|
Post by fentonstokie1 on Feb 8, 2016 20:29:22 GMT
It's not about fans getting wet surely, although ground improvements would help this problem a little. It's about the bloody wind that howls through and can sometimes turn a game into a something resembling blow football. It's always been like that and it's always been crap. So what if it's the same for both sides, it's still a terrible spectacle at times. It's no good for us to watch and can't be fun to play in, no matter what you're earning. It's disgraceful that we haven't sorted it out. Agree mate getting wet can easily be sorted with the appropriate clothing, but fans (customers) who have waited all week to watch the "beautiful game" surely cannot be happy spending their hard earned cash only to be cheated out of their enjoyment by a badly designed unfit for purpose wind tunnel of a ground. Are we to believe that the club board and manager and players actually believe that a howling wind swirling around the pitch actually adds to the spectacle and enjoyment of the game? The truth is it makes our football club look silly, small time and penny pinching.
|
|
|
Post by fentonstokie1 on Feb 8, 2016 20:42:18 GMT
The Brit looks like an absolute toilet, even if the corners aren't filled in this Summer it needs a lick of paint, it's looking more weather beaten than an allotment shed. How about having toilet doors (boothen end) wide enough to get in and out without having to push and shove. I have a sledgehammer at home if the club need a hand to sort it out
|
|
|
Post by rawli on Feb 8, 2016 21:08:45 GMT
If not filling the corners then some kind of windbreaks at least. I'm fed up of watching games being affected more than they need to be.
I also couldn't give a shit that the Vic used to be ankle deep in piss and we should be grateful for what we've got. It's 2016 and I'm watching multi millionaires play football in the world's richest league. The least I can ask for is to do so in decent surroundings.
|
|
|
Post by mrcholmondleywarner on Feb 8, 2016 21:39:50 GMT
It's a shitty Championship level stadium at best.
I'm in Block 28, the only infilled corner and the wind still whistles up here, you can hardly see the 'big screen' and one more thing, it's too f**king small.
Get a grip Stoke and sort it whilst the Premier League riches are there; you fix the roof when the sun shines!
|
|
|
Post by no1972 on Feb 8, 2016 22:23:58 GMT
It's a shitty Championship level stadium at best. I'm in Block 28, the only infilled corner and the wind still whistles up here, you can hardly see the 'big screen' and one more thing, it's too f**king small. Get a grip Stoke and sort it whilst the Premier League riches are there; you fix the roof when the sun shines! That's when it was built,it was cold then with 15000 in and no TV screen.
|
|
|
Post by Titan Uranus on Feb 8, 2016 22:49:19 GMT
Let's be honest ...
It's a crap stadium.
Built on the cheap and it is certainly showing now.
Wonder if there is any discussion at all at board level of inprovements and expansion?
|
|
|
Post by fentonstokie1 on Feb 9, 2016 9:41:50 GMT
It's a shitty Championship level stadium at best. I'm in Block 28, the only infilled corner and the wind still whistles up here, you can hardly see the 'big screen' and one more thing, it's too f**king small. Get a grip Stoke and sort it whilst the Premier League riches are there; you fix the roof when the sun shines! I went to Doncaster in the FA cup and having gone a lot of away venues big and small and it wasn't really a surprise to find that even little Donny had a stadium light years ahead of our badly assembled set of sheds.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 10:05:50 GMT
It's not about fans getting wet surely, although ground improvements would help this problem a little. It's about the bloody wind that howls through and can sometimes turn a game into a something resembling blow football. It's always been like that and it's always been crap. So what if it's the same for both sides, it's still a terrible spectacle at times. It's no good for us to watch and can't be fun to play in, no matter what you're earning. It's disgraceful that we haven't sorted it out. Exactly. Our players will hate playing in it as much as the opposition you can guarantee that. Some of the replies in this thread are ducking staggering.
