Is that the west stand is 100% absolutely unfit for purpose. The seats are cramped, the angle of the terrace is too low so the sightlines are awful,nthe facilities are like something from a third world country and in general it's just terrible. Can't be anyone who sat in there as a one off last night who thinks it can in any way shape or form stay. New one needed, copy of the east stand with maybe a smaller upper tier and jobs a good un.
Said to my dad earlier I’d definitely try to redevelop it and try to fill the ponty corner in, maybe lower tier standing then the upper tier cushioned seats for a bit of class and comfort for those that want that sort of thing
One of the reasons I kept away. I prefer a sideways on view of the pitch so the Ponte End and North Stand were never going to be realistic alternatives. I knew it was going to be a cold night and we were being encouraged to arrive early. The West Stand offers nothing in the way of shelter before you take your seat and being an old codger it was an easy decision to make to stay at home.
Would look cracking with a new stand and the corner filled in and massively improve the atmosphere too. If I was doing it I'd be tempted to remove the seats from say the top half of the north stand and put safe standing in there then use the seats we've just took out to lower costs in a new west stand. In fact I'd reuse all the seats that get taken out. Get home fans behind both goals and away fans in half the west with home fans in the other half. Upper tier posh seats like you said and disabled seating all along the back of the lower tier because it would be at road level so easily accessible.
It would if it was to stop all the sound escaping from the stadium that's the problem. A small single tier stand wouldnt work as it would be even smaller in height than what's there now, quite considerably smaller too and it already let's the noise out
Seeing the East Stand last night two things came to mind.... 1) Our ball boys are useless. 2) With the old wooden advertising boards missing, I don't understand why the electronic ones aren't against the wall. Thomas would have more of a run up for long throws, corners wouldn't be such a squeeze and it would lessen the chance of a player clattering into them as they look a danger waiting to happen.
Not sure on the logistics with the road behind. I would guess a new stand would be a lot steeper than the current West Stand. If you went to a similar size to the ponty that would probably do it. Obviously it doesn't matter as its not going to happen. The stadium is a mess.
Not sure I'd try to redevelop it, personally. For me it just needs knocking down and rebuilding. It's over 100 years old. No reason why a new stand can't be faithful to the original Leitch design.
Its shown me how good the view is from the family area spent 6yrs in the ponty until we moved this season young Alfie was saying he wanted to go back changed his mind after last night thank goodness.
If we were to install rail seating in an existing part of the ground, surely it would make sense to do it in the Ponty as it's the traditional home "end"? By the way, I actually love the lower West Stand in spring and summer!
A just like that aged theme it’s got and last night walking out of the ground looking at the home stands it really is a cracking stadium and we’re very lucky to play at a place like ours and not a soulless square bowl
We are the West Stand Preservation Society, God save the wooden seats & overflowing lavatories.. Carry on..
I’m a season ticket holder in the West Upper. Love it in there. Yeah, a nice new stand to match the East would be nice, but in winter, you are well covered from the elements and no wind blowing in either. The biggest thing for me though, is the ability to rock up from the pub and go straight to my seat within seconds at 1 minute to kick off. Took another 10-15mins to get to East Upper when we got moved - lost some supping time
For me it should be carried on from the Ponty, single tier with an option to build a second tier if we ever need to.
THIS. The last thing we need is more seats. Let's get out of the 20th century, move with the times and install some ******* standing. There's not a progressive Club in the Country that isn't already taking this approach.
When the sad time comes, it should be a modern replica, complete with the central gable roof. It would need to have the same stature as the new stands, if not the capacity.. put the dressing rooms back & use the tunnel to enter the pitch.. Sorted. You’re welcome..