Colinjb Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Why is everyone getting so excited over this? The original post wrongly referred to the cinder track (or whatever it is) as a running track. I don't know this jeff bloke but I'm pretty sure that he never meant that usain Bolt and 7 others could do the 100 metres on that little track down the side or the Kingsland. The fact is that SMS is not set up as an athletics stadium. What none of us know (or at least no one has said with any authority) is whether SMS could accomodate a full 8 lane 400m running track. The stadium is very wide so it might be possible. It's just wide enough, but unless the playing area and cinder track is 160+ meters long then no, it couldn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surrey1saint Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 This is a wind up...isn't it?! FFS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Why is everyone getting so excited over this? The original post wrongly referred to the cinder track (or whatever it is) as a running track. I don't know this jeff bloke but I'm pretty sure that he never meant that usain Bolt and 7 others could do the 100 metres on that little track down the side or the Kingsland. The fact is that SMS is not set up as an athletics stadium. What none of us know (or at least no one has said with any authority) is whether SMS could accomodate a full 8 lane 400m running track. The stadium is very wide so it might be possible. Actually if you read the posts someone has already posted that it's not possible, with some pretty convincing figures. I'd also point out that even if it WAS big enough to host an 8-lane blue riband international athletics event (which let's be clear, it isn't) I'm pretty sure no-one else is suggesting Redknapp was "having a pop at Saints for having a stadium that was potentially big enough to hold a running track" anyway. And that's WITHOUT a long jump pit. Looking at the stadium pic at the start of the thread, I'll reassess my guesswork regarding the width of the pitch if there was a running track from "20 yards" to "barely wider than the penalty area". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durleyfos Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 This thread is comedy gold. running track...pmsl. Could we fit a running track in if we had a pitch that was the size of a Subuteo set? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 It's not a running track, but I swear there are a couple of bus stops on the Itchen side, near the dougout, just outside the building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesfp1 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 FAIL. End of thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 It's not a running track, but I swear there are a couple of bus stops on the Itchen side, near the dougout, just outside the building. It could well be a running track but it's certainly not an athletics track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Actually if you read the posts someone has already posted that it's not possible, with some pretty convincing figures. I'd also point out that even if it WAS big enough to host an 8-lane blue riband international athletics event (which let's be clear, it isn't) I'm pretty sure no-one else is suggesting Redknapp was "having a pop at Saints for having a stadium that was potentially big enough to hold a running track" anyway. And that's WITHOUT a long jump pit. Looking at the stadium pic at the start of the thread, I'll reassess my guesswork regarding the width of the pitch if there was a running track from "20 yards" to "barely wider than the penalty area". Cross purposes I think. No way that SMS could accomodate a full athletics track and a footy pitch. Issue is wheteher it could accomodate an athletics track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 (edited) Issue is wheteher it could accomodate an athletics track. St Mary's Stadium could not handle an 8 lane 400 metre atheltics track. The field size at SMS is quoted on both the football ground guide and Wikipedia as 102 meters. An approximate distance from the front of the Chapel and Northam Stands to the field edge is circa 5 meters. Therefore the total length of space available in St Mary's can be confidently stated to be no more then 115 meters. An 8 lane 400 metre running track needs more then 160 meters of length. (My prior calculations gave lengths of either 162.5 or 167.5 meters based on conflicting data on how long the tracks front and back 'straights' are, either 80 or 85 meters.) Even if I am being far too conservative in my estimate of terrace to field distance we are still WAY off having the room. Conclusion: An athletics track would not fit in St Mary's Stadium, regardless of the football pitch. Edited 25 January, 2011 by Colinjb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Ok so you couldn't fit a running track into SMS, so would there be any chance of installing an Olympic sized swimming pool under the pitch with diving facilities strapped to the northern end - or is that technically too challenging as well...???!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 (edited) Why is everyone getting so excited over this? The original post wrongly referred to the cinder track (or whatever it is) as a running track. I don't know this jeff bloke but I'm pretty sure that he never meant that usain Bolt and 7 others could do the 100 metres on that little track down the side or the Kingsland. The fact is that SMS is not set up as an athletics stadium. What none of us know (or at least no one has said with any authority) is whether SMS could accomodate a full 8 lane 400m running track. The stadium is very wide so it might be possible. Well let's see. Using the analogy of the Olympic Stadium Row in the thread title, he said "has the running track been used?". What do you think he meant by that? He is certainly not asking if SMS can be converted to be used as an athletics stadium is he?? Otherwise why ask if the eradication of this existing "running track" can facilitate more seats? Methinks you are the only one misunderstanding the OP! Anyway, I have it on good authority that the existing running track at SMS has indeed been used for athletics. However, they had to abandon the meeting after the 400 metres when the entire field piled into the Northam Stand on the first bend. I think this is one of the reasons why true athletics venues tend to use a sweeping bend rather than a sudden 90 degree change of direction. HTH PS: Please can we add this thread to "Golden Posts"? It is definitely one of the most amusing highlights of the year so far (albeit only a month old). Edited 25 January, 2011 by kpturner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 SMS could easily house a full running track and football pitch.....just as long as they dont mind no one watching the event Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Jeff's next idea for a thread: "is the upper tier in the Northam Stand too high up to provide a good view?