lady-isobel-barnett Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Dick Dastardly said: Firhill is a dump. So depressing to see how it deteriorated every year and the Maintanence tasks stack up. I would gladly move to a new stadium Firhill is a dump in comparison with McDiarmid Pk, Almondvale, New Brockville, The Excelsior and a few other similar stadia. Given the choice I favour dump over depressing & soulless any time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 2 hours ago, exiledjag said: You have, i think inadvertently, 'loaded question (b) by including the word 'lovely'. Frankly I am not too bothered. The Jags have had many 'homes' in the club's life so another would make no difference. The advantage of moving would possible include: a) a new stadium, b) an area that gives us a bigger fan base (than Maryhill) but is also convenient for existing supporters to travel too ; rules out Springburn but perhaps not a return to Partick, c) a 'lovely" grass pitch. I have to admit that sometimes when I go to Firhill I find the place depressing. The derelict bing and the main stand which looks neglected remind me of former glories and seeing them now is soul destroying.. However if there is a plan to regenerate the canal area the authorities will not want a crumbling old football ground sitting in the middle of a modern communications network, or a designated eco and nature reserve area. As we don't have the money to modernise the stadium we may have to sell and move. What we must avoid is becoming like Clyde a nomadic club finally settling at Broadwood! The key word you state is “Neglected” even a new stadium would fall into disrepair if neglected, I think the issue we have is (for whatever reason) maintainence has been less than needed, and upgrades not happening at all. The main stand has had its “Colin Weir Stand” hoardings removed as they were about to fall down, now leaving it more exposed to elements and allowing rain water to drain directly to the park. The stand doesn’t look like anything has been done in year (painting, fixing up etc) The park hasn’t been fully relayed since 2019, and no annual maintenance since 2020. JHS and JLS haven’t had much doing on it, and if rumors are to be believed JHS needs a new roof soon The bing speaks for itself If we can’t (afford or be bothered) to keep on top of standard maintenance then it’s only a matter of time before the decision around Firhill is made for us 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotterJag Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 3 hours ago, exiledjag said: You have, i think inadvertently, 'loaded question (b) by including the word 'lovely'. Frankly I am not too bothered. The Jags have had many 'homes' in the club's life so another would make no difference. The advantage of moving would possible include: a) a new stadium, b) an area that gives us a bigger fan base (than Maryhill) but is also convenient for existing supporters to travel too ; rules out Springburn but perhaps not a return to Partick, c) a 'lovely" grass pitch. I have to admit that sometimes when I go to Firhill I find the place depressing. The derelict bing and the main stand which looks neglected remind me of former glories and seeing them now is soul destroying.. However if there is a plan to regenerate the canal area the authorities will not want a crumbling old football ground sitting in the middle of a modern communications network, or a designated eco and nature reserve area. As we don't have the money to modernise the stadium we may have to sell and move. What we must avoid is becoming like Clyde a nomadic club finally settling at Broadwood! Loading b. was unintentional but I guess my bias is towards grass of any kind. Either 'lovely' and lush or a bit muddy and bouncy. If I'd added a 'c', that read 'stay at Firhill on a muddy pitch', I'd take that over staying on plastic, or moving to lush new pastures. I love Firhill as a ground and if the Bing was sorted, it would do me just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 2 hours ago, lady-isobel-barnett said: Firhill is a dump in comparison with McDiarmid Pk, Almondvale, New Brockville, The Excelsior and a few other similar stadia. Given the choice I favour dump over depressing & soulless any time. In case you hadn’t noticed Firhill is pretty soulless as well as being a dump. It is way too big for the crowd s we now get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenski Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 I'd like a rich benefactor to fund a hybrid pitch like the one they put in at Murrayfield. The best of both worlds. Not going to happen though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 24 minutes ago, Dick Dastardly said: In case you hadn’t noticed Firhill is pretty soulless as well as being a dump. It is way too big for the crowd s we now get I'm just expressing my opinion but if Firhill is "pretty soulless" then the stadia I mentioned are extremely soulless. Virtually every ground I've visited in the last few seasons, new stadia and old, is far too big for the crowds they attract. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One t in Scotland Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 The Main Stand is a deteriorating eyesore, the JHS is far too big with cracked filthy seats and the Bing is a disgrace. Apart from that all good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fearchar Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 Not that I'd suggest we could ever approach the investment Schalke 04 put into the Veltins Arena, but it's an interesting indication of what can be done with a grass stadium: the playing surface can be moved away to provide a performance venue, and there is a roof, too. https://veltins-arena.de/en/veltins-arena/stadium-tour/ (Schalke 04 has ended up dropping out of the Bundesliga to the second level and was supported by the meat processing company Tönnies which earned a bad reputation for the conditions of its largely foreign workforce.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fawlty Towers Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 2 hours ago, Norgethistle said: The key word you state is “Neglected” even a new stadium would fall into disrepair if neglected, I think the issue we have is (for whatever reason) maintainence has been less than needed, and upgrades not happening at all. The main stand has had its “Colin Weir Stand” hoardings removed as they were about to fall down, now leaving it more exposed to elements and allowing rain water to drain directly to the park. The stand doesn’t look like anything has been done in year (painting, fixing up etc) The park hasn’t been fully relayed since 2019, and no annual maintenance since 2020. JHS and JLS haven’t had much doing on it, and if rumors are to be believed JHS needs a new roof soon The bing speaks for itself If we can’t (afford or be bothered) to keep on top of standard maintenance then it’s only a matter of time before the decision around Firhill is made for us What I would like to see done, either now or as soon as the change of ownership happens, is a list of all the work needing done around the stadium to be drawn up. That can then be prioritised over a period of time, possibly a few seasons. Now I am no expert on building costs, etc but I would imagine the work needing done won't be insignificant so that then raises the issue of how to fund that whilst maintaining an effective playing budget each season until the work is completed. The funding could come from money raised by TJF but that would need to be a decision for the membership. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG1970 Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Dick Dastardly said: In case you hadn’t noticed Firhill is pretty soulless as well as being a dump. It is way too big for the crowd s we now get Don’t think it’s a dump but certainly too big for our needs.. Any thought of a 4 sided Firhill stadium must surely be in the bin now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 12 minutes ago, JAG1970 said: Don’t think it’s a dump but certainly too big for our needs.. Any thought of a 4 sided Firhill stadium must surely be in the bin now. I suspect it’s going to be 2 sided for the foreseeable. JHS needs attention if we’re not going to lose that too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 2 hours ago, Fawlty Towers said: What I would like to see done, either now or as soon as the change of ownership happens, is a list of all the work needing done around the stadium to be drawn up. That can then be prioritised over a period of time, possibly a few seasons. Now I am no expert on building costs, etc but I would imagine the work needing done won't be insignificant so that then raises the issue of how to fund that whilst maintaining an effective playing budget each season until the work is completed. The funding could come from money raised by TJF but that would need to be a decision for the membership. We could also get it sponsored but I fully agree with you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Norgethistle said: We could also get it sponsored but I fully agree with you Could there also be a fans day where they can contribute some of the work needed. I’m sure we have some with skills in the building trades and others who can do manual labour or a bit of painting Our own version of DIY SOS Edited February 6, 2022 by Dick Dastardly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garscube Road End 2 Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 Thistle should have abandoned Firhill years ago. Crumbling stadium. Utter embarrassment. No support base where we are and In amongst an utterly depressed area. It is not fit for purpose. I took my mate, an Ipswich suppirter to Firhill. He couldn't believe that a Premiership side had such a dump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG1970 Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 4 minutes ago, Garscube Road End 2 said: Thistle should have abandoned Firhill years ago. Crumbling stadium. Utter embarrassment. No support base where we are and In amongst an utterly depressed area. It is not fit for purpose. I took my mate, an Ipswich suppirter to Firhill. He couldn't believe that a Premiership side had such a dump. It would be interesting to know how far spread our support is (maybe the club know via ST and other fan records), but perhaps it’s widely spread as supporters like myself were local but moved away. One thing I like about Firhill is the location, relatively easy to get to by public transport and car, and a 10 min walk to Great Western Rd with pubs and places to eat. And I suspect easy walking for many local supporters. If we ever moved to a better stadium would it be just as convenient or further away from maybe a significant chunk of our support.. ?although a bigger question would be funding! Hindsight is wonderful but I think it was under Jim Oliver there was a 16,000 capacity plan of which the JHS was the first step and a refurbished main stand in a 4 