East stand

[TheLuker]

Who’s reality?

The problem at this club is that for far too long it has been constrained by the ‘reality’ of those who own or look after it.

The same old excuses fir what ultimately amounts to personal limitations.

By "personal limitations" do you mean a benefactor willing to lavish their wealth on us?

We've never had someone in the same league as those that bankrolled Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan.

That "reality" has so far eluded us but do we really want to be beholden to that sort of largesse frpom one person?

And wanting or expecting a massive contribution from one person sounds to me like entitlement

 

[poolseasider]

There is no new stand. 5 years and still nothing!!!

More like 3 years you need to minus two for Covid where fuck all got done.

 

[AllTheBoysAreCheerin']

I agree with much of that, however I don't think we'll lose existing fans, as you don't give up on your team because of a stand. I think you are also slightly underestimating the more professional feel of a completed stadium. Whenever you see the N, W&S from the E it looks miles better, so seeing that all around will finally give that proper stadium feel, not looking at a shite east.

But it'll be a show of intent whatever happens. Sadler has already said he prefers it smaller, so the 4600 was it we thought. Possibly no corner.

It could be great to make a statement no doubt and people saying we haven't sold this much before etc have no vision about where we could be long term or even short term, you have to build for the future and we haven't tried that hard yet, also under odd circumstances. 1st Championship season was post covid and many were cautious. 2nd season under Appleton, hardly going to inspire the masses under a hated man at the high prices we chose too. So we could have done far better even if we wet up this season.

I could though accept the 4600 east, although definitely better with a corner too, but on it's own would take us only slightly higher capacity wise than now, but would allow maybe 14k home fans and 2.2k away, or whatever splits.

That would be enough for now, but under the right circumstances if things went well it might not be long before that was filled.

I don't doubt SS when he says we could add to it in the future, which is good to hear, but obviously you need the fans to be able to attend when the occasions call.

I would love to see though, a 2 tier north, as I wonder if you'd be able to get a large part of the steelwork etc done over a slightly longer summer, then populate it below still whilst it's finished...

Probably just a pipe dream anyway.

1 more thing to mention, the reason we wouldn't be going any higher than 24 rows high is someone said that's the limit of ground entrances we have, any higher and you need them tunnels mid stand or something.

So for me just max out the 24 rows high from east to NE corner.

Sadly, I very much doubt that the north stand could be made 2 tier. Those of us that followed the construction will remember the delays in the build caused by problems with the foundations in the NW corner and the subsequent difference in levels of the NW corner and N stand itself. I suspect there are other reasons that would make it difficult but this reason alone will possibly make it impossible!

 

[JJpool]

Much loved stand maybe for atmosphere but it's out of date.
Cramped concourse,pushing and shoving to go to the tiny toilets,no chance of change of catering options etc.

In ten years time it will still be even more outdated meanwhile the new shiny stand(should) be built with whoever using it getting better facilities than us in the North.

Growing up it was all about the South but that's been badly built for noise why not build the East for home get the acoustics right,safe standing,decent food,quick pouring beer etc and make it the go to stand.

The east has all the wind and sun in their eyes, not everyone will appreciate that.

The north is outdated but they can always expand the concourse if the BFCCT rooms behind it get moved to the new east or wherever. Or you could use the ne corner in some way to have a bigger fan zone or concourse.

 

[Leyland bfc]

If the east doesn’t make the capacity up to 20 thousand then the club is a ** joke fan my arse and I’ve stuck up for him no ambition at all he can fuck off

 

[JJpool]

The council will issue CPOs for any remaining properties that the football club have been unable to secure an amicable deal to purchase, themselves. The club will be paying for them, the land will become the property of BFC. A conference centre/sports arena was on the original Revoe Masterplan which goes right up to Central Drive so I assume the purchase will eventually be for all the properties but for now may just be for some of them until further development is on the cards.

View attachment 18319

I think this was the most recent site map btw.

Doesn't suggest a NE corner, although no actual stand plans yet, so could mean nothing at all.

