Jacksons Farm

[100%Red&White]

We do not have the fanbase to fill a 55,000 seater stadium. I suspect if we got to the Premiership, we would only fill it once or twice a season

 

Yeah but they said "The Best Fans In the WorldTM" wouldn't fill their 21,000 seater ground but they did, eventually, once or twice. When their first billionaire Mandick took them over they were getting 5 or 6,000, slowly, very slowly, their gates went up and by the time they reached the Premiership they were getting a mighty (by their standards) 16-17,000 home fans on an almost regular basis.

 

 

 

 

 

40k will do us for the Prem though

[John B]

Sounds pretty ridiculous to me TBH. Would rather stay at SMS, where I can get the train in to Central, have a few beers in Bedfords, go to the game, have a few more beers in the Old Fat Cat, then wander back to the station.

 

I agree with you - my brother and I walk to the pub have a couple of beers and then walk to Highfield where a I then drive home .

 

Dont fancy a Stadium like Wycombe's or Reading miles away from the town centre

[John B]

One thing is 100% certain, Cortese wants to either extend St Mary's OR relocate somewhere else.

 

He admitted as such in interview.

 

I think we should get to the Premier League First and see if we can stay there

[saint_stevo]

Hedge End not in Southampton any more then? I better notify my bank

[Matthew Le God]

I think we should get to the Premier League First and see if we can stay there

 

A stadium would take years to get through development and construction stages. By the time it is constructed Saints may be in the Premiership. If you only start planning for it once you get in the Premiership then you would have to make do with a 32k stadium in the Premiership for a number of years during construction and planning stages.

 

With the new rules about spending from UEFA, the more money Saint's generate the better the team on the pitch will be. A new stadium would help Saints stay there, especially if Liebherr pays for it like the Brighton chairman has with Falmer.

[Arizona]

I agree with you - my brother and I walk to the pub have a couple of beers and then walk to Highfield where a I then drive home .

 

Dont fancy a Stadium like Wycombe's or Reading miles away from the town centre

 

Yes. Went to Colchesters new ground in January. Worst away game of the season. Apart from yet another sh*te game against Colchester, not helped by Hoofroyd taking over, their ground was just a soulless, aircraft hanger of a stadium.

[Matthew Le God]

Yes. Went to Colchesters new ground in January. Worst away game of the season. Apart from yet another sh*te game against Colchester, not helped by Hoofroyd taking over, their ground was just a soulless, aircraft hanger of a stadium.

 

The location of a stadium in a city centre or the outskirts has no bearing on this. That is entirely down to the design of the stadium and the fans present at the game.

[Arizona]

The location of a stadium in a city centre or the outskirts has no bearing on this. That is entirely down to the design of the stadium and the fans present at the game.

 

I wasn't refering to the noise the fans can and can't make. It's more the fact that it's just a big building in the middle of nowhere. No pubs nearby, no signs of life within half a mile of the ground.

[Matthew Le God]

I wasn't refering to the noise the fans can and can't make. It's more the fact that it's just a big building in the middle of nowhere. No pubs nearby, no signs of life within half a mile of the ground.

 

If it is true and they want to build a large stadium in the middle of nowhere, it'll be packed with food/drink outlets and possibly associated leisure businesses surrounding the site.

[Matthew Le God]

I've got to say I'd prefer a high class stadium at Jackson's farm designed for purpose - rather than bolting on an expansion to an already 10 year old St Mary's where compromises would be made in the design.

[stevegrant]

I've got to say I'd prefer a high class stadium at Jackson's farm designed for purpose

Of course, St Mary's has never fallen into that category...

[Bensfcno1]

How and Why do we own this? and how much land do we own? I remember reading somewhere a while back but I cant remember the answer! Thanks!

[Matthew Le God]

Of course, St Mary's has never fallen into that category...

 

St Mary's was never "state of the art" no matter what Rupert Lowe said. Not even in 2001 when constructed. Let alone today!

 

It is also too small for a Saints team with investment and ambition behind them in the Premiership. Saints have never had good investment behind them. If they invest in the team whilst in the Prem it will attract fans. Even with Lowe in charge and not investing in the team, the club was averaging 30k.

