I know this subject has been done numerous times and it always proves fierce debate but I’m a bit bored and have been mulling it over in my mind (dangerous I know ) But with the school holidays and the six weeks ones coming up I thought maybe a move could benefit the club and town , On other threads I’ve fiercely opposed any move away from the hallowed turf and haven’t really changed my mind but have been thinking of possible benefits if we did . If they moved it say away from residential areas they could probably hold small music concerts in the summer . Maybe a decent training area where the community could also benefit by using it . Probably an area where all sports relating to the local community could be based eg Cricket , rugby etc . Obviously it would have to be easily accessed with preferably subsidised transport and private access etc . There’s probably loads of other activities we could incorporate in the grounds during non football days something in the lines of a very small Olympic Park . This isn’t impossible with the investment of our new owners and council input and cooperation . With the right site and wherewithal the possibilities are reachable. Tin hat on
That would probably be another nail in town centre s coffin , it’s in a ideal spot for me to walk to , along with a few thousand more at a guess . The traffic problem just shifted to new site
Not necessarily tbh if the transport link from town centre especially match days could even boost trade tbh. Park and rides etc
TBH. It's in an ideal location but ... maybe they would need to buy out the houses on grove street to increase the size of the West stand etc
Not keen on moving - current location walking distance from town centre and train station, loads of nearby pubs and car parking convenient for arrival by bus as close to Bus Station. If it moves out of town you will lose all those benefits, also likely to finish up with an identikit lego stadium with no soul. Nowt wrong with where we are in my view
It won’t suit everyone but to some neither does the current situation , I’m including all residents of the Town not just football tbh it has it hits and misses
I cant see any reason to consider a move for decades. Any net spend in the next 3-5 years has to be developing a squad that can progress year on year and other amounts invested to get smarter, wiser, quicker and more effective at every day operations. One of our positives is that we have all the training area connected to the ground and everything is in one place, and there is lots of scope to change, extend, tweak what we have as demand allows. For the short term, there is zero need to expand or add to the ground. Just maintain and attend to the things that were naturally neglected when funds were extremely tight.
I think this was mooted several years ago - maybe as a way out of our financial troubles at the time? I think the proposal then was to build a stadium on the land near to Junction 37, but that's now covered with business units and newly-emerging warehouses! Oakwell has lots an lots of memories for everyone but then so did Highbury, Main Road, Millmoor, Belle Vue, Vetch Field, etc, etc, etc. Access to Oakwell is not great and parking facilities are inadequate. It's also a cold and draughty stadium at times, so I'd be open-minded about a change.
would alienate disillusioned supporters even more. Last thing these folks need is to have their beloved spiritual home moved
I think moving would have a terrible effect on town centre trade, unless still within easy walking distance from town. Also, with the current transport planning policies, even if they moved to say Dearne Valley Parkway where they could have parking for 100,000+ cars, they would probably only be able to provide for players, staff and directors etc. Recent examples Coventry, Brighton - very poor parking around the new grounds for actual fans.
Sorry, Marlon, but I don't want to leave Oakwell. I accept that makes me a dinosaur in many people's eyes, but that's how I feel. The ground could be developed in certain areas and the traffic management could and should be improved on match days, of that there's no doubt. However, the ground's currently within walking distance from the town centre and all the various pubs, the training facilities are on site (could these be hired out when not being used by the club?).