Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: martin@ardenley on June 02, 2012, 09:22:49 AM
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Opened by the Duke of York in 1924
Official Site (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2795099,00.html)
Closed by Doug Ellis in 2001
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Still breaks my heart to think it's gone. I miss it like a family member. Unbelievable to think Ellis could have sanctioned its destruction. A more enlightened regime would have saved the original Trinity. Just a shame Randy rolled into town a few years too late.
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I get a little bit jealous everytime there's a reporter standing in front of that beautiful stand at Ibrox (also built by Leitch). And the Trinity was even better. *sobs*
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I'm all for progress and providing the paying customer with the facilities of the 21st century football stadium, but surely there must of been a way that the Trinty Road could have been refurbished and saved.
It always rankles with me the way the most beautiful stand in British football was torn down to put a very nice but wholly unmemorable stand in it's place.
Our direct link to our past destroyed from within.
One of Doug's darkest decisions imo.
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The only way to re salvage some of the Trinity Road magic is to make sure that the new Witton End Stand is as ambitious and grand in scale. Getting the stadium up to 55-60k with a red brick, Trinity-esque goal end stand would be perfect and fully restore the ground to its undoubted place in football.
(No debates about could we fill it or afford it...I want to dream!)
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Fantastic old photo, although it would have been nice to be able to put names to all the faces.
The comments above will be echoed by virtually all Villa fans I suspect.
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i really never understood why thye didnt just redevelop the north stand instead of knocking down the Trinity. there was enough space for all the corperate you want . The Trinity could have remained the family stand
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When I saw the picture in the programme of the gable smashed to pieces, a small part of me died. Such a beautiful piece of footballing architecture. (http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/trinity33.jpg)
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When I saw the picture in the programme of the gable smashed to pieces, a small part of me died. Such a beautiful piece of footballing architecture. (http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/trinity33.jpg)
i thought they were going to retain it and use it in the new stand
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i really never understood why thye didnt just redevelop the north stand instead of knocking down the Trinity. there was enough space for all the corperate you want . The Trinity could have remained the family stand
Absolutely. I can't quite understand how anyone who loves the club, or "gets" the club could have sanctioned the demolition to be honest.
I think the new Trinity was opened by Prince Charles (although I don't think I've ever seen photos of the occasion.) If we do get a new Witton End it would be nice and fitting to get young William to do the honours!
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I think the new Trinity was opened by Prince Charles (although I don't think I've ever seen photos of the occasion.) If we do get a new Witton End it would be nice and fitting to get young William to do the honours!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/lococoal/villa_plaque300.jpg)
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When I saw the picture in the programme of the gable smashed to pieces, a small part of me died. Such a beautiful piece of footballing architecture. (http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/trinity33.jpg)
i thought they were going to retain it and use it in the new stand
I heard that aswell, but obviously they had no intention of doing so.
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I think the new Trinity was opened by Prince Charles (although I don't think I've ever seen photos of the occasion.) If we do get a new Witton End it would be nice and fitting to get young William to do the honours!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/lococoal/villa_plaque300.jpg)
Aha! Thanks very much!
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i,ve actually got some of the facade got it off a builder who was carrying out the demolition complete with claret and blue and gold mosaic tiles thought about donating it back to the club .
just wondered if anyone had any more
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It's not so much that it's gone, more about what replaced it - the club had the chance to build another iconic structure that would be admired for several generations....instead we got more mediocrity.
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When I saw the picture in the programme of the gable smashed to pieces, a small part of me died. Such a beautiful piece of footballing architecture. (http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/trinity33.jpg)
i thought they were going to retain it and use it in the new stand
I heard that aswell, but obviously they had no intention of doing so.
I cannot put into words how angry and upset it still makes me the way it was just destroyed.
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How many of the windows that were in the old stand have made it into the new stand or other parts of the ground? I know that some of them have, as I have closely inspected them, but there are some reproductions.
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It's not so much that it's gone, more about what replaced it - the club had the chance to build another iconic structure that would be admired for several generations....instead we got more mediocrity.
The external parts of the new stand aren't even mediocre. Of all the new stands/stadiums built around the same time it has to be one of the worst. Corrugated steel, cheap looking entrance, no focal points, no reflection of the club's past or a cutting edge modern design. It's just cheap cheap with absolutely no style. Exactly the opposite of the stand it replaced.
If anyone get misty eyed for Ellis, this one act sums him up more than any other. A large part of the club died that summer.
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it was just not necessary they could have left it put a new roof on it and kept the gable ala sheff wed then buit a 15000 3 tier stand on the north. Put as much corperate as you like in there and stick the away fans up the top . we have so much room and scope behind there you could have fitted a museum shop and new offices !!! i miss those steps to the Trinity. What gets me is they did very well with the Holte to have it in keeping with Trinity and then knocked it down, gone forever !!!
