St Andrews (9 Viewers)

ccfcway said:

Bizarre feeling as I enjoyed today and delighted with the win, it wasn’t a homer game and playing in Birmingham will never be a home game.

It felt very much like an away game.

Was surprised there was no singing or anything regarding us wanting to go home, or at least non I could hear. Call it supporting the team or call it apathy and accepting our situation, I just expected some form of making senior management know (before the game, at half time etc) that we don’t want to be there and want to be in Coventry.

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Senior management don’t want to be there either, wasps gave them no realistic choice so it’s wasps that protests should be aimed at.

I thought the day generally was excellent, and I actually like the stadium.

(Don't know why that was undelined but not going to retype it all)

As impressive as the Ricoh is, I liked the style of a good old fashioned stadium, not so old so as you have resticted view and stanchions, but seemed like it would have an atmosphere when full.

Ironically, the only bad thing about it was there were a load of wasps around our area! Hopefully they will be sorted by next time.

A few teething problems, but nothing that cant be sorted. Outside area with burger vans etc was also a welcome.

Lol twitter spat between Gilbert and who I assume is RFC from here

Gilbert saying he won’t talk to him any more - boo hoo

Me and the missus went (first time she's been since Wembley, but only a fan by association), and have to say we enjoyed it.
Parked at Wheels, but may try on-street next time as the reports seem pretty good.
Few minutes' walk via Garrison Road and Tilton Road, picked tickets up from the Kop Reception, and no queue to get in (about 2.15).
The seating vibe is similar to Ricoh - we were in the lower-numbered blocks nearer the Tilton Road End (agree that would make a fine WT substitute if we start doing well), so it took a while for the songs to filter along. But atmosphere was great, apart from the last 20 when we were doing nothing on the pitch - other than puffing as hard as the Southend physio, with a couple of great renditions of the Sky Blue Song.
I thought we were made really welcome throughout - so well done BCFC!

I thought Coventry had some pretty run-down areas, but ye Gods that place is a shithole. Did anyone else have to exit Wheels out towards Landor Rd? Fuck me that is depressing.
We went for a nice Indian in not-so-nice Smethwick (place called Chennai Dosa - think there's one in the Foleshill Road too), then got caught in the traffic leaving the cricket (i assume) down through Moseley, so diverted to the Stratford Road through Sparkbrook and Sparkhill. Lovely!!!

As for the game, we pressed really well in the first half. Hiwula should have scored after rounding the keeper, but it wasn't like we missed a hatful of sitters like we did last year. We moved the ball really well at times. Kelly, Westbrooke and Shippers linked up well together, and Mason and Hiwula had a good understanding.
Thought we played 4-1-4-1 first half (Kelly and Baka the 1s), then god knows what second half.

McFad looks class. Rose had a few scary moments, as did Mason, which is why McFad would be my MOM. Markosi did everything asked of him (which wasn't a great deal), and that reflex save near the end was great. Thought him and McFad had a good understanding.

Need more fitness, but that is to be expected. But all in all a good first time out and 3 points in the bag.

PUSB

My only gripe about yesterday is the fact that parking my car for the bus pick up is shite as we are not aloud to park in tesco
due to only being aloud to stay in the disabled area for 5 hours is really not good enough, so we parked in car park B in the ricoh
luckily it was free due to a poker tournament going on..really need this sorting but had a great day supporting our team..

Grendel said:

Lol twitter spat between Gilbert and who I assume is RFC from here

Gilbert saying he won’t talk to him any more - boo hoo

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Lanyard Frank.

For those wanting to get the coach from White St there is a small car park on Leicester Row near the Telegraph offices, private during the week, unlocked, open and free at weekends, its not massive but it is there and free all weekend!

Hiya Cov fans, Bluenose passing by, just reading the comments, good to hear in the main it was a good experience for you guys. Just to let you know the vast majority of bluenoses are more than happy to see you sharing Stans, understand it's never going to be the same as being in Coventry but until this nonsense is sorted you're very welcome.

Might come and watch a game myself, be weird to watch a game at Stand as a neutral, though would be cheering the Sky Blues!

And yes you're right, surrounding area is a shithole, but when you've been coming for decades you don't notice anymore, that said I've never had any bother from the locals.

best of luck for the season!

I'm not looking forward to the walk to the wheels car park at night time though

I've just been to Krakow, and one of the locations for Schindler's List is a labour camp called Plaszow on the outskirts of the city. It has essentially been left to nature after the Nazis destroyed it towards the end of the war, but it still looks better than Wheels!

I enjoyed going on cheering on the skyblues with everyone there. Felt a real sense of unity with everyone and the players and Robins too.

