Horton Heath Saint Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 After the move from the surroundings of The Dell to where we are are now, don't you always think we could have done better? We are Premiership, how many clubs have got such crass surroundings, not very inviting is it? The old gas station, industrial workings along the river. No decent eating, drinking places near to ground, bit dross and depressing. At least at The Dell, we had Bedford area, loads of decent home pubs, eating places bet they are missing us now!! There was always a good vibe around there, Pensioners, Red Lion, Bedford, Wine Bar, Cricketers. Can you remember Fatty Arbucks?? Those were the days. Can't have it all I suppose!! Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 Once St Mary's gets expanded to a 50,000 capacity it will all be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 British Virgin Island loan to fund this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 Maybe we can get a BVI loan to bring along the extra 20K fans we need too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 Maybe we can get a BVI loan to bring along the extra 20K fans we need too. It can subsidise the reduced ticket prices to attract them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 If you think the area around St Mary's is bad, I'd question how many other grounds you've been too around the country? It really isn't that bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 Its nice to have a ground in th city centre and where the club was formed rather than an out of town one stuck on a retail park. The stadium itself is a just like 15 others though. Of all the new stadiums of our size Coventrys is probably the best I've been to but still stuck in a retail park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 Yeah the Dell was awesome - not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's There Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 How ironic- was watching the "Move" video (!) from 2001 when we played our last match at the Dell... and doubled our gate the following season! We had to move and did- and maybe expansion will follow. By all means remember the good times, but there were dispiriting defeats too- and the surroundings looked pretty dismal after a defeat! I still expect the surrounding areas to Saint Marys to improve over the coming decades...we're not exactly in a boom period are we?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 No decent eating, drinking places near to ground, bit dross and depressing. Aside from the Alfred and Chapel Arms being about 30 seconds away, the town centre is less than 10 minutes walk. What more do you want? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djharvey Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 After the move from the surroundings of The Dell to where we are are now, don't you always think we could have done better? We are Premiership, how many clubs have got such crass surroundings, not very inviting is it? The old gas station, industrial workings along the river. No decent eating, drinking places near to ground, bit dross and depressing. At least at The Dell, we had Bedford area, loads of decent home pubs, eating places bet they are missing us now!! There was always a good vibe around there, Pensioners, Red Lion, Bedford, Wine Bar, Cricketers. Can you remember Fatty Arbucks?? Those were the days. Can't have it all I suppose!! Your thoughts? We still have the Bedford area! You clearly not been there before a weekend game , it's still got a pretty good vibe and only a 10-15 min stroll to the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 3 October, 2012 Share Posted 3 October, 2012 Its nice to have a ground in th city centre and where the club was formed rather than an out of town one stuck on a retail park. The stadium itself is a just like 15 others though. Of all the new stadiums of our size Coventrys is probably the best I've been to but still stuck in a retail park. Agree with that. The casino was particularly nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubby Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Unbelievable! St mary's is a HUGE improvement on the Dell. I dread to think what a state we'd be in now if we hadn't moved. And I remember how many years we'd talked about moving before we finally managed it. Rupert Lowe made a lot of major mistakes but this wasn't one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajjuk Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Would have been better surrounding facilities if we had been at Stoheham, however the ground itself is good and the immediate area around the ground is fine. I'm sure if we one day become a champions league regulars like say a Chelsea the club will look into upgrading the surrounding area, can't imagine the land is that expensive and I imagine the council will welcome any investment in that area of the city. At the moment we have no need for bars and hotels etc when we don't fill our corporate boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 how many clubs have got such crass surroundings, not very inviting is it? The old gas station, industrial workings along the river. No decent eating, drinking places near to ground, bit dross and depressing. How many ground have you been to? There are very few with nice surroundings. At least ours is close to the city centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Yeah..SMS not only in the heart of the city not only a new stadium not only excellent value for money not only is it a good size not only very good facilities not only the facility to expand by about 15k if required one day not only literally a stones throw from the very spot the club was created over 125 years ago not only walking distance from the city centre not only surrounded by a fair few pubs yeah...what good is SMS... