Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Suppose this thread will annoy a few, and suppose a few will agree.Took up my new seat in the Dolman today, and although the sun shone on our hallowed stadium, my thoughts changed to just how tired she looks!!!New seats, new pa system, new players, but poor poor facilities.Sadly, not a championship stadium,and probably only a decent 1st division ground.Seen some magnificent, tremendous occasions at the gate,but my gut feeling is that all the money in the world wouldnt bring this place, that has been close to my heart for the best part of 40 years, up to scratch.Modern stadiums are set a few miles away from the cities, and a few years back i would,nt of thought it was the way forward.Well, ive no doubt in my mind, after travelling to many in the last 2/3 years, it is!!Bristol City really do need a new, top notch , modern stadium, well away from Ashton Gate, and i don't honestly belive that modernising Ashton Gate is the way forward.Saying that, i,l be there for as long as my club decides to play there.You cant chuck away that many years of happiness....bit like being married i suppose?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunley Legend Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Suppose this thread will annoy a few, and suppose a few will agree.Took up my new seat in the Dolman today, and although the sun shone on our hallowed stadium, my thoughts changed to just how tired she looks!!!New seats, new pa system, new players, but poor poor facilities.Sadly, not a championship stadium,and probably only a decent 1st division ground.Seen some magnificent, tremendous occasions at the gate,but my gut feeling is that all the money in the world wouldnt bring this place, that has been close to my heart for the best part of 40 years, up to scratch.Modern stadiums are set a few miles away from the cities, and a few years back i would,nt of thought it was the way forward.Well, ive no doubt in my mind, after travelling to many in the last 2/3 years, it is!!Bristol City really do need a new, top notch , modern stadium, well away from Ashton Gate, and i don't honestly belive that modernising Ashton Gate is the way forward.Saying that, i,l be there for as long as my club decides to play there.You cant chuck away that many years of happiness....bit like being married suppose?...... I disagree. You can improve Ashton Gate to the standard we would all like but it would involve knocking down three stands and starting again. The biggest problem with Ashton Gate in terms of staging top class football is parking facilities and affordable, reliable public transport. How we achieve that would be the biggest problem.Another thing Arny - I have seen a few of your posts saying that a number of your mates will be watching less due to the prices. You move Bristols City's football stadium away from South Bristol and the number of people you know who are attending less will be a drop in the ocean. Sextone really should ignore that at his peril. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I disagree. You can improve Ashton Gate to the standard we would all like but it would involve knocking down three stands and starting again. The biggest problem with Ashton Gate in terms of staging top class football is parking facilities and affordable, reliable public transport. How we achieve that would be the biggest problem.Another thing Arny - I have seen a few of your posts saying that a number of your mates will be watching less due to the prices. You move Bristols City's football stadium away from South Bristol and the number of people you know who are attending less will be a drop in the ocean. Sextone really should ignore that at his peril.Yep yer right.MOST of the lads i have been going to City havent renewed their season tic,s because of the increase.What makes you think that a new stadium, where ever it may be, wont draw new fans in?As for my mates.....cant be as passionate as me and you possibly mucker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh_red Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 as ever with new staduim talk.........Where?it's great in theory, but there is just no where to put it, Personally I'd never leave the gate! it's homelast thing I want is one of the silly grounds that looks the same as everyone elses in the middle of no where on a retail estate, no pubs, no local businesses thriving on a match day just dullness! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLionLad Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 as ever with new staduim talk.........Where?it's great in theory, but there is just no where to put it, Personally I'd never leave the gate! it's homelast thing I want is one of the silly grounds that looks the same as everyone elses in the middle of no where on a retail estate, no pubs, no local businesses thriving on a match day just dullness!Hengrove Park would be the obvious choice....although next to the P+R off the A370 would be better...if it wasn't "greenbelt". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Just talking to a few die hards down today, most actually love Ashton Gate like its part of their family.Me to, my argument is, i cannot see how he Gate can be developed into a staduim say like Hull City,s, Coventry,s MK Dons, etc etc without the space.Look at Liverpool.I think Anfield is fab, but their moving, possibly Everton to.Perhaps I'm wrong.If the future is at Ashton Gate , then so be it.Well happy with that....but honestly doubt it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Hengrove Park would be the obvious choice....although next to the P+R off the A370 would be better...if it wasn't "greenbelt".Could,nt agree more RLL, but its a debate that could go on forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob k Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I hate new stadiums they all look the same with there fancy Restaurants and bars, AG is fine for me. I went for a tour round arsenals ground and loads of the season tickets are 4 grand +, some are 50k (but you do get your pre match 3 course meal and a little nibble at half time) All new stadiums have to be paid for and who usually ends up paying for it????? I'm quite happy paying £375 having