Even up to the late 80s, diversions was always a case of take as many as we can until we were full.
I can't remember the record, but often there were about 14 a/c parked on the 9 terminal stands, and several parked one behind the other on the left side of the taxiway behind stands 10 -15.
I think it must have been one of the last big diversion days when every piece of concrete had an a/c parked on it, when Monarch said they needed to bring a B757 in for a crew change complete with passengers. It ended up landing on 26, parking in the 08 turning circle for 3 minutes or so before departing with a new crew.
Happy days, all ended when people who new nothing about aviation started running things, and of course CAT 111 capability.