Feelings Towards Ricoh Arena Now (2 Viewers)

Liquid Gold · Mar 24, 2019

It’s sandwiched between a retail park and an industrial estate/motorway. When you walk up it looks unfinished with the walls only going halfway up the exterior. As you queue to get in the rusting metalwork is obvious. When you get inside it’s a concrete hall with shutters down on one side and toilets on the other. Go up to the stand and it’s a generic bowl with closed stands and little atmosphere.

There’s nothing special about it. There’s nothing that makes it stand out. The pre and post match is left wanting.

When I remember good away days it’s always at a proper football ground. Every time we visited a new ground it felt a bit hollow. Imagine coming to the arena as an away fan. Bring dropped in the middle of nowhere with hardly anywhere to go.

It’s not even good by the standards of modern stadiums either. It’s just a bit rubbish all round.

skybluetony176 · Mar 24, 2019

Grendel said:
How does it prove I’m wrong when most on here agree with me?

1) the atmosphere in the semi was electric like I said

2) I have experienced many many great atmospheres at HR unlike you said.

That’s wrong twice.

cc84cov · Mar 24, 2019

Never liked it boring no character HR over the Ricoh any day of the week...proper football ground these days too many grounds seem to be very similar.

Grendel · Mar 24, 2019

skybluetony176 said:
1) the atmosphere in the semi was electric like I said

2) I have experienced many many great atmospheres at HR unlike you said.

That’s wrong twice.

No it’s your opinion Tony as we have established I am far more knowledgeable than you as I have been many many more games at both grounds so I am more qualified to make a judgement than someone whose an occasional visitor to both

skybluetony176 · Mar 24, 2019

Grendel said:
No it’s your opinion Tony as we have established I am far more knowledgeable than you as I have been many many more games at both grounds so I am more qualified to make a judgement than someone whose an occasional visitor to both

You didn’t go to the Wycombe game did you? If you did you wouldn’t be arguing that the Ricoh needs to be 95% full for their to be a good atmosphere. It doesn’t.

My brother failed his driving test 4 times before passing whereas I passed mine 1st time. Does that make him a better driver than me? No it doesn’t. Your argument as always is moronic.

Grendel · Mar 24, 2019

skybluetony176 said:
You didn’t go to the Wycombe game did you? If you did you wouldn’t be arguing that the Ricoh needs to be 95% full for their to be a good atmosphere. It doesn’t.

My brother failed his driving test 4 times before passing whereas I passed mine 1st time. Does that make him a better driver than me? No it doesn’t. Your argument as always is moronic.

No one is agreeing with you Tony. Well I’m sure Otis will when he logs back in.

Johnnythespider · Mar 24, 2019

It is an opportunity missed in my opinion, a new building is a chance to make a statement, the Ricoh is an off the shelf creation that bears little resemblance with the original models Richardson displayed. I don't mind it but as has been said the match day experience is poor with few places to go beforehand, a stadium closer to the centre of the city brings visitors into the heart of Coventry rather than an out of town shopping park.

usskyblue · Mar 24, 2019

I’ve only been to the Ricoh once, back in 2005. The third ever home game there. The experience was telling.

Highfield Rd was my second home for 27 years. Not only for first team games, but the reserves too. It was what I’d describe as a proper football experience. The fact it was old gave it character and a magical quality, a feeling that the stadium itself, and the fans inside, could rise above any opposition, no matter how good.

Although I’d seen those four floodlights towers, probably well over a thousand times, I still would look for them on the way to the ground and get nervously excited for the game. A feeling repeated upon seeing the stands and team crest between the narrow streets as you’d walk around the ground. Fuck, even the shit parts of the ground had character....the prostitutes were no oil paintings and I ‘lost’ a car stereo once, but HR never soured me. The pipes, cigars and cigarette smoke, the greasy burgers, the Pink and the uncensored views of peoples washing hanging in their back gardens. Highfield Road was home.

They had finally started building the Ricoh when I left. There was a delay because of a problem with demolition of the gas towers, and the location had acquired its first set of unwelcome tenants.