 

You also missed the rest of my post...

 

I've got to say I'd prefer a high class stadium at Jackson's farm designed for purpose - rather than bolting on an expansion to an already 10 year old St Mary's where compromises would be made in the design.

 

It is sometimes much easier to start from scratch than to make compromises due to what is already in place.

Edited 14 June, 2010 by Matthew Le God

[DT]

Could this be to apply pressure and panic Southampton City Council into allowing expansion plans at St Mary's?

[Arizona]

St Mary's was never "state of the art" no matter what Rupert Lowe said. Not even in 2001 when constructed. Let alone today!

 

It is also too small for a Saints team with investment and ambition behind them in the Premiership.

 

You also missed the rest of my post...

 

 

 

It is sometimes much easier to start from scratch than to make compromises due to what is already in place.

 

What exactly is SMS missing that we need to build a new stadium for? It's hardly Steaua Bucharest.

[Matthew Le God]

What exactly is SMS missing that we need to build a new stadium for? It's hardly Steaua Bucharest.

 

New UEFA rules mean the clubs with the biggest turnovers will be those likely to be challenging. There is lots missing from St Mary's in terms of potential revenue streams. Just compare it to the Emirates or Tottenham proposed stadium.

 

Something like this would create alot of revenue...!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXm2XuXPk6g

[Minsk]

oh and Hedge End is in Southampton ;-)

 

I always thought Hedge End was in The Royal Borough of Eastleigh?

 

Of course, this still means it has a SO postcode.

 

As for the rumour of the new stadium, I won't even bother talking about it until if/when it is more than just a rumour.

[ottery st mary]

It would be helpful if the new stadium could be built near Exeter Airport.....

 

Might inconvenience a few of you ...but I am the most important person here.

[Matthew Le God]

As for the rumour of the new stadium, I won't even bother talking about it until if/when it is more than just a rumour.

 

Expansion or relocation is definitely being planned for.

[stevegrant]

St Mary's was never "state of the art" no matter what Rupert Lowe said. Not even in 2001 when constructed. Let alone today!

Despite being given an "elite" rating (the highest possible) by UEFA?

 

It is also too small for a Saints team with investment and ambition behind them in the Premiership.

Aside from the fact that the top division hasn't been called the Premiership for at least two years, you're kidding yourself if you think we've got a fanbase that could consistently fill more than we have at present, investment or no investment. Any money invested into the football club will be with a view to earning a return on it, there won't be any money chucked at things without a clear idea of how it's going to earn more money for Liebherr further down the line.

 

It is sometimes much easier to start from scratch than to make compromises due to what is already in place.

That may be the case, but it seems to me like it's "ambitious" posturing for the sake of it. Jackson's Farm is in an inaccessible location miles away from anywhere with one road in and out. Given how much of an absolute nightmare the Rose Bowl is, with crowds of about 3-4,000, relocating to Jackson's Farm would be an unbearable situation.

 

What is more likely is that Jackson's Farm has been earmarked for a development sale, which will enable Liebherr to get a sizeable return on his investment quite early. I certainly wouldn't begrudge him that, after all he rescued us from oblivion a year ago and it's not as if we've been using that land since we've owned it...

[theyin]

is it so hard to open a station at SMS and get on the bandwagon by reducing the clubs carbon footprint? We have great train links and come on, we'd have to have won 3 Premierships and a CL to be getting in a regular 55K. If the extended SMS can hold 54K, that'll be more than enough....unless a few seasons after liquidation the blue few start taking up the colours. Southampton FC should stay in the city. A large city with a successful club is supposed to have a few jams every other week. Why change the habit of a lifetime?

[capitalsaint]

is it so hard to open a station at SMS and get on the bandwagon by reducing the clubs carbon footprint? We have great train links and come on, we'd have to have won 3 Premierships and a CL to be getting in a regular 55K. If the extended SMS can hold 54K, that'll be more than enough....unless a few seasons after liquidation the blue few start taking up the colours. Southampton FC should stay in the city. A large city with a successful club is supposed to have a few jams every other week. Why change the habit of a lifetime?