 

[AllTheBoysAreCheerin']

The east has all the wind and sun in their eyes, not everyone will appreciate that.

The north is outdated but they can always expand the concourse if the BFCCT rooms behind it get moved to the new east or wherever. Or you could use the ne corner in some way to have a bigger fan zone or concourse.

The east does get the wind but the north gets the worst of the winter sun.

 

[AllTheBoysAreCheerin']

I think this was the most recent site map btw.

Doesn't suggest a NE corner, although no actual stand plans yet, so could mean nothing at all.

I was looking for that one. The accompanying info said the NE corner was to contain equipment for the groundstaff or something similar!

 

[poolseasider]

The east has all the wind and sun in their eyes, not everyone will appreciate that.

The north is outdated but they can always expand the concourse if the BFCCT rooms behind it get moved to the new east or wherever. Or you could use the ne corner in some way to have a bigger fan zone or concourse.

That's a poor reply and means in your reasoning we are spending millions on a new shiny stand just for the away fans.
Fuck em give them crap like we in the main get on our travels.
Might as well just put some seats up and no roof and spend the money on players.

We won't spend a penny on the North in the next ten years whilst other stuff is ongoing so we trudge on.

 

[AllTheBoysAreCheerin']

Additionally, It does show the footprint contains all the land up to Central drive.

 

[JJpool]

I guess this at least answers the OP.

Blackpool FC stadium gets green light for multi-million pound development

Investment includes £6.5m from Blackpool’s Town Deal, with Blackpool FC owner Simon Sadler also expected to plough money into a new 4,600 seat stand

www.lancs.live

One interesting thing from that older article is this...

"A council report warned replacing the stand on its existing footprint “would substantially compromise the club’s long term development plans, with a restriction and limitation on the stand’s capacity and ancillary facilities.”

So we know they can fit that size east in that space but not a lot else. It'll likely have commercial space etc.

But it's interesting it says limit the capacity, like there was an intent to be bigger, yet counter that with ss saying he'd rather it be small and full.

 

[A_Tense_Grin]

With the emergence of Firesticks, capacity should be limited.

 

[BFC_BFC_BFC]

By "personal limitations" do you mean a benefactor willing to lavish their wealth on us?

We've never had someone in the same league as those that bankrolled Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan.

That "reality" has so far eluded us but do we really want to be beholden to that sort of largesse frpom one person?

And wanting or expecting a massive contribution from one person sounds to me like entitlement

I wouldn’t really put it in those terms tbh. However the mentality that would frame things in those terms is certainly problematic…. Interestingly that’s the kind of way I would have expected Karl Oyston to describe owner investment… You’re not related are you ?

In truth though it’s more about the character, attributes and capabilities of the owners as opposed to their resources - although resources have (at times) been an issue. Let’s face it, you need deep pockets to sustain a Football Club like Blackpool - that’s the bottom line.


I don’t think that having an expectation of certain standards and levels of investment from an owner is ‘entitlement’ at all really. In fact I’d say that choosing to own a football club and then imposing personal financial constraints upon it is far more ‘entitled’… And for the most part, that’s where we were at with Owen Oyston… He liked all the trappings of being a football owner, but wasn’t so keen on the responsibility or expectation.

 

[JJpool]

Sadly, I very much doubt that the north stand could be made 2 tier. Those of us that followed the construction will remember the delays in the build caused by problems with the foundations in the NW corner and the subsequent difference in levels of the NW corner and N stand itself. I suspect there are other reasons that would make it difficult but this reason alone will possibly make it impossible!

Who knows, would have to see what it was designed for and whether the build was completed properly.

The east does get the wind but the north gets the worst of the winter sun.

It's a mix as in summer it's the east more probably, which sometimes is nice too has to be said, bit not always ideal foe watching. Obviously the further along the north you go the more you get.

With thr winter sun and given the KO time the issue isn't bad for long.

But certainly weather is usually blasting the east.

 

[AllTheBoysAreCheerin']

All this pales in to insignificance though if the product on the pitch isn't good enough!

