| Cobbold Stand redevelopment 17:24 - Jan 29 with 7728 views | dominiciawful |
When the Cobbold Stand is eventually rebuilt, how much could that add onto the capacity of Portman Road?
Also, does anybody know if they will install “safe standing” at PR at any point? |  |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:29 - Jan 29 with 6170 views | blueprint |
Safe standing is a strange one. I don’t believe it adds to the capacity so it’s nothing like the good old days. I would imagine you still would get allocated a standing position using the seat number. |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:40 - Jan 29 with 6113 views | mattyhollandsirish |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:29 - Jan 29 by blueprint |
Safe standing is a strange one. I don’t believe it adds to the capacity so it’s nothing like the good old days. I would imagine you still would get allocated a standing position using the seat number. |
Indeed. There seems to be a lot of chat about safe standing being some kind of "silver bullet" which will immediately improve any perceived atmosphere issues.
Given you'd still have an allocated seat which you stand at, (which is what the North stand does anyway) then struggling to see how it will make any difference.
There seems to be a misunderstanding that safe standing means a free for all of stand where you like. |  | | |
| I'm looking forward to it happening.... on 17:43 - Jan 29 with 6083 views | Bloots |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:40 - Jan 29 by mattyhollandsirish |
Indeed. There seems to be a lot of chat about safe standing being some kind of "silver bullet" which will immediately improve any perceived atmosphere issues.
Given you'd still have an allocated seat which you stand at, (which is what the North stand does anyway) then struggling to see how it will make any difference.
There seems to be a misunderstanding that safe standing means a free for all of stand where you like. |
....purely to watch everyone realise exactly that, wonder what all the fuss was about and then whine about it for weeks.
"Hold on, this is exactly the same as it was before!" |  |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:52 - Jan 29 with 6028 views | DJR |
Even if they weren't allow to encroach on Portman Road, I imagine a double-decker stand like SBR would add at least 5,000. |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:00 - Jan 29 with 5983 views | OldFart71 |
Used to be a regular in the old North Stand. Not so sure I could stand for 90 minutes now. The Cobbold opened in the season 1970-71 and believe it or not I went to PR that day and spoke to Sir Bobby. Said to him "Nice stand, now all you have to do is fill it" He was with Cyril Lea and the came out where the tunnel is now. Of course it was open then and he asked me if I would do a job for him. Thinking no more about it I was then on my way out and he said will you do me a favour ? I said "What do you want me to do" Bobby said " My wife wants a french stick" So I went with him from PR in a big black car towards Town. Turned right at the old St. Mathews Baths roundabout towards where the set of traffic lights are near the Heart foundation shop, neither of which were obviously there then. Half way between the roundabout and the first set of traffic lights I got out of the car, ran across to, I believe it was Tooks climbing over the wall in the centre of the road. Went into Tooks, got the french stick and Bobby had gone around and come back past M&S which wasn't pedestrianized then stopped outside Tooks and I gave him the french stick through the passenger window. As for redevelopment or whatever they do I think 35,000 would be the kind of capacity I'd aim for. | | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:03 - Jan 29 with 5959 views | Ftnfwest |
Though a relatively small structure, the cobbold holds about 7000 I think. A new stand around the size of SBR along the side would add 2-3000 I would think. Pioneer is about 9000 isn’t it? So a new one would be about the same I’d guess. |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:08 - Jan 29 with 5899 views | DJR |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:00 - Jan 29 by OldFart71 |
Used to be a regular in the old North Stand. Not so sure I could stand for 90 minutes now. The Cobbold opened in the season 1970-71 and believe it or not I went to PR that day and spoke to Sir Bobby. Said to him "Nice stand, now all you have to do is fill it" He was with Cyril Lea and the came out where the tunnel is now. Of course it was open then and he asked me if I would do a job for him. Thinking no more about it I was then on my way out and he said will you do me a favour ? I said "What do you want me to do" Bobby said " My wife wants a french stick" So I went with him from PR in a big black car towards Town. Turned right at the old St. Mathews Baths roundabout towards where the set of traffic lights are near the Heart foundation shop, neither of which were obviously there then. Half way between the roundabout and the first set of traffic lights I got out of the car, ran across to, I believe it was Tooks climbing over the wall in the centre of the road. Went into Tooks, got the french stick and Bobby had gone around and come back past M&S which wasn't pedestrianized then stopped outside Tooks and I gave him the french stick through the passenger window. As for redevelopment or whatever they do I think 35,000 would be the kind of capacity I'd aim for. |
Great story. | | | |
| I'm looking forward to it happening.... on 18:22 - Jan 29 with 5797 views | HARRY10 |
| I'm looking forward to it happening.... on 17:43 - Jan 29 by Bloots |
....purely to watch everyone realise exactly that, wonder what all the fuss was about and then whine about it for weeks.
"Hold on, this is exactly the same as it was before!" |
It is something that is guranteed to over excite the not too bright' and the yoof (not mutually exclusive.
