Stadium Development

[Selly]

All this chat is moot as I’ve heard somebody has applied to give the Kop bogs grade 2 listed status, although the club will need to remove the roof first.

There's a roof on the Kop bogs?

And people say the facilities are rubbish...

 

[Stevo71]

Should be handing pegs out to everyone who enters them bogs with the stench of piss that comes out of em.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Should be handing pegs out to everyone who enters them bogs with the stench of piss that comes out of em.

Nowt wrong with that. It masks the smell of the vapes.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Should be handing pegs out to everyone who enters them bogs with the stench of piss that comes out of em.

Fixed it by getting knobheads to queue up at the exit door, so nobody can get in or out.

 

[Shakespeare blade]

As an outsider to this discussion I'd say the bit where you say you'd attend some away games if it wasn't for the farcical points system.
No matter what system we use whether it's accumulated points or a rolling system you have to attend the less attractive fixtures to gain the points required to attend the more attractive fixtures.

Today we’re still asking for 650 points to buy 1 ticket for the game, it’s bloody ridiculous, we just seem to put barriers in the way of anyone wanting to watch us, these could be students, visitors to Sheffield, whom ever, the ticketing system is a joke, some of the people who may come for one match, see a cracking game and become hooked for life, we must find a way to accommodate them better

 

[prince albert]

I was replying to someone about away games and he only wanted to go to certain games.
And it is unbelievable the club demanding 650 points for a home game.
Though if people put the same amount of effort in to actually buy a ticket instead of going on various forums to complain the world would be a happy place.

 

[Selly]

Today we’re still asking for 650 points to buy 1 ticket for the game, it’s bloody ridiculous, we just seem to put barriers in the way of anyone wanting to watch us, these could be students, visitors to Sheffield, whom ever, the ticketing system is a joke, some of the people who may come for one match, see a cracking game and become hooked for life, we must find a way to accommodate them better

We also need to do our utmost to ensure there aren`t Leeds fans in the home areas. A top of the table home game against a club 35 miles up the M1 who have sold out their allocation of tickets is not the time to "encourage" new supporters who we have no record of to buy a ticket.

And again, 650 points is about 4 games in a 20 year period - anyone who has even barely attended in the last 20 years will qualify for a ticket.

The far bigger issues are the price coupled with the fact that its single tickets (mostly) available or restricted view.

 

[haich1889]

Blinkered / steady eddy Vs blind to facts / don't care where the money comes from.

I've done plenty of speculative development myself, risking personal money , and run my own business for 10 years. I understand risk / reward.

The bulk of your post is waffle. Explain how it adds up financially, specifically. How much do you suggest spending, and in rough terms where the specific payback comes.

Waffle may be a factor in yopur business. I don't ever waffle, just tell me how many of the clubs mentioned and countless others that 'went for it' are now out of business. Answer : none. Most are rescued/get new owners and come back stronger. None are out of business and many have memories we could never dream of. I have spent the whole of my life believing this club i love will one day reach a potential that matches the demographics in which it lies. Every ingredient required to become a success is and always has been in place, history, population (including South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire), a City centre location with an abundance of surrounding land, universities etc. What we have always lacked is someone to invest the required capital and YES take a chance. I know that is not a given but ffs you'd think someone would have come along in a 100 long and barron years of winning fuc# all. How are teams like Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and many others a better proposition.

I need to stop waffling with my passion and remember Blades are only a business. Who am I to think someone might take a risk and speculate on a club with so many easily satisfied fans.

I forgot, back in the 70's we were the only club (ever in the country!!) to build a new Stand. My God were we reminded of that fact for an eternity.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Waffle may be a factor in yopur business. I don't ever waffle, just tell me how many of the clubs mentioned and countless others that 'went for it' are now out of business. Answer : none. Most are rescued/get new owners and come back stronger. None are out of business and many have memories we could never dream of. I have spent the whole of my life believing this club i love will one day reach a potential that matches the demographics in which it lies. Every ingredient required to become a success is and always has been in place, history, population (including South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire), a City centre location with an abundance of surrounding land, universities etc. What we have always lacked is someone to invest the required capital and YES take a chance. I know that is not a given but ffs you'd think someone would have come along in a 100 long and barron years of winning fuc# all. How are teams like Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and many others a better proposition.

I need to stop waffling with my passion and remember Blades are only a business. Who am I to think someone might take a risk and speculate on a club with so many easily satisfied fans.

I forgot, back in the 70's we were the only club (ever in the country!!) to build a new Stand. My God were we reminded of that fact for an eternity.

Long reply, and I agree development of the city and region is important.
However, I just don't see a business case that self funds, or returns when the cost is £450m.
Passion and desire for the club also means doing the right thing, whatever that means.

 

[Shakespeare blade]

We also need to do our utmost to ensure there aren`t Leeds fans in the home areas. A top of the table home game against a club 35 miles up the M1 who have sold out their allocation of tickets is not the time to "encourage" new supporters who we have no record of to buy a ticket.

