The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[ChicagoLion]

I think it would be cheaper to build it off Constitution Hill. Quite a lot of factory units around there and not all of them occupied. Be something quite impressive to get off at Snow Hill, step out to go round the corner and have an elevated view of some massive 70k seater beast.

A big single tiered Holte End hold 20,000. Magic.


Plus the Clifton could be our home pub.

Would make the  Town Centre lively on match days.

[four fornicholl]

I don't think there were compulsory purchases - if there were, not many houses were left occupied on Witton Lane itself and for obvious reasons they were probably glad to move. It's a different matter in the roads behind.

Never spent much time on that side to be fair,but when I ventured down Witton Lane I do remember a house that had an SHA team photo from the centre of shoot or the such like, in their living room window! Anyone else remember that?

[Ads]

Pubs would be rubbing their hands.

Lots of Villa drink up town pre-match but the Troc, Briar, Sun on the Hill, Shakespeare, Old Contemptables would do a massive trade, while the Clifton, Church, Villa Rose would get a tonne of business.

[Steve67]

Get the team on the pitch sorted first, then promotion, then stabilise, then rule the world. Got to be honest, it's been a bit of a slow start! But I'm sure we'll get movement soon!

[oswald funkletrumpet]

The problem for me is VP oozes character and tradition, where as the modern stadia seem like soul-less, cookie-cutter places. Villa Park is part of our identity and is a footballing monument recognized the world over. Maybe future generations will feel less of a connection to VP and it's aura may diminish, who knows ? I would hate to think we lose this part of our history because the owner is motivated purely by money (we've already had one of those types before).

No it doesnt. The character and tradition went when first the Witton Lane Stand and then The Trinity Road Stand were lost. The oldest stand
is the North Stand and that is outdated in the 21st century. The days of standing have also gone and so has the unique atmosphere we had.
It is just another football ground  better than the lego one's granted but nothing special.

Have to disagree there sorry Ron.
Villa Park is an ever evolving institution, not a block of concrete dumped on the outskirts.

but who is talking about a block of concrete dumped on the outskirts?  The specifics were that someone mentioned that we'd get better attendances if we were closer to the city centre (which is fair) and I mentioned that we don't really have any options to expand where we are.  I don't think there's a suitable site at the moment so it's not really worth discussing but if we could find space to build a 70-80k stadium within a few minutes walk of the new HS2 station then it would be worth considering.

a really silly question but why would we need to build a 70-80k capacity stadium?

[Smirker]

a really silly question but why would we need to build a 70-80k capacity stadium?

We don't. But if we can do and have the finances to do it then we should.

[Hookeysmith]

The problem for me is VP oozes character and tradition, where as the modern stadia seem like soul-less, cookie-cutter places. Villa Park is part of our identity and is a footballing monument recognized the world over. Maybe future generations will feel less of a connection to VP and it's aura may diminish, who knows ? I would hate to think we lose this part of our history because the owner is motivated purely by money (we've already had one of those types before).

No it doesnt. The character and tradition went when first the Witton Lane Stand and then The Trinity Road Stand were lost. The oldest stand
is the North Stand and that is outdated in the 21st century. The days of standing have also gone and so has the unique atmosphere we had.
It is just another football ground  better than the lego one's granted but nothing special.

Have to disagree there sorry Ron.
Villa Park is an ever evolving institution, not a block of concrete dumped on the outskirts.

but who is talking about a block of concrete dumped on the outskirts?  The specifics were that someone mentioned that we'd get better attendances if we were closer to the city centre (which is fair) and I mentioned that we don't really have any options to expand where we are.  I don't think there's a suitable site at the moment so it's not really worth discussing but if we could find space to build a 70-80k stadium within a few minutes walk of the new HS2 station then it would be worth considering.

a really silly question but why would we need to build a 70-80k capacity stadium?

football stadia are more than just a football venue 2 days a week. plans a few years ago to have a hotel and conference centre onsite were mocked yet its getting harder and harder finding places to stay around the city. hS2 will only make this harder. Add into that concert venue to match Wembley and etihad would significantly add to our revenue. Did Holis not say they were excited by Drx especially his regeneration of the area

[Ian.]

I love Villa Park, I'd be gutted if we moved.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

a really silly question but why would we need to build a 70-80k capacity stadium?

We don't. But if we can do and have the finances to do it then we should.

why?

arsenal have been a global brand for ages and have 60k
man ure have 76k
spuds will have 61k
city have 55k
chelsea want to have 60k

but if we can afford it we should build a 70-80k stadium 

fuck me ive heard it all now

[ChicagoLion]

a really silly question but why would we need to build a 70-80k capacity stadium?

