Land around the ground

[Hinch's 5 Fingered Salute]

I was talking to a Manchester councillor the other day, and he confirmed to be that ADUG had already bought all the surrounding land around the ground. E.g Where the Casino was going etc.


I know few things have been mentioned before, but I thought it was reassuring coming from a councillor, and shows that our owners are here for the long term. He was also certain that they would buy the stadium, and the council was desperate for the cash because of the casino fiasco.


One question I asked, was whether there would be any permutations surrounding the acquired land. I.e. Would the council have a say in what is to be done with it, what it can and can't be used for. He said that they could do what they wanted with it as they had bought it all outright privately.


I wonder what plans the have? I know there has been mentions of the training complex being moved up etc? Hotels? God knows but it's going to be interesting to say the least.

[Socrates]

They still have to get planning permission for whatever they want to do but cannot imagine there being much problem there. I still don't think they will buy the freehold on the Stadium though, the Council wouldn't get much money out of doing that as they would have to repay the grants from Sport England that funded the building.

[Ted Hughes]

They still have to get planning permission for whatever they want to do but cannot imagine there being much problem there. I still don't think they will buy the freehold on the Stadium though, the Council wouldn't get much money out of doing that as they would have to repay the grants from Sport England that funded the building.

Trevor Brooking said this morning that City had bought themselves out of the agreement with the council which allows them to take a cut of the gate money. Don't know if he's mistaken about that but it's the first I've heard of it if true.

[john68]

If that is true Ted and I am not doubting your word, it has a massive financial implication for us and will help towards balancing the books if we try to meet any new UeFA regulations.
It also means that any increased capacity at the ground wouls give us all the revenue instead of a possible share only.

The payment now will not appear on the accounts in 3 years but the increased income will.

[Rag_hater]

Another way to generate income

[Ted Hughes]

If that is true Ted and I am not doubting your word, it has a massive financial implication for us and will help towards balancing the books if we try to meet any new UeFA regulations.
It also means that any increased capacity at the ground wouls give us all the revenue instead of a possible share only.

The payment now will not appear on the accounts in 3 years but the increased income will.

It would make sense to enlarge the ground if it's true. It's not my word though John it's Trevor Brooking's! I'll believe it when City say so.

[john68]

Another area of income that City could investigate.

When arsenal demolished the ols North Stand at Highbury, they carries out a massive research study on how fans attending games spent their money. Even down to minutiae such as one armed bandits in the pre match pub. The idea being that millions of pounds of income was being spent outside the ground by people who's sole intention was to go to the ground.
I can't remember any of the figures but can remember that the lost income was a massive total. Arsenal's idea was to attempt to gather as much as possible of that lost income into the ground. They also studied ways of increwasing each fans spending by offering what they wanted.

Likewise with City, The pubs and bars, both in the City centre and around the ground earn fortunes from City games and with the advantage of having so much spare land around the ground, By providing facilities, City could increase the matchday income dramatically.

The present hospitality packages really only attract the few. We could target the mass of pre match Blues.

Again, any spending now would not show on the accounts in 3 years but the income would again increase our turnover.

[Vhero]

All sounds super positive. We are looking at many avenues to make revenue and that's how it should be,

[13021J]

DOesn't seem to make sense to buy the ground outright. We're currently paying about £2.5m per season to the council, which is nothing, probably equivalent to Benjani's wages. Ground itself would probably cost £120m to buy?

However if we want to expand to 60k+ it might be the only option short of building a new one right nextdoor.

[Socrates]

They still have to get planning permission for whatever they want to do but cannot imagine there being much problem there. I still don't think they will buy the freehold on the Stadium though, the Council wouldn't get much money out of doing that as they would have to repay the grants from Sport England that funded the building.

Trevor Brooking said this morning that City had bought themselves out of the agreement with the council which allows them to take a cut of the gate money. Don't know if he's mistaken about that but it's the first I've heard of it if true.

They entered into a finance agreement to pay it off a while ago, it was in the accounts a couple of years back. I would guess they will have since settled the finance agreement as we are now "debt free." Makes our trading account a little healthier for sure. That would encourage the council a little but unless they can find a way out of the Sport England clauses then I still can't see how it can happen without us paying more than it is worth...

[carl_feedthegoat]

They still have to get planning permission for whatever they want to do but cannot imagine there being much problem there. I still don't think they will buy the freehold on the Stadium though, the Council wouldn't get much money out of doing that as they would have to repay the grants from Sport England that funded the building.

Trevor Brooking said this morning that City had bought themselves out of the agreement with the council which allows them to take a cut of the gate money. Don't know if he's mistaken about that but it's the first I've heard of it if true.

They entered into a finance agreement to pay it off a while ago, it was in the accounts a couple of years back. I would guess they will have since settled the finance agreement as we are now "debt free." Makes our trading account a little healthier for sure. That would encourage the council a little but unless they can find a way out of the Sport England clauses then I still can't see how it can happen without us paying more than it is worth...

