Safe Standing Arena

[BlueinBosnia]

We have an unfettered 250 year lease on the stadium, we don't need the council's permission to change the seating arrangement! The only impact of a change of capacity would have been the agreement on the council's share of revenue which made up part of the the lease purchase. We have already renegotiated the agreement to a flat rate payment thereby allowing us to increase revenue without further penalty. That said this scheme won't happen here and as, said, would have little impact on revenue anyway.

Do we have a lease on the stadium (as in the architectural entity), or on the land on which it lies? I thought it was the former, meaning we need permission to undertake structural alterations.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Hang on 54142 against us, whilst their average league gate was 61,387

[Socrates]

We have an unfettered 250 year lease on the stadium, we don't need the council's permission to change the seating arrangement! The only impact of a change of capacity would have been the agreement on the council's share of revenue which made up part of the the lease purchase. We have already renegotiated the agreement to a flat rate payment thereby allowing us to increase revenue without further penalty. That said this scheme won't happen here and as, said, would have little impact on revenue anyway.

Do we have a lease on the stadium (as in the architectural entity), or on the land on which it lies? I thought it was the former, meaning we need permission to undertake structural alterations.

All depends on the specifics of the lease rather than the entity leased, pretty much like leasehold house ownership. My understanding is that we can do what we like with the site as long as we pay an agreed royalty to the council, subject of course to planning permission where required.

[Beefymcfc]

Sheikh: Hi councillor, I'd like to renovate the stadium to increase capacity for the future?

Councillor: Ah, Sheikhy, there maybe a problem there.

Sheikh: Eh, why's that my boy, I need to in order to make us the biggest club in the world, remember my pledge?

Councillor: I know, I know, but there's loads of Red Tape I've got to cut through to get planning.

Sheikh: Red Tape, there was no Red Tape when I bought all that land?

Councillor: Yes Sheikh, but that was then and this is now. We've got the plans in place so we don't really need to approve further plans.

Sheikh: Is that right Mr Councillor, so you want me to create the biggest club in the world with a poxy 47000 seats, 20000 less than the Rags.

Councillor: Well Sheikh, we are bigger than City aren't we, no need to rock the apple cart is there?

Sheikh: I see, you are obviously right Mr Councillor. Can you cancel those plans for the New Eastlands Project. While you're there, can you get the contract to the stadium funding, you know, the one that says 3 million a year, I'd like my legal team to have a look over the details.

Councillor: Look young man, we're in this together, you've put the proposals for a billions worth of investment, you can't get out of it that easy.

Sheikh: Can't I, is the money in your bank? I've found a new site now, a few miles away. It'll take a couple of billion, but you know, it'll be worth it.

Councillor: What other site, there's no other site that can handle what you want - training grounds, hotels, plaza's etc, where else can handle that?

Sheikh: Old Trafford my son, Old Trafford. And while you're at it, get the boundaries changed, we are Manchester City, not Old Trafford City. Cappice!

Quivering Wreck: Cappice Mr, Your Highness, Sir. Will that be 70 thousand at the Etihad or 80?

[Dazzacity]

A vague recollection is of Schalke having a reduced capacity of 52,000 for seated matches in Europe as opposed to 60,000 for league games. An increase in capacity of 6 or 7,000 would be greatly appreciated at City, and could remove the need to radically rebuild for a while.

Not a chance in hell that would happen at our gaff. Just think what it would be like at half time with the toilets and bars !! I think they would maybe have to fence off sections outside around the ground and have things like outside toilets so people could go out there at half time-which isnt actually a bad idea thinking about it. Would also stop people smoking in the toilets.

[john68]

You can analyse and dream all you want about standing up but while the game is so heavily funded by the TV revenue and the clubs are filling their bank accounts, there's not a cat in hell's chance of a standing area, safe or otherwise. We will just have to be very grateful that the club and the City Council that give us the safety licence turn a blind eye.

[Socrates]

Sheikh: Hi councillor, I'd like to renovate the stadium to increase capacity for the future?

Councillor: Ah, Sheikhy, there maybe a problem there.

Sheikh: Eh, why's that my boy, I need to in order to make us the biggest club in the world, remember my pledge?

Councillor: I know, I know, but there's loads of Red Tape I've got to cut through to get planning.

Sheikh: Red Tape, there was no Red Tape when I bought all that land?

Councillor: Yes Sheikh, but that was then and this is now. We've got the plans in place so we don't really need to approve further plans.

Sheikh: Is that right Mr Councillor, so you want me to create the biggest club in the world with a poxy 47000 seats, 20000 less than the Rags.

Councillor: Well Sheikh, we are bigger than City aren't we, no need to rock the apple cart is there?

Sheikh: I see, you are obviously right Mr Councillor. Can you cancel those plans for the New Eastlands Project. While you're there, can you get the contract to the stadium funding, you know, the one that says 3 million a year, I'd like my legal team to have a look over the details.

Councillor: Look young man, we're in this together, you've put the proposals for a billions worth of investment, you can't get out of it that easy.

Sheikh: Can't I, is the money in your bank? I've found a new site now, a few miles away. It'll take a couple of billion, but you know, it'll be worth it.

Councillor: What other site, there's no other site that can handle what you want - training grounds, hotels, plaza's etc, where else can handle that?

