White City Stadium (historic)

White City Stadium, built in White City, London, England, for the 1908 Summer Olympics, was the first purpose-built Olympic stadium. Completed in just 10 months by George Wimpey, it was officially opened by King Edward VII on 27 April 1908. The cost of construction was £60,000. Upon completion, the stadium had a running track that was 24ft wide and a distance equivalent of three laps to the mile; outside it was a 35ft wide, 660yd long cycle track. The original running track continued to be used for athletics until 1914. There were attempts to sell the stadium in 1922, but several of the athletes in the team for the 1924 Summer Olympics used it as a training base. Many of the events of the 1908 Olympics were hosted at the stadium itself (except for several football games hosted at Shepherds Bush Green), where as nowadays there are many purpose built arenas. Events such as archery and gymnastics took place at White City, while some others took place at Queens Club. The stadium was constructed to seat 68,000 and was built in very short time especially for the games, (and was considered by many to be a technological marvel for the time). It could hold over 110,000 at it’s peak, with large swathes of terracing.

From 1927, the track was grassed over to be used for greyhound racing and speedway, while in 1931, a new 440yd running track was installed for the Amateur Athletic Association Championships, which were held there from 1932 to 1970. Also in 1931, Queens Park Rangers began the first of two spells playing at the stadium, until 1933 (the second spell was from 1962-63). QPR eventually decided against a permanent move to White City and instead stayed at Loftus Road. The 1934 British Empire Games were held at the venue.

The position of the finish line is commemorated by a marker in the plaza that now stands there – this is part of the reason that the distance of the Marathon is 26 miles 385 yards. The medal table for the 1908 Summer Olympics is also listed on a nearby building wall. Intended visitors should be warned that photographing either of these is not permitted without prior permission.

In 1933, Wigan Highfield, a rather unsuccessful rugby league side nearly became bankrupt. However, the White City Company, owners of the stadium decided to move the club to White City. Previously, only rugby union had been popular in southern England and amateur rugby league being the preserve of the northern industrial towns. Wigan Highfield became London Highfield with their debts paid off. Their first ever try scored by George “Porky” Davies, who went on to play for Liverpool Stanley and then St Helens from 1938 – 1947. The White City Company lost money on the venture and decided not to continue with rugby league. London Highfield were arguably the precursors to Harlequins Rugby League, another rugby league side in London.

The stadium features in the climax to the 1950 film The Blue Lamp. It also appears in an episode – named ‘Man From the Dead’ – of 1960s television spy series Man in a Suitcase. Wembley’s owner’s refusal to cancel its regular greyhound racing meant that the match between Uruguay and France in the 1966 FIFA World Cup was played at White City.

The stadium was demolished in 1985 to make way for a new building, BBC White City.

The Pogues made a song about the stadium and its demolition, called White City for obvious reasons. It can be found on their 1989 album Peace and Love.

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