I left for the States in 2003, intending on returning within a couple of months, but circumstances changed somewhat, and I ended up getting married. As you do.

I returned in 2005 and met up with a (whatever the collective term for GMKers is... a fart I believe) I met up with a fart of GMKers at a hotel bar near the Ricoh (the name of which escapes me). We had a few, spilt a few and staggered to the ground. My first experience of the Ricoh was always going to be compared to my memories of HR, I’d already prepared myself for that. The Ricoh had a lot to live up to.

The game was v Reading, only the third home game at the new gaff. The attendance was limited due to some bollox about a hill not being safe or summut. There was 22,000 and change there I believe. The stadium looked okay from the outside, although it had a feeling of lazy design, no real character and not ultra modern (as Grendel alluded to earlier). Inside, I took an instant dislike to the stand I was facing (the West Stand). It looked like it was thrown together with MDF and Meccano. The rest of it was okay, but it was a bowl, what can you expect? The atmosphere wasn’t great but I put it down to everyone still trying to figure out where the old HR East and West end singers resided in the new stadium. We scored a last minute equalizer, so, at least, we left on a high.

Ever since, when I’ve visited, by design, I’ve planned vacations to the UK around away games. Leyton Orient and Bury are hardly salubrious but they captured the smallest of memories of Highfield Road. And that’s the way I want to remember my team.

I do hope for a future that comes with a new stadium, perhaps a little smaller, with a semblance of character. But then, we’re owned by SISU so...

itsabuzzard · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
I’ve only been to the Ricoh once, back in 2005. The third ever home game there. The experience was telling.

Highfield Rd was my second home for 27 years. Not only for first team games, but the reserves too. It was what I’d describe as a proper football experience. The fact it was old gave it character and a magical quality, a feeling that the stadium itself, and the fans inside, could rise above any opposition, no matter how good.

Although I’d seen those four floodlights towers, probably well over a thousand times, I still would look for them on the way to the ground and get nervously excited for the game. A feeling repeated upon seeing the stands and team crest between the narrow streets as you’d walk around the ground. Fuck, even the shit parts of the ground had character....the prostitutes were no oil paintings and I ‘lost’ a car stereo once, but HR never soured me. The pipes, cigars and cigarette smoke, the greasy burgers, the Pink and the uncensored views of peoples washing hanging in their back gardens. Highfield Road was home.

They had finally started building the Ricoh when I left. There was a delay because of a problem with demolition of the gas towers, and the location had acquired its first set of unwelcome tenants.

I left for the States in 2003, intending on returning within a couple of months, but circumstances changed somewhat, and I ended up getting married. As you do.

I returned in 2005 and met up with a(whatever is the collective term for GMKers is... a fart I believe) I met up with a fart of GMKers at a hotel bar near the Ricoh (the name of which escapes me). We had a few, spilt a few and staggered to the ground. My first experience of the Ricoh was always going to be compared to my memories of HR, I’d already prepared myself for that. The Ricoh had a lot to live up to.

The game was v Reading, only the third home game at the new gaff. The attendance was limited due to some bollox about a hill not being safe or summut. There was 22,000 and change there I believe. The stadium looked okay from the outside, although it had a feeling of lazy design, no real character and not ultra modern (as Grendel alluded to earlier). Inside, I took an instant dislike to the stand I was facing (the West Stand). It looked like it was thrown together with MDF and Meccano. The rest of it was okay, but it was a bowl, what can you expect? The atmosphere wasn’t great but I put it down to everyone still trying to figure out where the old HR East and West end singers resided in the new stadium. We scored a last minute equalizer, so, at least, we left on a high.

Ever since, when I’ve visited, by design, I’ve planned vacations to the UK around away games. Leyton Orient and Bury are hardly salubrious but they captured the smallest of memories of Highfield Road. And that’s the way I want to remember my team.

I do hope for a future that comes with a new stadium, perhaps a little smaller, with a semblance of character. But then, we’re owned by SISU so...

Good stuff, but you must be an imposter. You forgot the obligatory "m8".

