| Theoretical stadium relocation 23:14 - Jun 28 with 8420 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 23:38 - Jun 28 with 5935 views | RAFCBLUE |
Are you Stewart Day or someone doing a ground feasibility study for Stewart Day? |  |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 23:50 - Jun 28 with 5907 views | Clivert |
Give it a couple of weeks and anywhere in Heywood would be a great catchment area. [Post edited 28 Jun 2019 23:51]
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 06:22 - Jun 29 with 5779 views | Ancoats_Blue |
As close to the town centre as possible.
The site of the old gas holders off Sparth bottoms rd maybe. |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 07:11 - Jun 29 with 5744 views | BartRowou |
I've been sitting on my Sandbrook Park idea for a few years now. Imagine a Rotherham-type stadium there, probably where the old B and Q was. Spotland's out of the way and probably never gets the passing trade that other more visible grounds get. Just a bit of traffic management needed on matchdays and you're on the M62 in a minute. Home fans could get cable cars back. Or, God forbid, even walk it. |  |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 08:17 - Jun 29 with 5690 views | nordenblue |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 07:11 - Jun 29 by BartRowou |
I've been sitting on my Sandbrook Park idea for a few years now. Imagine a Rotherham-type stadium there, probably where the old B and Q was. Spotland's out of the way and probably never gets the passing trade that other more visible grounds get. Just a bit of traffic management needed on matchdays and you're on the M62 in a minute. Home fans could get cable cars back. Or, God forbid, even walk it. |
Exactly this,or even somewhere near the "new" Asda DC just off Jct 21, brilliant for motorway links and easy to get to from any direction, Spotland is an arse of a place/area to get to from any motorway direction,unless you live really close....norden etc?!! [Post edited 29 Jun 2019 8:18]
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 09:03 - Jun 29 with 5603 views | TVOS1907 |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 07:11 - Jun 29 by BartRowou |
I've been sitting on my Sandbrook Park idea for a few years now. Imagine a Rotherham-type stadium there, probably where the old B and Q was. Spotland's out of the way and probably never gets the passing trade that other more visible grounds get. Just a bit of traffic management needed on matchdays and you're on the M62 in a minute. Home fans could get cable cars back. Or, God forbid, even walk it. |
That would certainly help those people who probably pass Sandbrook Park on the way to Spotland now. |  |
| 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 09:10 - Jun 29 with 5591 views | electricblue |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 07:11 - Jun 29 by BartRowou |
I've been sitting on my Sandbrook Park idea for a few years now. Imagine a Rotherham-type stadium there, probably where the old B and Q was. Spotland's out of the way and probably never gets the passing trade that other more visible grounds get. Just a bit of traffic management needed on matchdays and you're on the M62 in a minute. Home fans could get cable cars back. Or, God forbid, even walk it. |
Sandbrook Park is a cracking place to build a new stadia....
As stated excellent location for access....
It would cost a few quid though..... |  |
| My all time favourite Dale player Mr Lyndon Symmonds |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:04 - Jun 29 with 5497 views | rochdale_ranger |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 09:03 - Jun 29 by TVOS1907 |
That would certainly help those people who probably pass Sandbrook Park on the way to Spotland now. |
It’s only five minutes once you get off the motorway if you give plenty of time. I wouldn’t like it, no pubs or anything like that near sandbrook. Hate these modern grounds built on retail parks. Soulless affairs. |  | | |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:16 - Jun 29 with 5477 views | nordenblue |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:04 - Jun 29 by rochdale_ranger |
It’s only five minutes once you get off the motorway if you give plenty of time. I wouldn’t like it, no pubs or anything like that near sandbrook. Hate these modern grounds built on retail parks. Soulless affairs. |
There's a pub called the Sandbrook already there... | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:20 - Jun 29 with 5456 views | 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. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:25 - Jun 29 with 5442 views | James1980 |
Is the land to the right of the tram line as you walk down from the station the old market? | |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:50 - Jun 29 with 5404 views | DerekHall5 |
Same as a previous post, I've always liked the idea of sandy being built up. Front of the stand starting a metre above the pitch to give a good view for everyone. But for a new location the old Turners sight going down from near the co-op on Rooley Moor Road. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 11:25 - Jun 29 with 5344 views | TVOS1907 |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 10:04 - Jun 29 by rochdale_ranger |
It’s only five minutes once you get off the motorway if you give plenty of time. I wouldn’t like it, no pubs or anything like that near sandbrook. Hate these modern grounds built on retail parks. Soulless affairs. |
Couldn't agree more. | |
| 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 12:06 - Jun 29 with 5286 views | James1980 |
The disused land near the railway station would be my f choice. It could coincide with refurbishing the pub and hotel mentioned in the article I posted the link to. | |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 12:21 - Jun 29 with 5248 views | Plattyswrinklynuts |
1st time poster myself-
Think top of Drake St / Oldham Rd would be a great location, bus, tram, train all within a few hundred yards & could hopefully act as a catalyst for the regeneration of what’s currently a run down part of the town... |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 13:36 - Jun 29 with 5160 views | boromat |
Somewhere near the Morrisons. Close to motorway links, the tram and the canal. | |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 13:40 - Jun 29 with 5155 views | KenBoon |
Considering the footfall that a sports venue brings, wouldn't Metro Rochdale be quite keen on a central stadium? Easy access by public transport, cycling, foot and car. More to do around the area and more opportunities for the ground to be used 365 days a year. Spotland is an arse to get too. The ground itself is no craven cottage. It's a taylor report style ground with an old terrace behind one goal. I feel it lost a lot of its charm when The Church closed down a few years back. Now it's a football ground amongst a growing number of residential houses. No modern day town planner would build a Football ground where Spotland currently lies. IMHO if you move then you move central and make the outside of the ground make money, rather than do an Oxford United and play at the end of a long busy road. |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 13:50 - Jun 29 with 5117 views | James1980 |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 13:36 - Jun 29 by boromat |
