Product Description

In the second book of the Played in Britain series, stadium expert Simon Inglis recalls the life and work of Archibald Leitch, the Scottish engineer whose designs were to football what Frank Matcham was to theatre. Millions of spectators sat or stood in Leitch's structures, built for such famous clubs as Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Glasgow Rangers. But while his pedimented gables and criss-cross steelwork balconies formed a recognisable and much-admired style, Leitch remained virtually unknown during his lifetime. Moreover, following the modernisation of stadiums brought on by the Hillsborough disaster, only a handful of his buildings survive, the listed stand and pavilion at Fulham's Craven Cottage in London being perhaps the best known. In this long overdue and affectionate study of Leitch's major works, Inglis seeks to engineer what little information survives into a fascinating account of the man who defined the distinctive look of British football grounds during the first half of the 20th Century.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #145129 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 206 pages

Review
"well written, forensically researched ... A book that must command a place on the shelf of very discerning fan." The Times "utterly engrossing ... I would urge you to check out this delightfully absorbing study." The Daily Telegraph "a strikingly potent and stylishly bespoke little biography ... Hurray for heritage." The Spectator Runner up in the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2005

About the Author
Simon Inglis is Britain's foremost expert on football stadia and is the author of Football Stadiums of Britain (Harper Collins) and Sightlines (Yellow Jersey). He has also written the official history of Aston Villa FC.

Customer Reviews

A dive into the past!
For those of a certain age who remember visiting these giant hard landscaped Lidos from their childhood this book is full of history and nostalgia. Most of these outdoor pools were constructed during the 1930's and had all but disappeared by the 1990's; only a few remain today some of which are now (thankfully) listed buildings. The case reviews take a more in-depth look into individual Lidos including tidal pools such as Penzance, all have a construction date and if applicable a closure and sadly a demolision date. Backed up with some fantastic photographs and diagrams, one photograph shows a diver taking off one of the Lido high boards looking as if he is flying over the pool and another shows demolition men taking sledge hammers to diving boards at a redundant Lido.
The Author obviously has a genuine love for these Lidos the book will make you both happy with the memories and sad that most Lidos have been demolished. For me it bought back some great memories of day trips to Victoria Park, London Fields (now reopened), Whipps Cross, Larkswood and more recently Tooting Bec.
Oh, and if you ever wondered what those gushing fountains were there for it's all in this book!

Abolutely swimming!
Janet Smith's book, Liquid Assets, is a great insight into the bathing habbits of the population. Giving informaiton and beautiful photographs of many of the lido sites in the UK, including several you may not ever have been aware of.

Required reading for those involved in Lido's and outdoor swimming, but also exceptionally interesting, for the general reader also!

Engineering Archie:Archibald Leitch-Football Ground Designer
Recently,in Europe and United States Many Stadiums are rebuilt to create new market of sports spectators. This Book is one of books that I want to know about the history of stadiums, so that I am very happy to find this book.