The Anfield Stadium is located in England, namely in the city of Liverpool. It is the home arena of the Liverpool Football Club. Its capacity is 45,276 spectators, which is the seventh indicator in the UK. Anfield stadium has been owned by the team from the very beginning of its existence. Everton played in his arena for some time, but then this club moved because of disputes over rent payments.
In December 2014, it was decided to begin the expansion of the stadium. After completion of work, its capacity should be 58 thousand spectators.
History
The first owner of the piece of land on which the Anfield Stadium is today was brewer John Orrel. The first club to host matches here was Everton. The team was kicked out of the previous arena because of riotous fans. In search of a new stadium, the Everton management turned to Orrel, who allowed them to use the site for a small fee. Soon enough, a football field appeared here.
Everton Time
The first game hosted by Anfield Stadium was on September 28, 1884. “Everton” easily beat his opponent. The club management placed a small platform near the field, which could take 8 thousand spectators. Nevertheless, there was always not enough space for all the fans, and around the field standing around the field watched the game about 20 thousand spectators. “Everton” progressed very quickly and already in the season of 1890/91 managed to win the championship. In the same year, the Anfield Road Stadium was resold to another owner, who decided to increase the rent. Everton decided to leave the arena and soon acquired its own stadium.
The advent of Liverpool
The future Liverpool stadium Anfield, after another English team left it, remained empty. In March 1892, management decided to create their own football club. The team played the first game in the fall.
However, the Anfield Road Stadium, a photo of which can be found in many sports magazines, took the league game only a year later. This match was attended by about 5 thousand spectators, and Liverpool won a landslide victory.
Club and stadium progress
The first improvement of the stadium occurred already in 1895. At "Anfield" there was a new tribune, which could take three thousand spectators. Another rostrum appeared in 1903.
After this, major changes did not occur until 1926. The new restoration brought "Anfield" a roof, as well as a capacity of 30 thousand spectators.
Light appeared at the stadium in 1957, and it was turned on for the first time in a match with Everton. The largest restoration of this building happened in 1973. Then the Main Stand was completely rebuilt. In the 1980s, she acquired seating in the front. In 1982, the gates opened, which were named after the famous Liverpool coach Bill Shankly.
In 1987, a police room appeared at the stadium. Two years later, the stadium was instructed that there should be no standing places on it. This happened after the tragedy that occurred at the Hillsborough Arena. In 1992, a second tier was erected on Kemlin Road, which could accommodate 11 thousand seated spectators.
At that time, the leadership had plans to expand Anfield, but they could not be fulfilled, as the elderly living nearby refused to sell their possessions.
In December 1997, a bronze monument to Bill Shankly appeared at the stadium . The statue is eight pounds high, and a Liverpool scarf adorns its neck. The Hillsborough Memorial also appeared, which took place near the Shankly Gate. It is always decorated with flowers and serves as a reminder of the club’s ninety-six tragically dead fans.
Structure
A special smart card is used to enter the stadium. There are no familiar turnstiles. This system appeared at the stadium in 2005.
Around the field are four stands. They are all covered.
Above the staircase that opens onto the field, there is a sign that says "This is Anfield." It is believed that it brings good luck if you touch it. The members of the coaching staff and team, entering the field, each time lay a hand on her.
Excursions
Like many well-known stadiums, Anfield has the opportunity to get to everyone. At the same time, you can visit not only the stands, but also the tunnel that leads to the field, locker rooms for football players, a museum and so on. You can make a tour here any day. Visiting hours: from 9:30 to 15:30. You can not make a tour only during major events. The duration of the tour is one hour. The cost of visiting depends on what the tourist wants to see. The museum tour is valued at six pounds. A full tour will cost sixteen pounds. Almost always a huge number of people gather who want to see the podium. Often, besides the locker rooms and the museum, Liverpool fans stop at the gate and the monument to Bill Shankly. In addition to Anfield, there are many places worth visiting in Liverpool. Very close to the Merseyside arena is another famous stadium - Goodison Park.