HAVE WE BOUGHT ANYTHING SINCE THEY TOOK OVER THAT WAS WORTH ITS PRICE (APART FROM TEVEZ)?

IT WONT MATTER TO THEM IN THE SLIGHTEST IF THEY SHELL OUT A FEW MILLION MORE THAN THE NORM.

[john68]

Carl,
Now is the time for you to open your new casino/bar next to CoMS.
You know it makes sense.

[blues-clues]

They still have to get planning permission for whatever they want to do but cannot imagine there being much problem there. I still don't think they will buy the freehold on the Stadium though, the Council wouldn't get much money out of doing that as they would have to repay the grants from Sport England that funded the building.

Trevor Brooking said this morning that City had bought themselves out of the agreement with the council which allows them to take a cut of the gate money. Don't know if he's mistaken about that but it's the first I've heard of it if true.

They entered into a finance agreement to pay it off a while ago, it was in the accounts a couple of years back. I would guess they will have since settled the finance agreement as we are now "debt free." Makes our trading account a little healthier for sure. That would encourage the council a little but unless they can find a way out of the Sport England clauses then I still can't see how it can happen without us paying more than it is worth...

HAVE WE BOUGHT ANYTHING SINCE THEY TOOK OVER THAT WAS WORTH ITS PRICE (APART FROM TEVEZ)?

IT WONT MATTER TO THEM IN THE SLIGHTEST IF THEY SHELL OUT A FEW MILLION MORE THAN THE NORM.

Shay Given and Craig Bellamy?

[Alex Sapphire]

what happened to that Jumbo jet we were buying?? skinflints

[Socrates]

They still have to get planning permission for whatever they want to do but cannot imagine there being much problem there. I still don't think they will buy the freehold on the Stadium though, the Council wouldn't get much money out of doing that as they would have to repay the grants from Sport England that funded the building.

Trevor Brooking said this morning that City had bought themselves out of the agreement with the council which allows them to take a cut of the gate money. Don't know if he's mistaken about that but it's the first I've heard of it if true.

They entered into a finance agreement to pay it off a while ago, it was in the accounts a couple of years back. I would guess they will have since settled the finance agreement as we are now "debt free." Makes our trading account a little healthier for sure. That would encourage the council a little but unless they can find a way out of the Sport England clauses then I still can't see how it can happen without us paying more than it is worth...

HAVE WE BOUGHT ANYTHING SINCE THEY TOOK OVER THAT WAS WORTH ITS PRICE (APART FROM TEVEZ)?

IT WONT MATTER TO THEM IN THE SLIGHTEST IF THEY SHELL OUT A FEW MILLION MORE THAN THE NORM.

You are talking £100million just to pay back Sport England Carl. You can argue they have paid more than they should for some players but £100m more than the value of a fixed asset that we already own a 250 year lease on is absolutely nonsensical and would make a mockery of the idea that they are sound businessmen!

[Alex Sapphire]

They still have to get planning permission for whatever they want to do but cannot imagine there being much problem there. I still don't think they will buy the freehold on the Stadium though, the Council wouldn't get much money out of doing that as they would have to repay the grants from Sport England that funded the building.

Trevor Brooking said this morning that City had bought themselves out of the agreement with the council which allows them to take a cut of the gate money. Don't know if he's mistaken about that but it's the first I've heard of it if true.

They entered into a finance agreement to pay it off a while ago, it was in the accounts a couple of years back. I would guess they will have since settled the finance agreement as we are now "debt free." Makes our trading account a little healthier for sure. That would encourage the council a little but unless they can find a way out of the Sport England clauses then I still can't see how it can happen without us paying more than it is worth...

HAVE WE BOUGHT ANYTHING SINCE THEY TOOK OVER THAT WAS WORTH ITS PRICE (APART FROM TEVEZ)?

IT WONT MATTER TO THEM IN THE SLIGHTEST IF THEY SHELL OUT A FEW MILLION MORE THAN THE NORM.

You are talking £100million just to pay back Sport England Carl. You can argue they have paid more than they should for some players but £100m more than the value of a fixed asset that we already own a 250 year lease on is absolutely nonsensical and would make a mockery of the idea that they are sound businessmen!

interesting if the rental has now been settled in full.
Where did the 100 mill Sport England figure come from?
There was a couple of clauses in the deal which allowed Man City Council to take a 2.5 or a 5% stake in City at certain trigger points now passed.
I wonder if the owners would ever consider letting them have a small part of a growing entity which would mean no cash outlay, plenty of upside, and a real tie between the club and the City (unlike them who are up for "free man of the city of salford").

