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Seen discussions of whether much of the rebuilding of the Cobbold could be completed whilst keeping much of the existing capacity intact for a period to to avoid the 3 sided atmosphere issues that caused Town problems in rebuilding the end stands.
Much like the Anfield Road stand at Liverpool where the 7000 lower tier get going as the upper tier was replaced with a whopping 9000 capacity:
Well I stumbled across this photo from the rebuild of the Pioneer back in there day, where it seems we followed a similar tactic:
I’m sure much of the surrounding works could be completed whilst the Cobbold still functions, but not sure its tier configuration quite lends itself to ‘doing a Liverpool’.
Any historians out there remember if the old west stand/pioneer was out of action for portions of a season? Before my time.
Knocking it down and starting again would cause so many issues with reduced capacity and atmosphere. I’m sure they will ‘do a Liverpool’ as you have suggested. Those 2 stands look great.
Does anyone else think that with the training ground work not starting yet they may have had a re-think and that they may do the stand first?
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 07:35 - Jun 12 with 8827 views
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 07:26 - Jun 12 by EssexBloo
Knocking it down and starting again would cause so many issues with reduced capacity and atmosphere. I’m sure they will ‘do a Liverpool’ as you have suggested. Those 2 stands look great.
Does anyone else think that with the training ground work not starting yet they may have had a re-think and that they may do the stand first?
No the training ground will go ahead I'm sure. The new Cobbold will be in the design stage and given then go ahead once safety is assured. They'll do a cost analysis about flattening the Cobbold or building over. I'm sure the latter is possible but it adds to the cost and slows building work too.
This is all guesswork. My dad worked for the company that did the Pioneer stand and I would get in free when the concrete was down. Loved seeing the tweet above.
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 07:35 - Jun 12 by leftback
I’m pretty sure it’s a no go, the cobbold will need to be flattened and start again
I would tend to agree. The fact that there is an intention to alter the route of the road to make it curved indicates an intention for a new footprint, which would mean starting again. The size and age of the Cobbold would surely make it an unlikely candidate to support a huge new edifice with a substantial capacity. And this is all about capacity.
It's a big headache either way. I'd love to see Portman Road evolve with the times and have the best of both worlds: big and shiny, but in its historical home. But what we don't want is for stadium upgrades to cause difficulties for the team for a third time. The Pioneer was a disaster for the team ("sold a team and built a stand" - see link at bottom), and the end stands, although a marvellous improvement, did cause us problems in terms of the atmosphere at games. Impossible to know how it impacted results, but we did go from hero to zero quite quickly.
There are lots of logistical problems and it'll be interesting to see how they do it. Ashton is right to temper expectations of it being done imminently. Maybe it's something to do as and when we become more established in the Prem. But that of course is getting carried away. One step at a time.
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:00 - Jun 12 by HighgateBlue
I would tend to agree. The fact that there is an intention to alter the route of the road to make it curved indicates an intention for a new footprint, which would mean starting again. The size and age of the Cobbold would surely make it an unlikely candidate to support a huge new edifice with a substantial capacity. And this is all about capacity.
It's a big headache either way. I'd love to see Portman Road evolve with the times and have the best of both worlds: big and shiny, but in its historical home. But what we don't want is for stadium upgrades to cause difficulties for the team for a third time. The Pioneer was a disaster for the team ("sold a team and built a stand" - see link at bottom), and the end stands, although a marvellous improvement, did cause us problems in terms of the atmosphere at games. Impossible to know how it impacted results, but we did go from hero to zero quite quickly.
There are lots of logistical problems and it'll be interesting to see how they do it. Ashton is right to temper expectations of it being done imminently. Maybe it's something to do as and when we become more established in the Prem. But that of course is getting carried away. One step at a time.
There will definitely be a new footprint! There's no way that a new stand can be built on top of the existing stand's existing structure. The idea is that the top section of a new stand is is built on new foundations behind the existing stand, and that once that work is more or less complete the existing stand is removed and the new lower tier(s) added to the new stand.
