Joy Seppala?

[horlickfanclub]

Horlick please enlighten me, when did we have majority ownership from outside the area, and who was it please? Must admit I don’t recall that at all.

Mr Smith and Mr Hughes.

Thanks. That would have been mid 1970’s, so 50 years ago. Must admit I always thought they were local? Where were they from?
Our club then of course bears very little resemblance to CTFC in 2025.
Another director I recall round that time was Colin Badger who was connected with manager Dennis Allen.

They had a building company who built Hambrook Park Estate.They were not local but had that connection. Eventually liquidated that Company. Colin Badger was a friend of theirs from Berkshire area. The club has moved on but I just thought it was interesting how long the Gloucestershire interest had survived.
It will be interesting to see who buys Yeovil and Shrewsbury. Maybe the Shrewsbury prospective buyer pulled out to buy a much nicer club . If the ground gets redeveloped here by the interested party we may be travelling to Worcester in a few years time for the temporary ground share.

[Robin]

Mr Smith and Mr Hughes.

Thanks. That would have been mid 1970’s, so 50 years ago. Must admit I always thought they were local? Where were they from?
Our club then of course bears very little resemblance to CTFC in 2025.
Another director I recall round that time was Colin Badger who was connected with manager Dennis Allen.

They had a building company who built Hambrook Park Estate.They were not local but had that connection. Eventually liquidated that Company. Colin Badger was a friend of theirs from Berkshire area. The club has moved on but I just thought it was interesting how long the Gloucestershire interest had survived.
It will be interesting to see who buys Yeovil and Shrewsbury. Maybe the Shrewsbury prospective buyer pulled out to buy a much nicer club . If the ground gets redeveloped here by the interested party we may be travelling to Worcester in a few years time for the temporary ground share.

The rumours seem to be that the person interested in Shrewsbury was the ex-Wycombe owner who has turned attentions towards Reading instead. Same guy tried to buy Reading training facilities when at Wycombe.

Also why do you presume we would ground share with Worcester rugby, surely Kingsholm would be a better choice? I can't see us ground sharing whilst new stand is built and David Bloxham said we would like do the home end first in anticipation of a new main stand. For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

[ctfc-fan]

Thanks. That would have been mid 1970’s, so 50 years ago. Must admit I always thought they were local? Where were they from?
Our club then of course bears very little resemblance to CTFC in 2025.
Another director I recall round that time was Colin Badger who was connected with manager Dennis Allen.

They had a building company who built Hambrook Park Estate.They were not local but had that connection. Eventually liquidated that Company. Colin Badger was a friend of theirs from Berkshire area. The club has moved on but I just thought it was interesting how long the Gloucestershire interest had survived.
It will be interesting to see who buys Yeovil and Shrewsbury. Maybe the Shrewsbury prospective buyer pulled out to buy a much nicer club . If the ground gets redeveloped here by the interested party we may be travelling to Worcester in a few years time for the temporary ground share.

The rumours seem to be that the person interested in Shrewsbury was the ex-Wycombe owner who has turned attentions towards Reading instead. Same guy tried to buy Reading training facilities when at Wycombe.

Also why do you presume we would ground share with Worcester rugby, surely Kingsholm would be a better choice? I can't see us ground sharing whilst new stand is built and David Bloxham said we would like do the home end first in anticipation of a new main stand. For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

Kingsholm would never let football be played on it.

[Fuller]

Can’t we share with FGR?
That would be fun….

[Si Robin]

Given Kingsholm has a plastic pitch, and I assume Sixways does as well, if we were to groundshare temporarily then it wouldn't be at either because they wouldn't be suitable.

[ctfc-fan]

Given Kingsholm has a plastic pitch, and I assume Sixways does as well, if we were to groundshare temporarily then it wouldn't be at either because they wouldn't be suitable.

Kingsholm won’t let anyone on the pitch either. They’re very protective.

[Fuller]

Those with good memories will recall that Bristol Rovers were going to groundshare with us at Whaddon Rd about 20 years ago when there was a very strong possibility that Rovers were considering having a major ground refurb.
It didn’t happen, but how many other football stadiums are up to EFL Standard now and near enough to make it viable if we do have to move out for a while?

[Jerry St Clair]

For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

Why seats? The people who go in the PRE prefer to stand. Why deny them that choice?

[Jerry St Clair]

The new Independent Football Regulator is due to launch later this year.

Depending on timing, it is entirely possible that any new Town owner would be the first one to be assessed by the IFR, not the EFL, under new owners and Directors tests.

[Si Robin]

For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

Why seats? The people who go in the PRE prefer to stand. Why deny them that choice?

Seats sell out quickly, and I believe there's no financial support for terracing - that's if there still is financial support for new stands.

The likelihood is that any new stand would have rail-seating these days to be honest so whoever goes in there would have the choice.

[Ihearye]

For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

Why seats? The people who go in the PRE prefer to stand. Why deny them that choice?

Seats sell out quickly, and I believe there's no financial support for terracing - that's if there still is financial support for new stands.

