theton1 Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 If the reconstruction goes ahead then the stadium requirements will be relaxed. So it's not actually entirely clear whether or not Cappielow will need to be upgraded (if we win promotion). This will be one of the reasons why Dougie Rae will be right behind the reconstruction plans. Fair enough although with the current problems in scottish football, you would think the rules would be relaxed anyway considering most SPL games are averaging a crowd of 5000. Also why are teams like Motherwell allowed to be still in the SPL when their Park is like a field and there is more call off games than Morton and we have to get undersoil heating when we seldom have games called off due to weather conditions.
SpoonTon Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 Fair enough although with the current problems in scottish football, you would think the rules would be relaxed anyway considering most SPL games are averaging a crowd of 5000. Also why are teams like Motherwell allowed to be still in the SPL when their Park is like a field and there is more call off games than Morton and we have to get undersoil heating when we seldom have games called off due to weather conditions. You're spot on. It would be perfectly crazy to install USH at Cappielow when a decent pitch cover (at the fraction of the price and none of the running costs) could do the job almost as well without destroying one of the best pitches in the country. From our point of view, it's incredibly important that reconstruction plans go through this season. Especially if it includes the use of terracing in the top flight. It would still be nice to see some improvements at Cappielow, including the renovation of the WDE, and (if possible) an extention of the roof over the cowshed. Apart from anything else, I think that such imporvements would be a good investment in the long term (if affordable in the short term). But an all seater Cappielow with USH is not a good investment in any way, neither is putting up a temporary stand over the Sinclair St end and watching an empty cowshed - that would be madness.
irnbru Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 If the reconstruction goes ahead then the stadium requirements will be relaxed. So it's not actually entirely clear whether or not Cappielow will need to be upgraded (if we win promotion). This will be one of the reasons why Dougie Rae will be right behind the reconstruction plans. I'm not so sure - I think Rae would like to have a bit of a legacy at Morton and having a redeveloped stadium would be something on his wish list. That and promotion to the SPL!
SpoonTon Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 I'm not so sure - I think Rae would like to have a bit of a legacy at Morton and having a redeveloped stadium would be something on his wish list. That and promotion to the SPL! Yes, but I'm not so sure that those plans would include doing away with the terracing in the cowshed, installing USH or putting a temporary stand over the Sinclair St end. A lasting legacy would involve the redevlopment of the WDE (which wouldn't be enough in itself and would leave large parts ground unused), the extension of the roof over the cowshed and a permanent new stand at the Sinclair St end (which probably isn't affordable right now and couldn't be done for next season). Promotion + reconstruction would allow flexibility in the redevelopment, no need for USH and an increase in overall income.
irnbru Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 Yes, but I'm not so sure that those plans would include doing away with the terracing in the cowshed, installing USH or putting a temporary stand over the Sinclair St end. A lasting legacy would involve the redevlopment of the WDE (which wouldn't be enough in itself and would leave large parts ground unused), the extension of the roof over the cowshed and a permanent new stand at the Sinclair St end (which probably isn't affordable right now and couldn't be done for next season). Promotion + reconstruction would allow flexibility in the redevelopment, no need for USH and an increase in overall income. If we did get promoted I think a case could be put forward to change the rules from USH to adequate protection and use our pitch and record it has of games being on as evidence. On the stadium itself I think stands behind each goal would be Dougie's aim but I'm not so sure what you mean by extending the Cowshed roof and what value it would have? If standing comes back in I would be quite happy with it exactly as it is although maybe a small section for away supporters.
SpoonTon Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 If we did get promoted I think a case could be put forward to change the rules from USH to adequate protection and use our pitch and record it has of games being on as evidence. On the stadium itself I think stands behind each goal would be Dougie's aim but I'm not so sure what you mean by extending the Cowshed roof and what value it would have? If standing comes back in I would be quite happy with it exactly as it is although maybe a small section for away supporters. The extension of the Cowshed roof is just something I'd personally like to see, although I know that it's something that other fans like the idea of as well. If the uncovered 30 yards or so of the Cowshed was redeveloped then you could extend the seating all the way along the front of the Cowshed and create a larger area of covered terracing. This would improve the atmosphere in big games, and would mean that less fans would need to get wet/more space under cover on rainy days. I actually think it would be an important step in redveloping Cappielow (i.e. making it more attractive to fans etc). It's also easier to give a section of the cowshed to away fans if you extend the covered area for home fans.
