Ibrox Park, history and tragedy in Scotland

Last update 5 November, 2013 by Alberto Llopis

Inaugurated in 1899, Ibrox Park has the honor of being the stadium with the highest number of attendance of spectators in the history of UK. But Ibrox Park is also known for the tragedy, "Ibrox disaster", in 1902 and in 1971. At present, completely remodeled and renamed Ibrox Stadium, It remains the home of Glasgow Rangers.

Ibrox Park, as it was known from 1899 y 1997, It is almost completely different Ibrox Stadium of nowadays. It was built on the model of most Scottish stadiums of the time, with a track oval racing around the court, a pavilion and bleachers on one side. The floor had a capacity of 40.000 espectadores.Por then, Celtic Park, Ibrox y Hampden Park They had a rivalry to host the final of the Scottish Cup and the matches of the national team of Scotland, any of these events could generate up 1.000 pounds of profit for the local computer. For that prize, Protestant club in town, The Rangers, He built a large bleachers with iron structure and wooden seats behind the goals, the capacity of Ibrox It increased to the 75.000 personas.

He 5 April 1902, 68.144 spectators gathered in Ibrox to witness the match between Scotland-England. Who had built the bleachers collapsed months ago to break the wooden bleachers, 125 persons precipitated vacuo. The result 25 people died and 517 people were injured, because some were crushed in the panic caused by the collapse. Nobody was blamed for that event, but the incident forced the Rangers to reduce its capacity to 25.000 personas.

Curiously, the Rangers hired Archibald Leitch, the designer of the first Ibrox disaster for a second reconstruction of the stadium in 1910. He designed the expansion to a capacity Ibrox 63.000 spectators in 1910. By now, Glasgow City had the three biggest football stadiums in the world. It was later remodelings like 1928 and over the years 30. He 2 of January of 1939, The party of Old Firm against Celtic attracted a record 118.567 spectators. It remains to this day the record of spectators at a match played on British soil. Ibrox It was the second largest stadium in Britain.

Ibrox Park He had the worst safety record throughout Great Bretaña.Tras the death of two fans who died in September 1961 when a barrier collapsed in the bleachers 13, more accidents occurred in 1967 y 1969. But the worst was yet to come, the biggest disaster of British football came two years later, after a party Old Firm he 2 of January of 1971. They died 67 asphyxiated people being crushed in the bleachers 13. The match ended tied one, thanks to a goal from Colin Stein at the end of the match. This led to the belief that the accident to the fans who were leaving the stadium before the end of the match was due, but they reentered to hear the roar of the stadium received the Rangers goal. The official inquiry into the disaster indicates that the hypothesis is not true, however, all the spectators were in the same direction at the time of collapse.

EARTHQUAKE 1971 It resulted in a major remodeling Ibrox, headed by the then director Willie Waddell, who visited the Borussia Dortmund Westphalia Stadium for inspiration. Ibrox Park It is from 1997 Ibrox Stadium. It currently houses only Rangers matches, The team plays at Hampden Park. Ibrox It has capacity 50.000 personas, It is also one of the safest stadiums, obtains 5 star status UEFA. It is the tenth largest stadium in the UK. Ibrox It is a great temple of British football, although its history is marked by "Ibrox disaster"In those who died 92 personas. And it seems almost unthinkable that these things happen, Imagine if above is doubly.