Chris Mills examines Grimsby’s proposed new stadium.
It’s Saturday 13th April 2002 and although flirting with relegation Blundell Park is a hub of excitement. Only days before, the club has announced plans reviving ambitions of a new stadium, to be sponsored by Conoco. Commemorative red caps with the company’s logo printed upon them are being handed out to all home supporters, renewing optimism on and off the pitch. BP’s biggest crowd of the season cheers on the Mariners to a 3-1 victory over Burnley, securing first division safety. The future is bright, black and white.
Later that month residents, of ?not so’ Great Coates, a small village stretching along a road on the outskirts of town, objected the plans and the club found themselves back in square one. Four years on, the site of the proposed new stadium adjacent to the A180 interchange still lies bare with wind swept fields, broken promises and broken dreams. I’ve still got my commemorative cap though.
Now in 2006 under Russell Slade the team appear to be on the up again, finding themselves in the top three at Christmas. However crowds haven’t followed the players increasing ambition. Saturday 16th August, home V Oxford, first day of the new season, renewed optimism and blue skies. Attendance; 4,706. Saturday 22nd October, home V Leyton Orient, a top of the table clash. Attendance; 4,963. Tuesday 20th September, home V Premiership giants Tottenham Hotspurs in the League Cup 2nd round. Attendance 8,206. So what am I getting at?
Blundell Park has a maximum attendance of 10,000ish give or take a few restricted views here or there. On Tuesday 24th January GTFC re-submitted a planning application to the local council for a brand spanking new 20,000 all seater stadium, double that of BP, at a price of fifteen million. Yes a one, followed by a five and then six zero’s. Let’s not beat about the bush, we aren’t going to fill it. The people of Grimsby simply can’t be arsed and the majority probably wouldn’t even be able to count to 20,000.
?We are very excited to have reached this important milestone for the project”, Fenty chuckled only the twelve years after original plans we’re drawn up for relocation. After a stop-start, topsy turvy journey with at least six months between each stage and mention of the plan we have eventually arrived at some sort of conclusion. Well a picture in the paper of positive John and some other official looking guy in a suit on the steps of the council offices with lots of files.
In 2003 the club came closest to securing a deal but NELC refused planning application because Section 106, a clause to protect amenities, like road networks, could not be signed. Couldn’t the club find a pen? Surely a pencil would have done. Ferneaux out.
During the saga the people of Grimsby have had plenty of time to think over the proposals and you either love them or hate them. I’m not a pessimist, simply a realist and to be honest I’m not the greatest supporter of the new stadium. Who wants to leave Blundell Park anyway? Why do we need a new stadium to ?survive’? We’ve managed just fine over the last century. The old place has charm, history and tradition. Not to mention the memories, the routines, the familiarity; nobody likes change.
Would life be the same without parking the car at Ramsden’s and walking half a mile down Grimsby Road? Without a quick pint in the Imp or a double cheeseburger in McDonald’s? Without the stroll down Imperial Avenue, through the turnstiles and along the front of the pontoon, dodging stray shots from the substitutes ?warming up’. Without those toilets and that PA system. And what would we be given to replace such heritage? North, south, east and west stands, car parks and a retail centre; boredom. You see It’s the atmosphere that makes it interesting. Being close to the pitch, so close you occasionally catch a whiff of deep heat and hear the players less than polite arguments with each other and the referee. A ground more than half full, chanting and cheering. Shiny yet empty plastic seats do not have the same effect. Blundell Park is a unique football ground, teams don’t like playing there where as the conoco stadium would be a clone of the times, teams would relish playing there.
However chairman Fenty believes our stadium will be in it’s own way unique due to its planned relationship with the local community. Sports clubs will apparently be able to use training facilities and a health centre, businesses will supposedly be able to use the conference and banqueting facilities whilst the general public will presumably be able to browse the numerous on site retail warehouses. As if that wasn’t enough, the club has one last trick up their sleeves that will be sure to win over all Grimbarians.
?I am particularly excited about the possibility of the Club helping to facilitate Whitgift School’s ambitions?, added Mr Fenty. ?I am a firm believer that sport can play a fundamental role in the development and social well-being of our children. Gaining Sports College Status will be a significant achievement for the School and will provide further opportunities for children in Grimsby to excel in this area.?
Did I read that right or are GTFC placing their future in the hands of Whitgift School? If so we might as well give up now and travel across to Hull, they?ve got a nice new stadium don’t you know.
Chris Mills
