What you say sums up probably the best part of this news Bidley. To quote from Ali Mac's statement, "and remain at its home for the long term". It will be interesting, in these days of sponsorship and commercialism, what name will be given to the new stand. Maybe we'll be Fulhamish enough to extend our gratitude to the boss and call it the Al-Fayed. To digress, (well, just having a wee walk down memory lane ) didn't the Riverside Stand started out as the 'Eric Miller' (Lordy, Lordy !!)
Great news, lets hope things can get moving next May. How dare Councilor Botterill call my beloved Riverside Stand 'rather ugly' Yep you are right C58 it was called the Eric Miller Stand, I remember having sprained my ankle playing football, I sat down for the first time in the stand for the famous Lincoln game.
Good news indeed. Speaking as somebody who works for a Council and close to planning, I know how vexed and political these things can be. Mind you some of us can remember when the Riverside was just terraceing. At the top was a line of flag poles with the flags of the old first division (the current Premiership). When we were relegated I remember that the club said they had not bought new flags as "We will only be in this division for one season, so it will be a waste of money." How right they were - by May the following year, we had been relegated again to the old 3rd division! The flag poles came down about then I believe!!
Brilliant. As long as it's not the Michael Jackson Stand I'm not too fussed what we call it. My money's on the Al Fayed Stand.
Commercial opportunity though to get a firm to sponsor it - Harrods would have been the top choice pre the sale - would certainly bring in some revenue.
I suppose given everything else that's happening today, it's not too surprising that our planning approval hasn't got much media coverge - a couple of paragraphs in the Standard (under a story that we're trying to 'woo' Arshavin) and which is really ironic since on Wednesday they had column inches about how the new stand would wreck boating/sailing on the Thames. Anyway here is a decent article that includes details of some of the conditions attaching (admittedly none new and not all of them) - http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/july/lbhf-approves-craven-cottage-stadium-plans/
" Cottager "I don`t know if you have any more details,such as When is the work expected to start. How long will it take. And while building work is in progress will we be vacating the ground.
The Club had hoped for earlier planning permission than has happened and indeed were intending to start work in May, rosc. The new work is going to be built on the existing Riverside Stand structure so we won't be vacating the ground and all existing seats will still be available. Given where we are now, I can't see the major works now starting until May 2013. What the Club will probably do is start earlier than that on things like re-building the river wall and sinking (if that's the right term) the pontoon out into the river. In a way it might be a blessing in that work can be phased and have more certaintity of being completed in season 2013/14 - exactly when is still a question though (the Club have never actually said publicly how long it will take). Just to repeat however we will not be moving out whatever the timescale.
I'm really happy about the new stand. It's the ideal solution for us - increases capacity and gives us some new facilities without having to move. To think of 30,000 of us cheering on our beloved Whites is just amazing! To quote Philippe Senderos on twitter: "we're getting bigger!"
Just to confirm, the new roof to the Johnny Haynes stand has been completed. Mentioning this really because, although obviously small fry in comparison to the main development at the Riverside, it was completed without fuss and to time.
The old asbestos roof had to be replaced and because of 'listed building' restrictions, it doesn't actually look different, London EC. Indeed even an attempt to replace supporting pillars and improve the view for fans wasn't allowed. As I said the post was only to confirm that everything had gone to plan and hopefully give a 'warm feeling' for the more serious development on the Riverside. An early picture of the work:
Riverside Development Schedule I understand that the Club are on the point of going out to tender with a view to starting work in January 2013. To confirm, it's not anticipated that any work carried out in-season will affect availability or access.
That's good news - starting before the end of the season, as long as it doesn't limit access, is excellent. Any word on when they expect to complete the work, Cottager? Can we expect it all to be ready by this time next year?
