Timetable Set

[Smiffy]

First of all apologies if this is old news...

In tonights Echo, Uncle Ron talks timescales for the new stadium..

A few key lines I've picked out..

Ron is aiming to have us in our new ground for the start of the 2008/09 season..

A detailed application for a multi-million pound stadium at Fossetts Farm, should be submitted in the next "three or four months"..

If the council back the plans and in quick time, Ron aims to send the diggers in around March or April next year..

Ron has said "I have set out quite a rigid timescale and I expect it to be kept to"..

The capacity will be around 17,000..

Major consultations with Southend Council are due, regarding future development of Roots Hall...

Roots Hall site expected to be a mixed use development with some housing, retail and office space and a green area..

Anna Waite, Southend Council leader says "I look forward to discussing the relocation plans with Ron Martin, we must make sure the club has every chance to continue it's success"

Sounds promising, although we've been down this road many, many times before...

thought's anyone?

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[canveyshrimper]

Being realistic the start of 2008/9 will be the earliest IMO, and if work goes ahead at the snails pace of Wembley the who knows?

Another stumbling point may be Southend Council, bearing in mind local elections are today, and it may throw up an anti stadium / development group. There again previous support for stadiulm developments has been pathetic.

[EastStandBlue]

This amount of detail is a rarity, so this is all good news. I can't see there being any severe problem with the stadium build that would stop its development, only minor details that will need council consultation such as transport and capacity... the increased tourism and public support of the team will be benefical.

[The General]

Being in t'championship is a huge help, as the council are more likely to get behind us and support us ...

[SUFCFARAWAY]

Cannot see any major problems with this. Council has back us all the way and can see no change after these elections. Protests will be to a minimum (there is nothing to protest about in my eyes). The only thing I am intrigued about is transport links. Someone mentioned on here before that every new satdium needs to have a park and ride link to it - so where does that go? Sure the transport issues will be answered in time though. I also guess that it is 17,000 seater to start and then rise to a further 8 or 9,000 maybe? Also I would like to see the proposed design of the stadium soon. Something like Swansea's would be great minus all the grey

[class]

Quote[/b] (The General @ May 04 2006,14:38)]Being in t'championship is a huge help, as the council are more likely to get behind us and support us ...
Like Brighton you mean? http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[canveyshrimper]

Quote[/b] (class @ May 04 2006,20:39)]
Quote[/b] (The General @ May 04 2006,14:38)]Being in t'championship is a huge help, as the council are more likely to get behind us and support us ...
Like Brighton you mean? *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Or like the last time we were in this division.

[EastStandBlue]

I think the Brighton situation is more down to the fact that the site in question falls over 2 neighbouring sites, Falmer and Lewes. Falmer council want the stadium, and are backed by Brighton, whereas Lewes oppose the stadium.

[shrimper4life]

would have like to seen a bigger stadium maybe 20,000

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Bigger? 17,000 is just about right. Any bigger and you risk having thousands of empty seats a la Darlington ...

Yup, I'd say 17,000 is the right size at first. Attendances will rise with the building of a new stadium, but not that much. We'll only need 25,000 capacity in the (very slight) possibility that we get the the Premier$hite...

[CSWICKFORDSHRIMPER]

Quote[/b] (Whatever @ May 05 2006,10:58)]Yup, I'd say 17,000 is the right size at first. Attendances will rise with the building of a new stadium, but not that much. We'll only need 25,000 capacity in the (very slight) possibility that we get the the Premier$hite...
Had a mother of all Hangover this morning and missed the parade......

But it was live on BBC Essex n Ron said he will be putting in an app for the new ground with capacity for 22,000

Well Done Ron it makes sense

One Team In Essex
SOUTHEND UNITED FC

[shrimptank]

I thought Ron said it would be able to be upped to 22000 if necessary, but i may have hear wrong as there was this bloke screming "Champions" in my ears whilst i was trying to listen!

