New Ground

[Smiffy]

So people if you had the opportunity to design this new state of the art ground for us how would you go about it?

Personally, I would like it to be around the 15000 capacity mark with the ability to increase if need be, for starters.

I would like one end behind the goal to be terracing if at all possible.

One of the main stands to be two tiered, with executive boxes splitting these two.

All stands to have domed roofing using select materials which are proven to increase the acoustic levels.

No Posts or restricted view seating/terracing of any kind.

All stands to be as close to the pitch as technically possible.

The entire ground to be enclosed, ie. no gaps between stands in the corners.

At least one bar/food outlet in each stand.

Wide access in and out of the stadium and surrounding areas itself.

A club superstore.

Plenty of toilets, of decent standard.

A large ticket office.

A large on-site car park.

A couple of decent pubs around the vicinity of the stadium ( very important ).

A decent scoreboard.

Away supporters section to be tucked away in the corner somewhere.

A bus stop on or very near the site.

Thats about all i can think of at the moment!..

Anyone else think of additions to the list??!!..







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[Javea Shrimper]

Unfortunately it has already been stated that there will be no terracing at the new ground. Current FLA regulations don't allow it apparently ...

WS

[Smiffy]

So if you build a new ground it has to be an all seater arena??.

Dont agree with that at all.

What a terrible specification.

Ok, well i can handle the all seater thing as long as we are close to the action!.



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[BoyWonder2]

Well, seating is deemed more safe than terracing.

[Smiffy]

Ive always liked the look of this stadium when ive seen it on telly, nice and compact, the same sort of size we are likely to have built and generates one hell of an atmosphere. Something along these lines will do me fine please uncle ron!.




Nice (http://www.stadiumguide.com/arnold.htm)

[BoyWonder2]

I liked the look of the original plans that were drawn up.

[Technician]

Quote[/b] (BoyWonder2 @ Nov. 08 2004,20:15)]I liked the look of the original plans that were drawn up.
I couldn't agree more!

When the plans were hanging from the wall inside the Roots Hall reception, It was an interesting read.

[The Artful Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (BoyWonder2 @ Nov. 08 2004,20:02)]Well, seating is deemed more safe than terracing.
I disagree. Terracing is only unsafe when you have police lines pushing you in, and when you have greedy bosses, willing to let them be crammed in.
Allocation of tickets for terracing is simple. When the turnstiles clock around to the capacity. They stop working.
I don't care what anyone says. Terracing needs to return to football and we should be ambitious enough to say to supporters, we've got some terracing, sod all that poncey seating, come to the new "roots hall" and have a laugh. An instant incentive!
Stop namby pambying to the men in suits and start telling the FA what supporters want.
I want to stand up! I want to walk about during the game. Move over to the singers, move away from the idiots etc.

[Ron Manager]

Link (http://www.stadiumguide.com/louis2.htm)

Now that's what I call a stadium! Not too big, just over 18,000, and every facility you could ever want under the pitch - gyms, basketball arena, olympic size swimming pool and a car park!

Come on Ron, get your finger out. In fact, if you'd like me to take a trip to compile a report then I will do it just for expenses! http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Smiffy]

No, No, No, not the shopping precinct!!

Thats is a terrible ground IMO...the stands are too far from the pitch and the pitch itself is built on top of a car park, which the players complain makes the surface very hard.

but thats my opinion, i personally would hate us to have something like that but.

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[Technician]

Quote[/b] (Ron Manager @ Nov. 09 2004,09:43)]Link (http://www.stadiumguide.com/louis2.htm)

Now that's what I call a stadium! Not too big, just over 18,000, and every facility you could ever want under the pitch - gyms, basketball arena, olympic size swimming pool and a car park!

Come on Ron, get your finger out. In fact, if you'd like me to take a trip to compile a report then I will do it just for expenses! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Blimey! that's a great piece of architecture if nothing else. Obviously, for us it would not be practical to have a running track, but the underground car-park and facilities are a great idea... If this is going to work, then good space management needs to be seriously considered. Good spot RM! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Generally, most new grounds are of the cantilever (I think) design in this country, so it would be great to buck that trend and have something attractive to look at... the only trouble is, at what cost? *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Ron Manager]

Quote[/b] (Smiffy @ Nov. 09 2004,10:52)]No, No, No, not the shopping precinct!!

