Robert Elstone at the Inquiry

[SimonP]

No it doesn't. It'll be dark everytime we play at Kirkby and there will be Blue flashy lights

The location for me is important in a design, not only because of essentials such as room for expansion etc but if you have ever been to the likes of the Riverside, you'll understand that you don't want a stadium quite literally in the middle of nowhere. After the design was initially released, most people were made up with it?

I'm not sure anyone's proposing Everton build a stadium in the middle of nowhere though, so don't really see the relevance

"It could be worse lads, there could be NOTHING nearby, at least in Kirkby there'll be a Tesco, a TK Maxx, and shitloads of pound shops"

 

[kenada_blue]

is that really enough though?

the JJB is "more state of the art than Goodison"

the reebok is "more state of the art than Goodison"

I don't want Everton playing in either of those stadia every other week either - and Kirkby looks like the JJB with an extra tier...

Well it is really. Goodison is rotting away so say if we rebuilt GP all we'd be doing is turning it into a modern stadium and increasing capacity because it needs it.

You've pulled up the Riverside, Reebok and JJB as either they are generally [Poor language removed] stadiums, built terribly and have terrible accustics (I've never been so dont know). Or you've mentioned them because they're usually half empty. If its the latter thats more down to the fact those clubs dont have that bigger fanbase to fill the ground. That and they're average sides that never really go anywhere every season. I remember the Reebok when if was first built was rammed week in week out when they were riding high in the top ten.

Fans make the stadium what it is on a matchday.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

I'm not sure anyone's proposing Everton build a stadium in the middle of nowhere though, so don't really see the relevance

"It could be worse lads, there could be NOTHING nearby, at least in Kirkby there'll be a Tesco, a TK Maxx, and shitloads of pound shops"

But, you was comparing the stadium to the JJB/Reebok - which incidentally - are in the middle of nowhere.

Not to mention the Kirkby design being completely different to both, stands/capacity etc

More like

"The Kirkby nonsense is crap, its like the JJB, Reebok, Riverside" - When in reality, its nothing like them?

But all down to opinion really, I just can not see any similarity with say, the JJB to the Kirkby design. None what so ever. One example - the JJB has four stands and no tiers. Doesn't the Kirkby design have tiers on every stand?

The Kirkby design can be compared much better to say, FC Kolns stadium than the JJB;

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Fans_1_FC_Köln2.jpg

http://www.sitem.gen.tr/resimler/albums/userpics/stadion.jpg

 

[gordonjblair]

Ha ha theres already plans a foot to turn the stadium in to a 60,000 seater in the next 20 years.

Which, apparently came as a bit of a surprise to KMBC, and were deliberately omitted from the application prior to the call in (they're having enough trouble as it is

The expansion of capacity isn't really the issue, filling in the corners does that for you.. there would be issues around the infrastructure to support the additional visitors (see transport plan ad nauseum) and the fact that it would still have less corporate provision than St Mary's.

As far as I'm concerned, it's not an issue of being in Kirkby, neither is it a problem about being allied to the great Satan that is Tesco's, I'm just disappointed that it's been done in a half-arsed manner with the club trailling behind accepting whatever shoddy solution is presented by the developers.

If you read the submission, it is alledged that we should be in a reasonably strong position to negotiate - no ground = no development = no major presence for Tesco = no showcase redevelopment for KMBC. However, we've seen
a basic, functional, uninspiring design
a poorly conceived transport plan
an obligation on the club to shell out 2% of it's turnover on parking enforcement (not limited to £1m pa)
an obligation on the club to provide considerable revenue generating facilities gratis to KMBC
to name but a few.

If the club needs to go to Kirkby, it needs to do it properly, it needs to be proactive, lead the Stadium portion of the Development and be far more assertive in the decision making process. Sadly, it just isn't.

 

[SimonP]

There is in the proof of evidence document subbmitted to the public enquiry.

funny that, as the planning application was granted on the grounds that no further increases to capacity were made within a certain amount of time and would be subject to a further planning application

now, given the transport problems the club will struggle with for a capacity gate of 50,000, and given the fact that Knowsley Council would actually gain nothing by increasing Everton's capacity (as opposed to gaining a retail park in this application) then what do you think the chances would be?

 

[Neiler]

]funny that, as the planning application was granted on the grounds that no further increases to capacity were made within a certain amount of time and would be subject to a further planning application[/B]

now, given the transport problems the club will struggle with for a capacity gate of 50,000, and given the fact that Knowsley Council would actually gain nothing by increasing Everton's capacity (as opposed to gaining a retail park in this application) then what do you think the chances would be?

Yup i thought that was pretty clever too!

 

[SimonP]

But, you was comparing the stadium to the JJB/Reebok - which incidentally - are in the middle of nowhere.

Not to mention the Kirkby design being completely different to both, stands/capacity etc

More like

"The Kirkby nonsense is crap, its like the JJB, Reebok, Riverside" - When in reality, its nothing like them?

But all down to opinion really, I just can not see any similarity with say, the JJB to the Kirkby design. None what so ever. One example - the JJB has four stands and no tiers. Doesn't the Kirkby design have tiers on ever stand?

The Kirkby design can be compared much better to say, FC Kolns stadium than the JJB

Kirkby looks like a taller JJB

It has four sides.

They are fronted with corrogated iron sheets

You're right though, the addition of the masses of pound shops and tramps in Kirkby will make it much different to the JJB

(Kirkby is the only place I have ever had a begger ask me for money whilst I was sat waiting in the Maccies drive-thru)

 

[Nebbiolo]

Kirkby looks like a taller JJB

It has four sides.

They are fronted with corrogated iron sheets

You're right though, the addition of the masses of pound shops and tramps in Kirkby will make it much different to the JJB

(Kirkby is the only place I have ever had a begger ask me for money whilst I was sat waiting in the Maccies drive-thru)

I've not been down that neck of the woods for years. But I do remember that it wasn't a particularly affluent part of Knowsley. But that was in the 80s. Maybe things have improved somewhat?

 

[davek]

But, you was comparing the stadium to the JJB/Reebok - which incidentally - are in the middle of nowhere.

Not to mention the Kirkby design being completely different to both, stands/capacity etc

More like

"The Kirkby nonsense is crap, its like the JJB, Reebok, Riverside" - When in reality, its nothing like them?

But all down to opinion really, I just can not see any similarity with say, the JJB to the Kirkby design. None what so ever. One example - the JJB has four stands and no tiers. Doesn't the Kirkby design have tiers on ever stand?

The Kirkby design can be compared much better to say, FC Kolns stadium than the JJB

The general consensus is that it might be a more salubrious stadium than a rundown Goodison Park (rundown by the club) but design-wise this doesn't come anywhere near the standard of build that befits a club of everton's stature - and even the Knowsley planners and C.A.B.E the government watchdog dont think it benefits a town centre like Kirkby!

As ever, it's all down to cost. You have limited finds, you get a limited amenity. Simple as that. Trouble is, some people cant see past the end of their noses and project forward to what might develop in the near future - they just want to grab hold of something shiny and new right now - they're like those South Sea islanders in the 18th Century who took a handfull of nails and a looking glass from the Royal Navy in exchange for their natural resources.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

I've not been down that neck of the woods for years. But I do remember that it wasn't a particularly affluent part of Knowsley. But that was in the 80s. Maybe things have improved somewhat?

Just a bit mate

Much, much better than the area Goodison is located, thats for sure...

Anyway, locking this having started a dedicated Kirkby

http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/everton-forum/10694-kirkby-thread-all-kirkby-discussion-here.html