 

[Eternaloptimist]

You are looking at this in an arse about tit kind of way..

Firstly.. Blackpool FC has done two significant stadium alterations of note (excluding Temporary Stand) in the time I can remember... Both of those developments have resulted in a step change (increase) in the attendances. Both times we heard exactly the same kind of nonsense spouted about the need to fill the stadium regularly first... It will never happen...

Your attendances in the Championship will pretty much always average at a certain level of your capacity. That's just how it is, however typically speaking that percentage tends to remain constant (notwithstanding size of catchment).. I can't recall what it was now, but maybe it was something like a typical championship club might average 75 - 80% of capacity... One might assume that by increasing the capacity that would have the knock on effect of reducing the percentage, but in reality that isn't the case... Essentially by limiting the peak capacity you also limit the average capacity as in essence only 75-80% of those who you might attract to your once in 10-20 year fixture will attend regularly.... However fail to be able to accommodate them for that one off game or fail to show the kind of ambition that drives fans on the periphery to feel motivated to support the club and you'll reap the rewards of your own lack of ambition and foresight..... Ultimately people (beyond the bare minumum) are only going to be motivated to support this Club if they feel it is a Club that actually has some ambition... As things stand Blackpool FC has a 'Treading Water' feel about the place... Whether it's on the pitch, with regard to these development plans or simply in the way it communicates with the public.... That's not going to attract fans I'm afraid... So to my mind... If 3,600 is where we are at... I'd just spruce up the Temporary Stand and not even bother, because its a waste of money.

We already have filled the current stadium when we were in the Championship (2014 was the last time) and that happened under a regime that was widely hated in the town. Since that time we have lost a generation of fans that needed to be rebuilt... That's a whole generation who just don't get the Preston North End rivalry... Blackpool could easily drum up 15-16000 home fans in a local Derby Game, but it's going to take time and the will to build and regain the trust of the community.... To expect that to simply happen overnight, when thousands have completely cut themselves off is naïve in the extreme.

I think for many existing fans the East Stand is going to be a major line in the sand really.... I think it's also a way to make a massive statement about the future ambitions of the Club to the Town as a whole. As such this has the potential to really create a massive buzz in the Town and to gain 2-3000 extra home fans in the right circumstances. A small development of 3600 would show a real lack of ambition and I think for many it would be a final straw.... Fans like myself have probably pinned our last hopes for having a proper football club on this most recent change of ownership and frankly if we simply get (yet another) half measures type approach, I think that many will just thrown in the towel....

Go Big or Go Home would be my advice.... I genuinely think that we'll lose a whole bunch of our existing fanbase if we get this decision wrong....

X3. IF, (and it still hasn’t been proven as fact) the new stand will only accommodate 3,800 which, when you think logically, is a wind up because there would be no need to buy out Henry Street, and the so called “lack of ambition “ would drive supporters away then you should think again.
The main attraction for football supporters is the level at which they are playing, the local derbies or they are up at the top of their particular league. History proves that.
We are in League 1 and getting circa 10k at home, we go up a a level and we’d get 12-14k and would play to full stadiums if we ever got back to the Premiership and if, like you say, people did start to desert the club then personally I would say they are not true supporters and also if we got back up then they would return which shows how fickle they are, and more importantly are they the kind of supporters the club needs.
FYI I class myself as a true supporter because I have followed the club through thick and thin for over 50 years and believe me I have seen far worse times than this.
Just out of interest what crowds do you think our fellow North West teams would get if they we’re in our Division?
Burnley, Blackburn and Preston would all get similar to us.
Bolton appear to be the exception to this as they are getting 20k which is great support.

 

[BillyRonsonNo7]

More like 3 years you need to minus two for Covid where fuck all got done.

We also had the Oystons yarn. Forget the Luker & BFC X3. Believe your eyes.

 

[JJpool]

That's a poor reply and means in your reasoning we are spending millions on a new shiny stand just for the away fans.
Fuck em give them crap like we in the main get on our travels.
Might as well just put some seats up and no roof and spend the money on players.