On the other hand since investment in infrastructurew will soon be one of the few ways the Sheikh can spend his money it would make perfect sense to build a new one and lease this one to Sale Sharks.
Who knows, but keep your eyes on MCC planning apps (which is public domain)

[Socrates]

They entered into a finance agreement to pay it off a while ago, it was in the accounts a couple of years back. I would guess they will have since settled the finance agreement as we are now "debt free." Makes our trading account a little healthier for sure. That would encourage the council a little but unless they can find a way out of the Sport England clauses then I still can't see how it can happen without us paying more than it is worth...

HAVE WE BOUGHT ANYTHING SINCE THEY TOOK OVER THAT WAS WORTH ITS PRICE (APART FROM TEVEZ)?

IT WONT MATTER TO THEM IN THE SLIGHTEST IF THEY SHELL OUT A FEW MILLION MORE THAN THE NORM.

You are talking £100million just to pay back Sport England Carl. You can argue they have paid more than they should for some players but £100m more than the value of a fixed asset that we already own a 250 year lease on is absolutely nonsensical and would make a mockery of the idea that they are sound businessmen!

interesting if the rental has now been settled in full.
Where did the 100 mill Sport England figure come from?
There was a couple of clauses in the deal which allowed Man City Council to take a 2.5 or a 5% stake in City at certain trigger points now passed.
I wonder if the owners would ever consider letting them have a small part of a growing entity which would mean no cash outlay, plenty of upside, and a real tie between the club and the City (unlike them who are up for "free man of the city of salford").

On the other hand since investment in infrastructurew will soon be one of the few ways the Sheikh can spend his money it would make perfect sense to build a new one and lease this one to Sale Sharks.
Who knows, but keep your eyes on MCC planning apps (which is public domain)

Figure came from inside my brain where it's been stored for about 6 years. I'm good with numbers...

[french_tony]

Funny this was brought up today. I recently bought a place near the ground (best view ever!) and was invited to a public consultation last night by the council about the land round the ground.
A planning application is going in over the next couple of works to start enabling work on the 17 acres east of the stadium. This basically means levelling off the ground , uncontaminating the soil, and filling in all the underground mines, etc. They hope to start this at Easter and be finished by Xmas.
They then hope to attract contractors to build on the site as it would be good to go.
There is some interest from leisure companies but they assured me no one has as of yet bought the ground or approached them about what to do with it. Although the Arabs to me would sound like a logical choice.
I never also realised that the tram tunnel was already in place and all it needs is the track.

One thing which they did mention is that it will affect the whole east side of the ground (from the visitor centre on Ashton New Road to near the gas drum).
This means all stadium parking on that side will be unavilable from Easter to December. Could cause problems for fans as 1000+ cars are going to need space!

[brite blu sky]

Ha this is funny, i was checking the area around MainRoad earlier this week on google maps.. ( i think someone at google is a Citi fan ) and while i was hovering over m/c thought id check out comms area. The first thing that struck me was the amount of free ground around it.. and thought to myself hmmm i bet they have already bought that.. ADUG i mean.

i think the reason that popped into my noggin was that i had been wondering about what they have planned for when the stadium is too small... and what the cost difference was between raising the roof and slapping a level on and redesigning the foundations etc or just building a new top rank super stadium next to it.

if they are planning for success on the pitch then they are planning for taking advantage of that success off the pitch
... as no one took us seriously for a while they probs went off and got a head start on all the possibilities open to them in that window of opportunity. Remember here we are talking about people who do not have to temper their imaginations with restrictions of raising finances.. they can quite literally do what they can dream up within any relavant regulations.

Our guys will be way ahead already. way ahead

i also know that they will not be shy of importing a little bit of their sense of style to proceedings.
so the Sheik should make sure there is somewhere in the new stadium he would feel at home in.

I THINK CARL IS PROBS A BIT LATE TO GET THE CASINO/BAR DEAL

[BlueinBosnia]

Another area of income that City could investigate.

When arsenal demolished the ols North Stand at Highbury, they carries out a massive research study on how fans attending games spent their money. Even down to minutiae such as one armed bandits in the pre match pub. The idea being that millions of pounds of income was being spent outside the ground by people who's sole intention was to go to the ground.
I can't remember any of the figures but can remember that the lost income was a massive total. Arsenal's idea was to attempt to gather as much as possible of that lost income into the ground. They also studied ways of increwasing each fans spending by offering what they wanted.

Likewise with City, The pubs and bars, both in the City centre and around the ground earn fortunes from City games and with the advantage of having so much spare land around the ground, By providing facilities, City could increase the matchday income dramatically.

The present hospitality packages really only attract the few. We could target the mass of pre match Blues.

Again, any spending now would not show on the accounts in 3 years but the income would again increase our turnover.

This has been done massively in rugby in the past few years. 'Fan areas' outside grounds hugely boost revenues. Although the success of these in football (due to increased policing/stewarding costs) may admittedly be not so high.