Thats is a terrible ground IMO...the stands are too far from the pitch and the pitch itself is built on top of a car park, which the players complain makes the surface very hard.

but thats my opinion, i personally would hate us to have something like that but.

http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/ghostface.gif
Being part of the delegation of the 'Southend branch of the Monaco suppoorters club' that visited the principality this summer I can say that the stadium tour we went on left us all very impressed.

However the suggestion that we have a stadium of that standard was not entirely serious......

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[Ron Manager]

In fact I'll look to get a photo posted on here tonight of us all inside the ground.....Hooly, any chance of getting 'Drewe The Bear' posted on here?

[Wessex Blue]

Quote[/b] (Ron Manager @ Nov. 09 2004,10:43)]Link (http://www.stadiumguide.com/louis2.htm)

Now that's what I call a stadium! Not too big, just over 18,000, and every facility you could ever want under the pitch - gyms, basketball arena, olympic size swimming pool and a car park!

Come on Ron, get your finger out. In fact, if you'd like me to take a trip to compile a report then I will do it just for expenses! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Sorry RM but Monaco's stadium is an absolute monstrosity. Individual yes, architectually interesting perhaps, beautiful definitely not.

[CI-City Blue]

As well as a bus stop, a train station would have to be very close to any new ground....

[Ron Manager]

Quote[/b] (Wessex Blue @ Nov. 09 2004,11:37)]Quote[/b] (Ron Manager @ Nov. 09 2004,10:43)]Link (http://www.stadiumguide.com/louis2.htm)

Now that's what I call a stadium! Not too big, just over 18,000, and every facility you could ever want under the pitch - gyms, basketball arena, olympic size swimming pool and a car park!

Come on Ron, get your finger out. In fact, if you'd like me to take a trip to compile a report then I will do it just for expenses! *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Sorry RM but Monaco's stadium is an absolute monstrosity. Individual yes, architectually interesting perhaps, beautiful definitely not.
Have to agree to disagree with you, I was impressed with it. Too many stadiums are indentikit replicas of each other - St Marys, Riverside etc. - a little bit of indivduality is a good thing in my book. In the past every ground you went to had it's own character, now they just all look the same.

Having said that, I wasn't seriously suggesting that we would end up with a ground anything like it - was more just a bit of a cheeky, tongue in cheek attempt at a free trip to Monte Carlo! http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[gazzacat42]

I think it has been on here before.
But is it the FA that have the final say on terracing, i know that in Germany they have some stadiums where there is terracing for league games, but when they play in europe they convert to seating.

[Barry the dog]

Quote[/b] (The Artful Shrimper @ Nov. 09 2004,09:56)]Quote[/b] (BoyWonder2 @ Nov. 08 2004,20:02)]Well, seating is deemed more safe than terracing.
I disagree. Terracing is only unsafe when you have police lines pushing you in, and when you have greedy bosses, willing to let them be crammed in.
Allocation of tickets for terracing is simple. When the turnstiles clock around to the capacity. They stop working.
I don't care what anyone says. Terracing needs to return to football and we should be ambitious enough to say to supporters, we've got some terracing, sod all that poncey seating, come to the new "roots hall" and have a laugh. An instant incentive!
Stop namby pambying to the men in suits and start telling the FA what supporters want.
I want to stand up! I want to walk about during the game. Move over to the singers, move away from the idiots etc.
Exactly.

How many times do i seem to end up sitting next too the village idiot in the East stand with his sandwiches and ribena in a flask. It either that or CS Cockles and the Cockcroach takes up all the rooms and eats all my food. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[The Flying Scotsman]

Def need to be able to expand, but definitely dont just have 3 stands like Bournemouth and Oxford - that really looks crap

[overseas shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Barry the dog @ Nov. 09 2004,14:36)]How many times do i seem to end up sitting next too the village idiot in the East stand with his sandwiches and ribena in a flask...
Oh! I thought It's Grim up North sits in the South Upper!

