Football Stadia - Past, Present & Future

[Hendo]

Anfield is the only "big ground" I am yet to go to. Hoping we get a 3rd round FA Cup tie there.

Had an away season ticket in 06/07 so I can happily say I have done all of the big grounds.

[NathStPaul]

Anfield is the only "big ground" I am yet to go to. Hoping we get a 3rd round FA Cup tie there.

Had an away season ticket in 06/07 so I can happily say I have done all of the big grounds.

Went to Old Trafford for the first time that season, remember vividly how underwhelmed I was by it. Everything from the atmosphere to the stewarding just seemed really crap. Everything just looked a bit old and run down to me, not what I expected at all.

[Hendo]

Anfield is the only "big ground" I am yet to go to. Hoping we get a 3rd round FA Cup tie there.

Had an away season ticket in 06/07 so I can happily say I have done all of the big grounds.

Went to Old Trafford for the first time that season, remember vividly how underwhelmed I was by it. Everything from the atmosphere to the stewarding just seemed really crap. Everything just looked a bit old and run down to me, not what I expected at all.

I guess because it is an older stadium that is probably in need of a bit of an update, especially that main stand and corner. I know what you mean though. Had a bit of a different experience when going that for FA Cup games and have sat in the upper tier behind the goal each time - I guess they would update that area first as it is usually used for home fans.

The away end at Everton also felt really old.

[NathStPaul]

Had an away season ticket in 06/07 so I can happily say I have done all of the big grounds.

Went to Old Trafford for the first time that season, remember vividly how underwhelmed I was by it. Everything from the atmosphere to the stewarding just seemed really crap. Everything just looked a bit old and run down to me, not what I expected at all.

I guess because it is an older stadium that is probably in need of a bit of an update, especially that main stand and corner. I know what you mean though. Had a bit of a different experience when going that for FA Cup games and have sat in the upper tier behind the goal each time - I guess they would update that area first as it is usually used for home fans.

The away end at Everton also felt really old.

Must say I do like Goodison Park, will be a shame to see it go but they really have no choice in the matter if they want to go to the next level. Their new stadium looks ace too. Not sure if they have started building it yet.

[Sutekh]

Went to Old Trafford for the first time that season, remember vividly how underwhelmed I was by it. Everything from the atmosphere to the stewarding just seemed really crap. Everything just looked a bit old and run down to me, not what I expected at all.

I guess because it is an older stadium that is probably in need of a bit of an update, especially that main stand and corner. I know what you mean though. Had a bit of a different experience when going that for FA Cup games and have sat in the upper tier behind the goal each time - I guess they would update that area first as it is usually used for home fans.

The away end at Everton also felt really old.

Must say I do like Goodison Park, will be a shame to see it go but they really have no choice in the matter if they want to go to the next level. Their new stadium looks ace too. Not sure if they have started building it yet.

Goodison seemed better with the semi circle “cut outs” behind each goal

[From Despair To Where?]

One think that struck me about the Anfield Rd end was that the concourse was really small and dingy, very claustrophobic. Upton Park was like that as well. I guess it's an area that has had a lot more thought put into it with new builds.

Agreed with the comments about Old Trafford. It felt tired and the organisation outside the ground was appalling.

Been underwhelmed by the atmosphere in all the big grounds if I'm honest. Maybe little old Reading aren't exciting enough opposition.

Goodison was alright, although the one time I've been, I had a front row seat and my head was level with the pitch. Don't like being that low down, you don't get any perspective.

[PATRIQT]

Anfield is the only "big ground" I am yet to go to. Hoping we get a 3rd round FA Cup tie there.

Had an away season ticket in 06/07 so I can happily say I have done all of the big grounds.

Went to Old Trafford for the first time that season, remember vividly how underwhelmed I was by it. Everything from the atmosphere to the stewarding just seemed really crap. Everything just looked a bit old and run down to me, not what I expected at all.

Yeah, same. I saw both draws up there. Very underwhelmed by the stadium and even more so the pathetic support.

Old Trafford was more impressive and louder before they filled in the upper corners. These bowls are all so samey now. When you go to one, you've seen them all.

[PATRIQT]

Everton's Bramley-Moore Dock - Ground work has started but not a lot else yet. Plans look impressive on the outside but another boring samey design inside. They already have a £30m naming rights deal agreed. Should be ready for 2024.







Looks like a 52,000 Madejski Stadium here...







Safe standing included.



52,000 of meh.

