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