Is there any news on the ground ownership. I would feel much more comfortable if the council are retaining 50% of the land.
There's a press conference due tomorrow afternoon, with the new owners. I'd imagine we'll know very little until then.
Me neither, they've no business being involved - clear em out, and get some cash in their coffers so they don't have to cut old folks' services and crossing patrols...
i'd be very surprised if the council kept hold of the land. what's in it for the investors without land ownership?
I bet the new board will be impressed by our quaint little facilities under the old stand. Demolition crew in there pretty soon I imagine with a brand new stand in its place. If this should happen I would hope that the changing rooms go back to that side of the ground and the teams come out on half way again. Hate seeing them coming out at the corner flag and how dispiriting must it be for our players listening to the baying mob (ie thousands of away fans) above their heads while waiting to come out.
I'd hope they have higher priorites than building a new stand at this stage -dont get this obsession some folks have with replacing the West Stand. I'm rather attached to it - I first sat in it in 1971 and that and the bogs behind it are the only things left now. Obviously if we were selling out week after week I could see a case for building a new bigger stand but we arent even close to doing that
I'm not "obsessed" with it, by any means. It just seems inevitable somehow, especially if this Brave New World turns out to be just that. I'm all for tradition and history but it just doesn't fit with the other three sides does it? I don't imagine that it will be the first priority but it won't be far down the line I reckon.
Been going to Oakwell since about 1984-5, but its not really the same ground as it was then anyway, used to stand at the bottom of the West Stand near the Ponty End as a kid. As of now, its not really fit for purpose - the West Stand is falling down, the away end is designed to allow away fans to destroy the inside course way every time more than a few hundred turn up, everyon is always complaining about the facilities in the East Stand and the Ponty End, the East stand is now, what? 20 years old and is a pretty dire experience with its beautiful laid bare brickwork and spray-on concrete. Now, while I understand the nature of the club only being able to mend and make-do over the years, but its a bit of a mess and most traveling fans rightly take the p*** out of it.
It's location for me it's right in the heart of town. I dread the idea of moving to a out of town stadium. Now if we were over time to rebuild all 4 stands then that would sit fine with me.
How much land do BFC own ?. Their can't be many clubs who own as much land around their Grounds as We do