| Theoretical stadium relocation 23:14 - Jun 28 with 8822 views | Sheffield_dale |
Bit of fun...If money was no object, where In Rochdale would you relocate Spotland?
Evening all. Long time reader, first time contributor.
Upon a Dale reunion last weekend in the pub, an interesting topic/scenario was brought up and wanted to open it up to the forum.
Taking into account tourism, transport, location, accessibility etc that would increase the attendance/popularity of the club, where would you relocate Spotland?
I few suggestions were Norden Field, Hollingworth lake or a central location maybe the old market for easy away fan access to the train station.
Rules were:
1. Would have to improve matchday attendance/reputation of the club
2. Be in a location that would best represent Rochdale
Stadium names also welcome :)
[Post edited 28 Jun 2019 23:17]
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 17:45 - Jun 29 with 2469 views | robtheb |
The old Carcraft site at Castleton would be ideal (unfortunately earmarked for housing) No need to access along Nixon Street, so no problem with traffic. Access could be where Chamber House night club use to be. I use to work for Carcraft so know the area well. There is at least 7 acres of flat land there as it included the land where Marland Mill was, so plenty of room to include training facilities. Do a deal with Mayfield for Hornets......jobs a good one! | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 19:55 - Jun 29 with 2385 views | soulboy |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:20 - Jun 29 by aleanddale |
The thought of a new concrete bowl puts shivers down my spine!
I think the Sandy lane could be turned into a fantastic stand but it would need to cross to the far side of the road on Sandy Lane and tunnels created for cars and pedestrians. |
I agree, if Manchester Airport can have a busy A road going underneath a runway im pretty sure a stand could be built over Sandy Lane. Anythings better than a new style breeze block stadium where the only difference betwen most of them is the colour the the seats. |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 22:12 - Jun 29 with 2300 views | D_Dale |
Well, as it's just a bit of midsummer fun, the land adjacent to Molesworth street and Entwistle road is handy for the train, tram and buses and near the town centre. The course of the Roch would need to be changed and the slope up towards Milnrow road levelled in some way.
A complex of three or four levels would accommodate the club shop, cafes, offices etc - providing extra income and enhancing the club's reputation for professionalism (!) - and the pitch would be high enough up to give visiting fans a view of the town hall. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 03:28 - Jun 30 with 2226 views | pioneer |
Anyone been to Bern in switzerland? They built their new stadium on top of a supermarket. Just think if we could have had a stadium built on top of Asdas downtown. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 14:19 - Jun 30 with 2077 views | Ninco |
Years ago, someone was planning on building a football ground on the farmland at the top of Hollin Lane in Middleton, but that seemed to go quiet. Although not the closest place to Rochdale, it would have been ideal with being so close to the motorway and fairly well supported by public transport and there would be ample places for off road parking. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 16:40 - Jun 30 with 2016 views | boromat |
The site where the 7 Sisters are would be pretty good. Right near the centre with all the transport links and also not too far away from Spotland. Could be part of a Rochdale centre regeneration scheme, incorporate the college in some way. Shared training facilities maybe. | |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 16:50 - Jun 30 with 2000 views | windowsbug |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:20 - Jun 29 by aleanddale |
The thought of a new concrete bowl puts shivers down my spine!
I think the Sandy lane could be turned into a fantastic stand but it would need to cross to the far side of the road on Sandy Lane and tunnels created for cars and pedestrians. |
Just do what Notts County did with the Jimmy Sirrel stand.
Build it out over the pavement.
24 County Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KsNNNCJC314EvwG19 [Post edited 30 Jun 2019 17:40]
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 21:56 - Jun 30 with 1936 views | Swissdale |
Interesting thread that I’ve thought a lot about myself over the years. Although Spotland is in a poor location, it could be made better. However, the best matchday experiences I’ve had watching football have always been in central locations (Milmoor, Gay Meadow, St James’ Park Newcastle, so that would be my preference).
As mentioned by previous posters, the old MFI site at the top of Drake Street would be ideal. Great location for nearby pubs and restaurants, plus excellent transport links. Brownfield site, so should be cheap, and could even come with grants if supported by our incompetent council (Though I doubt it would be something they’d support - I’m staggered at how ‘1990s’ their ideas have been to date on the town centre redevelopment). Could even do something really daring with the stadium design, something like the tram line running parallel to the pitch in a tunnel ‘come see what you’re missing?’ I think the location would be beneficial to the town, but also to the club in terms of making it revenue-generating pre/post match, and even not on match days. Sports bar maybe?
If we’re staying at Spotland, I’d say; The boxes need renovating (add some outdoor space like modern exec boxes), all the bars and food outlets need bringing into the 21st century — and GET RID OF THE RED. Change all the red ones for black, and paint the red trim around the stadium in black too! |  | | |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 22:12 - Jun 30 with 1926 views | Parechart |
The best reason for moving from Spotland, is to join forces with another club.