a few pints in the local pubs and watching the match + i think Aston gate is an unusal name for a football ground and i don't want it to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I hate new stadiums they all look the same with there fancy Restaurants and bars, AG is fine for me. I went for a tour round arsenals ground and loads of the season tickets are 4 grand +, some are 50k (but you do get your pre match 3 course meal and a little nibble at half time) All new stadiums have to be paid for and who usually ends up paying for it????? I'm quite happy paying £375 having a few pints in the local pubs and watching the match + i think Aston gate is an unusal name for a football ground and i don't want it to change.S.Bcity, no dig at what we got.Its the future i feel for.Developing Ashton Gate will be a MASSIVE construction job.Plus, pulling down a stand a time, loses the club massive revenue.Imagine, City, still a championship club, developing the E End, and 18 months to do it.Crowds much lower, loss of revenue!Pulling down the Williams even worse.The hospitality, premier suite revenue, all goes out the window.You can go on and on and on.Saying that, if Ashton Gate stays as it is, ald Arn will be there.....simple as Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_BCFC Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 There is sufficient room for a 40,000 seater at the Gate. We have room for a massive Williams Stand, and Wedlock. That is more than enough for us for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 There is sufficient room for a 40,000 seater at the Gate. We have room for a massive Williams Stand, and Wedlock. That is more than enough for us for the future.100% agree Rob.But the time to pull down the existing, build the new?This club is a BUSINESS.It needs its revenue to survive.Would love to keep the name and the venue......but i honestly belive it wont happen.If I'm wrong "spank" me............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Horse With No Name Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Suppose this thread will annoy a few, and suppose a few will agree.Took up my new seat in the Dolman today, and although the sun shone on our hallowed stadium, my thoughts changed to just how tired she looks!!!New seats, new pa system, new players, but poor poor facilities.Sadly, not a championship stadium,and probably only a decent 1st division ground.Seen some magnificent, tremendous occasions at the gate,but my gut feeling is that all the money in the world wouldnt bring this place, that has been close to my heart for the best part of 40 years, up to scratch.Modern stadiums are set a few miles away from the cities, and a few years back i would,nt of thought it was the way forward.Well, ive no doubt in my mind, after travelling to many in the last 2/3 years, it is!!Bristol City really do need a new, top notch , modern stadium, well away from Ashton Gate, and i don't honestly belive that modernising Ashton Gate is the way forward.Saying that, i,l be there for as long as my club decides to play there.You cant chuck away that many years of happiness....bit like being married i suppose?...... I tend to agree Arnie. I sat in the Dolman today for the first time in about 8 years and the Grandstand and EE certainly do look dated. The one thing that updating individual stands does, is to show up everything else, and the spanking new seats in the Dolman, show how faded the red seats are in the other stands. I do think though that when the ground is full it still is an impressive sight, and the negative things only show up in crowds of around 5000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I tend to agree Arnie. I sat in the Dolman today for the first time in about 8 years and the Grandstand and EE certainly do look dated. The one thing that updating individual stands does, is to show up everything else, and the spanking new seats in the Dolman, show how faded the red seats are in the other stands. I do think though that when the ground is full it still is an impressive sight, and the negative things only show up in crowds of around 5000.Now that was the reply i wanted!!!!Sat in the Dolman, looking at a next to nothing crowd, elsewhere faded seats, low level roofing, advertising boarding almost falling from its hoardings, and i can go on, it saddened me somewhat!!!But hey hoh, its Ashton Gate, a place logged in my heart and will never go away.Lots of away travel this season, and tbh probable jealous frowns from me...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincolnreds Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Totaly agree with you Arny - Living in Lincoln and going to a lot of away games and other games in the area does show Ashton Gate does look a bit aged. I love the memories at Ashton Gate but would love a nice new stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 as ever with new staduim talk.........Where?it's great in theory, but there is just no where to put it, Personally I'd never leave the gate! it's homelast thing I want is one of the silly grounds that looks the same as everyone elses in the middle of no where on a retail estate, no pubs, no local businesses thriving on a match day just dullness!Yeah, I agree. A prime site would've been on the old Super Bowl site that's being regenerated for accomodation. With a train track running behind the back you could even had a special station killing any transport issues. Other than that, the only other places I would like us to move to is on Ashton Park or on the land near David Lloyd. Both are highly unlikely but Ashton Park would be ideal for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Totaly agree with you Arny - Living in Lincoln and going to a lot of away games and other games in the area does show Ashton Gate does look a bit aged. I love the memories at Ashton Gate but would love a nice new stadium.Mark, i didnt start the thread to put anything about Ashton Gate down....love it, my second home, and lived my life there.Sad though, it do look pants compared to most other stadiums......Lets keeep BCFC up there there with the best mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSR Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I disagree. You