The return of the Clock End and North Bank

Further to the recent announcement that the stands at Emirates Stadium are to be re-named for the start of the new Premier League season, Arsenal is asking all supporters to take to their seats early for this Saturday’s first home league fixture between Arsenal and newly promoted Blackpool.

The Club will be officially welcoming a bigger version of the famous Clock, which was positioned proudly at Highbury for over 70 years, into the stadium. Also at the request of Arsenal supporters, the Club will re-introduce the names of the stands from Highbury, and the new Clock End, which is at the south of the stadium, opposite the new North Bank, will be the home for a new Clock inside Emirates Stadium. The other two stands will now be known as the East Stand and the West Stand.

• The famous Arsenal Clock - picture gallery

This ‘welcoming ceremony’ for the new Clock, and the re-named stands will take place before kick-off on Saturday. Several huge banners created in conjunction with fan groups including Red Action and Official Supporters Clubs will be introduced for the first time. All fans are encouraged to get to their seats by 2.45pm to ensure they do not miss this historic moment.

All maps and directional signage have changed to recognise the re-naming of the stands; and supporters with tickets for this weekend’s match will also notice the relevant changes.

The Clock’s original introduction to Arsenal was courtesy of the great Herbert Chapman back in the early 1930s. It was on Chapman’s suggestion that a 45-minute clock was erected on the north terrace at Highbury, so the vast crowds knew how long had been played but the Football Association was not impressed, due to thoughts that it would undermine match officials. The Club changed the 2.6 metre diameter clock face to a conventional timepiece, and in 1935 it was moved to the south terrace and the Clock End was born.

The introduction of the Clock and renaming of the stands are part of the ongoing celebration of the Club’s rich history, its key players and iconic moments from the past at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal TV Online will be showing the unveiling live as part of our MatchDay Show.

[Wednesday, August 18, 2010]

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