 

i think the point is that SMS doesn't generate revenue except for on match-days, which will hinder profitability in the long run. Whether it's at Jacksons Farm or a reclaimed area near the stadium, we will need to have other revenue streams to be able to compete.

[aintforever]

Wasn't planning permission for a few houses on Jackson's Farm refused?

 

I think if we get back to the Prem increasing SMS' capacity is a good idea, even building a new ground (around the 45k size) could be a great idea. But the idea of a 55,000 stadium in Hedge End is up there with pompey's floating potty in terms of being a non goer.

[ponto1963]

After the fun & games of getting in and out of Wembley, St. Marys is a doddle. All it needs is the Train station to be working right by it on game days. And maybe a Multi story carpark at the old TV studios.

[theyin]

ML uses financial clout to spread sideways to the river buying up the gravel co(sorry employees but sure it could be relocated somewhere along the river), Britannia Rd gets diverted under the stadium, tat part of the the waterside begins its regeneration - job done

[Arizona]

New UEFA rules mean the clubs with the biggest turnovers will be those likely to be challenging. There is lots missing from St Mary's in terms of potential revenue streams. Just compare it to the Emirates or Tottenham proposed stadium.

 

Something like this would create alot of revenue...!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXm2XuXPk6g

 

I don't know about a lot of revenue. I can't see there being that much demand for what is basically, the Chapel End with a big garage door accross the goal line. It would certainly take a fair few boxing matches and er... NBA games to pay off a £100m odd stadium.

[View From The Top]

ML uses financial clout to spread sideways to the river buying up the gravel co(sorry employees but sure it could be relocated somewhere along the river), Britannia Rd gets diverted under the stadium, tat part of the the waterside begins its regeneration - job done

 

I'm sure the area, town side of the bridge, is all earmarked for re-development as that's where it's planned for the new indoor ski thingy to go.

[saint_stevo]

Build it in Hedge End, and then all back to mine for Muffins and Twinnings after the game

[trousers]

Where does the monkey chicken petting zoo fit into all this?

 

Come on someone.....dig out that infamous sketch....you know you want to.... :-)

[bridge too far]

Regardless of the pros and cons of a new stadium at JF, surely the bottom line is this.

 

Would ML would make more money by selling SMS (did someone mention c £20m?) and developing land he already owns? What are the build costs of a new stadium?

[La BoIS Saint]

If it is true and they want to build a large stadium in the middle of nowhere, it'll be packed with food/drink outlets and possibly associated leisure businesses surrounding the site.

All you are going to get is **** like Kfc and McD, and the usual crappy chain restaurants and bars. Nothing with any soul at all. Will totally ruin the whole point of going to the game.

[saintwarwick]

It would be helpful if the new stadium could be built near Exeter Airport.....

 

Might inconvenience a few of you ...but I am the most important person here.

 

Just get Arizona to fly you in from Exeter, you could both watch the game then he could fly you home again. :wink:

[Matthew Le God]

All you are going to get is **** like Kfc and McD, and the usual crappy chain restaurants and bars. Nothing with any soul at all. Will totally ruin the whole point of going to the game.

 

I goto St Mary's to enjoy watching a game of football.

Edited 14 June, 2010 by Matthew Le God

[stevegrant]

What are the build costs of a new stadium?

A hell of a lot more than they were 10 years ago.

[SuperMikey]

I'm not in favour of a stadium move personally. I don't think there's any point in leaving a stadium that we've only played in since 2001 and cost us a complete packet, leading us into administration in the process. There's the scope to extend to 54k at SMS, as has been said before in this thread, and I think that's the way forward. We'd certainly get bigger crowds if there was easier access to the stadium as well, and imo the way to do that is to build a platform on the train line. As somebody who generally travels on the train when I go to games, it can be a bit of a b1tch walking to the stadium through the city centre, especially when it's full of shoppers etc. which it quite often is at the weekends. A simple station/platform would mean that people could go straight to the stadium and if the industrial land around the stadium was developed as well then it would be the perfect opportunity for restaurants, bars, pubs etc to tempt in the fans. It's a win/win situation imo, and it would probably be cheaper than designing, developing, building and maintaining a brand new World Class stadium in Hedge End.

