So the council is thinking about commissioning a feasibility study? If it ever actually happens this study would come up with ideas for them to think about what to do with the stadium? It’s not really a story.
The only non league football ground which is suitable is Prescot.........
Both Runcorn Linnets or Town grounds are not good enough........
There are no other sports stadia unless you go as far as Warrington to the east,Northwich to the south-where they sold and flattened a very good new stadium so it does happen,Witton is still there,St Helens to the North and Liverpool to the West.
If the stadium goes so will Widnes rugby.
We could ask James Rule to buy it, he could just use the money he took from us, while he was here.
So the council is thinking about commissioning a feasibility study? If it ever actually happens this study would come up with ideas for them to think about what to do with the stadium? It’s not really a story.
Lots of Local Authorities are looking at selling off building stock. Warrington has ridiculous debt levels and they started talking about it last year. They're now looking for buyers for a lot of their buildings/land, the biggest being a technology park in Birchwood. Sounds like Halton is just 12 months behind with their planning.
HBC will be knocking down the Muni and that land will be houses, there is a massive Kingsway housing development project on the cards. They won't be building new offices, if they did, it wouldn't be a significant build, people can work from home.
The stadium is a liability they can do without.
This could go either way, well or catastrophic for our beloved club. It is no surprise really, just a reflection of the current UK economy both national & local. Concerning times to say the least. Lets hope it turns out well & the club is given sufficient time to ensure arrangements can be made to ensure it's future hppefully with the support of the Council.
@gpo1971 you do realise that a significant number of council staff actually currently work in offices in the stadium? if they are knocking down the muni as you say, the council staff will need somewhere to work, so surely this makes the stadium offices more important for the council to keep? regarding current council work from home policy, yes some council staff can work from home but for part of the week only, but they still need offices to go to on the other days, so that point isnt really relevant.
That land is owned by Luke Backhouse. Its not something I could see happening now 10 years too late,My thoughts have always been, that if WV die, the DCBL Stadium noose will be massively to blame.
Someone may know, was there anything in writing that if the Council closed the stadium, WV who gave up Naughton Park for the 'new asset' (owned by the community/council tax payers) would get a kick-back from the sale?
A smaller stadium (standing and seating) on the corner of Ditton Rd/Speke Rd would be an ideal location.
It would be Utopia, but I can't see it happening.
Paulie xx
@gpo1971 you do realise that a significant number of council staff actually currently work in offices in the stadium? if they are knocking down the muni as you say, the council staff will need somewhere to work, so surely this makes the stadium offices more important for the council to keep? regarding current council work from home policy, yes some council staff can work from home but for part of the week only, but they still need offices to go to on the other days, so that point isnt really relevant.
It's completely relevant. If it's between spending money that they haven't got OR changing the working from home policy, it'll be the latter every day of the week.
Devil's advocate - Apart from this being on a fans forum for the club, why should the council subsidise a (Semi) professional sports team, or not charge best rates to pay for other council services? I'm amazed this has been left so long & wouldn't surprise me if it's knocked down.
Sure it will be a fairly quick desktop exercise to work out roughly how many houses you can fit on there, selling prices in the area (They're not going to be £1m homes!) and building costs to see if it's even close to viable.
The new residents wouldn’t have to go far for a drink , with a club and a pub bordering their houses, great selling point🙄
The new residents wouldn’t have to go far for a drink , with a club and a pub bordering their houses, great selling point🙄
There are houses where the Station Road ground used to be, and if you didn't know, you'd never even guess what history and memories their homes are built on! 😒
There's no Gowers Grove, or Stopford Street, or Blan Boulevard, or Clarke Close. Just faceless bricks and mortar where legends used to ply their trade! 😒
Spelly.
Yes, I took someone there a couple of years ago , when I was a taxi driver. I wasn’t sure but remembered the bridge that was near the ground, so asked the passengers if that was were the Station Road ground used to be.
Where Knowsley Road was, there’s a new estate, but some of the roads are named after famous Saints players.
On our stadium site there could be a James Rule (in) Court
@torn-sock-1 Salford council just announced they are doing the same to try and get rid of taxpayers burden subsidising salfords stadium
councils obviously cutting cloth and part time rugby doesn't pay 💰 rfl either help now with finances or let the championship go
@torn-sock-1 Salford council just announced they are doing the same to try and get rid of taxpayers burden subsidising salfords stadium
councils obviously cutting cloth and part time rugby doesn't pay 💰 rfl either help now with finances or let the championship go
The MEN says that Salford council is losing £1.6m a year owning that ground. They paid £7.7m for it (and a load of land) in 2024. They can't sell it until 2028 due to contracts.