The likelihood is that any new stand would have rail-seating these days to be honest so whoever goes in there would have the choice.

I never understand that concept of rail seating. I want to sit, so why would i ever take the option of going into a stand with rail seating. Does it really offer seating for those that want to sit with an unobstructed view? Modern day oxymoron

[Si Robin]

The only time I've been in a stand with it was at Derby last season.

My uncle sat for the whole of the second half and he didn't seem to be put out by the view.

[paperboy]

Last nights special on Shrewsbury Town takeover going down the plughole.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kxp ... are-mobile

[Ihearye]

The only time I've been in a stand with it was at Derby last season.

My uncle sat for the whole of the second half and he didn't seem to be put out by the view.

So you purchase a seat, in this case your uncle, in the knowledge that the people in front of you can be standing and there is nothing you can do about it ? If that is how it works, I still fail to see it as a solution for those that want a seat

[Si Robin]

I'm testing my memory, and I have slept since then, but I think the rake of the stand was such that those stood on the row in front weren't in the way of those sitting.

[Ihearye]

I'm testing my memory, and I have slept since then, but I think the rake of the stand was such that those stood on the row in front weren't in the way of those sitting.

Thats fair enough. Do they supply oxygen for those taking on the climb!!

[horlickfanclub]

Thanks. That would have been mid 1970’s, so 50 years ago. Must admit I always thought they were local? Where were they from?
Our club then of course bears very little resemblance to CTFC in 2025.
Another director I recall round that time was Colin Badger who was connected with manager Dennis Allen.

They had a building company who built Hambrook Park Estate.They were not local but had that connection. Eventually liquidated that Company. Colin Badger was a friend of theirs from Berkshire area. The club has moved on but I just thought it was interesting how long the Gloucestershire interest had survived.
It will be interesting to see who buys Yeovil and Shrewsbury. Maybe the Shrewsbury prospective buyer pulled out to buy a much nicer club . If the ground gets redeveloped here by the interested party we may be travelling to Worcester in a few years time for the temporary ground share.

The rumours seem to be that the person interested in Shrewsbury was the ex-Wycombe owner who has turned attentions towards Reading instead. Same guy tried to buy Reading training facilities when at Wycombe.



Also why do you presume we would ground share with Worcester rugby, surely Kingsholm would be a better choice? I can't see us ground sharing whilst new stand is built and David Bloxham said we would like do the home end first in anticipation of a new main stand. For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

My reference to Worcester City was a random thought about the Worcester City connection with our interested buyer. Not based on any fact but at least its got a discussion going.

[Jerry St Clair]

For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

Why seats? The people who go in the PRE prefer to stand. Why deny them that choice?

Seats sell out quickly, and I believe there's no financial support for terracing - that's if there still is financial support for new stands.

The likelihood is that any new stand would have rail-seating these days to be honest so whoever goes in there would have the choice.

There’s no financial support for any stands outside non-league.

Rail-seating is only for clubs expecting to play in Europe/Premier League/Championship. Unless we think we are going to become an established Championship club (clubs get three years to convert terraces to seats or rail seating) then I’d say a modern, “traditional” terrace would be better.

I’ll reiterate, seats may sell quickly, but that doesn’t mean we should deny the 1000+ of loyal fans who want, and actively choose, to stand the opportunity to do so.

[Robin]

Those with good memories will recall that Bristol Rovers were going to groundshare with us at Whaddon Rd about 20 years ago when there was a very strong possibility that Rovers were considering having a major ground refurb.
It didn’t happen, but how many other football stadiums are up to EFL Standard now and near enough to make it viable if we do have to move out for a while?

Presumably Kingsholm would qualify but unsure if they have any segregation? Never been to Worcester rugby other than driving past it so no idea there seems a smaller but more modern rugby ground.

Swindle undoubtedly the closest viable football ground.

[Robin]

For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

Why seats? The people who go in the PRE prefer to stand. Why deny them that choice?

I prefer standing too but the reality is seats generate more money and we have a shortage in the ground. The ideal solution is we build 2500 seater and make say 500 safe standing in the back rows.

[Shade]

What's wrong with sharing with our friends up the hill?

Not that I think we'll be ground sharing anywhere. Surely even if we had just two stands available at one time (which we wouldn't) it's more financially viable to play at home than share somewhere else where we'd have to pay and have a smaller "home" attendance?

[art vandalay]

Terracing is at the very heart of the game, I think we’d be crazy to completely remove the option. I never choose to sit at any game and, if I have to buy a seat, always try for the back row so I can stand. I’m pretty sure safe standing is being trialled at some big clubs, I think Shrewsbury also added some terracing the other year, it’s common & very popular in some countries on the continent, especially Germany where it’s a massive part of the fan culture, and even places like the US have twigged on to this and promote it as a way to help develop fan culture.

