Starting a new feature on twofootedtackle, we indulge a spot of love for stadiums, past and present, old and new. We all have our favourite memories of home fortresses, away trips and the odd random ground. This is the space for writers to eulogise to the grounds they love.
Our series kicks off with TFT co-editor Gary Andrews selecting a stadium that has seen surprisingly little football over the years, given the size and scale of the ground…
It seems strange to launch the Stadiums I Love feature by selecting a ground more associated with rugby, but any fan who has had the pleasure of watching one of the numerous finals between 2001 and 2007 will know there is something very special indeed about the Millennium Stadium.
Opened in 1999 for the Rugby World Cup, Wales’ national stadium is an example in how to build the almost-perfect new ground. Its distinctive curves and poles are a joy to look at, and the location is about as good as you could possible want from a ground.
The Millennium Stadium sits on the banks of the River Taff, giving a serenity about the design and a picturesque atmosphere, especially for evening kick-offs. On the other side sits St Mary’s Street, the heart of Cadriff’s nightlife district.
This may well be the biggest stadium where you can finish your beer with ten minutes to go, stroll up to the stadium and still be in your seat in time for kick-off. In some respects, this proximity to the city centre adds to the intimacy and evokes much smaller grounds, which is impressive for a 74,500 capacity ground.
Perhaps it’s the readily-available lubrication that helps contribute to the atmosphere inside the ground, or even the ley lines said to cross nearby. Whatever the reason, inside generates one hell of a noise. To hear the crowd is full roar in the Millennium Stadium is one of the greatest sounds a fan can experience.
Granted, you’ll want to be there for rugby tests between Wales and one of the other big nations, where thousands of Welshmen and women sing Land Of My Fathers out loud - an experience to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
But the stadium also packs a noise for the smaller fixtures. I’ve seen Wales play Azerbaijan with a barely half-full ground and there was more noise than I’ve heard at other large packed stadiums.
Even Cheltenham Town’s 3-1 victory over Rushden and Diamonds in the 2002 then-Third Division play-off final generated a spine-tingling buzz, while the stadium was rocking for Cardiff’s narrow hometown victory over QPR a year later in the Second Division playoff final.
Through all this eulogising, it’s hard not to compare and contrast to Wembley. I’ve seen playoff finals and internationals at England’s new national stadium. They fall well short. The concourse feels like an airport waiting lounge, the views are good but the seats don’t hold atmosphere and win or lose, you still have to face up to a journey on the Metropolitan or Jubilee Line.
It’s fitting that the last of the FA Cup finals to be played in Cardiff - the barnstorming three-all draw between Liverpool and West Ham - was one of the best finals of the modern era. It’s also upsetting that such matches are unlikely to return to Wales and this magnificent stadium.
Perhaps, when the FA decide to the udders of Wembley have been milked enough, they might consider letting the Millennium Stadium host an FA Cup semi-final on a regular basis. It’s the least the venue, the city and football fans around the UK deserve.
Tags: Cardiff, football stadiums, Millennium Stadium, Wembley