South Stand
Construction began in 1973 and opened for the 1974-75 season, replacing the Scratching Shed, featuring a 4,000-fan paddock, 16 executive boxes, and 3,500 seats.
The Norman Hunter South Stand stands as one of the four distinct sections at Ellard Road. Construction began in 1973, and it opened for the 1974-75 season, replacing the Scratching Shed, a steel-framed terrace with a corrugated iron roof that had dated back to the 1920s. Although Leeds United won the league in 1973-74, the stand was already under construction before that title win. The new state-of-the-art development, often cited as costing around £500,000 for the entire redevelopment (though this figure is disputed in official club histories), featured a standing paddock capable of holding 4,000 fans, a row of 16 executive boxes, and an all-seater section with a capacity of 3,500 located above them.
- Location
- Elland Road, Leeds
- Primary Role
- Home of the main supporter section and terrace culture
- Historical Feature
- Original terraced viewing area (pre-1990s)
- Current Status
- Seated stand with integrated fan facilities
Lore & Background
The history of this section began in the 1920s when the South Stand terrace was covered with a steel-framed corrugated iron roof, earning it the nickname 'the Scratching Shed'. This structure stood for decades until plans were made to modernize the ground. Construction began in 1973, and the stand opened for the 1974-75 season. The old shed was dismantled, and the club invested—according to often-disputed sources—around £500,000 into a significant upgrade that introduced a multi-level design: a standing paddock for 4,000 fans at pitch level and an all-seater section holding 3,500 spectators above. This development also included 16 executive boxes. While some have speculated about plans to link this new South Stand with the Lowfields stand on the east side, there is no clear evidence in established canon that such a specific linking plan was abandoned due to lack of funds in 1974.
In Their Own Story
In 1974, the atmosphere at Elland Road shifted as the old Scratching Shed was taken down. The club had just secured its second league championship and needed a modern replacement for the wooden structure that had defined the south side since the 1920s. Construction moved quickly to unveil the new £500,000 South Stand. This project brought a standing paddock capable of accommodating 4,000 fans, alongside a row of 16 executive boxes and an upper tier with 3,500 all-seater seats. The transformation was part of a broader era of improvement under manager Don Revie, which had already seen the Spion Kop rebuilt in 1968. Although the vision to connect this stand to the Lowfields side was halted due to financial constraints, the new structure stood as a testament to the club's progress during that successful period.
Reader's Guide
Visitors to the Norman Hunter South Stand should note its specific configuration established in 1974. It replaced the original Scratching Shed and offers a mix of standing and seating areas within a single structure. The lower section provides space for 4,000 fans on a standing paddock, while the upper level offers 3,500 seats. Thirteen years prior to its construction, in 1968, the adjacent Spion Kop had been stripped away to make way for the Gelderd End, setting a precedent for the modernization of the ground's ends. The stand remains one of the four key pillars of Elland Road, alongside the Don Revie (North), Jack Charlton (East), and John Charles (West) stands.
Did You Know?
- The Scratching Shed was the name of the previous structure on the site, not the original South Stand.
- Construction of the new South Stand began in 1973 and it opened for the 1974-75 season, replacing the Scratching Shed.
- The cost of the redevelopment is often cited as around £500,000, but this figure is disputed in official club histories.
- The 1974-75 redevelopment included a standing paddock for 4,000 fans and 16 executive boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the South Stand built?
Construction finished in 1974 following a major league victory for the club. This new structure replaced the Scratching Shed, which had been standing since the early twentieth century.
What were the original facilities inside the stand?
The design included a large paddock for four thousand standing supporters plus sixteen executive boxes. Additionally, there was an upper tier providing seating for another three and a half thousand people.
Why is this section culturally important to fans?
It is widely regarded as the heart of the club's vocal support and historic terrace traditions. Even after modernization, it remains a central location for matchday atmosphere at Elland Road.
What was the financial cost of the redevelopment?
The state-of-the-art project required an investment totaling £500,000 to build. This funding allowed the club to move away from older wooden terrace designs.
How does the stand function in modern times?
Regulations changed the area into a fully seated section with integrated fan amenities. It currently operates as one of four main viewing zones within the stadium complex.
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