Last Stand

[SoccerHQ]

O.k had a look and found this from the Chelsea 96 boxing day programme:

"We recognised for some time now the need to improve standard of the Trinity road stand. We are, however, contrained both by planning regulations and by our own desire to retain the history and character which the present stand provides, particularly the external brickwork and steps.

Improvements are: Complete reroofing of the stand to a level which is consistent with the height of our other stands and the removal of all 11 of the present pillars. Whilst these pillars will be replaced by two new pillars measuring 8 ins actoss, the vast majority of supporters will have an unrestricted view of the pitch. In addition the new roof will support 31 new executive boxes and the lower tier will be improved and completely reseated.

Work will commence after last home game in May 1997 with work completed by Christmas 1997."

[London Villan]

We’d have ended up with something like the stand with the Shelf at White Heart Lane. I guess the surveys showed the poor condition of the stand and made the unworkable.

[Villan82]

O.k had a look and found this from the Chelsea 96 boxing day programme:

"We recognised for some time now the need to improve standard of the Trinity road stand. We are, however, contrained both by planning regulations and by our own desire to retain the history and character which the present stand provides, particularly the external brickwork and steps.

Improvements are: Complete reroofing of the stand to a level which is consistent with the height of our other stands and the removal of all 11 of the present pillars. Whilst these pillars will be replaced by two new pillars measuring 8 ins actoss, the vast majority of supporters will have an unrestricted view of the pitch. In addition the new roof will support 31 new executive boxes and the lower tier will be improved and completely reseated.

Work will commence after last home game in May 1997 with work completed by Christmas 1997."

That's it! Thanks for digging that out. I remember that, it wouldn't have been a bad outcome at all though, as London Villan states, it may not have been possible in the end.

[dave.woodhall]

O.k had a look and found this from the Chelsea 96 boxing day programme:

"We recognised for some time now the need to improve standard of the Trinity road stand. We are, however, contrained both by planning regulations and by our own desire to retain the history and character which the present stand provides, particularly the external brickwork and steps.

Improvements are: Complete reroofing of the stand to a level which is consistent with the height of our other stands and the removal of all 11 of the present pillars. Whilst these pillars will be replaced by two new pillars measuring 8 ins actoss, the vast majority of supporters will have an unrestricted view of the pitch. In addition the new roof will support 31 new executive boxes and the lower tier will be improved and completely reseated.

Work will commence after last home game in May 1997 with work completed by Christmas 1997."

That's it! Thanks for digging that out. I remember that, it wouldn't have been a bad outcome at all though, as London Villan states, it may not have been possible in the end.

I can't remember that at all, but it might have been the thing that led to the council talking about "four sheds".

[SoccerHQ]

O.k had a look and found this from the Chelsea 96 boxing day programme:

"We recognised for some time now the need to improve standard of the Trinity road stand. We are, however, contrained both by planning regulations and by our own desire to retain the history and character which the present stand provides, particularly the external brickwork and steps.

Improvements are: Complete reroofing of the stand to a level which is consistent with the height of our other stands and the removal of all 11 of the present pillars. Whilst these pillars will be replaced by two new pillars measuring 8 ins actoss, the vast majority of supporters will have an unrestricted view of the pitch. In addition the new roof will support 31 new executive boxes and the lower tier will be improved and completely reseated.

Work will commence after last home game in May 1997 with work completed by Christmas 1997."

That's it! Thanks for digging that out. I remember that, it wouldn't have been a bad outcome at all though, as London Villan states, it may not have been possible in the end.

In one of the last programmes of that season they said Birmingham council had deferred the decision until May 1998 for some reason and the club were disappointed in the decision.

[London Villan]

I remember the plans for the hotel in the North Stand, 88/89 just before Hillborough changed everything.