London, Brighton and South Coast Railway closely involved with the company that purchased The Crystal Palace after the completion of The Great Exhibition in October 1851 and arranged for its removal to a site on Sydenham Hill, close to the London to Brighton main line, where it became a major tourist attraction. The LB&SCR therefore encouraged the West End of London and Crystal Palace Railway to build a branch line from Sydenham, opened in June 1854. This was extended in a wide arc round south London to Wandsworth in 1856 and Battersea Pier in 1858. Shortly after the line was completed, the LB&SCR leased it and
Crystal Palace, London grounds of The Crystal Palace. However in 1915 they were forced to leave due to the First World War and played at nearby Herne Hill Velodrome and the Nest before moving to their current home at Selhurst Park in 1924. The FA Cup Final was hosted at the Palace sports stadium between 1895 and 1914. The historical grounds also hosted the first England Rugby Union match against New Zealand in 1905, which New Zealand won by 15-0, and the London County Cricket Club played matches here. In 1964, a 15,500 seater athletics stadium and sports centre was built on the