Odsal Redevelopment, Council Finances, Council Services & The Private Sector

Never a good idea to try and watch City whilst sober ...

 

Takes me way longer than that. Add 20 minutes stuck in the shawarma shop.

 

that is why I don’t go often

 

Aye it’s not often away players come and say what a pleasure it is to play in the surroundings and even in some cases in the past taken photos. Yes it’s in need of som tlc and to be fair they are doing their best to spruce it up

 

As a whole VP is not a dump, but my god some parts of it are a mess.

Not content with just feathers and bird muck, we had to contend with half a pigeon near the top of the stairwell in the top tier of the main stand on Saturday.

It's just crumbling at the seems unfortunately, and sparks said only last week that refurbs were on hold due to the budget having to be diverted onto other running costs such as gas/elec etc.

It appears sponsors have donated funds for some schemes, like the seats in the lower Dallas which have yet to have an arse on them by the way however local goodwill will only go so far.

Why not support a shiny new stadium

 

A structure like Valley Parade that is open to the elements and is 20 to 30 years old depending on the area will need serious maintenance over the next few years. Sparks has done well with the seats and the like but money will have to be spent.

 

It is not a dump but is not the best customer experience for the vast majority of supporters

 

Really. Best customer experience? I judge on the pitch, quite frankly don't care about much else on match day...

Try Newport, Carlisle, Oldham, Rochdale Tranmere... All worse...

Bob on for a 4th division team

 

When you consider Valley Parade against some of the other grounds in league two its a palace.

 

Not sure that is true based on entry systems. Toilets that are cleaned and have hot water and better food choices and bars for ordinary supporters. Toilets in a lott of away grounds are modern and heated not a tin urinal against a breeze block wall

 

Absolutely Dave. Maybe it's a generation thing.
I understand you have a couple of years on me but we have seen some shit holes in our years. Millmoor, Gay Meadow, the list goes on.
I appreciate VP, our modern stadium but hate some of the modern grounds, Wigan, Huddersfield, Bolton, Reading... Absolutely soulless.

If you know Idle, White Bear is a belting pub. Good ale, quaint and character. It's no modern stuff but I'm happy with that, like I am with Valley Parade.

I go to drink beer. I go to watch football.

Modern stuff has its place but its down the list of priorities for me

 

Don't know how old you are @trevor but try some of the toilets of the 80s and 90s. Oakwell...... Eek

If you went to Tranmere it was worse then the facilities at VP.... No hot water and filthy.

I don't eat or drink at football grounds as a rule. Poor value and poor choice.

Bloody paradise is VP.

 

I'm of that generation Dave but the next generation of supporters isn't and they will expect levels of comfort to match. Its like with the cashless kiosks, i don't even take my wallet to Valley Parade now and most fans these days demand that sort of level of tech and ease of use. i find the facilities at VP adequate but i guess that depends on which stand you are in. More than enough moan about the Midland Road stand and its lack of amenities and space in the concourse and they can't even serve alcohol in the Bradford end due to not meeting regulations.

 

I wish mate .

 

Forgot to say usually when I've been walking around Wibsey I've had a few, I don't usually have a beer prior to a home game unless its to meet company like yourself Steve or Rogered Tart, but I have to admit I enjoy the Corn Dolly trips I'm not a CAMRA connoisseur but do enjoy talking Bradford City as you well know and also met some fellow posters on the Dolly coach.

 

Look, Sparks just needs to admit that Rupp isn’t and won’t put his hand in his pocket to improve the club. Simple.

Don’t use energy prices for an excuse for developing.

Yes, he’s done well getting freebies but Bradford City’s stadium needs major work to it. Something has to give soon! That’s the positive.

 

If Rupp wants to get his money back I would think to get that sort of return on his original investment he may have to put his hand in his pocket, even all that Sparks and his team have done with regards generating money there is a limit especially with cheap season tickets, I believe that's still the route Rupp wants to go down IE a stadium full of Bradford City fans, so going forward it will be about balancing season ticket sales and monies generated through sponsorship, hospitality and the likes to pay upper end league one players who are capable of getting the club back to the Championship.