Windsor park debacle continues!!

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09/10/2007, 12:27 PM
SolitudeRed

Windsor park debacle continues!!

Apparently a report is going to recommend that the south stand at windsor should be closed from January. Thats the stand where most of the Linfield fans sit:eek:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/nort...nd/7032434.stm

Quote:

South Stand future under threat

[SIZE=2]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...indsor_203.jpg Windsor Park may not be able to host internationals

The future of Windsor Park as the national stadium is under threat with an expert report set to propose that the South Stand be closed from January.
The report could lead to the stadium capacity being cut by 4,000 to just 9,000 on health and safety grounds.
The move would heighten fears that future international games may have to be played outside Northern Ireland.
Millions of pounds are needed to upgrade Windsor as any new national stadium would take years to construct.
The report was commissioned by Linfield and the Irish Football Association and IFA chief executive Howard Wells told the Sunday Life that "it sounds as though our worst fears are about to be confirmed".
"We are still awaiting a costing on the work required to keep Windsor up to the basic standard required to host international football with no idea where the money is coming from," he told the newspaper. "Somewhere along the line the Government and our local politicians are going to have to come to a decision on the National Stadium issue." Debate continues to rage over the site of any new national stadium with the Maze the Government's preferred option.
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09/10/2007, 3:10 PM
Graemerz

Don't believe everything you read in the paper, or in this case the internet. ;)
09/10/2007, 3:41 PM
Not Brazil

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolitudeRed

Apparently a report is going to recommend that the south stand at windsor should be closed from January. Thats the stand where most of the Linfield fans sit:eek:

I think you can safely assume that Linfield fans will be continuing to watch IPL matches from the comfort of the South Stand.;)

In other news, Howard Well's bluff has been called:

Linfield issue writ against IFA

The IFA wants to terminate its deal with Linfield over Windsor Park
A wrangle between the Irish FA and Linfield over the venue of international matches is heading for the courts, it has emerged.
The IFA wants to terminate a deal signed in 1984 stating that all home internationals would be played at Linfield's Windsor Park for 104 years.

But Linfield's solicitors Carson McDowell issued a High Court writ of summons against the IFA on Tuesday.

Six Linfield trustees lodged papers in the High Court.

The Linfield trustees applied for a declaration that the IFA was not entitled to terminate the 1984 Agreement and a further declaration that the agreement should continue to run for the remainder of its term.

The trustees are Richard Johnson, Peter Lunn, Dr Cameron Ramsey, Jack Grundie, William Meikle and Paul Weir.

In the writ the trustees insisted that Linfield was not in breach of clause 5 (1) of the agreement - to keep Windsor Park, the stands, offices and other accommodation in good order, repair and condition.

Alternatively, if there was a breach, the trustees argued, then Linfield should be given adequate time to remedy it.

Linfield is also seeking an injunction to prevent the IFA from holding matches covered by the terms of the Agreement at any other ground than Windsor Park pending determination of the court action.

The potential financial loss to Linfield is covered by the final clauses in the writ which claim damages for any breach of the agreement by the IFA.

Leading QC Mark Horner has been briefed along with Jacqueline Simpson, BL, to represent Linfield.

The IFA has 14 days to respond to the writ which states that if they fail to do so the club may proceed and judgement may be given in their absence.

AUDACES FORTUNA JUVAT
10/10/2007, 2:03 PM
Pablo

Is that south stand the new one behind the goal? Whats wrong with that it looks fine?
10/10/2007, 3:01 PM
Graemerz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Is that south stand the new one behind the goal? Whats wrong with that it looks fine?

No, thats the Alex Russell Stand / Kop Stand.

This is the The UMBRO South Stand http://stadiums.football.co.uk/share...or-Park-02.gif
11/10/2007, 12:29 PM
dcfcsteve

As a side point, it is staggeringly incompetent that the IFA signed a 104yr contract to do ANYTHING - let alone re use of stadiums.

Who's the muppet who signed the thing - not that eejit Harry Cavan by any chance ?

:eek:
11/10/2007, 1:20 PM
Graemerz

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

As a side point, it is staggeringly incompetent that the IFA signed a 104yr contract to do ANYTHING - let alone re use of stadiums.

Who's the muppet who signed the thing - not that eejit Harry Cavan by any chance ?

