SUFC: The Future The regeneration of Roots Hall

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I put this in the Newport game memory thread.

That was certainly a thing in those days. It started off with cushions being piled up near the East Stand turnstiles after entering, so those that wanted one, grabbed one. But so many got thrown onto the pitch, normally when things were going bad, or a bad ref's decision, after a bad loss, and sometimes in celebration like you, that they started charging for them. I didn't go in the East Stand very much at that time, only about 1 game a Season. But I'm sure they had a little cushion hut in the end, and you paid a small fee, but a bigger deposit that was returned on safe return of the cushions. And that stopped them being thrown onto the pitch.
Got me thinking now. I know many find the seats at Roots Hall very uncomfortable. I wonder if a fee and deposit for cushions would work nowadays? So ending up costing a fan maybe £3 per game to use a cushion, deposit returned. All money goes to help the clubs finances. It would bring in many thousands of pounds a season. It it was a concession hut, I wouldn't use one, but if the money went to the club, I would definitely. And I'm sure many fans would feel the same. Watch the game in a little bit more comfort, and help the club out at the same.

 

[Tinks]

I put this in the Newport game memory thread.

That was certainly a thing in those days. It started off with cushions being piled up near the East Stand turnstiles after entering, so those that wanted one, grabbed one. But so many got thrown onto the pitch, normally when things were going bad, or a bad ref's decision, after a bad loss, and sometimes in celebration like you, that they started charging for them. I didn't go in the East Stand very much at that time, only about 1 game a Season. But I'm sure they had a little cushion hut in the end, and you paid a small fee, but a bigger deposit that was returned on safe return of the cushions. And that stopped them being thrown onto the pitch.
Got me thinking now. I know many find the seats at Roots Hall very uncomfortable. I wonder if a fee and deposit for cushions would work nowadays? So ending up costing a fan maybe £3 per game to use a cushion, deposit returned. All money goes to help the clubs finances. It would bring in many thousands of pounds a season. It it was a concession hut, I wouldn't use one, but if the money went to the club, I would definitely. And I'm sure many fans would feel the same. Watch the game in a little bit more comfort, and help the club out at the same.

That’s actually quite a good idea and I seem to have some vague recollection of it hidden away in my grey matter

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Why stop at just cushions, we should go for hot tubs like they do at some T20 matches or even a full on pool and beach like they had at the Kensington oval!

 

[SeaSideDoughnut]

In commentary on Tuesday CP talked about AFC Flyde's ground and said something to the effect of Southend could look at AFC Flyde have done here when rebuilding the east stand. I've just looked at their ground and I hope we don't.

It's lovely, very tidy. But it's also quite modern and generic. Soulless is the word I think gets thrown around often.

As hard as it is for me to say 'Look at what Liverpool did with Anfield', because their budget is in a whole other world to ours but you can look at the stands they've developed and still recognise it. They've been sympathetic to what's already there. I hope we do the same.

 

[SeaSideDoughnut]

... Just waiting for the 'Shall we be sympathetic to the mould growing in the toilets because it's already there?' type jokes.

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

In commentary on Tuesday CP talked about AFC Flyde's ground and said something to the effect of Southend could look at AFC Flyde have done here when rebuilding the east stand. I've just looked at their ground and I hope we don't.

It's lovely, very tidy. But it's also quite modern and generic. Soulless is the word I think gets thrown around often.

As hard as it is for me to say 'Look at what Liverpool did with Anfield', because their budget is in a whole other world to ours but you can look at the stands they've developed and still recognise it. They've been sympathetic to what's already there. I hope we do the same.

Said that at the time in the match thread!

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

In commentary on Tuesday CP talked about AFC Flyde's ground and said something to the effect of Southend could look at AFC Flyde have done here when rebuilding the east stand. I've just looked at their ground and I hope we don't.

It's lovely, very tidy. But it's also quite modern and generic. Soulless is the word I think gets thrown around often.

As hard as it is for me to say 'Look at what Liverpool did with Anfield', because their budget is in a whole other world to ours but you can look at the stands they've developed and still recognise it. They've been sympathetic to what's already there. I hope we do the same.

I think Chris was talking about their main stand which has seems to have two rows of boxes/banquetting and other facilities for commercial, year round use as a potential model for our replacement East Stand.

The down side is that it only has a capacity of 2000 (too small for our new East Stand I would suggest) and also, I understand, has a lack of mushrooms in the toilets!

