Priority - Training Ground

[Champagneblade]

Totally this then. Then consider what sites there are;

(a) need to have an owner who is willing to sell at a reasonable price
(b) more importantly, hasn't been identified by the council a site for housing. The city needs to deliver at least 40,000 new homes over the next 20 years, so handing over sites to a football club won't be the top of their agenda (possibly why Norton Aerodrome didn't work)

The HSBC site might be the easiest of the options.

But then where do HSBC go? Assume if they have a sports ground then they will still want a sports ground. Is that not the case?

I put the blame squarely on Wilder for this. He seemed to insist upon such a large budget in terms of fees for the playing squad and invested nothing in infrastructure. If he'd have been able to forego at least one big fee then this could have been well on the way.

He chose instead to use all the cash and only then start complaining about a leaky roof etc.

 

[LudlamBlade]

But then where do HSBC go? Assume if they have a sports ground then they will still want a sports ground. Is that not the case?

I put the blame squarely on Wilder for this. He seemed to insist upon such a large budget in terms of fees for the playing squad and invested nothing in infrastructure. If he'd have been able to forego at least one big fee then this could have been well on the way.

He chose instead to use all the cash and only then start complaining about a leaky roof etc.

I used to work up at HSBC S&S, it'd be absolutely perfect but I can't see the bank letting it go.

They don't care in the slightest how much money is made or taken up there, whether over the bar or through the facilities, it's basically run as a loss leader just so their execs and middle management can feel special

 

[robbiez666]

It's what he wants in return that's alarming

Something to do with tea bags

 

[S64 Blade]

But then where do HSBC go? Assume if they have a sports ground then they will still want a sports ground. Is that not the case?

I put the blame squarely on Wilder for this. He seemed to insist upon such a large budget in terms of fees for the playing squad and invested nothing in infrastructure. If he'd have been able to forego at least one big fee then this could have been well on the way.

He chose instead to use all the cash and only then start complaining about a leaky roof etc.

Yeah exactly, still very difficult. I just meant they may be the most open to doing a deal. The council has solid commitments it needs to deliver on for the land it owns, HSBC don’t.

 

[metalblade]

There is a huge plot of old industrial land down where Arthur Lee's & Shardlow's was at Wincobank. A truck company was trying to get planning permission for a depot but the site is hampered for access by low bridges far too low for double deck trailers or double deck buses. They were on about building an access road from Grange mill lane/Blackburn road but walkers and cyclists kicked up a stink as the road would cut across the Pennine trail which was the old Great Central railway back in the day. I doubt they will ever get planning permission, The existing entrance to the site wouldn't be a problem for lower vehicles apart from when Blackburn brook floods Fife st.

 

[Bookers Mullet]

It really is a shame a deal can't be done for the aerodrome at Norton, it would sort so many issues, we'd get plenty of easily accessible space for a great facility, it would remove an eyesore and I reckon be a better solution for existing residents of the area than either housing or a shopping centre/supermarket

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Not a fan of the flip flopping going ahead from up top. Obviously wanted a new style with Slav then decided to go back to Wilder's DNA and claiming they had some new long term plan that they didn't have a few months before now the flip flops with the training ground with the new building now not happening, the hotel having a new company to run it now not opening etc.

I know it seems he's on his way out but have a plan and stick to it

 

[S64 Blade]

Not a fan of the flip flopping going ahead from up top. Obviously wanted a new style with Slav then decided to go back to Wilder's DNA and claiming they had some new long term plan that they didn't have a few months before now the flip flops with the training ground with the new building now not happening, the hotel having a new company to run it now not opening etc.

I know it seems he's on his way out but have a plan and stick to it

When was it announced that the hotel won’t be opening?

 

[blades78]

I don't believe for a minute that the club have been serious about a new training ground tbh. Its over 3 years that this has been talked about and zero progression. Land at Waverley, Sheffield Airport has been and gone even Sheffield FC have managed to get a decent plot ahead of us to develop. There was a reasonable plot at the bottom of Woodhouse as you go up into Aston Fence which now hosting warehousing ( the only thing that seems to be built in South Yorkshire these days).

