I think those extensions have been done by someone having a play with Google Sketchup. The cool looking one though has the google satellite around it so shows roads and other buildings etc. Can't see where there is a roda or anything else being a problem. It can only be a problem due to light for flats etc IMO. Andy
If you remember, Lowe has St Marys built with the design potential to have the Chapel, Northam and Kingsland stands expanded, the first two being twice as high, but cannot remember how much the Kingsland can realistically be extended by. Such an extension to the two stands behind the goals would bring capacity to near the 45,000 mark, the wuestion then is how much of that could we realistically fill in the Prem? Our support base has been constant in numbers (though of course attendances have not been, though I think they are very good) for a while, but then again a larger stadium may attract more fans. If you, for example, live in Fareham, or Locks Heath, or even Winchester, the choice between Southampton and Portsmouth as football clubs is relatively close. St Marys and our larger crowds however definately give us an advantage in attracting support, however. Therefore is we were to one day extend the ground to rival that of many major Premier League powers, it is not entirely unfeasible to suggest that in the decades to come, our fan base could increase, not from within the city (the number of replica shirts of Premier League sides as opposed to Saints shirts is very low for an English city, well compared to the ones I have visited) but form the Hampshire provinces. Portsmouth's stature in the Football League would be irrelevant, as even now our support (though diluting over distance) stretches up to Salisbury, west to Bournemouth, and east to, errr, Titchfield. Just a theory.
It would be a strange idea with us having moved only 10 years ago, although I suppose it's not out of the questioning. I wonder where we would move to though, considering all the issues that happened when we tried to relocate before. I would also find it strange having seen saints play in 3 stadiums, haha.
I swear that he mentioned it once. The Stadium isn't in the best position TBH. Don't know why we didn't go ahead with the plans where it was going to get build in Eastleigh.
Far too expensive to move to another stadium, unless a large price is raised on present land. Can't see it! Do you want to move to Milton Keynes?
did markus buy the piece of land that corbett bought for us which the club bought off him over the years? theres more than enough space for a stadium there, though would be interesting to see what people would think having the stadium outside the city borders.
I heard somewhere that the extension would cost as much as building a new ground anyway due to altering the current stadium to accommodate the extra weight etc.
We always had good gates in the Premiership, but didn't always fill the ground. Too early to think of it anyway, but not sure there is a desperate need for extension at this stage.
IMO st marys was always too small and showed a lack of ambition from Lowe. Remember when we were in the prem? If i remember rightly we used to sell out, or close to sell out, most weeks. I think the lowest attendance i ever remember in the prem was about 28000 against the relegation teams. I think in the premiership the fan base would definitely be there for atleast 40000, perhaps more when teams like Man Utd are in town. A 45000 stadium (similar size to Man City's ground) would also greatly enhance the club's reputation and fill even more seats
Jackson's farm was an asset of the club, so yes, it now belongs 100% to Saints (Liebherr's estate). The land itself is west of Hedge End on the north side of the M27. About 40 acres, but its deemed as agricultral, so no building is allowed there at this time. It's value was only based upon the govt allowing development of housing in green belt areas, something that's gone well away in the current economic climate. I think a housing company took a long term option on the land, but it lapsed a year or two ago. The club would never build a stadium there.
Given the opportunity I am sure Saints management would look to develop a brand new site and incorporate business, hotel and leisure facilities to increase the income and also provide all year round income and not just stick a stadium up which is used so little in real terms Look at the Ricoh with a business centre, exhibition halls, casino etc - upscale and you have the future
