Villa Park Redevelopment

[The Edge]

I can’t see any bins, no matter just fuck it off into the road. It’s a problem everywhere not just around food outlets.

That whole area is blighted by the local community and visitors to that community having zero pride in the  neighbourhood. Our own fans just eat their takeaway then chuck the crap on the floor. Maybe this could herald investment into the local area not just Villa Park. The whole place needs dragging up onto it's feet and into the 21st century. I remember chatting to a couple of Norwich fans on their way back to the station and they said they had had a great day in Brum and loved Villa Park but we're both astonished at the amount of rubbish in the area just left to rot. Not just takeaway rubbish but old furniture,  appliances and scrap cars laying around. I said to be honest I don't even notice it anymore I'm just used to it.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I can’t see any bins, no matter just fuck it off into the road. It’s a problem everywhere not just around food outlets.

That whole area is blighted by the local community and visitors to that community having zero pride in the  neighbourhood. Our own fans just eat their takeaway then chuck the crap on the floor. Maybe this could herald investment into the local area not just Villa Park. The whole place needs dragging up onto it's feet and into the 21st century. I remember chatting to a couple of Norwich fans on their way back to the station and they said they had had a great day in Brum and loved Villa Park but we're both astonished at the amount of rubbish in the area just left to rot. Not just takeaway rubbish but old furniture,  appliances and scrap cars laying around. I said to be honest I don't even notice it anymore I'm just used to it.

Exactly. A bit of personal pride and accountability.

[Border villan]

Keeping a regular mid-size venue going has been difficult in Birmingham for decades. The 02 duo are fine as it goes but for the older demographic getting Up Town is a pain and a half. Somewhere like this, with reasonable parking and access from the motorway,  might well be a goer.

That’s a good point.  At 7pm you’d be able to drive to the venue and park within an hour from a massive catchment area.  Offer half decent food ‘n’ beer and I reckon a gig a week is more than viable.  Add the stadium concerts in the summer and, hey presto, the Villa brand is bigger than just the football team.

Add in a few stand up comedy gigs etc you could have a venue earning well

We won’t be able to compete with the regular comedy gigs in Bordesley Green.

[UK Redsox]

There's been a recovery truck with the same smashed up car on it, parked on Trinity Road since last season.

Recently the other side of the road has become a dumping ground for old freezers/fridges

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Anything that doesn't increase capacity is of no interest to me. I can tell you about being in VP with 63k against Man U in 1970, 48k against Bournemouth in the 3rd division, 59k against Southampton for a Cup replay. My Dad used to go on about being at the Derby Cup game in 1946 (76k the all time record !). Memories that stay with you forever.
Anything to do with anything other than on the pitch or the atmosphere created by the crowd themselves is just window dressing. Unfortunately it income generating window dressing so I doubt the club is too bothered about the likes of me anymore.

[Brend'Watkins]

Anything that doesn't increase capacity is of no interest to me. I can tell you about being in VP with 63k against Man U in 1970, 48k against Bournemouth in the 3rd division, 59k against Southampton for a Cup replay. My Dad used to go on about being at the Derby Cup game in 1946 (76k the all time record !). Memories that stay with you forever.
Anything to do with anything other than on the pitch or the atmosphere created by the crowd themselves is just window dressing. Unfortunately it income generating window dressing so I doubt the club is too bothered about the likes of me anymore.

Exactly ALITA. It's nice having a venue for such things just as we once did with with the Leisure Center.  It did nothing for increasing the capacity or atmosphere at VP and I doubt it generated much income.

You also mention those games with high attendances. Transport infrastructure was inferior for all of them.  Granted fewer people had cars back then but even so, they got themselves to the game. Make the expansion, make it 60K +, people will get there regardless.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Anything that doesn't increase capacity is of no interest to me. I can tell you about being in VP with 63k against Man U in 1970, 48k against Bournemouth in the 3rd division, 59k against Southampton for a Cup replay. My Dad used to go on about being at the Derby Cup game in 1946 (76k the all time record !). Memories that stay with you forever.
Anything to do with anything other than on the pitch or the atmosphere created by the crowd themselves is just window dressing. Unfortunately it income generating window dressing so I doubt the club is too bothered about the likes of me anymore.

Exactly ALITA. It's nice having a venue for such things just as we once did with with the Leisure Center.  It did nothing for increasing the capacity or atmosphere at VP and I doubt it generated much income.

You also mention those games with high attendances. Transport infrastructure was inferior for all of them.  Granted fewer people had cars back then but even so, they got themselves to the game. Make the expansion, make it 60K +, people will get there regardless.

If you build it, they will come!

[Walmley_Villa]

That's what the Bordesley lot keep thinking, thousands of new fans arriving on HS2

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

That's what the Bordesley lot keep thinking, thousands of new fans arriving on HS2

If you struggle to get 30k more than a few times in a quarter of a century thats a big leap up to 60k, less so with us.