Sheikh: Old Trafford my son, Old Trafford. And while you're at it, get the boundaries changed, we are Manchester City, not Old Trafford City. Cappice!

Quivering Wreck: Cappice Mr, Your Highness, Sir. Will that be 70 thousand at the Etihad or 80?

Ridiculous stuff, there is no way the sheikh would use an Italian word when speaking to an Englishman, that would be rude!

[Ted Hughes]

You can analyse and dream all you want about standing up but while the game is so heavily funded by the TV revenue and the clubs are filling their bank accounts, there's not a cat in hell's chance of a standing area, safe or otherwise. We will just have to be very grateful that the club and the City Council that give us the safety licence turn a blind eye.

If it's a success in Scotland, I recon we will see it here. If not then no.

The TV spectacle will be better with standing areas so they will be all for it. The main problem will be scousers & politicians afraid of blame cracking under their pressure. Once they see it's completely harmless & safer than standing in seats, I think they will go for it (provided it looks like a votewinner) as it would be ridiculous to argue that Scots were safe to stand up whilst we are not.

There were rumours a while ago that City have one expansion plan with this included in it.

[john68]

Ted,
I sincerely hope you're right, I love standing at games, it was the way I was brought up.

I think the issue will be defined by how the financial equation stacks up though. Talk of health and safety are just red herrings and the excuse that they hid behind when bringing it in. As always, it was about cash for the big boys at Sky and it well suited the clubs.

If you remember back to the time Ted, a major issue was the fencing to keep the fans off the pitch. The French had simple technology to negate this problem but it was simply ignored.

I hope you're right Mate. It would please me.

[Ted Hughes]

Ted,
I sincerely hope you're right, I love standing at games, it was the way I was brought up.

I think the issue will be defined by how the financial equation stacks up though. Talk of health and safety are just red herrings and the excuse that they hid behind when bringing it in. As always, it was about cash for the big boys at Sky and it well suited the clubs.

If you remember back to the time Ted, a major issue was the fencing to keep the fans off the pitch. The French had simple technology to negate this problem but it was simply ignored.

I hope you're right Mate. It would please me.

At the time though, you had Thatcher & that little nazi ponce sports minister, both of whom saw us football fans as the great unwashed & would walk past us holding oranges under their noses if (rarely) forced to be in the same vicinity.

Now, a lot of the modern day politicos see football as 'cool' & something they want to be associated with. The downside is that they are all terrified of being held responsible if something did go wrong; that it would be all their fault for bringing back standing. Usualy, whenever this is mentioned, a load of hypocritical scousers start mouthing off & the debate gets buried quickly. If however it can be shown that the Scots can do this safely, then imo, it comes down to how much desire there is from clubs & fans to press it through. I would imagine our club will be keen on it (whatever they say in public now).

The behaviour of rags fans in seats will be abominable come Jan, so that could be used to influence the argument either way.

Imo though, if standing came back, it would give the authorities strength to force fans to sit down in seated areas or be banned. At the moment they turn something of a blind eye because they know the whole thing is ridiculous.

[Socrates]

Ted,
I sincerely hope you're right, I love standing at games, it was the way I was brought up.

I think the issue will be defined by how the financial equation stacks up though. Talk of health and safety are just red herrings and the excuse that they hid behind when bringing it in. As always, it was about cash for the big boys at Sky and it well suited the clubs.

If you remember back to the time Ted, a major issue was the fencing to keep the fans off the pitch. The French had simple technology to negate this problem but it was simply ignored.

I hope you're right Mate. It would please me.

At the time though, you had Thatcher & that little nazi ponce sports minister, both of whom saw us football fans as the great unwashed & would walk past us holding oranges under their noses if (rarely) forced to be in the same vicinity.

Now, a lot of the modern day politicos see football as 'cool' & something they want to be associated with. The downside is that they are all terrified of being held responsible if something did go wrong; that it would be all their fault for bringing back standing. Usualy, whenever this is mentioned, a load of hypocritical scousers start mouthing off & the debate gets buried quickly. If however it can be shown that the Scots can do this safely, then imo, it comes down to how much desire there is from clubs & fans to press it through. I would imagine our club will be keen on it (whatever they say in public now).

The behaviour of rags fans in seats will be abominable come Jan, so that could be used to influence the argument either way.

Imo though, if standing came back, it would give the authorities strength to force fans to sit down in seated areas or be banned. At the moment they turn something of a blind eye because they know the whole thing is ridiculous.

'kin 'ell, I'd forgotten about that little twat - now Baron Moynihan believe it or not...

[john68]

Ted,
Again Mate...I hope you're right, I would love to be wrong.
....and thanks for the reminder of Moynihan....hahahahaha.

[Ted Hughes]

FFS Baron Moynihan!

For contributing exactly what ?

[Beefymcfc]

FFS Baron Moynihan!

For contributing exactly what ?

Safe Seating?

[Ted Hughes]

FFS Baron Moynihan!

For contributing exactly what ?

Safe Seating?

Haha, yeah probably.

[Socrates]

FFS Baron Moynihan!

For contributing exactly what ?

For being the son of the previous Baron Moynihan! The slimy wee cunt is a hereditary nob!

[Ted Hughes]

FFS Baron Moynihan!

For contributing exactly what ?

For being the son of the previous Baron Moynihan! The slimy wee cunt is a hereditary nob!

Well you learn something new everyday.