[CSWICKFORDSHRIMPER]

Quote[/b] (shrimptank @ May 07 2006,17:28)]I thought Ron said it would be able to be upped to 22000 if necessary, but i may have hear wrong as there was this bloke screming "Champions" in my ears whilst i was trying to listen!
He said a new application for a Capacity of 22,000 will be submitted within 3 months.... cos clearly 17000 is not big enough ... *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[BlueJ]

Quote[/b] (CSWICKFORDSHRIMPER @ May 07 2006,17:34)]
Quote[/b] (shrimptank @ May 07 2006,17:28)]I thought Ron said it would be able to be upped to 22000 if necessary, but i may have hear wrong as there was this bloke screming "Champions" in my ears whilst i was trying to listen!
He said a new application for a Capacity of 22,000 will be submitted within 3 months.... cos clearly 17000 is not big enough ... *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
It dnt think it wud be worth leavin roots hall to go to a stadium just 5,000 seats bigger. Plus you gotta think ahead fot three years time when we're playing in the champions league!!!! http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

IIRC, Ron said that we could have sold out the BC match twice over, and his original intention had been for a 17000 seat stadium, but when traveling with the Blues he has seen some of the new stadiums and facilities around the country and he is now seriously considering wether he ought to go for a 22000 seater.

[South Benfleet Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ May 09 2006,09:56)]IIRC, Ron said that we could have sold out the BC match twice over, and his original intention had been for a 17000 seat stadium, *but when traveling with the Blues he has seen *some of the new stadiums and facilities around the country and he is now seriously considering wether he ought to go for a 22000 seater.
At the parade on Sunday, when interviewed by BBC Essex, Ron did confirm that the capacity would be 22,000

Isn't that bigger than Millwall's ground?

[Smiffy]

Quote[/b] (CI-City Blue @ May 09 2006,15:28)]
Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ May 09 2006,09:56)]IIRC, Ron said that we could have sold out the BC match twice over, and his original intention had been for a 17000 seat stadium, *but when traveling with the Blues he has seen *some of the new stadiums and facilities around the country and he is now seriously considering wether he ought to go for a 22000 seater.
At the parade on Sunday, when interviewed by BBC Essex, Ron did confirm that the capacity would be 22,000

Isn't that bigger than Millwall's ground?
Yep, certainly is...

The New Den has a capacity of just over 20,000.

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Anyhow, whatever the capacity is I just hope the design isnt like Millwall's with the open corners etc...

If we could have a bowl type design like Swansea's that would be great just for the simple fact that the atmosphere would be awesome.

So, come on Ron, we want a bowl not a hole!

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[Murkey_Mouse]

I hate the millwall design, its look bland & horrible .... An Swansea or AZ (dutch club that finish 2nd in Premier League of Holland) type design would do nicely or an 22'000 verison of Fossett Farm design from year 2000 would be awesome!

[Up the Shrimpers]

Quote[/b] (Murkey_Mouse @ May 11 2006,12:54)]I hate the millwall design, its look bland & horrible .... An Swansea or AZ (dutch club that finish 2nd in Premier League of Holland) type design would do nicely or an 22'000 verison of Fossett Farm design from year 2000 would be awesome!
22,000 capacity Ron is talking about now, cost of that will be in the region of £30 million, mind you they will get about 10% paid for by the Football Ground Improvement trust.

I think a design like AZ would be good but would cost too much. I have seen AZ play at their old ground & they are probably a smaller club than Southend so they have done well to get such a nice ground.

[Shrimpergarry]

The new AZ 67 Alkmaar stadium is only a 16000 capacity, but it looks fantastic!

New DSB Stadium for AZ 67 Alkmaar (http://www.zwarts.jansma.nl/artefact-1085-en.html)

[Smiffy]

A nice design but without the anti-hooligan measures (the steps at the front of the stands) in place please.

A bowl type design which is right on top of the players would be nice, and seating as steep as legally possible too will add to the intimidation factor.

