Stadium Development

[S64 Blade]

How has it played out for Derby, Wigan, Bolton, Darlington to name a few off the top of my head?

If we regularly filled the Lane i could understand it and i realise at some point you have to renovate but investing in a new ground when we need to invest in the squad or else risk a visit to league one is futile

The time when investment should have been made was when we had the PL riches however 50m went on the likes of Brewster/Moose/McBurnie instead of a new academy

Derby spent 5 consecutive seasons in the PL after their new ground opened - far more than we have ever managed. Since then have been fairly similar to ourselves with the odd season in the top flight and a spell (far shorter in their case) in League One.

Bolton, had a 3 year spell in the old Division 1 just after their new ground opened followed by 11 consecutive seasons in the PL including 4 top half finishes and playing in Europe (something we’ve never managed) watching world class players like Anelka, Okocha, Djorkaeff.

Wigan went from being a largely third division side to having 8 consecutive seasons in the PL, again far more than we’ve managed and winning the FA cup (plus Europe, something we’ve never done). Have since become a Championship/L1 yo-yo club, so higher historically than before their new ground was built.

I’ll give you Darlington, but that build was batshit crazy for that club.

I’m not suggesting we do the ground now as we clearly don’t have the money. But not improving the club is far more risky than taking action. Standing still like our neighbours will have far greater consequences.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Liverpool and Man City didn’t extend stands built on a spoil heaps. They extended stands that were of a decent standard and worth extending.

I agree there would be problems with doing a rebuild of the Kop, which would mean it’s highly unlikely to ever happen, but the solution isn’t to build a bodge job extension.

The South stand extension isn’t a bodge job. That stand is more than decent too, so it’s just a matter of extending and massively increasing and improving corporate facilities.

The Kop is the biggest stand, so closing it down for 2 years isn’t reasonable. Imagine telling season tickets holders they are banned from attending home matches for 2 years and non season ticket holders and new fans are also effectively banned for 2 seasons too.

If the South stand is built it would be overkill putting corporate facilities in a 3rd stand (the Kop). The South stand extension would probably triple out current corporate facilities which surely is plenty. Also there’s no car park near the Kop. Do we ask VIP’s to park in south stand then walk to Shoreham Street.

Also the Kop plans are impressive, 3,200 extra seats at the back, no pillars, totally enclosed spacious concourse areas with expanded modern toilets, bars etc. Would be a massive upgrade and there would be some space underneath the Kop stand for whatever, storage etc.

Regards the options.
The South stand upgrade is better for the club where as the Kop upgrade is better for the fans.

However I remember McCabe saying there were savings to be made if both projects were done at the same time taking capacity to around 40K.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

The South stand extension isn’t a bodge job. That stand is more than decent too, so it’s just a matter of extending and massively increasing and improving corporate facilities.

The Kop is the biggest stand, so closing it down for 2 years isn’t reasonable. Imagine telling season tickets holders they are banned from attending home matches for 2 years and non season ticket holders and new fans are also effectively banned for 2 seasons too.

If the South stand is built it would be overkill putting corporate facilities in a 3rd stand (the Kop). The South stand extension would probably triple out current corporate facilities which surely is plenty. Also there’s no car park near the Kop. Do we ask VIP’s to park in south stand then walk to Shoreham Street.

Also the Kop plans are impressive, 3,200 extra seats at the back, no pillars, totally enclosed spacious concourse areas with expanded modern toilets, bars etc. Would be a massive upgrade and there would be some space underneath the Kop stand for whatever, storage etc.

Regards the options.
The South stand upgrade is better for the club where as the Kop upgrade is better for the fans.

However I remember McCabe saying there were savings to be made if both projects were done at the same time taking capacity to around 40K.

I'd love the Kop to be rebuilt, but I have to agree with your (and K McCabe's) assessment.

His plans were and still are probably the most effective solution to most of our problems.

 

[Selly]

The South stand extension isn’t a bodge job. That stand is more than decent too, so it’s just a matter of extending and massively increasing and improving corporate facilities.

The Kop is the biggest stand, so closing it down for 2 years isn’t reasonable. Imagine telling season tickets holders they are banned from attending home matches for 2 years and non season ticket holders and new fans are also effectively banned for 2 seasons too.

