Can Ricoh Ever Truly Be A Football Ground (1 Viewer)

bigfatronssba · Sep 1, 2014

This picture looks a pretty soulless and desolate stadium doesn't it?

Real football clubs have their soul in the years of history, their unique place within their town/city, the atmosphere generated by their loyal fans, the songs they sing, they story behind their badge.

Anyone can have pictures plastered all over the stadium, that isn't soul though.

letsallsingtogether · Sep 1, 2014

Fuck me a good word for the Ricoh!!!

Did you bang your head with a paper clip at work or something

Grendel said:
To be fair the corporate hospitality at the Ricoh in my experience has always been excellent. A lot of effort is made by ex players who I think volunteer their services but the food quality is five star as is the attention by the staff. A lot better than many premier teams and was the one thing that really for better under ranson

bigfatronssba · Sep 1, 2014

letsallsingtogether said:
So by owning it will it then becomes our home overnight?

If it is soulless now why will that change if we own it?

Serious question.

I am a local landlord, some of my tenants do nothing live there for a year move on clearly not their home.

Others I have had for years, decorate it to their choice and class it as their home.

It is what you want it to be IMO.

I always wonder, when people use the argument the "Ricoh isn't our home because its rented", was Highfield Road not our home 2002-2005?

Deleted member 5849 · Sep 1, 2014

bigfatronssba said:
I always wonder, when people use the argument the "Ricoh isn't our home because its rented", was Highfield Road not our home 2002-2005?

tbf, felt distinctly less so to me!

It did tally with McGinnity and co. deciding to try and remove all vestiges of the past, pretend it never happened, move on...

Hobo · Sep 1, 2014

In my experience there was memorabilia at Highfield Road and The Ricoh, but restricted to behind the scenes in the hospitality and corporate areas. That is no different to other clubs in this country, or indeed, the likes of Ajax, Barcelona, Sparta Prague, Rangers or Celtic which I have visited.

Your average fan gets concrete and breeze block to keep their memories in.

i am personally proud of both venues as a Coventry City supporter and I feel we have many more memories to come if common sense prevails.

mds · Sep 1, 2014

The only reason it doesnt feel like home is for the last ten years there has been nothing to cheer about.
If we had recovered to the top flight early enough, it would be home, would feel like home, with a little success it could quite quickly become home.

Broken Hearted Sky Blue · Sep 1, 2014

Deleted member 5849 said:
tbf, felt distinctly less so to me!

It did tally with McGinnity and co. deciding to try and remove all vestiges of the past, pretend it never happened, move on...

Northern me old pal I'm sorry to say this but:facepalm:

wingy · Sep 1, 2014

It Is Home ,our only home and will be going forward .

The other bullshit Ain't happening .

If they can't afford to stay away or build Legoland ,then they can't afford the RICOH,So a decent Rental Is the best this lot are going to achieve .

Time to move on and hope the next lot can achieve the Deal.

thegameaintstraight · Sep 1, 2014

Grendel said:
To be fair the corporate hospitality at the Ricoh in my experience has always been excellent. A lot of effort is made by ex players who I think volunteer their services but the food quality is five star as is the attention by the staff. A lot better than many premier teams and was the one thing that really for better under ranson

Can't comment on the quality of the corporate hospitality, but I think that the large number of seats that are set aside for it greatly detract from the atmosphere because many are nearly always not taken. Even when we had a reasonable crowd the West stand was normally quite empty. It always looked bad on tv. I reckon they should sell more STs in that area. OK for large corporate provision in the Prem but that's some way off.

Deleted member 5849 · Sep 1, 2014

thegameaintstraight said:
Can't comment on the quality of the corporate hospitality, but I think that the large number of seats that are set aside for it greatly detract from the atmosphere because many are nearly always not taken. Even when we had a reasonable crowd the West stand was normally quite empty. It always looked bad on tv. I reckon they should sell more STs in that area. OK for large corporate provision in the Prem but that's some way off.

But there is a nice large sponsor sign for the cameras to fix on all game...

Broken Hearted Sky Blue · Sep 1, 2014

wingy said:
It Is Home ,our only home and will be going forward .

The other bullshit Ain't happening .

If they can't afford to stay away or build Legoland ,then they can't afford the RICOH,So a decent Rental Is the best this lot are going to achieve .

Time to move on and hope the next lot can achieve the Deal.

Not too long,I can wait

hill83 · Sep 1, 2014

If there was a couple of token badges in the ground and a flag we'd be in the champions league by now.

skybluefred · Sep 1, 2014

WillieStanley said:
I see his point though. There are sprinkles of CCFC all around, but considering we're the main tenant, the anchor tenant, there's not much, really.

Anchor tenant? I don't think so we only have a 4 year lease for 23 days a year. Had sisu conducted themselves in a fair and business like manner
CCFC might well be the owners of a Premier league class stadium in the Ricoh Arena.

Mr T - Sukka! · Sep 1, 2014

Ignore these and yes there is nothing CCFC related there

Jimmy Hill statue.
CCFC memorial garden.
CCFC badges on the outside.
CCFC wall of fame (Bricks)
Naming in the seats
Sky blue seats.