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

usskyblue · Mar 24, 2019

itsabuzzard said:
Good stuff, but you must be an imposter. You forgot the obligatory "m8".

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

It’s ‘tinternet, I’m whoever you want me to be m8

fernandopartridge · Mar 24, 2019

Hate it. The concept was great but even when we moved in it felt cheap and unfinished. I can't believe it cost £113m. Ultimately it is inextricably linked to the club's decline.

Evo1883 · Mar 24, 2019

Never felt like home and I doubt whatever happens it ever will .

Badly designed , too big for us and extremely vanilla .

Swansea city have the stadium which would fit us perfectly

Ashdown · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
I’ve only been to the Ricoh once, back in 2005. The third ever home game there. The experience was telling.

Highfield Rd was my second home for 27 years. Not only for first team games, but the reserves too. It was what I’d describe as a proper football experience. The fact it was old gave it character and a magical quality, a feeling that the stadium itself, and the fans inside, could rise above any opposition, no matter how good.

Although I’d seen those four floodlights towers, probably well over a thousand times, I still would look for them on the way to the ground and get nervously excited for the game. A feeling repeated upon seeing the stands and team crest between the narrow streets as you’d walk around the ground. Fuck, even the shit parts of the ground had character....the prostitutes were no oil paintings and I ‘lost’ a car stereo once, but HR never soured me. The pipes, cigars and cigarette smoke, the greasy burgers, the Pink and the uncensored views of peoples washing hanging in their back gardens. Highfield Road was home.

They had finally started building the Ricoh when I left. There was a delay because of a problem with demolition of the gas towers, and the location had acquired its first set of unwelcome tenants.

I left for the States in 2003, intending on returning within a couple of months, but circumstances changed somewhat, and I ended up getting married. As you do.

I returned in 2005 and met up with a(whatever is the collective term for GMKers is... a fart I believe) I met up with a fart of GMKers at a hotel bar near the Ricoh (the name of which escapes me). We had a few, spilt a few and staggered to the ground. My first experience of the Ricoh was always going to be compared to my memories of HR, I’d already prepared myself for that. The Ricoh had a lot to live up to.

The game was v Reading, only the third home game at the new gaff. The attendance was limited due to some bollox about a hill not being safe or summut. There was 22,000 and change there I believe. The stadium looked okay from the outside, although it had a feeling of lazy design, no real character and not ultra modern (as Grendel alluded to earlier). Inside, I took an instant dislike to the stand I was facing (the West Stand). It looked like it was thrown together with MDF and Meccano. The rest of it was okay, but it was a bowl, what can you expect? The atmosphere wasn’t great but I put it down to everyone still trying to figure out where the old HR East and West end singers resided in the new stadium. We scored a last minute equalizer, so, at least, we left on a high.

Ever since, when I’ve visited, by design, I’ve planned vacations to the UK around away games. Leyton Orient and Bury are hardly salubrious but they captured the smallest of memories of Highfield Road. And that’s the way I want to remember my team.

I do hope for a future that comes with a new stadium, perhaps a little smaller, with a semblance of character. But then, we’re owned by SISU so...

I can relate to most of that, I remember you coming over and meeting Smiles and the gang.......they all preferred your missus though ?!? Joke !! Still I think I'd prefer the Ricoh to Butlin Rd at least like yesterday I can go to some of my fav. Pubs in town afterwards.

itsabuzzard · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
It’s ‘tinternet, I’m whoever you want me to be m8

Not going there.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

usskyblue · Mar 24, 2019

Ashdown said:
I can relate to most of that, I remember you coming over and meeting Smiles and the gang.......they all preferred your missus though ?!? Joke !! Still I think I'd prefer the Ricoh to Butlin Rd at least like yesterday I can go to some of my fav. Pubs in town afterwards.

One of the GMK lot had threatened to twat me (can’t remember who. I’ve made quite a few enemies over the years). They never showed thankfully. May have been Bones, or alan.

Yeah, they were all over the missus. I’m still batting over my weight in that department.

usskyblue · Mar 24, 2019

itsabuzzard said:
Not going there.

