The stand under construction at Summers Lane in 1930
Maurice Rebak Stadium
Finchley FC and Finchley RFC, and plans were drawn up for a double-sided stand to serve separate football and rugby pitches. Though double sided stands existed at Headingley( cricket and rugby league) and Bradford Park Avenue( cricket and football) they differed in size from one side to the other, while the Finchley design provided for two identical back to back grandstands, all contained within one building. Described as a pavilion, for dressing rooms for both sports were contained within each side of the stand, the building was to be constructed of reinforced concrete, with a cantilever roof‘ supported by twelve T-shape ribs set into the spine wall that separates the two stands.’
Summers Lane in 1936, just before a canopy was added to the football side of the stand
Photo: Britain From Above
On the strength of the promised new ground and stand, Finchley were accepted into the Athenian League for the 1929 / 30 season, but with construction work delayed, Finchley were forced to extend their stay at Gun Station Meadow. When they were drawn at home against local rivals Barnet in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, Barnet appealed to the Football Association for the tie to be switched to Underhill, as they felt Gun Station Meadow would not be able to accommodate the large crowd expected. The FA turned down Barnet’ s appeal, and Finchley were rewarded with a record Gun Station Meadow attend-
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