| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment 10:25 - Sep 23 with 1974 views | LA_Tractor_Boy |
Obviously MA has already said the Cobbold Stand redevelopment is part of the medium to long-term plan, but I really can't see it being necessary unless we're established in the PL for 3+ seasons.
Looking at the ticketing site, there are plenty of non-RV seats available for Charlton and the club are struggling to sell tickets for the existing hospitality areas. Even the Norwich fixture still has availability.
If the numbers add up, then putting a new roof on the West Stand, adding the 4,000 seats MA mentioned and getting rid of all the RV seats is all that is required IMO.
Has anyone heard any more about these plans for the West Stand? |  | | |  |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:28 - Sep 23 with 1841 views | MattinLondon |
It’s not necessary in terms of capacity it’s but it’s an aging stand which will need replacing.
I haven’t heard anything regarding it’s development - think it’ll be extended/replaced/modernised if we were to yo-yo for the next few seasons between the top two divisions. [Post edited 23 Sep 11:22]
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:52 - Sep 23 with 1678 views | Cheltenham_Blue |
I think people get a bit over concerned with the number of seats.
The real head turner is non-matchday revenue. The stadium really has to be earning money 360 days a year to get where we want to be through conference facilities et al.
Even apparently simple things like being able to host the end of season dinner at PR instead of Millsoms gives us an advantage.
It’s not a given we’ll wait to be ‘established’ in the Prem. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:55 - Sep 23 with 1640 views | SitfcB |
It’s not just about extra seats though.
Stand isn’t really fit for purpose.
Prices are ridiculous now as well, that will be putting people off.
Go back up again and we’ll sell out quickly again. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:55 - Sep 23 with 1634 views | stonojnr |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:28 - Sep 23 by MattinLondon |
It’s not necessary in terms of capacity it’s but it’s an aging stand which will need replacing.
I haven’t heard anything regarding it’s development - think it’ll be extended/replaced/modernised if we were to yo-yo for the next few seasons between the top two divisions. [Post edited 23 Sep 11:22]
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Which is fine and understood by most people, but there were other people last season demanding we demolished half the ground and built some monster new stand immediately because they couldn't get a ticket instantly to every game they wanted.
Those of us with experience of this stuff said, just wait and see and rebuild the stands when necessary. | | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:58 - Sep 23 with 1596 views | BlueDouglas |
10 min queue for a pee at half time! Needs sorting |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:59 - Sep 23 with 1570 views | Mat |
The stand simply isn’t fit for purpose anymore - anyone who uses it knows that . The view is good but getting into it, circulating when inside it and attempting to use any facilities means it’s conference league at best. | | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:01 - Sep 23 with 1548 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:52 - Sep 23 by Cheltenham_Blue |
I think people get a bit over concerned with the number of seats.
The real head turner is non-matchday revenue. The stadium really has to be earning money 360 days a year to get where we want to be through conference facilities et al.
Even apparently simple things like being able to host the end of season dinner at PR instead of Millsoms gives us an advantage.
It’s not a given we’ll wait to be ‘established’ in the Prem. |
You make a point
I went to the club shop on the weekend when visiting family and its a bit annoying that ( is it burleys bar?) Wasn't open for a drink and a meal. I do think the club are missing a trick there. It wouldn't bring in thousands but something had just finished on the old practice pitch and there were a large number of people there, they could have had a fair few popping in for lunch etc. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:29 - Sep 23 with 1328 views | BasingstokeBlue |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:58 - Sep 23 by BlueDouglas |
10 min queue for a pee at half time! Needs sorting |
Not to mention the hand-basin water availability. Quite often, they only turn it on at the end of the match. Occasionally, it’s also on at half-time. And very rarely is it available before the match.
Most unhygienic.  |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:33 - Sep 23 with 1289 views | Basuco |
One plan I heard was to add another tier to the West stand, move Cobbold fans over and completely rebuild the Cobbold. No def info or time scale, it might even be one of a number of possible plans. |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:36 - Sep 23 with 1249 views | Guthrum |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:29 - Sep 23 by BasingstokeBlue |
Not to mention the hand-basin water availability. Quite often, they only turn it on at the end of the match. Occasionally, it’s also on at half-time. And very rarely is it available before the match.
