Construction began on the Stadion an der Gellerstrasse in July 1933, on former horseriding grounds to the north-west of the German city of Chemnitz. When it was opened in 1934 over 25,000 people crammed in to watch the first match there between PSV Chemnitz and SpVgg Greuther Fürth, which finished 5-1 to the home side. It now has an official capacity of 16,061 and is home to Chemnitzer FC of the 3rd Liga.
Dear WSC
Gavin Duenas asks why WSC readers want standing areas in football grounds (Letters, WSC 300). My reasons are purely selfish. Maybe then the people stand in front of me and my two young boys “because you can only support your team properly from a standing position” will go to the terraces and leave us to sit and enjoy an unobstructed view from our expensive seats.There should be a choice for all supporters between sitting and safe standing. Yet as a frequent away supporter in “all-seater” stadiums, the choice of sitting doesn’t actually exist. You are forced into unsafe standing in seating areas if you want to to see anything of the game. Woe betide you if you point out that if everybody sits, everybody sees. Oh for the joy of Huish Park and London Road, where thanks to the terraces you can still sit in comfort.
Andrew Bartlett, Kenilworth
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