London Road (stadium)
Encyclopedia
London Road is a multi-purpose stadium
in Peterborough
, England
. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Peterborough United
. The stadium holds 15,314 and was built in 1913, although the original ground bears little resemblance to the one seen today.
The two goal ends were the next to be built. Many home fans had traditionally stood at the London Road End, so a covered standing terrace was constructed there just after the Second World War. A similar structure was built at the Moy's End at around the same time.
Financial difficulties during the war years meant that the ground lease was very nearly terminated by the city council. Another local sports club almost took a 10-year lease, but 'The Posh' were saved in 1942 by two individuals who paid the £50 owed in rent by the club.
In the 1950s, the council sold London Road to the club following a long term lease and it was at this time that major development of the ground began. In 1953, the Moy's End was refurbished with new covered terracing and a similar improvement was made at the London Road End just over a year later. A new stand, with 2,404 seats and standing room in the front, was constructed behind the old wooden stand in 1956 and opened in time for the 1957–58 season. The wooden stand was demolished, leaving a gap of 30 yards between the new Main (North) Stand and the pitch (the pitch was moved back the following season).
A new standing terrace was then built at the Glebe Road (southern) side of the stadium shortly after the completion of the Main Stand. Four executive boxes, along with a television platform, would later be added to the structure. Floodlights were added to the stadium in 1960, with four pylons erected at each corner of the ground. Joe Richards, who was then chairman of the Football League
, performed the switch-on ceremony. The first match in which the floodlights were used was against Arsenal
in February 1960.
Following the club's promotion to the First Division in 1992, the Main Stand was forced to undergo re-development. This was because the stadium's seated capacity was below the level required by the Taylor Report
. In order to solve this problem, the stand's terraces were converted to seats. 700 of these new seats were bought second hand from Leicester City
, who had no use for them following the re-development of their Filbert Street
stadium. Another 300 seats were taken from Millwall
's stadium, The Den. Millwall were about to move into a new stadium
themselves. With a capacity of 3,605, the Main Stand's facilities were improved to include a pub, conference areas and a retail shop.
Due to increased support, a new stand was constructed on the Glebe Road side of the ground. The two-tiered South Stand, with a capacity of 5,000, opened in time for the end of the 1995–96 season. The Football Trust
contributed roughly £900,000 to the project. The stand was initially sponsored by Freemans
and then by Thomas Cook
. It is now called the Norwich and Peterborough Family Stand, due to a deal with the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society
.
The new millennium saw the London Road End and Moy's End fitted with new roofs and crush barriers to comply with safety requirements. The pitch received a large make-over in 2001, when the entire playing surface was removed to insert 2 km of new drainage pipes.
The record attendance at the stadium currently stands at 30,096, during a 1965 FA Cup
tie with Swansea Town
. This is unlikely to be beaten in the near future as it was set when most of the ground consisted of terracing. The record attendance since the capacity dropped to 15,314 is 14,110, which was set during a clash with Leicester City
in 2009.
and would have had a capacity of between 15,000 and 25,000. However, the club's relegation a year later put these plans on hold. Though they have since re-gained their Championship status, the whole prospect of either significant development or a new stadium remains an issue.
In September 2010, plans were unveiled for a new stand to be constructed at the Moy's End. This will be the first phase of the re-development of London Road, the aim being to turn it into an all-seater stadium, that will meet Premier League criteria. Construction of the stand is set to be complete by mid-2012. The project is set to be funded through a combination of a central government grant and private finance and will include a new further education facility – a STEM
centre.
successfully defend his British lightweight boxing title at London Road against Johnny McGrory of Scotland. Since then, there have not been many other major events at the stadium, although it occasionally hosts small concerts.
Multi-purpose stadium
Multi-purpose stadiums are a type of stadium designed in such a way as to be easily used by multiple sports. While any stadium could potentially host more than one sport, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy that stresses multi-functionality over specificity...
in Peterborough
Peterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
. The stadium holds 15,314 and was built in 1913, although the original ground bears little resemblance to the one seen today.
History
The stadium was built and opened in 1913, consisting of a single wooden stand with a capacity of just 250. It was owned by the city council and taken over by 'The Posh' following their formation in 1934. The council built brick dressing rooms and a committee room at the back of the wooden stand in order to support the club. These survived until the 1950s, when the North Stand was constructed.The two goal ends were the next to be built. Many home fans had traditionally stood at the London Road End, so a covered standing terrace was constructed there just after the Second World War. A similar structure was built at the Moy's End at around the same time.
Financial difficulties during the war years meant that the ground lease was very nearly terminated by the city council. Another local sports club almost took a 10-year lease, but 'The Posh' were saved in 1942 by two individuals who paid the £50 owed in rent by the club.
In the 1950s, the council sold London Road to the club following a long term lease and it was at this time that major development of the ground began. In 1953, the Moy's End was refurbished with new covered terracing and a similar improvement was made at the London Road End just over a year later. A new stand, with 2,404 seats and standing room in the front, was constructed behind the old wooden stand in 1956 and opened in time for the 1957–58 season. The wooden stand was demolished, leaving a gap of 30 yards between the new Main (North) Stand and the pitch (the pitch was moved back the following season).