[Drummond]

Anything that doesn't increase capacity is of no interest to me. I can tell you about being in VP with 63k against Man U in 1970, 48k against Bournemouth in the 3rd division, 59k against Southampton for a Cup replay. My Dad used to go on about being at the Derby Cup game in 1946 (76k the all time record !). Memories that stay with you forever.
Anything to do with anything other than on the pitch or the atmosphere created by the crowd themselves is just window dressing. Unfortunately it income generating window dressing so I doubt the club is too bothered about the likes of me anymore.

Exactly ALITA. It's nice having a venue for such things just as we once did with with the Leisure Center.  It did nothing for increasing the capacity or atmosphere at VP and I doubt it generated much income.

You also mention those games with high attendances. Transport infrastructure was inferior for all of them.  Granted fewer people had cars back then but even so, they got themselves to the game. Make the expansion, make it 60K +, people will get there regardless.

The world is different, people's expectations have changed and they aren't prepared to wait for anything any more, everything is expected to be delivered on a silver platter and to be bigger and better than ever.

In the days you're talking about you'd have a pie, pint bovril or wagon wheel, and you'd stand up or sit on shitty seats; nowadays people want it all and having to walk there too? Are you mad? 

[pauliewalnuts]

Anything that doesn't increase capacity is of no interest to me. I can tell you about being in VP with 63k against Man U in 1970, 48k against Bournemouth in the 3rd division, 59k against Southampton for a Cup replay. My Dad used to go on about being at the Derby Cup game in 1946 (76k the all time record !). Memories that stay with you forever.
Anything to do with anything other than on the pitch or the atmosphere created by the crowd themselves is just window dressing. Unfortunately it income generating window dressing so I doubt the club is too bothered about the likes of me anymore.

Exactly ALITA. It's nice having a venue for such things just as we once did with with the Leisure Center.  It did nothing for increasing the capacity or atmosphere at VP and I doubt it generated much income.

You also mention those games with high attendances. Transport infrastructure was inferior for all of them.  Granted fewer people had cars back then but even so, they got themselves to the game. Make the expansion, make it 60K +, people will get there regardless.

They also had significantly fewer other options to spend their leisure money on, mind.

[john e]

Anything that doesn't increase capacity is of no interest to me. I can tell you about being in VP with 63k against Man U in 1970, 48k against Bournemouth in the 3rd division, 59k against Southampton for a Cup replay. My Dad used to go on about being at the Derby Cup game in 1946 (76k the all time record !). Memories that stay with you forever.
Anything to do with anything other than on the pitch or the atmosphere created by the crowd themselves is just window dressing. Unfortunately it income generating window dressing so I doubt the club is too bothered about the likes of me anymore.

Exactly ALITA. It's nice having a venue for such things just as we once did with with the Leisure Center.  It did nothing for increasing the capacity or atmosphere at VP and I doubt it generated much income.

You also mention those games with high attendances. Transport infrastructure was inferior for all of them.  Granted fewer people had cars back then but even so, they got themselves to the game. Make the expansion, make it 60K +, people will get there regardless.

They also had significantly fewer other options to spend their leisure money on, mind.

And Rickets

[Villan82]

Anything that doesn't increase capacity is of no interest to me. I can tell you about being in VP with 63k against Man U in 1970, 48k against Bournemouth in the 3rd division, 59k against Southampton for a Cup replay. My Dad used to go on about being at the Derby Cup game in 1946 (76k the all time record !). Memories that stay with you forever.
Anything to do with anything other than on the pitch or the atmosphere created by the crowd themselves is just window dressing. Unfortunately it income generating window dressing so I doubt the club is too bothered about the likes of me anymore.

Spot on.

The North Stand is the last remaining structure at Villa Park that was constructed before all seater stadia. The lower tier was designed as a standing terrace. Arguably, it has been out of place since the 90s and certainly since the Trinity was built in 2000-01. The gap from the new Trinity to the North is massive and has given the stadium an 'incomplete' feel since 2001. That's such a long time ago now.

I find it so frustrating that we had all our ducks in a row, gazillionaire owners, planning permission, designs, renders and we have just walked away from it. It's almost like we have decided the plans never existed!

I honestly think we will be looking back, many years from now, at yet another missed opportunity to really kick on as a club.

[nordenvillain]

Their owners own the new Co-op live one that had since teething issues but that's 20k ish capacity I think.

Sorry, the Oak View Group (OVG) own Co-op Live and it has a 23.5 K capacity. Been there twice and a big improvement on the AO Arena in Manchester - Even a Co-op local shop inside to get reasonably priced sandwiches, drinks etc.

[PeterWithe]

Seems we are in danger of missing a great opportunity to grab the local kids for a lifetime. Even a bit of news about a stadium expansion would create excitement.