£12.99 hardback
160 pages
ISBN: 9780954684396


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WEMBLEY: STADIUM OF LEGENDS
Pete Tomsett & Chris Brand

‘In a world so devoted to sport there is no arena that can compare with Wembley.’

It may sound like publicity for the new Wembley but this is a quote from the 1924 guide to the British Empire Exhibition, tempting visitors to the original stadium. And with good reason – it was, at the time, the biggest and best in the world.

Everywhere in the world people know of Wembley. Pelé called it the Church of Football and for decades Wembley held pride of place amongst the world’s top venues – home to over 200 England internationals, including England’s 1966 World Cup victory, 72 F.A. Cup Finals, Euro ’96. But Wembley was never just about football. From its early days onwards it has hosted many other sports and events. In fact, sixteen different sports have taken place there at one time or another; it was also home to the 1948 Olympic Games and to Live Aid in 1985, as well as to countless major concerts.

By the 1990s the Stadium of Legends had begun to show its age, and as the new millennium began, Wembley embarked on a major transformation. A magnificent new stadium has now risen from the rubble of the old. With its spectacular arch, the new building is a dramatic addition to the London skyline.

Naturally, Wembley: Stadium Of Legends is a book of two halves. It begins with Wembley’s extraordinary history – not just football but every aspect – combining remarkable archive images with fascinating information: tales of enigmatic entrepreneurs and entertainers, courageous athletes and odds-defying sportsmen.
Through unique photographs, the later chapters tell of the transition from old to new, from the faded grandeur of the old stadium, through its demolition, especially the heartbreaking destruction of the twin towers, to the construction of the new building and its dramatic arch.

The book finishes with a full listing of all the football matches that have ever been played at Wembley, as well as all Rugby League Challenge Cups, World Speedway Championships and concerts.