THE LANSDOWNE/AVIVA STADIUM EXPERIENCE
I always ate, drank and slept soccer, despite the fact I couldn’t kick snow off a rope. No matter, I‘ve enjoyed great experiences whilst watching others play. English writer and composer, Anthony Burgess, best sums up my feelings when he said: “Five days shalt thou labour, as the Bible says. The seventh day is the Lord thy God’s. The sixth day is for football.”
In May, 2010, the new Aviva Stadium, built on the same site of its previous structure, opened its many entrances to rugby, soccer and concert-goers. My experiences of both the old and new stadiums concern only soccer matches played there. Those experiences differed for various reasons. I attended the first ever competitive soccer match in the old Lansdowne Road Stadium and the first ever soccer match in the new Aviva Stadium.
Formerly a sports stadium catering for multiple sports, the 19th century (1872) built Lansdowne Road arena was credited as being the oldest sports venue in Europe. William Petty-Fitzmaurice, 1st Marquis of Lansdowne and Earl of Shelbourne, had roads in Ballsbridge, Dublin, named after him. The stadium took the road’s name. Eventually, it became the home of Irish rugby.
FIRST FEW SOCCER MATCHES LANSDOWNE ROAD STADIUM
Regarding international soccer matches, the first Lansdowne Road encounter was between Ireland and England on St. Patrick’s Day, 1900, during British rule in Ireland. The Dublin four stadium’s 8,000 attendance witnessed England beating Ireland 2-0 in the British Championship match on that notable occasion. In the next stadium soccer match, twenty thousand fans watched Italy beat the Irish Free State 2-1, on the 27th April 1927, and the Irish scorer was Bob Fullham, a Dublin docker. The time period between these first few games was substantial, and international soccer matches didn’t become regular features, in Lansdowne Road, until the seventies onwards. Subsequently, the stadium later became a fortress-like arena to many international soccer teams and they didn’t relish playing the Republic of Ireland national team.
Regarding European club teams, the first ever competitive soccer match played on Irish rugby’s hallowed turf occurred on the 18th of September, 1968 –and yours truly attended. The game in question was between the league of Ireland soccer champions Waterford FC and the recently crowned European Champions, Manchester United.
WATERFORD FC VERSUS MANCHESTER UTD, 1968, LANSDOWNE ROAD STADIUM
Notwithstanding the fact that I’m also guilty of this Irish peculiarity, I always found it odd that tens of thousands of Irish soccer fans support English teams. Is this a trait in any other country? Anyway, it’s fair to say that only a small proportion of the 45,000 fans at the Waterford/Utd match actually supported the superb League of Ireland Champions, a team who nearly achieved a record six league titles in a row.
Much to my juvenile delight, I managed to obtain free access to this all-ticket match. My one pound and 2 shillings newspaper-boy’s wage would only stretch so far, and my mother’s cut, Tayto crisps, countless Flash bars, Cadbury chocolate and Taylor Keith’s red lemonade took priority over the four shillings cheapest ticket. Surprisingly—and this is a true story—the Garda who caught me and my friend trying to sneak into the stadium through a side entrance, later helped us gain admittance through the same entrance at half-time. The folly of youth meant we behaved like stupidity was a virtue. We apologised to the kindly policeman for our behaviour, and said we would just hang around in the hope of maybe getting a famous autograph (proving our naivety exceeded our stupidity). Despite the Garda giving no earlier indication he would help, he spotted us at the interval and waved us through. I don’t know why, maybe he realised how wet behind the ears we really were. Nonetheless, it instilled a high regard for guards to me.
Our vantage point for viewing the match was not very advantageous, but beggars can’t be choosers. The vision- obscuring corner we found ourselves in didn’t bother us in the least. We were in! Palpable excitement reigned, and I found the Lansdowne Road atmosphere to be wondrous; it was, for me, like winning a golden ticket to the Willie Wonka chocolate factory. I was hooked for life. Three Ballon d’Or Trophy winners (awarded to the best players in the world) graced the Lansdowne Road turf on that glorious, September evening of ‘68. All Manchester United players, they included Denis Law (a 1964 winner, and also the highest goal scorer in one season with 46 goals) Sir Bobby Charlton (a 1966 winner, and still Utd’s all-time highest goal scorer) and the magical maestro, George Best, a 1968 Ballon d’Or winner. This trio, with a wonderful soccer blend and chemistry between them, were known affectionately as The Trinity. It took forty years before another Manchester United player won a Ballon d’Or, courtesy of Christiano Ronaldo (2008). Incredible.
Manchester United beat Waterford FC 3-1. Denis law scored a hat-trick and the silky, Irish genius, George Best, had a beautiful goal ruled offside. Mesmerised by the jaw-dropping, soccer talent on display and wonderful stadium atmosphere, I thought I was in Football Heaven. After the match, Sir Bobby Charlton said something to me. Well … maybe not exactly to me, personally … but I prefer to think so. The final whistle brought a surge of fans onto the pitch, and I was part of the throng. The possible acquisition of Georgie best’s autograph spurred me forward. The frantic flow of the ecstatic crowd whisked me towards the departing players. I came close to a worried-looking Bobby Charlton. He said: “There’s children about. Somebody’ll be hurt.” It’s strange how his exact words always stuck in my head.
Nobody was hurt, as far as I know. And I never got an autograph. Nonetheless, the buzz, stadium atmosphere and craic I’ll never forget.