At the moment it is a case of 'rules are for the guidance of the wise, and the obedience of fools' ie let sleeping dogs lie
Those who want to stand do and those that do not don't. Fans at pretty much every other all seater have sorted themselves out as to where to stand or sit.
Any money available would be far better spent elsewhere in the ground. | | | |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:23 - Jan 29 with 5791 views | BrianTablet |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:08 - Jan 29 by DJR |
Great story. |
The best baguette-based fooball anecdote I've heard. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:27 - Jan 29 with 5772 views | DJR |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:23 - Jan 29 by BrianTablet |
The best baguette-based fooball anecdote I've heard. |
Including a mention of Tooks which I've not heard of for years. | | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:36 - Jan 29 with 5708 views | xrayspecs |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:03 - Jan 29 by Ftnfwest |
Though a relatively small structure, the cobbold holds about 7000 I think. A new stand around the size of SBR along the side would add 2-3000 I would think. Pioneer is about 9000 isn’t it? So a new one would be about the same I’d guess. |
Subject to being able to get permission to extend back over the road, it should be possible to build a 10-12000 seater stand to replace the Cobbold. A similar sized stand could eventually replace the Magnus. That could take us up to around 33-37k stadium capacity.
Would cost a lot of money though and not an immediate priority I would imagine. | | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 19:27 - Jan 29 with 5388 views | Guthrum |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:40 - Jan 29 by mattyhollandsirish |
Indeed. There seems to be a lot of chat about safe standing being some kind of "silver bullet" which will immediately improve any perceived atmosphere issues.
Given you'd still have an allocated seat which you stand at, (which is what the North stand does anyway) then struggling to see how it will make any difference.
There seems to be a misunderstanding that safe standing means a free for all of stand where you like. |
The only difference being that you'd legally be allowed (indeed forced) to stand, rather than stewards theoretically being obliged to ask you to sit down, lest the club be fined. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 19:38 - Jan 29 with 5308 views | jontysnut |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:40 - Jan 29 by mattyhollandsirish |
Indeed. There seems to be a lot of chat about safe standing being some kind of "silver bullet" which will immediately improve any perceived atmosphere issues.
Given you'd still have an allocated seat which you stand at, (which is what the North stand does anyway) then struggling to see how it will make any difference.
There seems to be a misunderstanding that safe standing means a free for all of stand where you like. |
I suppose it means you can bounce up and down to your hearts content without annoying the bloke behind and without someone from 10 seated rows above you landing on your head when we score |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 20:27 - Jan 29 with 5072 views | Ftnfwest |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 18:36 - Jan 29 by xrayspecs |
Subject to being able to get permission to extend back over the road, it should be possible to build a 10-12000 seater stand to replace the Cobbold. A similar sized stand could eventually replace the Magnus. That could take us up to around 33-37k stadium capacity.
Would cost a lot of money though and not an immediate priority I would imagine. |
Yep I don’t think we’d ever really need more than about 35k even if successful in prem. the bigger stand would always be like ly to be a pioneer replacement | | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 20:33 - Jan 29 with 5042 views | TheBoyBlue |
It needs rebuilding purely because it is rather outdated and a proper rebuild that goes with the Sir Bobby and Sir Alf stands (rather than the separate entity it is now) would hopefully help with acoustics and atmosphere. They would be daft not to increase the capacity whilst they were at it, especially if things are going well. However, 35,000 would be most realistic. I wouldn't want to end up with something like the Stadium of Light where even when 25,000-30,000 are in it looks sparse. | |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:05 - Jan 29 with 4933 views | PioneerBlue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 20:33 - Jan 29 by TheBoyBlue |
It needs rebuilding purely because it is rather outdated and a proper rebuild that goes with the Sir Bobby and Sir Alf stands (rather than the separate entity it is now) would hopefully help with acoustics and atmosphere. They would be daft not to increase the capacity whilst they were at it, especially if things are going well. However, 35,000 would be most realistic. I wouldn't want to end up with something like the Stadium of Light where even when 25,000-30,000 are in it looks sparse. |
When it does happen it’s going to be pretty disruptive to the crowd numbers and location for those displaced unless they can do something like build over/around existing structure. | |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:19 - Jan 29 with 4844 views | TheBoyBlue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:05 - Jan 29 by PioneerBlue |
When it does happen it’s going to be pretty disruptive to the crowd numbers and location for those displaced unless they can do something like build over/around existing structure. |
Absolutely right. I guess this will also filter into their thought processes about when to do it. Will have to plan it very carefully. If they were to go across Portman Road they could build the back bit, a little like Liverpool are currently doing with Anfield Road and then complete as much as possible over the summer, but you're right, it would probably be impossible to avoid considerable disruption. | |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:20 - Jan 29 with 4842 views | Churchman |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 20:33 - Jan 29 by TheBoyBlue |
It needs rebuilding purely because it is rather outdated and a proper rebuild that goes with the Sir Bobby and Sir Alf stands (rather than the separate entity it is now) would hopefully help with acoustics and atmosphere. They would be daft not to increase the capacity whilst they were at it, especially if things are going well. However, 35,000 would be most realistic. I wouldn't want to end up with something like the Stadium of Light where even when 25,000-30,000 are in it looks sparse. |
Agree with this. Access is poor by todays standards, legroom isn’t great and it’s 50 years old.
