ROSM
Well-known member
So what do we think?
It certainly didn't read how I remembered the planning battle.Reads like a bitter anti Labour, anti net zero rant from a man who talks about money ruining the game but also wanted Newcastle to be able to spend what they wanted because they could.
I gave up on the populist bilge after the first column but I certainly got the gist.
Very well said.Nowhere near as big a deal as he tries to make out is it.....
Cast ourselves back over 15 years, in Withdean and with limited, imperfect options to build a new home in Brighton, who wouldn't still choose the Amex if that meant home boxing day fixtures have to be played on 27th?
I doubt many, if any.
We have a beautiful home that means a lot more considering our past struggles.
Boxing day is no biggie.
The original planning permission for the ground described the car parks that could be used within 1.5KM of the ground and limited their number - to around 2,300. What he is saying is that the club can't increase the number of car parking spaces.What does he mean " no public car park". Where are those cars that queue up to go under the bridge coming from? It's also strange that the park and ride facility is glossed over.
And there's a bit of hindsight involved here, when the stadium was planned there were certainly bus services running on Boxing Day. I remember catching one to see my mum in hospital.
It was a planning policy from 1996 that all new developments could only have NEW car parking to cater for c15% of the expected footfall. The bridge and Bennett field were the new spaces based on 4 per car and an initial capacity of 22500. The subsequent labour govt and subsequent coalitions, tory and now labour haven't rescinded that policy and as we expanded we didn't/couldnt find land to build any more new spaces.The original planning permission for the ground described the car parks that could be used within 1.5KM of the ground and limited their number - to around 2,300. What he is saying is that the club can't increase the number of car parking spaces.
In practice - with the loss of Bennetts Field - the club probably could add some more now, if they could work out where to put them. But not enough to make any difference for games where there are few trains.
I was, miss Boxing Day football.Me wondering who asked him. I was definitely not bothered about not having to go to the Amex on Boxing Day
As there are no trains from Seaford / Newhaven Boxing Day matches in the past have been an inconvenience, especially for fans that don’t drive.I was, miss Boxing Day football.
27th in the evening is an inconvenience, however @peterward has nailed it.
Being unable to increase the number of car parking spaces is very different from "there is no car park". I'd imagine there are a large number of clubs that would not find it possible to increase the number of parking spaces.The original planning permission for the ground described the car parks that could be used within 1.5KM of the ground and limited their number - to around 2,300. What he is saying is that the club can't increase the number of car parking spaces.
What a strange article.
And the utterly ridiculous 8pm koAnd the headline is just plain wrong. We played at home to Brentford on Boxing Day 2021. Although admittedly the crowd was adversely affected by transport issues.
Yep, same here. No understanding that public transport workers, stewards, catering staff etc. might want a Christmas break. I guess his defence of football fans didn't get on to the Leicester fans who had to travel over 100 miles home after 10 o'clock that evening. Television money insists that football takes place on Boxing Day to the detriment of match going fans. If he cared, he'd be arguing for some kind of winter break in the professional game. Boxing day football could be about going to watch your local non-league side: short travelling distances and sensible kick off times: See a match, see your friends and get home in time to see whichever of your nan/kids/spouse/cat who didn't come with you.Reads like a bitter anti Labour, anti net zero rant from a man who talks about money ruining the game but also wanted Newcastle to be able to spend what they wanted because they could.
I gave up on the populist bilge after the first column but I certainly got the gist.