Northfleet Stand SHUT

[mikefleet]

just read on Teletext pg 475.

a safety inspection was done and the club have been told to shut the stand.

because of the ground is crumbling and unsafe.

[Number 8]

What will happen if it's closed?.. Will you all move to the away end?... else it will be a squeeze if it's a good attendance..? Has it happened before?..

[FleetFanatic]

'because of the ground is crumbling and unsafe'

 

What is that when translated into English?

 

Anyway..... not good news.

 

More expense for the club.

[Richard C]

Drum will have to move to near the half way line under the cover!! hehe that will be interesting for the older generation!!

[jc]

Quote:

Number 8 said:
What will happen if it's closed?.. Will you all move to the away end?... else it will be a squeeze if it's a good attendance..? Has it happened before?..

Moving to the 'away end' will of course depend on whether tomorrow's game is segregated, something I don't know. I recall that our home game against Tamworth last season was segregated, though.

As for whether it's happened before, the Stonebridge Road terrace (i.e. the bit under the roof) was closed towards the back end of 2000/2001 when the new concrete steps and crush barriers were put in.

I've been sent this email by the club, as I'm sure others have:

"Dear Supporter,

Following a regular ground inspection by Kent Fire & Rescue Services it has been brought to the clubs attention that there has been a severe deterioration in the condition of the concrete steps on the Northfleet terrace.

The club has been left with no option but to close this terrace on the advice of the emergency services until further notice. This is in order to comply fully with the safety certificate currently in place as failure to do so could result in the suspension of our certificate plus the cancellation of fixtures with the probability of heavy fines being imposed.

The club will continue to work closely with the safety authorities to ensure a speedy resolution to this situation however in the meantime the ground will be reduced to 3 sides only.

On behalf of the club I would like to offer sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you and trust you will still enjoy your visit to Stonebridge Road.

Chris Baker

(Club Safety Officer)"

Certainly, with slightly uneven steps and a lack of crush barriers, the Northfleet end is the one with the most potential for accidents. What I love about Stonebridge Road is its sense of identity and tradition, but it's just a shame that parts of it are getting so old that problems like this occur.

[Stu M]

Quote:

Richard C said:
Drum will have to move to near the half way line under the cover!! hehe that will be interesting for the older generation!!

Oi, I'm only '31'...! You 'kids' with your loud head-banging and crowd-surfing and noise and stuff had better hush.

[Richard C]

hehe!! We will try!! I suggest to the drummer and his fellow friends that under cover a bit along from Jessica's hut will do - in easy reach of my fleet burger!!

[UP FLEET]

Thats not going to be good for the atmosphere and the crowd congestion on the one side tommorrow, pehaps the away fans can use the far side by the away burger bar and let us have the away end behind the goal.

[Gordon T]

i think we will create a better atmosphere under the side stand, it has a better roof, and more people will hopefully join in the songs. Might be a bit of a squeeze though

[UP FLEET]

If the oldies arn't deaf they will be come 4.45

[chris blanc]

Should be warmer with all of us crammed in there like that, which may be a bonus if this Siberian cold spell hits as predicted

[FleetFanatic]

Unlikely, as just lately the drummer seems to give up either side of half-time.

[UP FLEET]

Quote:

FleetFanatic said:
Unlikely, as just lately the drummer seems to give up either side of half-time.

come to think of it 1/2 hour either side of half time

[EUFC superb]

So that meens the capacitys gone down quite considerbly

[The Truth]

Quote:

gnfc superb said:
So that meens the capacitys gone down quite considerbly

Not quite as big a drop as the one in the standard of spelling.

[EUFC superb]

Its not my fault im rubbish at english <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

Whose fault is it then that you are rubbish at English then? Hirsty, sort your lot out <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[EUFC superb]

well maybe it is my fault that i didnt pay attention in class but im still rubbish at it!

[EUFC FAN]

It is not as dangerous as standing behind the goal area when the reserves are practising shooting at goal!!! LOL <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[EUFC superb]

yea so its gonna look like the end at hereford