Was an incredibly surreal feeling, but an enjoyable one and 3 points was great!

Montypenguin said:

Hiya Cov fans, Bluenose passing by, just reading the comments, good to hear in the main it was a good experience for you guys. Just to let you know the vast majority of bluenoses are more than happy to see you sharing Stans, understand it's never going to be the same as being in Coventry but until this nonsense is sorted you're very welcome.

Might come and watch a game myself, be weird to watch a game at Stand as a neutral, though would be cheering the Sky Blues!

And yes you're right, surrounding area is a shithole, but when you've been coming for decades you don't notice anymore, that said I've never had any bother from the locals.

best of luck for the season!

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Those of us of a certain age would jump at the chance of returning to Highfield Rd, and the area around there wasn't exactly upmarket, i walked out from New Street and didn't think it was that bad to be honest.

Nick said:

I'm not looking forward to the walk to the wheels car park at night time though

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Don't we only have 2 night games in the league at St Andrews ?

I don't get why people see a football ground being in a run down area as a negative. Couldn't care less myself. All part of the charm. I'd go back to HR and Hillfields in a heartbeat.

If I think of my favourite grounds, Fratton Park, Brammall Lane, Goodison Park et al, they're not exactly nestled in leafy suburbs.

On a side note i saw a few 'small heath is sky blue'stickers knocking about. The chav minority obviously think thats a laugh, im all up for banter between clubs but sticking them around a ground of someone helping hs fulfill fixtures is taking the piss i feel

Montypenguin said:

Hiya Cov fans, Bluenose passing by, just reading the comments, good to hear in the main it was a good experience for you guys. Just to let you know the vast majority of bluenoses are more than happy to see you sharing Stans, understand it's never going to be the same as being in Coventry but until this nonsense is sorted you're very welcome.

Might come and watch a game myself, be weird to watch a game at Stand as a neutral, though would be cheering the Sky Blues!

And yes you're right, surrounding area is a shithole, but when you've been coming for decades you don't notice anymore, that said I've never had any bother from the locals.

best of luck for the season!

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Thanks for the comments monty, nice that the vast majority of your lot are sensible (I guess its only the Zulus that want to kill us ). Lets hope our lot also treat Stans with respect, a decent size traditional type ground with a good pitch. Hopefully it won't be a long term commitment.

A bluenose sat next to me coincidently. Said he's a football fan and wanted to come and show a bit of support, which was nice. Thought we looked a good team and said it was nice to see the ball being passed on the ground, not something he sees much lol! Interestingly, he had heard of SISU and their dispute with the council because it's been plastered round the media for years as our downfall....but he asked why had Wasps kicked us out, rather than why had SISU decided to take us away again. I was glad that a neutral fan was a bit more aware of the bigger picture - so perhaps the message is filtering through to other supporters that CCFC is being shafted on three fronts!

Just put this on another thread in error.

Had this idea yesterday that we consider getting into bed with Leamington FC - they are about to start a 5,000 capacity stadium and I think that could be expanded at this stage before work begins up to 10,000-15,000.
I know the EFL say it has to be within an inch of the Coventry boundary (that’s 25mm in new money) but I think they would ease that rule - would sure beat grovelling to Wasps and Coventry Cunty Council!

RegTheDonk said:

Thanks for the comments monty, nice that the vast majority of your lot are sensible (I guess its only the Zulus that want to kill us ). Lets hope our lot also treat Stans with respect, a decent size traditional type ground with a good pitch. Hopefully it won't be a long term commitment.

A bluenose sat next to me coincidently. Said he's a football fan and wanted to come and show a bit of support, which was nice. Thought we looked a good team and said it was nice to see the ball being passed on the ground, not something he sees much lol! Interestingly, he had heard of SISU and their dispute with the council because it's been plastered round the media for years as our downfall....but he asked why had Wasps kicked us out, rather than why had SISU decided to take us away again. I was glad that a neutral fan was a bit more aware of the bigger picture - so perhaps the message is filtering through to other supporters that CCFC is being shafted on three fronts!

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Hi Reg, to be fair I wasn't aware how bad things were at Coventry till I heard the rumours about the Sky Blues pitching up at St Andrews and did a bit of research. Your situation does seem unique, with three bunch of wankers not helping, but don't give up hope. I remember going to "Fans United" at the old Goldstone Ground in the early 90s, Brighton didn't have a pot to piss in (or a ground come the end of the season), so the fans organised an open day to highlight the problem and embarrass the chairman. They were second from bottom of the league but their gate was doubled by mugs like me from every team in the land who came in their team shirts, pretty sure every one of the 92 were represented. Even a fella from Eintracht Frankfurt turned up! Footie fans were just united in their disgust at what had been allowed to happen at Brighton. Now look at the bastards, stuck 4 past us last Saturday!

