Sorry it was crap just look at the terracing underneath the stand almost flat and then the posts going all the way across restricting your view. In the stand itself the exits were too small and it took an age to get out how it ever passed safety is a mystery.
And yet still better than the Ricoh.Sorry it was crap just look at the terracing underneath the stand almost flat and then the posts going all the way across restricting your view. In the stand itself the exits were too small and it took an age to get out how it ever passed safety is a mystery.
Exits weren’t such a huge problem when the west stand was built. There was a huge exit onto the pitch if needed. It wasn’t until the introduction of ‘hooligan fencing’ in the 70’s that safety would become a real issue. Yes, it took ages to get out, but that isn’t any different to large crowds in any stadium even today.Sorry it was crap just look at the terracing underneath the stand almost flat and then the posts going all the way across restricting your view. In the stand itself the exits were too small and it took an age to get out how it ever passed safety is a mystery.
And yet still better than the Ricoh.
Cov fans slagging HR....
I loved the place.
Great pic.
I beg to differ...This is probably going to be an unpopular opinion... but it's not 'better' though is it. The Ricoh just has a stigma attached to it because since our arrival it's been filled with animosity for probably the best part of nearly 10 years (on and off) and whilst playing there us fans have had mostly bad memories. Couple that with consistently poor performances on the pitch, constant upheaval off the pitch, resenting landlords, and the fact that on average we've probably been running at 50% capacity for the past 15 years due to the lack of footfall through the turnstiles - it's no wonder so many refer to the stadium as 'soulless', 'having no atmosphere' or 'never feeling like home'. On paper, the Ricoh is in a different league to Highfield road with fantastic facilities and a capacity that should of taken us to the next level. Unfortunately, we were unable to harness it's potential to build a success story, and instead we regressed even further whilst there.
Highfield Road has awash of great memories, especially for me growing up. But taking off the Sky Blue tinted spectacles for a second, I don't think it's unfair to say that in it's twilight years it was falling to pieces and a bit of a dump.
unconformable truth. Despite the nostalgia we all fee for the place (me included), Highfield Road was pretty shite to be honest. The East stand was the last one constructed in the top flight to use cantilevers and view restricting pillars. Simon Inglis’ Football Grounds of England’s book (strangely a big deal after the Taylor Report) really lambasted it. The need to upgrade was obvious and that paved the way for the disastrous course of action that we then embarked on with Arena 2000!
Of course we’ve forgotten most of this and Highfield Road was always full, the views were unobscured and panoramic and we hardly ever lost there.
I beg to differ...
I guess it’s a matter of opinion and yeah I think some of it might be nostalgia but isn’t that a huge part of being a fan?
On a practical level The location of HR was far better for me but also felt like it was in/near the city centre...not in an industrial estate near a motor way.
The walk up was good through the back streets.
I never really cared for the facilities at the Ricoh...the casino? Not interested, and the Pubs are better and more choice in town. I guess it depends what you’re looking for from a match day experience.
Parking is awful at the Ricoh when there’s a decent crowd.
The Ricoh is an identi-kit stadium, That doesn’t do much for me aesthetically. I guess it depends what you’re after. I like my stadia a bit ‘roughed up’ and unique. The Ricoh ain’t that.
unconformable truth. Despite the nostalgia we all fee for the place (me included), Highfield Road was pretty shite to be honest. The East stand was the last one constructed in the top flight to use cantilevers and view restricting pillars. Simon Inglis’ Football Grounds of England’s book (strangely a big deal after the Taylor Report) really lambasted it. The need to upgrade was obvious and that paved the way for the disastrous course of action that we then embarked on with Arena 2000!
Of course we’ve forgotten most of this and Highfield Road was always full, the views were unobscured and panoramic and we hardly ever lost there.
Loved the wave style roof design of the Main Stand, but atmos in West Terrace was decent when full. Sky Blue Stand was pretty dire design as was the East Stand (internal concourse aside).
The East stand could have easily been built with a cantilever roof and no obstructing pillars when it was constructed in 93 but it was built very very cheaply. The footprint of Swan Lane was an issue but not enough to not see it through properly, just look at how Southampton rebuilt the Milton End.