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Quote[/b] (SUFCFARAWAY @ May 04 2006,15:34)]Cannot see any major problems with this. Council has back us all the way and can see no change after these elections. Protests will be to a minimum (there is nothing to protest about in my eyes). The only thing I am intrigued about is transport links. Someone mentioned on here before that every new satdium needs to have a park and ride link to it - so where does that go? Sure the transport issues will be answered in time though. I also guess that it is 17,000 seater to start and then rise to a further 8 or 9,000 maybe? Also I would like to see the proposed design of the stadium soon. Something like Swansea's would be great minus all the grey
Not too much grey there !

Liberty Stadium in MoonlightLiberty Stadium in Moonlight (http://www.farnhambee.co.uk/index.php?m=20060511&p=14)

[Angell Delight]

Quote[/b] (CI-City Blue @ May 09 2006,15:28)]
Quote[/b] (Shrimp in a Kilt @ May 09 2006,09:56)]IIRC, Ron said that we could have sold out the BC match twice over, and his original intention had been for a 17000 seat stadium, *but when traveling with the Blues he has seen *some of the new stadiums and facilities around the country and he is now seriously considering wether he ought to go for a 22000 seater.
At the parade on Sunday, when interviewed by BBC Essex, Ron did confirm that the capacity would be 22,000

Isn't that bigger than Millwall's ground?
If that's actually confirmed that's brilliant news!! A capacity of 22,000 is 2,500 larger than Swansea and the Liberty Stadium is fantastic!!! http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Angell Delight @ May 14 2006,12:14)]If that's actually confirmed that's brilliant news!! A capacity of 22,000 is 2,500 larger than Swansea and the Liberty Stadium is fantastic!!! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
We have to fill it though or have a great stadium with just 6,000 people knocking around inside. So that means investing in the infrastructure of the club from the youth level all the way up to the first team in order to provide a solid base for the long-term success of the club. What we must avoid is falling into the same trap as the Franchise Scum; we must avoid having one of the best stadiums in basement league football. We need to have one of the best in the upper echelons. So it's up to Ron not only to secure finance for the construction of the FF project but also for the construction of the long-term future of the club ...

[canveyshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ May 14 2006,12:49)]
Quote[/b] (Angell Delight @ May 14 2006,12:14)]If that's actually confirmed that's brilliant news!! A capacity of 22,000 is 2,500 larger than Swansea and the Liberty Stadium is fantastic!!! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
We have to fill it though or have a great stadium with just 6,000 people knocking around inside. So that means investing in the infrastructure of the club from the youth level all the way up to the first team in order to provide a solid base for the long-term success of the club. What we must avoid is falling into the same trap as the Franchise Scum; we must avoid having one of the best stadiums in basement league football. We need to have one of the best in the upper echelons. So it's up to Ron not only to secure finance for the construction of the FF project but also for the construction of the long-term future of the club ...
The stadium at Darlington is also another good example 4000 people ratlling about in a 20,000+ capacity stadium.

[sufcintheprem]

The suggestion of expanding the capacity does make sense though. If the plan was for 17,000 when we were speculating about Championship football, confirmation of Championship football must justify a bigger capacity.

Somehow, I think 17,000 would suffice personally but then I haven't done business projections on numbers that I'm sure the club have done and I'm still reeling from how many season tickets the club have sold!!

[overseas shrimper]

Quote[/b] (sufcintheprem @ May 14 2006,18:58)]If the plan was for 17,000 when we were speculating about Championship football, confirmation of Championship football must justify a bigger capacity.
Just to play Devil's advocate, Championship football is not confirmed for when - and indeed if - the new stadium is completed.

[fredheim_holm]

yea i heard it was 22,000 aswell, does anyone know the design?

[gilbo]

do we own the ground on which the stadium will be built?!

only asking coz if we do, the banks will loan up to 70% of the cost of building the stadium as we can secure the loan against the ground.

then with 10% being given by the football league grant, it would only leave us finding 20% of the overall cost.

[gilbo]

Quote[/b] (Smiffy @ May 13 2006,12:11)]A nice design but without the anti-hooligan measures (the steps at the front of the stands) in place please.

A bowl type design which is right on top of the players would be nice, and seating as steep as legally possible too will add to the intimidation factor.

