Elland Road has been home to Leeds United since the club's formation in 1919. As all Leeds United fans will testify it has hosted its fair share and highs and lows down on and off the pitch down the decades. These rarely-seen photos, plucked from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of Varley Picture Agency, chart its history and heritage as well as how in the mid-1950s it rose from the ashes. READ MORE: The day Leeds United paraded the FA Cup through the city's streets
![In the early hours of September 18, 1956, a fire gutted the West Stand and scorched large sections of the pitch.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2MjY2MzIx.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Elland Road down the decades
In the early hours of September 18, 1956, a fire gutted the West Stand and scorched large sections of the pitch. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![The blaze consumed the entire structure, including offices, kit, club records, physiotherapy equipment, dressing rooms, directors' rooms and press box.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2MjY2MzI0.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Elland Road down the decades
The blaze consumed the entire structure, including offices, kit, club records, physiotherapy equipment, dressing rooms, directors' rooms and press box. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![The roof of the stand collapsed into the seating area before the fire brigade arrived and the total damage was estimated to be 100,000 pounds.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2MjY2MzMz.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Elland Road down the decades
The roof of the stand collapsed into the seating area before the fire brigade arrived and the total damage was estimated to be 100,000 pounds. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![The players helped clear rubble and wreckage but the 2,500-seater stand could not be salvaged.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2MjY2MzM0.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Elland Road down the decades
The players helped clear rubble and wreckage but the 2,500-seater stand could not be salvaged. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![Leeds United directors decided to launch a public appeal to build a new stand with assistance from Leeds City Council.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2MjY2MzM2.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Elland Road down the decades
Leeds United directors decided to launch a public appeal to build a new stand with assistance from Leeds City Council. Photo: Varley Picture Agency
![The appeal raised 60,000 pounds and the West Stand was opened at the start of the following season.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/QVNIMTE2MjY2MzM5.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Elland Road down the decades
The appeal raised 60,000 pounds and the West Stand was opened at the start of the following season. Photo: Varley Picture Agency