United, Radio Sheffield and the WC

[lenners]

I notice that SWFC fans are sending a petition to Radio Sheffield over alleged bias about the WC decision.
Basically Seth Bennett said he was surprised BL hadn't been chosen as it currently has the best facilities. He also said Hillsbro would be fine if the developments went ahead and that a better decision would have been to involve both grounds.
Now, firstly it's surprising that SWFC fans, who never knowingly whinge about anything, are so het up about actually winning something. And ironic given this is their reaction to winning something (there would have been suicides if they'd experienced Tevez).
It also suggests they're feeling a little insecure about the decision.
But I also think there's a broader issue involved here and that is that a really poor decision is going to cause problems for Sheffield. (They could have at least just picked the city and waited on the ground)
This Radio Sheffield thing is just the start - and I hope and trust they'll stand strong as an opinion shared by many of its listeners was reasonably expressed.
It'll really kick off when the issue of public money comes up. It'll be entirely wrong if our money goes towards developing one ground when the other has had to be self-financed.
If all this affects Sheffield itself hosting games it'll be on the FA's head, no-one else's.

 

[Micalijo]

Some good stuff today.

Spot on for me in your comments regarding public money. I understand why some on here aren't bothered about the WC being at Bramall Lane but at the same time they have to accept that the use of public coffers to upgrade Hillsboro will cause alot of outrage when there is probably a ready made, cheaper and better alternative 3 miles away. Whoever pays for it though, it does give wendy kudos they don't deserve and for all of my reservations about McCabe and what he has done with his merger/takeover (my assumptions) of SUFC Ltd with his property empire - I really do feel genuinely gutted for him about this and I will be personally gutted when Wendy do eventually turn for the better (I think they will), helped along the way in my opinion by this WC decision.

 

[Balham]

Surely there could be a caveat that the money from the FA is given to Sheffield 2018, who could then split it between the two clubs in order to prevent bias? Wendy could then get their 18,000 regulars to paint the steps to save some cash and we'd not lose out.

 

[beechblade]

Some good stuff today.

Spot on for me in your comments regarding public money. I understand why some on here aren't bothered about the WC being at Bramall Lane but at the same time they have to accept that the use of public coffers to upgrade Hillsboro will cause alot of outrage when there is probably a ready made, cheaper and better alternative 3 miles away. Whoever pays for it though, it does give wendy kudos they don't deserve and for all of my reservations about McCabe and what he has done with his merger/takeover (my assumptions) of SUFC Ltd with his property empire - I really do feel genuinely gutted for him about this and I will be personally gutted when Wendy do eventually turn for the better (I think they will), helped along the way in my opinion by this WC decision.

My main gripe in the whole situation is they are going to get this on a gift horse and we would have been the ones funding the majority of it ourselves, I'm also pissed that its United who have done all the hard work and development for the bid (probably paid a fair bit of cash into the bid too) and that fat twat piggy backs on the idea out of spite and Jealousy and then they get the decision going in their favour, it reeks of utter shit. And not one of these presenters have mentioned one thing about all the hard work our club did for this to then have i rub in our face by fatty strafford seeing it as another chance to have a dig at the club whos business model he his trying to copy.
The thing that disgraces me is like one of the callers said last night maybe this was the intention of the FA to cause disgruntlement within the city therefore remove itself out of the picture to host the games.

 

[Bayingblade]

If they do use public money Len, then I shall go to the trouble of working out my element of the grant and deduct it from my council tax bill.

If it doesn't ultimately stop them from getting it (at source) then at least it will cost them more to actually collect it.

And I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one!!

 

[lenners]

If they do use public money Len, then I shall go to the trouble of working out my element of the grant and deduct it from my council tax bill.

If it doesn't ultimately stop them from getting it (at source) then at least it will cost them more to actually collect it.

And I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one!!

I think this is going to be a key issue.
I'm not sure what the situation is in Liverpool but I wonder if Liverpool would be getting any public money to build a new ground.
You could argue Man City got a new ground ready built but I don't think they actually own it and it remains an asset for the city in terms of rent.
It'll certainly split Sheffield though if there's money going to Hillsbro and not just from Blades if other services are struggling.

 

[Darren]

If they do use public money Len, then I shall go to the trouble of working out my element of the grant and deduct it from my council tax bill.

If it doesn't ultimately stop them from getting it (at source) then at least it will cost them more to actually collect it.

