Elland Road has been home to Leeds United since the club's formation in 1919 with the faithful witnessing its fair share of drama on and off the pitch down the decades. Plans have just been approved for a major overhaul of the ground which will involve the partial demolition and redevelopment of the West Stand as well as outline planning permission to increase the capacity of the North Stand. The work will increase the total capacity of the ground from just below 38,000 to 53,000, meaning the mighty Whites will play their home fixtures at the seventh-largest football stadium in England. 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: 31 of the best photos as Leeds United fans celebrate Premier League promotion LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
1. Elland Road
The Leeds United Sports and Souvenir Shop opened in 1972 featuring a programme collection | Varley Picture Agency Photo: Varley Picture Agency
2. Elland Road
In the early hours of September 18, 1956, a fire gutted the West Stand and scorched large sections of the pitch. | Varley Picture Agency Photo: Varley Picture Agency
3. Elland Road
The blaze consumed the entire structure, including offices, kit, club records, physiotherapy equipment, dressing rooms, directors' rooms and press box. | Varley Picture Agency Photo: Varley Picture Agency
4. Elland Road
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. | Varley Picture Agency Photo: Varley Picture Agency
5. Elland Road
The players helped clear rubble and wreckage but the 2,500-seater stand could not be salvaged. | Varley Picture Agency Photo: Varley Picture Agency
6. Elland Road
Leeds United directors decided to launch a public appeal to build a new stand with assistance from Leeds City Council. | Varley Picture Agency Photo: Varley Picture Agency