Most unhygienic. |
Should do like Ewood Park, where you can rinse your hands on the pitch. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:37 - Sep 23 with 1237 views | BasingstokeBlue |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:36 - Sep 23 by Guthrum |
Should do like Ewood Park, where you can rinse your hands on the pitch. |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:47 - Sep 23 with 1155 views | CityBlue |
Everyone focuses on the Cobbold but what I heard was very different.
Phase 1 - Build another tier on the West Stand
Phase 2 - Move seat holders from Cobbold to West
Phase 3 - Rebuild Cobbold stand
This plan has biggest increase in capacity whilst minimising impact to fans |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:48 - Sep 23 with 1145 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:33 - Sep 23 by Basuco |
One plan I heard was to add another tier to the West stand, move Cobbold fans over and completely rebuild the Cobbold. No def info or time scale, it might even be one of a number of possible plans. |
This was said by MA in one of his interviews earlier this year | | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:50 - Sep 23 with 1133 views | bournemouthblue |
Hadn't MA said they would reprofile the top tier of the West Stand prior to a Cobbold redevelopment? |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:52 - Sep 23 with 1114 views | bournemouthblue |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:33 - Sep 23 by Basuco |
One plan I heard was to add another tier to the West stand, move Cobbold fans over and completely rebuild the Cobbold. No def info or time scale, it might even be one of a number of possible plans. |
I get the impression redoing the top tier and extending it with a new roof is the plan
They'll look at the Cobbold after that | |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:05 - Sep 23 with 995 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
I think that many people don't get that all of these improvements are an investment for our growth and where the club wants to be by 2030+. Ideally all needs to be in place before then, and prior to us becoming an established PL club.
It's an investment for the future, all helping to contribute to our revenue generation potential, and therefore value of the club.
It makes sense to cause much of this disruption before demand completely outstrips supply again (as it was last season). Etc.
There is also, as others have mentioned, the incidental benefits. A hotel that will generate a new revenue stream, and all-year round conference facilities. Parking fees from a new, large, seven story car park (Town would presumably get the revenue from that, since the declared plans are that Town will buy the land that it will be built on). | | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:08 - Sep 23 with 972 views | Vic |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 11:36 - Sep 23 by Guthrum |
Should do like Ewood Park, where you can rinse your hands on the pitch. |
Not so healthy for the players as they slide through your hand rinsed water though, and in so doing send it flying into the crowd. Not a lot of infection control. Mind you, Lineker would have appreciated such a wet pitch back in the day1 |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:08 - Sep 23 with 972 views | OldFart71 |
Whilst there are obviously fans that would go if tickets were available we have to take into account the days of Marcus Evans where we were lucky on some occasions to get 15-20,000 through the turnstiles.
Football as with many things seems to be cyclical where teams have their day and then fade into relative obscurity.
We are fortunate that the backing of the club is there and that the days of redeveloping the North and Churchmans won't have the same impact today with the development of a Cobbold Stand as it did previously.
But some day, hopefully in the distant future there will come a day when Gamechanger and Co will cash in their chips and at that stage it will depend on who takes over and who is Manager, CEO etc. | | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:17 - Sep 23 with 906 views | DarkBrandon |
Saying there are "plenty" of non-RV seats is overstating things somewhat.
There are some, but not that many with a good view. |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:38 - Sep 23 with 775 views | bournemouthblue |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:05 - Sep 23 by SuffolkPunchFC |
I think that many people don't get that all of these improvements are an investment for our growth and where the club wants to be by 2030+. Ideally all needs to be in place before then, and prior to us becoming an established PL club.
It's an investment for the future, all helping to contribute to our revenue generation potential, and therefore value of the club.
It makes sense to cause much of this disruption before demand completely outstrips supply again (as it was last season). Etc.
There is also, as others have mentioned, the incidental benefits. A hotel that will generate a new revenue stream, and all-year round conference facilities. Parking fees from a new, large, seven story car park (Town would presumably get the revenue from that, since the declared plans are that Town will buy the land that it will be built on). |
Ipswich Borough have plans for a multistory at Portman Road, I can't believe they would give that to the Football Club
They are looking to sell Grafton House though, I do wonder if the Football Club would be interested in that | |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:58 - Sep 23 with 549 views | Deano69 |
Oddly, it is probably best any redevelopment is while we have spaces and not got 100% sell out (especially from the visitors point of view that use that stand.