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Feb 9, 2016 10:13:32 GMT
A couple of windbreaks surely are the minimum needed? This is something we were going to do SEVEN years ago, before pulling out for for cost reasons when advertising was refused!STOKE City supporters will have to stay out in the cold after plans for a giant windbreak at the Britannia Stadium were blown away.
Club bosses wanted to shelter freezing fans from gusts through the open corners of the ground by building a 50-foot high steel shield between the Boothen End and the West Stand.
And they thought that they were onto a winner when Stoke-on-Trent City Council planners waved the proposal through last month.
But the idea has now been scrapped after council officials refused permission for advertising banners to be placed on the structure – which was how the Potters planned to pay for it.
Planning chiefs said the banners, which would have measured 39.6 feet by 132 feet, would be "incongruous".
And the club, which has refused to say how much the windbreak would have cost, says without advertising the scheme would not be commercially viable.
Head of development Richard Smith said: "Without the advertising revenue we have no means of paying for the structure. LOL
"Advertising was our means of justifying the expenditure and without it we can't go ahead.
"It's disappointing, but it's just one of those things and we have to take on board the views of the council."
Council officials said the refusal was because "the proposed advertisement hoarding, by reason of size and prominent location, would result in an incongruous structure to the detriment of visual amenity in the wider vicinity".
In The Sentinel in March, Mr Smith described how swirling winds inside the ground could interfere with play.
And he has now added that the Potters will look at alternative ways to reduce the wind.
Mr Smith said: "We will look at the investigation work we have already done and try to find other solutions. We could, for example, fill in the corners with more seating areas."
Stoke City supporters' club chairman Brian Shaw believes fans will be disappointed at the council's decision.
He said: "I can't see the problem when the whole ground is full of advertising all the way round.
"It does get very cold in there and fans were excited about the possibility of it being warmer. It seems silly to refuse the plans."
Councillor Adrian Knapper, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, said planners were happy with the windbreak idea.
But he added: "When it came to advertising consent, the city council was concerned about the amount and large scale of advertising requested – with the proposal for the whole of the structure to be covered in advertisements."It is important that any advertising is in keeping with the design and scale of the windbreak. The city council is happy to work with the football club to come to a decision which is favourable for both parties."
S0mething basic like the Hawthorns would do the job surely?
|
|
|
Post by sheikhmomo on Feb 9, 2016 10:17:51 GMT
"an incongruous structure to the detriment of visual amenity in the wider vicinity"
That sounds like an Estate Agent's description of Vale Park
|
|
|
Post by Sergeant Muttley on Feb 9, 2016 10:52:49 GMT
A couple of windbreaks surely are the minimum needed? This is something we were going to do SEVEN years ago, before pulling out for for cost reasons when advertising was refused!STOKE City supporters will have to stay out in the cold after plans for a giant windbreak at the Britannia Stadium were blown away.
Club bosses wanted to shelter freezing fans from gusts through the open corners of the ground by building a 50-foot high steel shield between the Boothen End and the West Stand.
And they thought that they were onto a winner when Stoke-on-Trent City Council planners waved the proposal through last month.
But the idea has now been scrapped after council officials refused permission for advertising banners to be placed on the structure – which was how the Potters planned to pay for it.
Planning chiefs said the banners, which would have measured 39.6 feet by 132 feet, would be "incongruous".
And the club, which has refused to say how much the windbreak would have cost, says without advertising the scheme would not be commercially viable.
Head of development Richard Smith said: "Without the advertising revenue we have no means of paying for the structure. LOL
"Advertising was our means of justifying the expenditure and without it we can't go ahead.
"It's disappointing, but it's just one of those things and we have to take on board the views of the council."
Council officials said the refusal was because "the proposed advertisement hoarding, by reason of size and prominent location, would result in an incongruous structure to the detriment of visual amenity in the wider vicinity".
In The Sentinel in March, Mr Smith described how swirling winds inside the ground could interfere with play.
And he has now added that the Potters will look at alternative ways to reduce the wind.
Mr Smith said: "We will look at the investigation work we have already done and try to find other solutions. We could, for example, fill in the corners with more seating areas."
