The Grandstand to be open for the start of the season?

Rickler wrote:

GreenSam wrote:

I've just been updated this evening that there has in fact been a new date arranged for the latest meeting with Tudor Evans. Let's hope this one all goes as planned.

When is that, Please?  ..and if it doesn't happen, what is your plan then?

And please don't say to re-arrange it?

That's not something I can make a definite statement on all on my own without consulting the rest of the team. My instinct then would be to step up the pressure on a public level rather than just personal communications but it isn't only my decision to make.

Punchdrunk wrote:

Pafcintheplace wrote:

How can HHP be over or dead in the water, when all it takes for the occupancy levels to meet the required target?
And when it does, it's back on, except we get a value engineered ministand most likely.

Sorry to be the pessimist but I do worry that there's a very real possibility this boxed cluster**** could still go ahead!

Exactly until it is OFFICIALY dead in the water the Trust should be wreaking all out war.

But then we wouldn't get the chance to fight future battles that really matter. If we waste all lines of communication by ending them over something that is dead in the water then we won't have them open for things like the stadium ownership, the car park ownership, the balloon payment.

I'm not saying that we'd NEVER get militant over any issue. I'm just saying that surely you'd agree that it's better for fan relations and engagement to be on speaking terms than to not be so. And thus there's no point wasting communication opportunities by getting militant about something that we all know in our heart of hearts is a dead duck. We might as well start talking to them about the 'Tradium' for all the relevance it has. It's not that we're afraid of being militant- if we have to, we will be. But why be militant over something that will disappear all of its own accord? This way we still keep lines of communication open. Have you ever heard of 'softly softly'   ?

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Looks like we have our answer with regards to the initial question. Grandstand opened at last. And people say we have no impact eh   

The lines of communication may be 'open' but you're constantly being fobbed off , while they do exactly what they please,when they please, without consultation.

If the pressure is racked up by explaining all the real concerns through a public campaign to clearly explain the issues currently being avoided by club and council, at least more people will become aware of exactly what is at stake.

The Trust can be as 'softly , softly' as it likes. Those who actually make decisions concerning the club will be very happy with that and the general lack of any organised and informed opposition.

Always a next question Sam - the most important of all - We know the Stand will not produce the increased revenue required because it won't be ready in time (now confirmed), we know that there is no Plan B (confirmed), therefore will Brent pay the balance of the residual payment come October 2016?

I think we all know the answer to that one.

I agree that that's the biggest issue and we've not forgotten about it.

GreenSam wrote:

I agree that that's the biggest issue and we've not forgotten about it.

When do you propose putting this question to the relevant people, Sam?

Sensible move. Suits me as I'll get to use the old girl a few more times (phnar) before, hopefully in the not too distant future, she gets pulled down.

I know the proposals are not universally popular but then neither am I

Have crossed swords in the past X Isle but would genuinely love to know if you really believe Brent will make the development happen.

Person Of Interest wrote:

GreenSam wrote:

I agree that that's the biggest issue and we've not forgotten about it.

When do you propose putting this question to the relevant people, Sam?

It's already been asked informally. Formally/publicly, soon.

I think the one thing we can do (that I'd like to personally help plot out) is a breakdown of exactly who the club owe what to and in what timeframe. And how well (or otherwise) those payments are currently being met.

I, like you, feel that people are taking it too much for granted that things will be ok. Releasing the data into the public domain (once we're certain we've got every detail our facts right) is a step that's been spoken about and that I'd like to see.

Please note though that (not just on this point but on all of them) that this is only me speaking. We're a board of seven and a team of even more than that (when you consider the amount of people that are needed to do the work that helps us get our projects going). What I say isn't necessarily gospel of the way things will go- but it's a pretty good indication   

You may ask why so much is starting now as opposed to any other team and you'd be entitled to. In reply I'd say that April/May were incredibly busy months for a lot of us on a personal level. A lot of the board members including myself have now got a bit more 'Trust time' to devote. Also it's worth noting that unseen doesn't necessarily mean= nothing's happening. There are things that are discussed and planned behind the scenes which need a lot of time and effort put in before going public which is always the way.

Sam.

I think we have the fixture list to thank for the Grandstand being open. That and what would have been the unedifying spectacle of the suits and commercial customers enjoying the amenities whilst old Arthur Janner aged 95 and 3/4 is shunted off to unwanted pastures new. The club would have happily let that happen I'm sure given the way they unceremoniously shunted season tickets out the way to to accommodate the club presidents baby and babies, Forza RIPde

Sam,,
I hope you know that I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Trust Board and support and thank you all for your work. But it is incredibly naïve to believe that any information regarding the debt levels of the club will be forthcoming, I asked the question directly to the Board when representing the AFT on the PASB and I was met with a firm rebuttal and basically told those were not matters the Board were willing to discuss with fans representatives.

The debt level (including the residual FC debt) will currently be between £5 - 6million. The only firm fact we have is an assurance that the loans from the Board or parent company would ensure the Company would continue as a going concern. Guessing that the residual payment will be around £1.5 - £2million come October 2016. Tony is probably in for around £500k of the debt and either JB or Akkeron for the balancing £2.5-£3million. Not exact but won't be far away.

With those guestimates in mind I ask again - will JB stump up the residual £1.5 - £2million increasing his/Akkeron's exposure to c.£4.5million. If we got a 'no' answer to that question (hypothetical I know) we are looking at finding someone willing to value a club with no land assets at £5million or it's a 20 point deduction and admin 2.

