stev2001

7 years ago we were a side that had been in the top flight for 28 years and had lowe in charge. This season we will see Prem football for the first time in 7 years after back to back promotions and have NC in charge. Surely that might make a difference to sales? Come August/September we'll see if we are selling out every game, I think yes. However, its still not worth expanding for one season in the Prem.

I know you are being sarcastic and probably agree with me on most things regarding the expansion but its just unfortunate for Wolves that they have a expanded their stadium ready for year 1 in the championship. Notice how they have abruptly stopped the second and third phases of their expansion plans now that they are relegated though. Prem survival is paramount IMO and NC seems to be waiting to see if that can be achieved for us first.

We don't need to expand in the championship. If we stay in the Prem then we do IMO.

You said you agreed with Saint Fan CaM when he said he thought they'd wait and see how we perform in the Prem before making a decision. Not sure why you are quizzing me on this?

but they never made the decision to expand before their first year in the prem. They guaranteed survival first.

As I said survival is a must this year. I cant see us actually expanding if we get relegated in the first year. Planning may happen regardless?

Im not saying it can be done in 13 weeks but considering St marys is an existing building and was designed with expansion in mind (footings in place?) I'd find it hard to believe most of what you have said wasn't already considered by the council when it was first built? Therefore it should be much quicker than a brand new development such as HS2 which is a 1000 times bigger development than SMS.

Wolves planned for and started expanding well before they were in any danger of relegation. Actually I think we will follow the wolves model. Assess the first year, plan the next year and build in the 3rd year. If we get relegated at the end of the 3rd year then thats just unlucky.

I agree with this too. I think expansion is more about how we perform in the coming season (with survival a must) rather than about how many STs or sell outs we get. These will be based on the pricing rather than our support base. we all know every game will be a sell out if the pricing is right.

I see what you did there

You should go on deal or no deal and say no to the banker but only on the condition that if it starts to go bad then you can go back and say yes.

You can read alot of things into this: I was born in 76 when saints won the FA cup, my son was born in 2010 when we won the JPT cup. I was 2 when we last got promotion to the top flight and my son is two this year.

Good post, I agree completely

Its no good answering the question 'NO' then say but if we are struggling then yes. I'd not be happy with 17th but if someone could guarantee me 17th now I'd bite there arm off as it would guarantee another year in the prem to build from.

Thing is, planning has not been submitted so definitely won't happen this summer.

I think you are right but the expansion is definitely not happening anytime soon. There is nothing into the council for planning and I think if NC was looking to do anything at the end of next season this would need to be going in now. Even if there was half a chance it might happen I think he'd still put the plans in now. I think he will wait until the season gets underway, see what ST sales are like and see how the team performs. If this ticks both boxes, plans may go in just before or at the end of the season. Plans would then be considered in the 2013-14 season, work finished by the end of the following season. So my prediction if all goes to plan we will have an extension for the 2015-16 season which would also give us a bigger stadium for the rugby world cup in 2015.

Saw Bart in adsa about an hour ago, I should have asked him if he knew anything about any stadium extension plans. Might have cleared this up a bit.

And there's me thinking we were in the European cup winners cup

Very good point, none of us know how NC will play it. He could choose the above example but I'd find it hard to believe he'd keep mentioning expansion at dinners if he had no intention at all of even filling the current capacity with expensive tickets. I've said it before, I think he'll wait till mid or end of season to make a decision on this, but Im sure he is already putting things in place in readiness if it is viable. He won't wait till there is a need before he starts to plan for it.

So let's just wrap this up then, we are all agreed we need to expand. Shall I start a new thread regarding how many seats, stands and over what time scale.

Of course that not what I am saying but this thread is about a new 5 year plan. NC didn't suggest to Markus that he buy saints based on their current team or performance, he saw potential over the coming years and made a 5 year plan. The same goes with the 15m he's just spent on training facilities. Maybe, just maybe he wont wait until we have a desperate need to expand then have to wait a season or two to plan and build it. Maybe he'll do what he has been doing and make an investment for the future if he forecasts a need. Assumptions I know but he's hardly been following what other clubs have been doing so far.

Surely every time we sell out there is a need for more seats. FACT. Are you assuming NC needs to see a waiting list before we expand. Maybe he thinks differently to that.

As long as its not second from bottom! Or second in every match.

Yeah why not? I'd call any fan that holds a season ticket and makes the effort to go to some away games dedicated. I certainly wouldn't criticise them because they didn't go to an away game 300-400 miles away. I'm sure there were fans at Middlesbrough that didn't have a ST. Are they more or less dedicated?

That's a bit harsh. If someone was a ST holder and had been to a few local away games in a season, are you really saying you wouldn't want them as a fan if they don't want to drive 7 hours to Middlesbrough? I'm sure there were many passionate, dedicated fans that didnt want to make that journey.