Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[Partizan]

Well, I've never seen one. So it's even hard to judge.
.

You haven't lived my dear.

[oriel]

We spoke about this before, I can't find the thread so this will do. That excellent Documentary by Liam Brady about Dalymount, from at least 3-4 years back. I saw something on Twitter earlier in the week, one of the matches featured was 45 years ago this week. Bohs/drums v Santos.

There is a bit at the start, when Santos come out in their all white and Pele takes centre stage with the team lined up. A piece of music is played, what a tune, it's in Portuguese but I eventually tracked it down if anyone is interested.

Probably as bizarre a post as any, but there you go!

https://youtu.be/Pafv9B38ycU

[Charlie Darwin]

False memory! I was so excited to try these mythical Mon Dogs. I bought two on my first trip to Monaghan. Ended up feeding the second one to an actual dog in the stand there. Can't even remember if we won.
Well this part of the Monaghan story definitely checks out.

[Philosophizer]

Apologies if some of the Pats lads already mentioned this here, but on MNS the other night it looked like the garish old galvanise shed that covers half of the away end in Richmond park has finally been torn down? Is that right?

Any idea if there are any plans to make further improvements to that end?

[monkey9]

Apologies if some of the Pats lads already mentioned this here, but on MNS the other night it looked like the garish old galvanise shed that covers half of the away end in Richmond park has finally been torn down? Is that right?

Any idea if there are any plans to make further improvements to that end?

Not that i'm aware of, certainly wasn't on the opening night against Bray. Are you sure you weren't watching the highlights of our Drogheda match which was up in United Park??

[White Horse]

That shed used to rock when the Pats fans were in it.

[Candystripe]

https://youtu.be/hDkX2qe_aeU

Brandywell stadium works update.

[Martinho II]

https://youtu.be/hDkX2qe_aeU

Brandywell stadium works update.

god Brandywell looks so weird.

[colonelwest]

Can anyone comment on the quality of the new pies in Dalymount last Friday>

Was in Dalyer on Friday for the Bray game, pies were top notch. €8 for the pie, mash, gravy and mushy peas, can't go wrong at that price and a selection of about 5 different types. Said they were doing good business the first two games of the season anyway so far so hopefully they do well enough to keep it there.

[nigel-harps1954]

Finally light at the end of the tunnel for Finn Harps.

Stadium set to be completed for 2019 season with two main stands and two stepped terraces either end of the pitch.

....and breathe.

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/sport/241335/breaking-work-to-start-again-on-new-finn-harps-stadium-project.html

[Longfordian]

Sounds like good news. Terracing instead of seats behind the goals is no harm it'll probably be better for creating an atmosphere.

[Nesta99]

Hopefully some cover of the terracing too and done in a way that seats can be installed in the future if need be. So Stranrolar and the Brandywell could be done and dusted near enough to eachother timewise in the end. Good to see! Some progress on Oriel and United Park and there is no really bad ground, Bray too maybe.

[oriel]

The new pitch was obviously the priority for Dundalk, and that took up all efforts pre season, it would be good to hear of what plans they have for the rest of the ground though.

I know they were looking at a lot of options for redevelopment and said they will make an announcement whenever they can, hopefully we will hear some positive updates on that this season.

Good news on Finn Harps.

[gufcfan]

I probably know the answer to the question but, how after the deal has been struck, has the stadium been allowed to be scaled down.

[Nesta99]

Its all strange, even that government funding allocated from nearly a decade ago can still be drawn down, that the builder didnt fulfill his part of the deal, that according to some Harps fans the funding is in place but nothing done in an age, that the proposal that funding granted is altered, when and how much money has been allocated, how much Finn Park was to generate and what will it contribute now. Lots of questions and n clear answer bar something like the builder went or nearly went bang and couldnt do the land swap and build, but then where are the sports capital grants etc. Or the value of Finn Park bottomed out so there was no benefit to the builder so they just didnt bother with their side of the agreement.