:eek:

They may have Healy signed to play international football for 104 years as they have no one else able to score goals.

They also may have rent-a-crowd sporting jester w*nker hats signed up for 104 years. C*cks.
11/10/2007, 7:18 PM
EalingGreen

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

As a side point, it is staggeringly incompetent that the IFA signed a 104yr contract to do ANYTHING - let alone re use of stadiums.

Who's the muppet who signed the thing - not that eejit Harry Cavan by any chance ?

:eek:

AFAIA, this is one severe cockup for which the IFA can't really be blamed. It seems that the last time the Government ploughed significant money into NI football - to build a new North Stand at WP in 1984 during Jim Prior's administration - they were concerned that Linfield might just accept this, say "thank you very much", then 'evict' the IFA when the existing Lease ran out. Therefore, HMG insisted on 104 years (strange figure, I know), in order to provide the IFA with security of tenure and protect their own investment.

Of course, it doesn't seem to have occurred to them that LFC would have no interest in shooing away the Goose which was providing them with Golden Eggs (15% of all revenue from internationals, inc. TV etc). Worse still, they never contemplated that they (HMG) or the IFA might at some stage want to move elsewhere, so failed to negotiate some sort of one-way get out clause. :eek:

Which, since the remaining 81 years Lease could be worth several millions (or more?) to LFC, is one reason why the IFA is between a rock and a hard place. They can't afford to stay at WP and provide the money to rebuild the stadium to modern international standard themselves. Nor can they afford to buy themselves out of the Lease (should LFC's writ succeed). And HMG will only provide funding to help them out if they move to the Maze - a project inspired by purely political, rather than sporting motives.

And what makes this so bloody infuriating is that if you look at Wembley, Hampden or the Millennium, these could not have been built without �millions of Govt. assistance (Grants, Lottery etc). And I daresay you could say the same for Croke and Lansdowne in the Republic.

Yet we have got bugger all to help us stage international football over the last quarter of a century, since all of NI's Millennium Money (Lottery) went to the Odyssey, which was never capable of paying its way otherwise.

And don't even get me started on the amount of tax write-offs etc which went on the Belfast Fcuking Giants - or should that be the Dundalk Giants? :mad:
14/10/2007, 7:21 AM
Poor Student

Are Linfield still looking at an alternative more compact venue for the future?
14/10/2007, 11:44 AM
Graemerz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Are Linfield still looking at an alternative more compact venue for the future?

Rumours fly about daily however the club have always stated they wish to remain at Windsor.
14/10/2007, 1:15 PM
OneRedArmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graemerz

Rumours fly about daily however the club have always stated they wish to remain at Windsor.

......until the IFA pay them a wedge of cash to buyout the remainder of the agreement, then they will magically do an about-turn and sell up and move.

Surely this is clear to everyone :confused:
14/10/2007, 6:51 PM
Not Brazil

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

......until the IFA pay them a wedge of cash to buyout the remainder of the agreement, then they will magically do an about-turn and sell up and move.

Surely this is clear to everyone :confused:

Seeing as this is "so clear", perhaps you could begin by telling us where the IFA are getting "a wedge of cash" from?:eek:
14/10/2007, 7:01 PM
OneRedArmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Seeing as this is "so clear", perhaps you could begin by telling us where the IFA are getting "a wedge of cash" from?:eek:

I'm not saying they will (presumably would come from Govt in order to push the Maze as the only show in town), what I am saying is that this is clearly Linfields intention.

FACTS
1. Windsor too big for Linfield
2. Windsor not up to hosting international football
3. Windsor sitting on very, very valuable land.

Its clear both Norn Ireland and Linfield want out of Windsor but Linfield can't show their hand if they want to gain from the long lease outstanding to the IFA.
14/10/2007, 7:12 PM
Not Brazil

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

what I am saying is that this is clearly Linfields intention.

Its clear both Norn Ireland and Linfield want out of Windsor but Linfield can't show their hand if they want to gain from the long lease outstanding to the IFA.

I think you are wrong.

Linfield FC will be playing at Windsor Park for many years to come.
15/10/2007, 3:48 PM
Steve Bruce

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

I'm not saying they will (presumably would come from Govt in order to push the Maze as the only show in town), what I am saying is that this is clearly Linfields intention.

FACTS
1. Windsor too big for Linfield
2. Windsor not up to hosting international football
3. Windsor sitting on very, very valuable land.

