In Conversation with Kevin McCabe (Octagon)

[The Crab]

It hasn't happened yet. It's not until the Monday 5th Feb.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

I’d like someone to ask McCabe why, as someone with a long history developing property, the current Kop plans make absolutely no use of the potential space underneath the stand.

I basically want him on record to say “we’re afraid we might dislodge an unexploded bomb”. If not though, and if it just isn’t financially viable, I’d like him to clarify that so it can be ruled out.

On a related matter, as we voted in favour of safe standing at the EFL meeting a year or two ago, will the potential to include this in the future be built into the plans?

Your second paragraph - If there was a uxb it might make the redevelopment cheaper.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Your second paragraph - If there was a uxb it might make the redevelopment cheaper.

Absolutely. If the Kop corner was in the blast radius, better still.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Absolutely. If the Kop corner was in the blast radius, better still.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

“Sheffield Is Red & White”

 

[I should coco]

If there was a uxb it might make the redevelopment cheaper.

Of the Kop yes, but the new redevolpment costs to rebuild all the housing in S2 might just weigh against it.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Of the Kop yes, but the new redevolpment costs to rebuild all the housing in S2 might just weigh against it.

Not at all. We need more parking spaces.

 

[Dkc]

A special guest from Sheffield United will also be attending the event and contributing to the conversations.

I hear it's Captain Blade

 

[Th!stledo]

All the grief Kevin McCabe gets in forums and readers views, but the article in The Star, which includes a survey of whether he has been beneficial for the club during his tenure has shown a huge majority in favour.

 

[Jon Bon II]

As I'll be going as a Lone Ranger, do you guys fancy a beer beforehand?

Didn't realise it was fancy dress. I'll have to dig my Wonder Woman outfit out from under the stairs.

 

[The Bohemian]

All the grief Kevin McCabe gets in forums and readers views, but the article in The Star, which includes a survey of whether he has been beneficial for the club during his tenure has shown a huge majority in favour.

You're right, close to 90% approval is a remarkable figure, especially given inevitable enemy infiltration.

 

[vorpal blade]

I'm not intending to go to the Octagon to parly with Kevin McCabe .......miight I suggest that someone there invites Kevin to sit in the Kop at a forthcoming match just so he can find out for himself how uncomfortable it is or isn't?

N.B. sitting down in a seat for 3 minutes ALWAYS feels fine, sitting down for a 100 minutes on a cold wet night is a different matter.

Some of you may have seen my post about the crescent of standing supporters on the completely full Kop at the Wednesday match which formed at the point on the Kop where the view became intolerable for those who were sitting down. The density of the crowd on the Kop is far tighter than is tolerated in the up-to-date FIFA standards.

I am currently trying to work out how many fewer supporters could be accomodated if the Kop were to be rebuilt to modern safety/comfort standards & therefore where to put the lost seats ..... (it can be done )

 

[Sean Thornton]

You're right, close to 90% approval is a remarkable figure, especially given inevitable enemy infiltration.

You're right, close to 90% approval is a remarkable figure,



especially given inevitable enemy infiltration.

Now now, they are as much Blades as the rest of us.......

 

[Sheffsteel]

I'm not intending to go to the Octagon to parly with Kevin McCabe .......miight I suggest that someone there invites Kevin to sit in the Kop at a forthcoming match just so he can find out for himself how uncomfortable it is or isn't?

N.B. sitting down in a seat for 3 minutes ALWAYS feels fine, sitting down for a 100 minutes on a cold wet night is a different matter.

Some of you may have seen my post about the crescent of standing supporters on the completely full Kop at the Wednesday match which formed at the point on the Kop where the view became intolerable for those who were sitting down. The density of the crowd on the Kop is far tighter than is tolerated in the up-to-date FIFA standards.

I am currently trying to work out how many fewer supporters could be accomodated if the Kop were to be rebuilt to modern safety/comfort standards & therefore where to put the lost seats ..... (it can be done )

Vorpol,

I would imagine a smaller capacity with more comfort will lead to increased Kop prices surely?

If the Kop has the same facilities and space as the South stand and BLUT then surely the prices should all be the same?

Personally I think it’s important that we retain a cheaper (Ryanair facilities/ space) budget area for fans that prioritise cheaper
pricing above comfort. There should be choice for fans to decide what they want, comfort or cheap prices.

I used to sit in the Westfield corner but now have a season ticket on the Kop near the front. Agree it’s a tight fit down there and not ideal but it’ll do and I’ve saved some money. Next season I might return to the corner stand dependent on finances.