We won't spend a penny on the North in the next ten years whilst other stuff is ongoing so we trudge on.

No, the current east is going to expire, so has to be done, half of that will be for away fans most probably and the intention is we fill the ither half now or eventually.

It would be a shame to give away fans behind the goal and give away one of the sides we kick to, it's an advantage for a start. The south is smaller so the bigger end should be for us and is currently a much loved end. I can't see us giving any end away. The north holds 2.7k and where I am in E is very close to the hospitality balcony and the entrance to the lounge, so that would all need either changing or no away fans in E so maybe a bit over 2k max. If they have it all then we'd then have no home fans in the NW corner and a bit beyond.

Ne or Se for away fans.

I can't see us giving the west away given the hospitality etc. South maybe as always half empty and smaller, but still can't see it.

There's no perfect solution, but to me the best one is probably to expand the north concourse either behind it or in a NE corner. Away fans NE, that unlocks the SE corner for home fans instead of being empty.

 

[BFC_BFC_BFC]

X3. IF, (and it still hasn’t been proven as fact) the new stand will only accommodate 3,800 which, when you think logically, is a wind up because there would be no need to buy out Henry Street, and the so called “lack of ambition “ would drive supporters away then you should think again.
The main attraction for football supporters is the level at which they are playing, the local derbies or they are up at the top of their particular league. History proves that.
We are in League 1 and getting circa 10k at home, we go up a a level and we’d get 12-14k and would play to full stadiums if we ever got back to the Premiership and if, like you say, people did start to desert the club then personally I would say they are not true supporters and also if we got back up then they would return which shows how fickle they are, and more importantly are they the kind of supporters the club needs.
FYI I class myself as a true supporter because I have followed the club through thick and thin for over 50 years and believe me I have seen far worse times than this.
Just out of interest what crowds do you think our fellow North West teams would get if they we’re in our Division?
Burnley, Blackburn and Preston would all get similar to us.
Bolton appear to be the exception to this as they are getting 20k which is great support.

I’m not entirely sure what you are trying to say here tbh.

I very much doubt that the rumours of a 3,600 seat stand are true. It would be pretty much pointless to go to all the effort and expense to reduce the capacity of the stadium, I’d have thought.

If it were to happen though, I do think it would make a very big statement as to where the ambition of the current board sits.

As you say, fans do tend to be mostly interested in what goes on on the pitch, but often what gets us through the tough times on the pitch is a sense that there’s going to be some light at the end of the tunnel.

It doesn’t matter where you are in the league pyramid, the moment you lose the hope that your current situation might get better, the moment it becomes pointless.

 

[onlyonepool]

All I wanted to know is how often did we fill the home end since SS took over

@BFC_BFC_BFC

What real success have we had since Simon Sadler took over. The last promotion was in the middle of a pandemic. How can you gauge what the level of support would be if we got back to the championship and stormed it. I’m pretty sure we’d easily fill the home sections with a sustained run of success. If we’re in with a chance of the playoffs towards the end of this season even in league one we won’t be far off.

 

[JJpool]

The thing is we've just had the meeting and the OP could have been answered there, but from the other thread doesn't sound like it.

I guess SS has said he preferred smaller and full but small could be anywhere from no expansion to a bit with a corner, surely the club could at least say a ballpark of what they're aiming for size wise, like was the 4600 accurate and will we have a corner too?

Surely that could be answered even if actually final plans aren't in yet.

Surely someone asked aprox when are the plans are expected and what estimated timeframe for for the stand are they planning for or expecting?

 

[Mark_GT]

The thing is we've just had the meeting and the OP could have been answered there, but from the other thread doesn't sound like it.

I guess SS has said he preferred smaller and full but small could be anywhere from no expansion to a bit with a corner, surely the club could at least say a ballpark of what they're aiming for size wise, like was the 4600 accurate and will we have a corner too?

Surely that could be answered even if actually final plans aren't in yet.

Surely someone asked aprox when are the plans are expected and what estimated timeframe for for the stand are they planning for or expecting?

