To Move or Not to Move?

[joewarkfanclub]

Just now, wellgirl said:

I don't think we do need to move. I think we are doing ok as we are 

And you are perfectly entitled to that opinion.

Others may look at the information available and disagree.

[stv]

6 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

I didnt say I was for or against.

I just pointed out that there was a decent document showing the pros and cons of both sides.

I found it quite interesting.

Aye its a bit of a choice . But my worst nightmare is an “upgrade” to a soulless ground like St Mirren, St Johnstone bought out the box stadium. Because you can bet your bottom dollar that’s what we will end up with if we move

[joewarkfanclub]

22 minutes ago, stv said:

Aye its a bit of a choice . But my worst nightmare is an “upgrade” to a soulless ground like St Mirren, St Johnstone bought out the box stadium. Because you can bet your bottom dollar that’s what we will end up with if we move

I certainly wouldnt be in favour of that.

I think the fact that the WS are going to have much more input in the decision making of club going forward, should mean we will be thinking outside the box a lot more.

The younger generation have a much different outlook on what is possible and higher expectations.

Of course if the finances just dont stack up then Im more than happy to remain at a redeveloped Fir Park.

[joewarkfanclub]

28 minutes ago, wellgirl said:

That is also completely ok. But i don't think mfc want to relocate any time soon - they've said as much 

Brian Caldwell certainly indicated that there are no plans in the pipeline at present.

But we cant ignore the situation in the POD forever......

[Stuwell2]

45 minutes ago, wellgirl said:

If they moved to Ravenscraig I think that would be pretty much my last home game and I would go and see them away instead. I personally see no reason to move Motherwell fc out of town. 

Someone already said earlier on that it had been brought up at an AGM and the club said it wasn't happening 

And with respect to Stephen just because he's done a thread on it doesn't mean its viable 

I’m definitely not a fan of moving away from FP but if it happens - wether I agree or not - then I will follow, really don’t get your thought process on not going to a new stadium, maybe you could explain it please?

I agree that we’re not moving (or planning to rebuild FP) at the moment but I believe thats probably more down to lack of cash rather than anything else - although if I win the euro on Friday that may change

 

[stv]

42 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

The younger generation have a much different outlook on what is possible and higher expectations.

After a few decades more watching us ,that will slowly have drained from them and reality will set in.😜 Then the expectations will be as low as mine.

[stv]

16 minutes ago, wellgirl said:

Because I don't drive and going to somewhere out of town would be an issue - particularly as there are no buses that go to Ravenscraig from where I live just now apart from at night 

The new Falkirk stadium was bulit in Grangemouth.

[StAndrew7]

7 hours ago, wellgirl said:

 I've already explained why I would find it difficult to go to Ravenscraig - particularly as at this point in time I also have mobility issues and I don't drive which means going to a stadium out of town with no bus links would be pretty much impossible for me. 

Moving to Ravenscraig in its current state (and with a lack of any real future planning about what it will become outside of the previous pipe dreams) is a total no-go for me. If we did move there, you'd expect public transport links to improve; the Club would need to effectively demand they did otherwise everyone would be driving or walking. The former wouldn't get past planning and the latter, as you rightly point out, isn't possible for quite a few fans.

8 hours ago, stv said:

The new Falkirk stadium was bulit in Grangemouth.

... and is an absolute pain the arse to get to as a result.

[Kmcalpin]

8 hours ago, wellgirl said:

 I've already explained why I would find it difficult to go to Ravenscraig - particularly as at this point in time I also have mobility issues and I don't drive which means going to a stadium out of town with no bus links would be pretty much impossible for me. 

That would be your personal decision of course and we must respect that. However, I'm baffled as to why you would attend away games instead. The likes of McDiarmid Park, Easter Road, Tynecastle, Tannadice, Dens Park, Pittodrie and Victoria Park are not exactly cheap, easy or quick to get to, either by car or by publc transport.  

[steelboy]

Ravenscraig has been a white elephant for 25 years now. Fir Park is our home, the goal should be a new main stand.

[Ballso]

12 hours ago, wellgirl said:

 I've already explained why I would find it difficult to go to Ravenscraig - particularly as at this point in time I also have mobility issues and I don't drive which means going to a stadium out of town with no bus links would be pretty much impossible for me. 

There has been a regular bus service going from Motherwell town centre, up via Jerviston and back in a loop via Windmillhill Street for over a year now. 
 

https://www.spt.co.uk/media/1odkttib/service__92.pdf

[Yodo]

Hearts playing in lovely Stadium right now blueprint for Fir Park going forward ? 

[Yodo]

1 minute ago, wellgirl said:

The moving chat has made the Herald - Graeme McGarry has done a piece on it 

Is he for staying or moving 

[Onthefringes]

19 hours ago, wellgirl said:

That is also completely ok. But i don't think mfc want to relocate any time soon - they've said as much 

Wanting to relocate is way different to medium to long term planning to relocate.

Admirable production and well researched by Mr Cameron and of interest to many. It’s a subject that’s been done to death on here though and nothing new offered by parochial thinking.

Currently not viable, funding isn’t available. That’s accepted - I’d wager that’s the outlook being taken by our CEO rather than a flat ‘no’ to any move. Did he offer opinion on the fanciful notion of developing current home? 

if it hadn’t been for the financial collapse in 2008, I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to think we’d already be part of a wider development before now as would Motherwell Town Centre.

[Goggles & Flippers]

As the author I'm breaking my self imposed exile in the aftermath of Madwullie and Andy Patterson's passing. I didn't feel the need to do so when canvassing for votes in the recent WS election.

