As most Arsenal fans know Highbury is undergoing a regeneration
to turn it from an historic stadium to state-of-the-art
apartments.
What Arsenal fans may not know is that another building heavy with
Arsenal history has recently made way as part of the Docklands
Light Railway expansion.
'The Pullman' public house, formerly called 'The Royal Oak', stood
right next door to the Woolwich Arsenal train station and was
officially credited with being the birthplace of Arsenal Football
Club. As the story goes the 15 members from Dial Square met in the
Royal Oak on Christmas Day 1886 (a Saturday that year) and
officially adopted the grand title of 'Royal Arsenal'.
In a letter received by the Club in 1952, founder member Mr RB
Thompson recalled an earlier meeting in December 1886 when the
Club's new name was up for discussion: "Rather timidly, I asked:
'Who outside Woolwich ever heard of Dial Square?' Followed by: 'Who
has not heard of the Royal Arsenal?' The name was adopted
forthwith, and was later officially confirmed at a meeting at the
Royal Oak, later in December." Mr Thompson was 18 when that
historic decision was made.
Unfortunately for 'The Pullman' the capital's transport system has
been undergoing major improvements, and Woolwich Arsenal station is
being expanded to include a new station on the Docklands Light
Railway.
Construction of the DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal began in June
2005, and the old pub, along with several buildings nearby, was
pulled down to allow for the station expansion. Work is scheduled
to be completed by early 2009 which will also benefit London's
successful 2012 Olympic bid.
The birthplace of Arsenal has gone, but it will never be
forgotten.
'The Pullman' - Before
'The Pullman' - After