Somewhere near the Morrisons. Close to motorway links, the tram and the canal. |
A match day barge service would make a fortune on a day like today. | |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 13:51 - Jun 29 with 5116 views | D_Alien |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 13:40 - Jun 29 by KenBoon |
Considering the footfall that a sports venue brings, wouldn't Metro Rochdale be quite keen on a central stadium? Easy access by public transport, cycling, foot and car. More to do around the area and more opportunities for the ground to be used 365 days a year. Spotland is an arse to get too. The ground itself is no craven cottage. It's a taylor report style ground with an old terrace behind one goal. I feel it lost a lot of its charm when The Church closed down a few years back. Now it's a football ground amongst a growing number of residential houses. No modern day town planner would build a Football ground where Spotland currently lies. IMHO if you move then you move central and make the outside of the ground make money, rather than do an Oxford United and play at the end of a long busy road. |
The problem with a central location is the huge disruption it'd cause on matchdays in terms of traffic, parking and general presence of pissed up football fans, especially against some of the bigger L1 teams, in the main shopping area with mums, kids, etc
Much better to relocate (if necessary, and i don't believe it is) to somewhere like Kingsway business park, with the transport links and plentiful space, then build additional facilities for socialising nearby
[Post edited 29 Jun 2019 13:53]
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 14:13 - Jun 29 with 5051 views | KenBoon |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 13:51 - Jun 29 by D_Alien |
The problem with a central location is the huge disruption it'd cause on matchdays in terms of traffic, parking and general presence of pissed up football fans, especially against some of the bigger L1 teams, in the main shopping area with mums, kids, etc
Much better to relocate (if necessary, and i don't believe it is) to somewhere like Kingsway business park, with the transport links and plentiful space, then build additional facilities for socialising nearby
[Post edited 29 Jun 2019 13:53]
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The traffic would be an issue anywhere and car traffic would possibly be worse at Sandbrook or Kingsway since there are fewer entrances/exits. Having it central would open it up to more than just cars. Kingsway has a tram station but until TfGM can sort themselves out and produce a proper integrated transport system, it wouldn't be much use to locals. If we're attracting pissed up people who scare women and children then tbh that's an issue we need to solve. We're in competition with cinemas and the like, which welcome kids. Aside from the occasional idiots I think the clientele around Spotland are perfectly fine. Heck we'd be an improvement for the centre. | | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 15:18 - Jun 29 with 4951 views | rochedale |
| 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’ve always said similar to that. Could easily be done and then all Dale fans could be housed behind one goal rather than two, allowing away fans to use the pearl st stand. Home fans could then also use Wilbutts with half being allocated to away teams with large followings, when needed. |  |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 15:50 - Jun 29 with 4903 views | D_Alien |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 14:13 - Jun 29 by KenBoon |
The traffic would be an issue anywhere and car traffic would possibly be worse at Sandbrook or Kingsway since there are fewer entrances/exits. Having it central would open it up to more than just cars. Kingsway has a tram station but until TfGM can sort themselves out and produce a proper integrated transport system, it wouldn't be much use to locals. If we're attracting pissed up people who scare women and children then tbh that's an issue we need to solve. We're in competition with cinemas and the like, which welcome kids. Aside from the occasional idiots I think the clientele around Spotland are perfectly fine. Heck we'd be an improvement for the centre. |
The policing bills for away fan followings of 1000+ and the atmosphere that would create in the town centre are unconscionable
Away fans travelling by car would simply slip in via the link road off the motorway at Kingsway and away again - no local concerns there. Home fans would be much better served by wider roads and more points of entry; between the two options, it's literally a no-brainer
[Post edited 29 Jun 2019 15:51]
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 15:56 - Jun 29 with 4890 views | 49thseason |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 15:18 - Jun 29 by rochedale |
I’ve always said similar to that. Could easily be done and then all Dale fans could be housed behind one goal rather than two, allowing away fans to use the pearl st stand. Home fans could then also use Wilbutts with half being allocated to away teams with large followings, when needed. |
Once it became evident that Kingsway was never going to be more than just a place for big warehouses, the plan should have changed to make it a leisure destination. I always thought that relocating the football club (and Hornets) there and building an area for training and academy facilities with more all-weather pitches for hire would have been a good start, followed by conference halls, and a MEN-style arena with a smaller theatre with loads of parking, a couple of hotels and a "street" of bars and cafes would have been a much more sensible plan and probably no more expensive than the nonsense being perpetrated in the Town Centre. It would create loads of jobs in parking and security, ticketing, marketing, hospitality, and is easily accessible for about 20 million people within an hours drive or train. The paucity of imagination in RMBC is staggering.
Rochdale's situation is its key selling point, and it has been sold far too cheaply. |  | | |
| Theoretical stadium relocation on 16:40 - Jun 29 with 4834 views | 442Dale |
Alternatively, we could accept we have a perfectly good location, a decent ground that just needs to be maintained properly as the years pass and that this thread will reappear again within a year. |  |
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| Theoretical stadium relocation on 16:50 - Jun 29 with 4811 views | Charlie |
TBA site. Try and identify external funding. Get various stakeholders involved. |  | | |
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