Bristol Rovers new stadium!

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Will be sad to see another unique old stadium go to be replaced by an identikit all-seater bowl. Nevertheless, good for Bristol Rovers. They've got the fanbase and the potential to be competing at a higher level.

 

[Wise Head]

I just get bored of the same old points regurgitated by the same people. I am as frustrated as anyone by the lack of progress but the threads normally deteriorate into attacks on Ron Martin that can be quite distasteful. And I stand by my view that the policing on SZ is quite parochial. Also my point about protagonist and antagonist was relevant but I just got abuse for ponting to out. About this time last year I was critical of what I perceived as negativity on SZ and basically was put on the naughty step by way of a private message and didn't post anything for months. Looks like I'll be off on another sabbatical then. UTBs!

I think the hostility towards Ron is 100% frustration at our plight. We see other clubs building the kind of stadiums we have been promised. Those clubs are well set up for the future with much better facilities generating more income potential, and not only owning their new ground but mostly having cleared their debts having fully benefitted from the windfall sale of their old grounds to housing/supermarkets.
This compares to our plight, where before Ron took over we owned our own ground with around £4million debt. Despite gaining planning permission over 6 years ago our ground has been asset stripped to one of Ron's companies, the club is now £12million in debt and we are living hand to mouth. The future looks very uncertain if the stadium doesn't go ahead and if it does the future is bleak as we will not own the ground and will have to lease it off one of Ron's companies for an undisclosed account. Further to that we have no certainty on the debt that Ron will leave the club with and the stadium will only be three sided with a vague commitment to build the main stand.
I find this state of affairs completely unsatisfactory as the sale of Roots Hall and the value of the retail park planning permission meant there was easily enough money to be like the Brighton/ Bristol Rovers situation. Why there isn't enough money to build a 4 sided stadium, return ownership of the ground to the club and clear the club's debt is either down to Ron's incompetence or greed or both. Simply very disappointing and frustrating.

 

[Smiffy]

I think the hostility towards Ron is 100% frustration at our plight. We see other clubs building the kind of stadiums we have been promised. Those clubs are well set up for the future with much better facilities generating more income potential, and not only owning their new ground but mostly having cleared their debts having fully benefitted from the windfall sale of their old grounds to housing/supermarkets.
This compares to our plight, where before Ron took over we owned our own ground with around £4million debt. Despite gaining planning permission over 6 years ago our ground has been asset stripped to one of Ron's companies, the club is now £12million in debt and we are living hand to mouth. The future looks very uncertain if the stadium doesn't go ahead and if it does the future is bleak as we will not own the ground and will have to lease it off one of Ron's companies for an undisclosed account. Further to that we have no certainty on the debt that Ron will leave the club with and the stadium will only be three sided with a vague commitment to build the main stand.
I find this state of affairs completely unsatisfactory as the sale of Roots Hall and the value of the retail park planning permission meant there was easily enough money to be like the Brighton/ Bristol Rovers situation. Why there isn't enough money to build a 4 sided stadium, return ownership of the ground to the club and clear the club's debt is either down to Ron's incompetence or greed or both. Simply very disappointing and frustrating.

Bang on Sir.

So many questions and no answers as always.

About time there was a Q&A/AGM.

 

[Mick]

I find this state of affairs completely unsatisfactory as the sale of Roots Hall and the value of the retail park planning permission meant there was easily enough money to be like the Brighton/ Bristol Rovers situation. Why there isn't enough money to build a 4 sided stadium, return ownership of the ground to the club and clear the club's debt is either down to Ron's incompetence or greed or both. Simply very disappointing and frustrating.

Some might say it's a problem caused by having a shyster at the helm.

 

[Hawkwell Blue]

I think the hostility towards Ron is 100% frustration at our plight. We see other clubs building the kind of stadiums we have been promised. Those clubs are well set up for the future with much better facilities generating more income potential, and not only owning their new ground but mostly having cleared their debts having fully benefitted from the windfall sale of their old grounds to housing/supermarkets.
This compares to our plight, where before Ron took over we owned our own ground with around £4million debt. Despite gaining planning permission over 6 years ago our ground has been asset stripped to one of Ron's companies, the club is now £12million in debt and we are living hand to mouth. The future looks very uncertain if the stadium doesn't go ahead and if it does the future is bleak as we will not own the ground and will have to lease it off one of Ron's companies for an undisclosed account. Further to that we have no certainty on the debt that Ron will leave the club with and the stadium will only be three sided with a vague commitment to build the main stand.
I find this state of affairs completely unsatisfactory as the sale of Roots Hall and the value of the retail park planning permission meant there was easily enough money to be like the Brighton/ Bristol Rovers situation. Why there isn't enough money to build a 4 sided stadium, return ownership of the ground to the club and clear the club's debt is either down to Ron's incompetence or greed or both. Simply very disappointing and frustrating.