My recollection of the meeting is that, when the club was pressed on this issue, 3,600 was mentioned as a capacity for the renewed East. This will hopefully be put on the record in the minutes of the meeting. We requested at the start of the meeting for minutes to be taken and issued publicly, so all supporters, whether part of a group or not, can understand what is being said and what is being planned. Everyone deserves that.

 

[PdxTangerine]

Our "standard" championship attendance even with $30 tickets and even under the Oystons is around 13-14'000, have to imagine if we had the capacity to house more away fans that 14'000 would have been 15-16'000, this alone is surely rationale to look for an 18'000 total capacity.

No-one is asking for the Nou Camp, I would say 18'000 is very sensible and on the lower end of the ambition scale.

To reduce our capacity would be absurd.

 

[Chaddy Tangerine]

If you look at the capacities of other clubs in the 92, from Man U at 75kish at the top to Fleetwood/ Forest Green/ whoever at the bottom, there's a cluster of clubs with a capacity of around 25k. There's a reason for that, as 24 -26k is a sweet spot that gives you a stadium big enough to take advantage of your seasons in the sun, home cup draws against the big 6, and large numbers of away fans attending, but small enough not to be a white elephant that bankrupts the club - nobody wants to be a new Darlington.

So, our long term ambition should be for a stadium of 24-26k, not least to prevent us falling too far behind our traditional rivals Preston, Burnley and Bolton who are already at that level. We can work towards that in stages, depending on finances, attendances and divisional status.

I would build an 8k, two tier East Stand holding about 4k safe standing on the lower tier for home fans, about 4k seats for away fans in the upper tier, and a line of hospitality, media and disabled facilities in the middle. This would give us a 20k capacity, be a giant leap forward towards the 24k ish long term target, and keeps the away fans further away from the pitch while having less protection from the West as the wind and rain bows in.

If we build it and the home fans don't come, we can give some of the lower tier to away fans too, say around the South East corner. Just this week both Bolton and Pompey sold their 2k allocations in a day or two, we could sell double or even triple the current away capacity if the home demand isn't there.

Once the 8k East is built, the final phase of getting up to the long term 24 - 26k target is to replace the existing North stand with another 8k capacity stand with modern facilities.

 

[BlackpoolJord]

If you look at the capacities of other clubs in the 92, from Man U at 75kish at the top to Fleetwood/ Forest Green/ whoever at the bottom, there's a cluster of clubs with a capacity of around 25k. There's a reason for that, as 24 -26k is a sweet spot that gives you a stadium big enough to take advantage of your seasons in the sun, home cup draws against the big 6, and large numbers of away fans attending, but small enough not to be a white elephant that bankrupts the club - nobody wants to be a new Darlington.

So, our long term ambition should be for a stadium of 24-26k, not least to prevent us falling too far behind our traditional rivals Preston, Burnley and Bolton who are already at that level. We can work towards that in stages, depending on finances, attendances and divisional status.

I would build an 8k, two tier East Stand holding about 4k safe standing on the lower tier for home fans, about 4k seats for away fans in the upper tier, and a line of hospitality, media and disabled facilities in the middle. This would give us a 20k capacity, be a giant leap forward towards the 24k ish long term target, and keeps the away fans further away from the pitch while having less protection from the West as the wind and rain bows in.

If we build it and the home fans don't come, we can give some of the lower tier to away fans too, say around the South East corner. Just this week both Bolton and Pompey sold their 2k allocations in a day or two, we could sell double or even triple the current away capacity if the home demand isn't there.

Once the 8k East is built, the final phase of getting up to the long term 24 - 26k target is to replace the existing North stand with another 8k capacity stand with modern facilities.

I'll have some of what your smoking please

 

[seasideone]

I don't think they are paying anything for the stand.

The 6.5m town deal is going towards the sports village and east area... for purchasing houses and clearing the site etc.

It also said this in a recent article.

"Around £17m of private and other investment is expected to be added to the total spending, with Blackpool FC owner Simon Sadler due to contribute to the cost of the new stand."