[PATRIQT]

Southend have finally been given planning permission for their 22,000 capacity stadium. Amazing for them, but yet another boring bowl.



The new stadium will include a 107 bed hotel and at two corners, will have high-rise residential blocks of 182 homes.
A fan plaza with cafes and bars is also planned and 30% of the 1,461 homes proposed on the wider Fossetts Farm site are allocated to be affordable.

[PATRIQT]

P'boro are planning to move to a new 19,400 capacity stadium, with view to expanding to 24,000 later. Their current ground holds just over 15,000. Another boring and repetitive bowl. Nice outside though. Most are in comparison to ours tbf.

[South Coast Royal]

One think that struck me about the Anfield Rd end was that the concourse was really small and dingy, very claustrophobic. Upton Park was like that as well. I guess it's an area that has had a lot more thought put into it with new builds.

Agreed with the comments about Old Trafford. It felt tired and the organisation outside the ground was appalling.

Been underwhelmed by the atmosphere in all the big grounds if I'm honest. Maybe little old Reading aren't exciting enough opposition.

Goodison was alright, although the one time I've been, I had a front row seat and my head was level with the pitch. Don't like being that low down, you don't get any perspective.

One thing that Southampton got right with their ground was the wide and roomy concourse.
The most cramped I have ever felt was at Loftus Road and Spurs (pre-development) felt the same and Old Trafford is also quite cramped.

For those going to Anfield for the first time check out the many coaches parked outside and where they come from-you will then appreciate what a big club it is.

Somebody mentioned being so low down at Goodison-I remember going to Newcastle many years ago and having the same type of view behind the goal but fast forward to now and away fans are sat as high up and away from the action as to be almost in the clouds.

[PATRIQT]

I apologise for the many posts, but it's another day of shite IT, and new and redeveloped stadia is something I take a lot of interest in. It's nice to see clubs progressing.

I didn't realise York City had recently moved to a new ground. Quite like it. 8000 cap.

[PATRIQT]

Pompey have planning permission for a 300 capacity increase, taking capacity to 20,000. Work all four stands will take place and cost £10m.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... e-57470210



Talking of small concourses. This is after the expansion.

[paultheroyal]

Good posts PatriQT - i always felt Pompey has made a pigs ear of developing Fratton Park and took eye off the ball in Premier League days when they went for a design which is very similar now in location to Everton's new proposal.

Looking at Google maps - space is becoming limited in where they can develop existing Fratton Park other than "tinkering" - and this looks like very expensive tinkering to me. They still have space for one big stand running along the pitch opposite to stand. They are really stuffed in providing hospitality.

Good to see York's looks decent. Shocked at Southend considering the absolute predicament as a club they now find themselves in. Cant see that stadium getting off the ground until back in the football league.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Pretty sure that, that free-space was sold off to Tesco some years ago and it is rented out for car parking on matchdays, not Pompeys to play about with.

[Sutekh]

Southend have finally been given planning permission for their 22,000 capacity stadium. Amazing for them, but yet another boring bowl.



The new stadium will include a 107 bed hotel and at two corners, will have high-rise residential blocks of 182 homes.
A fan plaza with cafes and bars is also planned and 30% of the 1,461 homes proposed on the wider Fossetts Farm site are allocated to be affordable.

Will 22000 be enough when Maidenhead and Woking roll into town though?

[Jinx]

Also had an away season ticket for the 06/07 season and Goodison was a rip off. We had seats at the back of the lower tier and it was like watching through your letter box! Couldn't see the ball if it went left or right due to pillars and couldn't see f**k all if it went above head height

[Dirk Gently]

Southend have finally been given planning permission for their 22,000 capacity stadium. Amazing for them, but yet another boring bowl.



The new stadium will include a 107 bed hotel and at two corners, will have high-rise residential blocks of 182 homes.
A fan plaza with cafes and bars is also planned and 30% of the 1,461 homes proposed on the wider Fossetts Farm site are allocated to be affordable.

Will 22000 be enough when Maidenhead and Woking roll into town though?

They've been trying to do this for years - it's all about the 1300 new homes split between this and Roots Hall.

[From Despair To Where?]

Pompey have planning permission for a 300 capacity increase, taking capacity to 20,000. Work all four stands will take place and cost £10m.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-h ... e-57470210



Talking of small concourses. This is after the expansion.

Reading into that, it's less about redeveloping as having to spend £10m to keep its operating licence.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Indeed, they have had to remove a lot of unserviceable seating and reduce their capacity this season.

(All infos courtesy of Pompey ST work work colleague)