Villa Park Redevelopment

[Richard E]

Nothing less than instantaneous teleportation will suffice.

[PeterWithe]

Ron Saunders Stand  it is long overdue

Didn't we used to have a poster called RonSaundersStand ?

[FatSam]

I think fat Sam has nailed it with his summary.

Was there anything in the Purslow scheme that unlocks the site for further development that this solution prevents? Namely extending the Witton or Trinity Stands?

Thanks Dante.

I don’t think there is anything that this solution prevents, but it is true that the Purslow scheme was designed in a way that could theoretically have been rolled-out around the ground. For example it connected neatly into the TRS and formed corners both there and on the other side with the WLS that allowed for expansion in a way that HDE’s piecemeal redevelopment never did. Presumably this scheme doesn’t resolve any of the inconsistencies (i.e. in terms of rake of seating/ depth of tier etc.) as it is working with the existing structure. That’s another reason why think it sets us up for the medium rather than long term.

[nigel]

They could go full on Deadly Doug mode and call it the NSWE Stand

[Dante Lavelli]

They could go full on Deadly Doug mode and call it the NSWE Stand

Maybe a hybrid North South West East Stand?

[cdbearsfan]

If we're naming stands after celebrity Villa supporters, how about the Ian Bell End?

[Richard E]

The Bobby Sands End

[olaftab]

If we're naming stands after celebrity Villa supporters, how about the Ian Bell End?

Honestly! I have used that several times on Cricket threads for renaming City end.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think fat Sam has nailed it with his summary.

Was there anything in the Purslow scheme that unlocks the site for further development that this solution prevents? Namely extending the Witton or Trinity Stands?

Thanks Dante.

I don’t think there is anything that this solution prevents, but it is true that the Purslow scheme was designed in a way that could theoretically have been rolled-out around the ground. For example it connected neatly into the TRS and formed corners both there and on the other side with the WLS that allowed for expansion in a way that HDE’s piecemeal redevelopment never did. Presumably this scheme doesn’t resolve any of the inconsistencies (i.e. in terms of rake of seating/ depth of tier etc.) as it is working with the existing structure. That’s another reason why think it sets us up for the medium rather than long term.

I was wondering about that, too. Given they are effectively 'building around' the top tier, what scope does that give them to do anything about the rake of the stand (and by association the leg room - I am 6'2 so tall but not freakishly so, and find it incredibly uncomfortable up there - not sure how that'd fit with the concept of any GA+ seats up there, or even acceptable quality for new GA seats these days).

Then again, they're reprofiling the lower to add more seats, so they must be doing something there (appreciate it's simpler when it's concrete at ground level).

[eamonn]

The Bobby Sands End

Did he stop eating before or after we won the league?

[Richard E]

Stopped eating before, stopped having the option to eat after.

[cdbearsfan]

Stopped eating on 1st March. Died 5th May, three days after we won the league.

[Hopadop]

I was thinking the same as FatSam, but arrived there from a more simplistic angle.

The New NS looks a bit flat pack, like it'll do the job for the short to medium term. I don't think it's a massive commitment to stay where we are, just to see us on for the next decade it would take to potentially source and build a new megadome.

[FatSam]

In support of the idea that our NS scheme is a medium-term solution, it was interesting to see Leeds release images of their project to increase the capacity of Elland Road to 56k. As I understand it, that is achievable by purchasing a single piece of land from the Council, so no CPOs or decanting existing residents etc. That would also raise their capacity in-line with the highest attendance that they’ve ever achieved.

[Dlp]

We should be aiming for a minimum of 60,000 capacity, preferably more if possible. This could be achieved by north stand rebuild plus another tier on the Doug Ellis.