Gary Lineker
"I had lots of fantastic times there. It was a
lucky ground for me generally. It had a special ambience and
atmosphere. My first visit to Wembley was for the 1969 FA Cup final
between Leicester and Manchester City. It was a sad day. I remember
crying all the way home because Leicester lost 1-0. I never dreamed
I would go and play there one day."
Bobby Charlton
"What I remember most about Wembley Stadium
was the pitch. When I walked on the pitch, I thought someone was
going to tell us we can't play on this - this is just too good
- it was like a carpet, a bowling green. I thought it was magic - I
travelled all over the world and I never played anywhere where I
felt so comfortable and happy. I used to feel Wembley was right -
the right place to hold really big games and I've never changed
my feelings about that. The players loved playing there - you walk
onto the pitch and the ball runs smooth."
David Beckham
"As you grow up, as a young boy, every young
child wants to play at Wembley. For me, it's the ultimate
stadium."
Wembley - I was there
Did You Know?
- Wembley opened with the 1923 FA Cup final between Bolton and West Ham. More than 200,000 fans packed into the 127,000-capacity arena.
- The Empire Stadium was the original name of Wembley as the venue was built as the centrepiece of the 1924 British Empire Exhibition.
- The new stadium has 107 steps to the Royal Box while the old Wembley had 39. The new stadium cost £757m… the old Wembley cost £750,000.
- Italy Under-21 striker Giampaolo Pazzini scored the first goal at the New Wembley, just 28 seconds into a 3-3 friendly draw with England.
- The demolition of Wembley’s 35m-high Twin Towers began in December 2002. A giant steel arch standing 133m tall frames the rebuilt stadium.