If the South stand is built it would be overkill putting corporate facilities in a 3rd stand (the Kop). The South stand extension would probably triple out current corporate facilities which surely is plenty. Also there’s no car park near the Kop. Do we ask VIP’s to park in south stand then walk to Shoreham Street.

Also the Kop plans are impressive, 3,200 extra seats at the back, no pillars, totally enclosed spacious concourse areas with expanded modern toilets, bars etc. Would be a massive upgrade and there would be some space underneath the Kop stand for whatever, storage etc.

Regards the options.
The South stand upgrade is better for the club where as the Kop upgrade is better for the fans.

However I remember McCabe saying there were savings to be made if both projects were done at the same time taking capacity to around 40K.

Of course if you do the SS upgrade first (and don`t increase the number of ST holders immediately) then you also have "somewhere" to put any Kop residents when you do the Kop upgrade...

 

[Balham]

Liverpool and Man City didn’t extend stands built on a spoil heaps. They extended stands that were of a decent standard and worth extending.

I agree there would be problems with doing a rebuild of the Kop, which would mean it’s highly unlikely to ever happen, but the solution isn’t to build a bodge job extension.

Selly beat me to it:

Of course if you do the SS upgrade first (and don`t increase the number of ST holders immediately) then you also have "somewhere" to put any Kop residents when you do the Kop upgrade...

The obvious thing to do* is the Anfield-style build up and over to put a second tier and all the corporate stuff on the south stand. You can then move the ST holders from the Kop into the BL Upper or the new SS Upper for a season while you raze the existing Kop and rebuild it properly.

This only makes sense if we're an established top flight club. Unfortunately, with our parochial approach we've got no chance of that happening.

*sadly, the really obvious BL development of moving the pitch southwards (or, even better, rotating it 90deg) to free up space for the JSS to be built properly isn't viable.

 

[pedro]

Selly beat me to it:


The obvious thing to do* is the Anfield-style build up and over to put a second tier and all the corporate stuff on the south stand. You can then move the ST holders from the Kop into the BL Upper or the new SS Upper for a season while you raze the existing Kop and rebuild it properly.

This only makes sense if we're an established top flight club. Unfortunately, with our parochial approach we've got no chance of that happening.

*sadly, the really obvious BL development of moving the pitch southwards (or, even better, rotating it 90deg) to free up space for the JSS to be built properly isn't viable.

If the kop was to be closed for redevelopment there would be room for some on the bramall lane stand could the away allowance be lowered then you would have extra seats on the Bramall lane lower stand by only letting the away fans only have half the stand?

 

[The Fox]

Lets be honest , it isn't happening.

The safe standing on the kop will probably be the last bit of ground development we will see for a few years.

Dore development isn't on the cards either .

The ground and other facilities and developments will be kicked down the road until the football side is sorted which looks like 2/3 years at least .

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

What we actually need is a ballroom. As far as I know no other club has one. This way we would be the envy of the footballing world.

 

[prince albert]

What we actually need is a ballroom. As far as I know no other club has one. This way we would be the envy of the footballing world.

That's probably taking it a bit too far, surely we could just utilize some of the boot room to store the balls.

 

[Nick Jansky]

What we actually need is a ballroom. As far as I know no other club has one. This way we would be the envy of the footballing world.

My memories of sitting on the kop are of being so cramped that there was next to no ball room.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

My memories of sitting on the kop are of being so cramped that there was next to no ball room.

Luton was worse.

 

[YES Blade]

The South stand extension isn’t a bodge job. That stand is more than decent too, so it’s just a matter of extending and massively increasing and improving corporate facilities.

The Kop is the biggest stand, so closing it down for 2 years isn’t reasonable. Imagine telling season tickets holders they are banned from attending home matches for 2 years and non season ticket holders and new fans are also effectively banned for 2 seasons too.

If the South stand is built it would be overkill putting corporate facilities in a 3rd stand (the Kop). The South stand extension would probably triple out current corporate facilities which surely is plenty. Also there’s no car park near the Kop. Do we ask VIP’s to park in south stand then walk to Shoreham Street.

Also the Kop plans are impressive, 3,200 extra seats at the back, no pillars, totally enclosed spacious concourse areas with expanded modern toilets, bars etc. Would be a massive upgrade and there would be some space underneath the Kop stand for whatever, storage etc.

