BRIGHTON | New Brighton & Hove Albion FC Stadium | 22,000 | U/C

[Starscraper]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4319026.stm

Good one is what I say, no Football Club should be homeless.

[RSWB]

Fantastic news for the club and the city!
6 years without a proper ground and 5 years of hard work by all those involved has finally paid off, Brighton & Hove Albion expect to move into the new Falmer stadium at the beginning of the 2008/2009 season.

[eddyk]

So the stadium will be built within 2 and a bit years :banana:

Hooray for stadium development in the UK

[RSWB]

Hoorah!

http://stadiony.net/projects/falmer_stadium/falmer_stadium02.jpg

http://stadiony.net/projects/falmer_stadium/falmer_stadium01.jpg

[JDRS]

I like the design alot - good news :cheers:

[Wampa]

Great stadium -- love the way they've cut it into the ground.

Kind of feel sorry though for the people living nearby, they're probably gonna get swamped with traffic every match. As it is, that junction with the A27 can be a nightmare at peak times.

http://stadiony.net/projects/falmer_stadium/falmer_stadium03.jpg

From the BBC: "The development includes a club shop, coach and bus facilities and other transport links, plus shared use of existing car parking space at the University of Sussex."

So, does that mean that the University of Sussex will be able to use the one at Falmer stadium too? When I was last there, unless you found a spot on campus early in the morning it was absolute chaos; when it was full, in desperation, people would park at 45-degree angles on grass banks. Hmm, wonder why they don't just take the train.

http://www.kssgroup.com/uimages/3_KSS_BHAFC%201.jpg http://www.kssgroup.com/uimages/KSS_BHAFC%203.jpg http://www.kssgroup.com/uimages/KSS_BHAFC%202.jpg

[Noostairz]

it's refreshing to see a 20,000 - 30,000 seater with an original design, as opposed to just another one of these prefab bowls. i love it. it reminds me of the reebok in the sense that it dares to be different for its size. i wonder, though, if it leaves any room for possible future expansion?

it's been a long and worrying wait for brighton fans. they deserve it.

[Day Release]

Great News, yet another superb new UK stadium :okay:

[Noostairz]

i'm sure it'll be competing to host england under-21 games, that sort of thing. perfect size for it, modern facilities, striking design.

[AndrewC]

About time, Prescott hang your head in shame.

[metro]

its a nice looking stadium but its built on the south downs, so im not sure this is the right location. but yes congratulations anyway.

looks like Portsmouths Fratton Park 'stadium' will be even more of a laughing stock once this gets built. we'll be competing with basingstoke town for the title of southern englands most hopeless football ground. :rant:

[Madman]

Its not like they had much choice though, the only way they could find a plot big enough for a decent sized stadium after selling their ground was in the south downs...

[Noostairz]

its a nice looking stadium but its built on the south downs, so im not sure this is the right location. but yes congratulations anyway.

looks like Portsmouths Fratton Park 'stadium' will be even more of a laughing stock once this gets built. we'll be competing with basingstoke town for the title of southern englands most hopeless football ground. :rant:

true about it.

when they first came out with the idea of turning the pitch 90 degrees and rebuilding the whole thing i had high hopes for this one, but when i saw the plans, well, it looks a bit shit, doesn't it? just an uninspiring, architecturally inconsistent, half-arsed bowl (a bit like elland road):


the new fratton park (initial capacity of 28,000, rising to 35,000 at a later stage):
http://files.blog-city.com/files/aa/38442/p/f/new_pfc_4.jpg

http://files.blog-city.com/files/aa/38442/p/f/new_pfc_2.jpg

[Noostairz]

other south-coast stadiums:

southampton's st. mary's (32,000):
http://www.mrs-hampshire.org.uk/images/aerial%20view%20stadium.jpg


plymouth's home park, three-quarters of which has in recent years been rebuilt (21,000):
http://www.lutonfc.com/images/guide_plymouth_argyle-ground.JPG

[Zaqattaq]

They ought to name it after Mike Mendoza

[LegEnd]

Tbh 'an uninspiring, architecturally inconsistent, half-arsed bowl' is what makes a stadium interesting and gives it character!
I'm certainly proud to have one of those reather than a McBowl.