Alibi Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 If Dundee were able to avoid relegation by insisting that we (if we won the title) had to meet the current SPL rules to the letter, then I'm sure they would do so. The SPL does its best to be a closed shop and common sense won't get a look in. "Any nation given the opportunity to regain its national sovereignty and which then rejects it is so far beneath contempt that it is hard to put words to it."
AyrshireTon Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 We could start by glueing a switch to the wall inside Scapa and label it "under soil heating" with "on" and "off" written on it. We can then say, when a game is called off, that it is too loud for the neighbours or that it doesn't work or something, like Killie and Motherwell do. Save a fortune. McGhee needs some support, there's no-one backing him up. Hayes playing it forward, Bell being forced to do it all alone, now forward from Marr, here's Ritchie, still Andy Ritchie, look at the control... That is a marvellous goal from Andy Ritchie. Twenty minutes on the clock and Morton's supporters come alive. A goal which epitomises the control, the arrogance, the cheek of Andy Ritchie.
gdo Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 We could start by glueing a switch to the wall inside Scapa and label it "under soil heating" with "on" and "off" written on it. We can then say, when a game is called off, that it is too loud for the neighbours or that it doesn't work or something, like Killie and Motherwell do. Save a fortune. This will only work until next winter when people start asking questions about why we still have so much grass!!
AyrshireTon Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 This will only work until next winter when people start asking questions about why we still have so much grass!! Unlike Killie. That park was a shambles yesterday! McGhee needs some support, there's no-one backing him up. Hayes playing it forward, Bell being forced to do it all alone, now forward from Marr, here's Ritchie, still Andy Ritchie, look at the control... That is a marvellous goal from Andy Ritchie. Twenty minutes on the clock and Morton's supporters come alive. A goal which epitomises the control, the arrogance, the cheek of Andy Ritchie.
EanieMeany Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 We could start by glueing a switch to the wall inside Scapa and label it "under soil heating" with "on" and "off" written on it. We can then say, when a game is called off, that it is too loud for the neighbours or that it doesn't work or something, like Killie and Motherwell do. Save a fortune. In an ideal world we'd be able to tell them to shove their promotion if they insist on the pitch being ripped up for under-soil heating. Given that Mark Farrell has maintained an almost perfect pitch for several years with all manner of weather to contend with, it defies any kind of logic to suggest that we go tearing it up. Look at the nick of most SPL pitches, there's barely a blade of grass to be seen on them. AWMSC
piehutt Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 I think we stand a reasonable chance of the ground requirements being relaxed. It was a reasonable ask to make clubs have new stadiums in place when there was 7 figure TV deals kicking about, and you knew a small ground would be sold out maybe 4 or 5 times with Old Firm fans coming - but now the sums don't make quite as much sense. I am a bit surprised about the lack of an official statement on this from the club or SPL. No doubt the SPL are hopeful that Thistle get promoted and they don't have to take a hardline approach to wee Morton with their 'great old stadium'. However FWIW, I think the stadium is a must. We have to be able to house fans in covered, all seated areas. The undersoil heating - we can make a case for not requiring. Given Ross County fitted their's and have had at least two games off for waterlogged pitch. We have had no games called off (other than a midweek cup tie, called off the day before as our PT opponents had to arrange time off work) and pitch looks a lot better than many SPL clubs at this stage in the season. Twitter... tweet tweet
Alibi Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 I think we stand a reasonable chance of the ground requirements being relaxed. It was a reasonable ask to make clubs have new stadiums in place when there was 7 figure TV deals kicking about, and you knew a small ground would be sold out maybe 4 or 5 times with Old Firm fans coming - but now the sums don't make quite as much sense. I am a bit surprised about the lack of an official statement on this from the club or SPL. No doubt the SPL are hopeful that Thistle get promoted and they don't have to take a hardline approach to wee Morton with their 'great old stadium'. However FWIW, I think the stadium is a must. We have to be able to house fans in covered, all seated areas. The undersoil heating - we can make a case for not requiring. Given Ross County fitted their's and have had at least two games off for waterlogged pitch. We have had no games called off (other than a midweek cup tie, called off the day before as our PT opponents had to arrange time off work) and pitch looks a lot better than many SPL clubs at this stage in the season. The problem is that SPL stands for self preservation league. If they waive the rules for us, Dundee will complain and it will probably end up in court. "Any nation given the opportunity to regain its national sovereignty and which then rejects it is so far beneath contempt that it is hard to put words to it."