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[Smudger]

Quote[/b] (The Artful Shrimper @ Nov. 09 2004,09:56)]Quote[/b] (BoyWonder2 @ Nov. 08 2004,20:02)]Well, seating is deemed more safe than terracing.
I disagree. Terracing is only unsafe when you have police lines pushing you in, and when you have greedy bosses, willing to let them be crammed in.
Allocation of tickets for terracing is simple. When the turnstiles clock around to the capacity. They stop working.
I don't care what anyone says. Terracing needs to return to football and we should be ambitious enough to say to supporters, we've got some terracing, sod all that poncey seating, come to the new "roots hall" and have a laugh. An instant incentive!
Stop namby pambying to the men in suits and start telling the FA what supporters want.
I want to stand up! I want to walk about during the game. Move over to the singers, move away from the idiots etc.
My thoughts entirely in one post. I hope Mr Martin will see a delegation of fans to pick up their opinions and that he won't just be listening to the thermos flask brigade (some of whom may or may not be Supporters Trust Committee men....)

[Hong Kong Blue]

Smudger, I think Scriven resigned from the committee.

[tommytwoholes]

personally like to see something along the lines of the Reebok but with a capacity of about 16k which can be increased gradually to 20k and 25k respectively. Although i must admit that plymouths Home park looks pretty impressive nowdays. I would hate to have four stands i would much rather have a bowl shape as in the original plans.

[BoyWonder2]

Our New Stadium (http://www.stadiumguide.com/millenium.htm)

Hows about that?! We have already played their once, might as well have it as our home ground.

Seriously thought, what an impressive stadium I think you'll agree.

[footymad13]

Quote[/b] (tommytwoholes @ Nov. 10 2004,19:25)]personally like to see something along the lines of the Reebok but with a capacity of about 16k which can be increased gradually to 20k and 25k respectively. Although i must admit that plymouths Home park looks pretty impressive nowdays. I would hate to have four stands i would much rather have a bowl shape as in the original plans.
Reebok stadium is superb, id like to see it in the mould of that or the JJB stadium although i loved the 2000 designs, thought it had a brilliant main stand a nice bowl design.

[Technician]

I would like to see a more enclosed version than the one originally planned in 2000. The Reynalds Arena is a smaller more compact version of the Millennium Stadium and a good example of what we should be aiming for. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I wonder whether our landlords will be building the stadium ready for 25,000 seats, but only install 15,000. They could put the away seats right at the back and put all the building materials in front of them... then they'd need binoculars to see the action and we could wind them up! http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I know you might lose a bit of atmosphere like that, but I am thinking what the costs would be "long-term" if we build the stadium in the next couple of years and then added to it later on? I suspect they'll be adding on another £10m+ to the original planned costs in 2000, and wonder if there's any feasability to having the finished artical in one hit? I am sure it would be a huge saving in the long run, having ALL the infrastructure in place at "today's" prices. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[navy shrimper]

top stadium! (http://www.stadiumguide.com/rootshall.htm)

this is a great looking place, should model it on this!

seriously, i liked the look of the previous design. i wouldn't want an open stadium like at oxford for example, seems to lose a lot of atmos and a lot windier in winter!

[Hooly]

Quote[/b] (Ron Manager @ Nov. 09 2004,11:25)]Being part of the delegation of the 'Southend branch of the Monaco supporters club' that visited the principality this summer I can say that the stadium tour we went on left us all very impressed.
Dunno RM the pool looked a bit small & tacky to me! * http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hoolyweb/Monaco Stadium Swimming Pool.JPG

[sufcintheprem]

Firstly, terracing: From what I can gather from the Hillsborough tragedy, the main problems were the police trying to deal with rowdy (late) crowds behind the stands and subsequently opening one of the exit doors at the back of the stand. This lead to far too many people being allowed in to the stand. This combined with the barriers and the metal fence at the front meant that people had nowhere to go. The terracing, in itself, was not to blame. It was the way it was managed. Like Artful says, put a strict turnstile system in and a timer ont he exit gates with one person responsible for an emergency override and you reduce the problem. Also, you can't tell me that with today's technology, they couldn't install a fence at the front that can fold forwards in an emergency.

Secondly,Stade Louis II: We're not a vastly rich principality so probably couldn't get the principality backing to do it. Also, I can't see the Southend Arena hosting international athletics.