Potential clubs would be Oldham or Bury..obviously a lot of people would not like this.
But an amalgamation of say Rochdale and Bury, playing on the outskirts of Heywood.
Would create a great atmosphere, with crowds of 10,000+
Would you prefer Oldham or Bury? |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 22:22 - Jun 30 with 1912 views | TVOS1907 |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 22:12 - Jun 30 by Parechart |
The best reason for moving from Spotland, is to join forces with another club.
Potential clubs would be Oldham or Bury..obviously a lot of people would not like this.
But an amalgamation of say Rochdale and Bury, playing on the outskirts of Heywood.
Would create a great atmosphere, with crowds of 10,000+
Would you prefer Oldham or Bury? |
What if one of them doesn't exist? |  |
| When I was your age, I used to enjoy the odd game of tennis. Or was it golf? |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 23:06 - Jun 30 with 1869 views | rochdale_ranger |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 22:12 - Jun 30 by Parechart |
The best reason for moving from Spotland, is to join forces with another club.
Potential clubs would be Oldham or Bury..obviously a lot of people would not like this.
But an amalgamation of say Rochdale and Bury, playing on the outskirts of Heywood.
Would create a great atmosphere, with crowds of 10,000+
Would you prefer Oldham or Bury? |
Heard a fewBury and Oldham fans putting this idea about. I wonder why. I love reminding my Oldham and Bury supporting mates that we are the biggest northwest club in league out of league one and two. |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 00:14 - Jul 1 with 1826 views | luckystrike |
Milton Keynes | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 03:15 - Jul 1 with 1801 views | pioneer |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 22:12 - Jun 30 by Parechart |
The best reason for moving from Spotland, is to join forces with another club.
Potential clubs would be Oldham or Bury..obviously a lot of people would not like this.
But an amalgamation of say Rochdale and Bury, playing on the outskirts of Heywood.
Would create a great atmosphere, with crowds of 10,000+
Would you prefer Oldham or Bury? |
Id prefer having my eyes poked out with a rusty nail to joining up with either of them.
Any examples of local rivals merging to form a successful thriving club?
Where do you get 10,000 crowds from? Id like a couple of pints of what you have been drinking. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 07:47 - Jul 1 with 1735 views | EllDale |
I too have noticed sports provision in Europe over the years.
I had it partially explained that every town and village has an elected mayor or other local dignitary who always promises such facilities in the run-up to an election and who then builds it once in office as a vanity project as long as it's named after themselves! | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 08:53 - Jul 1 with 1696 views | kel |
From the OP
“I few suggestions were Norden Field, Hollingworth lake or a central location maybe the old market for easy away fan access to the train station.”
What’s Norden field? Hollingworth Lake - is that a serious suggestion? The old market - Really? Really?????
You didn’t give us your ideal location, perhaps you could come back and do so. |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 08:53 - Jul 1 with 1695 views | kel |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 22:12 - Jun 30 by Parechart |
The best reason for moving from Spotland, is to join forces with another club.
Potential clubs would be Oldham or Bury..obviously a lot of people would not like this.
But an amalgamation of say Rochdale and Bury, playing on the outskirts of Heywood.
Would create a great atmosphere, with crowds of 10,000+
Would you prefer Oldham or Bury? |
Heh, poor effort.
2/10 | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:43 - Jul 1 with 1636 views | mingthemerciless |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 16:50 - Jun 29 by Charlie |
TBA site. Try and identify external funding. Get various stakeholders involved. |
The issue there would be the old problem of who pays to clean up the site before building the stadium. The local council can't afford what would be a very expensive undertaking and the current national government isn't interested in anything North of Watford.
Incidentally the TBA site had a terrific football ground with two top class pitches that I " graced " myself for a short time, now there's houses on it. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 19:23 - Jul 1 with 1504 views | 49thseason |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:43 - Jul 1 by mingthemerciless |
The issue there would be the old problem of who pays to clean up the site before building the stadium. The local council can't afford what would be a very expensive undertaking and the current national government isn't interested in anything North of Watford.
Incidentally the TBA site had a terrific football ground with two top class pitches that I " graced " myself for a short time, now there's houses on it. |
The main problem is that the owners are not interested in selling the site to RMBC and I don't think RMBC are keen to take out a compulsory purchase order. on such a large tranche of contaminated land (over 70 acres). there is little doubt that the former Turners site is big enough for a stadium and associated training facilities and matchday parking, and has got reasonable access, however, a huge area would need to be concreted over before buildings could be put upon it. The land remains a challenge for residents and council that may never be resolved. Now if it were inside the M25...... |  | | |
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