Stadium Development

[S64 Blade]

Aye would be a great site that. Bit like Hackney Wick round the West Ham ground. Mrs family are West Ham season ticket holders and there is a new bar or eatery opening up virtually every home game so they say.

Despite the ground itself not being suited to football you at least get the feeling it’s in a real place rather than some godforsaken retail park. Would be a similar vibe down Kelham Island/Neepsend.

Only downside maybe would be it’s slightly hemmed in with the river at one side and Parkwood springs on the other.

Totally and I think it'd be even better at Neepsend as less of a mass expanse of an open area, like around the Olympic Park, which gives off a sense of it being in the middle of nowhere (which it is to some extent).

It is hemmed in a little, you're right, but if you think about the new Everton ground, that is on 3 sides and would be larger than what we would need. There would undoubtedly be changes and improvements needed to the access from/to Penistone and Rutland Road on to Neepsend Lane, but that's par for the course for any new ground really.

No idea who owns that land there. If it's all Arthur's Skips or not. But, if we were ever to leave the current site, that'd be the next best thing, realistically. The down side would be we'd be just down the road from the other lot.

 

[Santos]

The only options I can think of in my limited understand are:

a) Norton Aerodrome. There plot and surrounding area just about the right size with potential to expand into surrounding greenfield sites if needed (assuming planning law is relaxed sufficiently). Next to the dual carriageway and across from Herdings tram stop.

Residential area though and I doubt the non-football fans of Charnock, Herdings etc would be too happy.

b) Sheffield Airport. Close to the parkway and could probably shift a lot of the businesses there relatively easily if needed. A long way from other amenities though and no current public transport offer.

c) Weedon Street - there is a big patch of derelict land there and a few warehouses. Close to M1, tram, Meadowhall station and all the amenities around the retail parks and shopping centre. Think Meadowhall have been threatening to develop this bit for years though so probs a non starter.

d) switch sites with Sheffield Arena and incorporate Don Valley bowl. New state of the art arena in the city centre which would probably have space for a multi-storey car park. Blades would probably do quite well from such a deal and get a decent size spot with tram stop etc, loads of car parking etc. Amenities nearby for match days and space to build extra. Also probably some benefits to be realised being so near to the EIS.

The lack of suitable sites will, in my opinion make a ground share with the pigs inevitable, or at least will become a serious proposition in the next 20 years assuming they are still a going concern.

As much as I’d hate to move from the lane the first of the clubs to take their medicine and move to a new ground will probably have the upper hand for years to come and have a chance of sustaining themselves at the top level. Obviously though neither side has an owner with the funds so it’s not happening any time soon.

Excuse my ignorance, but why would a new ground that much difference? The Championship all the way to League Two is littered with clubs who have moved grounds in the last 30 years and find themselves in no better state than they were before, or worse. Also clubs in the Prem who haven’t done a lot to their ground in those periods and seem to be quite snuggly in the Prem (Palace, AFCB. Arguably Fulham too who whilst they have developed the ground, they’ve not built anything spectacular).

I personally don’t see any need for us to leave BDTBL. We’re in a great position in the city and we haven’t got a waiting list for season tickets etc.

 

[South Sea Blade]

Excuse my ignorance, but why would a new ground that much difference? The Championship all the way to League Two is littered with clubs who have moved grounds in the last 30 years and find themselves in no better state than they were before, or worse. Also clubs in the Prem who haven’t done a lot to their ground in those periods and seem to be quite snuggly in the Prem (Palace, AFCB. Arguably Fulham too who whilst they have developed the ground, they’ve not built anything spectacular).

I personally don’t see any need for us to leave BDTBL. We’re in a great position in the city and we haven’t got a waiting list for season tickets etc.

Exactly!!! What is the point in moving? We have plenty of land to develop 2 stands to create a 40000+ capacity - should we need to develop a 3rd side sometime in the future I would suggest that we will have done pretty well over a number of seasons. Bramall Lane is beautiful and downtown....what more could you want?

 

[Le Cynique]

Aye would be a great site that. Bit like Hackney Wick round the West Ham ground. Mrs family are West Ham season ticket holders and there is a new bar or eatery opening up virtually every home game so they say.

Despite the ground itself not being suited to football you at least get the feeling it’s in a real place rather than some godforsaken retail park. Would be a similar vibe down Kelham Island/Neepsend.

Only downside maybe would be it’s slightly hemmed in with the river at one side and Parkwood springs on the other.

Wouldn’t the potential flooding risk be another, rather large downside?

 

[CrookesBlade]

Wouldn’t the potential flooding risk be another, rather large downside?

Just get some boffins in to sort all that, job done.

