Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

[oriel]

Nobody has actually said we will be returning to a grass pitch, hybrid or not. With the timescale involved I think there is a strong possibility that we will just replace the current surface with a higher spec artificial pitch.


Although nothing has been confirmed, given the short window the club has, and having to provide training facilities for underage, with an additional u/15 side next season, I would think hybrid might be the recommendation.

I think the new pitch that Dalymount will have in their re-development will be hybrid, also what type of pitch have Derry planned?

[nr637]

Great news that Dundalk have sorted out their issues with the ground and resolved all of the long-standing legal problems surrounding the lease of Oriel Park.

A new playing surface will be in the first work to be implemented, followed by crowd access, toilet and other basic accessories like food outlets.


What work can be done with the structure in regards to further seating & terracing?


The main stand to be extended to take in one side possibly seating about 3,000.

Open covered terracing behind each goal areas for about 1,000/1,500.

Side opposite main stand to remain.

Are these the plans that are expected!

[El-Pietro]

Although nothing has been confirmed, given the short window the club has, and having to provide training facilities for underage, with an additional u/15 side next season, I would think hybrid might be the recommendation.

I think the new pitch that Dalymount will have in their re-development will be hybrid, also what type of pitch have Derry planned?
Under 15 doesn't start til August so shouldn't have any impact on development. The start of the other 3 teams seasons will be enough of a problem I'd imagine.

[redobit]

I'd say the hardest part will be ripping up the current pitch (good riddance) and the underlay. Clubs in England roll out grass pitches, but its a very expensive option. If it is to be grass, I'd say it can be done in time for March, if the first game is away from home.

.

Believe it or not replacing an existing astro pitch isn't that difficult and is fairly quick. The infrastructure (pipes, drains, etc.) can take the longest part. Relaying the pitch is straightforward and can be played on soon after.
Grass pitches need time to bed in and are usually laid in the summer off-season. The LOI off season being in the winter doesn't make great conditions for laying grass pitches apparently. George Mullen (lays pitches all over the world and is a Sligo Rovers fan) has said something along those lines in the past.

[brendy_éire]

I've heard different figures all over the place. If you go by the illustration and the planning drawings however, it's 1,300 seats

400 extra over the old Glentoran stand and seats on the Lone Moor side.
Apparently (there's that word again), there won't be any toilet facilities built into the smaller stand either.

[oriel]

Great news that Dundalk have sorted out their issues with the ground and resolved all of the long-standing legal problems surrounding the lease of Oriel Park.

A new playing surface will be in the first work to be implemented, followed by crowd access, toilet and other basic accessories like food outlets.


What work can be done with the structure in regards to further seating & terracing?


The main stand to be extended to take in one side possibly seating about 3,000.

Open covered terracing behind each goal areas for about 1,000/1,500.

Side opposite main stand to remain.

Are these the plans that are expected!

Like everything else all upgrades will depend on a budget. The club may have a bit of cash but every side of Oriel Park will require upgrading and even if they are successful with getting grants, it will cost millions. I think the main stand will need modernised first, however any extension might be limited. The area on the town side should be ok as that's in front of a petrol station, the other side where the away end is has housing behind it, one of which is Des Casey's house!! I'd imagine any building there would block out sunlight.

There is a lot of space behind the town goal, a new stand there would look great. The shed side will also need upgrading at some point but the YDC is right behind that, any extension there will depend on how they want to make best use of that structure.

A UEFA cat 3 stadium has to have 4,500 seats and a cat 4 needs 8k seats, car parking is another list on the requirements but at least the YDC has an underground car park. Access to the ground might be another hurdle. Loads to consider but the most important thing was obviously getting the lease sorted and the council bill paid, its good to see the priority mentioned first was the pitch. At least there is an excellent chance that will be in the place for 2017.

[Yossarian]

Although nothing has been confirmed, given the short window the club has, and having to provide training facilities for underage, with an additional u/15 side next season, I would think hybrid might be the recommendation.


