Around Wembley Stadium
Some photos taken around the recently finished stadium in West London. This is the second stadium to be built in this location. The original one was famous for its "twin towers", although it was not the originally intended building for the area!
The present stadium was opened some time after its projected finish date, and was a bit controversial for that. It is, however, a world class venue. Most impressive from both within and without.
It's the largest covered (seating area) stadium in the World, and with a total of 1200 or so toilets, can claim to have the most number of toilets in any public venue in the World! I'm sure it holds more records, but those are the only ones I can recall right now. Oh yes - it seats 90,000 people!
The main distinguishing feature of the new Wembley Stadium is its arch. This is an essential part of its construction, and supports the greater part of the weight of the roof. The arch enables the stadium to be constructed with no internal roof-supporting pillars, therefore all the spectators have a clear view around the whole stadium, with no "restricted viewing" areas!
This visit had been planned for some while with some of my work colleagues. We constituted about a quarter of our particular tour group.
All shots are taken with an ultra wide-angle lens.
Waiting on one of the concourses to go into the entrance.
After going up a few escalators and a few stairs, we find ourselves at this level. This is taken from part of the top tier of the stadium. Our really capable and informative guide for the tour can be seen to the left here.
The "press room". This is where successive England managers might be grilled in the future, about England underachieving after matches!!! Let's hope not though.
One of the changing rooms in the stadium. This is one of the "home teams" changing rooms. There are two rooms like this for the home team, and two for the away team.
A recreational area for unleashing "pre-match tension". Notice the net at the top to arrest any stray balls!
In this area, teams line up side-by-side, before they run onto the pitch. The teams seem to be reminded exactly where they're playing, on their way out!
This is an aspect one of the away players see on their way to the pitch.
A view looking back through the "tunnel" we've just been through.
One of the areas you're not allowed on during the tour is the turf. We are on the edge of it here, and there are a couple of views from the side-lines coming up.
The second of two touchline views.
A quick look at the north-east quadrant of the stadium. I'm not trying to get too much in this shot, so it should hopefully give a better impression of the size of this venue!
A view to the Royal Box, where we'll be pretty soon.
We're there now, and here's the cherished FA cup.
And now a view from the Royal Box area to the pitch.
A view in the south-west direction. In all the previous photos, you've possibly noticed a light portion of the turf? Anyway, the fairly newly laid turf is having an intensive "electrically enhanced" session to establish itself before the next event!
We're looking in the direction of one of the retractable roofs here. They can cover the west and east sides of the stadium if needed, and apparently take 45 minutes to move from one position to the other.
Just one last view in (nearly) the same direction before we end our tour "proper" of the stadium.
Just before we exit the stadium, we have to go along an internal concourse...
...then down a level before turning right soon after this...
...to come outside the stadium. Here we find a fitting tribute to the England player, Bobby Moore, who captained England in their historic World Cup win in 1966.
A few steps back form the previous shot. Here is the first time the famous arch is seen in this gallery. Also the famous British weather, seen here with its almost horizontal raindrops caught in the camera's flash.
Looking along Olympic Way towards a gloomy West London. There's a raindrop caught in the flash on the left doing a very passable impression of a Comet!
A bit further back along Olympic Way, the outside of the stadium can be seen in its full glory from the north side.
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