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

You already have, you just can’t bring yourself to admit it m8

Terry_dactyl · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
One of the GMK lot had threatened to twat me (can’t remember who. I’ve made quite a few enemies over the years). They never showed thankfully. May have been Bones, or alan.

Yeah, they were all over the missus. I’m still batting over my weight in that department.

I was an intermittent GMK’er...What happened to the regulars on there? Are they all on here under different names?

itsabuzzard · Mar 24, 2019

Terry_dactyl said:
I was an intermittent GMK’er...What happened to the regulars on there? Are they all on here under different names?

Probably. Bit like an online witness protection programme.

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itsabuzzard · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
One of the GMK lot had threatened to twat me (can’t remember who. I’ve made quite a few enemies over the years). They never showed thankfully. May have been Bones, or alan.

Yeah, they were all over the missus. I’m still batting over my weight in that department.

What did you say to provoke that sort of response?

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skybluetony176 · Mar 24, 2019

Grendel said:
No one is agreeing with you Tony. Well I’m sure Otis will when he logs back in.

Yet you’re still wrong. Twice.

usskyblue · Mar 24, 2019

itsabuzzard said:
What did you say to provoke that sort of response?

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

The West Terrace, LAST and GMK were moderated with, shall we say...a lighter hand.

usskyblue · Mar 24, 2019

Just remembered when a bloke called ‘Bignoj’ posted his address and invited ‘Pierce’ to come over to his house for a flare-up

Grendel · Mar 24, 2019

skybluetony176 said:
Yet you’re still wrong. Twice.

In your mind perhaps. I guess you read about the atmosphere on wiki

stevefloyd · Mar 24, 2019

Otis said:
That is at quick pace!

Have you got little legs?

vow · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
I’ve only been to the Ricoh once, back in 2005. The third ever home game there. The experience was telling.

Highfield Rd was my second home for 27 years. Not only for first team games, but the reserves too. It was what I’d describe as a proper football experience. The fact it was old gave it character and a magical quality, a feeling that the stadium itself, and the fans inside, could rise above any opposition, no matter how good.

Although I’d seen those four floodlights towers, probably well over a thousand times, I still would look for them on the way to the ground and get nervously excited for the game. A feeling repeated upon seeing the stands and team crest between the narrow streets as you’d walk around the ground. Fuck, even the shit parts of the ground had character....the prostitutes were no oil paintings and I ‘lost’ a car stereo once, but HR never soured me. The pipes, cigars and cigarette smoke, the greasy burgers, the Pink and the uncensored views of peoples washing hanging in their back gardens. Highfield Road was home.

They had finally started building the Ricoh when I left. There was a delay because of a problem with demolition of the gas towers, and the location had acquired its first set of unwelcome tenants.

I left for the States in 2003, intending on returning within a couple of months, but circumstances changed somewhat, and I ended up getting married. As you do.

I returned in 2005 and met up with a(whatever is the collective term for GMKers is... a fart I believe) I met up with a fart of GMKers at a hotel bar near the Ricoh (the name of which escapes me). We had a few, spilt a few and staggered to the ground. My first experience of the Ricoh was always going to be compared to my memories of HR, I’d already prepared myself for that. The Ricoh had a lot to live up to.

The game was v Reading, only the third home game at the new gaff. The attendance was limited due to some bollox about a hill not being safe or summut. There was 22,000 and change there I believe. The stadium looked okay from the outside, although it had a feeling of lazy design, no real character and not ultra modern (as Grendel alluded to earlier). Inside, I took an instant dislike to the stand I was facing (the West Stand). It looked like it was thrown together with MDF and Meccano. The rest of it was okay, but it was a bowl, what can you expect? The atmosphere wasn’t great but I put it down to everyone still trying to figure out where the old HR East and West end singers resided in the new stadium. We scored a last minute equalizer, so, at least, we left on a high.

Ever since, when I’ve visited, by design, I’ve planned vacations to the UK around away games. Leyton Orient and Bury are hardly salubrious but they captured the smallest of memories of Highfield Road. And that’s the way I want to remember my team.

