[Football] Albion returning to Withdean

[Guinness Boy]

Junior GB will be going as his mate plays in goal for Varndenians. Probably the only ground where he can’t spend all night behind his goal giving him shit.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Sorry, £12 for a stadium with no bar to watch the kids? I thought Varndean were better than that.

 

[London Irish]

Sorry, £12 for a stadium with no bar to watch the kids? I thought Varndean were better than that.

To be fair it’s £18 to spend 90 minutes in Bridge Car Park

 

[HH Brighton]

1000 tickets made available, surely this should sell out

 

[Beanstalk]

Has it definitely been ruled out as a potential site for the women's stadium due to the incompatibility of football and athletics operating in the same place?

Don't know if it's been completely ruled out but it would almost certainly have to be rebuilt from the ground up for WSL requirements.

The stadium must have a minimum capacity of 4,000 with plans to expand to 5,000 and the demands from broadcasters and media are not what they were when the men's team moved in in the late 90s - all of which are now requirements for the league.

In addition to that, they'd really need to own the site to develop it and I'd presume that the council are very hesitant to let go of the site seeing as they've invested a fair bit of money in the site over the last 12 years. Without owning the site, the club would lose out on millions in grants from the FA and the Premier League to redevelop the ground. It's very unlikely that the women's team are making a profit for Tony so I don't think he'd be particularly keen on missing out on a lot of free funding so he can work with the council.

I also think that the club would really like to have all of their matchday sites in the same place. It will be in Falmer when they can strike a deal and get planning permission.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

1000 tickets made available, surely this should sell out

Double the price of your average county league game that gets 300 along. I would have considered it if it hadn't been such a shameless money grab by the home team

 

[stewart12]

Don't know if it's been completely ruled out but it would almost certainly have to be rebuilt from the ground up for WSL requirements.

The stadium must have a minimum capacity of 4,000 with plans to expand to 5,000 and the demands from broadcasters and media are not what they were when the men's team moved in in the late 90s - all of which are now requirements for the league.

In addition to that, they'd really need to own the site to develop it and I'd presume that the council are very hesitant to let go of the site seeing as they've invested a fair bit of money in the site over the last 12 years. Without owning the site, the club would lose out on millions in grants from the FA and the Premier League to redevelop the ground. It's very unlikely that the women's team are making a profit for Tony so I don't think he'd be particularly keen on missing out on a lot of free funding so he can work with the council.

I also think that the club would really like to have all of their matchday sites in the same place. It will be in Falmer when they can strike a deal and get planning permission.

I'm surprised that the council have invested money into Withdean since we've left. Certainly doesn't feel like it when you're there and it feels more like, aside from taking down the temporary stands, they've pretty much left it to rot.

I do think they'd be tempted to sell for the right price but I'm not sure they should- it is after all a community facility and is currently home to two non league clubs and of course athletics. Really to get a decent sized permanent stadium in there with proper facilities you may be looking at getting rid of the track, which I'm not sure I'm that comfortable with

Also the general infrastructure is poor. Women's football attracts families and as such I think you either need great public transport links or loads of parking (or a combination of the both)

I agree that it's not the ideal site and near to the Amex is probably best

 

[stewart12]

Double the price of your average county league game that gets 300 along. I would have considered it if it hadn't been such a shameless money grab by the home team

V's get nowhere near 300, more like 60/70 so I can understand them wanting to cash in on a one off game like this- but it certainly puts me off wanting to go and I imagine I'm not alone in that

Wonder why it's only 1000 tickets? From memory the North Stand at Withdean holds about 2000....unless they're only selling tickets for seats that aren't covered in pigeon shit

 

[BNthree]

To be fair it’s £18 to spend 90 minutes in Bridge Car Park

That’s the 90 minutes it takes to exit yeah?

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

V's get nowhere near 300, more like 60/70 so I can understand them wanting to cash in on a one off game like this- but it certainly puts me off wanting to go and I imagine I'm not alone in that

Wonder why it's only 1000 tickets? From memory the North Stand at Withdean holds about 2000....unless they're only selling tickets for seats that aren't covered in pigeon shit

At a guess, stewards and parking restrictions

And yes, not sure where 300 came from but that average reinforces my point really. Disappointing from them

 

[AZ Gull]

1000 tickets made available, surely this should sell out

 

[jonny.rainbow]

Got my ticket.

Will there be forks at the chip van? How much is the Withdean Wager these days? Will Dick Knight have his bucket out for donations at half-time?

 

[stewart12]

Got my ticket.

Will there be forks at the chip van? How much is the Withdean Wager these days? Will Dick Knight have his bucket out for donations at half-time?

Wonder if Martin Perry will drive around the running track dressed as Austin Powers