sided stadium. Clearly though now there’s no point in that, why build or sustain capacity which would only be used by the ugly sisters. We probably do need to vacate Firhill in terms of capacity.. I just can’t see how we will ever afford to replace the main stand and even then we’d still be stuck with the bing. Any notion of some housing development incorporated into/around the stadium seems highly unlikely. We certainly need a vision for the future but I can’t see where the money would come from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 28 minutes ago, Garscube Road End 2 said: Thistle should have abandoned Firhill years ago. Crumbling stadium. Utter embarrassment. No support base where we are and In amongst an utterly depressed area. It is not fit for purpose. I took my mate, an Ipswich suppirter to Firhill. He couldn't believe that a Premiership side had such a dump. I'm not certain I get your take on "an utterly depressing area". Clearly a busy commercial area and seems agreeable enough from a residential point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Dick Dastardly said: Could there also be a fans day where they can contribute some of the work needed. I’m sure we have some with skills in the building trades and others who can do manual labour or a bit of painting Our own version of DIY SOS This is what’s known as a Dugnad in Norway where a group, community or country gets together to fix something on their own time. FK Viking and Sandnes ULF have done it here, I’m sure we could, in fact Maryhill did it in the summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fawlty Towers Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 6 minutes ago, Norgethistle said: This is what’s known as a Dugnad in Norway where a group, community or country gets together to fix something on their own time. FK Viking and Sandnes ULF have done it here, I’m sure we could, in fact Maryhill did it in the summer I am sure at the start of this season we put out a request for volunteers do so some jobs around the stadium and I recall seeing someone post a picture of their excellent painting effort with the yellow markings on the stairs in the JH Stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dl1971 Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 1 hour ago, lady-isobel-barnett said: I'm not certain I get your take on "an utterly depressing area". Clearly a busy commercial area and seems agreeable enough from a residential point of view. Take a look at where the OF play and their surrounding area. Not exactly the garden of Eden. As for Firhill being soulless I don't agree either. Yes our crowds aren't great but I'd argue the fans create a decent atmosphere. If we are equating soul with crowds I doubt any move would alter that much. In saying that I quite like St mirrens ground. That would do for me as a model if we did move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Fawlty Towers said: I am sure at the start of this season we put out a request for volunteers do so some jobs around the stadium and I recall seeing someone post a picture of their excellent painting effort with the yellow markings on the stairs in the JH Stand. I think going back to your earlier post, we get a list of what’s needing doing and who can help. There’s basic things like painting that most can do, there may be specific specialist stuff that our fan base may have skills (or own a company) or donate material to aid, electrical work, plumbing work in toilets, cleaning and fixing roof/gutters on the stands, even supplying the teas and coffees for the volunteers. Done correctly this could pull support together, tidy up the old lady that’s Firhill, and saving the club cash, whilst giving some free publicity to club and (importantly) firms that help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted February 6, 2022 Report Share Posted February 6, 2022 12 hours ago, lady-isobel-barnett said: Firhill is a dump in comparison with McDiarmid Pk, Almondvale, New Brockville, The Excelsior and a few other similar stadia. Given the choice I favour dump over depressing & soulless any time. Almondvale would be a cracking stadium if they just hadn't skimped on the roof, which leaves the front half of all the seats exposed to the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a f kincaid Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 14 hours ago, Garscube Road End 2 said: Thistle should have abandoned Firhill years ago. Crumbling stadium. Utter embarrassment. No support base where we are and In amongst an utterly depressed area. It is not fit for purpose. I took my mate, an Ipswich suppirter to Firhill. He couldn't believe that a Premiership side had such a dump. Just out of curiosity GRE2, where do you think Thistle should/could have moved to years ago? Do you think there is a potential support somewhere, deprived of senior football, just waiting for somewhere to go on a Saturday if only a senior club would move? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG1970 Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Club update about Firhill pitch | Partick Thistle FC (ptfc.co.uk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javeajag Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Covers and pitchforks… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy McD Posted February 7, 2022 Report Share Posted February 7, 2022 Alan Tichmarsh spotted on Maryhill Road...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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