Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Right second go at starting this...last one floating in cyber space..:mad:

Went to above meeting in sports bar to have a nosey at what the plans were for improvements to the ground.

This included all the things already mentioned, police control room, spectator first aid room. But it also included alot about how the segregation will work too...

anyway I could bore you to death so best if I just see if I can recall info if you have any questions.

One thing I do know you are wanting to hear about is.....

WHERE'S THE ROOF???

Well it's not going to be done in the immediate future thats for sure... but the club line (ROB) is that it is still a priority to the club!!!! The immediate future is doing the improvements to get the ground to league standard.
This is down to the finances of the improvements that have to be done!

I did say my piece (20 witnesses to it too) when it came to question time and put forward the viewpoint that not building the roof at this time could have more of detremental financial impact on the club than the concern of the costs of building it, especially with the amount of building work that has to be done at the Clayton end. And the impact of the segregation too!

So rather than go on, if you want to ask anything I will try to answer if my memory will let me ;) or if I mess up I'ms sure a couple of others who were there will step in :p

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

So as a parent, next year I will have too choose whether to force my kids to be subject to whatever the elements will throw at us during the 2 hours on the terrace or sit in the boring(and you can bet more costly) option of the main stand.

Hereford to win every game, stanley to lose every game is my immediate thought...:( Selfish I Know....

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

So we still look for jaunty hats for next season?;)

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

So the person who pledged a grand to the club if the roof is up before easter this year will be getting thier money back then?

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

I've had a look at the Official ASFC site and at the comments and justifications for the work now in progress or scheduled.

To me , it seems totally logical and well-thought-out in accordance with fundamental management technique for prioritisation.

1) What's both ESSENTIAL and URGENT ?

2) What's ESSENTIAL but NOT URGENT ?

3) What's URGENT but NOT ESSENTIAL ?

4) What's neither ESSENTIAL nor URGENT ?

The Clayton End Roof would appear to fall into category 3 .

Some good basic management skills being correctly applied by our Directors and their Chief Executive, I'd say.

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Won't somebody think of the children?!?! :rolleyes:

There's the Whinney Hill side that is terraced and covered if you want the best of both.

And yes, it is selfish. Thankfully the people who have sweated blood for the club over the years, and continue to do so, are a a lot less selfish than you. If they hadn't have been, then we'd be nowhere near where we are now.

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Thanks for the info, HR. Did they give more details about what the bar facilities will consist of? Will it be some sort of building with chairs, tables etc or just a serving hatch?

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Yes.

It is bad enough at the moment, but at least there is the opportunity to take shelter in the side stands if the weather does turn for the worse. With segregation, it appears that once we're in the Clayton or Coppice Ends we're stuff there no matter what how the weather changes.

This wouldn't be such an issue if the Club hadn't spent the last three years reneging on their promises about their commitment to building the roof asap. :mad:

Thanks for the report, HR. Was there any mention about the others issues we have raised in the past, i.e. poor toilet facilities, underfoot conditions outside the ground? Did the Club also say anything about ground-sharing next year? The occasional Burnley Reserves games at the IES is fine, but to also have all of Great Harwood's home games played there is having a detrimental effect on the pitch that is not at all helpful to how we like to play.

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Well said TM. I'm sure I would rather Stanley be in the Football League without a roof than in the Conference with a roof. Progress has been made since Stanley reformed, remember the Crown Ground was basically a field in the beginning. We will probably visit grounds next season where away fans will not have a roof. Things can change dramatically financial wise when in the Football League. Last season Barnet and Carlisle were promoted, this season in their first season in the league, Barnet visited Old Trafford in the Carling Cup and Carlisle were at the Millenium Stadium for the LDV final generating considerable income. Who knows what will happen next season, a good FA Cup run, a good Carling Cup run, etc. We might have generated enough extra income for the roof. We would all like a roof to be there ASAP, but, let's get our priorities right. We have managed without a roof for nearly 40 years - what the rush now? Are we all getting soft or is there a core of new supporters who are not used to braving the elements. Let's stop moaning about the roof, it's not going to happen yet and nothing we say will change that, let's just look forward to playing in the Football League next season and thank all the people who have helped to make this possible, not slag them off for not providing a roof.

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

In a nutshell.. we are top of league so dont moan about facilities. Thats what your saying in a long winded way.

Me? I prefer football league and no facilities.. I will bring a flask and a brolley if I have to.... But I reserve the right to moan about no roof while I am doing it :)

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Exactly Tony, the point isn't the fact that there is no roof!

I think the point is that like when you ask "are we nearly there yet!"

The answer is always, "nearly". I'd be happy if they said "sorry we spent it on players wages & other more essential ground improvements. Money is not there at the mo, will let you know when it is"

Its also not the die hards we need to worry about, we'll be there, its the floaters. Only 1900 at Rochdale last night & they have a roof! We need more on then that to grow & move on from League 2! A roof would be a big help. But if it can't happen then fine, but I think the mutterings are only there because we were starting work in May 03, Jun 04, Aug 05 etc etc

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

At last!! :) Nail on head there...

There was no roof when I started watching stanley and I didnt complain then..

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

I agree it does seem a little churlish to whinge about the roof when we are on the verge of our greatest triumph. I personally will stand on the Clayton End in rain, snow, wind, tornadoes and more with a smile on my face, happy in the knowledge that we have achieved something I have been dreaming about (sometimes literally!) for the last 30-odd years. However, I desperately want our football league venture to be a success and for that we need more fans. Not everyone is like us die-hards - many casual spectators will simply not come if they know that they will have to brave the elements on the Clayton End, even more so now that they know they will not be able to move into the main stand or the Whinney Hill side if it does start raining midway through the match. The roof may be an expensive investment, but it is one that I believe will reap rich dividends both in terms of increased gates and improved atmosphere.

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Maybe it's simply reflecting the clubs ambitions,
Bar and first aid rooms,
VIP boxes and Lounges,
Roof on top.

Re: Ground improvements meeting tonight
 

Exactly Wynonie - that is why the roof should be considered an essential, urgent top prioriy for the start of next season, not a desirable option. How many directors would stand outside in the Accy winter weather? Any non-believers should be forced to endure what we have (choose) to just once in a while. I think priorities would soon change. It's the potential newcomers who will make or break our return to the FL.