Solar Panels at VP

I think you will find lights are the sole decision of the Ref.

 

I'd argue that the commercial side is absolutely fine with Davide Longo running it. We can't make space for both on that side of the business so why lose DL to keep RS.

 

Unfortunately at the moment I think the state of the playing surface is out of the groundsmans capabilities of doing a lot to rectify it, although the weather has not been particularly cold the amount of rain its had on it has to have an effect, mother nature always has the final say.

 

It truly is terrible and I feel for the grounds staff it’s a thankless task.

Again if we had an experienced CEO with a strategy and Vision he’d be looking at what we can do with partnerships or putting a business case to the owner to say we need XYZ and this will give you this result.

Unfortunately it’s always the stock answer of we can’t afford to do anything with it, once we move up the leagues we can maybe then. Completely overlooking the part in which the pitch clearly plays a part in results and most importantly style of play.

The exact same argument with training facilities, someone with a vision would not take no money as an answer. Isn’t one of the skillsets of CEO the ability to upwardly influence?

 

Yet last season we were saying how well it had stood up to the winter and still had a very good playing surface.

 

I imagine it’s not a one and done action. You need to be constantly leveraging technology and expertise to keep it in playable condition.

That costs and that is the strategic vision you need in this business to keep evolving.

Would you put a play on at the Alhambra with a set falling down & looking shoddy and say but we painted it and did up last year?

 

Last season the pitch did really well, this season everything that could go against him has. If you saw the video Mick Doyle did he explained that the pitch was starting to freeze against Liverpool and the players running on it killed the grass so short of spending millions on a hybrid pitch, lots more heat lamps and undersoil heating I'm not sure what else we could do. The Stockport game won't have helped at all. With so many home games coming in a short space of time there's very little anyone could do.

 

So what was the seed germination success rate during the summer?

 

It’s the frost covers that kills the grass.
They should stop using them

 

I am not a grass expert, but am not buying we’ve done all we can to get the best out of what is out there to support the pitch without spending millions'.

This is not a slight on the grounds men at all. We know it’s a problem and year after year, yes last year it stood up well, but we should be consistently on it and I imagine we are not given the financials.

Back to my strategic vision point - a CEO should know this is a concern and be influencing either the owner or partnerships existing or new.

It’s one of my 10 points/ questions submitted as part of the fans forum and issued to Stefan via the independent supporters group.

It will fall on deaf ears, I have no doubt. Too hard of question to answer and fix for.

 

You're right. And Solar energy is improving in terms of efficiency, at a rate of knots.

Although We're improving an asset we don't own...

 

Valley Parade as a ground is not the best to use as any sort of example as it has inherent problems that are very expensive and difficult to correct, as I posted the weather is a big factor on what the groundsman can physically do to keep the ground in a playable condition, so I'm not sure without that work being done it will be down to mother nature rather than something the club can do.

 

didn’t Sparks take him on?

im just presuming Sparks has some involvement in that side but if not then yep clear out and keep those below

 

Sorry Bronco i disagree, it’s an excuse and a club with a plan would be looking at what opportunities it has. Yes the club has systemic issues, why are we just leaving them to grow bigger why aren’t we planning, influencing to address or improve.

Pitch is a great example of this club as a whole… in need of a vision, a plan, competence and financial input.

At least 3 of them are in the clubs gift and won’t cost the world.

 

The panels are going on Midland Road and TL Dallas stands

 

It has been stated many times the vicinity of the ground is a massive problem with regards the pitch etc, unfortunately we rent the stadium and are responsible for its up keep both the infrastructure and the pitch, I dont have the figures at hand but it has been made pretty clear its not only a massive task to sort the drainage out but also a large amount of money would need to be spent.
I'll go back to the question Edin Rahic put to us fans at a meeting I attended, if the club we gifted millions (which I believe is what we'd be talking about to remedy this situation) would the fans prefer that spending on the ground/pitch/playing areas or strengthening the playing side, I believe the hand vote was almost unanimous in spending it on players.
I believe @wetherbywhaler is very well versed with regards the pitch etc, it would be interesting to hear his view of the cost etc I believe he's posted about it in the past.
If the footballing side is the main influenced by the take up of fans purchasing season tickets (player budget) our owner investing little if anything in the player budget I very much doubt our owner would pay for it as it wouldn't make one iota to him getting a better price for the club, I'm not sure what your highlighted above comment means.

 

A number of us suggested this a long time ago. Originally a weight issue but technology has moved on now with lightweight panels . If those roofs are rated for a foot of snow ……..

 

It’s a comment around the whole club it needs vision, planning and competence and it currently lacks against all those points.

I remember the meeting and I remember thinking it was short sighted. We are built upon no foundations at all and a pitch is fundamental part of football and should be a non negotiable in terms of standard.

 

So you were one of the detractors and believed the pitch was more important than the playing staff, even accepting the pitch needs attention which it does get at the end of every season.
Your entitled to your opinion but unfortunately as you and most Bradford City fans know Rupp has shown little interest in his purchase investing as little as possible (if any) in our club so I ask again why would he spend large amounts on something he will not get any return on.