Stadium Update #47827

Last updated : 15 March 2005 By Keith Allman
You might remember a couple of weeks ago that this site made the not-especially-daring claim that there'd probably be more problems and hold-ups before the proposed demolition of the North Stand. I think the actual phrase used was something along the lines of "I wouldn't be surprised if it was still standing this time next year", despite the official plans that it will come crashing down in November.

And so it now seems. Amid cries of anger and fear from North Stand regulars it seems like the work might instead be delayed until next summer instead. Originally, you may recall, the work was due to take place this summer but has since been put off (we can only presume because of migrating geese). The biggest worry seems to be the fact that all the plans contain great detail about events from August to the start of November, not to mention January through to May - but as the more observant of you have noticed that misses out a couple of months.

I do feel a bit of sympathy for the club because they're in a tight situation. Delays - for whatever reason - are continually putting the work on the backburner and clearly they want to get started; there's no sense after all the time and money that's gone into the project to be deliberately delaying matters. Yet if they do start work on the North Stand, then they're going to have to contend with a lot of angry fans and the logistical nightmare of knocking down a whole stand in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, if they delay it until the summer, once again they'll have to put up with lots of "I told you so's" and "it'll never happen" type remarks.

Still, the delay isn't yet "official" and no doubt there are plenty more twists and turns left in this saga yet.