Forester Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 The City Council may ultimately play a huge role in Saints' future. The greatest liability is clearly the stadium finance which is largely through a bond with Norwich Union. However, any asset stripper keen on purchasing the stadium would need to obtain the support of Norwich Union (and other creditors) and clearly any change of usage from football to other (development) usage woudl be conditional on the City Council planners. So, the City Council could play a crucial part in securing a footballing future in St Marys rather than a retailing or residential future. Its important that people understand this/influence the outcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stepgar Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 I really can't see the council buying the stadium, really can't. How would they be able to fund it. My council tax would treble at the least. Also would you really want other sports like egg chasing being played on our hallowed turf? I know I wouldn't. We have got one of the best pitches if the best in the South of England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greedyfly Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 I really can't see the council buying the stadium, really can't. How would they be able to fund it. My council tax would treble at the least. Also would you really want other sports like egg chasing being played on our hallowed turf? I know I wouldn't. We have got one of the best pitches if the best in the South of England. I don't think that was the point that he was making. He stated that if the asset strippers/administrators were to, god forbid, sell the 'asset' that is the stadium to property developers, for example, those property developers could not develop that ground (where the stadium is built) without prior planning permission from Southampton City council. Thus they may still have a say in what happens with St Marys stadium and in turn what happens in and around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 I really can't see the council buying the stadium, really can't. How would they be able to fund it. My council tax would treble at the least. If they took over the mortgage that would be £2m a year out of their budget. That wouldn't treble your bill at all, in fact it might not increase at all if they decided to cut spending elsewhere. How about fortnightly bin collections in exchange for a football club? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 (edited) Slight tangent I guess, but anyone know of any research into how much subsidiary/peripheral business and jobs a professional football club the size of Saints brings to a City such as Southampton? i.e. local shops and pubs, transport providers, etc. If this could be quantified then surely the council would be able to justify investing a proportion of local tax revenues in protecting these local jobs and businesses that benefit directly or indirectly from the Club's presence? Edited 2 April, 2009 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintPaddy Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 They could simply charge higher council tax for non Saints fans that would get my vote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westofshannonsaint Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 Also would you really want other sports like egg chasing being played on our hallowed turf? I know I wouldn't. We have got one of the best pitches if the best in the South of England. It could be a good source of income for the eventual owner of the stadium. Croke Park which has earned €18.7m in rental income from rugby and soccer over two years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clapham Saint Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 I really can't see the council buying the stadium, really can't. How would they be able to fund it. My council tax would treble at the least. Also would you really want other sports like egg chasing being played on our hallowed turf? I know I wouldn't. We have got one of the best pitches if the best in the South of England. The council don't have to buy the stadium to influence the outcome. If they were to let it be known that permision will not be granted for any change in use to either commercial or residential then the amount of money that a prospective purchaser is going to be willing to pay will fall through the floor. Accordingly Nowrich Union (Aviva) will not be able to get as much money for it and will facing a bigger loss than they might be hoping for. The Council can't force anybody to do anything but they can make life awkward for people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AwaySaint1 Posted 2 April, 2009 Share Posted 2 April, 2009 I really can't see the council buying the stadium, really can't. How would they be able to fund it. My council tax would treble at the least. They could always do it under a shared partnership with a low sector housing company,that way the council liability will be low with big profits. Does anyone know of such a company that builds this type of property in partnership with councils Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 IAlso would you really want other sports like egg chasing being played on our hallowed turf? If it meant the club stayed in existance then yes...I would rather Saints play on a chopped up cow field than not at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 The City Council may ultimately play a huge role in Saints' future. The greatest liability is clearly the stadium finance which is largely through a bond with Norwich Union. However, any asset stripper keen on purchasing the stadium would need to obtain the support of Norwich Union (and other creditors) and clearly any change of usage from football to other (development) usage woudl be conditional on the City Council planners. So, the City Council could play a crucial part in securing a footballing future in St Marys rather than a retailing or residential future. Its important that people understand this/influence the outcome Right...and you're the same bloke who said with "absolute confidence" that we would go into admin in the first week of February. And then said you were proven right! Please just go away. Nothing to see her, people.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 I really can't see the council buying the stadium, really can't. How would they be able to fund it. My council tax would treble at the least. Also would you really want other sports like egg chasing being played on our hallowed turf? I know I wouldn't. We have got one of the best pitches if the best in the South of England. OF course it would not treble your bill , they would just take over the mortgage at £2m or whatever a year, in fact do a deal with Hampshire County Council, jointly own it and in 15 years or time have a great asset in communtity use. Same with Staplewood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester Posted 3 April, 2009 Author Share Posted 3 April, 2009 I don't think that was the point that he was making. He stated that if the asset strippers/administrators were to, god forbid, sell the 'asset' that is the stadium to property developers, for example, those property developers could not develop that ground (where the stadium is built) without prior planning permission from Southampton City council. Thus they may still have a say in what happens with St Marys stadium and in turn what happens in and around it. Precisely - crucial we get this message out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 Today's front page Echo is "Will City Council buy St Mary's?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 Today's front page Echo is "Will City Council buy St Mary's?" What was the answer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 What was the answer? Only Smarties have the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 Only Smarties have the answer. That's me ruled out then.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughieslastminutegoal Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 If they took over the mortgage that would be £2m a year out of their budget. That wouldn't treble your bill at all, in fact it might not increase at all if they decided to cut spending elsewhere. How about fortnightly bin collections in exchange for a football club? My granny is not interested in football, so why should she forego a good refuse collection service so that 15k people can watch football once a fornight, many of whom don't even live in the city? Do football fans spend a lot in the city on match days? Nope. Even visiting fans are encouraged to leave as soon as possible. Football is therefore already more of a drain on local finance than a benefit. (Devil's advocate, before you berate me for not being a true fan.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4263766.Could_council_buy_St_Mary_s_Stadium_/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4263766.Could_council_buy_St_Mary_s_Stadium_/ The news comes as the Daily Echo reveals how some of the biggest names in music have been turned away from performing at the stadium this summer. Acts including Take That, Rod Stewart and The Eagles, were in talks to stage concerts at St Mary’s but none of the events will take place because it is not certain the stadium will still be in business. Chicken vs egg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowsaintsfan Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 as long as they dont end up cutting the grass too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 3 April, 2009 Share Posted 3 April, 2009 My granny is not interested in football, so why should she forego a good refuse collection service so that 15k people can watch football once a fornight, many of whom don't even live in the city? Do football fans spend a lot in the city on match days? Nope. Even visiting fans are encouraged to leave as soon as possible. Football is therefore already more of a drain on local finance than a benefit. (Devil's advocate, before you berate me for not being a true fan.) the fortnightly collection idea was very much tongue in cheak. However the idea that fans don't spend money in the city when they come is garbage. Parking alone is about £4 or £5, many many fans eat and drink before and after the game. Add to this people shop in town, stay in hotels and use public transport. I realise extra policing costs are a burden on the local tax payer, but make no mistake a thriving football club brings in a lot of money to the city. I appreciate your gran might not like footbal so why should she subsidise us watching Saints but the reality is that the city council would pay £2m a year for 12 years and then would own the stadium lock stock. During those 12 years they could rent the stadium back to Saints for say £1m and make additional revenue streams from concerts etc. so the real cost to tax payers comes right down. If you disagree then ask yourself why Leeds City Council bought Elland Road? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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