World cup bid - the stadiums

[Curious Orange]

If we had'nt have had all that bollocks from lewes we would have been in the mix to host WC games IMO

Doubt it - World Cup venues need to be a lot bigger than Falmer will/could ever be.

 

[Driver8]

But FIFA will look at more logistical factors when assesing the bid. MK (although a shithole) is a good place to hold large events. On paper it is a good venue, so if it helps our bid, i can't say i really give two shits.

What makes it a good venue for big events? Its f***ing miles from the station- I know I walked it last time- and isn't exactly blessed with desirable places to stay.

 

[Gully]

There are a few on the list that will require some pretty major building work to bring them to the standard required for a World Cup, Plymouth, Leeds and Sheff Weds all spring immediately to mind...but if the bid helps them with finding funds for re-development then that has to be a positive.

 

[Milton Keynes Seagull]

What makes it a good venue for big events? Its f***ing miles from the station- I know I walked it last time- and isn't exactly blessed with desirable places to stay.

Yes its a long way from MK Central Station but fairly close to Bletchley, and the authorities would run a free bus shuttle service from there for fans anyway. Parking is ample and the ground is straight off the A5 for those coming by car and coach. As for hotels, I'm sorry you're simply wrong on that there are many available as well as numerous B&Bs.

MK is also used to stage large events, hosting concerts at the bowl for 60,000 people.

 

[Curious Orange]

There are a few on the list that will require some pretty major building work to bring them to the standard required for a World Cup, Plymouth, Leeds and Sheff Weds all spring immediately to mind...but if the bid helps them with finding funds for re-development then that has to be a positive.

Of those I suspect that Elland Road needs the most doing to it - they'd need to replace three of the existing stands.

 

[Gully]

Of those I suspect that Elland Road needs the most doing to it - they'd need to replace three of the existing stands.

I can't really comment on Hillsborough, have only seen pictures of it, but it does look a little dated. However, I have been to Home Park and Elland Road and whilst they are reasonably good for atmosphere...along with the likes of the City Ground Nottingham and Ashton Gate...they are pretty dated by modern standards. I would be pretty gutted if I were Derby or Leicester, the former is one of the best grounds I have been to.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Doubt it - World Cup venues need to be a lot bigger than Falmer will/could ever be.

Spot on my friend.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

I knew when I read the title of this thread, there would be a few people attacking the idea of Milton Keynes as a venue. I like most Albion fans at the time was appalled at the way Wimbledon FC was allowed to die and the underhand methods (and believe me there were some real backhanders floating around MK at the time) that led to the creation of the MK Dons. But time moves on and you have to look at the picture now.

The Stadium MK is a magnicient stadium and when its final tier of seats are put in will rank as one of the best in the country. It has excellent parking facilities and other amenities, first class rail and road links and a plethora of hotel accomodation for fans to stay in as well as numerous bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. It is of close very close to London and central in location to the rest of England. In addition, the MK Dons, whether we like it or not, have worked hard to establish football here, with numerous marketing initiatives and outreach programmes to the schools and other groups. Their gates have been excellent and there is of course a rapidly growing population that supports football, including, I'm pleased to say, at least 40 plus Albion fans in MK. It is a logical choice, that should be made, despite what happened in the past.

That MK is also a soulless and to me a ghastly place to live, from which I am planning to escape, does not mean it is not right to include it as a venue to host a world cup game.

Stop posting sense! Ban him!

 

[Simster]

I would be pretty gutted if I were Derby or Leicester, the former is one of the best grounds I have been to.

The issue here is surely that only one East Midland ground could be chosen, and The City Ground is so much better than the other two. PP and the WS are both new identikit grounds really, and PP is in the middle of an industrial estate. On the other hand, the CG is rebuilt and nestles nicely on the Trent, walking distance from the station and with several pubs in close proximity. Whatsmore, Derby hs been shamefully neglected over the past few years I'm afraid to say, and therefore hardly a showcase town/city for the World Cup.

Edit: they want to build a "new" Nottingham stadium. *sigh*. f*** that then, it won't be anywhere near as nice as the current one.

 

[Frutos]

Doubt it - World Cup venues need to be a lot bigger than Falmer will/could ever be.

Home Park's capacity is 19500, which is less than Falmer's will be, so how does that work?

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Home Park's capacity is 19500, which is less than Falmer's will be, so how does that work?

Its being increased I believe, plus they wanted grounds from all around the country and Brighton is too close to London.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

The ground remained relatively unchanged until the 1990s when ambitious plans for re-development were announced. Although there were a lot of false starts and talk of a possible move to a different location in the city work commenced on the re-building of Home Park. An 18,500 capacity all-seater stadium, built in two stages on the site of the current ground, was planned. Phase 1 of the project, the redevelopment of the Devonport, Lyndhurst and Barn Park stands, was completed in February 2002. Phase 2 of the re-build, the new Grandstand, has been delayed amid rumours of revamped plans and financial difficulties. As of June 2007 the Mayflower terrace can no longer be used for standing as Argyle did not succeed in securing a government exemption from all-seater stadia rules. However, the board decided to install temporary seating on the terrace, to keep the capacity of the ground around the 20,000 mark. At the same time a new public address system was installed and improvements made to the floodlights on the Grandstand side of the ground, all suggesting that a start date for Phase 2 of the re-development has yet to be decided

 

[ali jenkins]

Home Park's capacity is 20900, which is less than Falmer's will be, so how does that work?

They will develop the bits of the ground that havent been done yet to make it big enough

 

[Driver8]

Yes its a long way from MK Central Station but fairly close to Bletchley, and the authorities would run a free bus shuttle service from there for fans anyway. Parking is ample and the ground is straight off the A5 for those coming by car and coach. As for hotels, I'm sorry you're simply wrong on that there are many available as well as numerous B&Bs.

MK is also used to stage large events, hosting concerts at the bowl for 60,000 people.

I'm sure there are plenty of places to stay my point was that they weren't desirable! You live there so obviously know the area far better than me but my impression was that I would rather kill myself than live there. Having said that other than the harbour area Plymouth is also a soul destroying shithole so perhaps it was a prerequisite for bidding.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

but the thought of fans across the world coming to milton keynes and spending a week or so there doesnt appeal

I hate the idea, but they'll stay in London and travel up to the matches presumably.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

I dont like the history behind MK either but to be fair its a lovely stadium

Built by the builders of Falmer, the Buckingham Group (fixtures I know).

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

are we having 15 stadiums, or does that list get narrowed down again?

for some reason i thought it was 12 stadiums for a world cup

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

We put forward a certain amount then FIFA choose

 

[Driver8]

Yes its a long way from MK Central Station but fairly close to Bletchley, and the authorities would run a free bus shuttle service from there for fans anyway. Parking is ample and the ground is straight off the A5 for those coming by car and coach. As for hotels, I'm sorry you're simply wrong on that there are many available as well as numerous B&Bs.

MK is also used to stage large events, hosting concerts at the bowl for 60,000 people.

I'm sure there are plenty of places to stay my point was that they weren't desirable! You live there so obviously know the area far better than me but my impression was that I would rather kill myself than live there. Having said that other than the harbour area Plymouth is also a soul destroying shithole so perhaps it was a prerequisite for bidding.

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

Edit: they want to build a "new" Nottingham stadium.

It's at Clifton, a council estate on the edge of the city. I think they are extending the Nottingham Express Transit there. Some of the anti-tram posters on the Congestion Charge thread might want to take note.