Not going to happen for some years, even if we progress up the leagues. |  | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:21 - Jan 29 with 4828 views | TheBoyBlue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:20 - Jan 29 by Churchman |
Agree with this. Access is poor by todays standards, legroom isn’t great and it’s 50 years old.
Not going to happen for some years, even if we progress up the leagues. |
Yep, think Gamechanger will be keen to ensure that full houses are a norm for at least a couple of years before considering it. | |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:24 - Jan 29 with 4778 views | ghostofescobar |
3. Unless they build it bigger, in which case, upwards of 4. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:35 - Jan 29 with 4708 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:21 - Jan 29 by TheBoyBlue |
Yep, think Gamechanger will be keen to ensure that full houses are a norm for at least a couple of years before considering it. |
Was thinking about this the other day..... Would we actually need fullhouses before they consider doing it? how much potential £'s are they missing out on with the layout of the stand, ( hospitality, bars etc)
with the potential of concerts etc over the season with a desso pitch, I could see them doing it earlier than most probably would expect them to. |  |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:55 - Jan 29 with 4624 views | TheBoyBlue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 21:35 - Jan 29 by FrimleyBlue |
Was thinking about this the other day..... Would we actually need fullhouses before they consider doing it? how much potential £'s are they missing out on with the layout of the stand, ( hospitality, bars etc)
with the potential of concerts etc over the season with a desso pitch, I could see them doing it earlier than most probably would expect them to. |
Possibly, hadn't thought about it from that perspective. It is really rather overdue. But I can't see it happening before we were in the Premier League. Whenever that may be. | |
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 22:02 - Jan 29 with 4591 views | Harlestonblue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 20:33 - Jan 29 by TheBoyBlue |
It needs rebuilding purely because it is rather outdated and a proper rebuild that goes with the Sir Bobby and Sir Alf stands (rather than the separate entity it is now) would hopefully help with acoustics and atmosphere. They would be daft not to increase the capacity whilst they were at it, especially if things are going well. However, 35,000 would be most realistic. I wouldn't want to end up with something like the Stadium of Light where even when 25,000-30,000 are in it looks sparse. |
Having sat in the Cobbold yeserday my observations are:
1. Very noisy; it was a great atmosphere
2. A good view
3. A bit cramped without much legroom
4. The concourse was absolutely heaving at half time (too crowded)
5. It took a very long time to exit the stand
6. Its been a great stand for ITFC which many will associate with the successful Bobby
Robson era
7. It has largely served its purpose and now needs replacing with a sleek grandstand,
better facilites and more legroom. Not forgetting a more spacious concourse
8. We need to expand the PR capacity | | | |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 22:49 - Jan 29 with 4413 views | bournemouthblue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 17:52 - Jan 29 by DJR |
Even if they weren't allow to encroach on Portman Road, I imagine a double-decker stand like SBR would add at least 5,000. |
They had previously drawn up plans for a redevelopment of the Cobbold, I believe the plans were in Sheepshanks office at some point
Whether they are up to modern specs or whether Ashton given his experience in this field would go with that, is another matter.
I believe it was similar to the North Stand design but higher because of the corporate boxes involved, the numbers on that took capacity up to something like 36 - 37k
I don't know whether it's doable or whether they would consider it but wrapping the stadium round the corner from the South, may trap some of the sound into the stadium, of that's something they would consider, having similar height roofs would also mean sound from the North doesn't end up over the top of the Cobbold.
I know in the Premier League, there were plans to replace the West Stand roof with a lighter structure to let more light into the stadium as well, whether that removed the pillars would be interesting to know. [Post edited 30 Jan 2023 1:30]
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| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 22:59 - Jan 29 with 4352 views | norfsufblue |
| Cobbold Stand redevelopment on 22:02 - Jan 29 by Harlestonblue |
Having sat in the Cobbold yeserday my observations are:
1. Very noisy; it was a great atmosphere
2. A good view
3. A bit cramped without much legroom
4. The concourse was absolutely heaving at half time (too crowded)
5. It took a very long time to exit the stand
6. Its been a great stand for ITFC which many will associate with the successful Bobby
Robson era
7. It has largely served its purpose and now needs replacing with a sleek grandstand,
better facilites and more legroom. Not forgetting a more spacious concourse
8. We need to expand the PR capacity |
Point 4 shows the age of the stand for sure... back in the 70's you could get served your bevvies and go back to your seat and drink on view of the pitch. It was also a huge development when compared to the existing other stands at the time. I suppose most of the available space is taken up by " hospitality ".... what any new development on that side of the pitch really needs is a pre match bar Open to all, I do remember the days when any season ticket holder could use the centre spot and it was great! |  | | |
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