Of course, once we can get a hold of some money to make the John Charles Stand match the east, and possibly even the same with the Revie stand, then we wont have a half bad stadium :okay:

true about it.

when they first came out with the idea of turning the pitch 90 degrees and rebuilding the whole thing i had high hopes for this one, but when i saw the plans, well, it looks a bit shit, doesn't it? just an uninspiring, architecturally inconsistent, half-arsed bowl (a bit like elland road):


the new fratton park (initial capacity of 28,000, rising to 35,000 at a later stage):
http://files.blog-city.com/files/aa/38442/p/f/new_pfc_4.jpg

http://files.blog-city.com/files/aa/38442/p/f/new_pfc_2.jpg

[Noostairz]

Brighton stadium bid in new doubt (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/4887532.stm)

:(

[Noostairz]

and so it goes on...

Delay for football stadium ruling (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6269480.stm)

[The Hunted]

I had forgotten about this!
What are the odds on this getting built?

[Noostairz]

Brighton's stadium gets go-ahead (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6912998.stm)

[Sparks]

Another legal fight will be put up by the opposition though.

[Mancunian Monkey]

I've got to say Hazel Blears is doing well so far - a damn site better than Ruth Kelly.

[RanjitSingh]

SEAGULLS! SEAGULLS! SEAGULLS!

Over the bloody moon! Now got to hope there aren't any more nimby arses in rural Sussex prepared to ruin everything for all Brightonians.

[alwill]

bbc south today reporting that lewis district council will not appeal. Looking like its really going to happen.

[Noostairz]

LDC: No Legal Challenge (http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/LatestDetail/0,,10433~1081832,00.html)

[Noostairz]

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/3417/71619832cz2.jpg

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/6281/falmerstadium02ia3.jpg

[Chogmook]

Lovely stadium, well done, finally!

[Wild@Heart]

Very nice. Is there a train station nearby?

[redTom]

Is that a turfed roof?

[Kobo]

Very nice. Is there a train station nearby?

If its being built next to Sussex University which I think it is, then yes there is a train station nearby.

[stokey33]

Is that a turfed roof?

Yes the ground will be built in a valley and have grass roofs to fit in with the surroundings.

[RSWB]

http://stadiony.net/projects/falmer_stadium/falmer_stadium01.jpg

I love the design of the new stadium, this is such excellent news for all seagulls fans and indeed the people of Brighton.

The stadium will be located right next to Brighton and Sussex uni campuses where there are very frequent bus and train services from Falmer station.

[Noostairz]

Falmer objectors abandon battle (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6947940.stm)

Two key groups opposed to the building of Brighton and Hove Albion's new stadium at Falmer have said they will not issue any further legal challenges...

[RanjitSingh]

It will be interesting to see what happens with the design process. The above image is now 6 years old (yes that is how long the planing process took) and as such may not figure. I certainly hope they go for something similar; i'd be distraught if we got a St. Mary's, Pride Park, Riverside etc job!

[Kobo]

Here is a more recent render of the stadium which I came across on another thread. Looks really great IMO, I especially like the glass bridge linking the stadium with another building on the left. :)

http://xs224.xs.to/xs224/08073/falmerstadiumnew441.jpg

[Schmeek]

This looks great. Can't wait to visit. I would like to see a few internal shots as well though.
Fairplay to Brighton in using some innovation.
Have to say though, the people walking around the stadium seem to be 3 times as big as the players on the pitch! I realise the players are further away and lower down, but surely it's still not scaled correctly?

[IHaveNoLegs]

i'm not so sure about the turf roof on the stadium but could be interesting when completed. very nice ground, can't wait to see it when completed

[dronkula]

Have to say though, the people walking around the stadium seem to be 3 times as big as the players on the pitch! I realise the players are further away and lower down, but surely it's still not scaled correctly?

Maybe the ground is hosting the International World Dwarven Football Championship? :)

What's the actual status of this anyway - I know it's been approved, but have they started actually building this yet?

