You trust supposed millionaires who can't or won't pay money they've agreed to pay and have had to be dragged into court don't get me wrong I don't trust Cryne either. It's one big mess and it's us the fans who are the ones who'll suffer.
Yup, agree. Oakwell needs money spending on it without doubt. The West Stand costs a fortune (Cryne’s words) to maintain each year. The club are on a lease and repair contract. If they own full or part of the ground, it’s probably cheaper in the long run to invest in a new stand, as well as other stuff. Spending money as a tenant makes no sense. They just need to sort it out, which I’m sure they will.
Just trying to establish whether people are seriously averse to moving into a new stadium (and the reasons why), or just unhappy with the prospect of a forced move. The statement from the poster I replied to suggested that they wouldn’t watch Barnsley anywhere else and I was interested to understand their reasons why. I’m not really bothered about going into detail on the logistics or funding of a new stadium as it’s extremely unlikely to happen.
I think this is split 50/50 between the fan base. I’m a season ticket holder in the West Stand, and I love it. But, I’m not blind to its faults, disrepair and lack of facilities for the fans and the club staff. It’d be a shame, but it’d make sense. The club must bleed money on this stand.
Are they in the habit of wasting money on court cases? Seems to me that Conway and co. are always threatening legal action but the Crynes are actually seeing it through.
Best assessment I've seen so far. I'm not a fan of the tactics being employed, but the middle ground is probably where supporters should sit in terms of opinion - both sides can and should do better.
If I remember correctly, one of the questions put to Paul Conway at the meeting where the new Board introduced themselves, was did they have any intention of demolishing the existing West Stand and replacing it with a new structure. His response at that time was in their collective opinion, it was fit for purpose and no they didn't plan to replace it. Since they took over, little has changed attendance wise and we mainly use the East Stand and Beckett Stand for the majority of home fans and part of the North Stand for away supporters. It makes you wonder therefore, what are their motives for suddenly wanting to have 100% ownership of Oakwell.? One would have thought that as asset strippers, they see Oakwell and its surrounding land as being ideal for housing. They could sell it and from the proceeds , then build a new ground and training complex in another part of the town and hopefully trouser any surplus profit. If true, I personally view the suggestion of playing in Lancashire as a veiled threat. If you think about it, who would benefit from such a move.? To my mind, it's a ploy designed to panic the Crynes and BMBC to sell their shares in the ground. Whatever the outcome, it's messy and if they are not careful, could end badly for everyone involved. Let's hope it gets sorted and soon.
I must admit I dont see a need for a new stadium but watching the Spurs documentary and the way they had the rehabilitation room overlooking the training pitch so the injured players could feel part of things struck me as a good idea. And hosting the NFL stuff. So I'd never say never to a new stadium but it surely isnt a priority now?
The East Stand needs a section building out from it - like the Main Stand at Huddersfield. They do conferences, auctions and large events because the extra space. We struggle with the legends suite due to the small size. Non-matchday revenue has always been an issue to us, as it is to most clubs.
I’d say it’s definitely not a priority. There’s little appetite for it amongst the fan base, the funding would be difficult, and there’s plenty of other pockets of land in Barnsley for housing before considering Oakwell. I think the only chance of it happening is if we’re forced out due the current issues.
Dont think they have said 100% ground. It was said they had an option on the 50% as part of buying club. Some 3rd party stuck there nose in. From that I take they want to take the 50% from the Crynes as agreed and it's the council sticking in its beak....
We're falling behind other teams, it will have an effect when trying to attract players, fans etc. I've never been a fan of Oakwell, l think John Dennis made a balls up with the refurbishment.
Coventry didnt seem to attract more fans when they moved to the Ricoh. Have Doncaster rovers? I personally think our older ground is one of the better older grounds, and better than some of the newer soulless stadiums.