AVIVA STADIUM, LANSDOWNE RD.
I also attended the first soccer match in the newly constructed Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, between an Airtricity league selection and, coincidently, Manchester United. Here’s how their Website describes the magnificent Aviva stadium: “In its old incarnation, prior to closure in December 2006, it was the oldest rugby union ground worldwide & oldest sports stadium in Europe. The stadium is the home to the Irish national rugby and Republic of Ireland national football team. Aviva Stadium is now Ireland’s only UEFA Category 4/Elite Stadium and has won a number of awards including RIAI & RIBA. Since opening in May 2010 over 1.8 million ticketed visitors have passed through the turnstiles for rugby, soccer & concerts.” Outstanding, viva la Aviva, I’d say.
The new stadium is a stunning structure. It’s not surprising it won awards for architectural design. The curvilinear architecture of the Aviva’s roof is a design that makes it stand out as a modern 21st century stadium, is pleasing on the eye, and achieves the practical purpose of avoiding light blockage to its neighbours. Recently, to further add to the stadium’s commitment to sustainability, the Aviva committed to removing its carbon footprint and will, from now on, be powered solely from renewable energy sources. The head of business energy at SSE Airtricity, Stephen Gallagher, stated: “At Aviva Stadium, the jerseys, the seats and the pitch have always been green - now, by switching to SSE Airtricity, the energy at the stadium becomes 100 per cent green.” Nice one, Aviva.
AIRTRICITY LEAGUE X1 VERSUS MANCHESTER UNITED, 2010,
A paying customer this time—and in the posh seats, if you don’t mind--I watched an exciting Manchester United side cruise to an easy 7-1 victory over a combination of players from League of Ireland clubs. The one-sided encounter could be forwarded as an explanation to my earlier observation vis-à-vis Irish soccer supporters following British clubs. Another Ballon d’Or winner, Michael Owen, represented Manchester United on this brisk evening in August, 2010. He was the first Liverpool FC player (2001) to win the prestigious trophy, and the first player to roll the soccer ball at the new Aviva stadium.
The magnificent stadium catered for nearly 50,000 fans and they revelled in the spectacle. The Mexican Waves added to the jovial atmosphere. If anyone was in any doubt as to which team enjoyed the most support, the loud cheers that accompanied the announcer’s naming of individual United players and the sea of red jerseys soon answered that one. For a minute the League boys had a chance, then Michael Owen kicked off and the match started.
A nervy opening from the home team led to the Aviva’s first goal. Scored by United’s Ji-Sung Park in the thirteenth minute, the fluky goal bounced off Park into the net after a woeful, attempted clearance by Gavin Peers. Things then went from bad to worse for the plucky League side, and they were soon outplayed by pre-season United players setting out to impress their illustrious manager. It was an enjoyable game with a pleasant atmosphere, aside from the novelty factor of a new stadium and the inevitable comparisons with the old one.
From my perspective, I always found the crowd-creating atmospheres at the old stadium and new stadium differed somewhat. At competitive International matches, the old Lansdowne Road stadium’s vivacious home fans displayed plenty of high-spiritedness and generated a loud noise, good-humoured yet inimical to opposition supporters and teams. The energy-inducing closeness of the fans to each other and the singing of patriotic songs evoked a kind of partisan intensity, making us almost burst with pride. In my opinion, the new Aviva, albeit superb with breath-taking interior and exterior design, comfort and immediate accessibility to numerous food outlets and bars, had a less rousing atmosphere despite the same gregarious, chanting behaviour of the crowd. However, my attendance at the Republic of Ireland V Bosnia and Herzegovina game put paid to that theory; it was like old times in the old stadium. Wow! What a match! What an atmosphere!
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND VERSUS BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, 2015
Although they shared the spoils (1-1) from the Zenica first leg, the Republic were not a certainty to qualify for France 2016 in that Euro Finals play-off. After all, the visitors had a number of Champions League players including prolific goal scorer, Edin Dzeko. But we had Johnny Walters and a team of Irish warriors. As a Republic of Ireland soccer fan, I could never understand the negative criticisms of players like Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy from some pundits. These much maligned lads do exactly what it says on the tin. And they played superbly that night.
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Once again in the premium seats, I prayed for the old Lansdowne Road atmosphere—and got my wish. The Havelock End’s visiting fans made a lot of noise, but they were soon drowned out by the welcome return of the” Lansdowne Roar”. The wavy, steel architecture vibrated with the frenzy of glorious noise and eruption of ecstasy that greeted Jon Walters when he scored a penalty. The singing, chanting and goading banter soon resumed in its good-humoured tone. A brilliant free-kick from the gifted Robbie Brady led to another Jonny Walters goal, some more clamorous cheering and the final score. Once more, the Irish fans demonstrated why they are voted the best in the world. And the Aviva felt like home again.
Congratulations to Martin, Roy and the Boys In Green for fighting their way through a tough group. The team’s never-say-die attitude is best epitomised by some last minute goals in the campaign. Roll on June in France. Wish I was going.
Although my experiences of Lansdowne Road/Aviva Stadium only appertain to soccer matches, I’m sure rugby followers and concert goers equally appreciate the splendid stadium and what it offers. For my part, I’ll treasure my experiences.
Incidentally, if there’s a woman out there with spare tickets for the Euro finals, I’ll marry her. Just send a photograph of the tickets.
Have a nice day.
Tomas O’hArgadain