Stoke City supporters' club chairman Brian Shaw believes fans will be disappointed at the council's decision.
He said: "I can't see the problem when the whole ground is full of advertising all the way round.
"It does get very cold in there and fans were excited about the possibility of it being warmer. It seems silly to refuse the plans."
Councillor Adrian Knapper, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, said planners were happy with the windbreak idea.
But he added: "When it came to advertising consent, the city council was concerned about the amount and large scale of advertising requested – with the proposal for the whole of the structure to be covered in advertisements."It is important that any advertising is in keeping with the design and scale of the windbreak. The city council is happy to work with the football club to come to a decision which is favourable for both parties."
S0mething basic like the Hawthorns would do the job surely? It is LOL mate,no means of paying for the structure my arse.You really couldn't make this shit up.The biggest TV deal upon us and we have talk like that
|
|
|
Post by Davef on Feb 9, 2016 12:04:57 GMT
The longer this goes on, the more embarrassing it is. There are so many good things the club's owners have done over the last ten years and I suppose you can come across as a spoilt kid moaning, but the stadium really does stick out like a sore thumb. When you look at what Preston North End have managed to do with their dilapidated old ground despite having missed out completely on the Premier League monies, then it's enough to make you despair. Is it really beyond us to sort this situation out?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 12:19:24 GMT
Why we haven't addressed the corners before now, whether with a stadium expansion or a windbreak, is truly baffling.
The argument against stadium expansion seems to be that there's no clear demand, but there is Tony Scholes in the Daily Mail today boasting that The Brit has been 97% full across 7 seasons. The argument seems to be that it doesn't make financial sense, and that we're not keen to showcase ourselves as a club with thousands of empty seats. I'm not sure either argument holds much water.
As an exile I watch the majority of Stoke matches on TV. I'm not sure it's an exaggeration to say that no home game passes without comment on the adverse conditions, accompanied by a shot of the corner flag bent at a 45 degree angle; shortly after we've seen footballers circle a football trying to predict where it's going to bounce next, or unsuccessfully try to take a corner kick. The go to Stoke soundbite used to be our vociferous fans, now it's the wind.
It's embarrassing, but more importantly it's not long before it's going to hamper our progress, if it hasn't already. The conditions are a leveller and our home record is poor, and in danger of biting us on the arse in future seasons.
|
|
|
Post by gingerninja on Feb 9, 2016 12:21:13 GMT
I Think the last comment sums it up beautifully. With so much coming into the club at the moment there is no excuse not to redevelope the ground because it is a mishap mash and hinders good football. There was an argument that money was tight when it was built but now that argument has evaporated.
|
|
|
Post by foster on Feb 9, 2016 12:49:37 GMT
A little bit of Stadium info (From December)
Feedback has also been received that the external appearance of the stadium is looking a little tired. Are there any plans to uplift?
Paul Lakin advised that the majority of plans for improving the external appearance of the stadium are driven by stadium naming rights. This should be resolved in the next 6 months which will see new signage and the opportunity to refresh the stadium.
Angela asked Tony if there were any further updates around increasing the stadium capacity by filling in one or both of the corners.
The Club position remains the same. The Club continues to look at potential ways of ensuring that if expansions are made that we can guarantee the continued sell out of the stadium. A sell-out adds to the special atmosphere and it is absolutely critical that we maintain this for the vast majority of matches. It would be extremely detrimental it could Club had a significant number of empty seats for matches at the Britannia Stadium. Tony was asked what it take to secure the corner fill i.e. qualification for Europa League or winning the league etc. Tony responded to say was that all of these factors would be beneficial to put forward however ultimately it comes down to Season Card sales, when prompted as to how many extra tickets, Tony's response was 1,000 more Season Cards.