[Ron Manager]

Quote[/b] (sufcintheprem @ Nov. 11 2004,10:36)]Secondly,Stade Louis II: *We're not a vastly rich principality so probably couldn't get the principality backing to do it. Also, I can't see the Southend Arena hosting international athletics.
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to my previous clarification of my suggestion we have a stadium of this calibre -

I was taking the ****!

[southend_utd_fan]

Wouldnt mind a ground like Hull's or Darlo's but with fewer seats.

[Benfleetshrimp]

I wouldnt mind a ground that we own and have no threat or fear of loosing. I also want a ground that wont look silly with 2700 people in it for a mid week LDV vans game.


Oh and also more bar staff please

[Bluesmanager]

I'd like a 1800 all-seater with food outlets situated as one for every block/area, (Cause I can't be bothered to wait in a twenty thousand person long queue in the Family Enclosure!)

Also I'd like the roofs to overhang so the sound reverbs on to the pitch, (a decent PA'd help as well!)

[Smiffy]

Quote[/b] (Bluesmanager @ Nov. 20 2004,14:58)]I'd like a 1800 all-seater
1800?... would barely cover the seaso's!!


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[Bluesmanager]

Sorry, meant 18000. http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

And I'd also like a stadium that didn't look daft on the telly, you know, you get these clubs that don't sell tickets to people behind the goal and all that stuff.

[elmo putney]

huddersfield and boltons grounds are impressive....i think grounds like hull,darlo and boro are sh*te,they look plasticky...it would nice 2 have a ground with a bit of character rather than just another northampton or rushden ground........i think its also important 2 have a design or 2 on the chairs themselves ,preston have done it and i reckon it looks great......we could have a huge club crest behind 1 goal's seats and a neil campbell picture in the main stand's seats

[footymad13]

Quote[/b] (southend_utd_fan @ Nov. 13 2004,21:19)]Wouldnt mind a ground like Hull's
Fantastic stadium, reminded me of our original design, bowl with a two tierd curved stand.

Fantastic atmosphere in the stadium and brilliant views.

Yes please !

[The Artful Shrimper]

I want a stadium free from pillars. I want the section behind the goal to be standing. I want easy toilet access, preferably away from the food outlets, of which there will be numerous selling a variety of foods. Curry chicken and chips f'r'instance.
I would also like the club to do a deal with Wetherspoons to have a bar and they can supply real ale all for me.
I want the pitch to be close to the stands so our comments are heard by the opposition. (unless a greyhound track is incorporated into the design for which seasos will get free entry)
the away supporters will be housed in a roofless section.
I would like a bookies though preferably one who does not find my hard earned cash "easy money".
I would like a scoreboard that also shows the leagues real time scores as well.

[chaco27saf]

After almost a decade of professional soccer in Denver, the Colorado Rapids are finally getting their own stadium. *Since they were created the Rapids have played in a 76,000 seat stadium. *The place is never anywhere near full and as a result the atmosphere is always poor. *The new stadium is a 20,000 seater and I really like the prelim designs, and I think that Southend's new stadium should look fairly similiar, it's fairly cheap to build and stadiums like this usually look great, this picture doesn't do it any justice.

http://www.ci.commerce-city.co.us/discovery/images/Stadium.jpg

Obvious there will be added aestheics, but the plan calls for surrounding youth soccer facilities and a training facility. *This stadium will be great for soccer.

[The Artful Shrimper]

....I also want floodlights. I will be livid if we have those poncey built in the roof lights. No stadium is perfect unless it has four towering floodlights that can be seen from the distance.
I want there to be horizontal walkways/exits, unlike the East greens where you have to get people to stand up when the call of nature calls.
I would like seperate non smoking areas in the bars and the continuation of Blues TV, which is audible!
I would like a graffiti board installed in the public lavatories.

[Napster]

Considering the Southend Supporters Club bought the floodlights for the club, I would expect nothing less than for us to keep floodies.

[TerryintheWest]

where are we going to store them? http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[steveh1510]

Quote[/b] (TerryintheWest @ Nov. 25 2004,12:53)]where are we going to store them? *http://www.shrimperzone.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I could probably get one in my garden, although I'd have to move the washing line.