How Hibs ground Easter Road has evolved since Waugh sent in bulldozers in 1983

Published on 23/02/2010 11:04

&#149 1983 Bulldozers move in to the old Easter Road to demolish the sprawling top section of the old terracing. Chairman Kenny Waugh acknowledges at the time: "Nobody needs to tell us what a state the ground is in. We know it is a mess. The trouble is that until now nobody stopped and looked at what has happened here."

&#149 1985

Work begins on building a roof for the new-look East Terracing, and displaced fans are rehoused in old 'Cowshed' at the north end of stadium, including the first leg of a League Cup semi-final against Rangers. Capacity of ground pegged at 27,000 and new structure is re-opened towards end of 1985-86 season.

&#149 1986

The covered East Terracing is at its busiest for Graeme Souness's first match in Scottish football – as Hibs v Rangers raises the curtain on the 1986-87 season. A 2-1 win for Hibs, courtesy of goals from Stevie Cowan and Stuart Beedie, and a red card for Souness, raise the roof at a game watched by 24,576 – the biggest crowd at Easter Road in the past 25 years.

&#149 1995

The Cowshed and Dunbar End (away end) are demolished at Easter Road to make way for the existing North and South Stands. The North Stand, containing function suites, is later re-named the Famous Five Stand. Seats added to the East Terrace as Easter Road becomes an all-seated stadium.

&#149 1999

Planning consent granted to Hibs for new West and East Stands.

&#149 2001

The main grandstand at Easter Road is demolished to make way for a new West Stand, complete with the club's main reception area, club offices, media centre, banqueting suites, hospitality area and changing rooms. East Stand plan put on back-burner.

&#149 2003

Hibs and Hearts confirm they are in plans for a groundshare at a new-purpose built stadium at Straiton. However, following a fierce campaign from Hibs supporters to stay put, club relents and commits future to Easter Road in a statement on 28 October.

&#149 2005

Renewed bid to build a new East Stand, updating 1999 consent, wins the backing of city planners at council meeting in February.

&#149 2007

Hibs begin consultation talks with supporters over plans for a new East Stand after announcing plans at the club's agm to replace the existing structure.

&#149 2008

Hibs step up their bid to complete the redevelopment of Easter Road by announcing plans for a new single-tier East Stand. Planning consent granted, but due to expire in February 2010. Chief executive Scott Lindsay explains: "During the consultation process the point was made to us many times that any new east stand should retain the essential feel of an uncomplicated viewing area."

&#149 2009

Chairman Rod Petrie tells shareholders at the club's agm that building the East Stand two years earlier would have left the club saddled with debt, due to the recession and a sharp increase in the cost of raw building materials, but indicates that the project is well and truly back on the agenda.

&#149 2010

On 22 February, Hibs announce that the existing East Terrace will be torn down and replaced with a new 6,400-seater single-tier stand, boosting capacity of Easter Road to 20,250, to be opened in the early part of season 2010-11.