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
nah keep the design as it is, it's lovely! just need to change the colour scheme to blue and not red! if it turns out to be something like this i would be very happy.

[Smiffy]

Quote[/b] (gilbo @ May 16 2006,08:41)]do we own the ground on which the stadium will be built?!

only asking coz if we do, the banks will loan up to 70% of the cost of building the stadium as we can secure the loan against the ground.

then with 10% being given by the football league grant, it would only leave us finding 20% of the overall cost.

I believe Ron Martin and his company bought out the last piece of land remaining on the Fossetts site a couple of months back from SEL.

So yes I do believe the Fossetts site is now completely owned by Uncle Ron...

Someone please correct me if i'm wrong?..
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[overseas shrimper]

Quote[/b] (fredheim_holm @ May 15 2006,18:24)]yea i heard it was 22,000 aswell, does anyone know the design?
I doubt there is a final design as yet.

[Firestorm]

Quote[/b] (Smiffy @ May 16 2006,11:15)]
Quote[/b] (gilbo @ May 16 2006,08:41)]do we own the ground on which the stadium will be built?!

only asking coz if we do, the banks will loan up to 70% of the cost of building the stadium as we can secure the loan against the ground.

then with 10% being given by the football league grant, it would only leave us finding 20% of the overall cost.

I believe Ron Martin and his company bought out the last piece of land remaining on the Fossetts site a couple of months back from SEL.

So yes I do believe the Fossetts site is now completely owned by Uncle Ron...

Someone please correct me if i'm wrong?..
Just to put a financial perspective on this

30M stadium, 70% loan 5% PA interest
means 1.05M of interest pa
at an average ticket price of 20 quid and 26 games at home a season means 2,000 spectators paying full price every game just to pay the interest

Another 2,000 to pay off the capital

If we can average gates in the new stadium of 15,000 then we will be fine, and I could see a steady "Reading like" rise.

If we slip up and atendances drop much below 10,000 then we will be struggling to pay all of our bills.

So as Mike said, we need to ensure we are doing on the pitch so that the profile of the club is gradually raised up in he local area to be above those "superior" premiers**te teams 30+ miles away.
Its a very hard job RM has got .....

[EastStandBlue]

Quote[/b] (Firestorm @ May 17 2006,08:57)]
Quote[/b] (Smiffy @ May 16 2006,11:15)]
Quote[/b] (gilbo @ May 16 2006,08:41)]do we own the ground on which the stadium will be built?!

only asking coz if we do, the banks will loan up to 70% of the cost of building the stadium as we can secure the loan against the ground.

then with 10% being given by the football league grant, it would only leave us finding 20% of the overall cost.

I believe Ron Martin and his company bought out the last piece of land remaining on the Fossetts site a couple of months back from SEL.

So yes I do believe the Fossetts site is now completely owned by Uncle Ron...

Someone please correct me if i'm wrong?..
Just to put a financial perspective on this

30M stadium, 70% loan 5% PA interest
means 1.05M of interest pa
at an average ticket price of 20 quid and 26 games at home a season means 2,000 spectators paying full price every game just to pay the interest

Another 2,000 to pay off the capital

If we can average gates in the new stadium of 15,000 then we will be fine, and I could see a steady "Reading like" rise.

If we slip up and atendances drop much below 10,000 then we will be struggling to pay all of our bills.

So as Mike said, we need to ensure we are doing on the pitch so that the profile of the club is gradually raised up in he local area to be above those "superior" premiers**te teams 30+ miles away.
Its a very hard job RM has got .....
this is without factoring in the increased revenue from Car Parking, Park and Ride possibility, Executive possibilities and non-match related income that the club are focused on implementing...

[Norwich Shrimper]

Ron has said that the conferencing facilities are very important and we need a stadium that can be used 7 days a week not just once a fortnight.

[South Benfleet Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Norwich Shrimper @ May 20 2006,21:03)]Ron has said that the conferencing facilities are very important and we need a stadium that can be used 7 days a week not just once a fortnight.
Indeed - I think it's worth pointing out, that three of the promoted teams accross the Football League share their stadium with a Premiership Rugby team (Watford, Reading and Wycombe) so increasing the amount of revenue in "non-ticket" streams.

