Tranmere Rovers: Plan for 15k to 25,000 Stadium

Today (13 June 2022) plans for a new home for Tranmere Rovers have moved a step closer after proposed crucial funding was accepted. The fees for the feasibility study were locked in at £200,000 - half from the council and half from the combined authority - and it was expected to complete by January 2023 Link: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/plans-new-tranmere-rovers-ground-24217765

Almost 900 homes to be built in huge Wirral Waters plan. Link: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/almost-900-homes-built-huge-24163645

Quoted from BBC News | Posted on 1 June 2022

Plans for a new 15,000-seat stadium for Tranmere Rovers on former dockland are to be considered by Wirral Council.

Councillors will discuss partially funding a feasibility study for a £100m Sports City on Bidston Dock, with the club's ground as its centrepiece.

The scheme could be a "major catalyst" to regenerate Birkenhead and safeguard the club's future, a report said.

The authority will consider matching £100,000 pledged by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA).

The total cost of the study would be £200,000 and the council would use capital funding, meaning the money would not compete with day-to-day services such as leisure centres or adult social care for resources, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Community asset'
Plans for the project, which would be part of the Wirral Waters development, include a digital golf driving range, food and retail outlets and a sports science facility.

A hotel and conference and event facilities are also included in the stadium plan, with potential to increase the ground's capacity to 25,000.

A Wirral Council report said the scheme would be "a major catalyst to the Wirral Waters programme", a plan for up to 13,000 homes on the Birkenhead docklands over the next 25 years.

Further reading here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-61730268

What is interesting is how their local council are involved and putting money into this study.

We have to fund it ourselves and then sit around ten years while N. E. Lincs council sit around and debate planning permission. Our council will do absolutely SFA to help the club, but turn up to celebrate us getting promotion when the TV cameras are in town to make it look as if they are bothered.

Quoted from mimma

What is interesting is how their local council are involved and putting money into this study.

We have to fund it ourselves and then sit around ten years while N. E. Lincs council sit around and debate planning permission. Our council will do absolutely SFA to help the club, but turn up to celebrate us getting promotion when the TV cameras are in town to make it look as if they are bothered.

Whilst evidence does support this, you also have to factor in that our new regime haven’t deemed a new ground to be a key priority. I don’t doubt they’re exploring it but they’re certainly not spunking cash and going to the papers with poorly worded statements about it which we are very much used to.

I always wondered if the reason the council weren’t supportive was because of who would be leading the project, perhaps they had little faith in what we now know to be the worst ownership and bunch of custodians the club has ever had. Let’s face it, the club cosied up to nothing more than a bunch of charlatans with a goby wife and couldn’t see that it was a joke outfit, the fans did mind, but not the people in control…perhaps the council saw that?

We’ve obsessed over a new ground for years, or Fenty did. As a fan, right now there are other things that receive my attention and whilst BP is no futuristic, modern stadium, it’s still far from the worst.

Our ground is that bad and unfit for purpose I’d be happy to take their old one

They have a good ground already. Not sure about the 24/7 income aspect of it, but our need is certainly greater.

Quoted from aldi_01

Whilst evidence does support this, you also have to factor in that our new regime haven’t deemed a new ground to be a key priority. I don’t doubt they’re exploring it but they’re certainly not spunking cash and going to the papers with poorly worded statements about it which we are very much used to.

I always wondered if the reason the council weren’t supportive was because of who would be leading the project, perhaps they had little faith in what we now know to be the worst ownership and bunch of custodians the club has ever had. Let’s face it, the club cosied up to nothing more than a bunch of charlatans with a goby wife and couldn’t see that it was a joke outfit, the fans did mind, but not the people in control…perhaps the council saw that?

We’ve obsessed over a new ground for years, or Fenty did. As a fan, right now there are other things that receive my attention and whilst BP is no futuristic, modern stadium, it’s still far from the worst.

But Fenty was on the council for 10 years, serving as deputy and portfolio holder for regeneration during that period.  I don't think we can say the council weren't supportive just because Fenty was Fenty and who he held court with.  I just don't think there was ever a genuine offer put forward to be supported.

Extreme Leisure were supposed to deliver a new stadium for us, despite their track record of achieving sweet FA.  It was all smoke and mirrors.  I'm quite critical of NELC as they're generally so incredibly backward in their thinking.  But on this one I'm not sure there's an awful lot of blame.  

We've all got an attachment to Blundell Park, but it is holding us back.  Our season ticket sale are through the roof and it's not unfeasible to think we'll have a number of games where seats are sold with restrictive views.  That's not an experience anyone should be paying around the £20 mark for.  There's a real risk that anyone coming to games and paying that money for a poor view will not come back.  

