If you're trying to convince a player to join the club...

Definitely 99% of what matters is what happens on the pitch, but surely the surroundings influence that somewhat as well.

What was said about the stand in 2011 wasn't said like "it would be nice if we could", it was said as if the wheels were already in motion. They then dropped it without saying anything. In fact, similar things were said in 2008 after the cup run.

I'd guess they've jumped the gun assuming things were going to cost £xxx, then realising it was going to cost a lot more than they thought. Fair enough but they should at least look into things before publicly announcing them.

Anyway, new regime now, and improving the ground is pretty much the first thing they've said. Assuming it doesn't impact on the playing budget then I'm all for it.

 

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the ownership is 50/50 between Cryne and the council.

 

they should build a new stand but keep the old bogs

 

Cheap way would be to flatten the main part of the structure, walls and bogs (sorry), tidy up the lower tier and build up from there - a few seats but mainly media facilities and offices etc housed in the new structure.

Most importantly it needs to look the business from the Grove Street side.

I'm not saying build something anywhere near as tall as the East Stand but imagine if we had that on the Grove Street side, surely that would be very enticing to any new player driving down the road with his agent as opposed to the stand that looked a dump in 1993 never mind 2013.

 

That is correct by means of a technically unrelated limited company.

BFC 2002 Limited has no control over the assets of Oakwell Community Assets Limited who own the land assets.

 

Cheaper solution;

Advise any prospective signing to approach the club from the East Stand side using the entrance off Pontefract Road!

 

Since then there has been Cryne's court case and the possible sale of the club. It's not surprising things are on hold, but it has always been a current topic. They know full well how much a stand costs and that it should really have been done some years back. I don't think they got it right building the other sides of the ground, with the inconsistent scale and height of the stands. The development of the west stand is crucial as I think it will create a blueprint for all future rebuilds, perhaps one day leading to a enclosed stadium, not that I would like that personally but definitely more uniform. Might not even happen in my lifetime though.

I think the supporters trust could take a lead on this and start fundraising. I'd by a brick tomorrow, one with glass on top please.

 

Cardiff away this year, we were walking up to the ground and the big sign that said 'CARDIFF CITY FOOTBALL CLUB' kept changing colour and they had big screens all round the ground. Kept thinking what a different world it was from going to Oakwell but give me our West Stand anyday...it just wouldn't be Barnsley/Oakwell to have illuminated letters changing colour etc...

The letters 'UB' had fallen off when I walked past the West Stand last week...so it said 'BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CL'

It's all character I suppose!

 

Actually that's a good idea, make that junction off Ponte Road the "official entrance" with some big archway over it. They're all council buildings down there so shouldn't be too hard to convince them to allow it.

 

There we go! Blue sky thinking as part of the new regieme!

 

As opposed to the 'heads in the cloud' approach of the last one...

 

Your words not mine!!

 

Rather than build a new stand, when we give directions to Oakwell we could just tell prospective signings to drive on Pontefract Road and up Grove Street instead of up Bala Street and down Belgrade Road. Then they'll be welcomed by the majesty that is the Ponty End. If they park in the Ponty End car park and enter the offices by reception they can have a tour of the stadium and the training facilities without ever seeing the back of the West Stand.

Problem solved. That's £20 million of the cub's money saved right there. I should be Ben Mansford's right hand man.

 

'kin 'ell, Redstar beat me to it.

 

That's the last place their heads were at!

I picture more a Dickensian clerical office with those high desks and candles, with Don Rowing perched on top pouring over old ledgers with his quill and little glasses, trying to find a few more shillings to lop off the running costs of the club.

 

It's Belgrave Road. You're thinking of Serbia.

 

Think it's probably the wrong end of town for that sort of thing, with it being in a mainly residential area I doubt it would get planning permission.