And so eloquently put, some zoners should take note.

 

[Cricko]

I think the hostility towards Ron is 100% frustration at our plight. We see other clubs building the kind of stadiums we have been promised. Those clubs are well set up for the future with much better facilities generating more income potential, and not only owning their new ground but mostly having cleared their debts having fully benefitted from the windfall sale of their old grounds to housing/supermarkets.
This compares to our plight, where before Ron took over we owned our own ground with around £4million debt. Despite gaining planning permission over 6 years ago our ground has been asset stripped to one of Ron's companies, the club is now £12million in debt and we are living hand to mouth. The future looks very uncertain if the stadium doesn't go ahead and if it does the future is bleak as we will not own the ground and will have to lease it off one of Ron's companies for an undisclosed account. Further to that we have no certainty on the debt that Ron will leave the club with and the stadium will only be three sided with a vague commitment to build the main stand.
I find this state of affairs completely unsatisfactory as the sale of Roots Hall and the value of the retail park planning permission meant there was easily enough money to be like the Brighton/ Bristol Rovers situation. Why there isn't enough money to build a 4 sided stadium, return ownership of the ground to the club and clear the club's debt is either down to Ron's incompetence or greed or both. Simply very disappointing and frustrating.

Excellent and you are a far better wordsmith than me, I agree entirely with all you have written.

 

[Cricko]

Bang on Sir.

So many questions and no answers as always.

About time there was a Q&A/AGM.

No doubt you would get the same old answers, that topics such as these are to delicate to discuss with us mere mortals unless you sign a non disclosure contract. They could affect the delicate balance of Rm's scales :winking:

 

[Mick]

No doubt you would get the same old answers, that topics such as these are to delicate to discuss with us mere mortals unless you sign a non disclosure contract. They could affect the delicate balance of Rm's scales :winking:

RM's scales ? I hope you are not suggesting that he is in any way slimy and lizard like.

 

[Cricko]

RM's scales ? I hope you are not suggesting that he is in any way slimy and lizard like.

Ha, I was referring more to the balance of truth, but your point is maybe more relevant.

 

[Shrimper]

Weren't the contractors supposed to be announced by now?

 

[londonblue]

I think the hostility towards Ron is 100% frustration at our plight. We see other clubs building the kind of stadiums we have been promised. Those clubs are well set up for the future with much better facilities generating more income potential, and not only owning their new ground but mostly having cleared their debts having fully benefitted from the windfall sale of their old grounds to housing/supermarkets.
This compares to our plight, where before Ron took over we owned our own ground with around £4million debt. Despite gaining planning permission over 6 years ago our ground has been asset stripped to one of Ron's companies, the club is now £12million in debt and we are living hand to mouth. The future looks very uncertain if the stadium doesn't go ahead and if it does the future is bleak as we will not own the ground and will have to lease it off one of Ron's companies for an undisclosed account. Further to that we have no certainty on the debt that Ron will leave the club with and the stadium will only be three sided with a vague commitment to build the main stand.
I find this state of affairs completely unsatisfactory as the sale of Roots Hall and the value of the retail park planning permission meant there was easily enough money to be like the Brighton/ Bristol Rovers situation. Why there isn't enough money to build a 4 sided stadium, return ownership of the ground to the club and clear the club's debt is either down to Ron's incompetence or greed or both. Simply very disappointing and frustrating.

No we didn't. It was given to Vic by the supporters club.

 

[Jam_Man]

No we didn't. It was given to Vic by the supporters club.

Yes but it was still owned by SUFC, its now owned by an external company.

