Shed

Thanks. Sorry for the delay in posting other comments about last night but was in a meeting in the Foreign Office. If I've missed anything from the comments below or I realise that something is wrong i'll add or correct. I think Carshalton Blue is going tonight. Would be grateful to see what he or anyone else who goes thinks and if they hear anything to the contrary. Sorry that comments take up a lot of space but wanted to write down as much as possible. Interesting times. Apologies if stuff below has already been covered, haven't read through all the posts.
 
I went to the Bridge last night for the meeting with the consultants about the redevelopment about ground.  It was not only Chelsea fans at the meeting but also local residents with no affiliation with the club. From what I could gather a large number people had attended during the day.
 
It is expected that the redevelopment will take three years. Prior to the work starting there will be a couple of years of planning, approvals etc so if work started now the earliest the new Bridge will be completed will be 2020. Having been involved in a number of office moves and refurbishments over the years I know how long the planning can take.
 
A lot of planning has already taken place and from what we told by one of the consultants that from discussions which have been held with the council and most local residents and businesses are content with the plans. On Monday evening the consultants had a meeting with representatives from the council. Obviously not everyone will be content but it is going to be difficult to please everyone. Last night I heard a resident who lives on the Fulham Road and not from the East Stand complain about the noise from the East Stand and in particular the air-conditioning units. It was pointed out to her that the walls of the new stands will thicker to cushion the noise. On a match day there will always be noise. Given that we’re only play games for less than 10% of the year noise and disruption will be minimal. As for noise and disruption during the re-building there are rules in place about when works can take place.
 
Roman has had several meetings with the consultants and architects and they have highlighted to him the risks etc of the project and he has told them to press on. I think that is a good sign and shows his commitment to the club not only in time but in money.
 
From speaking to one of the consultants it became clear that they did not want to make plans public until they had enough information to give out and have plans in place. To me that indicates they are a long way down the planning route.
 
The Memorial Wall will remain which is excellent news. The remains of the Shed Wall will also remain as it will not get in the way of the re-development. We were told that it will also act as a barrier for those houses between the ground and the Fulham Road.
 
We were told by one consultant that there will be no area for standing in the new ground. That does not come as a complete surprise; however, speaking to another consultant later it is possible that the lower tier of the new Shed End could be built to allow it to be converted into standing. Something to look out for.
 
There will be three tiers in each stand and away fans will be located in the corner of the Shed End near the East Stand i.e. where they are at the moment.
 
The height of the new stadium will be the same as the current one; that is to ensure that views from surrounding buildings are not blocked. Apparently a resident has said that their view of Richmond Park will be spoilt if the height of the stadium is increased. Not sure how that will be the case given that Stamford Bridge is the tallest building in the area. Also building higher will block out more sunlight; one of the concerns of the residents of the Oswald Stoll Home when the new West Stand was built in the nineties. I think it is only right and proper that we cater for our service veterans.
 
As the new Bridge cannot be any higher, the builders will dig down to allow for the third tier. The builders will dig down four metres.
 
Someone on here asked (sorry I can’t remember who) about what was being built at the East Stand and over the railway line. It will be a walkway. There will also be a walkway from the Underground Station to the Matthew Harding Upper. The walkways are to make access and egress easier.
 
The new Stadium will be solely used for Chelsea matches i.e. there will be no other sports played there (remember the ground was used for American Football matches in the nineties) and nor will it be used for concerts: Under the Bridge will go.
 
As for where we play when we move out of Stamford Bridge, Wembley is looking the favourite. When asked that Spurs could have first refusal on Wembley the consultant replied “money talks.”
 
As for prices of tickets when we move back no decision has been made yet. With the increased capacity there will be more seats available for members. At the moment there are only 8,000 seats available to members. Tickets may following the move back to the Bridge be given to residents. There will also be more areas for wheel-chair users and access and egress will be easier.
 
There was a notice at the presentation which stated the average age of Chelsea fans is 50, the oldest of top flight clubs. Hopefully, with the increased capacity there will be an opportunity to reduce prices for youngsters and families.

Its always made me chuckle, and the other London clubs won't admit it but they have always had a chip on their shoulders when it comes to us.
the facts are: we came into being after the other major London clubs but very quickly started getting higher average home attendances, back in the day I bet that iritated the others.
Our name says it all, glamour. My wife who hates football, but will admit that anything with Chelsea on it just looks and sounds so much better than the wording Arsenal or Tottenham.
Our location in London, again just think what the pikeys and y*ds must think when they come here compared to the sh*te holes they are located("you've had your day out, now f**k off home").
The dreaded word, brand! over the last 15 years the club from a standing start practically, has driven all over the other London clubs brands especially world wide. shirt sales etc ( i bet that winds the gooners up )
I remember back in the late 90's early 2000's before Roman arrived and I used to take my two sons to football clubs even then the little lads there were all decked out in their football kits and chelsea kits would out number Arsenal shirts at least 3:1 and that was when Arsenal were at the height of their powers.
Back in the late 70's and 80's whether you like it or not  our team wasn't its best ,but the fans held a notoriety and fame that got lots of press, that especially the pikeys hated!!!
I remember when I was about 18 I had been to a game, came back to my local pub in deepest west sussex and older guys who weren't that much into football knew all about and asked what was the shed like! no one ever asked other mates of mine who supported gooners and y*ds what the north bank or shelf were like, they probabley had never heard of them!
once again when we were having one of our worst moments in our history in the late 70's and 1980's our away support would at worst equal the other London sides and on many occasions swamp there away supports.;
 
And Finally:
 
Saturday May 19th 2012
Munich
 
The chip on their shoulder is fully complete!!!
 
That completes my party political broadcast for Chelsea Football club!

It was a great decision.

It was a great decision.

It was a great decision.

Yeah.
Stones is so highly rated because he's had chances to prove it.
We will never know what we have unless we give our promising youngsters the same chance.

Seems Willian is our "marmite" player, I personally love him in the team, true, sometimes the end result let's him down but the way he regains possession for the team, presses, tackles and breaks away with speed is a joy!
When I see his name on the teamsheet I'm happy.

Cahill was the last man. The midfield did nothing to stop Sterling yet Cahill is getting criticised for not diving in (as last man) and instead showing Sterling onto his left foot, There are so many things that went wrong in that goal before it even gets to Cahill that I find the criticism (he could've been a yard closer and he should've put in a better block perhaps) laughable.
 
There seems to be this narrative about him now which is overblown in my opinion stemming from a couple of incidents. Look at the Adebayor one for example. The team allows him to run 50 yards onto goal yet Cahill (who beats EVERY other defender back to his position) is criticised for allowing Adebayor to have a shot from 23 yard against Petr Cech???
 
Adebayor?? 20+ yards??? Petr Cech?? 

Agree with the special one. Even now, converting the shed and matthew harding into safe standing would increase their capacityfrom 16k, to maybe 23/24k? The demand to stand is certainly be there.

Agree with the special one. Even now, converting the shed and matthew harding into safe standing would increase their capacityfrom 16k, to maybe 23/24k? The demand to stand is certainly be there.

Hope the redevelopment plans take into consideration safe standing areas.

I think we can officially archive this thread.
Personally I have always rated him but he is rapidly becoming one of Jose's untouchables.