Villa Park Redevelopment

[Drummond]

I think you're reaching a bit there Drummond.  If it was all about the transport he'd have said that - then it would be a game of playing chicken with the Council.

It sounds to me like he's throwing out excuses because ultimately they just don't want to commit the money right now.  I know some think that's because of even bigger plans.  I remain sceptical and of the view it's about his lack of confidence about underlying demand and selling enough premium tickets to get a return.

Hang on, how am I reaching when that's what he said? I'd suggest you're taking a pessimistic view based on previous let downs.

[Toronto Villa]

Heck explained: “We have 42,000 seats. A substantial amount. To add on 10,000 right now doesn’t seem practical to me.

This stands out.

When Arsenal moved from Highbury to the Emirates they effectively added 20,000+ seats.

More recently, when Spurs moved from White Hart Lane to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium they effectively added 20,000+ seats.

When Everton move to their new ground they'll be adding 13,000 seats.

I really don't get how adding 10,000 seats is "not practical".  I thought we were supporting an ambitious club?

But we are not moving grounds. I think he's saying within the same footprint and relative to the surrounding infrastructure limitations.

[chrisw1]

I think you're reaching a bit there Drummond.  If it was all about the transport he'd have said that - then it would be a game of playing chicken with the Council.

It sounds to me like he's throwing out excuses because ultimately they just don't want to commit the money right now.  I know some think that's because of even bigger plans.  I remain sceptical and of the view it's about his lack of confidence about underlying demand and selling enough premium tickets to get a return.

Hang on, how am I reaching when that's what he said? I'd suggest you're taking a pessimistic view based on previous let downs.

Because in your summary paragraphs you implied it was all about the transport links, which I don't think it is.  If it was, I think he would have said exactly that to put pressure on the Council.

[Drummond]

I think you're reaching a bit there Drummond.  If it was all about the transport he'd have said that - then it would be a game of playing chicken with the Council.

It sounds to me like he's throwing out excuses because ultimately they just don't want to commit the money right now.  I know some think that's because of even bigger plans.  I remain sceptical and of the view it's about his lack of confidence about underlying demand and selling enough premium tickets to get a return.

Hang on, how am I reaching when that's what he said? I'd suggest you're taking a pessimistic view based on previous let downs.

Because in your summary paragraphs you implied it was all about the transport links, which I don't think it is.  If it was, I think he would have said exactly that to put pressure on the Council.

Ok but it is a huge part of it, and it is an explanation rather than bullshit or him saying nothing.

[Chris Harte]

Heck explained: “We have 42,000 seats. A substantial amount. To add on 10,000 right now doesn’t seem practical to me.

This stands out.

When Arsenal moved from Highbury to the Emirates they effectively added 20,000+ seats.

More recently, when Spurs moved from White Hart Lane to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium they effectively added 20,000+ seats.

When Everton move to their new ground they'll be adding 13,000 seats.

I really don't get how adding 10,000 seats is "not practical".  I thought we were supporting an ambitious club?

But we are not moving grounds. I think he's saying within the same footprint and relative to the surrounding infrastructure limitations.

Well Arsenal moved about a quarter of a mile and Spurs' new ground overlaps their old one. The matchday routines of each sets of fans either won't have changed or barely changed.

[Risso]

He basically states in his interview athat adding 10,000 tickets is too much, and 42,000 is plenty.

[Chris Harte]

He basically states in his interview athat adding 10,000 tickets is too much, and 42,000 is plenty.

Yep. And it's nuts.

The existing 42,000 is pretty much sold out, save for an infamous 200 or so.

We have, is it 35,000 on the season ticket waiting list? Now I know not everyone on that list will buy a season ticket right this instant if offered the chance. If only a quarter of them buy a season ticket when offered the chance that's almost 9,000 to fill the, variously, eight thousand to ten thousand extra seats that the new North Stand would have provided.

Meanwhile, the corporare areas are full. Sold out. Try getting a ticket in there as a one-off. You've got no chance.

Meanwhile, the team are pulling up trees, something that will generate more interest in the club.

Now is the perfect time to go through with the North Stand rebuild. Leaving things as they are (because I simply don't believe they're going to add 2,000 - 3,000 seats with a reconfiguration) is a retrograde step, in my opinion.

[VillaTim]

The Athletic are just podcasters talking out their ariss

The Athletic includes some of the most credible sports journalists we have.  All journalists speculate, but The Athletic are some of the best informed there is.

Tim talking absolute rubbish yet again. Like you said, the Athletic employs some of the best sports journalists in the country. They are not some random bunch of podcasters.

well they still spout a load of BS a lot of the time . Lazy stereotypical "journalism"

[Chris Smith]

The Athletic are just podcasters talking out their ariss

The Athletic includes some of the most credible sports journalists we have.  All journalists speculate, but The Athletic are some of the best informed there is.

