| New stadium 00:02 - Mar 4 with 7096 views | textbackup |
If we are to be taken over, seen a few posts suggesting we might end up leaving Portman road, which I personally don't see happening, but whatever.
anyway got me looking at possible locations that wouldn't completely uproot us, and the best location I see is alderman park, right by the ground.
loads of open space on the outskirts of Ipswich, with direct links to the a12/14, but Alderman park wouldn't require much upheaval
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| New stadium on 08:24 - Mar 4 with 2631 views | N2_Blue |
| New stadium on 07:30 - Mar 4 by m14_blue |
Ask any West Ham fan how they feel about the ground move. |
West Ham are not the same club any more. A night game at the Boleyn was one of the best football experiences going. That has been lost forever...such a shame.
I bet there are plenty of fans that would trade their current lofty position for having their old ground back. |  |
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| New stadium on 08:51 - Mar 4 with 2595 views | captainfantastic |
It doesnt really make any sense does it? We already have a 30k stadium in a good location. If we had a rubbish 15k or something then perhaps it would make sense |  |
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| New stadium on 09:04 - Mar 4 with 2579 views | Guthrum |
| New stadium on 05:08 - Mar 4 by Churchman |
I don’t disagree with that. I love the history of the place and the memories it holds.
But change is inevitable. If the choice is between a historic place no longer fit for purpose or somewhere new, purpose built for the 21st century that accommodates what people want and maximises income streams, so be it.
Rebuild or replace the existing ground or move as a last resort would be my choice. If it had to be the latter, I don’t hear too many tears from Man City, Leicester or Southampton over the loss of their old grounds. Yes the old ones carry lots of great memories and were atmospheric but that isn’t enough. My Sunderland following friend certainly feels that way. As for West Ham, yes, gutting they’ve lost Upton Park and I’m sure they’re fans would rather have kept it and swapped places with us - not!
Just design the replacement properly. One of the things that annoyed me was that neither the old North Stand or Churchmans were redeveloped right. The north should have been done with what the stand should be in mind - a single bank acoustics taken into account. Hard with the houses behind, I know. Churchmans - Well it’s a dogs dinner really with that badly accessed upper tier perched on top. [Post edited 4 Mar 2021 5:10]
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Altho a lot of those clubs left their old grounds because they were dilapidated and/or too small (especially the latter). Portman Road may look a little uncared-for, but it's hardly either of those. Plus it does have some modernised facilities from the early 2000s rebuilding.
Also, given the land ownership and covenants on the site, I don't see the value to a buyer in moving to a new out-of-town site. Especially in the current shopping-online and working-from-home climate (which will limit the profitability of commercial add-ons). They'd have to purchase the land and pay for the building work before any returns, plus options for a cleared Portman Road site would be very limited. It's not like there's isn't already development land around there if wanted (thinking about the car parks on PR and West End Road). Don't see where the profit margin would be.
Downsizing by more than two or three thousand would be pointless, as we have still recorded 20k to 25k crowds in recent seasons (and will get more of them with success on the pitch). |  |
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| New stadium on 09:07 - Mar 4 with 2585 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
Even if we did leave, we would still have 110k rent per year to pay on the land at Portman Road.
There's no real business case to moving, the cost would be huge. 20 years ago it cost us £22m just to replace two stands.
Most of our stadium is 20-40 years old, and it holds 30,000 people.
Town centre stadiums are much better from a sustainability point of view in terms of transport, and better for the town. [Post edited 4 Mar 2021 9:10]
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| New stadium on 09:12 - Mar 4 with 2563 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 06:16 - Mar 4 by deano85 |
Same ground.
flatten the stadium, turn 90 degrees, build on current site/unused training pitch....
Not going to happen tho |
No, because there is no money in it. | |
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| New stadium on 09:17 - Mar 4 with 2552 views | Swansea_Blue |
| New stadium on 02:19 - Mar 4 by Illinoisblue |
Suffolk Showground. For that soul-less out of town experience. |
That'd be my worry - some edge of town nowhere, creating miles of traffic jams as everyone has to drive. If we were to have a new stadium it'd be good to stay in the town. There's loads of space around the ground compared to many town centre grounds, so the best spot may be where it currently is. |  |
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| New stadium on 09:17 - Mar 4 with 2550 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 02:53 - Mar 4 by clive_baker |
I can deal with most things as a fan, being sh1t on the pitch, hideous Magical Vegas sponsorship and even an owner we barely hear from, but I would be very anti moving home. The whole fabric of the club is at Portman Road. There’s something so nice about being in that historic ground that’s seen so much, all those memories and famous European nights, the highs of Premier League and European football and the lows of L1 and administration, but through it all we’re still Ipswich Town of Portman Road. The statues that sit outside, reminding us of those successful times there. Rolling off the train and seeing the lights, a few pints in town and strolling down to the ground that sits proudly in the centre of the town.