[Schmeek]

:lol: Would make a good spectacle Dronk.
But the other way round....dwarf spectators - would get a million in Wembley

[Noostairz]

edit.

[Noostairz]

Fans have been given a preview of how Brighton and Hove Albion FC's new 22,000-seater stadium will look.

Bosses unveiled the latest images of the club's planned £50m Falmer Stadium in East Sussex at a special fans forum.

Chief Executive Martin Perry said the plans had been updated to meet new legal requirements and included "more and better" provision for the disabled.

He said the stadium was due to open in time for the 2010/11 season and site work would begin at the end of 2008.

Season ticket holders will be given special hard hat visits to allow them to select their seats nearer the completion date.

Mr Perry said: "It's obviously a very exciting time for the club. There was the fans forum last week where they were shown these new images and shown what's coming.

"We have updated the design. There has been major legislation in the last eight years and the plans meet the requirements.

He added: "Everything is on track but there is an awful lot to do. We want to be on site by the end of the year, that's the target."

Chief Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears gave the project planning approval in July 2007.

The League One side, who currently play at the Withdean Stadium, have been without a permanent home since 1997.

The planning application for a new ground on land north of Village Way, in Falmer, has been through two public inquiries.

It was opposed by some residents, Falmer Parish Council, Lewes District Council and conservation groups, due to its proximity to the South Downs, an Area of Outstanding beauty.

BBC. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/sussex/7280962.stm)


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44472000/jpg/_44472608_falmerstadium203.jpg

[Noostairz]

http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/e/b8/0,,10433~3586062,00.jpg

[Schmeek]

Hmmmm, quirky but nice...

[Starscraper]

Main stand reminds me of the west stand at Chelski.

[Kobo]

I think this is a great stadium design, so glad they didn't go down the road of the identikit stadia that have been built in last 10 years or so. I hope this encourages more teams to build different types of football grounds. Can it be expanded at all?

[wearethefuture]

PDF file with all the relevant information;
http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/37/dd/0,,10433~122167,00.pdf

[Noostairz]

tender documents sent to a shortlist of three major building contractors
announcement on who will build the stadium to be made in september
work expected to begin on site in december
confident of financing


http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Stadium/0,,10433~1327533,00.html

[Pompey77]

I think the grass roof has been droped.

http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Stadium/0,,10433~1394846,00.html

[bing222]

When will construction start?

[Wolds Mariner]

About time, Prescott hang your head in shame.

May I propose the John Prescott toilet block when the stadium is opened? It certainly sums up his ridiculous performance on this issue.

Great to see that work has now started.

[Noostairz]

yep, looks like this is go, u/c, w/ mention of a progress webcam (ooo!): http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Stadium/0,,10433~1474704,00.html

[Noostairz]

new pics: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10433~1403213,00.html

[Pompey77]

I was looking at those pics yesturday Noostairz and i have to say the gaps in the corners between the stands, the height of the roof and the blank wall behind the stands (especialy in the first pic) is going to make this a bit of a rubbish stadium for atmosphere.

[Noostairz]

thought the same thing, pompey. seems like we've gone from sleek design with interesting featuers (like that original idea of grass sweeping up the roof, marrying the stadium with its surroundings) to... one disproportionately big stand stood alone next to a few smaller disconnected ones, under an okay roof. average, which is a shame because it promised much more, and it's been such a long time coming.

edit: actually i'm being unfair, it's better than average, just not great. still, it's not like they're swimming in money is it.

[bigbossman]

is this stadium expandable??

22,000 is too small for brighton if they ever got back to the promise land!

[rdymott]

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10433~1403213,00.html

[Alix_D]

I'm not sure about atmosphere being poor, it has curved roofs and it's closed which helps the atmosphere quite a bit.

Personally, I still like the stadium design and it would have been very easy to have gone for a stadium midway between Doncaster and Derby, but having a main stand and the 'wave' style roof makes it a cut above any other current design. Plus, the exterior looks different and very tidy.

[Noostairz]

activity on-site. (http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10433~1548131,00.html)

[The Hunted]

I was wondering if this was ever going to happen!