[Robin]

Terracing is at the very heart of the game, I think we’d be crazy to completely remove the option. I never choose to sit at any game and, if I have to buy a seat, always try for the back row so I can stand. I’m pretty sure safe standing is being trialled at some big clubs, I think Shrewsbury also added some terracing the other year, it’s common & very popular in some countries on the continent, especially Germany where it’s a massive part of the fan culture, and even places like the US have twigged on to this and promote it as a way to help develop fan culture.

How many clubs have built a terrace in the last decade? How many clubs in league one have a terrace (I can think Bristol Rovers, Posh and Exeter). Whilst I prefer to stand myself it's just not the way forward as seating generates more revenue and appeals to the 'new' football consumer.

Rail seating seems to be the happy middle ground which is what Derby and Shrewsbury have,

[Jerry St Clair]

I don’t understand your logic Robin. Do you want rail seating so it can be a mix of people standing and sitting? That just wouldn’t work and would lead to conflict between fans.

Rail seating areas are effectively standing areas. The seats are a sop to regulatory requirements in higher leagues than were like to get to in the forseeable.

I see no sense in building an expensive rail seating stand at the PRE. Much better to build a better modern terrace (like the ones at Morecambe which are pretty new).

[Artemis]

Build enough seats in a new / rebuilt main stand, and there is no issue with an upgraded terrace behind the goal.
There's little chance we'll be in the championship for long enough, if ever, to encounter the regulatory requirements for rail standing.

[Robin]

I don’t understand your logic Robin. Do you want rail seating so it can be a mix of people standing and sitting? That just wouldn’t work and would lead to conflict between fans.

Rail seating areas are effectively standing areas. The seats are a sop to regulatory requirements in higher leagues than were like to get to in the forseeable.

I see no sense in building an expensive rail seating stand at the PRE. Much better to build a better modern terrace (like the ones at Morecambe which are pretty new).

Building a terrace doesn't really add much that's fundamentally the problem, it doesn't increase capacity and doesn't fix that we have a lack of seats, it also doesn't bring in revenue. As said, I prefer to stand but I just can't see any club building a new terrace when it doesn't bring a return on investment and would need to be replaced if we ever reach the Championship.

[robinsrule]

Robin is right, no way in a million years would a standing terrace be built instead of a seated stand. Rail seating is a happy medium - those who want to stay seated need to go lower in the stand (where unfortunately the view is not ideal) or in the corners where there would likely be plenty of space and nobody in front.

[Artemis]

Rail seating isn't seating at all. Its standing, and there to meet the regulatory requirement in the higher echelons of the game for each spectator to have an allocated space to prevent crowd surging and over-crowding whilst permitting standing. No one sits in a railed seating area, and from what I see where it is in place, no one sits in the area in front of it either.

Its expensive. We don't need it - a new stand will surely put in enough seats to meet the occasional unsatisfied demand that we currently have. And we don't need it to meet the regulations we're ever likely to encounter for a prolonged period.

[robinsrule]

Actually I agree with you, I’d just put in normal seats. Borussia Dortmund have rail seating for the yellow wall where capacity is 81,000 with standing and 67,000 for internationals where the seats are utilised.

[Fuller]

There are club ownership, funding, land and water issues to resolve before anything happens at the PRE.
Give it about three years and we can discuss the design then.

[asl]

I dunno...more like we'll just be resurrecting this thread in three years time - after all, I'm pretty sure we discussed it three years ago, and three years before that...

[Ihearye]

I dunno...more like we'll just be resurrecting this thread in three years time - after all, I'm pretty sure we discussed it three years ago, and three years before that...

Am just surprised raising the roof of the speedy skips has never been mentioned

[Fuller]

I dunno...more like we'll just be resurrecting this thread in three years time - after all, I'm pretty sure we discussed it three years ago, and three years before that...

Am just surprised raising the roof of the speedy skips has never been mentioned

Drawings were produced five years ago

[Wellwisher]

I've been in "Safe Standing" areas loads of time and you stand throughout, otherwise you'd never see. (Though it's nice to get a sit-down at H-T)

Basically it's a way for the top clubs to offer standing, yet comply with games which have to be all-seater, eg European games (you can bolt the seats down in place).

A couple of stipulations in England/Wales: 1. The ratio of seats to standing has to be 1:1 (In Germany they permit 1:1.8); 2. If you offer SS to home fans, you have to do the same for away fans (possibly to stop away fans choosing/managing to infiltrate home area SS?).

Anyhow, from reading this thread, if CTFC's most pressing problem is lack of adequate seating, then imo SS is not the way to go, instead just build a conventional seated stand.

P.S. To get back on topic, I'm not at all familiar with Ms Seppala/Coventry, but I cannot believe CTFC are seriously considering taking her on board, since the whole Coventry/SISU saga was one total sh1t-show for years and years. And even if she wasn't directly responsible with her part in it, neither did she manage to resolve it satisfactorily, either. Reach for the barge-pole, I'd say.

[Red Duke]

For exanple build a 2500 seater stand behind the goal then a 4000 seater main stand and it's job done.

Why seats? The people who go in the PRE prefer to stand. Why deny them that choice?

Surely, it would be built with a safe standing area that can be quickly converted into seating if required.