Wembley Stadium, as you can see, was not
only dominated for over 75 years by its world famous twin towers, but it
also used them as a world famous branding with its
renowned Wembley logo. Not surprising, considering that
these magnificent specimens figured in a
catalogue of filmed and televised major world
sporting events since their construction.
The old stadium stood alone as a
monument to the time when the worlds buildings were both functional and
decorative, where artistry and imagination involved itself in the making
of a lasting and well loved creation, built to last
and be appreciated forever. This was Wembley Stadium, fronted by its
voluptuous Twin Towers, and surrounded by its arched battlements. Crafted and
designed as a stunning wonder. A commanding opus in architectural
showmanship.
Most prominent in the Stadiums history was,
of course, its position as focal point and home in the game of soccer.
Originating in England, the sport is now a total worldwide enterprise which
still sees its roots in Britain and its heart in Wembley.
Very soon after its completion, the stadium found itself to be our national
football stadium and was revered the world over, cramming a mighty 100,000
spectators into its terraces. And all games would be played out in the
shadow of the terrific twin towers.
There's not
The Twin Towers gained world recognition
after Wembley hosted the Olympic Games in 1948.
Then 1966, the eyes were glazing onto the majesty of the Towers when the
home football team at last reigned triumphant, and Wembley became
a worldwide symbol & iconic image of World sport.
Their immortality was complete when Wembley Stadium became
the venue for the 1985 music event 'Live Aid'
This new stadium, which was finished in 1924, actually used
some of this Folly as its foundation, and the twin towers arose from its
base. Soon, the towers were a feature on the Wembley landscape.
The view of these towers, visable for miles, were an uplifting apparition
for any visiting sports and music fan. Up close, they were an exciting
experiment in an offset angular crazed design.
Such a gorgeous marvel to behold in all kinds of lighting, the towers seemed
to change shape and color on you, as the shadows from the turrets deceive
and transmogrify.
Behind that were a warren of rooms
leading to the great Banqueting Hall, this being in support
of the right royal hospitality to Monarch and business alike, which had
brillaint views towards London from the main front Balcony. This Balcony,
pictured right, stood above the main red Medieval Gate to the Wembley
Tunnel, that fabled approach to the hallowed turf.
Whilst most
countries could boast a multitude of supreme stadia, the authorities
here were hell bent on trashing the greatest one we have. Not a
thought spared for the beauty of the Twin Towers and its
wonderfully crafted buildings.
Charles (of London Town)
The London Destruction Website. |
too many symbols that are more widely recognised than these Towers,
apart from the towers of Tower Bridge, maybe.
Eiffel Tower replication, known as 'Watkin's Folly' after the builder,
or the 'London Stomp' after it's appearance. This joke of an exercise was
abandoned after only 200 completed feet, and ignored by 1907, then
left to rust for over 10 years. Later it was blown up to make way for
the stadium.
in a subdued Art-Deco style of the time. Bridging the two Towers was a huge
complex of these pieces, the major entity without doubt being the 'Royal
Box' where royalty and the like would view events, approached from the
field by the famous 39 steps by successions of gloried sportspersons ready
to recieve trophys and medals from their leaders.
on the receiving end of abuse from
the speculators whom had decided that the Stadium wasnt good enough, that
the facilites
were poor. A poor excuse, I think, for speculators to destroy our national
monument - so as to profit from replacing it with yet another nondescript
plastic effigy. As ever, there was no interest in preservation,
nor any interest in
of improving what we already had. All they had to offer is the hateful
wanton killing of a creation the world has loved forever.