SUFC: The Future The regeneration of Roots Hall

[Crawliano]

In my mind, you split the North Bank in half, between home and away - whether you segregate that as per your drawing, or reverse it, both are possible in theory, but the Police would probably prefer self-contained entrance routes to away turnstiles. Likelihood is that, for all but the highest category games, that split will be enough.
There might be times however where overspill might be needed, and you'd need to look at displacing fans from the North in to the South Lower, hence my thoughts about just making that a de-facto home/singing area.

The other alternative here is to create convertible seats for xx% of the stand to sell MBM to home supporters for xx/23 games.

Great in theory - the yield for the club is much greater across 23 games, but you have a crap season, you'll not cover the cost of the ST you could have sold.

The only other feasible option here is to sell a South Lower ticket and have ticket exchange open to swap to North when space allows. Just could mean a very empty South Lower (which isn't much different to how it is today) - but this is a really long winded method that creates a lot of work for not much reward for the club.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Some really good ideas here, the North West corner suggested by @Smiffy and/or west end of the North Bank as suggested by @Sherif H for away fans seems a good option because of the ramp that already exists up to that area.

I used to stand there with @Boreham Blue back in the day (think I was standing there when we beat West Ham in the league) and from memory there were toilets there which means presumably some of the infrastructure exists to support a redeveloped area.

 

[Gridelet's contact lens]

@Sherif H Thank you for your thoughts and experience. I must make a plea about disabled fans and wheelchair users. My son and I are West Stand regulars for a number of years, but it is getting increasingly difficult and uncomfortable for my son to attend games. The wheelchair spaces are, politely, rubbish and a little dangerous. I like your thoughts on re casting the West Stand, so I make a plea for better, larger wheelchair user spaces and better accesibilty to them.

 

[Fred]

If it’s not possible for us to have the North Bank back, which I sincerely hope is not the case, could the new plans include new catering and toilet facilities at both the NW and NE corners along with a flexible divide between home and away fans depending on away ticket allocations. The Blue Voice could have the western section of the North with access from behind the west stand and the eastern part could be given to away fans with access from Fairfax Drive similar to now. Smaller away attendances would allow us to move the partition eastwards to behind the goal allowing us many more seats in our spiritual home.

We need to allow up to a maximum 10% capacity for away fans (1500 out of a new 15000 capacity) which IIRC is the maximum required to be allocated for an FA Cup tie. I believe the figure is lower for league games. So with a renovated North Bank with up to an increased 2500 seats, this could give us about 750+ safe standing season ticket places for our fans including our wonderful drummer. This figure could rise substantially if the away allocation is not fully taken.

 

[Sherif H]

@Sherif H Thank you for your thoughts and experience. I must make a plea about disabled fans and wheelchair users. My son and I are West Stand regulars for a number of years, but it is getting increasingly difficult and uncomfortable for my son to attend games. The wheelchair spaces are, politely, rubbish and a little dangerous. I like your thoughts on re casting the West Stand, so I make a plea for better, larger wheelchair user spaces and better accesibilty to them.

Any redevelopment work on any of the stands would bring with it a requirement to bring accessible facilities up to modern standards / recommendations, or as close to these as is feasible and agreed with the Safety Advisory Group and Building Control.

 

[Crawliano]

@Sherif H Thank you for your thoughts and experience. I must make a plea about disabled fans and wheelchair users. My son and I are West Stand regulars for a number of years, but it is getting increasingly difficult and uncomfortable for my son to attend games. The wheelchair spaces are, politely, rubbish and a little dangerous. I like your thoughts on re casting the West Stand, so I make a plea for better, larger wheelchair user spaces and better accesibilty to them.

Something that the club should absolutely be focusing on with the redevelopment of the stadium is finding solid solutions for accessible spaces.

Tottenham's Sensory Suite is an example of what can be achieved to be as inclusive as possible. I would strongly recommend that alongside any larger scale plans, a working group is organised to look to create as best a matchday experience for all.

 

[Sherif H]

If it’s not possible for us to have the North Bank back, which I sincerely hope is not the case, could the new plans include new catering and toilet facilities at both the NW and NE corners along with a flexible divide between home and away fans depending on away ticket allocations. The Blue Voice could have the western section of the North with access from behind the west stand and the eastern part could be given to away fans with access from Fairfax Drive similar to now. Smaller away attendances would allow us to move the partition eastwards to behind the goal allowing us many more seats in our spiritual home.