[Mr A]

Basically: The massive fall in value of Finn Park means there will be a scaled back project. Relations have always been good with the developer AFAIK.

[nigel-harps1954]

Bit more on it here: http://www.donegaldaily.com/2017/03/23/hopes-high-that-harps-can-move-to-new-stadium-in-early-2019/


I understand now that Finn Harps have a number of relatively minor issues to resolve and I am confident the hard-working committee will be able to do this in a couple of months.’’


“the Club asked if the Department would finalise their subsequent assessment of costings within a reasonably short timeframe, and the Department indicated that there would be no delays in this regard.”“As a result I have written to the Minister asking that once Finn Harps provide the additional information, that funding for the completion of the project should be released,” said McHugh.


“Once the stadium is completed, Donegal County Council will work to provide additional football pitches adjacent to the stadium which will help the sport develop in the county.

[SalvadorSanchez]

Probably the right decision in the end, Terracing is perfectly adequate for our league, I think most fans would believe that cover from wind and rain is more important than seats.
So I assume the new capacity will actually be close enough to the original plans but with less seats etc? What are we looking at 3,000 seats? 2,000 places on two terraces?

[Mr A]

Those details have yet to be worked out AFAIK.

[nigel-harps1954]

Probably the right decision in the end, Terracing is perfectly adequate for our league, I think most fans would believe that cover from wind and rain is more important than seats.
So I assume the new capacity will actually be close enough to the original plans but with less seats etc? What are we looking at 3,000 seats? 2,000 places on two terraces?

Well, I imagine both the main stands will remain the same size, or at least one of them will, given that it's partially built already to hold 1,954 seats.

The two terraces, if smaller, may be similar to what we have in the town end at Finn Park currently except with a roof and maybe an entrance through the middle of it, which I think has a safe capacity of something close to 1,300.

All in, it looks as if we'll have a capacity of something between 6,000-7,000.

[ger121]

Well, I imagine both the main stands will remain the same size, or at least one of them will, given that it's partially built already to hold 1,954 seats.

The two terraces, if smaller, may be similar to what we have in the town end at Finn Park currently except with a roof and maybe an entrance through the middle of it, which I think has a safe capacity of something close to 1,300.

All in, it looks as if we'll have a capacity of something between 6,000-7,000.

At this stage you'd just be happy to have a tidy new stadium to move into in a couple years. I look forward to visiting it when it opens.

[EatYerGreens]

Well, I imagine both the main stands will remain the same size, or at least one of them will, given that it's partially built already to hold 1,954 seats.

The two terraces, if smaller, may be similar to what we have in the town end at Finn Park currently except with a roof and maybe an entrance through the middle of it, which I think has a safe capacity of something close to 1,300.

All in, it looks as if we'll have a capacity of something between 6,000-7,000.

Significantly bigger than the Brandywell so !

[legendz]

Are there any imminent plans for upgrading the Markets Field? The seating capacity for home support should at least be doubled in the next phase of work.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Are there any imminent plans for upgrading the Markets Field? The seating capacity for home support should at least be doubled in the next phase of work.

Yeah a stand on the side where the dugouts are would improve the ground a lot. Anyone know whats going on with the convent they bought in Bruff? Last I heard they were still training in UL but they might have moved into bruff since.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

planning permission up for student accommodation to be built on the tramway end in Dalymount

[Sean South]

Yeah a stand on the side where the dugouts are would improve the ground a lot. Anyone know whats going on with the convent they bought in Bruff? Last I heard they were still training in UL but they might have moved into bruff since.
Automatic sprinklers system would nice too...

[Dalymountrower]

planning permission up for student accommodation to be built on the tramway end in Dalymount
That's all we need, more Hipsters.

[Philosophizer]

planning permission up for student accommodation to be built on the tramway end in Dalymount
So the student apartments will be built where the old terrace currently is? Or behind where the terrace is?

[RathfarnhamHoop]

So the student apartments will be built where the old terrace currently is? Or behind where the terrace is?