There is the plot on Bawtry Road (in Rotherham though) opposite Sheffield Hallam Uni Sports Park. It was the old Avesta Sports Ground, which I believe Rotherham United had planned to have as a training ground a few years ago.

 

[S64 Blade]

Waverley/Airport is all earmarked for housing and/or commercial purposes. Doubt we’d get any land/support there, even if we wanted to.

Anyone know the situation at Skye Edge? Guessing it can’t be built on, otherwise it would have already…

 

[blades78]

Would be an idea to link in with Sheffield FC? Enough space for small stadium for their first team and our Womens/U23s/U18s to use along with an additional 5/6 pitches and changing rooms/gym etc

 

[Yogi]

I don't believe for a minute that the club have been serious about a new training ground tbh. Its over 3 years that this has been talked about and zero progression. Land at Waverley, Sheffield Airport has been and gone even Sheffield FC have managed to get a decent plot ahead of us to develop. There was a reasonable plot at the bottom of Woodhouse as you go up into Aston Fence which now hosting warehousing ( the only thing that seems to be built in South Yorkshire these days).

There is the plot on Bawtry Road (in Rotherham though) opposite Sheffield Hallam Uni Sports Park. It was the old Avesta Sports Ground, which I believe Rotherham United had planned to have as a training ground a few years ago.

Think when Sheffield FC secured the land at meadowhead we were still on plan A that being a site big enough for a facility to host all teams and age groups which the meadowhead site isn’t big enough for hence us pursuing Norton. Which if we’d got a link with Sheffield FC would seem ideal for us to use their stadium for academy/women’s games and for them to have access to training pitches etc.

Sounds like we’re now onto plan B and having two split facilities as we can’t find a big enough alternative site for plan A. Hopefully we can actually purchase a plot this time.

 

[Alan Birchenall's hair]

Huge flat areas of derelict land next to M1 at Blackburn Meadows that has been unoccupied for years. And loads down the Don Valley also. How hard could it be to sort summat out from them?

 

[Whiston Blade]

Huge flat areas of derelict land next to M1 at Blackburn Meadows that has been unoccupied for years. And loads down the Don Valley also. How hard could it be to sort summat out from them?

Blackburn Meadows Nature Reserve, if that's the area you were talking about..

 

[Berkshire Blade]

When was it announced that the hotel won’t be opening?

The Hilton deal was announced last year. While bettis said the other weeks it's down the pecking vorder now...

 

[Yogi]

The Hilton deal was announced last year. While bettis said the other weeks it's down the pecking vorder now...

Someone mentioned cladding issues somewhere Berks not sure how true that is but it would explain a delay as getting that sorted will be expenny.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Would be an idea to link in with Sheffield FC? Enough space for small stadium for their first team and our Womens/U23s/U18s to use along with an additional 5/6 pitches and changing rooms/gym etc

Weren't they looking for a bit of funding for the new stadium? And we're looking for space. Seems like everyone could benefit from a partnership

 

[Whiston Blade]

Weren't they looking for a bit of funding for the new stadium? And we're looking for space. Seems like everyone could benefit from a partnership

Would be a great partnership but I'm wondering whether Sheffield F.C don't want to be seen to "associate" with one club (United) over the Pigs. This is assuming they have a good relationship with both us and Wendy..

 

[Alan Birchenall's hair]

Blackburn Meadows Nature Reserve, if that's the area you were talking about..

No sorry. Meant at Wooley Wood, between the railway line and the Blackburn Valley trail. See it everytime I come on the train to The Lane. Been derelict for many years

 

[Westran]

Is the old Ball Inn pitch we used to play om available? Or sure we once used Darnall

It's got houses on it now

 

[Stand United]

If it’s becoming too tricky a challenge to find something Sheffield City Council are willing to part with, would an alternative option be to look within areas covered by neighbouring councils? Leicester City as one recent example couldn’t find anything suitable/affordable within Leicester City Council – their new complex that opened last year is in Charnwood Borough Council, nearer Loughborough than Leicester, and houses both first team and Academy.