We need to allow up to a maximum 10% capacity for away fans (1500 out of a new 15000 capacity) which IIRC is the maximum required to be allocated for an FA Cup tie. I believe the figure is lower for league games. So with a renovated North Bank with up to an increased 2500 seats, this could give us about 750+ safe standing season ticket places for our fans including our wonderful drummer. This figure could rise substantially if the away allocation is not fully taken.

Correct Sir. 2,000 or 10% of capacity if less than 2k for league matches.
I believe FA Cup is up to 15% but don't quote me on that.

 

[Seaside Shrimper]

This is my favorite thread on SZ since I joined!

 

[Boy_C]

Any chance of some short-term fixes that can be achieved swiftly - AKA, a small fan zone experience outside the East? I'm talking a couple of food stands/beer trucks. Anything would be an upgrade on the current offerings...

 

[Sherif H]

Something that the club should absolutely be focusing on with the redevelopment of the stadium is finding solid solutions for accessible spaces.

Tottenham's Sensory Suite is an example of what can be achieved to be as inclusive as possible. I would strongly recommend that alongside any larger scale plans, a working group is organised to look to create as best a matchday experience for all.

Major part of this revamp of the old girl should aim to make the football club as inclusive as possible - sensory spaces; better and more varied wheelchair accessible spaces; facilities for those partially sighted or blind, and/or deaf; even better and more varied dietary choices with the catering.

 

[Sherif H]

Any chance of some short-term fixes that can be achieved swiftly - AKA, a small fan zone experience outside the East? I'm talking a couple of food stands/beer trucks. Anything would be an upgrade on the current offerings...

Absolutely. First thing that needs to be done is to bring a fan zone / surge bar in to the East car park. This could be a large single-storey marquee which could be used 365/year subject to license approval. Something which could go in almost immediately.

 

[Gridelet's contact lens]

Any redevelopment work on any of the stands would bring with it a requirement to bring accessible facilities up to modern standards / recommendations, or as close to these as is feasible and agreed with the Safety Advisory Group and Building Control.

Thank you. I am disappointed that we are now losing a modern fit for purpose new Stadium, but we will be reassured if the re-development work makes Roots Hall more accessible.

 

[tommy tucker]

Knock the flats down ans reclaim the land where the south stand once stood .Many of us may have stood on that south bank when we played liverpool .

 

[RHB]

When I was a teenager the North Bank was my spiritual and actual football home. Nearly 70 years on, and a West Stander for too many years, I'd rather be sewn in Ron's underpants than be decanted to the North stand now. Just saying.

 

[jnl]

Knock the flats down ans reclaim the land where the south stand once stood .Many of us may have stood on that south bank when we played liverpool .

Wasn't it Jobson who sold that off for flats? All part of a plan to move the club.

 

[Sammy Shrimper]

Wasn't it Jobson who sold that off for flats? All part of a plan to move the club.

Yes.

 

[rigsby]

Other clubs open different away stands depending on the opposition. With zero cost the last 3 games we could have had away fans in the South lower or even upper.

Going forward the North bank HAS to be for home fans. Not in favour of away fans in the NW corner, it would obviously create more work for security and match day staff. The West and North should be one accessible area for home fans. Safe standing behind the goal and seating in the West. That way fans could move during game or choose to sit with family or stand behind the goal if family are busy that day etc.

Would make a revamp easier as Sheriff could work with two sides and close 20%? at time, without reducing capacity.

 

[in the know]

This thread is so intetesting.
I'm sure the players would like a socialising area where post match they can be closer to family and fans post match. Walsall as an example.
Question for you Sherif H. Is it possible to lower the pitch significantly and would this help the restricted views of the South and West stands and resolve the drop off around the North East side of the pitch.
Looking at your initial drawings it also occurred to me that the North East quadrant could provide a covered coach reception area for away teams

 

[Sherif H]

This thread is so intetesting.
I'm sure the players would like a socialising area where post match they can be closer to family and fans post match. Walsall as an example.
Question for you Sherif H. Is it possible to lower the pitch significantly and would this help the restricted views of the South and West stands and resolve the drop off around the North East side of the pitch.
Looking at your initial drawings it also occurred to me that the North East quadrant could provide a covered coach reception area for away teams

Lowering the pitch makes things more difficult, as we then have to significantly increase the rake (that is the angle) of the stand to maintain sightlines. It is also a nightmare of a job, particularly when considering we are sitting on top of a contaminated site.

 

[GSW Shrimper]

New East Stand, moved back a bit.
Move pitch across slightly
Re-do West Stand seating
New North Bank Roof
Safe Standing Block X, Y, Z

Something like that?

I really hope safe standing never happens.