[Noostairz]

Stadium Funding Secured (http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~1661154,00.html)

[2005]

That is brilliant news!

This project has been going on for so long, the fans must be dancing the streets. Will be the best stadium outside of the Premier League, apart from St. James park!

[Schmeek]

That is brilliant news!

This project has been going on for so long, the fans must be dancing the streets. Will be the best stadium outside of the Premier League, apart from St. James park!

What??
Wouldn't even be in the running for best stadium outside the championship with the likes of Elland Rd, The Valley and stadium:MK in league one....

That's not to say I don't like it though. Good news on the funding.

[ArchieTheGreat]

What??
Wouldn't even be in the running for best stadium outside the championship with the likes of Elland Rd, The Valley and stadium:MK in league one....

That's not to say I don't like it though. Good news on the funding.

Not forgetting the Galpharm in Huddersfield!

[Noostairz]

first steelwork going in:

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/javaImages/22/7/0,,10433~6686498,00.jpg

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/StadiumGalleryIndex/0,,10433,00.html

[Noostairz]

progress - stands appearing:

webcam: http://www.lobstervision.tv/bhafc/#

galleries: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/StadiumGalleryIndex/0,,10433,00.html

http://i25.tinypic.com/358csvn.jpg

[Zim Flyer]

My word that is looking impressive.

Eden, how far is it from the Train station in Brighton?

[Schmeek]

Bit confused by the above shot.
It's certainly impressive progress, and the main stand is of good size, but it doesn't resemble the render pictures. The bottom tier finishes in line with the rear of the vomitories in the render whereas here it extends a fair bit further. Also the upper tier looks to be a lot smaller in reality.

[Alix_D]

What??
Wouldn't even be in the running for best stadium outside the championship with the likes of Elland Rd, The Valley and stadium:MK in league one....

That's not to say I don't like it though. Good news on the funding.

This > Stadium:MK.

MK is a semi finished bowl, this is far more unique.

[2005]

How close is the stadium to University of Brighton falmer campus and University of Sussex?

[bing222]

I love the webcam link thankx

[Technicalities]

Bit confused by the above shot.
It's certainly impressive progress, and the main stand is of good size, but it doesn't resemble the render pictures. The bottom tier finishes in line with the rear of the vomitories in the render whereas here it extends a fair bit further. Also the upper tier looks to be a lot smaller in reality.
That's a single tier stand you're looking at - the East stand. The West stand will be the 3 tier stand.

Went down to have a look recently, and I was taken back by just how large the stand is. Scary to think the West stand is going to be twice as big! :colgate:

I cannot wait.

[Schmeek]

Well, that kind of makes a bit more sense... but it doesn't look much like the one tier stand either! Unless those renders from previous pages are out of date?

[Technicalities]

I shouldn't think they are.

Not being much of an expert myself, I was just admiring the progress and sorting trusting the whole thing would fall into place as planned!

Long long way to go though, it's starting to look a little like a stadium, but I don't think it'll truly hit me until all four stands are up.

Also to those enquiring about possible expansion. It's thought to have been said many times (though never officially announced) by people working on the stadium that, should we be in a position where we'd be looking to expand, the stadium is being built in such a way that the capacity can be (fairly easily) increased to 30,000 by filling in the corners, and adding an extra tier to the east stand.

I think the reason why the east stand does look a little empty, in terms of space above the seating, is that's it's fairly obviously being built with plans for a 2nd tier.

Obviously those plans are a long way away (and would obviously require another dreaded enquiry!), and I'm sure most fans would be relieved just to get the thing built first!

[Briggsy]

Really glad Brighton got the go ahead for a new ground, but more glad they have gone for a more unique design. We could of easily seen another bowl ala Blackpool Plymouth Darlington etc..

I for one can't wait for this stadium to be built and will be heading down to it, let's hope it looks as much like the renders as possible!

[Technicalities]

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/StadiumGallery/0,,10433~1790542,00.html

Coming along nicely. Especially in love with that second photo.

[Spinstorm]

Where in Gods Name is there space for another 3 stands and a pitch?

