Our Grounds too big for us!

[Desperate Dan]

I think you need to take a step back from your computer, and re-read that to realise how stupid you actually sound.

[TheJoker]

I have used this train operator a number of times. They have a severely adverse reputation and especially as they are seen as part of the Sheffield to the west via the Pennines communication problem. They regularly run trains on this inter city route below the required specification. In other words provide a stopping at every station level diesel instead of a higher speed and better equipped train. They also turn up in Sheffield at peak travel time with a train with only two carriages instead of at least 3 and probably the 4-6 they should have. In addition to that I have been trapped on one of their trains when the air conditioning was not working on a hot summers day - a frequent occurrence on their trains they don't care about. With no windows to open this was dangerous. They are scum. The end.

[Warren]

Sorry for losing the thread, East Midlands trains failures are in my life events from the past. I should focus on the now. I guess that despite operating with only one carriage they have managed to convey my lad to Stoke from Derby so I can pick him up. Overall though the point I make that Longport isn't a viable long distance travel station is reasonably valid.

[cheshirevaliant]

In Warren's defence, East Midland trains are *****. Not sure a boycott of them hurts them more than him though, as there is little other choice if you want to get to Longport.

[mattclorenz]

I've noticed quite a few citing Bournemouth as an example, and although I could be wrong I'm fairly sure they're bankrolled by a billionaire aren't they? Unless some rich Russian or Arab oil ty**** fancies a punt on a random lower league club I can't see us attracting that kind of owner. Brentford too are in a comfortable financial situation. I personally think Vale Park has character, but it is far too big and slowly falling apart.

 

Even in the glory days of the 90's we rarely filled the whole stadium, so I can't see the purpose of having such a capacity. As much as I despise them, I think MK Dons had the right idea. Create a stadium that can grow depending on the success. That said, again they had the money to do so.

 

I think the simple fact of the matter is that even if we wanted to move, simply put the money isn't there to do so.

[For Us All]

Our wonderful ground from the air.

 

[edd]

As a few have already said we only averaged 8500 in 1996 when we skirted with the play-offs in the championship. I think we should be thinking differently now. Vale park must be a large drain on resources in terms of upkeep, it also offers the fans poor facilities that does not attract the floating fan. Viewing angles are too shallow and the atmosphere suffers from distance of stands from the pitch and poorly populated areas.

On top of that, the ground does not generate sufficient revenue from the corporate market and events due to its poor geographical location.

A new facility would address all those issues dependent on location (near to the A500). Cheaper running costs, better facilities for fans, better atmosphere, with the bonus of improved revenue streams...it seems a no brainer to me as a strategy.

[ancient mariner]

As a few have already said we only averaged 8500 in 1996 when we skirted with the play-offs in the championship. I think we should be thinking differently now. Vale park must be a large drain on resources in terms of upkeep, it also offers the fans poor facilities that does not attract the floating fan. Viewing angles are too shallow and the atmosphere suffers from distance of stands from the pitch and poorly populated areas.

On top of that, the ground does not generate sufficient revenue from the corporate market and events due to its poor geographical location.

A new facility would address all those issues dependent on location (near to the A500). Cheaper running costs, better facilities for fans, better atmosphere, with the bonus of improved revenue streams...it seems a no brainer to me as a strategy.

 

Where would the money to build this new facility come from ?

[bookworm]

AFC Bournemouth and Brentford have pretty much blown that argument out of the water.

 

brightons ground has cost 92 million to date and it isn't finished yet.

[TJHValiant]

I've noticed quite a few citing Bournemouth as an example, and although I could be wrong I'm fairly sure they're bankrolled by a billionaire aren't they? Unless some rich Russian or Arab oil ty**** fancies a punt on a random lower league club I can't see us attracting that kind of owner. Brentford too are in a comfortable financial situation. I personally think Vale Park has character, but it is far too big and slowly falling apart.

 

Even in the glory days of the 90's we rarely filled the whole stadium, so I can't see the purpose of having such a capacity. As much as I despise them, I think MK Dons had the right idea. Create a stadium that can grow depending on the success. That said, again they had the money to do so.

 

I think the simple fact of the matter is that even if we wanted to move, simply put the money isn't there to do so.

 

I would also like to add that Bournemouth's ground is much worse than vale park. There is no major parking around the ground and it is in Boscombe, not Bournemouth itself with the Pokesdown station poorly served.

 

It is the same ground from when we played them in league 2. The only exception is a temporary stand that looks ok on TV but is actually effectively a marquee tent that rattles when goals are scored. Their club shop is also too small and overall the only reason they are in the Prem is due to a wealthy investor.

[Desperate Dan]

I've noticed quite a few citing Bournemouth as an example, and although I could be wrong I'm fairly sure they're bankrolled by a billionaire aren't they? Unless some rich Russian or Arab oil ty**** fancies a punt on a random lower league club I can't see us attracting that kind of owner. Brentford too are in a comfortable financial situation. I personally think Vale Park has character, but it is far too big and slowly falling apart.

 

Even in the glory days of the 90's we rarely filled the whole stadium, so I can't see the purpose of having such a capacity. As much as I despise them, I think MK Dons had the right idea. Create a stadium that can grow depending on the success. That said, again they had the money to do so.

 

I think the simple fact of the matter is that even if we wanted to move, simply put the money isn't there to do so.

 

I think you've missed the point entirely there. Bournemouth and Brentford were used as examples of teams who have competed and succeeded at Championship level with a ground with a small capacity. Nothing to do with owners, budgets or the likes.

[edd]

Where would the money to build this new facility come from ?

 

Well I would imagine there could be a number of streams of raising funding, but without having the business accounts and facts in front of me I am guessing a little.

 

Obviously there would be the sale of the land as a contributor, business loans could be sought based on increased revenue from the new facility and from the reduction in expenditure that Vale Park currently accrues. Maybe a capital input from the owner could help fund and/or the introduction of new directors in exchange for share purchases (real ones not deakin/Blue sky made up ones).

There maybe other opportunities to raise funding that i am unaware of without scrutiny of the business assetts etc.

 

Most big business change decisions are made based on payback, for example if the cost of the new facility takes 10 years to pay off, the long term business strategy is improved profit and sustainability from year 11 onwards. All strategy should be to improve profitability and therefore sustainability in the long term, not just for tomorrow but for years to come.

[Trentham Lakes Valiant]

The land on Hamil Road is worth bugger all and would go nowhere near to funding a new ground.

[pensioner]

Port Vales "NEW" ground was started in 1947 and has yet to be completed due to changes in circumstances over the years, Never once having achieved a "completed status"

What is to say that any change of ground would happen trouble free.

What if the proposed new site had Mines, Marl Holes, contaminated waste, old slurry workings etc etc.

 

The NEW Bust station in Hanley went way over budget because of "unforseen" cellars from the old Houses , The "NEW" hotel/casino development on the Old Century Oils site has been stopped due to the land being contaminated. The list goes on and on

[Tone]

The land on Hamil Road is worth bugger all and would go nowhere near to funding a new ground.

 

I would tend to agree, in principle, but Vale Park is most valuable as a stadium, or Lorne St @ Hamil as a group of buildings for office/warehouse use.

 

Which makes you think, how much is the Co-Op building worth?