 

[YES Blade]

Exactly!!! What is the point in moving? We have plenty of land to develop 2 stands to create a 40000+ capacity - should we need to develop a 3rd side sometime in the future I would suggest that we will have done pretty well over a number of seasons. Bramall Lane is beautiful and downtown....what more could you want?

We’re at a point where there is a case to be made for rebuilding all 4 stands, so that means moving to a new stadium would be a consideration.

 

[JJBlade]

Aye
Unless you go away when it’s ‘de rigueur’ to stand staring at the back of a coked up arseholes head while he faces away from the pitch bellowing & gesturing at home fans

I remember them days well, and although I wasn't one of the coke fiends, watching the game crushed onto some away end hardly being able to see anything was great fun.

 

[blade too long]

Aye would be a great site that. Bit like Hackney Wick round the West Ham ground. Mrs family are West Ham season ticket holders and there is a new bar or eatery opening up virtually every home game so they say.

Despite the ground itself not being suited to football you at least get the feeling it’s in a real place rather than some godforsaken retail park. Would be a similar vibe down Kelham Island/Neepsend.

Only downside maybe would be it’s slightly hemmed in with the river at one side and Parkwood springs on the other.

they might consider this site in Outer Mongolia , its cheap and moves the stench away from Sheffield

 

[Rochdaleblade]

We’re at a point where there is a case to be made for rebuilding all 4 stands, so that means moving to a new stadium would be a consideration.

I've considered it. No.

 

[s20Blade]

Demolish the lane and build a purpose built complex to hold music concerts with a 80k capacity and a football pitch the in middle

Job done

 

[Blade for Sale]

Bumping this. In light of Everton's new ground, alongside a significant number of teams improving and expanding, we are going to get left behind if we aren't careful. I've said this before but Forest, Leeds, Everton, Fulham, Palace, Bristol City, Wolves, Birmingham, even little old Wrexham, all have plans in the pipeline, or have recently completed, significant development, while SUFC seems to be completely stagnant on this front. I fear if the ground remains largely unaltered in the next 5 years we're going to struggle even more than we do now to compete financially and in terms of 'prestige'. I hope this is high on the new owners agenda. The ground remains capable of generating a decent atmosphere but it's looking tired and I don't think we'll be able to live off the 'character' and ' loads of boozers nearby' cards forever.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Bumping this. In light of Everton's new ground, alongside a significant number of teams improving and expanding, we are going to get left behind if we aren't careful. I've said this before but Forest, Leeds, Everton, Fulham, Palace, Bristol City, Wolves, Birmingham, even little old Wrexham, all have plans in the pipeline, or have recently completed, significant development, while SUFC seems to be completely stagnant on this front. I fear if the ground remains largely unaltered in the next 5 years we're going to struggle even more than we do now to compete financially and in terms of 'prestige'. I hope this is high on the new owners agenda. The ground remains capable of generating a decent atmosphere but it's looking tired and I don't think we'll be able to live off the 'character' and ' loads of boozers nearby' cards forever.

The Everton stadium does look pretty impressive TBF.

 

[sufc323]

Bumping this. In light of Everton's new ground, alongside a significant number of teams improving and expanding, we are going to get left behind if we aren't careful. I've said this before but Forest, Leeds, Everton, Fulham, Palace, Bristol City, Wolves, Birmingham, even little old Wrexham, all have plans in the pipeline, or have recently completed, significant development, while SUFC seems to be completely stagnant on this front. I fear if the ground remains largely unaltered in the next 5 years we're going to struggle even more than we do now to compete financially and in terms of 'prestige'. I hope this is high on the new owners agenda. The ground remains capable of generating a decent atmosphere but it's looking tired and I don't think we'll be able to live off the 'character' and ' loads of boozers nearby' cards forever.

The Kop needs rebuilding urgently, and not just having the pillars taken out. The gradient, facilities and views are all awful and could be so much better, and we have the land to the rear of the stand to do the work without it impeding the surrounding roads.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Hopefully soon we will hear from the new owners. I understand not in January and during a busy spell of games but the fixture list eases off soon so it won't be in anyway a distraction

 

[Pollingtonblade]

I think any plans for development need to include a singing section.

 

[brownblade]

The Kop needs rebuilding urgently, and not just having the pillars taken out. The gradient, facilities and views are all awful and could be so much better, and we have the land to the rear of the stand to do the work without it impeding the surrounding roads.

I have sometimes wondered if we could rebuild huge South and Kop stands. Perhaps even a giant L shape thing that's fully connected in some way (not accessibly connected obviously).

The other two stands are on the roads. Can't really do much except upgrade facilities etc within them(?).

 

[MobileBlade]

I think any plans for development need to include a singing section.

Ricky is back

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Hopefully soon we will hear from the new owners. I understand not in January and during a busy spell of games but the fixture list eases off soon so it won't be in anyway a distraction

Sure will. It'll be interesting to see if they're interested in a few on investing a hundred millions into something that they'll see no return on.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Sure will. It'll be interesting to see if they're interested in a few on investing a hundred millions into something that they'll see no return on.