Anyway, I loved Highfield Road but it could be a pretty depressing place sometimes when only 12-13,000 were there on a weekday vs Crewe.
The Sky Blue Stand was the one that originally had the wave design. When the main stand was rebuilt after the fire, it's new roof matched the stand on the other side. I am not sure why the roof on the Sky Blue Stand was changed. I'm sure someone on here will know.Loved the wave style roof design of the Main Stand, but atmos in West Terrace was decent when full. Sky Blue Stand was pretty dire design as was the East Stand (internal concourse aside).
The Sky Blue Stand was the one that originally had the wave design. When the main stand was rebuilt after the fire, it's new roof matched the stand on the other side. I am not sure why the roof on the Sky Blue Stand was changed. I'm sure someone on here will know.
This is probably going to be an unpopular opinion... but it's not 'better' though is it. The Ricoh just has a stigma attached to it because since our arrival it's been filled with animosity for probably the best part of nearly 10 years (on and off) and whilst playing there us fans have had mostly bad memories. Couple that with consistently poor performances on the pitch, constant upheaval off the pitch, resenting landlords, and the fact that on average we've probably been running at 50% capacity for the past 15 years due to the lack of footfall through the turnstiles - it's no wonder so many refer to the stadium as 'soulless', 'having no atmosphere' or 'never feeling like home'. On paper, the Ricoh is in a different league to Highfield road with fantastic facilities and a capacity that should of taken us to the next level. Unfortunately, we were unable to harness it's potential to build a success story, and instead we regressed even further whilst there.
Highfield Road has awash of great memories, especially for me growing up. But taking off the Sky Blue tinted spectacles for a second, I don't think it's unfair to say that in it's twilight years it was falling to pieces and a bit of a dump.
I disagree, Highfield Road was a football stadium, the ricoh arena is an events arena.. I prefer brammel Lane, Portman Road, goodison Park, Upton Park (before knocked down), fratton Park much more than I prefer our generic bowl
I actually find the ricoh to be one of the worst generic bowls too, such a boring, soulless mundane stadium.
Funnily enough my perception was that it had never been in better condition than at the end.This is probably going to be an unpopular opinion... but it's not 'better' though is it. The Ricoh just has a stigma attached to it because since our arrival it's been filled with animosity for probably the best part of nearly 10 years (on and off) and whilst playing there us fans have had mostly bad memories. Couple that with consistently poor performances on the pitch, constant upheaval off the pitch, resenting landlords, and the fact that on average we've probably been running at 50% capacity for the past 15 years due to the lack of footfall through the turnstiles - it's no wonder so many refer to the stadium as 'soulless', 'having no atmosphere' or 'never feeling like home'. On paper, the Ricoh is in a different league to Highfield road with fantastic facilities and a capacity that should of taken us to the next level. Unfortunately, we were unable to harness it's potential to build a success story, and instead we regressed even further whilst there.
Highfield Road has awash of great memories, especially for me growing up. But taking off the Sky Blue tinted spectacles for a second, I don't think it's unfair to say that in it's twilight years it was falling to pieces and a bit of a dump.
I used to lay down on the steps between the west end and west stand to watch games and the aggro between home and away fans to my left.. Very cosy....it was very cosy underneath it.
Sadly I agreeAnd yet still better than the Ricoh.
I actually find the ricoh to be one of the worst generic bowls too, such a boring, soulless mundane stadium.
Whilst i cant argue with anything you say at all...Sorry it was crap just look at the terracing underneath the stand almost flat and then the posts going all the way across restricting your view. In the stand itself the exits were too small and it took an age to get out how it ever passed safety is a mystery.
It was pretty depressing having 5k at the Ricoh during a midweek game against FGR too.The East stand could have easily been built with a cantilever roof and no obstructing pillars when it was constructed in 93 but it was built very very cheaply. The footprint of Swan Lane was an issue but not enough to not see it through properly, just look at how Southampton rebuilt the Milton End.
Anyway, I loved Highfield Road but it could be a pretty depressing place sometimes when only 12-13,000 were there on a weekday vs Crewe.
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