And again, 650 points is about 4 games in a 20 year period - anyone who has even barely attended in the last 20 years will qualify for a ticket.

The far bigger issues are the price coupled with the fact that its single tickets (mostly) available or restricted view.

I get your points can’t say I agree with them all. Blut tickets aren’t restricted view, these are the games we should be selling out, what do we do if/when we get promoted against really big sides who travel in numbers, other teams manage it far better than we seem to, the costs for tickets unfortunately will keep rising maybe not right but to move forward it’s a cost that will be the norm next season and onwards

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

 

[relish]

This just looks like the McCabe plans from years ago?

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I'd like the Kop to be totally rebuilt with a steeper rake, but those old McCabe plans still hold up.
I hope our new Owners have that kind of ambition.

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

Bit outdated but interesting. Leeds pal told me they had got go ahead from local authorities to redevelop 3 sides of Elland road.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Bit outdated but interesting. Leeds pal told me they had got go ahead from local authorities to redevelop 3 sides of Elland road.

Yep, going up to a near 60k stadium.
The owners are going to chuck cash at making them a mainstay. I think they might be able to survive next season and kick on.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Looking at all those potential redevelopments, McCabes plans now look a little bit dated, especially for the kop. Just tacking 3.5k seats onto the back of a concrete covered spoil heap isn’t really a design for the future. For me the existing kop is a blank canvas that we could do (with the right investment) absolutely anything with, and that should include getting rid of that architectural abomination… The John Street corner.
I know that this will sound like pie in the sky thinking to many, but we have a chance to do something special with the kop and to incorporate all those poor sight lines and restricted view seats and shallow rake into a modern stadium is a mistake in my view…But I guess we can all dream.

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

The corner John Street Stand reminds me of when Homer Simpson redesigned and rebuilt Ned Flanders’s house. Did anyone at the club look at the drawings and say “fuck me, that’s shit”. Knowing United they’ll probably employ the clowns who’ve just redone Fargate. 3 years and it looks worse. Only in Sheffield…..

 

[Bladesthorpe]

The corner John Street Stand reminds me of when Homer Simpson redesigned and rebuilt Ned Flanders’s house. Did anyone at the club look at the drawings and say “fuck me, that’s shit”. Knowing United they’ll probably employ the clowns who’ve just redone Fargate. 3 years and it looks worse. Only in Sheffield…..

Fargate looks worse, seriously. Specsavers open at 9 mate.

 

[Hillsboro Blade]

Fargate looks worse, seriously. Specsavers open at 9 mate.

Yeah, looks great with those areas the Council don’t own which they’ve just tarmaced over, such an improvement.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Looking at all those potential redevelopments, McCabes plans now look a little bit dated, especially for the kop. Just tacking 3.5k seats onto the back of a concrete covered spoil heap isn’t really a design for the future. For me the existing kop is a blank canvas that we could do (with the right investment) absolutely anything with, and that should include getting rid of that architectural abomination… The John Street corner.
I know that this will sound like pie in the sky thinking to many, but we have a chance to do something special with the kop and to incorporate all those poor sight lines and restricted view seats and shallow rake into a modern stadium is a mistake in my view…But I guess we can all dream.

Unless we attract a real sugar Daddy (think Villa, Leeds etc.) I just can't see it happening.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Waffle may be a factor in yopur business. I don't ever waffle, just tell me how many of the clubs mentioned and countless others that 'went for it' are now out of business. Answer : none. Most are rescued/get new owners and come back stronger. None are out of business and many have memories we could never dream of. I have spent the whole of my life believing this club i love will one day reach a potential that matches the demographics in which it lies. Every ingredient required to become a success is and always has been in place, history, population (including South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire), a City centre location with an abundance of surrounding land, universities etc. What we have always lacked is someone to invest the required capital and YES take a chance. I know that is not a given but ffs you'd think someone would have come along in a 100 long and barron years of winning fuc# all. How are teams like Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and many others a better proposition.

I need to stop waffling with my passion and remember Blades are only a business. Who am I to think someone might take a risk and speculate on a club with so many easily satisfied fans.

I forgot, back in the 70's we were the only club (ever in the country!!) to build a new Stand. My God were we reminded of that fact for an eternity.

Yeah, the abject failure of my first 20 years supporting United were blamed on the construction of the South Stand. Although with a three sided ground we probably had more reason than most to build a new stand.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Unless we attract a real sugar Daddy (think Villa, Leeds etc.) I just can't see it happening.

Sadly, neither can I.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Looking at all those potential redevelopments, McCabes plans now look a little bit dated, especially for the kop. Just tacking 3.5k seats onto the back of a concrete covered spoil heap isn’t really a design for the future. For me the existing kop is a blank canvas that we could do (with the right investment) absolutely anything with, and that should include getting rid of that architectural abomination… The John Street corner.
I know that this will sound like pie in the sky thinking to many, but we have a chance to do something special with the kop and to incorporate all those poor sight lines and restricted view seats and shallow rake into a modern stadium is a mistake in my view…But I guess we can all dream.

