Archibald Leitch
#1
Posted 25 April 2019 - 02:54 PM
https://www.bbc.co.u...otland-48028660
#2
Posted 25 April 2019 - 04:21 PM
essexspireman, on 25 April 2019 - 02:54 PM, said:
https://www.bbc.co.u...otland-48028660
A great read, that, thanks.
Excuse me while I mount my hobby horse..
Simon Inglis' book is still unsurpassed on the subject of the gradual evolution of British grounds up to the time of the Taylor Report.
For many reasons its an emotional read for anyone of a certain age, purely from an aesthetic p.o.v its sad to see how much beauty and continuity has been lost in the moves to out-of- town sites for anonymous new builds.
Many of the 80's grounds in Inglis's book were themselves unrecognisable from their 1930's selves. For all the talk at the time about antiquated stadia etc the process of evolution was still going on, new stands etc were always being built. And although things changed it all seemed perfectly ok, because the changes took place around the same pitch. Continuity and tradition could co exist with progress.
With Taylor a government that hated football capitalised on tragedy to demand that football grounds be easier to police. Countless Football chairmen took the opportunity on offer and sold, uprooted , erased and re-drew the clubs and grounds in their keeping.
The Ibrox story is equally tragic, and Leitch is implicated. His legacy is partly founded on his response to a disaster he may have helped to cause. Leitch had his signature touches, and some of his lower budget efforts are/were less than spectacular but his later work was always thoughtful and appropriate to need. As we know.
He should be seen alongside the great municipal architects of the 19th and early 20thc, the builders of city art galleries, libraries and railway stations; People's Palaces.
This post has been edited by bifocart: 25 April 2019 - 04:46 PM
#3
Posted 25 April 2019 - 04:27 PM
#4
Posted 25 April 2019 - 04:33 PM
#5
Posted 25 April 2019 - 04:36 PM
Westbars Spireite said:
Was the Saltergate stand anything more than a back of fag packet Leitch approved design?
The stand was from his blue and white striped value range.
I believe that the terracing at saltergate was the last football ground project his company did before being wound up.
#7
Posted 25 April 2019 - 04:56 PM
Nerima Spireite, on 25 April 2019 - 04:33 PM, said:
I do..there's a disappointingly small photo of Saltergate, and mentions of the floodlights saga, the Asbestos roof and the orange running track..."the Recreation Ground is a neat, unfussy place..Not a barrier or step is out of place...all is quiet and orderly, the small town Third Division spirit perfectly encapsulated."
Fantastic picture of The Shay too.
This post has been edited by bifocart: 25 April 2019 - 04:59 PM
#8
Posted 25 April 2019 - 05:37 PM
Both wonderful books.
Thinking back I had loads of those aerial photo books of grounds too. Innocent days before I got bad habits and grew up 😁
#9
Posted 25 April 2019 - 07:25 PM
#10
Posted 25 April 2019 - 10:19 PM
#11
Posted 25 April 2019 - 10:37 PM
ronpowellsbutler, on 25 April 2019 - 10:19 PM, said:
The stand? The ground ground was never built as one. The stand was near identical, at least when viewed from inside the ground, to the main or ABC stand at the Baseball Ground.
This post has been edited by Westbars Spireite: 25 April 2019 - 10:50 PM
#13
Posted 26 April 2019 - 07:03 AM
Westbars Spireite, on 25 April 2019 - 05:37 PM, said:
Both wonderful books.
Thinking back I had loads of those aerial photo books of grounds too. Innocent days before I got bad habits and grew up 😁
I had the original version I a white cover then the reprint from the mid 90s with the more colourful cover. Both sadly long lost and now very difficult to find to buy as new. Surely time for a brand new version?
#15
Posted 26 April 2019 - 07:09 AM
moondog, on 26 April 2019 - 04:47 AM, said:
Isnt one of the crash barriers from under the Kop/Compton Street floodlight in the National Football Museum as an example of a Leitch barrier?
#17
Posted 26 April 2019 - 09:23 AM
Westbars Spireite said:
The stand? The ground ground was never built as one. The stand was near identical, at least when viewed from inside the ground, to the main or ABC stand at the Baseball Ground.
https://www.com/leagues/old-british-football-grounds-and-stands/lost-grounds/recreation-ground-saltergate-chesterfield.html
https://www.football...unty/index.html
#18
Posted 26 April 2019 - 10:30 AM
ronpowellsbutler, on 26 April 2019 - 07:05 AM, said:
It was a close as they could get to replica of the Baseball Ground, although at one point in the film it doubled up as Wembley!
#19
Posted 26 April 2019 - 11:20 AM
moondog, on 26 April 2019 - 10:30 AM, said:
For comparison.
https://www.football...unty/index.html
#20
Posted 26 April 2019 - 12:57 PM