Floodlights

[spirit of 1990]

A man with a plan

Of course, PC will read this and call Austin Straker, "Hold that floodlight order and get me the Craven Park hotline NOW"

In all seriousness, redevelopment won't be easy but playing at Craven Park for one season would enable uninterrupted development of Holker Street. no messing about or interrupting the playing season. The Crossbar End going and moving everything down that end has numerous advantages, the main ones being it enables a new Holker End to be built with a front that is set back from the street and will just give that extra space to do something on a grander scale, i.e. Build in all the offices, hospitality at that end.
2 overcomes the garage in the corner problem.
3 the main stand would only need extending from one side- the West Terrace side
4 solves the away fan conundrum as now the Steelworks End could be properly developed as the away End.

There you go. 7-8000 capacity stadium.

It can be far easier than that Jonty......we talk about it every Sunday morning (or whenever we're down there) No pitch moving, no turning the pitch, no stupid ideas of filling in the pond/lake, no moving to Crazy Park & no ground sharing.

[Jonty]

Go on then, fire away....the pitch is 100m long with hardly any run off at either end, the HSE is inadequate for anything and right onto the road outside. It needs rebuilding. Opposite end, the Crossbar may have looked good in 1972 but 45 years later it needs levelling and that presents the opportunity to lengthen the pitch and build a proper away end once and for all. The main stand then gets lengthened to increase capacity. Can't see it any other way that will free up the "hemmed in" current scenario. Either that or move.

[blue nige]

The problem is parking if we get in to the league we would need decent parking arrangements

Why is it a problem where did people park Cars when we played Rochdale the game is not called off for no parking places.

That was a one off, it's about giving people options and trying to make things easier for people to get to and from the game, as Paul Casson said the match day experience we need to make coming to a game more attractive etc.this is only one suggestion why are people so against progress and making things better.

[Hadrian]

While for some the 'silence' from the owner may seem to be 'deafening', one of Mr Casson's more recent radio interview comments about the ground was that he perhaps needed to be more cautious about his public comments as sometimes his previous thoughts/musings/aspirations have been interpreted by individuals as promises or absolute commitments. Indeed, on this forum, some have accused him of being a liar because the above have then not resulted in immediate action.

I suspect the behind-the-scenes action will remain as such and public pronouncements will come when a more definite plan is in place.

[Pedro]

While for some the 'silence' from the owner may seem to be 'deafening', one of Mr Casson's more recent radio interview comments about the ground was that he perhaps needed to be more cautious about his public comments as sometimes his previous thoughts/musings/aspirations have been interpreted by individuals as promises or absolute commitments. Indeed, on this forum, some have accused him of being a liar because the above have then not resulted in immediate action.

I suspect the behind-the-scenes action will remain as such and public pronouncements will come when a more definite plan is in place.

To be honest I am one who believe he has made promises and delivered little.I do get it wrong when a man from the NE came over to manage us I thought it was suspious.I got it wrong Ray Wilkie proved to be one of our better managers.
As for Mr Casson he bought a asset and really done little .The toilets are a disgrace.Its not a pleasant experience no wonder other supported slag our ground off.
He is supposed to be a successful business man but some of his actions do not portray a professionalism.

The justified sacking of a member of staff under Edmonson was bungled.
The promises of investment.
Paul Cox left out to dry and had to borrow numerous players.
After Vaughan the Keens had to step in and although it got a bit sour at the end.Where was he then?
Its nice he has appeared again .
Lets hope we get promoted and see what happens investment wise.
Ive followed Barrow for over 50 years and not bothered about people who seek the lime light he deserves that just be sincere in what you say and actually mean.

[Bingo]

We probably have a top 8-5 budget I don't think that's leaving Cox high and dry

As for ground plans people are very good at spending somebody else's money - can't see anything major happening anytime soon which is a shame because better facilities would bring in more money in the long run

[Pedro]

[quote="Bingo"]We probably have a top 8-5 budget I don't think that's leaving Cox high and dry

As for ground plans people are very good at spending somebody else's money - can't see anything major happening anytime soon which is a shame because better facilities would bring in more money in the long

Or holding people to account and expecting them to deliver on what they say.
Brexit has meant any expenditure on the club will cost him 20 percent less

We had big problems with Vaughan and i worry for the club's survival.

[whitty1969]

While for some the 'silence' from the owner may seem to be 'deafening', one of Mr Casson's more recent radio interview comments about the ground was that he perhaps needed to be more cautious about his public comments as sometimes his previous thoughts/musings/aspirations have been interpreted by individuals as promises or absolute commitments. Indeed, on this forum, some have accused him of being a liar because the above have then not resulted in immediate action.

