,473

Division Two
*1908-09: 10,607
*1909-10: 8,921
*1910-11: 13,764
*1911-12: 13,052
*1912-13: 15,157
*1913-14: 17,411
*1914-15: 11,315
*1919-20: 22,880
*1920-21: 31,244

Division One
*1921-22: 27,967
*1922-23: 25,328
*1923-24: 20,395
*1924-25: 22,547
*1925-26: 21,649
*1926-27: 24,372
*1927-28: 21,646
*1928-29: 23,406
*1929-30: 22,193
*1930-31: 21,275
*1931-32: 23,380
*1932-33: 20,044
*1933-34: 24,718
*1934-35: 22.795
*1935-36: 22,955
*1936-37: 22,432
*1937-38: 25,452
*1938-39: 26,434Division Two
*1946-47: 32,462
*1947-48: 36,467

Division One
*1948-49: 38,821
*1949-50: 34,310

Division Two
*1950-51: 24,728
*1951-52: 24,570
*1952-53: 20,046
*1953-54: 22,594
*1954-55: 21,002

Division One
*1955-56: 33,828
*1956-57: 32,582
*1957-58: 29,647
*1958-59: 26,893
*1959-60: 26,880
*1960-61: 25,751
*1961-62: 23,587
*1962-63: 22,559
*1963-64: 21.996
*1964-65: 19,714

Division Two
*1965-66: 14,398
*1966-67: 19,798
*1967-68: 28,083
*1968-69: 26,008
*1969-70: 24,028
*1970-71: 24,164
*1971-72: 32,337Division One
*1972-73: 36,663
*1973-74: 33,048
*1974-75: 30,854
*1975-76: 28,002
*1976-77: 28,338
*1977-78: 23,910
*1978-79: 20,164

Division Two
*1979-80: 20,427

Division One
*1980-81: 19,248
*1981-82: 17,116
*1982-83: 15,880
*1983-84: 14,106

Division Two
*1984-85: 12,522

Division One
*1985-86: 10,899

Division Two
*1986-87: 7,426
*1987-88: 8,576
*1988-89: 6,289

Division Three
*1989-90: 8,558
*1990-91: 7,030
*1991-92: 12,399

Division Two
*1992-93: 12,328Division One

"(Renamed - Formerly Division Two)"
*1993-94: 14,378

Division Two
*1994-95: 16,941

Division One
*1995-96: 18,098
*1996-97: 17,732
*1997-98: 18,751
*1998-99: 21,140
*1999-00: 22,087
*2000-01: 21,608
*2001-02: 22,157

Premier League
*2002-03: 28,831
*2003-04: 29,076
*2004-05: 28,760
*2005-06: 27,391

Championship

"{Renamed - Formerly Division One)"
*2006-07: 22,274

Premier League
*2007-08: 26,181

Championship
*2008-09:

*"For the 1906-07 season, only games played after the 25 December 1906 have been included. The home games before this date were played at Muntz Street."

ee also

*City of Birmingham Stadium
*List of English football stadiums by capacity

Notes

External links

* [http://www.bcfc.com Birmingham City F.C. official website]
* [http://www.stadionwelt.de/stadionwelt_stadien/index.php?template=stadionlisten&stadion=St.%20Andrew%B4s%20Stadium&foto_ordner=England/st_andrews_stadium&id=1037 Pictures at St, Andrew's]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/sport/clubs/blues/history.shtml Club history on BBC Birmingham]
* [http://www.birminghamcity-mad.co.uk/news/loadsngl.asp?CID=EDB1 Stadium history on a Birmingham City fanzine website]