They have tried their best with doing what can be done with the stand with improvements. But it really does need improvement in seating spacing, toilets and hospitality boxes. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 13:12 - Sep 23 with 448 views | Churchman |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 10:28 - Sep 23 by MattinLondon |
It’s not necessary in terms of capacity it’s but it’s an aging stand which will need replacing.
I haven’t heard anything regarding it’s development - think it’ll be extended/replaced/modernised if we were to yo-yo for the next few seasons between the top two divisions. [Post edited 23 Sep 11:22]
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The big question for me is what is the core support level? From what is being said about ticket sales now we are struggling, maybe the capacity we have is more than enough and not the 33k - 35k I thought we needed when we were doing well.
Our core support under Duncan was 8k. That increased to 12k by the time of Burley and 16k 10 years ago under Mick. Now? Taking out the fair weather Johnny come latelys who will all be gone if we don’t progress my guess is core support is 23k. A big increase over the years tbf.
If this pessimistic assessment is correct, we certainly don’t need to replace the East (Cobbold, Portman formerly Chicken Run) stand. Just give it a lick of paint and try and bung a few more toilets in, even if it means taking out some seats. Perhaps the rubbish restricted view ones at the top and turn it into a bar area?
The only problem with this doom laden alternative offering is that an increase in capacity allows the club to attract more children and their parents in - the clubs future support and far more important than the likes of me.
Replacement also offers the possibility of more events and hospitality and the ability to use the ground all year round. It’s dreadfully under equipped albeit characterful and charming in its way. It’s also well located.
An interesting conundrum. In all seriousness I cannot see that stand being redeveloped beyond a basic cheap makeover unless we are established in the Premier League (I can dream) so one is looking at what, minimum 5 years time?
This is a deliberately provocative post purely for discussion and views. |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 13:20 - Sep 23 with 381 views | Illinoisblue |
It has to happen so may as well get on with it. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 13:33 - Sep 23 with 303 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 12:38 - Sep 23 by bournemouthblue |
Ipswich Borough have plans for a multistory at Portman Road, I can't believe they would give that to the Football Club
They are looking to sell Grafton House though, I do wonder if the Football Club would be interested in that |
How does that make sense though, if Town own the land it's built on? The details of the plans announced late last year indicated that the council would sell the land the current car park off Portman Road to the club, for the club to build the new multi story car park.
So town pay for, and own, the land and pay to build the car park. Then the council get the car park fees? Seems unlikely. | | | |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 13:38 - Sep 23 with 263 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Cobbold Stand Redevelopment on 13:12 - Sep 23 by Churchman |
The big question for me is what is the core support level? From what is being said about ticket sales now we are struggling, maybe the capacity we have is more than enough and not the 33k - 35k I thought we needed when we were doing well.
Our core support under Duncan was 8k. That increased to 12k by the time of Burley and 16k 10 years ago under Mick. Now? Taking out the fair weather Johnny come latelys who will all be gone if we don’t progress my guess is core support is 23k. A big increase over the years tbf.
If this pessimistic assessment is correct, we certainly don’t need to replace the East (Cobbold, Portman formerly Chicken Run) stand. Just give it a lick of paint and try and bung a few more toilets in, even if it means taking out some seats. Perhaps the rubbish restricted view ones at the top and turn it into a bar area?
The only problem with this doom laden alternative offering is that an increase in capacity allows the club to attract more children and their parents in - the clubs future support and far more important than the likes of me.
Replacement also offers the possibility of more events and hospitality and the ability to use the ground all year round. It’s dreadfully under equipped albeit characterful and charming in its way. It’s also well located.
An interesting conundrum. In all seriousness I cannot see that stand being redeveloped beyond a basic cheap makeover unless we are established in the Premier League (I can dream) so one is looking at what, minimum 5 years time?
This is a deliberately provocative post purely for discussion and views. |
OK, I'll bite 
If you take a positive view (and the club's ambitions are high), then you have to ask yourself what you think seat demand will be as an established club in the PL by 2032.
If you believe we will achieve this, then you need the infrastructure in place before you get to that point. The disruption (and loss of revenue) will be far higher if you try to undertake much of these development during high demand. If the investors will fund it, butter to do it sooner, rather than later. | | | |
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