 

[Pubey]

I think the hostility towards Ron is 100% frustration at our plight. We see other clubs building the kind of stadiums we have been promised. Those clubs are well set up for the future with much better facilities generating more income potential, and not only owning their new ground but mostly having cleared their debts having fully benefitted from the windfall sale of their old grounds to housing/supermarkets.
This compares to our plight, where before Ron took over we owned our own ground with around £4million debt. Despite gaining planning permission over 6 years ago our ground has been asset stripped to one of Ron's companies, the club is now £12million in debt and we are living hand to mouth. The future looks very uncertain if the stadium doesn't go ahead and if it does the future is bleak as we will not own the ground and will have to lease it off one of Ron's companies for an undisclosed account. Further to that we have no certainty on the debt that Ron will leave the club with and the stadium will only be three sided with a vague commitment to build the main stand.
I find this state of affairs completely unsatisfactory as the sale of Roots Hall and the value of the retail park planning permission meant there was easily enough money to be like the Brighton/ Bristol Rovers situation. Why there isn't enough money to build a 4 sided stadium, return ownership of the ground to the club and clear the club's debt is either down to Ron's incompetence or greed or both. Simply very disappointing and frustrating.

Personally I think that most people are hostile to RM out of frustration (who wouldn't be), but there are definitely a few on here where it's personal and some have been pretty quick to slam RM at every opportunity.

 

[Smiffy]

Weren't the contractors supposed to be announced by now?

Yes. "Within two weeks" was the quote in the Echo.

It will be four weeks on Thursday.

 

[maninasuitcase]

Banking collapse?

What banking collapse.

Well done to Bristol Rovers, who obviously have the right people running the club, who can actually afford/have the nouse to deliver on their promises.

A quote from a Rovers fan: "Nice new ground paid for by Sainsburys. Debt free. Boom"

So how comes they get a complete stadium fully funded by the sale of the Memorial Ground to Sainsbury. Yet we only get perhaps 3 sides?...Last I heard RH was worth IRO £35m?

As Ron has been putting his "own" £100k a month in to keep the club afloat. Surely there has to be plenty left in the kitty from the sale of RH to get a Main Stand built?

According to Ian Holloway he was told work will commence in 'months' when he was appointed manager in 1996.

 

[Thorpe Groyney]

I'm just frustrated I didn't have a ticket for the gymkhana Ron had to cut short an interview for shortly after Tilson was put on gardening leave.

I did see some show jumping at Rayleigh once though.

 

[Jam_Man]

According to Ian Holloway he was told work will commence in 'months' when he was appointed manager in 1996.

Back then they were looking to rebuild their existing stadium, was a totally different plan to what they are going with.

They didnt come up with the current plan until 2011 and put forward the current planning request in 2012.

One difference to our situation is they are providing a large space for the University to use for teaching space. Wonder if this is a factor in getting theirs financed?

 

[GNH]

According to Ian Holloway he was told work will commence in 'months' when he was appointed manager in 1996.

It has been "months", it's just the small detail that it's about 216 of them :winking:

Just like we're days away from starting.....................

 

[Beefy]

All the bloody clauses which would of stopped him progressing on to the Retail/Residential side of the development have been removed by the Council (and in turn have mugged themselves off with the proposed payments) With the exception of making sure we have an operational 3 sided shambles.

Is there a link for this? Not doubting you just this wasn't my understanding and is a fairly key point!

 

[Smiffy]

Is there a link for this? Not doubting you just this wasn't my understanding and is a fairly key point!

I cannot find any link for this at the moment, but am sure I have seen this in the past.

From memory the new revised S106 agreement just states that a 3 sided ground needs to be operational, before the Sainsbury/Retail/Housing side can commence. And that a 4th side of the stadium is to be delivered within 5 years of completion of the 3 sides. There are no (to my knowledge) restrictions/clauses/penalties etc that mean a 4th side MUST be built. That is my gripe and concern.

Then again I could be talking complete bollocks. But I am just concerned that there is no real pressure on Ron to actually deliver the 4th side. Why would he NEED to get it built?...Other than to keep thousands of fans off his back. It doesn't appear imperative to him and his plans for the future, that he does so. Especially when we are talking in excess of £20m to get it built as per the current plans.

Maybe I am sceptical, but I for one will not be surprised to see us remain in a 3 sided stadium for a long time (If we even get to that stage) or at best see a massively watered down version of a Main Stand. My main concern is how we survive as a club, without the Main Stand, be it 1 season, 5 seasons etc. A Main Stand is a vital artery of any club. To not have one for any length of time, is very concerning and certainly not the norm with new build stadia.

As I have said before. IF Ron delivers a 4 sided stadium (as in the current plans) leaves us debt free (as quoted) and does not charge an extortionate rental for the Stadium (which has been side stepped many times when asked) then I will be the first to congratulate him. But you will forgive me and many others, for not feeling entirely comfortable that things will turn out like that.