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Showing content with the highest reputation on 06/02/17 in Posts
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Here's what basically happened: - In the last 12 months or so of Higgs' reign at Rovers the club looked at ways they could make UWE happen. These included plans/inquiries in regard to providing residential accommodation at both the UWE site and at the Mem in order to make the scheme viable. Problem is partners were needed for these schemes, so they were far from straightforward and the value of the Mem for residential was considerably less than what Sainsbury's were willing to pay. It is my impression that once these options were exhausted Higgs decision was made to sell up and he was looking for a buyer months before Wael eventually came in. - I do not know how Higgs sold the UWE project to Wael, though I expect a rather more positive spin was put on it than should've been. Remember the appeal to the courts was still being processed at this time. How much Higgs divulged in terms of the fact they had already looked at pretty much all possibilities of making it happen I don't know. But anyway, what is clear is that Wael soon found out there was a rather large hole in the funding of the project and instead of saying "no problem guys, I've got this!" he went on a number of business trips (like going to watch his beloved Chelsea!) to see if he could find OTHER PEOPLE willing to invest in the project and basically pick up the tab left by Sainsbury's deserting the project. Amazingly, there were no takers. Now, I have been out of the loop for sometime so don't know what the absolute latest is but the long and short of it appears to be that unless Wael (or his family or whatever) are willing to dip into their pockets to the tune of £20m-odd then it simply won't be going ahead. I have heard some say that UWE may help contribute to the costs for some kind of benefit - NOT going to happen! UWE already have the naming rights for the lifespan of the stadium AND are gifting Rovers the land! What else could this project possibly offer them? Despite being a charity UWE are a shrewd operator when it comes to making money and they ain't gonna piss money away just to help Rovers out. I suspect Rovers could start the build before next January if they really wanted to but likelihood of it happening is slim to nothing as far as I'm concerned. Have heard NOTHING to suggest it's going ahead. Either way they'll simply have to make an announcement by September I'd say. Will be interesting. If Wael isn't going to fund UWE, you have to wonder what he is willing to fund as a new site is going to cost a lot more than UWE and a redevelopment of the Mem similarly very pricey - must be looking at £20m ish and it's heavily constrained in planning terms. They're looking at 18k capacity max there.5 points
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"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak to the Bristol Post and remove all doubt"4 points
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Cheers Kid. All in all then, any options open to them require a bucket load of cash to be invested out of someone's pocket. Can't see it happening from the current owners from what they have invested so far. I think their best bet is some sort of medium term phased development of The Mem, work it one side/end at a time. Still got to find some wedge for that though but it would be a step in the right direction. Would save a few quid on the demolition costs of the current patch though. Most of the 'stadia' can be taken down in a day and popped on the back of a van.3 points
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Aren't they 2 months from the original grand opening date? And not a hole has been dug thus far.... And still the alarm bells don't ring for them?!?3 points
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I see Kevin Rowland is still cross dressing, and has an even worse fetish.3 points
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Have they already outgrown that one they were singing about at Ashton Gate 4 years ago...??3 points
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I just watched an episode of Taskmaster where they were set a task at Chesham United. No reason to mention Chesham in here is there?2 points
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If a team has won the FA Cup then they are permitted to have triangular corner flags so that their achievement is never forgotten. Everyone else has to put up with square ones. If the artist's impression of the new ground is accurate, as I've no doubt it is, then it's clear that the 15'ers plan to win the FA Cup before they move into their new ground. I think that's probably a realistic expectation.2 points
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Actually saw some power from Skeete tonight, usually he bores me to death. He has a fair amount of skill but never enough killer instinct to be exciting. One of the best things about this card is the fitty in the 2nd row...:)1 point
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you should have the sound on it. Here doggy doggy or was it "how much is that doggy in the window (woof,woof)"1 point
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CK is now showing himself as being a promising golfer. Extremely unfortunate that we lost both CK and JB at the same time, although I suspect as chance would have it - with England contracts and the like - we would not have seen either play regularly for us. Somerset should have tried to sign (and retain) one of the best wicket keepers available at that time - Michael Bates! Sod his batting average - more than 7, I suspect, although I have not looked it up.1 point
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Yeah he was incredible, however I feel he would have worked his way back into the limited overs team in some capacity so don't know how much we'd have seen of him over the years.1 point
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They stayed quiet on selling up and UWE until the evening post printed now they are free flowing with info every thing happy. when hammer was interviewed he sounded good about the new signing but when asked about UWE his stutter and voice changed when I use to integrate people stutter and voice change sweating etc was a good give away can some one get him on jemmy kile show see if he pass the lie detector pond get bid Steve to throw him out1 point
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Nicks hunt for the spawning ground of the plastic chair leads him to wild scrub land on the outskirts of Bristol. "The chairs will be mine" he said, with a sinister laugh"1 point
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Was a long old night! Didn't sit down for food till 10pm photos were taking ages then had the auction don't think he took the stage till 11.30. Very young crowd with lots of women! He talked well though as he always seems to, one thing is for sure he will never underestimate any fighter. Top bloke.1 point
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Manor Farm have 3 stands* on one side of the pitch, just think of their potential! *Well, it's one stand, one bit of covered terracing that has a few chairs most of the time and one bit of covered terracing with a bar stool. But as there is seating I am calling it a stand.1 point
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Ah see, they'd planned to build a 21k+ seater stadium but the way they are going that isn’t enough to accommodate the following they are gathering. Apparently.1 point
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“I found out yesterday for the first time that we only have 3,416 seats here, and the way we are going that isn’t enough to accommodate the following we are gathering." How on earth can the chairman not know how many seats a football club has? SURELY that's a huge part in financial planning when setting prices. Unbelievable.1 point
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Not really, perhaps Wael was referring to this Twain quote... "The glory which is built upon lies soon becomes a most unpleasant incumbrance."1 point
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Was it Mark Twain who also said... "I ain't got a pot to piss in, but look at my plastic chairs!'1 point
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Mark Twain also said "A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining,but wants it back the minute it begins to rain"1 point
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