I suspect the behind-the-scenes action will remain as such and public pronouncements will come when a more definite plan is in place.

To be honest I am one who believe he has made promises and delivered little.I do get it wrong when a man from the NE came over to manage us I thought it was suspious.I got it wrong Ray Wilkie proved to be one of our better managers.
As for Mr Casson he bought a asset and really done little .The toilets are a disgrace.Its not a pleasant experience no wonder other supported slag our ground off.
He is supposed to be a successful business man but some of his actions do not portray a professionalism.

The justified sacking of a member of staff under Edmonson was bungled.
The promises of investment.
Paul Cox left out to dry and had to borrow numerous players.
After Vaughan the Keens had to step in and although it got a bit sour at the end.Where was he then?
Its nice he has appeared again .
Lets hope we get promoted and see what happens investment wise.
Ive followed Barrow for over 50 years and not bothered about people who seek the lime light he deserves that just be sincere in what you say and actually mean.

Really is a bad post this one.
Even if PC just bought the club and paid off the creditors (which he did). Then he did enough to save our team from Oblivion.
We were heavily in debt and disappearing forever until PC landed.
Then he went out and headhunted the other PC and we are 5th in the National league.
Oh forgot to mention we won the Championship then finished 10th.

Agree with some of the comments on here about the ground, and it would be good to see a plan/progression on that front
But just slating PC is low

[spirit of 1990]

We had big problems with Vaughan and i worry for the club's survival.

Ah, you're back onto the money again Pedro! it must be Saturday Perhaps more things should've/could've been done on the ground but its very very inaccurate to say "he bought an asset and done little" Its been mentioned time & time again on here what has been done, but FWIW...
Boiler system, Main stand shot blasted/sprayed, pitch work, X Bar refurbished, windows replaced, roof above the X Bar made watertight, new corporate room, massive water butt, floodlights, player investment - going FT, a good sized budget for recruitment, keeping hold of two players that bids came in for where previously we would have had to cash in straight away, a FT commercial manager, a manager who we could NEVER have afforded three years ago, a scouting network, a promotion and into the play-offs of the National league beating teams like Lincoln, Tranmere, Eastleigh & D&R along the way. Then there's the smaller things like new stewards cabin, new first aid cabin, rental of porta-loo's.
Looking at that lot there's about 75% of it that we wouldn't have bothered with previously through lack of money - the rest would simply have sent us under.
Like I say, there's things that I would consider that need doing straight away, proper toilets being one, but overall and looking back to where we were three years ago...it's not too bad is it?

[John_Bucks]

Two excellent posts in a row from Whitty and Spirit.

Anyone who says they wouldn't have given thier right arm a few years ago for where we are now is a liar, plain and simple.

Stop whining and enjoy it!!

[Moribund]

While for some the 'silence' from the owner may seem to be 'deafening', one of Mr Casson's more recent radio interview comments about the ground was that he perhaps needed to be more cautious about his public comments as sometimes his previous thoughts/musings/aspirations have been interpreted by individuals as promises or absolute commitments. Indeed, on this forum, some have accused him of being a liar because the above have then not resulted in immediate action.

I suspect the behind-the-scenes action will remain as such and public pronouncements will come when a more definite plan is in place.

To be honest I am one who believe he has made promises and delivered little.I do get it wrong when a man from the NE came over to manage us I thought it was suspious.I got it wrong Ray Wilkie proved to be one of our better managers.
As for Mr Casson he bought a asset and really done little .The toilets are a disgrace.Its not a pleasant experience no wonder other supported slag our ground off.
He is supposed to be a successful business man but some of his actions do not portray a professionalism.

The justified sacking of a member of staff under Edmonson was bungled.
The promises of investment.
Paul Cox left out to dry and had to borrow numerous players.
After Vaughan the Keens had to step in and although it got a bit sour at the end.Where was he then?
Its nice he has appeared again .
Lets hope we get promoted and see what happens investment wise.
Ive followed Barrow for over 50 years and not bothered about people who seek the lime light he deserves that just be sincere in what you say and actually mean.

It's right that people are jumping on this post and telling you how wrong you are - not sure what your agenda is, but there is one.

You keep taking some things that Casson said before he even came to the club, a time when he had no idea what sort of state the club was really in, and how he could go about doing anything. These weren't "promises" as you keep spewing them out as, they were things that he wanted to do, and more than likely still does want to do.

Remember last year when a handful of shysters said they were going to spend £350 million p/w on the NHS, and when everyone voted for that, they binned off that idea? That was an example of promises made and not kept, yet those that were deceived don't seem too bothered by that.

