Ok then , New Ground time

A few people have hinted at it without saying it outright but we need to look at the potential of the Club in every aspect and I think that a new stadium has to feature within that.

Priority wise I think it will be lower down as I agree the training facilities and providing PH the tools and resources to build, coach and maintain players will be more important. A new stadium won't get you three points on a Saturday, but good quality training facilities will most definitely help prepare the team as best possible to get them.

Regards other Clubs and new stadiums, I look at it beyond the physical structure and more what it represents; ambition. It's not a hard and fast rule that if you build a Stadium you will succeed or that teams who stay in older stadiums don't have ambition (Luton...). That said, I see it as a very deliberate way of an owner/Club to demonstrate they are trying to lay the foundations for success which can further galvanise a fanbase when doing well or hopefully provide an uplift in mood for a struggling Club.

If success can be achieved alongside a new stadium then you've also increased the capacity for support in that moment. As with most things, there's always a flip side and if the team takes a backward step then support dwindles and attendances drop (as with any Club/Stadium) which makes it seem a worthless endeavour.

For us and where we are now I don't think that move is hugely important, but if we manage to replicate an upward trajectory of success similar to Lincoln a few years back then very quickly we could find ourselves needing to re-assess what we have and what we need. In that scenario being forward thinking and ahead of the curve in terms of having plans in place might not be the worst thing we could do.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

A few people have hinted at it without saying it outright but we need to look at the potential of the Club in every aspect and I think that a new stadium has to feature within that.

Priority wise I think it will be lower down as I agree the training facilities and providing PH the tools and resources to build, coach and maintain players will be more important. A new stadium won't get you three points on a Saturday, but good quality training facilities will most definitely help prepare the team as best possible to get them.

Regards other Clubs and new stadiums, I look at it beyond the physical structure and more what it represents; ambition. It's not a hard and fast rule that if you build a Stadium you will succeed or that teams who stay in older stadiums don't have ambition (Luton...). That said, I see it as a very deliberate way of an owner/Club to demonstrate they are trying to lay the foundations for success which can further galvanise a fanbase when doing well or hopefully provide an uplift in mood for a struggling Club.

If success can be achieved alongside a new stadium then you've also increased the capacity for support in that moment. As with most things, there's always a flip side and if the team takes a backward step then support dwindles and attendances drop (as with any Club/Stadium) which makes it seem a worthless endeavour.

For us and where we are now I don't think that move is hugely important, but if we manage to replicate an upward trajectory of success similar to Lincoln a few years back then very quickly we could find ourselves needing to re-assess what we have and what we need. In that scenario being forward thinking and ahead of the curve in terms of having plans in place might not be the worst thing we could do.

We’ve needed a new ground for more than 25 years , I don’t think it should be too far from our top priorities now

Quoted from gtfc_chris

......... In that scenario being forward thinking and ahead of the curve in terms of having plans in place might not be the worst thing we could do.

Whole heartedly agree. Whatever we decide to do: New build stands, new stadium; all would be years in the waiting, even if funds magically appeared. How much longer can we afford to kick this can down the road?

What a great problem to have!!!! I never thought we’d be worried about BP being too small when we are a 4th tier club. The attendances and atmosphere at home last season were a welcome shock, because it’s been flipping drab.

Be brilliant next season and I hope that big attendances give the owners a massive headache about space. I fully expect that they’re clever enough to find a solution and a good one. I’m sure they will look at something sustainable, long term and that is a proper football ground.

Blundell Park is flipping spectacular! It’s not a soulless bowl.
With a few tweaks it could be more accessible and with some clever thinking we can really enjoying packing it out.

Just a few thoughts.

I have been coming to BP for 40+ years and used to stand on the open corner between the old Barrett stand and the Pontoon. I love the history of the ground but I recognise that we are going to need to seriously consider moving to a more suitable and modern stadium which also serves the community not just for football.

I have socialised with local planning officers and dealt with a number of commercial and domestic planning aspects and we will not get acceptance to rebuild and increase the main stand etc. It will not be contemplated as there would be a number of objections from local residents etc. In the shorter term "filling in" the open corners with seating or safe standing options may assist with the times that the ground approaches a "sell out" but there are also other options to consider. Over the past few weeks there are some ST holders that struggle to attend regularly apart from a few games but still but a ST every year. We could possibly look at a buy back option where ST holders are contacted to see if they are attending the next home game and if not the club "buys" the seat for that particular match which will increase matchday ticket availability although it will be varied.