At the start of your post you say they are paying nothing.

At the end if you post you say they are contributing.

Which is it?

 

[seasideone]

What real success have we had since Simon Sadler took over. The last promotion was in the middle of a pandemic. How can you gauge what the level of support would be if we got back to the championship and stormed it. I’m pretty sure we’d easily fill the home sections with a sustained run of success. If we’re in with a chance of the playoffs towards the end of this season even in league one we won’t be far off.

You can look at History.

Also with every game available on dodgy TV and SKY showing over 1000 EFL and cup related games a season from next year - many will watch on TV.

 

[JJpool]

My recollection of the meeting is that, when the club was pressed on this issue, 3,600 was mentioned as a capacity for the renewed East. This will hopefully be put on the record in the minutes of the meeting. We requested at the start of the meeting for minutes to be taken and issued publicly, so all supporters, whether part of a group or not, can understand what is being said and what is being planned. Everyone deserves that.

Which is an exact copy of the west, which is 3684, but without the hospitality and also remember M block is smaller due to the dugouts, so maybe that bit is for the media on the other side... why aren't they counted BTW as it's still someone attending....

That also excludes the upto 3 rows in hospitality above the west, which could give an extra 588 if that was mirrored or if the rows were just the same height as the north.

That's the stadium height and design limit and was already built with little ambition, to go higher means a different roof design and higher walkways, I can understand not wanting to break that, but to go smaller would be poor.

Is there a corner happening as it's never been mentioned?

I get it's money and to me if you're spending a decent amount already is it really that much extra to make it to the 24 rows height all round. The stand would be the same height regardless.

I don't doubt he would expand if needed in future but the issue is could be limiting very fast if we had a good season or 2, then you have to work to build at the very time that success comes and expansion is needed.

It also gives us very little room for more away fans and more home fans, a call has to be made which loses money.

 

[Insider]

Because the temp stand has nothing under it. There will be a concourse and facilities rather than having to traipse to the end of the stand to a portacabin

Can I just point out, also in response to a @BFC_BFC_BFC comment, that whilst only the south half of East Stand is used the away supporters benefit from the proper facilities under the SE corner (which are actually better than those under the West Stand).

 

[JJpool]

At the start of your post you say they are paying nothing.

At the end if you post you say they are contributing.

Which is it?

The last bit is from the gazette to give an idea of the money, so I wouldn't worry.

I'm sure I read that the 6.5 is for the buying and then knocking down of properties, site prep and also towards revoe sports village, so not for the stand itself, as the council can't use that government money towards a private investment, something like that.

Although if you were building a stand under normal circumstances that may fall on the club, so it's kind of towards part of it and helpful.

They had already spent 700k of the 6.5m of it by September last year and the sports village isn't even started yet, nevermind future property purchases on the other side.

Again not 100% sure as the info released about this project is quite secretive, as usual...

 

[no9]

Costs are spiralling. Looks like the temporary stand is going to be permanent

 

[bfcpete]

Why can't they?

Because the plans will include land behind the stand that they don't own or control. No planning application can be considered on that basis. As far as we are aware even the council haven't acquired all the properties yet, for subsequent sale / transfer to the club.

 

[BFC_BFC_BFC]

At the start of your post you say they are paying nothing.

At the end if you post you say they are contributing.

Which is it?

The Council have obviously taken care of the purchase of areas of Henry Street to enable the project to go ahead. The Club will be funding the cost of the East Stand development.

You can look at History.

Also with every game available on dodgy TV and SKY showing over 1000 EFL and cup related games a season from next year - many will watch on TV.

The impact of games being shown on the TV up to this point has tended to promote the game and increase attendances as opposed to reducing them.

Football still has a long way to go in order to appear to a wider (female, BAME, LGBGT etc,) audience too.

Some of you are constrained by your own personal limitations or lack of imagination / ingenuity.

With a stand of 3,600, we are talking about a Stadium that will possibly scrape a capacity crowd of around 14,500 to 15,000 with segregation.