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Jeff's next idea for a thread: "is the upper tier in the Northam Stand too high up to provide a good view?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 The running track could be put on the roof. Does it go all the way around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 The running track could be put on the roof. Does it go all the way around. ^This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Let us have the old 440 yard track back..Soddd this metre lark.. The runners will run the opposite way round as well... We'll show the world why we drive on the left... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 I demand that the Jumping pits are at the Chapel End.. The Javelin, Hammer and Discus be thrown to the ruffians in the Northam end..... ottery behave yourself...this is a serious subject.. Anyway you always have 1 long/triple jump pit at each end in any athletics set up, so that you always run up in whichever way the wind is most favourable .Same as there's no set direction for the start/finish line, this is always based on the prevailing winds for the area the stadium is built in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Anyway you always have 1 long/triple jump pit at each end in any athletics set up, so that you always run up in whichever way the wind is most favourable .Same as there's no set direction for the start/finish line, this is always based on the prevailing winds for the area the stadium is built in. Last time I was in the Northam...Blackpool cup game....There was a lot of wind and it was everywhere.....Maybe the Pukka Pies.. There was also some hot air....Mainly that bad lad..ottery:blush:.....Back to the Chapel this week.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 It was hard for us to get any closer at The Dell. Don't get me wrong, I'd love us to be closer. But I think when the stadium was built, they considered that you need to be further back for European/International games. ....and doubtless something about safety regulations too, after previous crowd tragedies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Well let's see. Using the analogy of the Olympic Stadium Row in the thread title, he said "has the running track been used?". What do you think he meant by that? He is certainly not asking if SMS can be converted to be used as an athletics stadium is he?? Otherwise why ask if the eradication of this existing "running track" can facilitate more seats? Methinks you are the only one misunderstanding the OP! Anyway, I have it on good authority that the existing running track at SMS has indeed been used for athletics. However, they had to abandon the meeting after the 400 metres when the entire field piled into the Northam Stand on the first bend. I think this is one of the reasons why true athletics venues tend to use a sweeping bend rather than a sudden 90 degree change of direction. HTH PS: Please can we add this thread to "Golden Posts"? It is definitely one of the most amusing highlights of the year so far (albeit only a month old). I would like it known that I have seen local children in a relay race around the perimeter of the pitch (aka "running track") during half time. So clearly Redknapp WAS having a go at us directly, and isn't just (for once) saying exactly what everyone else thinks about stadia with running tracks (like for instance the horrible Withdean and Newport County's ground in the Conference) rather than talking a load of garbage. Personally I'm surprised we haven't converted the middle of each stand into a velodrome as well. Barcelona have a basketball team, why shouldn't we diversify ? Also, I have completely lost my mind. CYH? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 I don't think it suffers for the small gap around the edge, it's not that big at all. It suffers for a complete lack of identity. It's fine I guess, but it's Pride Park, It's the Walker's Stadium, it's the Riverside, and no doubt several others. That's really depressing when it's such a long term home. No attempt to make it unique to us whatsoever. I know it's all about cost, but over 50-100 years it gives the whole city a boost to have a unique landmark. You literally read my mind, every post you make :-o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Might help if we add a picture: In no way is that big enough for a running track. Post 16 beat you to it. :-) I'm suprised the Dell even bothered having throw ins, the fans were so close to the pitch they could've just headed it back into play. I reckon the Dell became our fortress because the opposition could smell the fans' farts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Post 16 beat you to it. :-) I'm suprised the Dell even bothered having throw ins, the fans were so close to the pitch they could've just headed it back into play. I reckon the Dell became our fortress because the opposition could smell the fans' farts. Only fair because where I sat in the Dell you literally could smell the embrocation on the players. Setting the stands back further from the pitch as they are at St Mary's and every other modern stadium a) increases safety, b) protects the poor players from the crowd (Beckham reputedly hated the Dell where he could actually hear the insults!), and most importantly c) allows more spectators to see. If the stands were right at the pitch edge and went up at the same angle as now, they'd be considerably smaller stands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Only fair because where I sat in the Dell you literally could smell the embrocation on the players. Setting the stands back further from the pitch as they are at St Mary's and every other modern stadium a) increases safety, b) protects the poor players from the crowd (Beckham reputedly hated the Dell where he could actually hear the insults!), and most importantly c) allows more spectators to see. If the stands were right at the pitch edge and went up at the same angle as now, they'd be considerably smaller stands. I get your point about capacity reduction, as you'd lose all the rows along the side stands between the current front of the stand and the hypothetical goal line, and all the rows along the end stands which there wouldn't be room for with touchline tight stands - as well as a load of seats in the corner where the "corner pieces" would also be a smaller curve. But if what we'd wanted was the intimacy of The Dell with a similar number of spectators as St Mary's they'd just have built the stands higher and further upwards to attain the same capacity. It's the UEFA international grading and safety regulations that's the reason it's not a "touch-tight" arena. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bad Bob Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Conclusion: An athletics track would not fit in St Mary's Stadium, regardless of the football pitch. We could build an indoor size track though, with banking and all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicked Mush Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 This is the most entertaining thread I've read on here in a long while - genius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 CYH?Consider yourself hugged? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junction 9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 I'm not sure I like the idea of St Mary's having an athletics track built around the pitch. I think it detracts from the atmosphere the further away you are. That said, if the club has looked into this it could be a good revenue source. Maybe other clubs will follow suit, especially with the Olympics being here next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 I'm not sure I like the idea of St Mary's having an athletics track built around the pitch. I think it detracts from the atmosphere the further away you are. That said, if the club has looked into this it could be a good revenue source. Maybe other clubs will follow suit, especially with the Olympics being here next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 I'm not sure I like the idea of St Mary's having an athletics track built around the pitch. I think it detracts from the atmosphere the further away you are. That said, if the club has looked into this it could be a good revenue source. Maybe other clubs will follow suit, especially with the Olympics being here next year. I agree entirely. This is something we should look to profit upon. Who knows, once we have become a massive all encompassing sports empire we can dominate Rugby, Cricket, Athletics, Speedway, Tiddlywinks, Monkey Chicken Petting, Sheep Shearing, Caber tossing, 3D Chess and Bacon Slicing. Once I had a dream..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Le Taxi Posted 25 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 25 January, 2011 ****ing bunch of *****s, the idea of the thread was can we add seats to the front of the existing seating area to save money instead of adding more tiers, thus saving money and adding to the atmosphere of SMS. Having never been to an athletics meeting and never wanting to I couldnt give a flying **** whether we could fit one in or not! fact of the matter is we DO have an unusually wide pitch and we DO have a wide cinder (whether its for running or not, i dont care as athletics is ****ing gash) track around the outside of the pitch !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 ****ing bunch of *****s, the idea of the thread was can we add seats to the front of the existing seating area to save money instead of adding more tiers, thus saving money and adding to the atmosphere of SMS. Having never been to an athletics meeting and never wanting to I couldnt give a flying **** whether we could fit one in or not! fact of the matter is we DO have an unusually wide pitch and we DO have a wide cinder (whether its for running or not, i dont care as athletics is ****ing gash) track around the outside of the pitch !! Yes we do. It's so we could meet UEFA 4 Star stadium standards. And no, we can't do anything about it. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 ****ing bunch of *****s, the idea of the thread was can we add seats to the front of the existing seating area to save money instead of adding more tiers, thus saving money and adding to the atmosphere of SMS. Having never been to an athletics meeting and never wanting to I couldnt give a flying **** whether we could fit one in or not! fact of the matter is we DO have an unusually wide pitch and we DO have a wide cinder (whether its for running or not, i dont care as athletics is ****ing gash) track around the outside of the pitch !!Thankyou for prolonging the comedy value of this thread Jeff. Fair play to you. Well, I guess they could add one or two rows of seats in place of the track round the pitch - but they would have to go underground - or just block the view of the current front row - or move every other row of seats up two feet. What do you think - feasible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Consider yourself hugged? It was help I was after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 ****ing bunch of *****s, the idea of the thread was can we add seats to the front of the existing seating area to save money instead of adding more tiers, thus saving money and adding to the atmosphere of SMS. Having never been to an athletics meeting and never wanting to I couldnt give a flying **** whether we could fit one in or not! fact of the matter is we DO have an unusually wide pitch and we DO have a wide cinder (whether its for running or not, i dont care as athletics is ****ing gash) track around the outside of the pitch !! I think we could probably get a temporary stand with about 25 rows put in front of the Itchen, but it's going to be a right sod for anyone sitting in the Itchen to be able to see with it there. Equally, digging diagonally from the front of the Itchen under the pitch might give us the chance to construct a trench to trap Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in, but the sightlines will probably be restricted. Especially with the running track going overhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 It was help I was after. Oh - so CYH is not Consider Yourself Hugged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humber Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 ****ing bunch of *****s, the idea of the thread was can we add seats to the front of the existing seating area to save money instead of adding more tiers, thus saving money and adding to the atmosphere of SMS. Having never been to an athletics meeting and never wanting to I couldnt give a flying **** whether we could fit one in or not! fact of the