I heard on the radio yesterday that safe seating could be introduced next season. It seems that 2 PL clubs (one is Spurs) are really serious and are in discussions with the government to allow limited experimental safe standing next season. Would love to see us introduce it in the corner bit between the John street and Kop.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Vorpol,

I would imagine a smaller capacity with more comfort will lead to increased Kop prices surely?

If the Kop has the same facilities and space as the South stand and BLUT then surely the prices should all be the same?

Personally I think it’s important that we retain a cheaper (Ryanair facilities/ space) budget area for fans that prioritise cheaper
pricing above comfort. There should be choice for fans to decide what they want, comfort or cheap prices.

I used to sit in the Westfield corner but now have a season ticket on the Kop near the front. Agree it’s a tight fit down there and not ideal but I’ve saved some money. Next season I might return to the corner stand dependent on finances,

This isn’t a comfort issue frankly, it’s about being able to deliver the basics, namely:

• An unobscured view (basic spectator requirement)
• Toilet facilities that are appropriate and accessible enough for the numbers in the stand (basic comfort requirement)
• The ability to exit the stadium from it quickly (basic safety requirement)

The current stand fails at all three. Imagine adding more seats to that without addressing two of the above. Meeting these should not be thought of as some sort of high-cost luxury offering.

 

[vorpal blade]

Agreed Loughboro. it seems to take far too long to exit the Kop as it is, the drawings I've seen of the new extended version do not seem to have any additional exits, that seems unrealistic.

The whole new scheme for the Kop is based on the principle that existing buildings don't have to comply with current building regulations, specifically old football stands do not have to be made to retrospectively comply with new codes of practice/ FIFA rules/ safety at sports grounds legislation etc. (though I am NOT an expert) - in answer to Sheffsteel's well put points, I don't see the price of a ticket directly linked to the cost of the refurb/standard of accommodation .... for instance it used to be standard practice to charge visiting supporters the most for the worst seats in the stadium.

I don't think the upgrading of the stadium should amount to a ground capacity contest against Hillsborough, that is the game they were playing that led to catastrophic over-crowding at Leppings Lane - the whole thing can almost be summed up by the trite phrase, it's not quantity its the quality ci - but truthfully its a compromise between the two things.

On safe standing, I find it hard to believe that the tight existing terraces at the Kop end have enough room on them to turn them into so called safe standing but the natural pattern of standers at the game against Wednesday shows EXACTLY where any such scheme should be installed.

this is a link to what I observed https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/design-it-yourself-kop-a-compromise-solution.61511/

 

[Sheffsteel]

This isn’t a comfort issue frankly, it’s about being able to deliver the basics, namely:

• An unobscured view (basic spectator requirement)
• Toilet facilities that are appropriate and accessible enough for the numbers in the stand (basic comfort requirement)
• The ability to exit the stadium from it quickly (basic safety requirement)

The current stand fails at all three. Imagine adding more seats to that without addressing two of the above. Meeting these should not be thought of as some sort of high-cost luxury offering.

Thought you might say that. In this day and age of course you are correct.

I suppose I remember the days when today’s facilities on the Kop would be classed as luxurious ha ha.
Come on, the outside toilets have even got a roof and have them posh metal urinals. I even remember scenes where the toilets on the Kop had really big queues so men would just piss on the walls outside and you’d have a stream of urine coming down the path.

When I first used to go everyone would piss on the brick wall, they stunk terrible and when it rained you got soaked.
Suppose the comfort/ pricing issue is all relative.

In the cheap seats I expect compromises, hence just taking away the pillars and putting the whole concourse undercover would be a massive upgrade. It seems those improvements can be done relatively cheaply and will increase capacity by 3,200 seats.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

For those on twitter #KevinMcCabeSUFC

 

[Sean Thornton]

Have those who started off shouting obscenities at the stage began queuing for a photo with him yet?

 

[thehet]

will someone please ask for gods sake wheersalltmoneygonemcabe

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

 

[Liverpool blade]

Well that's as clear as mud. Can't blame him though for not saying much. Utb

 

[Blade58]

Well that's as clear as mud. Can't blame him though for not saying much. Utb

The "perhaps" is dead give away

 

[Bayingblade]

But did he smile when he said ‘perhaps’?

 

[Pierre's PC]

Have those who started off shouting obscenities at the stage began queuing for a photo with him yet?

I'm booing him right now from the sofa.

 

[thehet]

Think [insert any owd club]

 

[Liverpool blade]

The "perhaps" is dead give away

Ok. Please forgive my scepticism!.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Think [insert any owd club]

Lay back and think of England

 

[UnitedBlade]

Did anyone catch Chris winking after that ?

It's ON.

 

[Blackheath Blade]

PL - Pub League ?