Short term there has to be things done to BP to make our future more sustainable.  Temporary seating options in the corners is a must.  Bristol Rovers are just one club who've utilised this in the past and from pictures, they look a far better view than a lot of what we currently offer at BP.  

Long term though, we can't prosper in our current surroundings.  If we're prepared to accept that BP in its current guise is acceptable then we will have to accept that our ceiling for a constant stream of fans is relatively low, at a guesstimate I'd say about 7,500 - perhaps 8,000 at an absolute push.  Much has been made in recent seasons of Lincoln's rise through the tables.  Their ground and capacity which, as much as we may hate to admit it, is probably more appealing to the casual fan in terms of view and facilities is now limiting them.  Unless they move or develop considerably they're restricted by their numbers.  It's no good selling out every week and having 1,000 fans on the waiting list.  That waiting list won't stay there forever, eventually those people will find something else to do.

Quoted from diehardmariner

But Fenty was on the council for 10 years, serving as deputy and portfolio holder for regeneration during that period.  I don't think we can say the council weren't supportive just because Fenty was Fenty and who he held court with.  I just don't think there was ever a genuine offer put forward to be supported.

Extreme Leisure were supposed to deliver a new stadium for us, despite their track record of achieving sweet FA.  It was all smoke and mirrors.  I'm quite critical of NELC as they're generally so incredibly backward in their thinking.  But on this one I'm not sure there's an awful lot of blame.  

We've all got an attachment to Blundell Park, but it is holding us back.  Our season ticket sale are through the roof and it's not unfeasible to think we'll have a number of games where seats are sold with restrictive views.  That's not an experience anyone should be paying around the £20 mark for.  There's a real risk that anyone coming to games and paying that money for a poor view will not come back.  

Short term there has to be things done to BP to make our future more sustainable.  Temporary seating options in the corners is a must.  Bristol Rovers are just one club who've utilised this in the past and from pictures, they look a far better view than a lot of what we currently offer at BP.  

Long term though, we can't prosper in our current surroundings.  If we're prepared to accept that BP in its current guise is acceptable then we will have to accept that our ceiling for a constant stream of fans is relatively low, at a guesstimate I'd say about 7,500 - perhaps 8,000 at an absolute push.  Much has been made in recent seasons of Lincoln's rise through the tables.  Their ground and capacity which, as much as we may hate to admit it, is probably more appealing to the casual fan in terms of view and facilities is now limiting them.  Unless they move or develop considerably they're restricted by their numbers.  It's no good selling out every week and having 1,000 fans on the waiting list.  That waiting list won't stay there forever, eventually those people will find something else to do.

The new owners have only just got their feet under the table so give it time.

A new stadium if at all will be a decade away and there is plenty that could be done to BP in the meantime - particularly increasing capacity if we put our mind to it. What a problem to have!

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

The new owners have only just got their feet under the table so give it time.

A new stadium if at all will be a decade away and there is plenty that could be done to BP in the meantime - particularly increasing capacity if we put our mind to it. What a problem to have!

I agree Lew. We've come a long way in 2 years from being down and out to rising up with a potential record-breaking sale of season tickets.

100%!

As said, long term and it certainly is a great problem to have. 4 summers ago we were told our low season ticket sales would pick up if England had a good Euro 2018.  Some progress that.

Quoted from mimma

What is interesting is how their local council are involved and putting money into this study.

We have to fund it ourselves and then sit around ten years while N. E. Lincs council sit around and debate planning permission. Our council will do absolutely SFA to help the club, but turn up to celebrate us getting promotion when the TV cameras are in town to make it look as if they are bothered.

From what I can remember, a number of different feasibility studies were undertaken, including one by the Council, though these didn’t serve up the answers that Fenty wanted. The feasibility study undertaken by the club’s preferred consultants (was it SLC or something like that?) seemed quite cleared skewed towards concluding that the only feasible site was the one Fenty had in mind. Could be wrong, but that was my impression at the time.

Do we know anyone looking at running a Stadium/housing project who is rumoured to be in the Liverpool area at the moment ?  

Let’s hope Tranmere aren’t hoping to be playing at the ‘Alex May  Fentydome’  any time soon 😳

Quoted from ska face

From what I can remember, a number of different feasibility studies were undertaken, including one by the Council, though these didn’t serve up the answers that Fenty wanted. The feasibility study undertaken by the club’s preferred consultants (was it SLC or something like that?) seemed quite cleared skewed towards concluding that the only feasible site was the one Fenty had in mind. Could be wrong, but that was my impression at the time.

I was also referring to the Great Coates planning permission fiasco where it took ten years to grant permission

I don’t think we can point to Fenty’s time on the council as anything relevant given the embarrassing way he had to leave.