It has saddened me to read how the thread has seemingly been hijacked for almost half it's content by talk of current bus routes in 2024 for a project that would not, even if given a green light, be a thing until the 2030's. Talk about running before you are even walking.

Safe to say a stadium and any ancillary services within the footprint would be a draw for public transport provision, last time I looked First Bus is a commercial operation. There is also a rail line linking Wishaw and Carfin to the north of the site which may justify a station the same way Airbles got one 35 years ago.

The most likely position before geotechnical surveys would be probably within 2km of Fir Park. If Dalziel plate mill does not last then I'd imagine the walk from the mini roundabout on Windmillhill Street near Crosshill Church would be less or commensurate to FP. More hassle if you live in Greenacres, less if you live in Jerviston.

If you're looking at a move as how will it affect you personally opposed rather than how will it affect the club we collectively support then not only is it a bit short sighted but a little bit selfish.

It's a document produced at it's core to provoke sensible and measured debate on where we are and where we could be going. The main things I hoped people would take is if a move actioned is a design that promotes atmosphere, the need for it to be used 24/7 both as an arena and in the other spaces within the building(s) and how due to the nature of our skewed league we could take advantage of that to our financial advantage and use the in part to finance it. We already have bowed to the sectarian pound with a skewed South/McLean stand after all, so we have previous.

A new POD would involve that space currently offer unusable for 12-18 months, all significant matchday hospitality, rehoming the dressing rooms, offices, etc. It would not be allowed to alter much from the current floorplan or height due to planning laws. We would take a significant hit to do so. The Cooper is being assessed for a lift but probably it and the East/Hunter are OK with minor maintenance for 10-15 years. I was told the South faces a high six figure sum to fix it's issues and for a 30 year old structure you would expect that.

Add all of these costs and disruption together, add in any land value (however not £6m as club accounts indicate) then you're on the way to putting a sizeable dent on a new home.

A lot has been made of Brian's comments at the Q&A (not AGM) in early August where mintymac asked the question. I was at the meeting and you've got to give Brian's answer context, in the door a few months, no prior affiliation to the club or history, WS successfully beat off Erik .... at the time the subtext was let's all calm down and regroup.

To commit at a fan Q&A to looking elsewhere would have been a nuclear bomb on both forums, facebook and twitter. The let's just plod on answer is one I would have given if CEO and asked the same question and I know 'Flow would have too (despite a preference to move).

[Kmcalpin]

Excellent post Stephen. I hope it stimulates informed long term discussion. This issue won't go away. 

[steelboy]

It's hard to take of any the council proposals seriously when the only concrete plan that is actually happening is turning Airbles Road into a bypass for HGVs. They used Ravenscraig as an excuse to run down Motherwell town centre, being cynical i'd say any plans for new amenities are basically deflection from the reality that they are going to run 1000 lorries a day in and out of the new rail freight hub.

[Goggles & Flippers]

19 posts, if bus provision at this moment, today, is your hot take from a forty page document where the first ten outline staying and making the most of Fir Park. You talk of Ravenscraig like its on the moon.

Your disability didn't appear to be so much of factor when you advocated boycotting any new stadium but willing to take planes, trains and automobiles to the likes of Almondvale, SMiSA, Tynecastle and Firhill.

I hope by the 2030's your disability may have improved to the extent its no longer an issue, you may have even acquired a driving licence by then, who knows.

I'm glad any criticism is water off a ducks back, it wasn't intended to upset you.

[Goggles & Flippers]

Just now, wellgirl said:

Why would you post my name on here - when I've made it very clear I don't want it said 

I don't frequent on here like I used to, so I am unaware of that request being a thing. You shared your name with me, a stranger, on P&B. However by DM'ing me and asking me to remove it (which I did) then replying while quoting my post it is beyond me. You are aware it embeds my original post with your name you asked me to remove.

[Goggles & Flippers]

<Remembers vividly why I moved on from here>

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Exile reimposed.

[FirParkCornerExile]

On 10/2/2024 at 1:12 PM, well_said said:

That looks superb, but even better to cut the south stand to one level to make the heights the same . It also cuts the number of old firm fans in the ground . Win win I think. To recover the shortfall charge them what they charge their own fans for champions League matches.

Thats what Id do if we had to redevelop Fir Park cut the top tier off that monstrosity that is the Tommy McLean stand. I'd also try and reduce the size the roofing frontage on the Cooper and any subsequent new stands, its far too big. However all really pie in the sky. 

[stv]

6 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

Thats what Id do if we had to redevelop Fir Park cut the top tier off that monstrosity that is the Tommy McLean stand. I'd also try and reduce the size the roofing frontage on the Cooper and any subsequent new stands, its far too big. However all really pie in the sky. 

Iv got a big hacksaw in my toolbox if you want to make a start. Should be nearly done by next home game if you get an early start tomorrow.🪚🪚

[steelboy]

30 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

Thats what Id do if we had to redevelop Fir Park cut the top tier off that monstrosity that is the Tommy McLean stand. I'd also try and reduce the size the roofing frontage on the Cooper and any subsequent new stands, its far too big. However all really pie in the sky. 

We make a lot of money off that top tier.

[FirParkCornerExile]

21 minutes ago, stv said:

Iv got a big hacksaw in my toolbox if you want to make a start. Should be nearly done by next home game if you get an early start tomorrow.🪚🪚

Happily chop that thing in two LOL

[Cameron_Mcd]

What a dumpster fire this thread has turned into 🤣