I do hope for a future that comes with a new stadium, perhaps a little smaller, with a semblance of character. But then, we’re owned by SISU so...

Cool story bro/m8

usskyblue · Mar 24, 2019

Terry_dactyl said:
I was an intermittent GMK’er...What happened to the regulars on there? Are they all on here under different names?

Some left cold turkey, some tried over here, then left..I know some that swapped and changed names.

Whilst GMK was still around I came over to troll, usually after a few too many, because (at that time) this place was mainly focused on SISU being the only party at blame. GMKers were snarled at by some here because we saw fault with other parties. ‘SISU Lovers’ may even have been born from that forum rivalry.

It took me a while to adjust, and although I have fond memories of The West Terrace, LAST and GMK, this place has the best mix of football and banter. I’ve always been an acquired taste to some but they can either block me, or go fuckthemselves ...m8

*winky face emoji thingy

itsabuzzard · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
Some left cold turkey, some tried over here, then left..I know some that swapped and changed names.

Whilst GMK was still around I came over to troll, usually after a few too many, because (at that time) this place was mainly focused on SISU being the only party at blame. GMKers were snarled at by some here because we saw fault with other parties. ‘SISU Lovers’ may even have been born from that forum rivalry.

It took me a while to adjust, and although I have fond memories of The West Terrace, LAST and GMK, this place has the best mix of football and banter. I’ve always been an acquired taste to some but they can either block me, or go fuckthemselves ...m8

*winky face emoji thingy

Never understood why anyone would come on to a forum and then block posters. Unless the cunts were stalking you, of course... I'm all for the idea of suggesting people go and fuck themselves if they take umbrage.

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Mucca Mad Boys · Mar 24, 2019

fernandopartridge said:
Hate it. The concept was great but even when we moved in it felt cheap and unfinished. I can't believe it cost £113m. Ultimately it is inextricably linked to the club's decline.

I feel like a 25-27k seater stadium would suit us quite well. But, that’s only a bit bigger than HR, so ultimately, we would’ve been better off staying there.

I like the RICOH, but as you say, it’s inextricably linked to our decline. For some reason I have an ilking that our wider support cherish it as our ‘spiritual home’ — it’s not.

tisza · Mar 24, 2019

Stadium like the Ricoh needs to pretty full to reap the benefits of an atmosphere. Can argue the bits around the stadium are an obvious upgrade but just as a football fan atmosphere still the biggest thing for a matchday experience.
Old enough to remember Highfield Road in several different guises. I do go back to the 1st few seasons we went all-seater and crowds had dropped to 8-9k ?? That period reminds me of the Ricoh atmosphere. Always something disheartening about seeing large empty spaces.
Also i'm a bit old school. I like grounds where you'd be walking up through tiny streets and keep looking up for the floodlights. i used to like the horrible smell of over boiled onions from the hot dog carts you could smell from miles away. Don't miss the toilets!!! Used to love popping in that newsagent's after the game to pick up a Pink 'un to see the other scores including what the local non-league sides had been up to.
But also have to be honest now I'm older I do like a decent seat and a bit of room to move in.

skybluetony176 · Mar 24, 2019

Grendel said:
In your mind perhaps. I guess you read about the atmosphere on wiki

Now you’re wrong 3 times.

Otis · Mar 24, 2019

skybluetony176 said:
Now you’re wrong 3 times.

4 times, because I never log out.

Deleted member 5849 · Mar 24, 2019

usskyblue said:
I met up with a fart of GMKers at a hotel bar near the Ricoh (the name of which escapes me).

Parkgate

Deleted member 5849 · Mar 24, 2019

Terry_dactyl said:
I was an intermittent GMK’er...What happened to the regulars on there? Are they all on here under different names?

The regulars were all one person!

SkyblueBazza · Mar 24, 2019

Deleted member 5849 said:
The regulars were all one person!

Which musta been you then? Lol

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Deleted member 5849 · Mar 24, 2019

SkyblueBazza said:
Which musta been you then? Lol

I was never an original, so I didn't count

Feelings Towards Ricoh Arena Now (2 Viewers)

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