Tim talking absolute rubbish yet again. Like you said, the Athletic employs some of the best sports journalists in the country. They are not some random bunch of podcasters.

well they still spout a load of BS a lot of the time . Lazy stereotypical "journalism"

If you don’t mind me saying that’s just lazy stereotyping.

[Simon Page]

Don't knock lazy stereotypical "journalism". My sources exclusively tell me pals of mine have said it's made me the lazy stereotype I am today.

[Toronto Villa]

What's the latest on the North Stand redevelopment?

"The North Stand [rebuild] is a massive project. When I came in it was right in front of me. There were extremely ambitious ideas and a lot of it was thoughtful.

"What I will say is this. Over the summer months I became more concerned we were adding too many seats too fast. It was important that we took a step back and re-evaluate what is best for our fans.

"I mention this with the transportation, I mention this with the parking situation. What I would also mention is that we have 42,000 plus seats. It is a substantial amount. To add on 10,000 right now doesn’t seem practical to me and I will tell you why.

"Number one, we talk about Villa Park being a fortress. It is true. There is no better home advantage than at Villa Park and I think it would be a bad idea to tear down one of the stands for a two year period while we are playing like we are. I think that going forward, everything should be about all fans and not just one particular stand."

What plans will go ahead this summer?

"We are going to start renovating the Warehouse area. That is a massive space that we think can be a hospitality zone and an entertainment zone for 3,000 fans. Not only pre-game and post-game, but also for concerts and other shows that we have at Villa Park.

"We are going to do a lot of renovation at Bodymoor Heath to continue building our academy, our womens programme, to build more for our first-team and be more attractive to bring in talent around the world.

"Those components are really important. There is another one. We will enhance out technology and some of the practical facilities at Villa Park in all four stands. Don’t be surprised if you see our superstore double in size this summer as we are going to be very, very active with merchandising."

I think he wants to look at the entire ground versus just one stand. I don't think he is so naive to think that extra fans in the ground doesn't make sense but more how does it fit in as a total plan and not just one stand.

[Chris Smith]

I think you're reaching a bit there Drummond.  If it was all about the transport he'd have said that - then it would be a game of playing chicken with the Council.

It sounds to me like he's throwing out excuses because ultimately they just don't want to commit the money right now.  I know some think that's because of even bigger plans.  I remain sceptical and of the view it's about his lack of confidence about underlying demand and selling enough premium tickets to get a return.

Hang on, how am I reaching when that's what he said? I'd suggest you're taking a pessimistic view based on previous let downs.

Because in your summary paragraphs you implied it was all about the transport links, which I don't think it is.  If it was, I think he would have said exactly that to put pressure on the Council.

Transport falls under the West Midlands Mayor’s remit rather than the council. They’ve committed to upgrading Witton station but that isn’t going to happen overnight, they’re working towards the Euro ‘28 timetable. The area is just about coping with current numbers and we can’t increase capacity without significant improvements.

[Drummond]

And in now way does he say that 42k is plenty either.

[Drummond]

I think you're reaching a bit there Drummond.  If it was all about the transport he'd have said that - then it would be a game of playing chicken with the Council.

It sounds to me like he's throwing out excuses because ultimately they just don't want to commit the money right now.  I know some think that's because of even bigger plans.  I remain sceptical and of the view it's about his lack of confidence about underlying demand and selling enough premium tickets to get a return.

Hang on, how am I reaching when that's what he said? I'd suggest you're taking a pessimistic view based on previous let downs.

Because in your summary paragraphs you implied it was all about the transport links, which I don't think it is.  If it was, I think he would have said exactly that to put pressure on the Council.

Transport falls under the West Midlands Mayor’s remit rather than the council. They’ve committed to upgrading Witton station but that isn’t going to happen overnight, they’re working towards the Euro ‘28 timetable. The area is just about coping with current numbers and we can’t increase capacity without significant improvements.

Absolutely, and correct me if I@m wrong, but buses and parking are the council? And the council would have some sway with the mayor too.

[chrisw1]

I think you're reaching a bit there Drummond.  If it was all about the transport he'd have said that - then it would be a game of playing chicken with the Council.

It sounds to me like he's throwing out excuses because ultimately they just don't want to commit the money right now.  I know some think that's because of even bigger plans.  I remain sceptical and of the view it's about his lack of confidence about underlying demand and selling enough premium tickets to get a return.

Hang on, how am I reaching when that's what he said? I'd suggest you're taking a pessimistic view based on previous let downs.

Because in your summary paragraphs you implied it was all about the transport links, which I don't think it is.  If it was, I think he would have said exactly that to put pressure on the Council.

Ok but it is a huge part of it, and it is an explanation rather than bullshit or him saying nothing.

I'm really not sure.  If they thought the station wasn't going to get done and that was the key point they'd say so.

10k too fast too soon, concentrate on current fans etc all says to me that they've got cold feet.  But we're debating something which we're not likely to get an answer to for another 12-24 months or so, so I guess we'll all have to wait and see.