piehutt Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 The problem is that SPL stands for self preservation league. If they waive the rules for us, Dundee will complain and it will probably end up in court. But they seem to relax the rules every few years. 1st it was 10,000 seats, now it's 6,000. You weren't allowed to ground share, then ICT shared with Aberdeen, Greetna with Motherwell etc. You had to have the ground ready for 31st March, but that seems like its never enforced either. Twitter... tweet tweet
dunning1874 Posted March 4, 2013 Posted March 4, 2013 The problem is that SPL stands for self preservation league. If they waive the rules for us, Dundee will complain and it will probably end up in court. Did Dunfermline complain about County last year although work hadn't started on 31st March? No, because that would obviously be ridiculous. If Dundee were to go to court they'd firstly get their arses booted for going to a court outwith the sporting authorities, and would lose anyway. Not that it matters, because there's no chance they'd do it. Brian Wake my Lord, Brian Wake Brian Wake my Lord, Brian Wake Brian Wake my Lord, Brian Wake Oh Lord, Brian Wake
irnbru Posted March 5, 2013 Posted March 5, 2013 Did Dunfermline complain about County last year although work hadn't started on 31st March? No, because that would obviously be ridiculous. If Dundee were to go to court they'd firstly get their arses booted for going to a court outwith the sporting authorities, and would lose anyway. Not that it matters, because there's no chance they'd do it. Yeah I agree - it's a pretty unrealistic point that's being made. If we win the league and have plans for redevelopment in the same way as Ross County done we'll be in the SPL next year.
Alibi Posted March 5, 2013 Posted March 5, 2013 Yeah I agree - it's a pretty unrealistic point that's being made. If we win the league and have plans for redevelopment in the same way as Ross County done we'll be in the SPL next year. Yes, but the question hasn't been answered. Do we have plans to be SPL compliant before next season? Waiting until May 4th and then, if we finish first, deciding we need to do something isn't the same as having a viable plan in place. It would actually be simpler if the WDE was just a flat wasteland as putting a temporary stand on it to tick the 6000 seat box would be straightforward and quick - building a permanent structure takes more time. "Any nation given the opportunity to regain its national sovereignty and which then rejects it is so far beneath contempt that it is hard to put words to it."
irnbru Posted March 5, 2013 Posted March 5, 2013 Yes, but the question hasn't been answered. Do we have plans to be SPL compliant before next season? Waiting until May 4th and then, if we finish first, deciding we need to do something isn't the same as having a viable plan in place. It would actually be simpler if the WDE was just a flat wasteland as putting a temporary stand on it to tick the 6000 seat box would be straightforward and quick - building a permanent structure takes more time. We need to have them in by the end of this month - not the end of the season so we'll know soon enough but I'm pretty sure the club will have something in place.
irnbru Posted March 5, 2013 Posted March 5, 2013 Just had a look and it seems we do have planning permission already: http://planning.inverclyde.gov.uk/Online/c...seNo=10/0167/IC It must be started by 25th May 2013 or it expires so not long to go...
InverAlly Posted March 5, 2013 Posted March 5, 2013 Yes, but the question hasn't been answered. Do we have plans to be SPL compliant before next season? Waiting until May 4th and then, if we finish first, deciding we need to do something isn't the same as having a viable plan in place. It would actually be simpler if the WDE was just a flat wasteland as putting a temporary stand on it to tick the 6000 seat box would be straightforward and quick - building a permanent structure takes more time. I'm fairly sure that Planning/Building Warrant is in place for the WDE for the roof & seating. Just a matter of contractor being appointed and getting the job done.
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