[landford.saint]

A stadium would take years to get through development and construction stages. By the time it is constructed Saints may be in the Premiership. If you only start planning for it once you get in the Premiership then you would have to make do with a 32k stadium in the Premiership for a number of years during construction and planning stages.

 

With the new rules about spending from UEFA, the more money Saint's generate the better the team on the pitch will be. A new stadium would help Saints stay there, especially if Liebherr pays for it like the Brighton chairman has with Falmer.

 

I think you will find that the Falmer Stadium is being built with a £95 million LOAN from their chairman. Fancy being landed with debt nearly that of Skatesmuff. No thank you.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I think we need to be up in the 45,000 area in terms of a Stadium.Whether that means redevoloping SMS or starting afresh somewhere is down to the experts. In a perfect world I would like the area around SMS devoloped and the ground extended/knocked down to start again. I can see us getting left behind, if in 10 years time we only have a 32,000 capacity.We have a massive catchment area and a great owner, let's build on it and push onto the next level.

[70's Mike]

Just read this and imo it will not happen, Eastleigh Council proved with Stoneham they do not like football.

As someone else said the road access is very poor, ffom the M27 and even worst coming off the Botley to Fair Oak road.

[John B]

As we have a squad at the moment which is unlikely to be competive in the Premier League I think we should sort out the team first before thinking of spending millions on a bigger stadium

[Matthew Le God]

As we have a squad at the moment which is unlikely to be competive in the Premier League I think we should sort out the team first before thinking of spending millions on a bigger stadium

 

The two are intertwined and with new UEFA rules will be even more so in future years. If Liebherr really plans to back the club maybe he will do both without the club incurring debt.

[Toomer]

My choice would be stay where we are, purchase and develope some of the water front area and Central Trading Estate, this could be a way of the club helping Southampton get some of that much talked about WOW factor.

[Redondo Saint]

I do

[JustMike]

I do

 

 

you do what?

[Saint_clark]

Won't happen.

[Jonnyboy]

I think it is Hedge End Way

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=jackson+farm+hedge+end&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=jackson+farm&hnear=Hedge+End,+Southampton,+Hampshire&view=text&ei=LQ8WTOrqFNL_4AbVu4C6DA&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CB0QtQMwAA

 

Not very convenient I would have thought if that is the place

 

outside the M27?

 

too near Pompey im afraid ;-)

[Wes Tender]

Just read this and imo it will not happen, Eastleigh Council proved with Stoneham they do not like football.

As someone else said the road access is very poor, ffom the M27 and even worst coming off the Botley to Fair Oak road.

 

You're wrong about Stoneham being EBCs fault, but I just can't be arsed to go over all of that ground again. But at least you're right that there is no way that they'd allow the stadium to be at Jackson's Farm.

[Block 5]

Another Jackson's Farm thread?

Surely Michael's family will have the final say?

[krissyboy31]

My choice would be stay where we are, purchase and develope some of the water front area and Central Trading Estate, this could be a way of the club helping Southampton get some of that much talked about WOW factor.

 

Get the feeling that there is not enough land around the stadium fringes and the trading estate for what Cortese has in mind.

[Junction 9]

Why do people assume that by having a 32k stadium we are going to be "left behind"? Where are the figures to base this on?

The club is 125 years old this year and until SMS we did ok never topping 32K. Exactly what clubs ar going to be leavng us behind and where do you think they'll be getting this swell of support from?

A 55k staduim for a city the size of Southampton is quite ridiculous regardless of how we're doing. As for having it in an area out of town like Bolton, no thank you.

[Matthew Le God]

Why do people assume that by having a 32k stadium we are going to be "left behind"? Where are the figures to base this on?

 

Because Saints should be aiming to be around 8th-12th in the Premier League. With a capacity of 32k it will mean the club when it gets back to the top flight is likely to be a along way from the 8th-12th largest stadium in England. Same with actual average attendances. 32k simply isn't big enough as shown by the average attendances whilst Lowe was in charge.