Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:38 pm  

Pumpetypump wrote:

Ch1 would be fun. New grounds and teams to see, half a chance of promotion. It would be a laugh. The downside for me would be being at Odsal with those kinds of crowds.

Could get a bit boring after 5/6 years

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:40 pm  

HamsterChops wrote:

I just rang. Nige is on his third lunch break at the moment.

Sounds about right

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:47 pm  

Pumpetypump wrote:

Ch1 would be fun. New grounds and teams to see, half a chance of promotion. It would be a laugh. The downside for me would be being at Odsal with those kinds of crowds.

I agree. And as for the downside - simple answer - don't play at Odsal. A brand new club should have no obligation to play there. Leave Nige with the lease on a hole in the ground to worry about. Yes I would be very sad to leave too, been going there almost all my life of over half a century, but the place is just not viable any more.

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:52 pm  

I have no incredible emotional attachment to Odsal other than the happy memories of our stellar years. But I can't see what alternative we have. VP has a small pitch and is too expensive, Park Avenue is surely too small even for how lowly we've become.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:55 pm  

The only real option is Horsfall. And it's a statement about the future cos there's beggar all you can do with it. The one saving grace is the amount of land at the back of the main stand. The stadium could move backwards up Cemetery Road, if there was ever money to invest. It's your only option for future parking development as well though, other than the main road and (tight and twisty) Cemetery Road itself.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:57 pm  

Oh yeah, the entrance. There's space for three or four turnstiles. Not that can open - in total.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:57 pm  

Terry Price's knee wrote:

I agree. And as for the downside - simple answer - don't play at Odsal. A brand new club should have no obligation to play there. Leave Nige with the lease on a hole in the ground to worry about. Yes I would be very sad to leave too, been going there almost all my life of over half a century, but the place is just not viable any more.

Not an option as the RFL grant the licence. Therefore; don't play at Odsal = No licence

[Bullseye]

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:00 pm  

Horsfall’s pitch is a swamp in winter. It’ll not be able to cope with football and rugby on it without serious investment. It’s a mess with just football on it at the moment and lots of games get postponed anyway.

What sort of corporate facilities are there down there? Not much I suspect.

Moving down there isn't any more sustainable than staying at Odsal IMO.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:04 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

What sort of corporate facilities are there down there? Not much I suspect.

None.

Semi permanent portacabins in one corner. This is the one bar, food outlet and merch shop.

There's the old athletic club meeting house on the opposite side from the stand. It has a balcony you could get three people max on and which was designed for a man wearing a blazer to shout at kids from. It is more park maintenance equipment store room than corporate facility.

[Bullseye]

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 13, 2017 2:07 pm  

So Horsfall isn't anywhere near suitable for any sort of club above Pennine League level then.