Are you saying that he should have been here 20 years ago, if he was a real fan? You're a prize pillock really.

[Middleton Nick]

We had big problems with Vaughan and i worry for the club's survival.

Ah, you're back onto the money again Pedro! it must be Saturday Perhaps more things should've/could've been done on the ground but its very very inaccurate to say "he bought an asset and done little" Its been mentioned time & time again on here what has been done, but FWIW...
Boiler system, Main stand shot blasted/sprayed, pitch work, X Bar refurbished, windows replaced, roof above the X Bar made watertight, new corporate room, massive water butt, floodlights, player investment - going FT, a good sized budget for recruitment, keeping hold of two players that bids came in for where previously we would have had to cash in straight away, a FT commercial manager, a manager who we could NEVER have afforded three years ago, a scouting network, a promotion and into the play-offs of the National league beating teams like Lincoln, Tranmere, Eastleigh & D&R along the way. Then there's the smaller things like new stewards cabin, new first aid cabin, rental of porta-loo's.
Looking at that lot there's about 75% of it that we wouldn't have bothered with previously through lack of money - the rest would simply have sent us under.
Like I say, there's things that I would consider that need doing straight away, proper toilets being one, but overall and looking back to where we were three years ago...it's not too bad is it?

Spot on Ian.

[spirit of 1990]

Go on then, fire away....the pitch is 100m long with hardly any run off at either end, the HSE is inadequate for anything and right onto the road outside. It needs rebuilding. Opposite end, the Crossbar may have looked good in 1972 but 45 years later it needs levelling and that presents the opportunity to lengthen the pitch and build a proper away end once and for all. The main stand then gets lengthened to increase capacity. Can't see it any other way that will free up the "hemmed in" current scenario. Either that or move.

I have no idea what the final plans will be but we often talk about what we'd like to see (when down the ground on Sundays....& spending someone else's money )
A cheap(er) option to everything and one that would fit in with what a majority of supporters feel they need would be -

Reception area car park leading around to the main stand. Demolish it all, the exterior wall, the interior wall, the disabled area, the Trust shop & the terracing. Rebuild the exterior wall (that is falling down anyway) move the interior wall in line with the main stand which gains an extra eight foot for more terracing and gives virtually full views of the pitch from the West Terrace. Add that terracing that comes in block form, basically as deep, long, high as is needed. Fit in new toilets to the plumbing that is already there.

Holker St/Wilkie Rd corner. Pretty much as above. No need for anything more fancy.

Replace all broken seats in the main stand which would bring it back to over 1,000 seated places available again.

Them two corners would also increase the capacity on that side of the ground, even more so when crush barriers are fitted to modern standards.

That's the whole of one side of the ground done, no need for anything more.

HSE. Again, demolish the whole end down to ground level, while flattened drill the bore holes required for any roof pylons. Rebuild the external wall, fit the same block terracing as the other two areas with the new crush barriers. Rebuild the internal wall.

Pop side. Could easily be left if money was an issue but with toilets built. I would like to see all of that external wall knocked down with a new one built and add into the wall facing inside the ground a shop, a food/burger/pie outlet, toilets, possibly a basic bar but with TV's.

Steelworks end. What could be the jewel in the crown. Demolished and rebuilt as a smaller hotel with corporate facilities, a room to hire for weddings/Christenings/18ths/21st's/end of season dinners/awards, a match day bar, shop, reception. This could be an all year earner.

Obviously the floodlights would be planned into the rebuild as and when.

Work around the ground in the order I've wrote and that would require little planning permission and leaving the big job (the Steelworks end) till last as that would require all of the thought and planning permission. All of that would be more than enough, it would increase the capacity to a reasonable amount, and surely for a fraction of the original costs.

That'd be my ideal ground Jonty....

[Jim]

A lot of good points in the last few posts. Regarding the 'Steelworks End', the Crossbar building is a bit of an eyesore and it would be great to have a more modern stand a bit like the south end of York's Bootham Crescent (sadly to be no more when they move out to the periphery of the city next season). They have a concourse with programme booths and a building with reception facilities and function rooms whilst still having space for terracing behind the goal. It's a pity we can't transplant it to Holker Street.

I don't blame PC for taking it steady, there are probably more obstacles and potential costs than he expected. It is not for us to criticise how he spends his and his family's money or to demand faster progress. (Incidentally, York have been talking about a move for 6 or 7 years and it was planned to take place 2 or 3 years ago but they are still at Bootham Crescent. That's the way things are with most developments).

[Lancaster Branch]

I think York's delays are the exception twther than the norm - Fylde have built two grounds in the time it has taken for York to get sorted.

No rush for me btw, he can spend his money as and how he likes.