I am looking at those 2 photos on the link you gave above and I just can't see it...?

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/javaImages/b1/d2/0,,10433~7066289,00.jpg

[delores]

I was thinking that, have they placed it in the wrong place"?? :)

[Technicalities]

Haha, sorry I probably should have said, as it was bound to cause confusion. Even some of our own fans are still asking..

We're set to demolish the old university buildings to the right (in that photo) next month, which will sufficiently increase the size of the construction site. Should make it a third bigger, I think. So don't worry, there will be room!

[Technicalities]

Oops, double post. :nuts:

[ben77]

This > Stadium:MK.

MK is a semi finished bowl, this is far more unique.

I don't think it will be.. This will be very similar to Hull. MK Dons is a completely different design internally & externally to most of the other new grounds built.

[Technicalities]

Which is Falmer similar to, internally, then?

Not sure about the Hull comparison. I agree in that it will probably be the stadium MOST similar (in the UK), but that's not saying a lot, with all the identikit bowls. It'll still be noticeably unique in its design. Far more so than stadium:mk.

[legolamb]

The KC is far superior to the MKDons stadium, as well as the majority of other new grounds in the country, so if it is similar, or better, Brighton will be on to a winner.

[BHAlad]

Well, that kind of makes a bit more sense... but it doesn't look much like the one tier stand either! Unless those renders from previous pages are out of date?
This is the one you want. It's from the wrong angle, but you can see what it's meant to look like.

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/javaImages/14/5c/0,,10433~3890196,00.jpg

http://i25.tinypic.com/358csvn.jpg

[Schmeek]

Ahh, that's more like it - I can see it now! Cheers for that.

[2005]

Awesome news guys, I am a student at the University of Brighton Falmer Campus, which is having a couple of buildings being knocked to make way for this new stadium. I will try to take photos for a monthly update.

[Luke80]

Brighton are going to go from the worst stadium in league 1 to one of the best.

[Technicalities]

Awesome news guys, I am a student at the University of Brighton Falmer Campus, which is having a couple of buildings being knocked to make way for this new stadium. I will try to take photos for a monthly update.
Small world, I lived on the Falmer campus last year. :cheers:

Unfortunately there wasn't so much visible construction work going on, so you've probably timed it better!
Brighton are going to go from the worst stadium in league 1 to one of the best.
League 1? Make that the football league. :banana:

[Black Cat]

Its good to see this stadium finally underway after so many years of struggle. Perhaps Brighton & Hove Albion should replace the seagull with a phoenix. Finally there is enlightened club ownership and management, and with that the team will once more rise up.

Recent progress photo:
http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/StadiumGallery/0,,10433~1815858,00.html

[2005]

Its good to see this stadium finally underway after so many years of struggle. Perhaps Brighton & Hove Albion should replace the seagull with a phoenix. Finally there is enlightened club ownership and management, and with that the team will once more rise up.

Recent progress photo:
http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/StadiumGallery/0,,10433~1815858,00.html

Some good photos there, the steal frames you going up have been lifted so quickly, feels like it was done in a day.

Here's a video I made today when coming out of the University of Brighton Falmer Campus where I live and study.

Sorry about the quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XSLQF8X-7Y

[Technicalities]

Here's a video I made today when coming out of the University of Brighton Falmer Campus where I live and study.

Sorry about the quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XSLQF8X-7Y
Absolutely superb stuff! Good old 25 bus, literally lived on that thing last year!

You can really see the shape of the stadium start to come together, with the low curve of the South stand, and the steel slowly progressing further towards the recently built East stand.

[Technicalities]

Another video I'm sure some of you might find quite interesting..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Z-JRAnpCA

[Schmeek]

Great video. Thanks.

[Technicalities]

Also the crane we currently have down at the site, which will be used to raise the arch (and roof) into position, is HUMONGOUS. Apparently there are only 4 as big, or bigger in the UK.

http://www.northstandchat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12701&stc=1&d=1256833068

Credit goes to Everest off NSC (http://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?t=154987&page=59) for the photo. The arch(es) are also going to look fairly impressive once completed!