Where the terrace currently is and also on the old warehouses that are on that corner

[nigel-harps1954]

That's a bit of a disaster. Surely that Tramway end is a protected structure at this stage?

[colonelwest]

That's a bit of a disaster. Surely that Tramway end is a protected structure at this stage?


I always thought that was the bit of Dalyer Bohs sold twice/ lost in the court case that ended up with the fella who owned the SC or however that went down? Also the pitch is being rotated in the redevelopment isn't it?

There's a great little wander to be had down there and in the back of the Connaught terrace, like something off that 28 days later urban explorers forum. If anyones around that way have a little gander before it's all torn asunder, the old turnstyles etc are all still there.

[Philosophizer]

Also the pitch is being rotated in the redevelopment isn't it?

Yes it is.

The main stand will be located where the Des Kelly stand currently is.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I always thought that was the bit of Dalyer Bohs sold twice/ lost in the court case that ended up with the fella who owned the SC or however that went down? Also the pitch is being rotated in the redevelopment isn't it?

There's a great little wander to be had down there and in the back of the Connaught terrace, like something off that 28 days later urban explorers forum. If anyones around that way have a little gander before it's all torn asunder, the old turnstyles etc are all still there.

Yeah thats exactly it, the apartments are being done as part of the shopping centre being done up by that guy. I had a look at google earth and used their measurement thing (not 100% accurate but better than nothing) and just now along the halfway line from the start of the main stand to back of the connaught street stand theres 117 meters. so roughly 5 meters of depth per stand behind each goal, for context according again to google earth the uncovered seating in the des kelly in 10m deep and thats excluding the unused terracing behind those seats. So if theyre rotating the pitch those terraces behind each goal will be tiny.
For me at least the best solution would be to keep the rotation how it is and work with the guy who owns the shopping centre end to create something mutually beneficial then do up the main stand, connaught and des kelly.

Edit: Just saw this https://twitter.com/bfcdublin/status/849662682420719617 (https://twitter.com/bfcdublin/status/849662682420719617)

[Philosophizer]

Yes that's true the end terraces will be tiny going off the design pic that was released last yr.
But on the upside, it will make for a very compact ground where there wont be much space between the fans and the pitch. just the way I like it!
And it will be one of the v few uniformed grounds in the league, totally enclosed with the 2 4k stands to complement the ends which will hd a few hundred each.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Yes that's true the end terraces will be tiny going off the design pic that was released last yr.
But on the upside, it will make for a very compact ground where there wont be much space between the fans and the pitch. just the way I like it!
And it will be one of the v few uniformed grounds in the league, totally enclosed with the 2 4k stands to complement the ends which will hd a few hundred each.

While a uniform enclosed ground would be nice there's just something about those terraces, especially the tramway end one, that I just love and I am a fan of unique stands. That could just be me though but I'd like them to work with what's there. Apparently those terraces are the last example in the world of the terraces designed by the guy who designed Highbury, old Trafford, ibrox, and others which is another thing I like but again could just be me that likes that and would like them to stay for that reason

[Nesta99]

While a uniform enclosed ground would be nice there's just something about those terraces, especially the tramway end one, that I just love and I am a fan of unique stands. That could just be me though but I'd like them to work with what's there. Apparently those terraces are the last example in the world of the terraces designed by the guy who designed Highbury, old Trafford, ibrox, and others which is another thing I like but again could just be me that likes that and would like them to stay for that reason

I think that is interesting? I could probably google it but who was the designer. Be very League of Ireland if that part of Dalymount ended up listed due to the architect or engineer being of some acclaim in a Peter Rice type fame.

[nigel-harps1954]

While a uniform enclosed ground would be nice there's just something about those terraces, especially the tramway end one, that I just love and I am a fan of unique stands. That could just be me though but I'd like them to work with what's there. Apparently those terraces are the last example in the world of the terraces designed by the guy who designed Highbury, old Trafford, ibrox, and others which is another thing I like but again could just be me that likes that and would like them to stay for that reason

I'm of the same opinion. I'd love to see them fix up what is there already rather than knocking and rebuilding Dalymount. Surely the Jodi is grand as it is? Des Kelly stand could be knocked and replaced, but keeping the charm of the tramway end and doing it up as it is would surely be more beneficial to preserving the history of the old ground?

