Heartbreaking news -

[the_forgotten_man]

Could there be a more appropriate song for today than this one?
Imagine this blasting out of the Roots Hall speakers as you made your last exit from the ground.

:cry: I don't think I'd ever be able to force myself into walking away from my seat.

For ****'s sake. I was so thrilled when I found out the new stadium had been approved this morning, but seeing all these threads has made me doubt myself. I compare videos of great moments at the Hall with the pictures of the new stadium, and I know which I'd rather have - gimme the smell of stale burgers, the pretty **** view, the mediocre atmoshphere...the home of Southend United every time...

:cry:

Having said that, I of course realise that FF is probably a must if we are to succeed. The move seems like a necessary amputation in order to prevent further illness. I can't say I want the amputation, but I know I definately can't say I don't, otherwise Southend United is at risk.

Who was it that recently complained about people being sentimental - well I don't care, without sentimentality football is reduced to very little, just another sport, and today is 100% about sentimentality.

 

[Jam_Man]

I certainly would not like to be a Derby fan right now, and all they have to look forward to is yo yoing between the Championship and the Premiership (if they are lucky) in a reasonably nice, but souless stadium stuck on a retail park.

I appreciate your point of view and many share it.

Im different though, Im reall looking forward to a good quality stadium where you have :

* perfect views without a post blocking the centre circle,

*comfortable seats where you can get your legs in without losing your knee caps and sit without the bloke 3 seat along having his elbows in your ribs.

* Toilets you can get to quickly and dont have to queue for 20 minutes at half time.

* More than one food outlet with 100 people queueing.

* An exit without having to climb over a barrier or ask the entire row to stand up because your aisle doesnt have an exit at the top. (which also means you have to stand up every 2 minutes before and after haltftime as the next block go to queue up for the toilet/food (see above).

* Acoustics that arent so poor that Blue Voice could bring a jumbo jet with them and we would almost hear it over in the East Blacks

Yes Roots Hall has memories and Fossetts will feel very sterile to start with but it will be a far better environment to watch football at and one Im hoping Ill use for years to come and feel proud to take my kids to.

 

[seany t]

Yes Roots Hall has memories and Fossetts will feel very sterile to start with but it will be a far better environment to watch football at and one Im hoping Ill use for years to come and feel proud to take my kids to.

This sterility is something that is surely manageable? Every new stadium I've been to looks amazing within the arena and from outside, but like an unfinished MFI Warehouse in the annexes inbetween.

I'm not sure what the answer is; maybe some large prints of classic moments from the Clubs History hung on the walls, or a decent colour palette (Blue maybe?), but these new grounds need SOMETHING. When I saw the England Under 21 game at Wembley, I was stunned by its cleanliness. I don't want or expect Neo Gothic architecture or wallpaper, but surely a statue on the walk up to the ground or some clever interior design could make the place a little more welcoming from the start.

Hopefully the club will already have this in hand anyhow, but I'm sure modern buildings can be both practical, clean, impressive and welcoming

 

[Jam_Man]

Yes if its "decorated" well enough then yes it can look a bit less sterile.

To start with though it will feel like an away ground to us, without the away die hard atmosphere.

It will soon feel like home though.

 

[seany t]

Yes if its "decorated" well enough then yes it can look a bit less sterile.

To start with though it will feel like an away ground to us, without the away die hard atmosphere.

It will soon feel like home though.

I don't doubt that at all. The first season or so will involve fans trying out different spots and settling on their seat I guess, but I'd like to think the pre-match drink could take place in something a bit better than the freezer made out out of scaffolding and breeze blocks I encountered at Swansea. Just to get us in the mood a bit more...