There are also some "cosmetic" improvements which will enhance the BP experience - update and improve the toilet facilities (some of these have not really changed in the last 40 years), update the food "kiosks" by putting in more permanent structure and reviewing location of some (could they be sited more appropriately and allow better queuing as the queues sometimes cut across fans trying to access the toilets, review the entrance to the upper youngs as this gets really congested on a match day etc.

If the club continues along the longer term plan envisaged by JS & AP it is inevitable that there will come a point when BP is no longer adequate but think the current priorities such as training ground etc. is correct at this moment in time and I feel that the longer term development is already being formulated but it is too early to start discussing those aspirations currently.

Reading through the posts it would seem obvious to me that what we have now has been stretched to breaking point.
The ground as it stands is not acceptable for the present position and popularity of the club.
Police box removed and re sited and main stand with new upward roof connecting to the existing Pontoon roof shape.
We have for years been a backward thinking/acting club under the previous owner.
We have now at our disposal two owners who have been successful in both purchasing the club and improving its facilities.
The team, management and staff have all been highly successful on the field, it's now IMO down to the owners to reward their success by greatly improving the seating/ standing for we supporters, because as sure as houses the uptake of tickets this season will supprise all, and like this season gone, there will be full houses but more so, and disappointed fans both home and away.
Needs serious actions now

Quoted from Mrbump53

Just a few thoughts.

I have been coming to BP for 40+ years and used to stand on the open corner between the old Barrett stand and the Pontoon. I love the history of the ground but I recognise that we are going to need to seriously consider moving to a more suitable and modern stadium which also serves the community not just for football.

I have socialised with local planning officers and dealt with a number of commercial and domestic planning aspects and we will not get acceptance to rebuild and increase the main stand etc. It will not be contemplated as there would be a number of objections from local residents etc. In the shorter term "filling in" the open corners with seating or safe standing options may assist with the times that the ground approaches a "sell out" but there are also other options to consider. Over the past few weeks there are some ST holders that struggle to attend regularly apart from a few games but still but a ST every year. We could possibly look at a buy back option where ST holders are contacted to see if they are attending the next home game and if not the club "buys" the seat for that particular match which will increase matchday ticket availability although it will be varied.

There are also some "cosmetic" improvements which will enhance the BP experience - update and improve the toilet facilities (some of these have not really changed in the last 40 years), update the food "kiosks" by putting in more permanent structure and reviewing location of some (could they be sited more appropriately and allow better queuing as the queues sometimes cut across fans trying to access the toilets, review the entrance to the upper youngs as this gets really congested on a match day etc.

If the club continues along the longer term plan envisaged by JS & AP it is inevitable that there will come a point when BP is no longer adequate but think the current priorities such as training ground etc. is correct at this moment in time and I feel that the longer term development is already being formulated but it is too early to start discussing those aspirations currently.

How come various grounds in the country, hemmed in by residential streets have obtained pp for stadium improvements?

No doubt some would object but that doesn't mean they would stop it.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

How come various grounds in the country, hemmed in by residential streets have obtained pp for stadium improvements?

No doubt some would object but that doesn't mean they would stop it.

All my neighbours have managed to get permission for Dormer extensions over looking my garden so I’m sure they’d easy be able to get permission for a stand that over looks nothing and if built right wouldn’t affect their sun light.

We seemed to be dead set on moving grounds for 25 years , I doubt if a study has ever even been done to improve Blundell park and increase the capacity

Quoted from grimps

Ok then look at every other club that had a new ground or a modern upgrade and you’ll see an increase in attendances .
Other than last season of attendances have been around the same figure for 20 odd years

You must follow your sweeping statement with facts, and before you demand a £20+million outlay.
Avg attendance before new Stadium, v Avg attendance after new Stadium in say Tier 4 and/or  3.

Our avg attendance will go up next season due to local interest and away fans.
21-22 season 5,704, so predict avg 6704 in 22-23, or 1000 more per match at £10 per head avg = £230,000 extra gate money.
Bet you our extra wage cost will be far greater than this. This kind of calculation is what the board will be doing.
Factor in a £25 million mortgage for a spanking new stadium, and I'm not sure we can afford top players, not that we can afford them now.
Never mind history/nostalgia that 120+ years that Blundel Park evokes. Let's be honest, History/Nostalgia is the only thing that kept fans going in the last 10 years. Throw that away at your peril.

If only one of our owner was a self made multi-millionaire from financing property developments. That expertise would be useful wouldn’t it?