Kop
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Kop or Spion Kop is the name for a number of stands at football stadiums in England and abroad, named after the South African mountain Spion Kop, scene of a battle in the Second Boer War where a majority of the Liverpool Regiment had died, hence Liverpool FC calling the home section of the ground the Spion Kop in 1906 in tribute.
The definition of what constitutes a Kop is subject to much conjecture. The size and location of the stand in the stadium varies, with most being located behind the goal and being occupied by its club's most vocal supporters. It is usually a single tiered stand and traditionally terraced, however modern stadium design has required many to be made all seated. It is not necessarily the largest stand in the stadium. For example the largest terrace to be used in English football was the East Bank at Charlton Athletic`s stadium 'The Valley' with a capacity of approximately 50,000 stretching along the side of the pitch. This stand was not known as a Kop. However Chesterfield's stadium the Recreation Ground has a Kop with a capacity of only a few thousand. Likewise, Newcastle's most vocal supporters are traditionally said to be in the Gallowgate End, despite it being the smallest stand in the stadium.
The first was at Woolwich Arsenal's Manor Ground and many English grounds have a Kop. The most famous one is at Anfield, home of Liverpool, which is the only club to give their stand the official name of 'The Kop'. Built in 1906 and named 'Spion Kop', it could hold up to 24,000 rabid 'Kopites' (supporters placed in the Kop) however it was not the largest terrace built (behind a goal) at an English ground, that honour belongs to [Villa Park's old Holte End]closely followed by [the old South Bank at Molineux], both regularly holding crowds in excess of 30,000. [Hillsborough's kop] had become the largest roofed terrace (at that time) in Europe, with a capacity of around 25,000. The funding for this work was not only done be the club itself but through the fans, who held a number of money making ventures including a fun run.
The supporters on Liverpool's Kop helped make Anfield famous for its atmosphere, supporters' enthusiasm, and making an intense and fiery match day atmosphere. The name sticks to this day both officially and spiritually, even though the stand itself became all-seater in the 1990s.
'Kopites' is also a collective name given to the loyal supporters of Liverpool Football club.
Kops
| Ground | Club | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Anfield | Liverpool | The Kop |
| Bloomfield Road | Blackpool | |
| Bramall Lane | Sheffield United | |
| County Ground | Northampton Town | |
| Deepdale | Preston North End | Bill Shankly Kop |
| Elland Road | Leeds United | The Revie Stand |
| Highbury | Arsenal | West Stand |
| Highfield Road | Coventry City | |
| Hillsborough | Sheffield Wednesday | Spion Kop |
| Home Park | Plymouth Argyle | |
| Layer Road | Colchester United | |
| Leeds Road | Huddersfield Town | |
| Manor Ground | Woolwich Arsenal | |
| Meadow Lane | Notts County | |
| Parc des Princes | Paris Saint-Germain | |
| Prenton Park | Tranmere Rovers | The Asda Kop |
| Racecourse Ground | Wrexham | |
| Recreation Ground | Chesterfield | |
| St Andrews | Birmingham City | |
| St James' Park | Newcastle United | Gallowgate End |
| Stade Michel d'Ornano | SM Caen | |
| Valley Parade | Bradford City | |
| Walkers Stadium | Leicester City |
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