The first ten years at Brickfields (part 2.) 2004/5
By noibla
September 21 2013
These photo's were taken in the 2004/5 season as you can see and as far as I can remember the ground looked like this the previous season but I didn't take any photo's then. Bearing in mind that the only permanent buildings at Brickfields when we moved in were the clubhouse for the previous sports built in the style of a bungalow and a couple of old Nissan type structures at the back of the clubhouse which to this day are in daily use for the players fitness programs.
The top photo is taken from the tempory West stand looking back to the main entrance with the supporters marquee on the right
Looking at the photo my most abiding memory is of being in the supporter’s marquee as it is now known, and that’s the best name for it I think as it changes sponsors from time to time but that name is constant for us the regulars. As I was saying, before long what with the large increase in the crowds at this stage the bar staff used to prepare for the incoming hoards by pre pouring a large number of pints just before the bar filled up, especially when we had a local derby and I also remember the Pirates doing the same shortly afterwards until it was stopped and replaced with more bar staff and longer bars, those were the days when you could walk in and your beer was ready to drink without delay.
When we moved the club put in three marquee’s, two for corporate use and the third for a large area in which the supporters could buy drinks and food and the club shop was placed on the patio area in front of the clubhouse. All these still are part of the current setup and apart from the supporter’s marquee, still in the same place. The supporter’s marquee having occupied three different positions to date in those ten years
This photo is from the West stand again looking towards the main gate but at the back of the stand showing the pathway for the fans. Part way along I remember after the marquee there was a toilet, further along was the burger stand and then the changing rooms for the teams and officials which to me seemed to be like old railway carriages which were rather basic and showers had been fitted, as I remember having had a peek inside. I bet the players were glad to move out into the soon to come changing rooms that they now enjoy.
This is looking down the front of the stands towards the clubhouse
This shot shows the covered standing area opposite on the East side, now occupied by the Redrow stand, now named the Seddon stand.
The next season involved big improvements for Albion.
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And to the right next to the rather wobbly looking tannoy is where I started watching Albion - up until the EJ was built and I was forced to move to the other end of the pitch.
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
And to the right next to the rather wobbly looking tannoy is where I started watching Albion - up until the EJ was built and I was forced to move to the other end of the pitch.
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
Semper Sersum.
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day