First Impressions of Wembley.

[Peyre]

Originally Posted by Chorltonred

Like the Emirates and COMs it is a soulless concrete bowl designed for free loading corporates and middle class football fans who like to have a burger and fries with their "football experience".

Copied and pasted from other peoples posts no doubt. I hear the same thing over and over again from killjoys, and you really are reading from the exact same hymn sheet. Honestly.

[CharlieP]

Originally Posted by jrb

Beautiful. Clean lines, sweeping roof, terraces, seats, order. Perfect.

There haven't been any terraces at Twickenham since 1994

[Chorltonred]

Originally Posted by Peyre

Copied and pasted from other peoples posts no doubt. I hear the same thing over and over again from killjoys, and you really are reading from the exact same hymn sheet. Honestly.

I was asked for my opinion mate, and gave it. I think it's impressively large, but to me it ain't a football stadium. Bit of a design flaw really.

[Its AlL gUUd]

Originally Posted by jrb

Beautiful. Clean lines, sweeping roof, terraces, seats, order. Perfect.

Perfect Location for another world class stadium, (in London)

As for Wembley's Location it could only ever have been WEMBLEY. Stop moaning, London is one of the most (probably The most)connected city in the world, which cant be said for Brum or Manc, Also more or less every year a London team is in the final, sometimes two. so it all makes sense, eases congestion.

[Scarecrow]

What's the point of being the most connected city in the world if it's a pain in the arse to reach from elsewhere in your own country?

[bazzup]

Originally Posted by Bunnyman

What's the point of being the most connected city in the world if it's a pain in the arse to reach from elsewhere in your own country?

It's not though, is it. It's the best-connected city in the UK domestically, too(which is one of the things non-Londoners always moan about).

Most of the population of England lives within two hours train journey distance from London, with direct connections from just about every major town or city. On top of that, about 10m people are directly served by London's local transport infrastructure.

I've travelled up to Old Trafford for a number of England games and it was gridlock back to London every time - sometimes 8 hours.

[Monkey]

The Mancs are bitter with envy of London's stadium and victory in the FA Cup final. They say it's "not a proper stadium" and "full of middle class wankers" blah blah.... pure envy. I think it's far superior to the Allianz Arena. It's much larger and more architecturally impressive both inside and out. Sparks your photos rule:

Originally Posted by Sparks

As I posted in the world section.

A selection of photos from yesterday.

image hosted on flickr


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image hosted on flickr

[Prestonian]

I think it looks great, can't see what the fuss is about. As a place to go and watch a game its facilities are superior to those of Allianz. I admit to being a bit disappointed with the exterior of Wembley, grey corporate panels are a bit drab, Allianz on the other hand really does it for me in the Architectural stakes. Given the breif for Wembley to accommodate so much more than the Allianz I think it is an incredible triumph. To be honest they are both superb and far better than all that American dross you see

Its hard to imagine that these stadia hold the equivelent of the entire population of a medium sized town!

[DarJoLe]

I don't think the full potential of the stadium will be unlocked until the surrounding masterplan is complete. Once then, the area will become a new Wembley 'village' for spectators willing to hang around before and after a game and create a lively atmosphere around the stadium as well.

[Monkey]

^ I agree about the masterplan. Right now Wembley is let down by its surroundings. However I think the exterior is also more impressive than Allianz. I love the lightness and grace of the arch. Allianz looks like a blobby airship next to this:

[BaronVonChickenpants]

Originally Posted by DarJoLe

I don't think the full potential of the stadium will be unlocked until the surrounding masterplan is complete. Once then, the area will become a new Wembley 'village' for spectators willing to hang around before and after a game and create a lively atmosphere around the stadium as well.

for anybody coming from the north or west of the country,may i suggest driving to one of the Met Line stations,and enjoying a drink there.I live in Pinner,which is about 15 mins from Wembley Park.Its a lovely olde world village,with loads of nice pubs,and plenty of parking,especially at the station.

[JamesWales]

Wembley looks impressive as a building, but as an arena to watch football in I have heard it was terrible:

All seater, extortionately expensive, disjointed, plush toilets (waste of money) ridiulous arch that looks good, but probably cost the earth...

None of the above are what football fans want. In most of these respects the Allianz Arena and The Millennium Stadium (as the two obvious examples to compare it against) are infinately superioir. I had friends in the Man Utd end on saturday, real fans, followed the club all over europe who said it was the worst atmosphere they have know for a big game, and that the finals in recent years have been far better occasions, and far better days out.

Now I'm a supporter of Wembley, I believe the national stadium should be in London, not Birmingham, and the size is impressive, but it's just a big fat corporate jizzfest that cares not a jot about the real fans. I can't wait to go and 'experience' the new wembley, taste the aberdeen angus burgers, hear the PA system and marvel at the leg room and quality of the bog paper, but I know I'm not the only one who wishes that there had been more delays so that the final could've been on loan to Cardiff a few more years.