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capitalsaint Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 As the OP states, the surrounding area is a bit of a dump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anothersaintinsouthsea Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 As the OP states, the surrounding area is a bit of a dump. Anyone been to Luton? Anfield? Fratton? Millwall? etc etc How many football grounds in this country aren't in pretty rough areas? Even most of the ones that aren't are in souless retail parks stuck on the edges of towns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajjuk Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Might be a vast improvement and better than many other grounds, but it's still a bit sh1t isn't it. Flat-pack generic stadium in a fairly bleak area. With something built to last decades I'd hope for something unique but obviously money is always the issue. Shame though. Imagine an iconic individually designed stadium on the waterfront. Maybe in a few years our B team can take St Marys and our Champions League holders will have their own mega-stadium. Built on the water, encompassing the boat show. Like the one the Skates wanted build? http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/portsmouthstadium/ http://www.dezeen.com/2008/06/23/portsmouth-fc-stadium-by-herzog-de-meuron/ A snip at £600 million Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreemantleSaint Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I'm only echoing what previous posters have already replied with, but I think we're very lucky to have a stadium close to the city centre, close to the club's roots and not on some soulless retail park by a motorway junction. And we're spoilt for choice for good boozers within a 20 minute walk from the stadium (including the Bedford Place pubs) with even a few within a 5 minute walk. How many decent pubs are there within a 20 minute walk of the Madejski Stadium?? And as for having a stadium in the middle of Southampton Boat Show - no thanks! What the hell has the boat show got to do with football? I'd much rather have the stadium in a rough part of town - that's where football grounds should be imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPTCount Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 there was a thread this summer with the councils plans for the city, and it included the area around the stadium. getting rid of all the industrial stuff and replacing it with flats and 'leisure', even had a ferry port as an alternative travel to the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 The stadium is in the city centre, walking distance from the train station, and a stone's throw from where the club was founded... Have you ever been to other grounds? I'd rather have St. Mary's where it is now than on some retail park wasteland in the middle of nowhere, the only thing close to it being a motorway junction. We drink in Bedford Place and walk to the ground, it's no proble, Loads of grounds are in rough areas, what's the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 The stadium is in the city centre, walking distance from the train station, and a stone's throw from where the club was founded... Have you ever been to other grounds? I'd rather have St. Mary's where it is now than on some retail park wasteland in the middle of nowhere, the only thing close to it being a motorway junction. We drink in Bedford Place and walk to the ground, it's no proble, Loads of grounds are in rough areas, what's the problem? Yep, St. Mary's location is ideal. Walking distance to the pubs of the city centre and suburbs; decent park and ride system from the motorway in operation; all manner of bus routes locally at the stadium and within a walk to the city centre; various mainline rail stations within a 10 or 15 minute walk (including So'ton Central); and all the city centre parking available for those driving in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericb Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Can't think of a better location than SMS, out of town grounds are part of the cancer that's killing football and i love the fact it's only a 10/15 walk to the best pub in the city too (the Alex) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 As the OP states, the surrounding area is a bit of a dump. Yeah large football grounds always get built in the most upmarket parts of the best towns and cities. I have always thought we should have built ours in Henley or Marlow, if Chilworth did not agree to build more pubs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Yeah large football grounds always get built in the most upmarket parts of the best towns and cities. I have always thought we should have built ours in Henley or Marlow, if Chilworth did not agree to build more pubs I'm struggling to think of a football stadium I've been to that's in a "nice" part of town. The out of town gorunds like Reading and Bolton are just soulless industrial estates. In the city centres, Newcastle is ok, I suppose. Anfield and Goodison, pretty horrible. Aston Villa, disgusting area. City of Manchester is on the edge of Beirut, Tottenham is a very shifty area. Chelsea I suppose is about as good as it gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericb Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I'm struggling to think of a football stadium I've been to that's in a "nice" part of town. The out of town gorunds like Reading and Bolton are just soulless industrial estates. In the city centres, Newcastle is ok, I suppose. Anfield and Goodison, pretty horrible. Aston Villa, disgusting area. City of Manchester is on the edge of Beirut, Tottenham is a very shifty area. Chelsea I suppose is about as good as it gets. I thought Peterborough was alright to be fair, just by the river and some cracking little pubs around. The biggest dump has to be Boro who manage to include out of town and festering cess pool of inbred life in one go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 St. Mary's location is fine. Shame it's such a boring stadium that looks like 10 others in the UK. Nothing unique about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry the Badger Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I like the location, certainly ****ing miles better than if it had ended up at Stoneham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellone Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Derby is pretty bleak. As for eating, what about the cypriot cafe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I'm struggling to think of a football stadium I've been to that's in a "nice" part of town. The out of town gorunds like Reading and Bolton are just soulless industrial estates. In the city centres, Newcastle is ok, I suppose. Anfield and Goodison, pretty horrible. Aston Villa, disgusting area. City of Manchester is on the edge of Beirut, Tottenham is a very shifty