Simon Inglis

Why this book is as addictive as it is I really cant say. Yes I have a huge interest in football but what I couldnt believe was why the history of how other teams grounds came about was so fascinating. Prior to reading this book Id visited three grounds. I now have around 60 under my belt, granted most were following my team but the chapter on lost venues compelled me to visit most of those as well. This book will be a treasure with each passing year as more and more of the grounds contained show more within its pages become rubble and new housing estates. I imagine even Inglis couldnt have invisaged the destruction of so many sacred homes to millions. Such a shame the new grounds dont have the stories of construction as the old did. show less

A look at the football grounds, most of which have been confined to the dust bin of history, that leaves one wanting to travel back in time. To a time when following football was still passionate but not violent.

Simon Inglis has a history of writing knowledgeable, relevant books on Football. The Football Grounds of Europe was published for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. It gives a layman introduction to Stadium Architecture and the styles favoured by different areas of the continent.
Each country of Europe is given it's own chapter from Albania to Yugoslavia, with over 200 grounds featured. The work of Italy's new stadiums (e.g. Bari) and renovated venues (e.g. San Siro/Giuesspe Meazza) is given pride show more of place.
But Inglis goes forward they the dry mechanics of the built environment. As an Aston Villa fan he knows what the fan wants and anecdotal history of the various clubs and Stadiums mentioned. From how Besiktas (Istanbul) got there nickname to mentioning the football grounds used at the Antwerp Olympics or World Cup in Sweden 1958.
It would be lazy to describe the book as dated as it was written for publication in 1990, after Heysel and Hillsborough but before the legislation of the Taylor Report. The stadiums featured have a character and a history that Inglis is able to capture in a transparent honest style. show less

Great book. Brings back memories of some old grounds. I really wish he would do an updated version.