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does anyone know why the trinity road stand was never listed?
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does anyone know why the trinity road stand was never listed?
The club, or us as fans, never applied for listing and also the amount of alterations that had happened over the years meant it couldn't be listed I believe.
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I know that they tried in vain to keep the mosaic of the original stand but when they came to dismantle it is completely fell to bits - its a crying shame but it is the truth
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I know that they tried in vain to keep the mosaic of the original stand but when they came to dismantle it is completely fell to bits - its a crying shame but it is the truth
It's very easy to say they should have done something. Nobody knows how practical 'something' would have been. For all it looked nice, the stand was outdated, dangerous and getting less safe by the year.
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I know that they tried in vain to keep the mosaic of the original stand but when they came to dismantle it is completely fell to bits - its a crying shame but it is the truth
It's very easy to say they should have done something. Nobody knows how practical 'something' would have been. For all it looked nice, the stand was outdated, dangerous and getting less safe by the year.
My beef is that there appears to have been no attempt to try and integrate the facade into any new development. Yes the stand needed updating and incorporating the existing frontage would no doubt have increased the building costs, but it would not have been impossible ( Rangers managed to do it ). A quick look through the Internet and you will find plenty of people and that includes supporters of other clubs who to this day cannot understand why the Trinity Road Stand was destroyed.
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I know that they tried in vain to keep the mosaic of the original stand but when they came to dismantle it is completely fell to bits - its a crying shame but it is the truth
It's very easy to say they should have done something. Nobody knows how practical 'something' would have been. For all it looked nice, the stand was outdated, dangerous and getting less safe by the year.
My beef is that there appears to have been no attempt to try and integrate the facade into any new development. Yes the stand needed updating and incorporating the existing frontage would no doubt have increased the building costs, but it would not have been impossible ( Rangers managed to do it ). A quick look through the Internet and you will find plenty of people and that includes supporters of other clubs who to this day cannot understand why the Trinity Road Stand was destroyed.
Rangers had more space (according to Simon Inglis) and at the time a lot more money - they paid for the club deck with debentures which we could never have done. All I can do is quote a senior member of staff, "If it hadn't been knocked down it would have fallen down."
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How many of the windows that were in the old stand have made it into the new stand or other parts of the ground? I know that some of them have, as I have closely inspected them, but there are some reproductions.
I didn't think anything had survived into the new stand.
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Have a look at the Rangers stand it looks like the Trinity has more space at the front and the sides.
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I know that they tried in vain to keep the mosaic of the original stand but when they came to dismantle it is completely fell to bits - its a crying shame but it is the truth
It's very easy to say they should have done something. Nobody knows how practical 'something' would have been. For all it looked nice, the stand was outdated, dangerous and getting less safe by the year.
My beef is that there appears to have been no attempt to try and integrate the facade into any new development. Yes the stand needed updating and incorporating the existing frontage would no doubt have increased the building costs, but it would not have been impossible ( Rangers managed to do it ). A quick look through the Internet and you will find plenty of people and that includes supporters of other clubs who to this day cannot understand why the Trinity Road Stand was destroyed.
Rangers had more space (according to Simon Inglis) and at the time a lot more money - they paid for the club deck with debentures which we could never have done. All I can do is quote a senior member of staff, "If it hadn't been knocked down it would have fallen down."
evidently not on the money side. :D
I do believe it was in need of replacing but when you consider the excellant job the did with the Holte which was inkeeping with the old Trinity why could they not have done something similar with new Trinity ???
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I think the new Trinity was opened by Prince Charles (although I don't think I've ever seen photos of the occasion.) If we do get a new Witton End it would be nice and fitting to get young William to do the honours!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c244/lococoal/villa_plaque300.jpg)
bloody hell - wheres Doug, he`s missed a photo opportunity :o
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does anyone know why the trinity road stand was never listed?
The club, or us as fans, never applied for listing and also the amount of alterations that had happened over the years meant it couldn't be listed I believe.
That's a very good question. If anything, the succession of alterations carried out over the years (and, indeed, the proposal to demolish and replace) might have been thought to add to the need for listing rather than detract from it. A Freedom of Information request to Birmingham City Council and English Heritage (to release all documents held concerning the arcitectural and historic interest of the Trinity Road stand) should elicit a full and interesting response if anyone can be bothered to write.
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It would be interesting to see Randy Lerner's vision for new Trinty Road stand if he came 5 years earlier or whatever. Look like we have to put it right by building an incredible North Stand when the time come.
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The sad thing is over ten years on it still creates a reaction on here. Shows the depth of feeling the decision had. I'll always feel ashamed that as a group of fans we didn't do more (well, anything really) to save it.
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Wasn't it when they extended the roof meant it couldn't be listed?