The old west stand was in use throughout the Pioneer build. I used to stand on the terrace at the North end of it near the old half-time scoreboard. Probably clear from the picture but all they did at the end was strip the roof off the old stand and joined the old and new with some boarding, creating the space where the exec boxes are finally being finished this summer..a 42 year build finished!!!! So they built through 81-82, then joined it all together in the summer and job done. I think they started stripping the roof off about Easter and the last few games it was exposed to the elements but memory might be playing tricks as the terrace had no roof anyway. The same was done with Churchmans 20 years later.
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:14 - Jun 12 with 8543 views
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 07:35 - Jun 12 by leftback
I’m pretty sure it’s a no go, the cobbold will need to be flattened and start again
Would the likely amount of asbestos and ACMs in the Cobbold perhaps prevent its use during building works as well?
The roof looks to be asbestos cement, and it wouldn't surprise me if the internal areas of the stand are absolutely riddled with the stuff as well.
I assume that, if works went on above/behind, there would be a risk of damage being caused to the current stand, and asbestos being released. So perhaps H&S would dictate how the exercise is approached anyway?
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:13 - Jun 12 by WubbleU
The old west stand was in use throughout the Pioneer build. I used to stand on the terrace at the North end of it near the old half-time scoreboard. Probably clear from the picture but all they did at the end was strip the roof off the old stand and joined the old and new with some boarding, creating the space where the exec boxes are finally being finished this summer..a 42 year build finished!!!! So they built through 81-82, then joined it all together in the summer and job done. I think they started stripping the roof off about Easter and the last few games it was exposed to the elements but memory might be playing tricks as the terrace had no roof anyway. The same was done with Churchmans 20 years later.
I was wondering about this only the other day when looking at photos to try to understand where the new press area is going to be, and assumed that must have been the case looking at the odd double lower tier of the existing stand - that was obviously the old West Stand in it's entirety before the Pioneer was 'added' over and behind it and then joined up (before my day!)
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:00 - Jun 12 by HighgateBlue
I would tend to agree. The fact that there is an intention to alter the route of the road to make it curved indicates an intention for a new footprint, which would mean starting again. The size and age of the Cobbold would surely make it an unlikely candidate to support a huge new edifice with a substantial capacity. And this is all about capacity.
It's a big headache either way. I'd love to see Portman Road evolve with the times and have the best of both worlds: big and shiny, but in its historical home. But what we don't want is for stadium upgrades to cause difficulties for the team for a third time. The Pioneer was a disaster for the team ("sold a team and built a stand" - see link at bottom), and the end stands, although a marvellous improvement, did cause us problems in terms of the atmosphere at games. Impossible to know how it impacted results, but we did go from hero to zero quite quickly.
There are lots of logistical problems and it'll be interesting to see how they do it. Ashton is right to temper expectations of it being done imminently. Maybe it's something to do as and when we become more established in the Prem. But that of course is getting carried away. One step at a time.
Agree that the Cobbold can' be rebuilt - its a dreadful stand that is way too cramped and bars etc inadequate, so it just has to go. Which really does present a problem. I would guess that even with a tailwind it's at least 7 or 8 months to demolish and replace, so if you started in early May you wouldn't be able to use it until January. And with ground capacity reduced to about 22k, we would still have to offer 2,200 seats to away fans, so less than 20k home seats. It's a helluva conundrum to solve. Could we consider doing a ground share for the first half of a season with them up the road?
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:21 - Jun 12 by LegendofthePhoenix
Agree that the Cobbold can' be rebuilt - its a dreadful stand that is way too cramped and bars etc inadequate, so it just has to go. Which really does present a problem. I would guess that even with a tailwind it's at least 7 or 8 months to demolish and replace, so if you started in early May you wouldn't be able to use it until January. And with ground capacity reduced to about 22k, we would still have to offer 2,200 seats to away fans, so less than 20k home seats. It's a helluva conundrum to solve. Could we consider doing a ground share for the first half of a season with them up the road?
I would rather ground share with a London team in all fairness. Not saying this because Norwich are our rivals but more from the point of view that all the required facilities will be in place.
I asked Mark Ashton about the part-build idea as I'd heard it mentioned by Portman Road insiders and he confirmed it's something they're thinking about. With the Pioneer Stand, the lower tier of the old stand remained as part of the new structure.