The thought of us playing in some flat pack, identikit stadium on a brownfield site on the outskirts of town fills me with dread. A huge part of West Ham died the day they moved from Upton Park. Unless we ever outgrow PR I just don’t see any need for it. It’s our home. |
This. | |
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| New stadium on 09:20 - Mar 4 with 2548 views | ElderGrizzly |
| New stadium on 09:07 - Mar 4 by Marshalls_Mullet |
Even if we did leave, we would still have 110k rent per year to pay on the land at Portman Road.
There's no real business case to moving, the cost would be huge. 20 years ago it cost us £22m just to replace two stands.
Most of our stadium is 20-40 years old, and it holds 30,000 people.
Town centre stadiums are much better from a sustainability point of view in terms of transport, and better for the town. [Post edited 4 Mar 2021 9:10]
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I suspect the prospective new owners might have a different view given their previous experiences.
Of course they aren't going to do it if there is no business case, but if they believe moving will mean a better return on their investment we will be off. |  | | |
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| New stadium on 09:20 - Mar 4 with 2543 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 05:08 - Mar 4 by Churchman |
I don’t disagree with that. I love the history of the place and the memories it holds.
But change is inevitable. If the choice is between a historic place no longer fit for purpose or somewhere new, purpose built for the 21st century that accommodates what people want and maximises income streams, so be it.
Rebuild or replace the existing ground or move as a last resort would be my choice. If it had to be the latter, I don’t hear too many tears from Man City, Leicester or Southampton over the loss of their old grounds. Yes the old ones carry lots of great memories and were atmospheric but that isn’t enough. My Sunderland following friend certainly feels that way. As for West Ham, yes, gutting they’ve lost Upton Park and I’m sure they’re fans would rather have kept it and swapped places with us - not!
Just design the replacement properly. One of the things that annoyed me was that neither the old North Stand or Churchmans were redeveloped right. The north should have been done with what the stand should be in mind - a single bank acoustics taken into account. Hard with the houses behind, I know. Churchmans - Well it’s a dogs dinner really with that badly accessed upper tier perched on top. [Post edited 4 Mar 2021 5:10]
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There's just no business case for it.
Our current ground is fit for purpose.
Two of the stands are 20 years old, and the biggest is c.35 years old.
If anything, refurbish the existing.
Liverpool are improving their existing ground rather than moving. That probably tells you all you need to know. | |
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| New stadium on 09:22 - Mar 4 with 2537 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 09:20 - Mar 4 by ElderGrizzly |
I suspect the prospective new owners might have a different view given their previous experiences.
Of course they aren't going to do it if there is no business case, but if they believe moving will mean a better return on their investment we will be off. |
They may well have a different view, but there is no business case for it.
...and I suspect no planning case either.
As I said below, if Liverpool would rather improve their existing ground than move to a new development, that probably tells you all you need to know.
The whole "let's all move to a retail park" model, is very 1990's. | |
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| New stadium on 09:25 - Mar 4 with 2528 views | ElderGrizzly |
| New stadium on 09:22 - Mar 4 by Marshalls_Mullet |
They may well have a different view, but there is no business case for it.
...and I suspect no planning case either.
As I said below, if Liverpool would rather improve their existing ground than move to a new development, that probably tells you all you need to know.
The whole "let's all move to a retail park" model, is very 1990's. |
As I said, i'll wait until they decide if there is a business case as we don't know their RoI model they are working to.
I haven't suggested an out of town model at all, but if a new stadium and related infrastructure allowed us to move up another level we would be stupid not to.
What Liverpool do has no bearing on what we do of course [Post edited 4 Mar 2021 9:25]
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| New stadium on 09:25 - Mar 4 with 2528 views | Wallingford_Boy |
I say just rebuild/sort out Portman Road where it is.
The ground is a mess, but a couple of the stands are ok, just need to redo the main ones (I say "just").