You see you have bloody ruined it, a huge Ferris wheel, gondolas punting along the canal, a helipad for me overlooking the Collymore stand.
HS2 unloading passengers under the stadium from far flung destinations.
Executive Jester hats,clackers, music after every corner we win, a marching band with Pom Pom girls when we score.
Bastard.

[paul_e]

The problem for me is VP oozes character and tradition, where as the modern stadia seem like soul-less, cookie-cutter places. Villa Park is part of our identity and is a footballing monument recognized the world over. Maybe future generations will feel less of a connection to VP and it's aura may diminish, who knows ? I would hate to think we lose this part of our history because the owner is motivated purely by money (we've already had one of those types before).

No it doesnt. The character and tradition went when first the Witton Lane Stand and then The Trinity Road Stand were lost. The oldest stand
is the North Stand and that is outdated in the 21st century. The days of standing have also gone and so has the unique atmosphere we had.
It is just another football ground  better than the lego one's granted but nothing special.

Have to disagree there sorry Ron.
Villa Park is an ever evolving institution, not a block of concrete dumped on the outskirts.

but who is talking about a block of concrete dumped on the outskirts?  The specifics were that someone mentioned that we'd get better attendances if we were closer to the city centre (which is fair) and I mentioned that we don't really have any options to expand where we are.  I don't think there's a suitable site at the moment so it's not really worth discussing but if we could find space to build a 70-80k stadium within a few minutes walk of the new HS2 station then it would be worth considering.

a really silly question but why would we need to build a 70-80k capacity stadium?

This is a 'down the line' discussion but if in 10 years we're regulars in the CL we'd need a stadium of that size, that's the point really, if everything goes to plan for the doc then we need to think about the options for a much bigger stadium.

Constitution hill - I can't think of a plot of land big enough. but it would be a decent location.  Moving a bit more central if they don't get a move on with Martineau Galleries that might be a big enough site with a bit of tweaking, if we're thinking of city centre then lets go the whole hog.  (just in case anyone doesn't get it I think this is a total pie in the sky suggestion and would never happen but it's the closest 'plot' in the city in terms of size but we'd end up with a Monaco style ground on top of other stuff situation which is why I don't think it would even be considered)

[oswald funkletrumpet]

i need a lie down

champions league and an 80k stadium jesus wept

[LeeB]

The club should never have sold off the Serpentine car park - and they should have bought up all the old housing between witton lane and the railway. Eventually clearing it and flattening it. Rebuild Witton Lane stand to match the Trinity, rebuild North stand. Use the land for car park and walkway to stations.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that.

Have you any idea how many houses there are, what they would have cost and how they would have persuaded several thousand people to move home?

There was a time when those houses were very cheap. It could have been achieved over time - on road at a time. Working with the council (I know that's been difficult/impossible) and building new homes elsewhere it could be done.

Maybe Dr Xia's big plan?

Given that it took Liverpool about ten years to move two sisters it would have been highly impractical. This is the sort of thing we'd have to do and I would hate us to resort to such tactics.  https://www.theguardian.com/football/david-conn-inside-sport-blog/2013/may/06/anfield-liverpool-david-conn

Peoples' lives are a lot more important than football.

Spot on Dave, this kind of thing really fucks me off.

[The Edge]

The club should never have sold off the Serpentine car park - and they should have bought up all the old housing between witton lane and the railway. Eventually clearing it and flattening it. Rebuild Witton Lane stand to match the Trinity, rebuild North stand. Use the land for car park and walkway to stations.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that.

Have you any idea how many houses there are, what they would have cost and how they would have persuaded several thousand people to move home?

I was thinking more of what was said about redevoping the DE stand in line with the Trinity and rebuilding the North Stand. Just a pipe dream maybe as we really don't know what the new owners have planned for VP.

[dave.woodhall]

The club should never have sold off the Serpentine car park - and they should have bought up all the old housing between witton lane and the railway. Eventually clearing it and flattening it. Rebuild Witton Lane stand to match the Trinity, rebuild North stand. Use the land for car park and walkway to stations.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that.

Have you any idea how many houses there are, what they would have cost and how they would have persuaded several thousand people to move home?

I was thinking more of what was said about redevoping the DE stand in line with the Trinity and rebuilding the North Stand. Just a pipe dream maybe as we really don't know what the new owners have planned for VP.

You can't widen the Witton Lane stand because of the road and the houses at the back.