All-New Wembley Stadium
Some still remember that bad night at Wembley Stadium. A quickly taken free kick by the German Dietmar Hamann caught England off guard, the Germans won the match 1-0 and Kevin Keegan promptly handed in his resignation.
It was a dark day for English football and the end of one of the world’s most famous football stadiums. Wembley was scheduled for rebuilding.
The best part of seven years later, where Sven Goran Eriksson has come and gone, where England have failed to succeed in two World Cup tournaments while taking a tour of England’s other football stadia, where 6 FA Cup Finals have been played in Wales, where something like ?800m have been spent and the new Wembley Stadium has been finished.
It’s been a rocky road. Work didn’t really commence until 2002 and the completion date kept being pushed back as the builders, Australian company Multiplex, and the FA argued about changes, costs and payments. The expectation of the 2006 FA Cup Final being held at Wembley merely tantalised.
Of course, Australians aren’t known for their abilities in the construction business. Construction of the Sydney Opera House began in 1959 and finally ended in 1973. Much like Wembley costs spiralled upwards and arguments with architect J?rn Utzon ended with him resigning before completion.
More recently the redevelopment of Southern Cross Station (formally Spencer St Station) in Melbourne managed to overrun and go massively over its original budget.
Although Multiplex have now handed over the proverbial keys to the FA the story of Wembley isn’t quite over just yet.
The local council have still to issue a safety certificate. This is being seen more a formality after two test events have been held, both of which are expected this month. One event sees the local residents being invited in to have a look round and let the stadium test its facilities and ability to operate. That always brings back memories of the original Wembley being tested, old black and white footage of men in cloth caps stamping on the steps and swaying around.
It’s been a long time coming but England now has a magnificent stadium. The costs and delays will soon be long forgotten as 90,000 enjoy a few Cup Finals and the disappointment of watching England’s national football team.