And I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one!!

I am afraid it won't cost them more, it will cost you. If they have to take you to court to get the money, they can get costs as well.

 

[lenners]

I am afraid it won't cost them more, it will cost you. If they have to take you to court to get the money, they can get costs as well.

Aye but any council which stirs up that kind of hornet's nest would face being booted out come the following May - and all ruling groups have the priority of staying in power.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Perhaps we should have some sort of organised campaign to stop public/taxpayers money being spent on Swillsborough?

 

[ghandi]

Perhaps we should have some sort of organised campaign to stop public/taxpayers money being spent on Swillsborough?

They got grants in 66 but their contribution almost made them bankrupt then and I think it will this time if they haven't gone bust before.

The FA won't be paying anything to clubs to develop their grounds as every man and his dog would have applied to get improvements at a knock down cost if that was the case.

The only way I can see SCC being able to shove money at the rustbucket is to buy the stadium, pay for improvements and leaseback to the cloven footed ones which as Lenners has already alluded to that wouldn't be the most politically astute move over improving/maintaining services. The policy of votes for us and we'll use your money to buy a football ground used by 20K 23 times per year and we'll reduce your bin collections to once a month doesn't sound much of a vote winner to me.

 

[Darren]

Aye but any council which stirs up that kind of hornet's nest would face being booted out come the following May - and all ruling groups have the priority of staying in power.

I think you are overestimating the power of disgruntled United fans to effect local election results. The ruling party (its the Liberals isn't it?) might just as easily think they would stand to gain votes from lots of Wednesday fans if they do fund their stadium.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Straight from the horses mouth, Wednesday are planning to fund the £22M development from “Government grants backed up by increased revenue streams”:-

“Stadium development is not however dependent on selection as a World Cup venue. Initial development, to exceed FIFA's requirements for World Cup matches, will cost £9.8m and help strengthen Sheffield's case as a candidate host city for 2018. The costs associated with these proposed developments do not impact upon the club's published business plan with the majority of the estimated £22m development coming from government grants backed up by increased club revenue streams.
Highlights of our plans include:
• Increased capacity to 44,825 seats with no viewing restrictions
• Removal of pillars and building of a new ‘iconic' roof structure for the Kop
• Removal of pillars and building of new roof structure for the West Stand
• A new specific learning zone in the West Stand overlooking the pitch
• Extension of the North Stand to create the biggest classroom in the country and enterprise zones for use by local business and community organisation
• New corporate facilities - 17 new executive boxes in the North Stand
• Improved stadium access and increased car parking spaces
• Making Hillsborough into a ‘green stadium' through rainwater harvesting and solar cell technology to power learning zones”

This raises a couple of interesting points:-
1) What are the “increased club revenue streams” that they refer to? If they’re talking about their predicted increase in season ticket sales, we already know that’s not happened. What other increased revenue streams are they expecting?

2) Their application for government grants is presumably only possible because they’re planning to have a “learning zone” in the West Stand, a “big classroom and enterprise zone” in the North Stand and to turn Hillsborough into a “green stadium”.

United meanwhile are planning to have another “Business Centre (Enterprise zone?)” and I’m sure there was mention of more facilities for the Sharrow community. Wouldn’t it be possible for United to apply for government grants also with a bit of tweaking to our plans?

 

[JJ Sefton]

Perhaps as a start some sort of fans group independent of the club (are BIFA still going?) could seek a commitment from the council that the Sty wont get a copper coin of taxpayer cash?

 

[lenners]

I think you are overestimating the power of disgruntled United fans to effect local election results. The ruling party (its the Liberals isn't it?) might just as easily think they would stand to gain votes from lots of Wednesday fans if they do fund their stadium.

I don't think it will be about United fans, it will be about council taxpayers full stop.
And if schools, social services etc are going down the toilet at the same time as money is committed to a privately-run football club able to pay players thousands of pounds a week, whichever ruling party will be in for some serious heat.

 

[Bayingblade]

I am afraid it won't cost them more, it will cost you. If they have to take you to court to get the money, they can get costs as well.

I don't think I would be alone Darren and as a lefty and traditional supporter of mass protest, I'm sure your heart would be with us

Bit of a new thing for me though.......perhaps some advice would be in order?

Would I need to grow a beard or get a silly haircut?