Here what we be waiting for

THE GRANDSTAND at Home Park will be open for Plymouth Argyle home games at the start of next season after all.

The Pilgrims’ board of directors have taken the decision because the planned redevelopment at the stadium will not begin before the end of September.

There is still no date set for when work on the proposed new £10 million grandstand will get under way.

Argyle will have at least six home matches between the start of the season in August and the end of September.
Related content

   James Brent confident Plymouth Argyle are moving in the right direction

So they believe ‘it is logical to make full use of the existing facilities’ during that period.

A club statement issued on Thursday afternoon read: "Following a recent board meeting, the directors have decided to open the main Mayflower Grandstand at Home Park for the beginning of next season.

“It is clear that the planned development of a new grandstand will not start before the end of September.

“With at least six home matches scheduled for the first two months of the new season, including a Devon derby against Exeter City, it is logical to make full use of the existing facilities.

“An update on the Grandstand development will be provided to supporters at the first Fans’ Forum of the new campaign.

“Members who have initially relocated to other areas of Home Park will be issued with a season-ticket for the seat they last occupied in the Mayflower Grandstand for the beginning of next season unless they contact the ticket office to arrange otherwise.

“Any enquires on memberships and ticketing arrangements should be directed to the ticket office on 0845 872 3335 or email [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].”

The Pilgrims will play Exeter in their first home League Two game of the season on Saturday, August 16, when a large 10,000-plus crowd can be anticipated.

Argyle owner James Brent revealed to Herald Sport earlier this month there was a possibility the grandstand would be open for the start of the 2014/15 campaign.

He said at the time: “We are not going to let it remain empty for the whole of the season – or a substantial majority of it – with no-one in there.

“The judgement we will need to take before the season starts is, ‘When is the Grandstand likely to come down? ’

“If it’s unlikely to come down within three months of the season starting, then I think that’s a sensible time period to move people back in that want to move back in.

“But if it’s likely to come down within three months, then people have got their new seats elsewhere.”

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Damon: I'm certainly not naive enough to think that all information will be passed over at a mere request. I've got enough experience of filling in on the PASB to think that!

However, as long as the questions and answers are public then that's at least all we can do to raise awareness of the big issues and inspire debate on them.

Damon.Lenszner wrote:

Have crossed swords in the past X Isle but would genuinely love to know if you really believe Brent will make the development happen.

I have no idea, none of us do. 'Belief' therefore, be it glass half full or empty, is too hard a threshold for anyone to cross.

I hope it'll happen and retain some faith in the man, despite all the 'noise' and finger pointing I've yet to be convinced he has cloven hooves. But do I 'believe' in it's completion is inevitable?, no. Just as no-one can claim unswerving certainty that it won't.

We'll see, I hope so, it's needed.

No it isn't.

A new grandstand is needed but NOT THAT ONE.

It's a piece of crap and you know it.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

No it isn't.

A new grandstand is needed but NOT THAT ONE.

It's a piece of crap and you know it.

It's proportionate and achievable. We aren't a 'sleeping giant' fanbase and we don't have much money. We have a largely apathetic following who walk away quicker than you can say fickle.

People can believe in the myth of the green army being unlimited in size if they wish to, for me it's delusions of grandeur. I stopped believing that when crowds started to dwindle in the championship, watching great football at a good level.

......and I have no interest in picking open that debate YET again either. That's my position and until and unless I see regular lock outs at Home Park in the future it'll remain so. I rather suspect that'll never happen in any of our lifetimes.

The Council knows, hence it not appearing in the cabinet report of 17th June, every town planner, developer, architect, solicitor, accountant and banker knows, just a few hopeful football fans that are hanging on to blind hope.

X Isle wrote:

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

No it isn't.

A new grandstand is needed but NOT THAT ONE.

It's a piece of crap and you know it.

It's proportionate and achievable. We aren't a 'sleeping giant' fanbase and we don't have much money. We have a largely apathetic following who walk away quicker than you can say fickle.

People can believe in the myth of the green army being unlimited in size if they wish to, for me it's delusions of grandeur. I stopped believing that when crowds started to dwindle in the championship, watching great football at a good level.

......and I have no interest in picking open that debate YET again either. That's my position and until and unless I see regular lock outs at Home Park in the future it'll remain so. I rather suspect that'll never happen in any of our lifetimes.

You claim that the long suffering  Argyle fans are " fickle and apathetic" How many time were you at homepark last season in the trenches with your hero JB? was it less than one?

I refer the honourable gentleman to the answer contained within my signature.

Damon - 'blind hope' describes what all the fans of virtually every football club in the country invest every season, so that'll do for me

FWIW, I don't think Brent'll pay off the balloon payment, but he may borrow money and lend it to Argyle at preferential rates for him if he is able to do so!

Maybe Nikkk will help him in that, who knows?

Damon.Lenszner wrote:

The Council knows, hence it not appearing in the cabinet report of 17th June, every town planner, developer, architect, solicitor, accountant and banker knows, just a few hopeful football fans that are hanging on to blind hope.

Yep, the cabinet report omission speaks volumes about discussions that have obviously taken place behind closed doors in recent weeks.

Hopefully British Land will be moving on full steam ahead with their excellent Bretonside project just to put the final nail into the HHP Clusterfuck.

British Land plans £42m Plymouth leisure complex

Bring it on

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