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Ramon Vega exclusive: Anfield under lights remains one of the great footballing theatres

Yahoo's Sport Business Correspondent looks back at some great grounds he loved played at - including Millwall and Leeds!

Joe Allen rescues dramatic point for Liverpool in thrilling draw with Arsenal
Joe Allen rescues dramatic point for Liverpool in thrilling draw with Arsenal

There is definitely something to savour about mid-winter English football under the floodlights.

This was encapsulated perfectly by the thrilling 3-3 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield, the game of the season so far and one that people will remember for years to come, not least for Jurgen Klopp’s jubilant celebratory sprints down the touchline.

For me, one of the most striking images was of the sleet and rain seeping through the Anfield stands.

It captured the drama and epic nature of the encounter. However, it also provided a fitting symbol for what Liverpool need to do to take the club into a future where they can consistently challenge for domestic and European honours in the way that they used to.

Anfield, as I have mentioned before, was my favourite away ground to play at. The rich footballing tradition permeated every nook and cranny and the history was almost overwhelming. You sensed it the minute you got off the team bus.

But it is no coincidence that the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea are desperate to follow the examples of Arsenal and Manchester City and move into new state-of-the-art stadiums that can maximise revenue on both match days and non-football dates in the calendar.

The expansion and redevelopment of Anfield is continuing apace, but whether the changes are drastic enough to fully realise the financial opportunities presented by a whole new stadium remains to be seen.

I understand the emotional reasons for staying at a ground steeped in such football pedigree. It is something that cuts right to the heart of the football fan- all the personal memories of going to the ground with friends and families, of great nights and desperate defeats.

Ultimately, however, many understand that you cannot let your ground become a museum – that to keep moving with the times you need to embrace change.

Arsenal fans grappled with this when they left Highbury, while it is a process West Ham fans are currently going through as they prepare their farewells to Upton Park. Spurs and Chelsea supporters will be doing the same in a couple of years.

But deep down I think the majority realise that the benefits of these moves will far outweigh the drawbacks. For West Ham, especially, it is a chance to herald an exciting new era and makes huge commercial sense.

That should help mitigate the emotional blow of leaving.

It won’t just be the fans who will miss the old grounds - the players will too.

I used to love playing at White Hart Lane, with its intimacy and atmosphere.

It was the same for old-fashioned away grounds where the fans were really close to the pitch, such as at West Ham and Leeds.

I remember Elland Road being particularly hostile and every time you went to get the ball for a throw-in you could hear all the comments from the fans- they were acidic to say the least!

Millwall was a place Ramon Vega liked playing - and listening to the fans
Millwall was a place Ramon Vega liked playing - and listening to the fans

Millwall’s Den is another ground that sticks in the memory as far as the intimidating atmosphere was concerned, though I’m told the Old Den was on a completely different scale!     

I remember playing there for the first time and the English guys in the dressing-room were warning us to be prepared for some serious vitriol and not to get involved in any spats with the crowd.

I loved it and revelled in playing in a super-charged atmosphere. I think it was the same for a lot of the players- there’s nothing like having thousands of people screaming at you to get the adrenaline pumping!

Atmospheres will never be quite the same when clubs move grounds- look at Man City post Maine Road, for example - but as long as attempts are made protect the club’s identity and replicate the original crowd experience as far as possible, the loss is countered by the need for progress.

For, in both football and business, you can’t afford to stand still for long without being overtaken by your competitors.

Ramon Vega is a versatile high-flying executive with a comprehensive track record of driving commercial success in finance, property and football with national, international and World Cup experience as captain of the Swiss National Team in 1994. Proven experience in managing $billion funds in the asset management industry as well as a turnaround specialist who combines financial and business acumen, Ramon has a flair for inspiring others to exceed their own expectations. Follow him on Twitter here @Ramon_Vega71  (http://frompitchtoboardroom.com)

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