I’m not sure he was ever likely to lobby anyone to support his self serving suggestions. Feasibility studies were completed but as pointed out, we’re either skewed towards that development best for him rather than the club, there wasn’t the funding from our side let alone the council.

It’s not in our immediate agenda so just becomes another talking point and nothing more…

Problem is that starting now, it will take 5 -10 years to build. It looks increasingly likely that we need to either move or increase capacity at Blundell Park. Waiting looks as if it is no longer an option IMHO.

Quoted from mimma

Problem is that starting now, it will take 5 -10 years to build. It looks increasingly likely that we need to either move or increase capacity at Blundell Park. Waiting looks as if it is no longer an option IMHO.

I don’t necessarily subscribe to this. Absolutely, trying to relocate a football club CAN be a never ending tribulation as we well know, but clubs have moved within relatively quick timeframes.

Rotherham moved out of Millmoor in 2008 over a dispute with the landlord, broke ground on their New York Stadium (built on a brownfield site next to the Town Centre) in 2011 and moved in in time for the start of the 2012/13 season.

They even entered administration in the intervening period, and whatever your views on that it goes to show that a lot can be achieved in a short space of time even when not on the front foot. A cracking stadium it is, too.

But that is in Rotherham Poojah, they had massive help from the council, and also a site ready to go. We have niether.

Quoted from mimma

But that is in Rotherham Poojah, they had massive help from the council, and also a site ready to go. We have niether.

We don’t know that for sure though, it’s an assumption. Perhaps with the right ownership and a clear plan, like an actual plan with some genuine readability studies and a wedge of cash, perhaps the council would be more likely to support the plan…

Quoted from Poojah

I don’t necessarily subscribe to this. Absolutely, trying to relocate a football club CAN be a never ending tribulation as we well know, but clubs have moved within relatively quick timeframes.

They moved out of Millmoor in 2008 over a dispute with the landlord, broke ground on their New York Stadium (built on a brownfield site next to the Town Centre) in 2011 and moved in in time for the start of the 2012/13 season.

They even entered administration in the intervening period, and whatever your views on that it goes to show that a lot can be achieved in a short space of time even when not on the front foot. A cracking stadium it is, too.

What you say is quite correct, but they must have had their local council on board somewhere along the line. Contrast that to ours.

The badly kept secret that Town wants a new training ground at Barretts, land owned by the council. We are now several months into this project with no hard news from the council

The fiasco of the Great Coates site when out-of-town developments were the in thing and the fact the council want to plough £25 million into Fresney Place to buy it, where the current owners cannot attract big name stores. £25 million would develop the Freeman Street area, council-owned land, with a new stadium, sports facilities and auxiliary shops etc.

Our council have not had the appetite to fully support the football club, even though it takes advantage of the name Grimsby Town which now will be on the TV more now that it is a League 2 club. The more the council invests in the club the more benefits  Grimsby will get.

I wouldn't hold my breath Aldi on that one.

One thing we do have now is a co-chairman with an incredibly successful career in property development...

Quoted from DB

What you say is quite correct, but they must have had their local council on board somewhere along the line. Contrast that to ours.

The badly kept secret that Town wants a new training ground at Barretts, land owned by the council. We are now several months into this project with no hard news from the council

The fiasco of the Great Coates site when out-of-town developments were the in thing and the fact the council want to plough £25 million into Fresney Place to buy it, where the current owners cannot attract big name stores. £25 million would develop the Freeman Street area, council-owned land, with a new stadium, sports facilities and auxiliary shops etc.

Our council have not had the appetite to fully support the football club, even though it takes advantage of the name Grimsby Town which now will be on the TV more now that it is a League 2 club. The more the council invests in the club the more benefits  Grimsby will get.

This is not hitting the nail on the head, moreover it’s using a nail gun that’s been hooked up to a compressor

If the council were that bothered about the club, they would’ve been wanting the same as the club, no matter who was in charge

Quoted from sam gy

One thing we do have now is a co-chairman with an incredibly successful career in property development...

*financing property developments

Tranmere have had Council backing since the mid -late 80's , from memory they were their first shirt/ club sponsors when they started to become more successful and regularly popping up at Wembley for finals/play offs.
The ground has changed massively since back then as well one stand at a time.

Quoted from mimma

But that is in Rotherham Poojah, they had massive help from the council, and also a site ready to go. We have neither.

What about the stadium-sized plot of land near Freeman Street that has been staring us in the face for three and a half years? You could easily fit an arena with 15k seats there. The council and Freemen wanted it, but Fenty wasted two years talking to Shutes. If you recall, he was keen to fill in the old fish dock so he could gaze at the Italianate tower from his upper tier.