Inside Leicester City's £100m training ground (watch out for the newts)

The Athletic goes behind the scenes to learn about newts, turning grass cuttings into fuel and how Leicester are trying to find an edge

theathletic.com

 

[Espania blade]

Makes you wonder why they ever got rid of Myrtle Road.

Did the club ever own that land or was it leased from the council?

Off the top of my head, a list of some places that are close to Bramall Lane and could potentially work either as the temporary fix or the permanent solution (no matter how unlikely or how much work they'd need)...

Norton Aerodrome
Sheffield Works Dept
Sport Sheffield
Arbourthorne Rec
East Bank Rd

Like I say, no matter how unlikely.

Any more for any more?

Not close to BDBL but a lot of spare (dare I say cheap) land would be S4 Pitsmoor, an area that needs investment to bring it back to it's former glory when I was born there They could even incorporate the "play park" where all the local kids would hangout, it was affectionately "The Wembley"

 

[Stevo71]

Not close to BDBL but a lot of spare (dare I say cheap) land would be S4 Pitsmoor, an area that needs investment to bring it back to it's former glory when I was born there They could even incorporate the "play park" where all the local kids would hangout, it was affectionately "The Wembley"

Would those kids include pitsmoor pig?

 

[Espania blade]

Would those kids include pitsmoor pig?

Possibly, I don't know his real name What I do remember is that all the kids were Piggy supporters - except me, it was a religion in our family,
Not wanting to be political but so was voting Labour - I broke that mould!!
When I mentioned S4 I was thinking Carlisle street East where all the steelworks were, we lived on Forncett Street, one street back from Carlisle street, I remember Firth Browns going up in flames, great views from my bedroom!

 

[LudlamBlade]

Think when Sheffield FC secured the land at meadowhead we were still on plan A that being a site big enough for a facility to host all teams and age groups which the meadowhead site isn’t big enough for hence us pursuing Norton. Which if we’d got a link with Sheffield FC would seem ideal for us to use their stadium for academy/women’s games and for them to have access to training pitches etc.

Sounds like we’re now onto plan B and having two split facilities as we can’t find a big enough alternative site for plan A. Hopefully we can actually purchase a plot this time.

I think it's been mentioned on here before, but I wonder whether Norton Oakes (and The Oakes facility behind it) could be tempted to sell up?

 

[Yogi]

I think it's been mentioned on here before, but I wonder whether Norton Oakes (and The Oakes facility behind it) could be tempted to sell up?

Maybe I’d hope we’re exploring all possibilities at this point

 

[nickwr37]

I think it's been mentioned on here before, but I wonder whether Norton Oakes (and The Oakes facility behind it) could be tempted to sell up?

Based on all their teams results it's an unlucky ground.....I note a certain Callum Semple is in the men's first XI squad. I broke a car window there years ago with a 6 back over the bowlers head. Would be a good shout based on the area but they would need to move location and a long history. Currently, I reckon a no but money talks.....

 

[LudlamBlade]

Based on all their teams results it's an unlucky ground.....I note a certain Callum Semple is in the men's first XI squad. I broke a car window there years ago with a 6 back over the bowlers head. Would be a good shout based on the area but they would need to move location and a long history. Currently, I reckon a no but money talks.....

Me and my old man used to play for them when I was a lad about 20 years ago, Dave and Gordon were still there (don't know if they still are?) - broke my little finger twice and my foot once while playing there, certainly wasn't a lucky ground for me!

It's a beautiful spot for a ground, stunning location. I do wonder whether there's any charters or protection on the land as like you say, the land up there has a rich history, all round Chantreyland.

If that fails, we could just bulldoze the ironside estate, do the area a favour

 

[S64 Blade]

The Hilton deal was announced last year. While bettis said the other weeks it's down the pecking vorder now...

He said towards the end of next year and the cladding was being looked at. Never mentioned Hilton had pulled out. Unless this has been reported elsewhere.

 

[metalblade]

No sorry. Meant at Wooley Wood, between the railway line and the Blackburn Valley trail. See it everytime I come on the train to The Lane. Been derelict for many years

See post #65