matter is we DO have an unusually wide pitch and we DO have a wide cinder (whether its for running or not, i dont care as athletics is ****ing gash) track around the outside of the pitch !! read post #27 half wit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Oh - so CYH is not Consider Yourself Hugged Can You Help ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Worst thread ever by a ****ing country mile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Le Taxi Posted 25 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Oh right so Tottenham can do it at the Olympic Stadium but we cant? perhaps im missing something. Ps i hope Humber gets an infraction for his name calling, as i have had infractions for much less! and btw just how many England games have we staged Humber? ONE and how many are we LIKELY to stage in the next 100 years what with Wembley being open and the Olympic Stadium being turned into a football stadium? You just enjoy insulting people on an internet forum as i very much doubt you have the balls in real life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Oh right so Tottenham can do it at the Olympic Stadium but we cant? perhaps im missing something. Ps i hope Humber gets an infraction for his name calling, as i have had infractions for much less! and btw just how many England games have we staged Humber? ONE and how many are we LIKELY to stage in the next 100 years what with Wembley being open and the Olympic Stadium being turned into a football stadium? You just enjoy insulting people on an internet forum as i very much doubt you have the balls in real life! Yes, what you're missing is the fact that if the Spurs plan goes ahead the Olympic Stadium will be fundamentally changed in build after the Olympics and they're using that opportunity to rebuild to optimise the stadium for football as far as they're allowed, whilst we already have a completed ground already designed for football in which such changes aren't required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Oh right so Tottenham can do it at the Olympic Stadium but we cant? perhaps im missing something. Yep - a brain cell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 We could build an indoor size track though, with banking and all... No WAY we want banking at SMS We'd have to pay them all stupid bonuses & get them Knighthoods and then we'd have no money left to invest in the running track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwsaint Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 If we lowered the pitch to install a few extra seats round the perimeter at SMS, then we would probably go below the water table. It would at least make an olympic size swimming pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevtherev Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 With Redkrapp today mouthing off about running tracks killing off the atmosphere inside stadia (dig at us?) got me thinking about St Marys, has the running track been used? ...... must be a thought about removing it and adding extra seating, surely cheaper than going upwards! adding revenue and atmosphere for little outlay......any thoughts? one lane running track ! ....................... different class maybe we should hold the olympics at SMS GB might have a chance of winning all the gold medals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 secondly the pitch itself must be the largest in the League (although the playing area does not use all of it). footballgroundguide.com Nope! Hillsborough is probably still the largest in the land, even when the old Wembley had the mythical reputation as the largest pitch Hillsborough still trumped it, from memory Stamford Bridge is at the lower limit of a regulation association football pitch which requires special dispensation from Uefa (as did Highbury which was too narrow). when St Marys was built I read somewhere that the pitch was the same size as The Dell just the surroundings make it look bigger, we have had it narrowed since. Hood down Anorak off! Back to the thread at hand.............. Is Southampton bidding for the Commonwealth games with St Marys as the centre piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St.Jeweller Posted 25 January, 2011 Share Posted 25 January, 2011 Might help if we add a picture: In no way is that big enough for a running track. LOL imagine the fun we'd have watching the athletes sprinting down the nice long straight then having to squish up like sardines as they ran behind the goals i'm sure there'd be a few elbows and some digging in the ribs involved,would be great fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joensuu Posted 26 January, 2011 Share Posted 26 January, 2011 If we lowered the pitch to install a few extra seats round the perimeter at SMS, then we would probably go below the water table. It would at least make an olympic size swimming pool. But why would we need another swimming pool, surely the one between the cinder track and the back of the net at the Chapel end is big enough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Posted 26 January, 2011 Share Posted 26 January, 2011 St Mary's Stadium could not handle an 8 lane 400 metre atheltics track. The field size at SMS is quoted on both the football ground guide and Wikipedia as 102 meters. An approximate distance from the front of the Chapel and Northam Stands to the field edge is circa 5 meters. Therefore the total length of space available in St Mary's can be confidently stated to be no more then 115 meters. An 8 lane 400 metre running track needs more then 160 meters of length. (My prior calculations gave lengths of either 162.5 or 167.5 meters based on conflicting data on how long the tracks front and back 'straights' are, either 80 or 85 meters.) Even if I am being far too conservative in my estimate of terrace to field distance we are still WAY off having the room. Conclusion: An athletics track would not fit in St Mary's Stadium, regardless of the football pitch. Comprehensive measurements but you have made the common mistake of assuming that the track has to be flat. A few adverts removed and a dozen or so crash barriers removed and the bends can fit nicely up and down the Northam and Chapel terraces. Runners might need to remove their spikes though to avoid slipping on the steps. Once we've seen how successfully that works it won't take long till speedway and greyhounds follow (either as separate events or greyhounds riding motorbikes for added entertainment value) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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