Interesting how the plans for a new ground were first presented

[Deleted User X18H]

I just remember how amazing it looked to me, I'd have been about 13 or so. That photo mock up was on the front of the Argus and EVERYTHING. It was only a few years down the line that we realised how utterly pie in the sky it all was. That was meant to have been built at Waterhall I believe, and the council had already made it quite clear that they were against any development north of the A27, so it was a non-starter. Then Archer & his evil henchman thought they could bluff or bully the council into giving them land at Toads Hole Valley, though I don't remember ever seeing a design for that particular piece of fantasy.

Anyway. Millwall was the first of the decent sized new stadia to be built- even a couple of years after Scunny & Walsall built their new places, they were being criticised for incorporating roof pillars into the design, causing restricted view seats. Millwall might be functional & basic, but at least there's no dirty great poles blocking your view of the pitch. In fact, hardly any Championship grounds would have anything as shabby and embarrassing as that....would they?

On the subject of Waterhall, anyone remember Bellotti's nonsensical coloured diagram for a new stadium there.

We nearly wet ourselves laughing at the complete "pie in the sky" thinking

Toads Hole has never been council owned. Cooke owns it but can't develop it.

 

[bn1&bn3 Albion]

The only thing I like about that design is the fact it has a fairly steep stand behind the goal..

 

[W.C.]

On the subject of Waterhall, anyone remember Bellotti's nonsensical coloured diagram for a new stadium there.

We nearly wet ourselves laughing at the complete "pie in the sky" thinking

I was thinking that when I saw this thread. Didn't it appear in the Argus?

 

[W.C.]

to be fair, the galpharm still looks pretty good and its 18 years old...

This is true. Didn't it win awards when it was built? Don't remember any of the other new stadiums winning architectural prizes.

 

[Zamora For England]

Wow, great find Hiney. Looks similar to The New Den, built a few years later, and also similar to the new stands at Home Park.

Thank god it didn't happen!

Proper interesting, all this 'what could have been' lark.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

I once, with some others, had an improptu 'meeing' with Mr Bellend, after a Goldstone match.

Now, I should have been enthralled about his tales of our new stadium but it was such a pack of lies I was more interested in just how far up his spindly legs his socks went.

 

[trueblue]

This is true. Didn't it win awards when it was built? Don't remember any of the other new stadiums winning architectural prizes.

Agreed about Huddersfield. Quite like The Reebok too. The Amex should hold its own for a long time, largely because it's unique owing to the peculiar planning problems. Distinctive seems to be the key.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Toads Hole has never been council owned. Cooke owns it but can't develop it.

I very much suspect they will be able to soon .......