A new standing terrace was then built at the Glebe Road (southern) side of the stadium shortly after the completion of the Main Stand. Four executive boxes, along with a television platform, would later be added to the structure. Floodlights were added to the stadium in 1960, with four pylons erected at each corner of the ground. Joe Richards, who was then chairman of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, performed the switch-on ceremony. The first match in which the floodlights were used was against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in February 1960.
Following the club's promotion to the First Division in 1992, the Main Stand was forced to undergo re-development. This was because the stadium's seated capacity was below the level required by the Taylor Report
Taylor Report
The Hillsborough Stadium Disaster Inquiry report, better known as the Taylor Report is a document, whose development was overseen by Lord Taylor of Gosforth, concerning the aftermath and causes of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. An interim report was published in August 1989, and the final...
. In order to solve this problem, the stand's terraces were converted to seats. 700 of these new seats were bought second hand from Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, who had no use for them following the re-development of their Filbert Street
Filbert Street
Filbert Street, in Leicester, England, was a football stadium, and the home of Leicester City from 1891 to 2002. Although officially titled "The City Business Stadium" in the early 1990s, it remained known almost exclusively by its address, like many English football stadia.- Early years :The club,...
stadium. Another 300 seats were taken from Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
's stadium, The Den. Millwall were about to move into a new stadium
The Den
*Football stadiums:**The Den, formerly known as The New Den and the current home of Millwall FC, located in Bermondsey, London, SE16**The Den , a football stadium once the home of Millwall FC, located in New Cross, London, SE14...
themselves. With a capacity of 3,605, the Main Stand's facilities were improved to include a pub, conference areas and a retail shop.
Due to increased support, a new stand was constructed on the Glebe Road side of the ground. The two-tiered South Stand, with a capacity of 5,000, opened in time for the end of the 1995–96 season. The Football Trust
Football Trust
The Football Trust was a Government funded body to improve the safety of sports stadiums in the United Kingdom.It was set up by the Labour Government in 1975, with the assistance of the pools companies and the Football League...
contributed roughly £900,000 to the project. The stand was initially sponsored by Freemans
Freemans
Freemans is a British catalogue clothing retailer.Freemans was founded in 1904 with four staff, and acquired by Otto GmbH in 1999. In 2000 its administrative department was merged with Grattan plc, under the banner of Otto UK....
and then by Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook of Melbourne, Derbyshire, England founded the travel agency that is now Thomas Cook Group.- Early days :...
. It is now called the Norwich and Peterborough Family Stand, due to a deal with the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society
Norwich and Peterborough Building Society
Norwich and Peterborough Building Society is a trading name of Yorkshire Building Society based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. At the time of merger, it was the ninth largest building society in the United Kingdom, with assets in excess of £4.9 billion...
.
The new millennium saw the London Road End and Moy's End fitted with new roofs and crush barriers to comply with safety requirements. The pitch received a large make-over in 2001, when the entire playing surface was removed to insert 2 km of new drainage pipes.
Capacity
| Stand | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Norwich and Peterborough South Stand | 5,000 |
| Main (North) Stand | 3,605 |
| Moy's End Terrace | 3,600 |
| London Road Terrace | 3,000 |
The record attendance at the stadium currently stands at 30,096, during a 1965 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie with Swansea Town
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. This is unlikely to be beaten in the near future as it was set when most of the ground consisted of terracing. The record attendance since the capacity dropped to 15,314 is 14,110, which was set during a clash with Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in 2009.
Future
Prior to the club's promotion to the Championship in 2009, there had been talks about the possibility of a new stadium. After 'The Posh' were promoted, the chairman, Darragh MacAnthony, promised that a new stadium would be built if the club could maintain their Championship status for several seasons. These plans were still in the feasibility stage at the time. If built, the stadium would have been all-seaterAll-seater stadium
An all-seater stadium is a sports stadium in which every spectator has a seat. This is commonplace in football stadiums in nations such as the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands. Most soccer and American football stadiums in the United States and Canada are all-seaters, as are most baseball...
and would have had a capacity of between 15,000 and 25,000. However, the club's relegation a year later put these plans on hold. Though they have since re-gained their Championship status, the whole prospect of either significant development or a new stadium remains an issue.
In September 2010, plans were unveiled for a new stand to be constructed at the Moy's End. This will be the first phase of the re-development of London Road, the aim being to turn it into an all-seater stadium, that will meet Premier League criteria. Construction of the stand is set to be complete by mid-2012. The project is set to be funded through a combination of a central government grant and private finance and will include a new further education facility – a STEM
STEM fields
STEM fields is a US Government acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The acronym is in use regarding access to work visas for immigrants who are skilled in these fields. Maintaining a citizenry that is well versed in the STEM fields...
centre.
Other uses
In 1939, more than 18,000 people watched Eric 'Fen Tiger' BoonEric Boon
Eric Boon was a champion British lightweight boxer. Born in Chatteris Cambridgeshire, he was known by the nicknames Boy Boon and the Fen Tiger...
successfully defend his British lightweight boxing title at London Road against Johnny McGrory of Scotland. Since then, there have not been many other major events at the stadium, although it occasionally hosts small concerts.