Now dont get me wrong there are improvements to be made, but im just happy we are home.

Souless? BS atompshere will ne electric Friday! Wait til the first sky blue song belts out by everyone.

We will show sky and everyone we are back! Souless my arse.

Waldorf · Sep 1, 2014

Is now the time to mention that the current Premier League champions don't own the stadium they play in?

Deleted member 5849 · Sep 1, 2014

Waldorf said:
Is now the time to mention that the current Premier League champions don't own the stadium they play in?

We could learn a lot from their rental agreements however

theferret · Sep 1, 2014

The issue of memorabilia is pretty irrelevant. The main issue with the Ricoh is its location. I can't think of a single edge of town stadium I actually like. Hopefully the station will make a difference to how disconnected it currently feels.

For me, the Ricoh isn't just soulless as a football stadium, it is soulless full stop. It is the epitome of bland, even the 'nice' bits like the atrium have the look and feel of a 90s shopping mall. The finish is not good enough to make you go 'wow', but equally is not rough enough around the edges to have any real character. The external areas are also a bit bleak and windswept. As a place it leaves you a little cold.

All that said, I think what it needs more than anything is time. A promotion campaign in that stadium and it'll become a different place entirely.

Deleted member 5849 · Sep 1, 2014

theferret said:
The issue of memorabilia is pretty irrelevant. The main issue with the Ricoh is its location. I can't think of a single edge of town stadium I actually like.

Yeah I can agree with that. Suppose HR was out of town when it was built mind you... although if they built housing up to the Ricoh, the buggers'd stop parking full-stop!

Ashdown · Sep 1, 2014

theferret said:
The issue of memorabilia is pretty irrelevant. The main issue with the Ricoh is its location. I can't think of a single edge of town stadium I actually like. Hopefully the station will make a difference to how disconnected it currently feels.

For me, the Ricoh isn't just soulless as a football stadium, it is soulless full stop. It is the epitome of bland, even the 'nice' bits like the atrium have the look and feel of a 90s shopping mall. The finish is not good enough to make you go 'wow', but equally is not rough enough around the edges to have any real character. The external areas are also a bit bleak and windswept. As a place it leaves you a little cold.

All that said, I think what it needs more than anything is time. A promotion campaign in that stadium and it'll become a different place entirely.

That's modern architecture for you generally. I have no problem with it but then I have to travel into Cov anyway to see a match whether it be at the Butts, CV1 or CV6. Can't wait for the rail stop, which opens up a journey that would involve a short walk and a brief couple of train journeys with a couple of extra beers thrown in.

theferret · Sep 1, 2014

Ashdown said:
That's modern architecture for you generally. I have no problem with it but then I have to travel into Cov anyway to see a match whether it be at the Butts, CV1 or CV6. Can't wait for the rail stop, which opens up a journey that would involve a short walk and a brief couple of train journeys with a couple of extra beers thrown in.

Yeah, the train station will open up all sorts of pre-match opportunities that just aren't there at the moment. As it stands there are social clubs and the casino with not a lot in between. It will change how many away fans view the stadium for a start.

ccfc92 · Sep 1, 2014

theferret said:
Yeah, the train station will open up all sorts of pre-match opportunities that just aren't there at the moment. As it stands there are social clubs and the casino with not a lot in between. It will change how many away fans view the stadium for a start.

agreed. even nipping on the train from cov centre will be handy. (I assume that will be possible)

Wheelfass · Sep 1, 2014

shmmeee said:
Are we still the anchor tenant? Genuine question. I doubt we're paying the most rent (any more) and depending on what the crowds turn out like this season I doubt we bring the most footfall over a year.

But I agree, would love to see something like the outside of the Emirates with players through the ages, and some more character on the inside.

You're right that's what is needed to make it a real home and fortress but I doubt it will happen until the club own the stadium and all that goes with it. There is sooooooo much bad blood and mistrust between the waring factions that I can't ever imagine the present owners of the club being the ones to take it forward. Maybe.......just maybe, the turn out on Friday in front of the TV cameras may be big enough and loud enough to make any potential owners and investors wake up and see the bigger picture of CCFC and put their hands in their pockets to make the offer to end this Sisu hoodoo.

theferret · Sep 1, 2014

ccfc92 said:
agreed. even nipping on the train from cov centre will be handy. (I assume that will be possible)

Think it will be a 10 minute journey from cov station to Ricoh on matchday. Just as significant are the trains coming in the other way from Nuneaton and Bedworth which will be a big help to many. Can't come soon enough.

skybluetony176 · Sep 1, 2014

Funny the article never mentioned JH's statue outside or the fact that the seats are skyblue, except for the one's that are navy blue and spell out CCFC and skyblues. Can't comment on the corporate area's or behind the scenes as I've never been there.

The biggest problem with the Ricoh as I see it is the seating layout and the fact that our history since we've been there has been miserable.

Just to add. LAST mentioned a CCFC museum on the site but apparently our owners didn't want it. That's a real shame.

kdrinkell · Sep 1, 2014

I think the Ricoh should have been more like the St Marys design,missing out the windows at the back of the stands,with smaller crowds the noise down there reverberates around theirs ours is too big.
The location isn't the best either it gets gridlocked,we will see on Friday how chokka it gets by the roundabout.
Also it seems to a few degrees colder in there than outside or is that just me ?