That’s simply not enough…. It’s going to need us to limit Away Numbers for bigger fixtures and will temper any potential for development of our own fanbase.

 

[PNENIL]

You can look at History.

Also with every game available on dodgy TV and SKY showing over 1000 EFL and cup related games a season from next year - many will watch on TV.

Games are available now to watch at home and yet the crowds are bigger than previous times in L1 and with all the disruption of season tickets on your phone etc. 20 years ago you'd have been delighted with a regular 10 k home fans in L1.

 

[Phil_bfc deux]

Reading this thread I'm just shocked that a new committee member of BST has so little ambition for our great club

 

[BFC_BFC_BFC]

Reading this thread I'm just shocked that a new committee member of BST has so little ambition for our great club

At the end of the day, BFC is just another one of his many ‘follies’ that he can dip in and out of when he’s not eating and drinking his way around the globe

Like most of these TV viewer types these people are completely out of touch with the Town and the average real supporter!!

 

[JJpool]

If you look at the capacities of other clubs in the 92, from Man U at 75kish at the top to Fleetwood/ Forest Green/ whoever at the bottom, there's a cluster of clubs with a capacity of around 25k. There's a reason for that, as 24 -26k is a sweet spot that gives you a stadium big enough to take advantage of your seasons in the sun, home cup draws against the big 6, and large numbers of away fans attending, but small enough not to be a white elephant that bankrupts the club - nobody wants to be a new Darlington.

So, our long term ambition should be for a stadium of 24-26k, not least to prevent us falling too far behind our traditional rivals Preston, Burnley and Bolton who are already at that level. We can work towards that in stages, depending on finances, attendances and divisional status.

I would build an 8k, two tier East Stand holding about 4k safe standing on the lower tier for home fans, about 4k seats for away fans in the upper tier, and a line of hospitality, media and disabled facilities in the middle. This would give us a 20k capacity, be a giant leap forward towards the 24k ish long term target, and keeps the away fans further away from the pitch while having less protection from the West as the wind and rain bows in.

If we build it and the home fans don't come, we can give some of the lower tier to away fans too, say around the South East corner. Just this week both Bolton and Pompey sold their 2k allocations in a day or two, we could sell double or even triple the current away capacity if the home demand isn't there.

Once the 8k East is built, the final phase of getting up to the long term 24 - 26k target is to replace the existing North stand with another 8k capacity stand with modern facilities.

That would be the dream scenario, but will never happen sadly.

The dilemma I have is one of wanting to expand the north, as it's the place that is most popular and sells out first. People want to be near it and is the biggest draw.

Imagine adding to that atmosphere, like we do occasionally in the east.

Unless we got a 2 tiered north, the only solution is to have away fans SE, but that means that end is messed up and they're miles from fans in the north, which doesn't help with the atmosphere.

The best compromise is probably to build a NE corner and have that for home fans also, giving maybe 900 extra to the north. Then have a small strip of segregation, like they do at many other stadiums, a few seats worth and a line of stewards, put some netting up all along so nothing can be thrown through, and have away fans NE, then they could go into a small part of the SE if we wanted to give extra, but ideally we'd have it full all round the SE.

But then you still have the media section to think about. Although they could stay or be shifted somewhere else, like the west maybe...

 

[JJpool]

Because the plans will include land behind the stand that they don't own or control. No planning application can be considered on that basis. As far as we are aware even the council haven't acquired all the properties yet, for subsequent sale / transfer to the club.

They were expected be be submitting planning application a year ago for it when nothing had been purchased, so what you're saying makes no sense.

 

[Leyland bfc]

Costs are spiralling. Looks like the temporary stand is going to be permanent

It can’t be they won’t get a safety certificate for it

 

[seasideone]

Reading this thread I'm just shocked that a new committee member of BST has so little ambition for our great club

Not at all - I just want as much money as possible going towards the playing squad.

I would build something that can be extended when we need to.

We obviously need to build the East but just don’t go mad.