can improve Ashton Gate to the standard we would all like but it would involve knocking down three stands and starting again. The biggest problem with Ashton Gate in terms of staging top class football is parking facilities and affordable, reliable public transport. How we achieve that would be the biggest problem.Another thing Arny - I have seen a few of your posts saying that a number of your mates will be watching less due to the prices. You move Bristols City's football stadium away from South Bristol and the number of people you know who are attending less will be a drop in the ocean. Sextone really should ignore that at his peril.and where do you suggest we put all the parking spaces also if our capacity increases..arn is right we need a modern stadium with parking etc ashton gate is just not idea if we do ever get to the promised land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolman Block B Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 and where do you suggest we put all the parking spaces also if our capacity increases..arn is right we need a modern stadium with parking etc ashton gate is just not idea if we do ever get to the promised landI think I'm right Wayne, but loads will disagree.I cant see any point in spending millions on the Gate, when a new stadium could be an option at the end of the day.........SL will have the final word... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MATT BCFC Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I think its the way forward personally. Its was a nightmare finding a parking space today and there was what 3-4 thousand there? God knows what it would be like if we did have 29 thousand there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIDER PANTS OF TWERTON Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 I think I'm right Wayne, but loads will disagree.I cant see any point in spending millions on the Gate, when a new stadium could be an option at the end of the day.........SL will have the final word...The Dolman has been updated, the East End "IS" being rbuilt again end of the season costing millions. It all points to City staying put at the Gate for decades. Lovely!Thank Christ we are not going to move to one of those awful average stadiums in the middle of nowhere which looks like everywhere else.I hope Sexton is up to the task and can really do a good job on the new East End. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devonrobin Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 The Dolman has been updated, the East End "IS" being rbuilt again end of the season costing millions. It all points to City staying put at the Gate for decades. Lovely!Thank Christ we are not going to move to one of those awful average stadiums in the middle of nowhere which looks like everywhere else.I hope Sexton is up to the task and can really do a good job on the new East End.thats my main problem with moving.all these new stadia look the same.not a great deal of atmosphere in them ethier.take the middlesborough game as an example ashton gate rocks when its full.I'm not sure you can recreate that anywhere else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_BCFC Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Agreed. If you expand the Williams and Wedlock into big two-tiered stands, we would have a 30,000+ seater ground, which is all we need at the moment. It would also transform the look of the ground, and hopefully give us better facilities for sponsors, etc. When we are in (or challenging for promotion to) the Premiership with big away crowds coming every week, that's when I think we need to think about a new ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Personally I think a 35,000 ground is all we'll ever need (certainly in the next 20 years) and as we can get that at Ashton Gate it seems worthwhile to stay put for now.The transport isn't a problem, there's trains and buses to avoid having to find a parking space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garlicbread Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 I love the place but it's tired.Why keep bolting bits on? The club can really move forward if we get a new stadium. I would suggest 2 options could be available..1 Tear down the gate and build new stadium on the existing site2 Sell the existing site to Tesco and build a new ground at either Superbowl or Dave LLoyds - and call it Ashton Gatesimple Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTone Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 ....bit like being married i suppose?...... And you can't get a decent Pasty out of either one !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Ferret Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 I love Ashton Gate and pretty much every thing about itThe thought of moving to a big souless plastic bowl arena on the side of a motorway called The Burger King Stadium or something scares the hell out of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boadle Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 i think Aston gate is an unusal name for a football groundI agree with this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLionLad Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 I agree with this Me too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Boy Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 There is the question of costMK Dons new stadium currently holds 22,000 and will go up to 30,000.It cost £42mOur improvements:New EE £8-10m and it must be two tier surely?New Williams/Grandstand £8-10mCapacity 29,000.That's £20m v £42m.Unless we can find a benefactor or a serious investor/sponsor, forget about it, mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh_red Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 New EE £8-10m and it must be two tier surely?as stated in endless other postings on here, it's going to be SINGLE TIER STAND it's all planning permission will allow, their isn't the space there to build a 2 two stand without serious costing issues and the extra costs needed to develop 2 tier stand aren't worth the money for the amount of extra seats it will bring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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