[2005]

Also the crane we currently have down at the site, which will be used to raise the arch (and roof) into position, is HUMONGOUS. Apparently there are only 4 as big, or bigger in the UK.

http://www.northstandchat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12701&stc=1&d=1256833068

Credit goes to Everest off NSC (http://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?t=154987&page=59) for the photo. The arch(es) are also going to look fairly impressive once completed!

It is MASSIVE, will try to remember to take a pic if it, I see it on the way to my lectures, the thing is beyond words.

[2005]

Took some photos of the site on Monday.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium2.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium3.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium4.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium5.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium6.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium7.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium8.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium9.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium10.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a111/ginola99/Falmerstadium11.jpg

[Technicalities]

MAGIC! Top work, greatly appreciated.

:drunk: :drunk:

[gertero]

Hi everybody. I am a new resident in Hove, and I like football and stadiums. I am very happy with this proyect, and now with the new Manager Gus Poyet former uruguayan like me).

Who knows the final cost? Or the original?

[redTom]

Former uruguayan? What nationality is he now then?
And you for that matter?!

[Technicalities]

Cost - supposedly within the region of £90million.

[gertero]

Cost - supposedly within the region of £90million.

Quite expensive, but thank you

[Curious Orange]

The East Stand arch (a truss girder) is being lifted into position now! You can view the excitement here (http://www.lobstervision.tv/bhafc/#).

[rdymott]

Great to see this project progressing at pace. It's been twelve long years since we had our home stolen from us and finally us Albion fans can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Curious Orange]

Great to see this project progressing at pace. It's been twelve long years since we had our home stolen from us and finally us Albion fans can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Too right! As a bit of an update, the first bit of the East Stand arch was only up briefly, and then taken down for final adjustments (easier to do on the ground), so it'll be going back up again in the New Year.

[Technicalities]

Yup - also a fair bit of work has been done over on the West stand side, I think.

Any idea how much (if any) work they'll be doing over Christmas?

[RMB2007]

http://www.countdown2falmer.co.uk/ :cheers:

[rdymott]

For UK based users, the Falmer stadium will be featured on Mondays London edition of the late kick off show. The show is on bbc one at 11;25.

There is also an interesting piece on the project here

http://www.steelconstruction.org/index.php?option=com_documents&task=downloadDocument&doc=54723&file=60393

[OperateOnMe]

I can't wait to go down to Brighton and enjoy the beach and watch a game of football with mates, but I've just realised, the inside of the stadium looks slightly odd. It is a covered stadium without the corners being filled, atmosphere will be ok/great but wont it look wrong?

[Technicalities]

I guess we'll find out. The artists impressions make it look as though they'll be a fair amount of space in between the stands, and it does look a bit odd. But I'm hoping it's merely exaggerated in the pictures (for whatever reason), and won't look that bad once built.

Failing that, let's just hope we can shoot up up the leagues so there's need to increase the capacity and fill those corners!

[Curious Orange]

I can't wait to go down to Brighton and enjoy the beach and watch a game of football with mates, but I've just realised, the inside of the stadium looks slightly odd. It is a covered stadium without the corners being filled, atmosphere will be ok/great but wont it look wrong?

... and people on here are always complaining about "soulless bowls", Brighton build a ground with four stands and...

:lol:

[eddyk]

exactly....you can't win.

I personally love the bowls...it's how arenas have been built for 1000s of years. So stadiums certainly shouldn't be attacked when they're built that way.

[Schmeek]

exactly....you can't win.

I personally love the bowls...it's how arenas have been built for 1000s of years. So stadiums certainly shouldn't be attacked when they're built that way.

I've got nothing against a bowl either. But it's a particular brand of bowl that we're talking about; bowls you can purchase from Ikea.

Your statement above is a bit of a generalisation. Bowls can come in many shapes or forms, but if you 'love' the Ikea variety then I think you must be off your rocker!

On the contrary, I think they certainly should be attacked when built that way, as they're the scourge of football, a by-product of the money culture which is suffocating the game from the top down.

