Rage Online Blog
Thursday, November 21, 2002
Oxford United supporters are all too well aware of the heritage that has been lost with the demolition of the Manor. Obviously we're not alone as clubs up and down the country either relocate or redevelop their existing grounds in the inexorable move towards lookalike soulless stadia. This is a theme that one of Rage Online's favourite authors, Simon Inglis, has picked up on in this very interesting article in Sunday's Observer.
Inglis concentrates on the architecturally significant grounds (well he is an architect), especially the Leitch stadia, but I'm sure that he would be the first to admit that grounds such as the Manor, Boothferry Park, Feethams etc also brought their own unique character to the league, which is a poorer place without them. He makes the valid point that football grounds do not receive the same level of protection as other historic buildings and whilst there are often good cases to be made for improvements and upgrades (and rebuilds) these are often done with more regard to the balance sheet than making the ground visually interesting and original.
Inglis concentrates on the architecturally significant grounds (well he is an architect), especially the Leitch stadia, but I'm sure that he would be the first to admit that grounds such as the Manor, Boothferry Park, Feethams etc also brought their own unique character to the league, which is a poorer place without them. He makes the valid point that football grounds do not receive the same level of protection as other historic buildings and whilst there are often good cases to be made for improvements and upgrades (and rebuilds) these are often done with more regard to the balance sheet than making the ground visually interesting and original.
Labels: Simon Inglis, The Manor
# posted by Martin B @ 21.11.02 
