stadium association football stadium district birmingham england home ground century constructed opened replace street ground small meet club needs original hold estimated spectators housed large uncovered terrace attendance record variously recorded set cup tie second world war suffered bomb damage housing temporary fire station burned accidental fire 1950s club replaced stand installed later erected second small stand open changes ground dilapidated boy killed wall collapsed rioting 1980s new owners took club administration began year redevelopment programme ground converted stadium comply taylor report safety sports grounds areas apart completely rebuilt seating capacity modern stadium function rooms suitable business social events club store selling merchandise proposal club sell ground multi purpose city birmingham stadium remains speculative ground listed asset community value act venue england international football matches levels senior national team semifinal matches cup finals lesser competitions played host events sports including rugby union professional boxing recently staged music concerts history grounds original played home games waste ground arthur street green district birmingham near site built temporary field road estimated capacity spectators field enclosed admission charged interest team grew year later moved time rented field situated eastern edge birmingham built area north main road ground known street sides open small covered wooden stand changing room players opened hold approximately spectators years height raised increased capacity insufficient cope demand attendance match local rivals officially recorded spectators thousand climbed walls forced gain entry refused sell ground permit major extensions board directors estimated staying street costing club year today prices began search alternative site construction director identified site new ground quarters mile street city centre covering area acres bounded road railway near church site operated morris described land wilderness water muddy slopes considered favourably situated obtaining easy communication city suburbs served excellent service electric cars provision railway station close hand considered bounds possibility club took land year lease entrusted role surveyor engineer local carpenter despite lack qualifications produced plans credit expensive professional architect club director builder acted clerk works estimated club saved professional fees keeping work house tradition evicted site work begin laid year curse club known camped nearby contemporary evidence club construction began february springs kept land flooded drained blocked tons rubble soil laid create height road ground club offered site tip local people paying total today dumping estimated loads rubbish embankment known beginning stood high highest point reported capacity spectators paying today ground yards length held seats divided sections priced today lit electricity stand space stand cover beneath stand rooms changing rooms training area bath room donated brewery magnate sir club offices hitherto maintained premises birmingham city centre goal railway end ground space standing spectators access ground gained sides ground total capacity estimated construction cost today playing surface yards largest country yard border surrounded running track early years officially opened sir december birmingham played division fixture heavy snowfall overnight dozens volunteers including members club board worked morning clear pitch game finally kicked hour late finishing spectators editorial day suggested fact spectators attended adverse conditions step directors taken directors congratulated having provided supporters ground second country chose host cup semifinal wednesday wednesday won went win tournament cup tie played ground birmingham lost opening match away home semifinals took place andrew second world war club bought ground price believed today 1930s roofs erected railway end february ground attendance record variously recorded set fifth round cup tie wartime world war club supported war effort allowing ground rifle range military training outbreak second world war outdoor sport banned government safety implications assessed football resumed weeks later birmingham chief constable ordered ground closure proximity probable air raid targets munitions factories matter raised parliament november home secretary felt unable intervene march time football ground england closed chief constable public pressure crowd witnessed birmingham home game months suffered direct hits luftwaffe bombing destroyed roof badly damaged forced team play surprising choice venue wartime international match england wales safety grounds spectators required purchase tickets advance numbers limited months later temporary station burned destroying club records equipment lead pencil saved wreckage bucket petrol water intending damp team returned ground improvements replacement built early 1950s roof design meant fewer pillars block spectators view pitch installed officially switched friendly match october early 1960s stand built railway end design new roof erected road end covered time clock installed city end ground memory birmingham england player died season 1970s chain proposed share cost new stand supermarket development land vacant clearance face opposition commercial rivals proposal fell home game promotion season marred rioting culminating death boy wall collapsed day stadium fire events andrew included inquiry safety sports grounds response later capacity cut accepted stadium brought modern standards club chairman recalled visit march shock picture mind expecting state disrepair hard thirds working threatened action didn improve lights game dark dull people standing rain looking extremely uncomfortable unhappy division club near extinction iron fences round ground looked hadn seen paint birmingham reached cup final division meant club longer bound deadline conversion new owner continued million development planned home game season road demolished helped fans took home significant proportion land cleared rubbish tip beneath earned club prices cost start new season seats road stand ready use completion stadium formally opened november representing unveiled commemorative plaque presented million behalf ceremony followed friendly match attended crowd planning permission granted march work delayed dispute land owned stand opened structure facilities stadium stands renamed free standing structure north playing area completed seating fewer spectators upper tier contains media area area corporate seats standard seating lower tier known consists rows seats placed uncovered area stand view area central tunnel row executive boxes added 1970s family area divided eastern end beneath club planned million worth restructuring refurbishment work stand contained areas offices closed season seating replaced broadcasting situated roof stand commemorate 50th anniversary death club commissioned memorial clock replace original survive 1990s renovations placed centrally unveiled september hall teammates adverse reaction clock size position provoked club ordering larger replacement incorporated proposed big screen west stadium nearest birmingham city centre free standing opened holds spectators tiers upper tier small area known lower row executive boxes season renamed honour club appearance record holder manager visiting supporters housed lower segregated home fans plastic seats opened form continuous shaped single tier stand seating capacity nearly spectators round remaining half pitch walkway separates sections seating includes directors box row executive boxes stand number function rooms areas electronic perimeter advertising boards stadium north south lit row lights roof seats boxes function rooms corporate boxes available hire business social events stadium licensed venue civil weddings wheelchair areas parts stadium commentary visually impaired spectators available pitch measures metres times attempt surface deteriorated dangerous condition unsuccessful freak rainfall resulted match time event happened senior english football work repeated time closed season cup tie january highlighted lack soil heating installed june future proposal forward build sports village comprising new stadium club known sports leisure facilities super casino project jointly financed proceeds sale casino group feasibility plan depended government issuing licence super casino permitted gambling act birmingham chosen venue happen club planning permission derelict building stand demolished club council continued seek alternative sources funding city birmingham stadium project application listing asset community value act approved legislation defines building land main use social social interests local community realistic believe future requires proposed sale notified council provides month sale allow trust community groups submit bid uses teams representing england played international matches andrew senior level england defeated scotland nearly spectators england junior sides played occasions defeat spain england team worst home defeat youth levels competitive football resumed world war beat english counterparts including birmingham players andrew cup semifinals taken place andrew ground hosted semifinal occasions recently venue play final replay beat remain final ground sports small heath athletic club headquarters street ground trained andrew 1920s south african touring rugby union team beat midland counties points muddy pitch crowd beat points retain british empire boxing title brothers jack future world champion fought defeated andrew retain british empire heavyweight title fight took place days originally scheduled having minute prompted debate feasibility outdoor boxing promotions light uncertain british weather location rally scene film privilege hosted number music concerts performers events include supported park featuring records record attendance andrew set fifth round cup tie february actual figure variously reported highest attendance recorded league match division november highest average attendance league season set division season lowest recorded stadium converted record attendance set arsenal november venue use penalty shootout determine winner cup match seasons losing cup obliged play fourth place finished cup beating penalties following minutes transport nearest railway station stadium birmingham street small heath stations regular services match days stadium minute walk station served direct trains parts country slightly far street served trains london served coaches minute walk away buses run city centre past ground limited parking stadium secure outdoor car park available birmingham wheels park minutes walk away parking permitted streets surrounding ground
St Andrew's (stadium)