area. Chelsea I suppose is about as good as it gets. i was being ironic, sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I thought Peterborough was alright to be fair, just by the river and some cracking little pubs around. The biggest dump has to be Boro who manage to include out of town and festering cess pool of inbred life in one go. Sheff Weds had a go at that title to be fair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 i was being ironic, sorry Um, yes, I did realise that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Fulhams is in a decent area. Everywhere else I've ever been has either been is a dump or out of town. St Mary's you have the choice of drinking in so many areas within a 2-15 minute walk. If we ever did expand and/or get the waterfront and industrial sites around the ground, it would be perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelvinsRightGlove Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Anyone been to Luton? Anfield? Fratton? Millwall? etc etc How many football grounds in this country aren't in pretty rough areas? Even most of the ones that aren't are in souless retail parks stuck on the edges of towns. Talking of Anfield, Goodison is in a ****hole area also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingwing Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Talking of Anfield, Goodison is in a ****hole area also. You mean just in Liverpool right... No need to pretend there's a nice bit to the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latter day saint Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Talking of Anfield, Goodison is in a ****hole area also. yes,commonly known as Liverpool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisp Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I really like the area round the stadium, it has a rustic charm about it. You're right about lack of pubs although I find a drink in town and a can for the walk to st marys works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericb Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Thinking about it Forest's City Ground is in a really nice location and easy to get to pubs from too, always liked Forest away since it tends to be a good laugh up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwsaint Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I thought Millenium stadium in Cardiff was excellentin 2003. Right in the city centre, next to all the bars,hotels. Station nearby and a park. Wembley in 2010 was soulless by comparison. I would much rather SMS be where it is than stuck on the edge of the city. Once the gravel plant moves and the site is free for redevelopment the whole area will improve. It will happen eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 After the move from the surroundings of The Dell to where we are are now, don't you always think we could have done better? We are Premiership, how many clubs have got such crass surroundings, not very inviting is it? The old gas station, industrial workings along the river. No decent eating, drinking places near to ground, bit dross and depressing. At least at The Dell, we had Bedford area, loads of decent home pubs, eating places bet they are missing us now!! There was always a good vibe around there, Pensioners, Red Lion, Bedford, Wine Bar, Cricketers. Can you remember Fatty Arbucks?? Those were the days. Can't have it all I suppose!! Your thoughts? Someone's forgotten how much hassle we had trying to get a viable site for the ground then...? I love where the ground is, every single one of the places you've mentioned which are still opened are still possible match day venues, plus the ground is a million times better, and who gives a crap what the surroundings are like ? Not football fans, and property prices and history mean grounds are either in dump areas or out of town near shopping or industrial centres. I don't remember Fatty Arbucks, I remember Fatty Arbuckles though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I thought Millenium stadium in Cardiff was excellentin 2003. Right in the city centre, next to all the bars,hotels. Station nearby and a park. Wembley in 2010 was soulless by comparison. I would much rather SMS be where it is than stuck on the edge of the city. Once the gravel plant moves and the site is free for redevelopment the whole area will improve. It will happen eventually. The only problem with the Millennium Stadium is the nightmare traffic getting in and out of Cardiff to the east on (football) match days, even the train station means a good half hour standing around even if you get out quickly. Of course the good thing is you have the whole of Cardiff to eat, drink and waste time in, provided it's not an evening match. It's got a much better location than even the Cardiff City Stadium, which is in a horrible, run down, industrial area bit of the city which is a sod to get to even from the City Centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 I never went to the Bedford area before a match at the Dell, way too far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horton Heath Saint Posted 4 October, 2012 Author Share Posted 4 October, 2012 Yes Fatty Arbuckles! People eating there always called it Fatty Arbucks!!!!!! One evening match back in the Prem I was having my pre match burger and in walked Gordon Strachan and his assistant manger, Gary Penderey? to watch Saints their next opponents I guess. Looked at what they were eating, as you do, a double fat cheeseburger and chips with sides and pints??......No, salad!!! Wonder if Gord ever dined there again? Think he still has house in Hamble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 4 October, 2012 Share Posted 4 October, 2012 We're not quite filling our stadium this season. So we don't yet deserve a sparkling larger one in Millionaires Row. And I wouldn't be able to afford the higher prices anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 5 October, 2012 Share Posted 5 October, 2012 How many ground have you been to? There are very few with nice surroundings. At least ours is close to the city centre. Beat me to it by a lot of hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheese on Toast Posted 5 October, 2012 Share Posted 5 October, 2012 Go to Torquay's stadium and then tell me that our area is bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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