But would not want to leave that location, just wouldn't feel right. |  |
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| New stadium on 09:27 - Mar 4 with 2517 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 09:25 - Mar 4 by ElderGrizzly |
As I said, i'll wait until they decide if there is a business case as we don't know their RoI model they are working to.
I haven't suggested an out of town model at all, but if a new stadium and related infrastructure allowed us to move up another level we would be stupid not to.
What Liverpool do has no bearing on what we do of course [Post edited 4 Mar 2021 9:25]
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1. Let's see if the takeover happens at all.
2. There is no business model in building a new ITFC stadium that would help us move forward. I've no idea how people reach that conclusion. | |
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| New stadium on 09:29 - Mar 4 with 2516 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 09:25 - Mar 4 by Wallingford_Boy |
I say just rebuild/sort out Portman Road where it is.
The ground is a mess, but a couple of the stands are ok, just need to redo the main ones (I say "just").
But would not want to leave that location, just wouldn't feel right. |
Our biggest stand was built 35 years ago, a refurb would be fine.
Just to remind everyone, the building of the pioneer stand led to a huge decline in the club's finances and performance... as did the building of two new stands in c.2000.
Learn from experience. [Post edited 4 Mar 2021 9:29]
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| New stadium on 09:30 - Mar 4 with 2526 views | itfcjoe |
I just don't see any need to move stadium, ours is too big for us already, and the perfect size if we were to compete in the Premier League.
Portman Road is now shut to traffic, the car park has sat for years with the council trying to build on it and getting nowhere, there is the training pitch, and as you say Alderman Road rec, plus the only think used there is the bus depot.....
There could be a massive redevelopment of the area for a fraction of the cost of a stadium build, if we needed to you could knock down one of the side stands and rebuild it to bring in more from corporate side etc.
But we don't own the land so there is nothing to sell - and just need to improve transport links for cars a bit and it is job done.
There's really no benefit to moving, before you even look at history and how integral a part of the town I love's fabric it is, what reason is there to move? What can't be done at the existing site that can be done elsewhere? Moving to Copdock won't attract more fans. |  |
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| New stadium on 09:31 - Mar 4 with 2506 views | ElderGrizzly |
| New stadium on 09:27 - Mar 4 by Marshalls_Mullet |
1. Let's see if the takeover happens at all.
2. There is no business model in building a new ITFC stadium that would help us move forward. I've no idea how people reach that conclusion. |
I don't know your background of course, but I'm punting a group of investors may have thought this through and if they think there is, then i'd trust they have done their workings.
Of course, the takeover has to go through first.
And for what it's worth I can't see us moving anyway. I was more just debating the options.
I can't see how they make money without us being in the PL. | | | |
| New stadium on 09:32 - Mar 4 with 2500 views | Scuzzer |
| New stadium on 07:23 - Mar 4 by yesjohn99 |
Build on the Heath at Martlesham. |
Where exactly? All built on or to be built on.
Be more suited to Foxhall Road rubbish tip. |  |
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| New stadium on 09:33 - Mar 4 with 2492 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 09:30 - Mar 4 by itfcjoe |
I just don't see any need to move stadium, ours is too big for us already, and the perfect size if we were to compete in the Premier League.
Portman Road is now shut to traffic, the car park has sat for years with the council trying to build on it and getting nowhere, there is the training pitch, and as you say Alderman Road rec, plus the only think used there is the bus depot.....
There could be a massive redevelopment of the area for a fraction of the cost of a stadium build, if we needed to you could knock down one of the side stands and rebuild it to bring in more from corporate side etc.
But we don't own the land so there is nothing to sell - and just need to improve transport links for cars a bit and it is job done.
There's really no benefit to moving, before you even look at history and how integral a part of the town I love's fabric it is, what reason is there to move? What can't be done at the existing site that can be done elsewhere? Moving to Copdock won't attract more fans. |
This!! And to add;
We would still have the 110k pa rental liability.
With IBC as our landlord, do we think the planning authority would support a relocation?
Nooo. | |
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| New stadium on 09:35 - Mar 4 with 2492 views | ElderGrizzly |
| New stadium on 09:30 - Mar 4 by itfcjoe |
I just don't see any need to move stadium, ours is too big for us already, and the perfect size if we were to compete in the Premier League.
