England
Anfield
Anfield is a football stadium in Liverpool. The stadium has been the home of
former European football champions Liverpool FC since the club's formation in 1892 and was also the home of
Everton FC until 1892. It is a UEFA four-star rated stadium, and has hosted 17
internationals matches. The stadium comprises four stands: Spion Kop, Main
Stand, Centenery Stand and Anfield Road. Anfield was opened in 1884, and was
originally owned by John Orrell, a brewer and friend of John Houlding, who
agreed to let Everton FC rent the land for a small fee. Everton FC continued
to use the ground until 1892 when a dispute with Houlding over a rent
increase led to them leaving and moving to Goodison Park. Houlding was left
with an empty stadium, and decided to form a new club to occupy it. The team
was called Liverpool FC and the club became one of the most successful
football clubs in the world. After Liverpool FC had won their second League
Championship in 1906, a new banking was built at the Walton Breck Road. A
local journalist christened it the Spion Kop. It was named after a famous
hill in South Africa where a local regiment had suffered heavy losses during
the Boer War in 1900. The stadium features tributes to two of the most
successful managers, with the Paisley Gates, named for Bob Paisley, and the
Shankly Gates. Shankly Gates features the lettering You'll Never Walk Alone,
from the hit that has become the club's anthem.
