Anfield, is a significant football stadium located in Liverpool, England. It is primarily used for association football matches, serving as the home ground for the English club Liverpool F.C., who are the proprietors of the stadium.
Anfield was officially opened on 28 September 1884 originally as the home of Everton F.C. and has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892. It replaced the original Anfield, which had 20,000 seats. The seating capacity of the current stadium is approximately 53,394, making it the sixth-largest stadium in England. The stadium was initially designed by architect Archibald Leitch and has undergone several expansions and renovations with the most recent being the Main Stand expansion in 2016.
A UEFA category four stadium and one of the most iconic stadiums in English football, Anfield has hosted numerous notable matches including FA Cup semi-finals, and matches in UEFA competitions. It is particularly known for its unique and electric atmosphere during games, largely attributed to the famous 'Kop' stand. Over the years, Anfield has been the site of many memorable football matches and moments, including the legendary 'Anfield Miracle' comeback in the 2005 UEFA Champions League semi-final. As of its 135th birthday, Anfield had welcomed millions of spectators, embodying the club's motto 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. The stadium is also a potential venue for future football competitions and events, reinforcing its status as a historic landmark in world football.
While the previous Liverpool stadium was also officially named 'Anfield Road Stadium', both the old and the new stadium are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Anfield. Anfield is the name of the neighbourhood the stadium was built on, in the city of Liverpool, which itself derives its name from the old English 'An field' meaning 'one field'. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Liverpool used to simply call it Anfield. Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Anfield'. This is the name used both locally and internationally.
The stadium was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1891, until a rent dispute led to the formation of Liverpool F.C., who have called Anfield their home ever since. Anfield is famous for the Kop Stand, named after a hill in South Africa where a local regiment suffered heavy losses during the Boer War, reflecting Liverpool's historical ties to the military. The stadium underwent significant changes in the 1990s following the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough Disaster, which called for all-seater stadiums. Today, Anfield is an all-seater stadium with a capacity of over 53,000.
Anfield is renowned for its atmosphere, particularly on European nights. The fans' rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', the club anthem, has become synonymous with the stadium and the club. Anfield also houses the Liverpool FC Museum and Tour Centre, offering fans the chance to explore the club's rich history. Memorabilia, including replicas of Liverpool's many trophies, are on display, and the tour includes access to the players' dressing room, the press room, and the tunnel and pitchside areas.
Over the years, Anfield has played host to numerous memorable matches and moments, including Liverpool's famous comeback victory over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League semi-final and the 'Miracle of Istanbul'. Plans for future development of Anfield include the expansion of the Anfield Road Stand, which would increase the stadium's capacity to around 61,000.
An appropriate site, with excellent access and sufficient space for future expansion, was identified in the northeastern part of the Anfield area in Liverpool. Being situated on the border between the Anfield and Everton neighbourhoods, the new stadium was initially known as 'Anfield'.
The club always aimed to own both the stadium and the surrounding terrains. Initially, a lease was made on the municipal terrains, with a final buy-out happening only in 1892. The plans for the sports complex had been drawn up as early as the late 1880s by architect Archibald Leitch, a renowned figure for the club.
Driven by the club's then-president, John Houlding, the members coped with an increased fee for supporting the building costs for the new stadium, offered large donations, and some even went as far as to work themselves on the building yard on holidays or weekends. There was even a 'brick campaign', whereby large quantities of bricks were offered to the club.
The works officially began on 28 February 1884. Less than two years later, and at 2,600 pounds, on 28 September 1884 (a local holiday), a 20,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals Everton FC.
The stadium has evolved significantly over the years, with major developments taking place in the 1990s and a major expansion of the Main Stand completed in 2016. The stadium's capacity is now over 53,000, making it the sixth-largest stadium in England. Anfield is best known for the 'Kop' stand, named after a place in South Africa where a local regiment had a significant loss during the Boer War. The 'Kop' is known worldwide for its incredible atmosphere during matches.
Future expansion plans for Anfield are underway, with proposals to expand the Anfield Road End which would bring the total capacity to around 61,000. The club's vision is to ensure that Anfield continues to grow and adapt, ensuring it remains a world-class stadium for a world-class club.
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