At the time McCabes gave his reasoning and logic behind the Kop design.

He explained that the Kop extension was by far the most cost effective and it offered the quickest return on investment providing virtually everything our fans want.
McCabe explained the Kop would take just 1 season + 2 Summers to build, basically 15 months.
And more importantly there would be little loss revenue due to a capacity reduction because the vast bulk of the Kop would remain open during the build.
He said the pillars would be removed, with large modern enclosed concourse areas with more and bigger toilets, bars, kiosks etc.
The back of the Kop would be a steeper rake with 3,200 seats with perfect site limes and zero pillars.

One bit I do agree regards being dated is safe standing wasn’t considered.

Also in Germany there’s a 1 to 1.7 ratio regards safe standing, so in the safe standing stands those capacities have nearly doubled.
In England we’re sticking to a 1 to 1 ratio but you suspect over time, permission might be allowed to increase the capacity.

Would love our Kop to 1 day hold 18,000, what a noise that would be.
However there would need to be more scope to design the concourse areas and toilets/ kiosks to deal with 18K behind the goal.

The most exciting bit relates to the fancy South stand extension.
This would be the face of the club shown to VIP guests, prospective players, opposing players, media, journalists etc.
The players and vips would arrive via the private car park underneath the south stand car park.
Our dressing rooms, corporate facilities, directors box, chairman’s lounge, media centre would be fit for this century at Premier league standard.

However we’d be in danger of being like Cardiff and even Leeds, where they kept their upper tier closed for the full season.
Maybe we could put away fans up there when we have a large 6K following or give away fans 6K (3K upper 3K lower at the BL end).

 

[Frank the tank]

Unless we attract a real sugar Daddy (think Villa, Leeds etc.) I just can't see it happening.

You constantly talk about Leeds and their huge investment but all i see is a club that spent very little this season and recouped a hundred million last season

I'm very sceptical they will invest more than the club generates

 

[Sheffsteel]

Sadly, neither can I.

Agree…but we only need to look at Sheff Wed….when you keep delaying any decisions regards the ground.
Hillsboro is really starting to look old, like an antique.

Our Kop is a disgrace really. I remember when the Kell Brook boxing fight was on and thought….the inside of the stadium looks quite nice
But what must outsiders think when they went to the back of the Kop to use the toilets and kiosks/ bars.
It’s like being back in the 1980’s and then posts need removing asap.

I’m sure a few month back Bettis said we were removing the pillars on the Kop this Summer. Wonder what’s happening now?

 

[CaptainMorgans]

You constantly talk about Leeds and their huge investment but all i see is a club that spent very little this season and recouped a hundred million last season

I'm very sceptical they will invest more than the club generates

Well they're expanding to a 57k seater stadium and are advancing quickly on those plans.

I might be wrong, as I'm quoting a Leeds supporting friend, but I'm pretty sure their owners have talked about a sizeable investment in the playing squad this Summer.

 

[Frank the tank]

Well they're expanding to a 57k seater stadium and are advancing quickly on those plans.

I might be wrong, as I'm quoting a Leeds supporting friend, but I'm pretty sure their owners have talked about a sizeable investment in the playing squad this Summer.

I've not seen that but if they do then fair fucks
I'll believe it when I see it

 

[Sheffsteel]

Well they're expanding to a 57k seater stadium and are advancing quickly on those plans.

I might be wrong, as I'm quoting a Leeds supporting friend, but I'm pretty sure their owners have talked about a sizeable investment in the playing squad this Summer.

Leeds have been talking about expanding for years and guess what? …..it’s still talk about expanding to 56,500.

There’s still no plans, not even an artist impression that have been drawn up.
Suspect the owners might wait to see what happens next season regards staying up before plans are actually submitted.
Altho it does say they expect plans to be drawn up in a few weeks, so we’ll see, they do need a bigger ground.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Agree…but we only need to look at Sheff Wed….when you keep delaying any decisions regards the ground.
Hillsboro is really starting to look old, like an antique.

Our Kop is a disgrace really. I remember when the Kell Brook boxing fight was on and thought….the inside of the stadium looks quite nice
But what must outsiders think when they went to the back of the Kop to use the toilets and kiosks/ bars.
It’s like being back in the 1980’s and then posts need removing asap.

I’m sure a few month back Bettis said we were removing the pillars on the Kop this Summer. Wonder what’s happening now?

To remove the pillars you’d have to have means to support such a vast roof without them, which would probably mean a new roof design. But why would we go to the trouble and expense of putting a new roof on without making it big enough and to accommodate future expansion of the Kop. Also the plans for the expanded Kop show a cantilevered
stand…If we went to these lengths just to remove the pillars, we may as well go the whole hog and build a new blooming kop.
Me thinks the “pillars” thing was just a bit of red meat from someone who effectively a Saudi politician.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Isn't our issue that and I'm paraphrasing here, that we've been told we need 3 seasons in PL before we can do it?

The kop and kop corner are shit stains on our ground and embarrassing. They must have been designed by Ray Charles, which fucking muppet signed off the kop????