If we lose the court case vs Sainsburys then what should we do with the Mem? The UWE stadium will happen regardless of what the result is in court. Should we still look to get rid of the Mem and get as much money as possible (although money doesnt seem to be an issue now). Or Should we keep the Mem and turn it into our training base and use it for developement/youth games? Obviously if we do this then major changes will need to be made at the Mem like maybe knock down the East stand and turn it into a Gym and fitness centre for the squad. Keep the West stand for the changing rooms and the terrace for the public to watch training and developement games. Can make changes in the North and South stands for whatever is needed at a training ground. What do you think?
I'd go with a form your 2nd opinion CJS, & keep within the original "deed" of a sports facility on the site.
Rather see sport on the Mem than houses, they could possibly use it for non league cup finals, I think they still play for the Les Phillips Cup which should give local footballers the chance to play on a quality surface for their special footballing times
Apart of me wants to sale the Mem to someone that will piss off the locals more and would wish they didnt stop Sainsburys when they did
These were the artist impressions of The New Mem I do like the idea of this as we will be staying in are heart land but that said we desperately need a newly built stadium if we want to progress please log in to view this image
Pity we cant have both, we could then use it as a training pitch / under 18s match pitch and really annoy the Sainsbury's dissenters at the same time
We own a lot of the houses too apparently. They can be used to put up new players while they are finding their own place. Or for loanees.
It would be nice to retain the Mem but it certainly won't happen. It's worth a lot as a development site and that money will go towards the UWE Stadium. UWE is a perfect place for a stadium - loads of parking, unbeatable transport links etc. I'd almost given up on it after the court cases etc, but now I'm excited again as Wael has stated we will now get it regardless of the outcome of the appeal. Exciting times to be a Gashead!
Wael has said he is in talk with UWE with other things too. I think there is another plot of lan that he wants to use. Maybe a big hotel??? I dont think he is happy though with the agreement of the land for the stadium regarding the lease. Think he wants to buy it out-right. We will soon find out all these details though. I do like the fact that Wael is checking everything regarding the stadium and not trusting the plans that the previous chairman set up. That is very sensible. I also like that Wael wants to improve the commercial side of us. Bradshaw wasnt the best was he with this! I wonder what will happen with regards to our normal process of the shirt sponsor. The club has been for some weeks now collecting money from companies wishing to be sponsors next season. I think Wael may refund the money and get someone he wants and for a lot more money. Also I wonder if he will use the Errea brand. Or will he scoup a bigger brand which will get more money.
I hope he stays with the local companies even if it is not main sponsor as it generates a lot of good feeling, and that type of spin off is priceless
I wonder Gashead79 whether he has friends who would like to get their name known in this country who will pay a little more for the honour of having their brand on our shirts
Thats what im thinking old timer. Also I wonder if he will be negotiating the naming rights of the stadium. If he can sell the rights then thats more money coming in meaning more spending money for DC. He should be looking to sell the naming rights for each stand for the same reasons. It would be great if they called stands after former legends like the Bruce Bannister stand for example. But we need to be trying to get more income in.
I remember a young player who I believe died of some form of cancer, I think his name was Mickey Barrett, it would be nice if they could remember players like him with possibly some form of award to our up and coming stars of the future, there was also another winger called Andrew Evans who I believe sustained a broken ankle against Southampton which finished his career
In the plans for UWE they were going to be doing something for 'fallen gasheads'. Like a little garden area or memorial area. We dont know yet what they were going to do but they were going to do something. When I say fallen gasheads, I mean gasheads who have passed away who never got to see the dream. I know for a fact that Higgs was really keen on this idea. Now Higgs is gone, Wael says he knows all about us gasheads and he is one now himself, will he understand the sentiments behind the idea of something for our fallen fans? I hope so.
I went to Micky Barrett's posthumous testimonial for his family in Eastville - 1984 I think it was. He was a good little player Micky - would be good to remember him and others at the new stadium.