I know a lot of the ground is in pretty bad shape at the minute, hence why half of it is closed, but is it really in such a state that it's totally beyond repair? Would it not make more sense to fix up the dodgy areas and put a roof around the open part?

[Philosophizer]

I agree with you, guys. I love the Jodi! I'd love them to keep the Jodi and the current pitch and just fully re-build and roof the other 2 sides, leaving the tramway as a giant monolithic monument towering over that end of the ground. How sweet would that be?

But the snag is that the tramway terrace is actually no longer part of the property. It was sold a few years ago. The new owners can decide to do what they like with it... and it looks like they've decided to build student apartments.

So if the council wants to build a ground that has terraces on every side, and has more than 2 entry points, they need to re-orient the pitch.

Btw, there are great recent pictures online of those old terraces - http://www.forza27.com/dalymount-park/

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I think that is interesting? I could probably google it but who was the designer. Be very League of Ireland if that part of Dalymount ended up listed due to the architect or engineer being of some acclaim in a Peter Rice type fame.

Archibald Leitch I think? Auto correct did the first name so that could be off but the second name is 100% it. He was the football stadium designer in the UK and Ireland at the start of the 20th century. Google probably had a full list of his work but that terracing is the last surviving piece of terracing designed by him as are the crush barriers.

[El-Pietro]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Leitch

No terracing left at any of those stadia so Dalymount may well be the last Terrace left but some of his architecture remains to this day.

Many of his works have since been demolished for redevelopment (especially in wake of the Taylor Report (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Report) and the move to all-seater stadiums (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-seater_stadium)), most notably the Trinity Road Stand at Villa Park (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Park), considered his masterpiece, which was demolished in 2000. The main stand and pavilion at Craven Cottage, the main stand at Tynecastle and the facade (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facade) of the main stand at Ibrox (although the stand itself has been remodelled) still survive to this day; all are now listed buildings (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building).

[RathfarnhamHoop]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Leitch

No terracing left at any of those stadia so Dalymount may well be the last Terrace left but some of his architecture remains to this day.

Many of his works have since been demolished for redevelopment (especially in wake of the Taylor Report (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Report) and the move to all-seater stadiums (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-seater_stadium)), most notably the Trinity Road Stand at Villa Park (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Park), considered his masterpiece, which was demolished in 2000. The main stand and pavilion at Craven Cottage, the main stand at Tynecastle and the facade (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facade) of the main stand at Ibrox (although the stand itself has been remodelled) still survive to this day; all are now listed buildings (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building).

Anybody up for an objection based on historical significance so 😂 I'm sure they could find a way to work with the guy who owns the land to keep the stand but sadly in this country I don't see that happening

[BonnieShels]

If we can tear down Fitzwilliam St or build over Wood Quay there isn't a hope of us keeping anything at Dalymount.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

If we can tear down Fitzwilliam St or build over Wood Quay there isn't a hope of us keeping anything at Dalymount.

Unfortunately thats very accurate. a man can hope though.

[fionnsci]

In fairness, maintaining an unusable terrace that doesn't belong to Bohemians (or the council for that matter) that can never be used in a stadium that's scheduled for demolition in order to prevent the construction of much needed housing would be a nightmarish outcome.

This development is fabulous for the area. I only hope that the main stands aren't so large in scale, gonna be very difficult for either team to create an atmosphere unless there's a very big crowd.

[Philosophizer]

In fairness, maintaining an unusable terrace that doesn't belong to Bohemians (or the council for that matter) that can never be used in a stadium that's scheduled for demolition in order to prevent the construction of much needed housing would be a nightmarish outcome.

This development is fabulous for the area. I only hope that the main stands aren't so large in scale, gonna be very difficult for either team to create an atmosphere unless there's a very big crowd.

We shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves. All the latest talk about the redevelopment of Dalyer has talked about a "phased" approach, where Phase 1 will only include the construction of the main stand (4.5k) and the new pitch.

I don't want to be overly cynical but it looks v likely that when Bohs arrive back in Dalyer to start the 2020 (if they're lucky) season, they'll have one nice stand and an artificial pitch, which isn't really an improvement on what they have now. Knowing how long it takes councils to finish stadia (look at Tallaght) I'd estimate it could be 2030 before the new Dalyer is fully completed. I hope I'm wrong.

[BonnieShels]

In fairness, maintaining an unusable terrace that doesn't belong to Bohemians (or the council for that matter) that can never be used in a stadium that's scheduled for demolition in order to prevent the construction of much needed housing would be a nightmarish outcome.

This development is fabulous for the area. I only hope that the main stands aren't so large in scale, gonna be very difficult for either team to create an atmosphere unless there's a very big crowd.

Personally I think the whole thing should be torn down. Absolutely no reason why that terrace (let's assume Bohs own it) would be kept for architectural merit. It's rotten and too far gone. Besides, there's no real remnants of the old tramyard that are worth saving. Again. Just let's take this opportunity and move on.


We shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves. All the latest talk about the redevelopment of Dalyer has talked about a "phased" approach, where Phase 1 will only include the construction of the main stand (4.5k) and the new pitch.

I don't want to be overly cynical but it looks v likely that when Bohs arrive back in Dalyer to start the 2020 (if they're lucky) season, they'll have one nice stand and an artificial pitch, which isn't really an improvement on what they have now. Knowing how long it takes councils to finish stadia (look at Tallaght) I'd estimate it could be 2030 before the new Dalyer is fully completed. I hope I'm wrong.
In fairness there were other issues at play with the Tallaght delays. Ahem... Thomas Davis. Ahem.

[bohsmug]

I only hope that the main stands aren't so large in scale, gonna be very difficult for either team to create an atmosphere unless there's a very big crowd.

Agree wholeheartedly with this. It all depends on whether the council are determined to have a 10,000 seater. UEFA category 4 stadiums need to be 8,000 seater or more as far as I know. It makes sense to achieve category 4 status.

The space behind the goals is small but I hope they fit as many as possible to house comfortably there and spread the rest in the two main stands. If that's 3,500 each so be it. The construction of a 4,500 seater stand puts it at serious risk of it being left as a lone stand in a slightly larger version of Athlone's ground.

[El-Pietro]

You need a lot more than just 8,000 seats to reach Category 4. Capacity is the bit football fans focus on but theres a lot more to it than that. The RSC is closer to Cat 4 than Turners Cross.

I'm sure this has been linked here a dozen times by now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_stadium_categories

A lot of this could be built into the new stands, but is there room for all of it?

[Nesta99]

Te stadium in Netanya in Isreal had nothing bar a big sreen behind each goal and it took nothing from the ground at all really!

[EatYerGreens]

We shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves. All the latest talk about the redevelopment of Dalyer has talked about a "phased" approach, where Phase 1 will only include the construction of the main stand (4.5k) and the new pitch.

I don't want to be overly cynical but it looks v likely that when Bohs arrive back in Dalyer to start the 2020 (if they're lucky) season, they'll have one nice stand and an artificial pitch, which isn't really an improvement on what they have now. Knowing how long it takes councils to finish stadia (look at Tallaght) I'd estimate it could be 2030 before the new Dalyer is fully completed. I hope I'm wrong.

Is the issue with Tallaght not largely to do with needed capacity versus potential ?

How often is Tallaght sold out for games ? Very rarely from what I can recall - pretty much European fixtures only it seems. So why would a council pour hundreds of thousands, if not millions, into creating additional capacity that is essentially not needed - just to make a stadium look 'complete' ?

This is a fiscally sensible approach from SDCC as far as I can see. Until the demand is there for greater capacity, why provide it ?