[Curious Orange]

The East Stand roof-supporting arch (a 170m truss) is being put back up again having had its adjustments made. The first of the three sections is currently in place.

[Technicalities]

Yup, and there's a hell of a lot going on elsewhere at the minute too! Should see some pretty rapid progress over the next few weeks.

[rdymott]

Loads of steelwork has been errected for the 11,500 capacity main stand, well worth checking out some of the photos on this website http://www.countdown2falmer.co.uk/feb10.php


Here is the first glimpse of the interior, looks very smart IMO.

http://northstandchat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14571&stc=1&d=1267293636

[Curious Orange]

That does look very smart. My understanding is that the finish of the entire ground is going to be a fairly high specification, all the walls being rendered etc.

In terms of the hospitality, there will be 2,239 Premium seats (the middle tier of the West Stand I think), which is way ahead of the 150 seats currently available at Withdean!

[tg1980]

Good to see this project cracking on. Couple of questions, people more local might know. Have the council got a travel plan for fans etc coming from Brighton? Will the current train services be sufficient or are they making any special arrangements like match day trains? Just wondering what proportion of fans they anticipate using public transport rather than the A27?

[2005]

Good to see this project cracking on. Couple of questions, people more local might know. Have the council got a travel plan for fans etc coming from Brighton? Will the current train services be sufficient or are they making any special arrangements like match day trains? Just wondering what proportion of fans they anticipate using public transport rather than the A27?

I don't really exactly what's going on but there is a lot of digging on the Uni. of Brighton side of Falmer station and there is some building work going inbetween A270. That's all I can say sadly.

[Curious Orange]

Good to see this project cracking on. Couple of questions, people more local might know. Have the council got a travel plan for fans etc coming from Brighton? Will the current train services be sufficient or are they making any special arrangements like match day trains? Just wondering what proportion of fans they anticipate using public transport rather than the A27?

An agreed transportation plan is part of the planning consent needed to bring the stadium into use, and I don't think that has been formalised as yet. However my understanding is that certainly the existing Park and Ride facilities at Mill Road and Mithras House will continue to be used, plus another. There will be additional trains running through Falmer on match days. There will also be some new parking near the stadium, but this will most certainly need to be expensively pre-booked and limited to multiple-occupancy vehicles. Falmer village will most likely be a stewarded CPZ on match days (which will effectively mean that there are less cars parked around the pond than usual :D ).

Oh, and there will be a cycle route into Brighton too.

[2005]

The building of the main stand started a few weeks, I've taken pics on my phone, annoyingly though I lost the cable and Samsung CD for my phone 6 weeks ago so I can't load them up :bash:

[Technicalities]

I can grab some for you if you want? Plenty up on our forums (NSC). Went down there again on the 25 bus today. With every visit it just gets more real, with every bit of steel that goes up, it becomes just that bit easier to visualize the finished stadium there in front of me. Superb feeling. I'm sure away fans will feel the same "wow" factor when they see the massive arches through the trees as they make their way towards Falmer.

[MS20]

Just out of curiosity...is this another "we'll only fill it if we get into the Premier League" stadium?

Pardon my ignorance too

[Technicalities]

Who fills their stadium outside of the Premier League these days?

Even so, I'm pretty sure we'll have at least 15,000 every game in our first season (providing we're not in L2) - just for the sheer novelty and occasion of finally having a proper home. From then on, it's up to what happens on the pitch. We have an ambitious chairman who is pumping plenty of money into the club, and Poyet will have a decent budget in the summer no doubt. If we're in the Championship within the next few years, as is the aim, I can see the place being pretty full every week.

[rdymott]

Just out of curiosity...is this another "we'll only fill it if we get into the Premier League" stadium?

Pardon my ignorance too

I wouldn't say so although sell out crowds might be a rare sight in the third division.
Although attendances at Withdean might suggest otherwise, Brighton are a well supported club and have historically drawn decent crowds, I see no reason why this can't be the case in 18 months time.

MK Dons achieved an average attendance of 10 000 last season at their new ground and they are a team who have had to build a fan base from scratch, I don't see any reason why we can't at the very least match that.