If a grass pitch is going in the odds are it will be a hybrid, but these pitches still need time and the right conditions to grow and bed in. I think the question will be whether the pitch is grass or another artificial surface. The easiest option would be to upgrade the surface to a new artificial pitch.

[Candystripe]

Work is to start next Tuesday the 28th of November in the Brandywell. The new stand will seat 1,100.

It is expected to take 10 months to complete.

Fans are having a protest on Thursday at the council meeting.

[brendy_éire]

Council statement:

Council was very clear from the onset and throughout the design stages and ongoing consultation process with Derry City FC and all the stakeholders that the contract is for Phase 1 only of the project, which will include a new 1,100 seater stand, that will bring the existing seated capacity to approx 3500, a new pitch, new dog track and substantial improvement works across the stadium and perimeter walls. Phase II of the proposed works for the development of Stand is subject to funding and Council will be making applications to the Stadium Development Fund provided by the NI Executive, when it opens shortly. If successful it will will lead to the second phase of the stand project and a further contract to build the remainder of the stand, increasing the seating capacity to a total of approx 4700.

------------------------

To be clear, they weren't very clear.
Ground won't be able to host third round EL qualifiers now.

[Mr A]

1100 seats in a modern stand and the dog track gone is a massive leap forward for the Brandywell though. Can understand Derry fans being annoyed but this is still a lot of progress in one go.

[pateen]

John Delaney gets his mention again - I'm surprised he doesn't run as an elected representative he has so many favors to call in he would win no problem.

In fairness it sounds like Delaney did his bit this time round. Sounds like Mathews was a very difficult Bóllix to deal with.
What was he looking for origonally?

[gufcfan]

In fairness it sounds like Delaney did his bit this time round. Sounds like Mathews was a very difficult Bóllix to deal with.
What was he looking for origonally?

It's hardly a surprise Delaney was up their holes with the international profile they achieved this year.

[Nesta99]

Before the European run this season the FAI were on board and assisting the club. Delaney was in direct contact with LCC. He may have called just to say hello. Their legal assistance was very important too. GM changes his mind from one minute to the next so was extremely difficult to deal with. People involved with the NI peace process gave up on mediating this mess. Right to the end GM didnt stick to agreements made even with regard to the announcement of the agreement and his interpretation of the tone of negotiations. But it is done now, at a cost, but we can move on now and have at minimum the pitch sorted for next season.

[Real ale Madrid]

In fairness it sounds like Delaney did his bit this time round. Sounds like Mathews was a very difficult Bóllix to deal with.
What was he looking for origonally?

What exactly would Delaney have done himself do you think?

[sbgawa]

Agreed to pay part of the redevelopment cost

[placid casual]

I see Gerry Matthews got his way in the end, and for a decent price as well!:money::coins:

[Yossarian]

I see Gerry Matthews got his way in the end, and for a decent price as well!:money::coins:

And what price did he get then?

[nigel-harps1954]

And what price did he get then?

http://www.relatably.com/m/img/dr-evil-meme-one-million-dollars/One-Million-Dollars-639omk.jpg

[sbgawa]

http://www.relatably.com/m/img/dr-evil-meme-one-million-dollars/One-Million-Dollars-639omk.jpg

Doesn't matter really , he's old news in a few months and the fai probably chipping in to get him out of the picture. Good riddence

[Mr A]

Why oh why would the FAI chip in to help the richest club in the country?

[sbgawa]

Why oh why would the FAI chip in to help the richest club in the country?


Because are often supportive of "infrastructural investment" and it would have allowed Dundalk swallow hard and pay of Matthews in some way.

Maybe I'm wrong but I will be surprised if there isn't an announcement of FAI support for redevelopment in the near future. time will tell

[White Horse]

Because are often supportive of "infrastructural investment" and it would have allowed Dundalk swallow hard and pay of Matthews in some way.

Maybe I'm wrong but I will be surprised if there isn't an announcement of FAI support for redevelopment in the near future. time will tell


As far as I know, Dundalk FC paid the full cost of the settlement to Mathews and to Louth County Council.

