Sunday, October 07, 2007
Windsor Going South?
The continuing debacle over the siting of a new multi-sports stadium is likely to re-enter the political arena with the news that an IFA/ Linfield-commissioned report is due to recommend the closure of the South Stand at Windsor Park from January 2008, reducing the capacity of the stadium to 9,000. IFA Chief Executive, Howard Wells, admits he has “no idea where the money is coming from” to meet the cost of upgrading Windsor to the basic standard required to host international football- now there’s true leadership for ya, IFA-style!
With opinion strongly divided within the DUP over the location of such a stadium and republicans on record as opposing any alternative siting to that on offer at Long Kesh/ Maze site, it doesn’t appear that the IFA’s ‘wish’ for a massive financial bail-out is likely- in which case, this website and phone number may come in handy…
Chris Donnelly @ 10:29 PM
Ha, ha and again ha. Bunch of sectarian bigots reap what they have sowed.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 12:08 AMI’d imagine allowing England rugby team to line up and sing God Save the Queen would be an easier pill to swallow for the GAA than offering the hand of friendship to Northern Ireland....given the official support for the campaign of terrorism to eradicate all traces of Northern Ireland from the map for 3 decades or more
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 12:11 AMPlease folks, at least try and hide your glee. You’re not really doing anyone any favours here.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 12:52 AMOne wonders what exactly is supposed to be wrong with the South Stand. Safe in 2007 but not safe in 2008.
And what happened to the scaremongering about the North Stand having to be closed after the Sweden match in March? Funny how we heard nothing more about that.
These reports are rather convenient for those pushing the Maze.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 12:54 AM“… official support for the campaign of terrorism ...” - ?
But Chris, don’t you think this stadium would seem far more likely? Won’t be available for two more years, but the IFA’d be waiting far longer for Croker, me thinks.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 12:58 AMQuite a few conditionals in Well’s spiel piece,let’s wait and see the report’s findings before relying too much on Cheerleader Howard’s interpretation.
Regarding the timing, four points;
1.IFA’s contract with Linfield FC will have ended by January, coicidence that it is also the time that the stand will need to be shut down.
2. There is new legislation directly coming into force after the Denmark match which will cause the South Stand to close?
3. This news from Ravenhill doesn’t auger well for the pro Mazers, strangely omitted by Mr Donnelly in his analysis:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3021923.ece
4. Weren’t we (or Peter Robinson was anyway) promised a proper business plan for the Maze, you know a “business plan” with real figures and stuff, by October? I wonder if the figures are not all that was expected on that one, hence the pre-emptive pr strike by Wells?
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 06:21 AMChris,
“due to recommend the closure of the South Stand at Windsor Park from January 2008”
On a point of clarity, this relates only to international matches.
Linfield FC were happy to receive their UEFA licence as early as June 2007 - one of the signatories being a certain Mr Wells.
In other words, Windsor Park is “fit for purpose” for Linfield FC, the owners of Windsor Park.
Given that Mr Wells has served notice on Linfield FC of the IFA’s desire to leave Windsor Park after the current Euro Qualifiers, the onus is on the IFA to start seeking alternative venues.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 08:56 AMAnother couple of defeats and 9000 will be to many seats, just as a few years ago.
A short term concern in my opinion.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 09:06 AM3. This news from Ravenhill doesn’t auger well for the pro Mazers, strangely omitted by Mr Donnelly in his analysis:
This was covered in a previous rugby thread, however the Ravenhill redevelopment will actually REDUCE capacity from around 12,500 to 11,000. The redevelopment is to “upgrade facilities” (which will presumeably mean higher ticket prices) and the overall revenue will increase despite reduced capacity.
Based upon 06/07 attendances, Ravenhill with a capacity of 11k would mean 6 out of 12 Ulster home games being sell-outs and an average capacity of 98%, so there is no doubt that Ulster Rugby needs access to a higher capacity stadium.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 09:26 AMReport by October? October has not ended yet.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 09:40 AM*Ahem* Similar to when the ROI looked like it didn’t have a stadium on the Island of Ireland it looked like it would have to play its home internationals in Wales.
How about NI approaching the GAA and asking for Croke Park?
*Genuine suggestion, but ducks head anyway*
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 09:41 AMCroke Park is available for use....good rates too!
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 11:03 AMIn this age of equality let us examine how much exchequer money from Britain made its way into the coffers of the GAA , IRFU “Ulster branch” and IFA.
A review of the last 15 years would be appropriate
Depending on the results a case might be made to build a soccer/rugby stadium for 25,000 and up grade Casement Park.
A stadium will be built close to Belfast and it will not be at the Maze.Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 12:47 PMCapn Bob
Report by October? October has not ended yetPerhaps I could have worded it better.
Report is supposed to be made public by the end of October.Doesn’t mean that the pertinent figures are not already available to Poots,Wells and Co.
And bearing in mind the fact that the Freedom of Information Act had to be be invoked to drag out of them the findings of the last report, I’m not that confident that they would immediately share the findings with the general public.