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It would be interesting to see what the long-term vision for the stadium is and when the key milestones e.g. re-building the North Stand are. I thought they hired some architects to plan everything and that the plans would be released. With how Lerner values the history and traditions of the club, I would hope that the plans would restore a lot of what was lost.
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How many of the windows that were in the old stand have made it into the new stand or other parts of the ground? I know that some of them have, as I have closely inspected them, but there are some reproductions.
I didn't think anything had survived into the new stand.
There is a window in the 1874, to the right of the bar (the one towards the Witton).
It looks genuine and is hinged so it can swivel open. It is puttied in place. I think it is genuine as I don't think such detail would have been bothered with.
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Something had to happen to the Trinity Road Stand in terms of modernisation, however its been made a right pigs ear. It is out of sec with the rest of the ground.
As for the North Stand, I remember the sketches and photos of what it was likely to become, another own goal. I am not even particularly happen with the Holte development, the only side in my mind which is worthy of a star is the Witton Lane development (apart from the name)
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Nice bit of film with the old Trinity
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My first memories of Villa Park were standing on the Holte but looking at the Trinity in Awe.
For me the Trinity epitomised the heart of Aston Villa, Class, Tradition and packed ranks of Villa fans.
When the Toffs in the Trinity seats joined the Holte in banging their seats to, Villa, boom boom bomm, Villa,boom, boom, boom, Villa Park rocked.
Created by Victorian Visionaries, destroyed by a jumped up travel Agent.
When fans warble on about Doug, it is clear that age and distance soften the heart.
I can not believe that because the old twat shuffles into his seat with a wave that he is forgiven for destroying that most sacred part of Villa Park.
He never understood the tradition of Aston Villa.
And by the way he carelesly lost the best Manager we ever had.
A curse on your house Mr Ellis
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I get a little bit jealous everytime there's a reporter standing in front of that beautiful stand at Ibrox (also built by Leitch).
I was up in Scotland at the weekend ( Morton v Cowdenbeath with a Morton fan mate - who needs the Villa/Arsenal multimillion quid bitch fight when you can stand on a freezing terrace in gloomy West Scotland). Driving from Edinburgh to Glasgow we stopped off at a few grounds to take a look. The Leitch-designed stand at Tyncastle looked nice, Partick thistle's ground looked like it had been closed for a few decades but Ibrox was absolutely stunning. I spent about 20 minutes standing outside, staring at it and taking pictures. Head and shoulders above any other ground in the country. A plaque on the wall as well, dedicated to Leitch
The saddest thing about it is that, beautiful as it is, it's not a patch on what we had at Villa Park. Apparently, when Rangers commissioned Leitch to design their main stand, he took them down to Villa Park to show them the Trinity and the Rangers directors said " we want that....but cheaper" .
And Morton won with a late winner....
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Created by Victorian Visionaries, destroyed by a jumped up travel Agent
Nerd alert - the Trinity was built in 1922(?) which means it wasn't Victorian or even Edwardian.
Actually, what is the period after Edwardian known as?
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Well spotted, I had a few drinks on Friday when I wrote that.
I was misty eyed and pictured whiskery (do not think that is a proper word) gents in long black coats and stove pipe hats pouring of maps of the Empire.
Flash to Doug offering specials to Majorca and advertising for tenders on cheap building plans.
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One for our older posters: did people mourn the passing of the old barrel roof on the Witton Lane stand?
That was the last surviving link to the original Villa Park, but back in the 60s Victorian architecture was being torn down all over Brum.
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My first memories of Villa Park were standing on the Holte but looking at the Trinity in Awe.
For me the Trinity epitomised the heart of Aston Villa, Class, Tradition and packed ranks of Villa fans.
When the Toffs in the Trinity seats joined the Holte in banging their seats to, Villa, boom boom bomm, Villa,boom, boom, boom, Villa Park rocked.
Created by Victorian Visionaries, destroyed by a jumped up travel Agent.
When fans warble on about Doug, it is clear that age and distance soften the heart.
I can not believe that because the old twat shuffles into his seat with a wave that he is forgiven for destroying that most sacred part of Villa Park.
He never understood the tradition of Aston Villa.
And by the way he carelesly lost the best Manager we ever had.
A curse on your house Mr Ellis
If you mean Ron Saunders, Ellis was not there.
There's plenty you can have a go at him for if you wish but you can't blame him for Ron Saunders departing.
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Well spotted, I had a few drinks on Friday when I wrote that.
I was misty eyed and pictured whiskery (do not think that is a proper word) gents in long black coats and stove pipe hats pouring of maps of the Empire.
Flash to Doug offering specials to Majorca and advertising for tenders on cheap building plans.
Bewhiskered.
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Even when the stand was still there, they covered that balcony with tacky adverts. It is surprising what a difference that made to the appearance of the stand. My view is that more of it should have been saved. That could really only apply to the outer wall and the gable as the inside was mainly wooden and, therefore, unsafe.