The FAI lent legal support and advice when dealing with the council.

I am sure Dundalk will want to get a number of parties involved when putting forward proposals to redevelop Oriel Park.

[sbgawa]

As far as I know, Dundalk FC paid the full cost of the settlement to Mathews and to Louth County Council.

The FAI lent legal support and advice when dealing with the council.

I am sure Dundalk will want to get a number of parties involved when putting forward proposals to redevelop Oriel Park.


Your right they will look for support from all sides including FAI and if the plans are ambitious and not just a lick and a polish I would see no problem in the FAI supporting it.

[brendy_éire]

Agreed to pay part of the redevelopment cost

Personally? We'll assume not.
Delaney is an employee of the FAI, so thank the FAI. Pandering to his inflated ego is cringeworthy.

[Longfordian]

All positive statements must pay due tribute to Leader. All negative statements must include an apology for the shame brought on Him. It's in the newest Participation Agree...Bible sorry.

[ToberonaTornado]

The Reds Independent group at Shelbourne FC have issued a statement tonight calling for a boycott of matches at Tolka Park.

A Statement from Reds Independent 23 November 2016 (http://www.redsindependent.com/a-%ef%bb%bfstatement-from-reds-independent-23-november-2016/)

Today marks the 50th day since Shelbourne FC issued a statement (4 October 2016 (http://www.shelbournefc.ie/news/4162/statement-from-shelbourne-board-of-management)) announcing the club would be relocating to Dalymount Park.
That announcement was in stark contrast to a previous promise by club chairman Joe Casey at the club’s Fans’ Forum in Tolka Park on 2 March 2015 that there would be no move without the consultation of the fans.The same statement from the club also alleged that Shelbourne supporters’ groups had lobbied Dublin City Councillors in favour of the club relocating to Dalymount Park. No Shelbourne supporters’ group has ever publicly supported the relocation of the club to Dalymount Park and the position of Reds Independent with regard to that issue was addressed in a public statement on 5 October 2016 (http://www.redsindependent.com/a-statement-from-reds-independent-5-october-2016/).

The same statement on 5 October 2016 called upon the board of Shelbourne FC to explain two simple things which they publicly stated.1) What happened to the promise by Joe Casey to consult with the supporters over the relocation of the club?2) To name the supporters’ groups that the board alleged had lobbied DCC in favour of the club relocating to Dalymount.
Despite the statement from RI on 5 October, and countless requests for an explanation on social media from fans to simply explain their public statement, the board has contemptuously ignored the supporters.
As Shelbourne FC is currently a privately owned entity with no obligation nor accountability to its’ supporters, we find that we can no longer continue to fund the club in anyway while the current board hold its’ supporters in such disregard.It is with deep regret that we hereby find ourselves with no other option but to ask all Shelbourne supporters not to fund the club in anyway while the status quo exists.

We ask supporters not to pay into home league matches nor any cup matches that the club are entitled to a percentage of gate receipts from. We also ask supporters not to buy any product that will fund the club nor to fund the club through any form of sponsorship.

Reds Independent
23 November 2016

http://www.redsindependent.com/a-%EF%BB%BFstatement-from-reds-independent-23-november-2016/

[Nesta99]

So lets do something that will ultimately kill the club!?? Club boards should not disregard fans totally but a literal all or nothing game with an already crippled club is hardly better than fundraising, for example, and having money to wave in front of the boards nose - the scent of the cash would leade them to a sit down chat. 10k would make them blink....

[Yossarian]

Who actually owns Shelbourne?

[nigel-harps1954]

Maybe it's a last resort move from Shels fans? I feel sorry for them in all this....then I remember that they're Shelbourne fans so it's all okay.

[El-Pietro]

What is their end game here? What is their goal?

[Mr A]

That was my thought as well. I know the Trust would ultimately like to run the club. It seemed at one stage the owners were amenable to that happening eventually but look like relations have broken down badly. And a lot of it is down to really crap communications from the club. But at the same time the fans groups need to pick their battles to some extent- for example can they really stop the move at this stage?