No club will be able to survive on only 23 league games a season.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Quote[/b] (CI-City Blue @ May 22 2006,10:13)]three of the promoted teams accross the Football League ...Watford, Reading and Wycombe
Wycombe weren't promoted! D'oh!

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Not always a good thing, sharing with a rugger side... the pitches can get in a really poor state over the winter - the pitch at the Milstad yesterday looked awful!

[sufcintheprem]

Quote[/b] (overseas shrimper @ May 15 2006,10:46)]
Quote[/b] (sufcintheprem @ May 14 2006,18:58)]If the plan was for 17,000 when we were speculating about Championship football, confirmation of Championship football must justify a bigger capacity.
Just to play Devil's advocate, Championship football is not confirmed for when - and indeed if - the new stadium is completed.
Ok, that much isn't guaranteed but the best and worst case scenario are one league better than they was last year across the same timespan so we have to assume the performance of the club is 1 league better than it was expected to be last year.

I don't know why I felt the need to actually reply though!

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[Firestorm]

Quote[/b] (Whatever @ May 22 2006,20:36)]Not always a good thing, sharing with a rugger side... the pitches can get in a really poor state over the winter - the pitch at the Milstad yesterday looked awful!
I don't remember it making much dfference to our financial situation last time we shared with a rugby team......

But I m sure the pitch was worse for it.

[Upminster Blue]

Quote[/b] (Firestorm @ May 23 2006,13:04)]
Quote[/b] (Whatever @ May 22 2006,20:36)]Not always a good thing, sharing with a rugger side... the pitches can get in a really poor state over the winter - the pitch at the Milstad yesterday looked awful!
I don't remember it making much dfference to our financial situation last time we shared with a rugby team......

But I m sure the pitch was worse for it.
Oh yes, I remember that. Didn't it only last for about 10 games before the Rugby League club went under. They "acheived" a record low crowd at Roots Hall for a professional Rugby League game of about 75 if I remember correctly! No wonder we didn't make any money out of it!

[Smiffy]

Southend United Football Club then approached Invicta and in late 1984 became Southend Invicta but after the final home game against Huddersfield where there were a mere 85 fans the club director, Matt Wheatcroft admitted the club was in an extremely precarious position. Invicta were struck from the 1985-86 fixtures by the Rugby League only days before the commencement of the new season because they were considered not to have formed a team. They went into liquidation soon afterwards...

(With thanks to Wikipedia!)

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[shrimper4life]

Quote[/b] (Whatever @ May 22 2006,20:36)]Not always a good thing, sharing with a rugger side... the pitches can get in a really poor state over the winter - the pitch at the Milstad yesterday looked awful!
Look at swansea's pitch, that was in top condition even though they also share with a rugby team


PS: Reading? didnt know they shared with a rugby team.

[Smiffy]

Quote[/b] (shrimper4life @ May 23 2006,18:15)]
Quote[/b] (Whatever @ May 22 2006,20:36)]Not always a good thing, sharing with a rugger side... the pitches can get in a really poor state over the winter - the pitch at the Milstad yesterday looked awful!
Look at swansea's pitch, that was in top condition even though they also share with a rugby team


PS: Reading? didnt know they shared with a rugby team.
Reading ground share with London Irish I believe,

[South Benfleet Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Smiffy @ May 23 2006,18:39)]
Quote[/b] (shrimper4life @ May 23 2006,18:15)]
Quote[/b] (Whatever @ May 22 2006,20:36)]Not always a good thing, sharing with a rugger side... the pitches can get in a really poor state over the winter - the pitch at the Milstad yesterday looked awful!
Look at swansea's pitch, that was in top condition even though they also share with a rugby team


PS: Reading? didnt know they shared with a rugby team.
Reading ground share with London Irish I believe,
Oh yes - the mighty Exiles have a contract to play there for the next three seasons as well...