 

[BEERMONSTER]

I think Chris was talking about their main stand which has seems to have two rows of boxes/banquetting and other facilities for commercial, year round use as a potential model for our replacement East Stand.

The down side is that it only has a capacity of 2000 (too small for our new East Stand I would suggest) and also, I understand, has a lack of mushrooms in the toilets!

View attachment 34021

Yes definitely CP was referring to the infrastructure they have non pitch side, he definitely would not be advocating a main stand capacity that low!

 

[edwardss2]

Yes definitely CP was referring to the infrastructure they have non pitch side, he definitely would not be advocating a main stand capacity that low!

Does the large gap between the top of the seating area and the roof diminish the atmosphere?

 

[Holy Joe]

Does the large gap between the top of the seating area and the roof diminish the atmosphere?

And any protection from said roof - can't imagine it actually does much with a bit of rain and a headwind

 

[JD]

Interesting comments from Justin and Tom Arnold on the Shrimperscast podcast that’s come out today.

Few bits that stood out.

1) The introduction of a fanzone seems to have paused, only because they want to make sure they get it right for longer term and not waste a bunch of money.
2) The amount of money we get from Ron to help pay for redevelopment ranges from £7m-£12m depending on the outcome of Fossetts and the deal the council eventually signs with Ron
3) East stand development is likely to be the last thing they do
4) Both Justin and Tom see a new, bigger “Kop” style North Bank for home fans as the ideal scenario
5) The plan, for now, has an average gate of 7300 built in to it………

 

[Medway Blue]

Interesting comments from Justin and Tom Arnold on the Shrimperscast podcast that’s come out today.

Few bits that stood out.

1) The introduction of a fanzone seems to have paused, only because they want to make sure they get it right for longer term and not waste a bunch of money.
2) The amount of money we get from Ron to help pay for redevelopment ranges from £7m-£12m depending on the outcome of Fossetts and the deal the council eventually signs with Ron
3) East stand development is likely to be the last thing they do
4) Both Justin and Tom see a new, bigger “Kop” style North Bank for home fans as the ideal scenario
5) The plan, for now, has an average gate of 7300 built in to it………

And that's just to keep the losses at around £1.7m p/a.

 

[JD]

And that's just to keep the losses at around £1.7m p/a.

What was our average last year?
When he first said that number my gut said “that’s too high” - maybe because we’ve lost two on the bounce…

 

[overseas shrimper]

What was our average last year?
When he first said that number my gut said “that’s too high” - maybe because we’ve lost two on the bounce…

They've also factored in that the average could go up or down.

 

[Holy Joe]

And that's just to keep the losses at around £1.7m p/a.

Really?

Thought a lower wage bill, reduced legal costs, reduced late interest payments etc was supposed to bring losses down pretty quickly to maybe £1m p/a??? £1.7m feels like not making a dent.

 

[Holy Joe]

What was our average last year?
When he first said that number my gut said “that’s too high” - maybe because we’ve lost two on the bounce…

It feels too high to me as well. Think we will need to be knocking about at the top table to get anywhere near it

 

[dusterman]

And that's just to keep the losses at around £1.7m p/a.

Would a cup run and then a tie away against away at one of the big boys earn us around £1m for split gate receipts you reckon? 60,000 punters at £30 average ticket… if so shows how big that is for smaller clubs and the crying shame of the replays being cut.

 

[Medway Blue]

What was our average last year?
When he first said that number my gut said “that’s too high” - maybe because we’ve lost two on the bounce…

Around 6,500, I think.

They've also factored in that the average could go up or down.

Yep, there is a better case and a worst case scenario in there, I think.

Really?

Thought a lower wage bill, reduced legal costs, reduced late interest payments etc was supposed to bring losses down pretty quickly to maybe £1m p/a??? £1.7m feels like not making a dent.

It is making a dent, because it would be a reduction of several hundred grand on the previous loss figures.

Would a cup run and then a tie away against away at one of the big boys earn us around £1m for split gate receipts you reckon? 60,000 punters at £30 average ticket… if so shows how big that is for smaller clubs and the crying shame of the replays being cut.

Yep, I'm sure a cup run has been modelled too. Obviously can't be relied upon though.

 

[Thundersley Blue]

It feels too high to me as well. Think we will need to be knocking about at the top table to get anywhere near it

Maybe, but still nearly a Million less than in recent seasons.

 

[JD]

They've also factored in that the average could go up or down.

Justin said on the podcast that they are expecting a loss of £1.7m, I would assume those calcs include a reliance of the expected 7300 average crowds.