Stadium design 7/10
Iconic factor 9/10
Location 7/10
Atmosphere 3/10

[Luke]

What's the timeline for the redevelopment of the surrounding area?

[DarJoLe]

Originally Posted by JamesWales

None of the above are what football fans want.

I couldn't care less what real football fans want. This stadium is for more than just 'real football fans'.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by JamesWales

Wembley looks impressive as a building, but as an arena to watch football in I have heard it was terrible:

All seater, extortionately expensive, disjointed, plush toilets (waste of money) ridiulous arch that looks good, but probably cost the earth...

None of the above are what football fans want. In most of these respects the Allianz Arena and The Millennium Stadium (as the two obvious examples to compare it against) are infinately superioir. I had friends in the Man Utd end on saturday, real fans, followed the club all over europe who said it was the worst atmosphere they have know for a big game, and that the finals in recent years have been far better occasions, and far better days out.

Now I'm a supporter of Wembley, I believe the national stadium should be in London, not Birmingham, and the size is impressive, but it's just a big fat corporate jizzfest that cares not a jot about the real fans. I can't wait to go and 'experience' the new wembley, taste the aberdeen angus burgers, hear the PA system and marvel at the leg room and quality of the bog paper, but I know I'm not the only one who wishes that there had been more delays so that the final could've been on loan to Cardiff a few more years.

Stadium design 7/10
Iconic factor 9/10
Location 7/10
Atmosphere 3/10

Jealous of Wembley and pissed off that the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will no longer be Britain's best stadium and will no longer host the FA Cup final.

[JamesWales]

[/QUOTE]I couldn't care less what real football fans want. This stadium is for more than just 'real football fans'. [/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Monkey

Jealous of Wembley and pissed off that the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will no longer be Britain's best stadium and will no longer host the FA Cup final.

What a couple of laughable quotes...! Firstly, if you dont care what real football fans think then shame on you, and what a sad and pathetic indictment of modern football and the pricks that run it. Entitled to your opinion of course, but these opinions give developers a bad name. I wonder if you couldnt give two hoots about the people of East london with regards to the developments surrounding the Olympics?

Pissed off? No. Jealous, yeah, of course and so is everyone. Who wouldnt love to have the FA cup final in their city? Cardiff has been lucky, and it was a bonus, but I am talking about the stadium, of which I have heard good things design wise and terrible things from a fans perspective. After the jizzfest has died down then Wembley will have to rely on issues that are important to fans and if you think a flashy arch will do that you are mistaken..

Let me stress again that I am talking about the stadium, the city it is in is nothing to do with it, because I passionately believe that the English national stadium should be at Wembley and that FA Cup finals should be at Wembley. got it!!??

[Monkey]

^ The people of East London want the Olympics. Beckham, who was born in the area, said the Games would provide a huge boost:

"I've got friends that have got children that are growing up in the East End of London and they're already saying to me to have the Olympics in our manor would be a special thing for kids to have inspiration from different athletes from all round the world," he said.

"Our manor". I love that.

And as for Wembley having poor atmosphere. I mean what are you on? Just take a look at Sparks's photos. It kicks arse. It's obvious and if you had any grace you'd admit it.

[RobH]

I've been reading round these threads for a few days and discovered that..

One person who's been there says the atmosphere is rubbish. And yet another person who's been there says it's incredible.

You can't find out the truth about anything these days can you!? I'm going to have to find out for myself at some point I think!

[JamesWales]

I know the people of the East end want the games, but their opinions have been considered, and what I'm saying is that it's important that football fans are too, which I am afraid they have not been regarding Wembley.

Surely you are not serious that one lacks grace if they dont sing from the Wembley love-in songsheet?

Re the atmosphere I have heard from many many sources (personal friends, callers on radio, newspaper articles, fans forums etc) that the atmosphere was atrocious on saturday. Granted the game and ticket allocation didnt help, but neither does the stewarding, the pricing, the ground layout, the lack of pubs in the surrounding area etc, and if you want to talk about a stadium in more than just design purposes (which is important to do so) then these are important factors.

Wembley is beautiful to look at, graceful, attractive, awe inspiring, but while these are important, so to is the atmosphere, the right to stand, the right to sing, drink before the game, not feel ripped off etc, and Wembley should improve in that regard in coming years, or else it's going to start looking quite empty for all but the very biggest games.

[*England*]

Jealous of Wembley and pissed off that the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will no longer be Britain's best stadium and will no longer host the FA Cup final.

so true

One person who's been there says the atmosphere is rubbish. And yet another person who's been there says it's incredible.

person that said it was rubbish wasn't even there and if they were it was probably on community day or the 1 manu fan that was there after 120 minutes