Portman Road is now shut to traffic, the car park has sat for years with the council trying to build on it and getting nowhere, there is the training pitch, and as you say Alderman Road rec, plus the only think used there is the bus depot.....
There could be a massive redevelopment of the area for a fraction of the cost of a stadium build, if we needed to you could knock down one of the side stands and rebuild it to bring in more from corporate side etc.
But we don't own the land so there is nothing to sell - and just need to improve transport links for cars a bit and it is job done.
There's really no benefit to moving, before you even look at history and how integral a part of the town I love's fabric it is, what reason is there to move? What can't be done at the existing site that can be done elsewhere? Moving to Copdock won't attract more fans. |
I was saying on another thread the same thing Joe.
I'm absolutely certain the prospective owners will try and get ownership of the land again and it wouldn't surprise me if they have already sounded out the council on it.
A council strapped for cash after Covid is probably more open than anytime before.
Get ownership of the land, do something with the practice pitch area, do a deal for the car park and bus depot and they could really reinvigorate the area. | | | |
| New stadium on 09:35 - Mar 4 with 2482 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 09:31 - Mar 4 by ElderGrizzly |
I don't know your background of course, but I'm punting a group of investors may have thought this through and if they think there is, then i'd trust they have done their workings.
Of course, the takeover has to go through first.
And for what it's worth I can't see us moving anyway. I was more just debating the options.
I can't see how they make money without us being in the PL. |
Investors that you know nothing about.
...and we have absolutely no indication that a move would be part of their plans.
Remember, many investors in football clubs have been proven to implement poor strategies. | |
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| New stadium on 09:37 - Mar 4 with 2482 views | George03 |
| New stadium on 09:20 - Mar 4 by Marshalls_Mullet |
There's just no business case for it.
Our current ground is fit for purpose.
Two of the stands are 20 years old, and the biggest is c.35 years old.
If anything, refurbish the existing.
Liverpool are improving their existing ground rather than moving. That probably tells you all you need to know. |
Exactly. Rebuild/renovate the cobbald stand.
Do it when we are in lg1/champ so has less effects on the attendances.
Put a restaurant/bar in there that can be used 7 days a week. |  | | |
| New stadium on 09:37 - Mar 4 with 2486 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| New stadium on 09:35 - Mar 4 by ElderGrizzly |
I was saying on another thread the same thing Joe.
I'm absolutely certain the prospective owners will try and get ownership of the land again and it wouldn't surprise me if they have already sounded out the council on it.
A council strapped for cash after Covid is probably more open than anytime before.
Get ownership of the land, do something with the practice pitch area, do a deal for the car park and bus depot and they could really reinvigorate the area. |
Many councils prefer income to capital receipts.
They could also sell the freehold to any number of funds that buy long term income strips if they chose to do so.
You can reinvigorate the area without moving the stadium.
If anything, it just needs a refurb. | |
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| New stadium on 09:41 - Mar 4 with 2472 views | ElderGrizzly |
| New stadium on 09:37 - Mar 4 by Marshalls_Mullet |
Many councils prefer income to capital receipts.
They could also sell the freehold to any number of funds that buy long term income strips if they chose to do so.
You can reinvigorate the area without moving the stadium.
If anything, it just needs a refurb. |
That is what I suggested today and yesterday.
The proposed owners have been quoted as wanting to make money and flip us on. To me that doesn't equal a long-term investment in a stadium. | | | |
| New stadium on 09:42 - Mar 4 with 2456 views | Guthrum |
| New stadium on 09:20 - Mar 4 by Marshalls_Mullet |
There's just no business case for it.
Our current ground is fit for purpose.
Two of the stands are 20 years old, and the biggest is c.35 years old.
If anything, refurbish the existing.
Liverpool are improving their existing ground rather than moving. That probably tells you all you need to know. |
It's interesting to note that Fortuitous Partners have considerably downsized the Pawtucket FC project given the economic effects of Covid. | |
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| New stadium on 09:42 - Mar 4 with 2456 views | ElderGrizzly |
| New stadium on 09:35 - Mar 4 by Marshalls_Mullet |
Investors that you know nothing about.
...and we have absolutely no indication that a move would be part of their plans.
Remember, many investors in football clubs have been proven to implement poor strategies. |
We don't, I was just guessing as they are buying a football club, have bought into other clubs they have more experience than you.
If not, I apologise.
And absolutely, the new ownership is a huge risk. They are in it for money, not for Ipswich. | | | |
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