Ashton: Never a Perfect Time to Rebuild a Stand8th Dec 2023 15:34 Town CEO Mark Ashton has revealed that it’s possible that the club could look to start building the new Cobbold Stand behind the existing structure.5
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:29 - Jun 12 with 8418 views
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:21 - Jun 12 by LegendofthePhoenix
Agree that the Cobbold can' be rebuilt - its a dreadful stand that is way too cramped and bars etc inadequate, so it just has to go. Which really does present a problem. I would guess that even with a tailwind it's at least 7 or 8 months to demolish and replace, so if you started in early May you wouldn't be able to use it until January. And with ground capacity reduced to about 22k, we would still have to offer 2,200 seats to away fans, so less than 20k home seats. It's a helluva conundrum to solve. Could we consider doing a ground share for the first half of a season with them up the road?
Not a serious suggestion but we could do a Spurs and hire Wembley for 6 months..30000+ heading down to London ever other week would be something to remember.
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:39 - Jun 12 with 8298 views
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:26 - Jun 12 by wkj
I would rather ground share with a London team in all fairness. Not saying this because Norwich are our rivals but more from the point of view that all the required facilities will be in place.
Well the West Ham stadium was built as a national stadium. Maybe that could be a possibility.
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:21 - Jun 12 by LegendofthePhoenix
Agree that the Cobbold can' be rebuilt - its a dreadful stand that is way too cramped and bars etc inadequate, so it just has to go. Which really does present a problem. I would guess that even with a tailwind it's at least 7 or 8 months to demolish and replace, so if you started in early May you wouldn't be able to use it until January. And with ground capacity reduced to about 22k, we would still have to offer 2,200 seats to away fans, so less than 20k home seats. It's a helluva conundrum to solve. Could we consider doing a ground share for the first half of a season with them up the road?
I’d allow two days for demolition and clearance if the site. Impossible! Nah
It took 39 weeks to build the Crystal Palace in 1851. It was a 990,000 square foot building so scale that into a football stand, I reckon with a bit of effort and shorter tea breaks, 3 months to build and seat it. The facilities and roof can be slapped on after.
Job done.
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:50 - Jun 12 with 8204 views
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:44 - Jun 12 by Churchman
I’d allow two days for demolition and clearance if the site. Impossible! Nah
It took 39 weeks to build the Crystal Palace in 1851. It was a 990,000 square foot building so scale that into a football stand, I reckon with a bit of effort and shorter tea breaks, 3 months to build and seat it. The facilities and roof can be slapped on after.
Job done.
Asbestos says no!
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:52 - Jun 12 with 8173 views
I would think there are a couple of issues regarding the use of the existing stand. Firstly the concrete which after all is over 50 years old and secondly the fact that the space between one level of steps and the next makes for cramped seating. It maybe would be possible to build up and over and then demolish the Cobbold. Don't know whether feasible to build over whilst during a season and then knock down and put terracing/seating in when the season is finished.
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 09:29 - Jun 12 with 7810 views
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 08:18 - Jun 12 by Zx1988
Would the likely amount of asbestos and ACMs in the Cobbold perhaps prevent its use during building works as well?
The roof looks to be asbestos cement, and it wouldn't surprise me if the internal areas of the stand are absolutely riddled with the stuff as well.
I assume that, if works went on above/behind, there would be a risk of damage being caused to the current stand, and asbestos being released. So perhaps H&S would dictate how the exercise is approached anyway?
Yup, I reckon asbestos is throughout the stand, the material of the time! Major job getting that off safely. As long as the iconic lettering stays on the front edge I'm happy to see it go, fond memories and a great back drop to team pictures from my childhood!
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Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 09:57 - Jun 12 with 7623 views
Talking about ‘doing a Liverpool’ when rebuilding the Cobbold on 09:44 - Jun 12 by Bluespeed225
Yup, I reckon asbestos is throughout the stand, the material of the time! Major job getting that off safely. As long as the iconic lettering stays on the front edge I'm happy to see it go, fond memories and a great back drop to team pictures from my childhood!
Can’t see any asbestos in this shot. Bit of steel and concrete. Interesting pic though
The central section was built first. The end sections (orange seats for some reason) were opened in 1975.
Could it not be taken down and replaced in the same manner? Engineers and building wallahs: thoughts?
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