Done well, zero ROI doesn't have to be the outcome. Not done at all, carries a serious risk of damaging the future prospects of the club. It depends if they're in for the long or short haul I guess.

 

[jimmymuir]

Remove the pillars and get safe standing on the Kop!

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

Would have thought a little matter like the team would come first, if that fails all your left with is a parking lot......

 

[GymClassHero]

Definitely don't want to move to a soulless stadium like Everton's. Yes I can appreciate the architecture and brilliance, but to me it's just any other generic modern stadium.

Bramall Lane is absolutely in need of having development done though, from a fan experience perspective and as said for the image of the club.

Top priority should be the Kop. As a temporary measure maybe they could have the pillars removed (not sure how much work this is, obviously this would only be viable if it's a relatively straightforward process) while plans are made for a new Kop or drastic redevelopment of the existing one. A safe standing section is a must and I do like the idea of a singing section.

Get the other corner filled in too. Since having 3/4 corners (I know one is just the side of a building) filled in I've found the general atmosphere and experience of being in the ground so much better and more intense. When there are open gaps the atmosphere seems to almost leak out of them.

Potentially could look at double tiering one of the side stands but probably only if and when we became an established top flight club.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Done well, zero ROI doesn't have to be the outcome. Not done at all, carries a serious risk of damaging the future prospects of the club. It depends if they're in for the long or short haul I guess.

They are a collection of investors. Therefore ROI is exactly what they're in it for.

These threads always do the same dance. Those claim that the Kop need to be prioritised even those that provides the lowest ROI and would probably cost the most.
It always turns into a bit of a vanity project, with proposals that the owners should just do it without impacting the playing budget.
It's pie in the sky nonsense. The only thing that would make sense from a ROI perspective, in the short or medium term, would be either the BL end or the South Stand being completed first and the Kop much later.

 

[Ned the Donkey]

Have any clubs retained their old grounds?

And do any of the new grounds have a decent atmosphere.

West Ham's ground in particular is completely soulless compared to Upton Park, but the Stadium of Light had a good atmosphere - though it helps when the opposition, us, gifts the home team, them, a couple of goals.

It seems harder to build a new ground and give it atmosphere.

 

[Isar]

I think Everton's new stadium looks fantastic inside and out, also new stadiums don't necessarily equate to poor atmosphere.
Fans make the atmosphere, just look at the Bundesliga, for example anyone who has attended a Bayern league game would know how loud the fans are for the whole game.
A new stadium in Sheffield would be wonderful for the city.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Have any clubs retained their old grounds?

And do any of the new grounds have a decent atmosphere.

West Ham's ground in particular is completely soulless compared to Upton Park, but the Stadium of Light had a good atmosphere - though it helps when the opposition, us, gifts the home team, them, a couple of goals.

It seems harder to build a new ground and give it atmosphere.

Some of the more recent stadia have been designed to improve sound acoustics like Spurs and Everton.
So those 2 new grounds should have really good atmospheres.

The Everton stadium is really steep on all 4 sides so everyone is quite close to the pitch, it also has a full bank of safe standing behind one of the goals.

 

[Ned the Donkey]

Some of the more recent stadia have been designed to improve sound acoustics like Spurs and Everton.
So those 2 new grounds should have really good atmospheres. The Everton stadium is really steep on all 4 sides so everyone is quite close to the pitch.

It's a while since I've been to Spurs - I was there for Lundstram's Toe - but last time I went it seemed pretty dead. Maybe it was just that day and the absolute fucking abomination that is VAR.

 

[nopigfansintown]

The modern stadiums are soulless. Bad locations, stands far from the pitch, identikit. I'm struggling to think of one that's better than its predecessor. Maybe Rotherham's. I suppose Brighton's but that's more to do with the horror show which was the Withdean.

 

[YES Blade]

I think Everton's new stadium looks fantastic inside and out, also new stadiums don't necessarily equate to poor atmosphere.
Fans make the atmosphere, just look at the Bundesliga, for example anyone who has attended a Bayern league game would know how loud the fans are for the whole game.
A new stadium in Sheffield would be wonderful for the city.

Some fantastic stadiums in the Bundesliga to base a new stadium design on.

 

[YES Blade]

The modern stadiums are soulless. Bad locations, stands far from the pitch, identikit. I'm struggling to think of one that's better than its predecessor. Maybe Rotherham's. I suppose Brighton's but that's more to do with the horror show which was the Withdean.

Did you ever go to Filbert Street? The Dell? Burnden Park? They were complete dumps! I struggle to see how you can suggest the old falling to bits stadiums were better.

The old stadiums have character and history, but that’s it.