 

[Darren]

I don't think I would be alone Darren and as a lefty and traditional supporter of mass protest, I'm sure your heart would be with us

Bit of a new thing for me though.......perhaps some advice would be in order?

Would I need to grow a beard or get a silly haircut?

Typical Tory - no idea of the different species of lefties

I am definitely not one of those types who thinks you can deduct bits of your taxes that pay for bits of government/council policy you dislike. That's (as Lenin put it) infantile leftism. If you disagree with what the council/government is spending money on, the remedy is to vote them out.

 

[Darren]

I don't think it will be about United fans, it will be about council taxpayers full stop.
And if schools, social services etc are going down the toilet at the same time as money is committed to a privately-run football club able to pay players thousands of pounds a week, whichever ruling party will be in for some serious heat.

I don't disagree that if the Council committed any significant amount of money towards a football club that could be unpopular. My point was that if people did the sort of thing BB suggested (a) very few people would actually do it (b) they would have to pay up in the end anyway and (c) it would not be popular with the generality of voters as it can easily be portrayed as an anti-democratic act and thus be counter-productive.

 

[broomhillblade]

I don't think it will be about United fans, it will be about council taxpayers full stop.
And if schools, social services etc are going down the toilet at the same time as money is committed to a privately-run football club able to pay players thousands of pounds a week, whichever ruling party will be in for some serious heat.

Has the Council paid off its debts for the World Student Games in 1991 yet?

 

[beightonblade]

Public money ? .................. the way clown brown is running things the'yll be nowt left !

 

[Willie Carlin]

Public money ? .................. the way clown brown is running things the'yll be nowt left !

According to Kevin McCabe on todays Blades World interview one of the criteria for bidding was that there would be NO GRANTS for clubs.

 

[beightonblade]

According to Kevin McCabe on todays Blades World interview one of the criteria for bidding was that there would be NO GRANTS for clubs.

thats the porkers fc uked then.

 

[Willie Carlin]

thats the porkers fc uked then.

That would knock em' of their pedestal.:thumbup:

 

[Worksop II]

Public money ? .................. the way clown brown is running things the'yll be nowt left !

Just print some more BB, luverly, it only costs Paper and Ink, and you can pay for that with the money you have printed, I should be Chancellor :thumbup:

 

[Kentblade]

According to Kevin McCabe on todays Blades World interview one of the criteria for bidding was that there would be NO GRANTS for clubs.

Very true Willie Carlin.
But unfortunately we live in a society where little heed is paid to maintaining continuing agreements and where rules seem to be made to suit the ocassion.
It is very clear to me that no world cup games can be played at Hillsborough until massive sums are spent on improvements and we know one that will not be coughing up.
It will be down to the city council again to provide the funds and that should not happen for one club only.
Unless the Owls get major investment which I think is unlikely.
There is a lot more to run on this very strange decision.
I thought that McCabe in todays interview handled and answerd the questions in a very sensitive and level headed way.
UTB

 

[GlosBlade]

KM's interview gave me the strong impression there may well be a challenge to the decision....hopefully behind closed doors as this is one of those situations where (in my opinion) we can't really win...we have been robbed but we look like sore losers if we kick up a stink

 

[TAMUS]

I hope their is a big fat penalty for not being able to deliver the WC because if not ,Strafford as done us, spending very little ,but promissing so much to scupper our bid .Only so many fans available to share in our city and each club needs to win them just to stand still, maybe a clever Strafford.?

 

[Houso]

I think one issue is that current attendance trends should have been taken into consideration. If the Sty gets extended to the suggested capacity, the likelihood is that, unless a miracle happens, it will be less than half full.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Taking Wednesday and United out of the equation should any public money anywhere in the country be used to fund holding the world cup?

Shouldn’t an industry that can pay individual players £200K A WEEK be expected to fund it’s own world competition?

If grounds need building/up dating then let the industry that uses them fund it not the tax payer. All that money for say three group games = £7.33M per game, even Chelsea and Man City don’t spend that much!!!

By the way if either ground in Sheffield is extended then it would be a disaster for either club with either being ¾ empty on match days.

 

[de g.]

Fully agree with Grumpy Blade - incidentally, I thought this was one of the things in favour of BDTBL as opposed to Hillsborough. No Council of any persuasion should be spending money on football clubs - if you want to see how that ends, just look at how Leeds City Council had their fingers burned with Leeds United.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Thanks but where has my post gone????

It's in the 'more replies below current depth'