And after all that criticism its bloody brilliant to be back there:claping hands:

Waldorf · Sep 1, 2014

kdrinkell said:
I think the Ricoh should have been more like the St Marys design,missing out the windows at the back of the stands,with smaller crowds the noise down there reverberates around theirs ours is too big.
The location isn't the best either it gets gridlocked,we will see on Friday how chokka it gets by the roundabout.
Also it seems to a few degrees colder in there than outside or is that just me ?

And after all that criticism its bloody brilliant to be back there:claping hands:

St Mary's capacity: 32,363
Ricoh capacity: 32,609

Too big by 246 seats!

But you're right - it is bloody brilliant to be back.

letsallsingtogether · Sep 1, 2014

Would that make it our home then:thinking about:

Deleted member 5849 said:
We could learn a lot from their rental agreements however

Wheelfass · Sep 1, 2014

Damn right.....roll on Friday

Deleted member 5849 · Sep 1, 2014

letsallsingtogether said:
Would that make it our home then:thinking about:

Well it helps if you get the deals right, yes.

They never have been right, it's always been focussed on diversification, spouting off about the casino ffs and forgetting there even was a football club there until Fletcher put the badge up one night.

Couple that with club ownership that wanted to forget the past and take away any memory of it (yes, perversely one of the few things SISU actually did better, if still poorly, was a nod to the past in kits and past legacy, rather than ridiculous badges and the complete escaping of the past that McGinnity in particular was keen to do) and it's been poor, very poor. Every little thing has been a battle, and it shouldn't be a battle to raise money for a statue for Jimmy Hill, it shouldn't be a battle to get the stands named after legends, it shouldn't be a battle to do the blindingly obvious.

And a ground for the club, a club for a ground rather than both seeking the financial motive help. You mentioned about houses earlier, and once it becomes your home you do things because it's youyrs and you love it there, you want to feel part of the space. As it stands we're stuck with the cynical nod and the corporate, and that's not on.

So yes, sort out the long term future and make sure the club is at the centre of any long term future, and then we can get Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen in to finish the job eh. But I don't even mean cynically putting up a few photos while charging a fortune for a Bourton burger, a Stein of beer, or a Pickering Pie.

I mean doing things because we *want* to, not because it's a good marketing opportunity.

pusbccfc · Sep 1, 2014

The Ricoh is by far the best of the 'bowls'... Leicester, Southampton etc.

Adding a station, could be huge. At the Amex it works great, you know you are going to a match once you are off that train heading towards the ground.

kdrinkell · Sep 1, 2014

Waldorf said:
St Mary's capacity: 32,363
Ricoh capacity: 32,609

These pics show it better

letsallsingtogether · Sep 1, 2014

Sorry but it is horrible just like insester, Derby or even middlesbough all used the same plan I believe Ricoh is much better.
To have made it a smaller version would have turned out like the Keep Moat what a dire ground that is...

kdrinkell said:
These pics show it better

Deleted member 5849 · Sep 1, 2014

It'd be nice if just for once somebody was brave enough to design a new ground with four individual stands, rather than just come up with a bowl shape.

letsallsingtogether · Sep 1, 2014

Northern have you been on the sauce:thinking about:

Deleted member 5849 said:
Well it helps if you get the deals right, yes.

They never have been right, it's always been focussed on diversification, spouting off about the casino ffs and forgetting there even was a football club there until Fletcher put the badge up one night.

Couple that with club ownership that wanted to forget the past and take away any memory of it (yes, perversely one of the few things SISU actually did better, if still poorly, was a nod to the past in kits and past legacy, rather than ridiculous badges and the complete escaping of the past that McGinnity in particular was keen to do) and it's been poor, very poor. Every little thing has been a battle, and it shouldn't be a battle to raise money for a statue for Jimmy Hill, it shouldn't be a battle to get the stands named after legends, it shouldn't be a battle to do the blindingly obvious.

And a ground for the club, a club for a ground rather than both seeking the financial motive help. You mentioned about houses earlier, and once it becomes your home you do things because it's youyrs and you love it there, you want to feel part of the space. As it stands we're stuck with the cynical nod and the corporate, and that's not on.

So yes, sort out the long term future and make sure the club is at the centre of any long term future, and then we can get Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen in to finish the job eh. But I don't even mean cynically putting up a few photos while charging a fortune for a Bourton burger, a Stein of beer, or a Pickering Pie.

I mean doing things because we *want* to, not because it's a good marketing opportunity.

Gint11 · Sep 2, 2014

For me the Ricoh is a fantastic stadium, has the new popular bowl design but looks slightly different to your Leicesters and Sotons because of the two-tier stand. To me its beautiful, Sky blue seats going all around it and we should be proud to call it home. and when 25K + the atmosphere is electric. I have read a lot of away fans/Managers, opposing players views on the ground apart from 1 or 2, have only good things to say about it.

Can Ricoh Ever Truly Be A Football Ground (1 Viewer)

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