Its clear both Norn Ireland and Linfield want out of Windsor but Linfield can't show their hand if they want to gain from the long lease outstanding to the IFA.

Fact 2 is wrong, Windsor Park will be hosting the next home international against Denmark.
15/10/2007, 4:04 PM
SolitudeRed

Quote:

Is that south stand the new one behind the goal? Whats wrong with that it looks fine?

No but apparently theres something up with that stand as well even though its the newest one:eek:

Well hopefully this legal action will shed more light on the actual terms of this strange lease agreement between the IFA and Linfield! but can't see where this is going as Linfield probably don't have the money to carry out the work required even if they do get given more time!

Just thought to myself there who would be liable if heaven forbid there is some sort of mishap at windsor park and fans get injured or worse due to problems with the structure of the ground, Linfield or the IFA??
15/10/2007, 4:33 PM
OneRedArmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

Fact 2 is wrong, Windsor Park will be hosting the next home international against Denmark.

Pending the H&S report. All signs point towards it not being certified going forward if remedial work not carried out.

BTW, I admire the bluemen on here all speaking the company line, but in fairness, I wouldn't expect anything else as Linfield have a lot to lose.
15/10/2007, 6:32 PM
Not Brazil

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Pending the H&S report. All signs point towards it not being certified going forward if remedial work not carried out.

Certified for what?:confused:
16/10/2007, 7:36 AM
OneRedArmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Certified for what?:confused:

Safety.
16/10/2007, 8:07 AM
Not Brazil

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Safety.

That's funny....Howard Wells signed off a UEFA Licence in June 2007, which permits matches to be played at Windsor Park under the auspices of UEFA.

He did this with full knowledge of "H&S concerns", and that a major report had been commissioned jointly by Linfield FC and the IFA.

Having now served notice of the IFA's desire to quit Windsor Park in January 2008, on the basis of "H&S concerns", it would seem Mr Wells needs to make a very clear public statement before the Northern Ireland v Denmark game due to be held at Windsor Park on November 17th.

Is the ground safe, or not?

I think Mr Wells should tell us, before fans risk their lives in November ;)
16/10/2007, 11:56 AM
Pablo

Maybe the newly developed Brandywell could be an alternative?
16/10/2007, 12:17 PM
dcfcsteve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Maybe the newly developed Brandywell could be an alternative?

Wouldn't work on numerous grounds.

Brandywell won't be finished for a good few years, it'll be too small (8,000 max capacity), we're on the wrong side of the River Bann, and I doubt the IFA would have any interest in playing at the stadium of a team who play outside their jurisdiction anyway.

We got an NI international youth game back in 1986 though......
16/10/2007, 12:18 PM
OneRedArmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Maybe the newly developed Brandywell could be an alternative?

It would be a long way for Linfield to travel, but I'm sure we'd welcome the revenue.....

All joking aside, the new Brandywell appears to be proceeding at the same pace as the Maze. One step forward, two steps back.
17/10/2007, 9:43 AM
gspain

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Wouldn't work on numerous grounds.

Brandywell won't be finished for a good few years, it'll be too small (8,000 max capacity), we're on the wrong side of the River Bann, and I doubt the IFA would have any interest in playing at the stadium of a team who play outside their jurisdiction anyway.

We got an NI international youth game back in 1986 though......

I thought there were underage games played at the Brandywell recently as in the last couple of years. I'm pretty sure NI played somebody at Institute and then the Brandywell within a couple of days of each other in the last couple of years.

Didn't Italy play there too in the late 90's?
17/10/2007, 10:50 AM
dcfcsteve

Quote:

Originally Posted by gspain

I thought there were underage games played at the Brandywell recently as in the last couple of years. I'm pretty sure NI played somebody at Institute and then the Brandywell within a couple of days of each other in the last couple of years.

Didn't Italy play there too in the late 90's?

You could well be right Gary - I'm not aware of any, but that doesn't mean they didn't happen.

All I recall is Switzerland in c. Feb 1987.
18/10/2007, 4:19 PM
Dalymountrower

[QUOTE=Not Brazil;786437]I think you can safely assume that Linfield fans will be continuing to watch IPL matches from the comfort of the South Stand.;)

Linfield's solicitors Carson McDowell

I wondered where our former Minister for Justice had disappeared to.