Expect an upturn in the pro-Maze propaganda over the next few weeks.Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 01:05 PMto bemused- are those the same bigots who burnt tricolors in the glentoran end at the recent match v cliftonville ;-)
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 04:09 PMONeill
You say there will be an upturn in pro Maze propaganda.
Propaganda never built a thing.
Reasoned argument, common sense and economic forces can work together to achieve things otherwise you are left with hot air and nothing.Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 04:16 PMPropaganda never built a thing.
No, that’s of course true, ulsterfan and to be honest, the cack-handed attempts at hood-winking the public by Agent Poots and friends have probably worked to the detriment of the Maze option.
Reasoned argument, common sense and economic forces can work together to achieve things otherwise you are left with hot air and nothing.
Only when (or if) we get all the options laided out transparently on the table can the final, correct decision be made.
If that does happen, then I’m now confident it’s the economic forces which will ultimately determine the choice- which is going to definitely rule out the Maze and probably also a Belfast alternative.
Where does that leave the IFA?
Up the Swannee, minus a rowing implement, the useless t*ssers.Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 04:58 PMoneill
At least we agree the stadium will not be at the Maze.
Football and rugby need a new home in Belfast and a new ground will be built.
Soccer needs and deserves a lot of investment from the public purse as there is no other way to raise it .
Rugby is probably in a better financial shape but it makes sense to bring the sports together.
Glentoran will be developing on a new site in a few years and that is an opportunity . Windsor will have to be brought up to standard.Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 06:34 PMSoccer needs and deserves a lot of investment from the public purse as there is no other way to raise it .
Well....I’m a football fan, but after the amount of money they’ve managed to waste over the last decade thorugh their general incompetence, I don’t think the IFA deserve another silver farthing of public funds.
If a new stadium is to be built, then the funding must come principally from private investment not our taxes.
Otherwise, let’s make do with what we’ve got, with whatever modifications are needed.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 06:44 PM“Windsor will have to be brought up to standard”
ulsterfan,
What for exactly?
The ground is up to standard for the needs of Linfield FC.
The IFA’s contract with Linfield FC ends on 18th January 2008 - as per the letter received by Linfield FC from Howard Wells in July 2007.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 07:18 PMRealist
Thanks for the point of clarity.
ulsterfan
The very suggestion that millions of pound be thrown after multiple new stadia across Belfast just to ensure rugby and soccer don’t have to share with the GAA is a joke, never mind a non-starter.
The only option anywhere near viable will remain the Long Kesh/ Maze venue, and only that if substantial private investment is forthcoming.
Else the IFA will have to get serious about booking Ibrox, Anfield or Croker for that matter for future matches.
Or maybe they’ll have to return to Linfield with a less antagonistic attitude as they come to the realisation that they don’t have much weight to throw around in the new Executive, or anywhere else for that matter.
Posted by on Oct 08, 2007 @ 09:41 PMPublic money should not be spent on bailing out incompetent sporting organisations such as the IFA. Money from the tax base needs to be spent on education, health etc - not to satisfy the selfish entertainment needs of a few thousand male residents of Belfast and the surrounding areas.
No - let the IFA etc sort out their own mess, public funds are for the greater good.
Note to self - I wonder if Bertie FF gave money to the GAA for Croke Park or if the GAA did it all themselves. If they did it themselves then credit where it is due.Posted by on Oct 09, 2007 @ 01:56 AM“Rugby is probably in a better financial shape .... “
Because IRFU know which tune to sing maybe? ...
USA
GAA did most of Croke Park themselves ... but no one in the republic begrudges them a penny that they have got from Irish Gov. (100m which was about 1/4 of what it cost).Lansdowne Road Irish Gov. are giving 180m. IRFU are providing site (valued at about 500m) as well as cash and FAI about 70m.
Note to IFA (before considering making a phone call to borrow stadium) FAI now have a stake in Lansdowne Road! Want to watch the bickering over player eligibility.
Posted by on Oct 09, 2007 @ 09:19 AMTO ULSTERFAN
Thanks for your fantastic assessment of when the contract will end, unfortunately it is in the hands of contractual law experts, not slugger o’tool posters, and we’ll see what they make of the IFA requesting a break in their contract decades before the date THEY specifically requested
Posted by on Oct 09, 2007 @ 09:32 AM“Thanks for your fantastic assessment of when the contract will end, unfortunately it is in the hands of contractual law experts, not slugger o’tool posters, and we’ll see what they make of the IFA requesting a break in their contract decades before the date THEY specifically requested”
thekinkslfc,
I think you may have directed your post incorrectly at Ulsterfan.
Indeed, the matter is in the hands of Linfield Fc’s lawyers.
Howard Wells has signified the IFA’s intention to terminate the contract with Linfield FC on 18th January 2008 - by virtue of a letter sent to Linfield FC in July 2007.
The lawyers will decide whether this is a breach of contract and, if so, what compensation is due too Linfield FC.
Notwithstanding that, it seems odd now that Mr Wells is gurning about having nowhere to play.
He wrote the bloody letter - no consultation with Linfield FC and no thinking about the short term problem until a new stadium is available.
He has dug himself into one almighty hole, and has acted in a provocative manner with those whose assistance he may need to rely on.
Posted by on Oct 09, 2007 @ 10:16 AM