Maybe Coventry fans should do something similar? Very hard to get the media to focus past the Premiership but there are ways......

Montypenguin said:

Hi Reg, to be fair I wasn't aware how bad things were at Coventry till I heard the rumours about the Sky Blues pitching up at St Andrews and did a bit of research. Your situation does seem unique, with three bunch of wankers not helping, but don't give up hope. I remember going to "Fans United" at the old Goldstone Ground in the early 90s, Brighton didn't have a pot to piss in (or a ground come the end of the season), so the fans organised an open day to highlight the problem and embarrass the chairman. They were second from bottom of the league but their gate was doubled by mugs like me from every team in the land who came in their team shirts, pretty sure every one of the 92 were represented. Even a fella from Eintracht Frankfurt turned up! Footie fans were just united in their disgust at what had been allowed to happen at Brighton. Now look at the bastards, stuck 4 past us last Saturday!

Maybe Coventry fans should do something similar? Very hard to get the media to focus past the Premiership but there are ways......

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That’s great. Sadly our fans aren’t united

Didn’t take long for a little tension.

Hahaha love them stickers. Imagine getting that wound up at a bit of banter

block16 said:

Hahaha love them stickers. Imagine getting that wound up at a bit of banter

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Well I think they are twattish. Have some respect for aclub that arehelping us out.

It's not 'banter' it's juvenile arseholeness.

Sorry Bluenoses.

block16 said:

Hahaha love them stickers. Imagine getting that wound up at a bit of banter

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Banter is used too freely nowadays when the act is actually cuntish.

Pathetic behaviour tbh spoke to a few of the staff yesterday all saying fair play coming to support the lads burger bar staff also saying the same glad we were there then you get prats putting stickers up like that if anything we want Blues support not be pushing them away.Anyway all in all a good day out made to feel welcome fair play Birmingham City FC.

block16 said:

Hahaha love them stickers. Imagine getting that wound up at a bit of banter

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Prick

Tommo1993 said:

Didn’t take long for a little tension.

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That’s a poor show. Surely if there is anyone that knows what it’s like to have a home and someone barge their way in, it’s us !,

Obviously its pathetic but surely getting that mad about it is equally pathetic ? To me I see it as the jokes on us with them stickers fact we’re in Birmingham - quite clearly we’re not the pride of Birmingham and its ridiculous we’re here let alone to claim that- comes across as a silly joke to me nothing to cry about
If they don’t like it then whoever did it shouldn’t next time, but I don’t get the big uproar at all.

block16 said:

Obviously its pathetic but surely getting that mad about it is equally pathetic ? To me I see it as the jokes on us with them stickers fact we’re in Birmingham - quite clearly we’re not the pride of Birmingham and its ridiculous we’re here let alone to claim that- comes across as a silly joke to me nothing to cry about
If they don’t like it then whoever did it shouldn’t next time, but I don’t get the big uproar at all.

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What do you advocate next time then? A can of spray paint??
Twat!

I liked it, felt like highfield road in a way. i parked for a fiver, took me about 3mins to get out and there was no traffic at all.
no issue with ticket collectiong, toilets and ground were immaculate, view from block 26 was decent

pie was good too

OffenhamSkyBlue said:

What do you advocate next time then? A can of spray paint??
Twat!

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I’m not sure what you mean ? No need to call me a twat for not getting red in the face over a bloody sticker.

You were advocating defacing the stadium of an honest decent football club who have gone out of their way to host us, thereby exhibiting the same twattish behaviour.
It's just unnecessary and will be divisive to Bluenoses.

OffenhamSkyBlue said:

You were advocating defacing the stadium of an honest decent football club who have gone out of their way to host us, thereby exhibiting the same twattish behaviour.
It's just unnecessary and will be divisive to Bluenoses.

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Whilst I see your point, I think you're over reacting somewhat...

Rightly so it’s very frowned upon, and it definitely shouldn’t happen. But yeah there are some overreactions. Totally understandable for bluenoses to be pissed off about it though.

OffenhamSkyBlue said:

You were advocating defacing the stadium of an honest decent football club who have gone out of their way to host us, thereby exhibiting the same twattish behaviour.
It's just unnecessary and will be divisive to Bluenoses.

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Could be argued calling a stranger on a forum a twat is twattish behaviour- which is the reason I won’t be calling you a twat

block16 said:

Could be argued calling a stranger on a forum a twat is twattish behaviour- which is the reason I won’t be calling you a twat

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You twat