[sbgawa]

I also feel sorry for them having gone through the whole Glenmalure fiasco but Mr A is right they need to pick a fight they can win..Does anyone believe a team with average attendances of 500 people can find a way of restoring / renovating Tolka Park or building another separate Stadium?

[Nesta99]

That's a much clearer option - move to a new ground share stadium; In the mean time over 2-3 years get working to have a warchest of sorts built up so that the first season in New Dalymount will not be a disaster on the pitch.

[ToberonaTornado]

I'd like to hear from a couple of Shelbourne fans before i make up my mind up on this- any in the house?

[brendy_éire]

http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city/derry-city-stands-by-council-on-brandywell-redevelopment-1-7697455

Seems to confirm that the Brandywell will not be used at all next season.

[Mr A]

It doesn't explain why though?

[Yossarian]

Will any of the potential grounds Derry can use be suitable for the European games?

[BohMD]

I thought they'd approached Institute about their ground? Would they go to Sligo for European games?

[White Horse]

http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city/derry-city-stands-by-council-on-brandywell-redevelopment-1-7697455

Seems to confirm that the Brandywell will not be used at all next season.

Dreadful circumstances for a team that is making great strides.

This has to have an impact on season ticket sales. How can anyone buy season tickets if they don't know if the match location will be accessible to them.

[legendz]

Not to raise this old chestnut but would Shelbourne supporters prefer a move to pastures new like Fingal than move to Dalymount? With the U15 league coming in and U13 to follow, Fingal seems a large catchment area to be excluded.

[brendy_éire]

Will any of the potential grounds Derry can use be suitable for the European games?

Riverside would be OK, I think, with 1,540 seats. Maginn Park wouldn't be. Celtic Park (if it passes Congress) would be fine too.
Failing that, we'll be heading to Sligo.

As for season tickets, they're not on sale yet. They can't do so until they sort a ground, which hopefully will be done before Christmas.

[Neish]

Riverside would be OK, I think, with 1,540 seats. Maginn Park wouldn't be. Celtic Park (if it passes Congress) would be fine too.
Failing that, we'll be heading to Sligo.

As for season tickets, they're not on sale yet. They can't do so until they sort a ground, which hopefully will be done before Christmas.

Isn't there a lot of other criteria beside seating capacity?

[brendy_éire]

Isn't there a lot of other criteria beside seating capacity?

Aye, bar car parking space for Riverside, I think they'd all be OK for Category 3.

[Ezeikial]

Aye, bar car parking space for Riverside, I think they'd all be OK for Category 3.

Category 3 has a requirement for 4,500 seats - If the Riverside has only 1,450 seats as you mentioned, this would leave it just below the 1,500 required for category 2

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

[brendy_éire]

Category 3 has a requirement for 4,500 seats - If the Riverside has only 1,450 seats as you mentioned, this would leave it just below the 1,500 required for category 2

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

Ah, not Riverside then.
Latest news is that it'll be Maginn Park all season, with Sligo for the European games.
Buncrana for an entire year would be utterly disastrous from an attendance POV. You'd be getting a few hundred.

[nigel-harps1954]

https://www.donegalnow.com/sport/councillors-fresh-kick-start-in-push-for-harps-stadium-project-money/130906?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=article_share&utm_medium=web

Donegal county council getting behind Harps attempts to see stadium progress.

[Charlie Darwin]

At this stage I'd hold out more hope for seeing Detox released than Finn Harp being delivered.

[ForzaHoop]

Sure Tallaght laid dormant for many a year before SDCC rescued the ground, the same can happen for Harps
Surely Rovers supporters would know the frustration Harps feel

[Charlie Darwin]

Of course we do, but I don't see Donegal CC deciding to built a municipal facility the way SDCC did. If we were relying on a private developer like Harps are we'd still be waiting too.

[brendy_éire]

Martin McGuiness said this morning that funding for Phase 2 of the Brandywell is "100% guaranteed", with an announcement to be made in the new year. "You're talking about millions", which sounds promising.