 

[bfcpete]

They were expected be be submitting planning application a year ago for it when nothing had been purchased, so what you're saying makes no sense.

It makes every sense if they want to use the land behind the stand which they don't currently own. No council will consider a planning application where the applicant doesn't own the land. It has been dependent on the speed with which the council moves the wider project and buys the properties. They were originally to progress the scheme much quicker.

 

[LA1 Seasider]

Not at all - I just want as much money as possible going towards the playing squad.

I would build something that can be extended when we need to.

We obviously need to build the East but just don’t go mad.

If you wait until it’s needed you’re too late.

 

[LA1 Seasider]

It makes every sense if they want to use the land behind the stand which they don't currently own. No council will consider a planning application where the applicant doesn't own the land. It has been dependent on the speed with which the council moves the wider project and buys the properties. They were originally to progress the scheme much quicker.

I also imagine if there’s a plan for a private development on land the council is trying to purchase by CPO it could potentially weaken the councils bargaining position to avoid the CPO and not just do a more straightforward purchase of the land

 

[BFC_BFC_BFC]

Not at all - I just want as much money as possible going towards the playing squad.

I would build something that can be extended when we need to.

We obviously need to build the East but just don’t go mad.

So given the fact that we have previously seen attendances greater than 16,000 in the Championship and this new development will limit us to 14,500 / 15,000, when exactly would you suggest we might ‘need to’ ?

I tend to agree with this idea of building something that can be extended, but with only 3600 seats, that would leave us pushing the limits as a Championship Club.

For example… Preston, Bolton at home are going to attract 12,000 home fans with no real effort (that’s the base point). Both those clubs could bring 7,000 away fans, but realistically speaking you might give them 3,500 - 4,000…. (Loads of other Clubs in the Championship also capable of bringing those numbers)

In 2014 we averaged 14,200 and that was with limitations on capacity and away attendances.

I could sort of get it if we were looking at an East stand of maybe 4500 - 5000 as it kind of hits a sweet spot that would probably accommodate all of our needs outside of the Premier League… However 3,600 just leaves no real room for manoeuvre and that means limited scope to develop.

 

[Middxile]

What should be considered here, but nowhere mentioned, is the on-cost of building a 4600 East Stand, rather than 3600. Most of the money goes in getting the job started, not adding on extra seats. The difference between each incremental increase itself is not great…..but it adds up if you take the plunge and go over ( say) 6500.

 

[Chunkylad]

What should be considered here, but nowhere mentioned, is the on-cost of building a 4600 East Stand, rather than 3600. Most of the money goes in getting the job started, not adding on extra seats. The difference between each incremental increase itself is not great…..but it adds up if you take the plunge and go over ( say) 6500.

That is a good point. Depends on physical restrictions as discussed above. Yet you’re right. Adding an extra 2000 seats if it can be physically done without Back Henry street restrictions etc would be more than likely only an additional 10-20% on the overall cost.

Main point is this is all pure speculation

 

[seasideone]

If you wait until it’s needed you’re too late.

It’s very easy to spend other people’s money on an off chance or a whim

 

[Briggs5]

That is a good point. Depends on physical restrictions as discussed above. Yet you’re right. Adding an extra 2000 seats if it can be physically done without Back Henry street restrictions etc would be more than likely only an additional 10-20% on the overall cost.

Main point is this is all pure speculation

Which is all there will be until the club release the minutes to the fans

 

[JJpool]

It makes every sense if they want to use the land behind the stand which they don't currently own. No council will consider a planning application where the applicant doesn't own the land. It has been dependent on the speed with which the council moves the wider project and buys the properties. They were originally to progress the scheme much quicker.

The council are the ones working on the scheme, knowing full well the houses are going amd what's going to be happening.

There's been countless articles saying planning was expected last year, when nothing had been purchased.

Bloomfield's East Stand to be rebuilt next year

Bloomfield Road will be partially rebuilt in 2023 if plans are approved

www.lancs.live

 

[Towerpower99]

Can someone give me a nudge when something actually happens…. Thanks in advance..