Mark asked once the work has been agreed, how long this would take to complete and if seats are joined from the corner would this effect Season Card holders in that area? Tony answered to say that he couldn't give an exact timescale, but it would definitely take longer than a summer break.
|
|
|
Post by butlerstbob on Feb 9, 2016 13:02:27 GMT
one thing that grates my cheese is the TV's in the Boothen concourse! 1 TV under block 23-24-25 and around 2-300 people gathered under it in a tiny little space with no room or very little room for people to get past! why we cant have several TV's scattered around the concourse to encourage people to drink and eat in there before the game is beyond me! just one of the many things that make our ground look so small time, it's almost Division 1-2 standard!
|
|
|
Post by bingbang on Feb 9, 2016 13:02:58 GMT
Watched the spanish football last night and even though the espanol stadium was only half full it looked a lot better than a full Britannia Stadium. I dont get all this crap about not being able to sell the seats, it should all be about the professionalism of the club as a whole. We still look like a championship club off the field and i reckon at times the players pick up on this. Can i also mention that bloody faye mural on the side, whilst he was a decent player for us, how come he is obviously better thought of than the worldwide known icons who have played for our club i.e Gordon banks and Stanley Mathews. Come on Stoke start showing a bit more off the pitch so people throughout the world will remember us and players will feel privileged to play for the club.
|
|
|
Post by butlerstbob on Feb 9, 2016 13:04:54 GMT
"Can i also mention that bloody faye mural on the side" I think that's gone mate, pretty sure they were taken down a while ago!?
|
|
|
Post by DentySCFC on Feb 9, 2016 13:06:58 GMT
It is LOL mate,no means of paying for the structure my arse.You really couldn't make this shit up.The biggest TV deal upon us and we have talk like that Just astounding. Truly astounding.
|
|
|
Post by bingbang on Feb 9, 2016 13:11:42 GMT
I know Faye mural got blown down, but had it not have been blown down it would still be there. What i am trying to say is who in their right mind thought of putting it up in the first place instead of the players i mentioned. Just baffling.
|
|
|
Post by butlerstbob on Feb 9, 2016 13:13:59 GMT
Ah Ok sorry, you are right it should have been Banks and Stan!
|
|
|
Post by thepremierbanksy on Feb 9, 2016 13:15:24 GMT
A little bit of Stadium info (From December) Feedback has also been received that the external appearance of the stadium is looking a little tired. Are there any plans to uplift? Paul Lakin advised that the majority of plans for improving the external appearance of the stadium are driven by stadium naming rights. This should be resolved in the next 6 months which will see new signage and the opportunity to refresh the stadium. Angela asked Tony if there were any further updates around increasing the stadium capacity by filling in one or both of the corners. The Club position remains the same. The Club continues to look at potential ways of ensuring that if expansions are made that we can guarantee the continued sell out of the stadium. A sell-out adds to the special atmosphere and it is absolutely critical that we maintain this for the vast majority of matches. It would be extremely detrimental it could Club had a significant number of empty seats for matches at the Britannia Stadium. Tony was asked what it take to secure the corner fill i.e. qualification for Europa League or winning the league etc. Tony responded to say was that all of these factors would be beneficial to put forward however ultimately it comes down to Season Card sales, when prompted as to how many extra tickets, Tony's response was 1,000 more Season Cards. Mark asked once the work has been agreed, how long this would take to complete and if seats are joined from the corner would this effect Season Card holders in that area? Tony answered to say that he couldn't give an exact timescale, but it would definitely take longer than a summer break. Make tickets for the new stand nice and cheap, job done!
|
|
|
Post by foster on Feb 9, 2016 13:16:53 GMT
I've had a leak on my seat now going back to the Watford game at home. I sit on row 25 of the DPD stand and every time it rains I have to spend 5 minutes wiping it dry and have to sit with a drip smacking me on my bonce every 2 seconds for 90 minutes. Twice I've contacted the club and twice I've been fobbed off by our Supporters liaison officer, Anthony Emmerson. At times this club couldn't give two hoots about their supporters. I was dry in the upper tierf but im not gloating. I have contacted Anthony many times but no response . Tony Scholes the same. Me and Anthony are best mates and I've told him of your concerns - and onlookers above. He always replies to my emails pretty quickly (within the hour) and has asked to let you know that you can contact him on anthony.emmerson@stokecityfc.com or at this number... 01782 592135 Said he'd be more than happy for to meet you for a cuppa and discuss whatever concerns you have. Also, when I say we're 'best' mates. I really mean we've emailed a few times, which is pretty much the same thing.
