http://www.fansonline.net/portsmouth/article.php?id=1822 Got to say, althougth I agree, bringing in 12 new players should be at the top of CSI's priority list atm.
I have mixed feelings about a new stadium. On the one hand FP is a bit dire but it is homey and the atmosphere is brilliant. If we move/expand will we lose that.
Problem with revamping Fratton is you have to do it stand-by-stand, surely? Also, you can't really fund it by building flats/houses (which I guess we'd do if we moved), so we'd have to get someone like Tesco on board, and of course there's the issue with the land... I'd love to stay at Fratton with the pitch rotated & new stands, but I wouldn't mind a new stadium, especially if the club got the fans heavily involved.
Anyone got that picture of Fratton turned 90 degrees - looks good to me - where else in Pompey has easy train and road links. AND, didn't West Ham play at Upton Park while their work went on (mind you, they're looking to move again, so their spin was only temporary)
As a representative of Southampton Football Club, can I just say that most of our fans would like to see Fratton Park redeveloped by rotating it. Not by 90 degrees, but by 180 degrees. Although not in the plane that you might immediately have in mind.
You are such a wit, Channon. oops, I dropped the T - Twit, ah, thats better. Actually I was all for the move to Farlington because that would have been good for access/parking but understand the NIMBY aspect. Not sure that I would like a stadium dumped on my doorstep, especially if I was uninterested in sport. Incidently, if I admit such a thing, Micky C was my favourite Saints player - I once watched him in a cup game at York City and he was awsome. York were 3-1 down and pulled it back to 3-3 and then hit the bar. One of the best games I had seen in a long time. York lost the replay 3-2 or 3-1 if my memory serves me correct.
Yes, my childhood hero. Coming back to the Stadium, there is something that feels good about staying in area. I appreciate the sense of history that St Marys is sited right where it all started 125 years ago. Ialmost used the term "spiritual home"....
I'm glad it never went to either Farlington or the old airport site. It should stay where it is- in the middle of the city,close to Fratton station and about 20 pubs where generations have taken a pint or two prior and after the game. All those roads in town still provide parking for the bulk of fans on matchday. Turn the ground and long may it continue to be the icon it truly is.
The Fratton one actually looks like a Football Ground though - unlike the 'shoebox with the rounded top corner' down by The Warrior, that everyone was creaming themselves over some yonks back.......
Just a thought. If they were to rotate the ground through 90 degrees, wouldn't the midfield be a little stretched, and set pieces really important, what with the number of corners and all?
I am honoured that you felt the need to come back and check, anyway. <puzzled by over-reliance on smileys comment smilie>
If you closed FP for the duration of a rebuild or extending, would you all be prepared to go to the Amex.