Regards the options.
The South stand upgrade is better for the club where as the Kop upgrade is better for the fans.

However I remember McCabe saying there were savings to be made if both projects were done at the same time taking capacity to around 40K.

Have you ever been to a modern stadium? I honestly can not get my head around how anyone could think the Kop extension plans from 2007 are impressive.

 

[Tom Bott]

The problem is that there will never be a perfect time to do anything significant to the stadium. Whether that’s moving stadium, rebuilding a stand or extending a current stand.

Plenty of clubs have invested heavily in their infrastructure without needing to be an established Premier League club. But they have ambition. Unfortunately, ambition and Sheffield United is something that doesn’t go together.

Are you offering to pay for these upgrades?

If not then there are two options.
Ticket prices on the Kop match those on the South stand. With the attendant drop in attendances.
Or the playing budget is cut and we remain mired at mid championship level - or worse.

Remember what happened when we redeveloped the South stand? ultimately we slipped into the 4th division from our position at the top of league one.
Think of the investment and ambition though

Though maybe COH have a magic money forest where money is no object and the benefit of fans from a different country is paramount.

Your ambition, without having to pay for it, or theirs, having to invest millions each year.

At least we have a safety certificate for the stands we use.

 

[Harry's Game]

What we actually need is a ballroom. As far as I know no other club has one. This way we would be the envy of the footballing world.

No I’m all for an Arc de Wilder

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

No I’m all for an Arc de Wilder

View attachment 235984

Triumph de Wilder

 

[Tom Bott]

Lets be honest , it isn't happening.

Nail on head - end of thread.

Until we become a PL fixture, though the topic comes up on a regular basis.

Unless we crowdfund it........

 

[Tom Bott]

No I’m all for an Arc de Wilder

View attachment 235984

 

[LBA_Blade]

What we actually need is a ballroom. As far as I know no other club has one. This way we would be the envy of the footballing world.

And a underground nuclear bunker with pitch so we can still keep playing in the event of a nuclear war

 

[raul]

Have we all forgotten Bond Schemes?

Leeds built the big ugly East Stand on the back of fans paying ( I think ) £500 but got £100 off ST''s the next seven years.

So , which 10k of us is going to chuck £1500 each for a new Kop in return for £200 off ST for 8 years?

 

[Gimli]

Luton was worse.

I’ve savoured the delights of corporate hospitality at ‘the Kenny’.

Reminiscent of a working men’s club from the 80s…

And the seats were garbage. Many of them didn’t even have backs to them.

I absolutely think we need to upgrade the facilities on the Kop sooner rather than later, but your assessment of ‘Luton was worse’ is 100% accurate!

 

[Gimli]

Have we all forgotten Bond Schemes?

Leeds built the big ugly East Stand on the back of fans paying ( I think ) £500 but got £100 off ST''s the next seven years.

So , which 10k of us is going to chuck £1500 each for a new Kop in return for £200 off ST for 8 years?

How about offering 10 year season tickets, I’m sure I remember a club somewhere in our locality offering such a scheme with great success…

 

[Sean Thornton]

Lets be honest , it isn't happening.

The safe standing on the kop will probably be the last bit of ground development we will see for a few years.

Dore development isn't on the cards either .

The ground and other facilities and developments will be kicked down the road until the football side is sorted which looks like 2/3 years at least .

Hasn’t it been said only on return to the PL?

 

[metalblade]

If clearing the Kop site and building a brand new Kop then going down to 20K capacity for 2 full seasons is too much.
We have 23K season ticket holders….so imagine telling a ST holder they can’t attend for 2 years.

The better plan was doing like what Liverpool did at Anfield and Man City have done
And that is build the new stand behind the current Kop or South stand….then there would be a minimal reduction in capacity and only for 1 year.

I be we don't have 23k season ticket holders next season

 

[Sean Thornton]

How about offering 10 year season tickets, I’m sure I remember a club somewhere in our locality offering such a scheme with great success…

And the PL return bonus!

 

[The Fox]

Hasn’t it been said only on return to the PL?

Yes , thats what i was referring to.

Its good that people discuss it but just hope folks don't have expectations.