|
|
|
Post by fentonstokie1 on Feb 9, 2016 13:58:04 GMT
"A sell-out adds to the special atmosphere and it is absolutely critical that we maintain this for the vast majority of matches. It would be extremely detrimental it could Club had a significant number of empty seats for matches at the Britannia Stadium".
Special atmosphere my arse that's long gone. What about the wind piling through those wide open corners turning a good portion of the season's home fixtures into a farce, oh I forgot for a moment we are fans not customers so we will put up with anything for the love of our club.
|
|
|
Post by thebet365 on Feb 9, 2016 14:25:23 GMT
They are constantly building and expanding Clayton Wood to help attract and pamper the best footballers with state of the art technology etc etc.
What are they doing to attract the best supporters ?? SWEET FANNY ALL!!!!
After battling the shit transport links, the scrummage to get served in the ground, the group hug trying to take a leak, you finally get to sit in your seat that feels like it's stuck in a storm all year round. You're then expected to be feeling merry and get behind the lads to create that special atmosphere, the 12th man that they're so afraid of losing by adding a few thousand seats thus possibly leaving gaps. What a load of bollocks!!!
The concourses are not fit for purpose in the majority of the stadium, The wind can be beyond a joke sometimes, It shouldn't be about if it's commercially viable. How about giving something back to the fans and make match day a little more enjoyable regardless of what goes on the pitch.
|
|
|
Post by elystokie on Feb 9, 2016 14:33:23 GMT
"Can i also mention that bloody faye mural on the side" I think that's gone mate, pretty sure they were taken down a while ago!? Edit - superfluous comment as it turned out :)
|
|
|
Post by mrred on Feb 9, 2016 14:36:10 GMT
The reason we won't sell many more season tickets- most the seats available on match days are single seats dotted in the middle of rows or in obscure places that most wouldn't chose to sit at. But they're just numbers to the likes of Tony Scholes aren't they? Their 'match day experience counts for fuck all. Fill another corner in and you'll get your extra thousand arses on seats.
I'd love to see the Brit reduced to rubble and build a stadium on the old Vic site, or at least somewhere that has something (fucking anything!) near to instead of a dump on top of a hill.
|
|
|
Post by skip on Feb 9, 2016 19:18:42 GMT
I thought it was crap the first time I saw I and I still think it's crap. Access is a joke and unless you want to buy a car there is bugger all around it. It's by far the worst of "the new grounds" There is simply no excuse for not upgrading it. Bloody horrible place. My youngest when I took my nippers last time: "why are there lots of car shops?" "Your guess is at good as mine kidder."
|
|
|
Post by no1972 on Feb 9, 2016 19:23:29 GMT
I thought it was crap the first time I saw I and I still think it's crap. Access is a joke and unless you want to buy a car there is bugger all around it. It's by far the worst of "the new grounds" There is simply no excuse for not upgrading it. Bloody horrible place. My youngest when I took my nippers last time: "why are there lots of car shops?" "Your guess is at good as mine kidder." What do you want a playground or a shopping mall so your misses can go shopping while you watch the game on heated seats.Jesus Christ what are we turning into.
|
|
|
Post by skip on Feb 9, 2016 19:42:22 GMT
My youngest when I took my nippers last time: "why are there lots of car shops?" "Your guess is at good as mine kidder." What do you want a playground or a shopping mall so your misses can go shopping while you watch the game on heated seats.Jesus Christ what are we turning into. The Victoria Ground used to be in the vicinity of houses and shops and pubs and roads. How gay. My nipper asked a simple question that I couldn't answer. What a wet twat of a fan of 35+ years I am.
|
|