If you are a die-hard Arsenal fan, you might have wondered why the club moved to North London. The answer is not as simple as it seems. There were several factors that played a crucial role in the club’s decision to relocate.
The Early Days of Arsenal
Arsenal was founded in 1886 and played its first game at the Manor Ground in Plumstead, South London. At that time, the club was known as Dial Square FC and consisted of workers from the Royal Arsenal armaments factory.
The club changed its name to Woolwich Arsenal in 1891 and joined the Football League two years later. For the next few decades, Arsenal played all of its home games at various stadiums in South London.
The Need for a Bigger Stadium
By the early 20th century, Arsenal had become a major football club with a large following. However, its home ground at the Manor Ground was becoming outdated and couldn’t accommodate all of its supporters.
In 1913, Henry Norris became the chairman of Arsenal and began exploring options for building a new stadium. Norris wanted a location that was easily accessible by public transport and had enough space for future expansion.
The Move to Highbury
After considering several locations, Norris chose a site at Highbury in North London. The area was relatively undeveloped at that time, but it had good transport links and plenty of room for growth.
The construction of Highbury Stadium began in 1913 and was completed two years later. The stadium had a capacity of 38,000 spectators and was considered one of the best football grounds in England.
Arsenal played its first game at Highbury on September 6th, 1913 against Leicester Fosse. The club went on to win its first major trophy – the FA Cup – just four years later.
The Legacy of Highbury
Highbury Stadium remained Arsenal’s home ground for over 90 years, and during that time, the club won numerous trophies and established itself as one of the most successful teams in English football.
However, by the turn of the 21st century, Highbury had become outdated and could no longer accommodate the growing number of fans. In 2006, Arsenal moved to its current home at the Emirates Stadium in North London.
Conclusion
The decision to move from South London to North London was a significant one for Arsenal. It allowed the club to establish itself in a new area with better transport links and more room for growth. Today, Arsenal is one of the most successful football clubs in England, thanks in part to its decision to relocate to North London over a century ago.