Although I have seen this picture before, I cannot remember when it was taken. I am afraid to say it was not very different when I first started to visit the place.
Wow a blast from the past, thanks Maestro. The first stand on the left of the picture, is that East stand? I am just trying to get my bearings. Lovely pic, it'd be great to know what date it was taken.
Yes Mexico, stand on the left is the East Stand and a very old Rookery at the bottom. You can clearly see The Red Lion on the corner at the front.
Done a bit of research and think it is a 1930s picture. It is in the centenary book but doesn't date it exactly. Not too clear on here, but in the book it points out that there are no Ds on the penalty areas. So far I have not found out when they were added. Anyone know?
The east stand hasn't changed too much, is that the same roof????? So pleased we are getting a new one.
A bit of digging says the photo was taken in 1932. http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw039621 http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw039622
Have to say I didn't get it at first, because the Vic Road terrace is foreshortened by the angle of the photo, and I assumed that the allotments were streets of terraced houses. (Hmm, new glasses, methinks!)The cinder banks in the SE and SW corners are famliar, and Shrodells looks like the one we knew.
East Stand was known as Main Stand and on the Rookery side of the Main stand was the kennels for the greyhounds. You can see the track surrounding the pitch. In 1969, the Main Stand extension was built, which was, then, known by fans as the Bonsor Stand, after then Chairman, Jim Bonsor