Breaking news- Olympic stadium- corruption claim?

[IronworksDave]

Never going to happen. Don't forget, WHFC will be just tenants in the OS. This is it for the next 100+ years.

You should never say "Never going to happen" has a tendency to prove you wrong. You are of course correct in what you say but as part of the lease arrangement UK athletics have certain obligations, these include holding a fixed number of athletics meetings. After 2017 they will once again be completely broke totally unable to hold, or more importantly finance, athletics meetings in a 50,000 stadium where, apart from the Golden League meeting, they will be lucky to get 2,000 fans (just look at the Crystal Palace attendance figures). A deal will be done where they get a much smaller and more suitable venue (Spuds were correct) and we can rip out the track .... it's gonna happen, it needs to happen otherwise it will be one crap football stadium .......

[Rheo]

You should never say "Never going to happen" has a tendency to prove you wrong. You are of course correct in what you say but as part of the lease arrangement UK athletics have certain obligations, these include holding a fixed number of athletics meetings. After 2017 they will once again be completely broke totally unable to hold, or more importantly finance, athletics meetings in a 50,000 stadium where, apart from the Golden League meeting, they will be lucky to get 2,000 fans (just look at the Crystal Palace attendance figures). A deal will be done where they get a much smaller and more suitable venue (Spuds were correct) and we can rip out the track .... it's gonna happen, it needs to happen otherwise it will be one crap football stadium .......

You're right, we should never say never!

However, according to Newham's Olympic bid the stadium is to be used 365 days a year...

"Our plans are based on the stadium being in use for 365 days a year - not just every other weekend for football matches. It's about having a total package that benefits the whole community. Schools will be able to hold their sports days in the stadium and there will be a dedicated sports science department. The stadium will be developed into a multi-use venue that will be able to offer accommodation for football, athletics, cricket, live entertainment events, community activities, private hire and more. This multi-use approach is about getting the most out of the venue while guaranteeing access for our residents. Our bid will also bring benefits for the Green Street area as the vacating of Upton Park football ground will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this area."

http://www.newham.gov.uk/2012Games/Olym ... idFAQs.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

UK Athletics boss Ed Warner - "The pledges have been met and there will be a long-term athletics legacy in the Olympic Park,
The retention of the track means we now have a fantastic opportunity to ensure that athletics cannot only make the most of the 2012 opportunity, but ensure that it continues to inspire for generations to come."

West Ham's bid, in conjunction with Newham Council, had promised to keep the athletics track at the stadium untouched.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic ... 394394.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can you imagine the outcry if WHFC propose ripping up the running track after pledging in the the original stadium bid it would be retained?

There's more chance of me having a shag with Pippa Middleton than WH having the running track ripped up in 2018.

Oh, hello Pippa........

[eastsider]

The only way the track will ever go is if UK Athletics opted out of their own accord for say financial reasons and I cannot see this happening in the next 25 years......

[hadleighhammer]

We should remember that moving to UP almost 100 years ago was a big step up and no doubt people were moaning about moving to ground without a cycle track around it!

I think everyone would've agreed the BG was a big step up from the memorial ground for the FC as a football ground for the supporter. Hardly the same here. I'd also be pretty sure I wouldn't be exaggerating to say not a single West Ham fan was bothered the BG didn't have a cycling track.

I know that on here there are not a lot of fans of Gold and Sullivan, but you can't deny that Gold was right when commenting on the need to move to the OS that for a club to be a success millionaires (like G&S) are not enough anymore you need billionaires, like Chelsea, Man City etc.

Not once the new UEFA finance rules kick in. For them to make their money out of their tenureship of WHUFC/WH Holdings, yes they will need the club to appeal to billionaires. Stratford will of course help G&S&B's masterplan out there then I suppose.

[Adie64]

Although not completely on this topic I feel I need to comment on some of the views about leaving of Upton Park.

I'm 57 years old and have probably seen more games over UP than most over the last 48 years and by the way living all my life in Stratford so I guess I can claim to know the area rather well. There is no doubt that the atmosphere over the years at UP has been second to none. However, time moves on and things move on. If not, we would still be playing at the Memorial Ground or before at Hermit Road. We should remember that moving to UP almost 100 years ago was a big step up and no doubt people were moaning about moving to ground without a cycle track around it! The lesson from the past is that we have to move forward and take the opportunity when it comes along. Yes, there could be drawbacks with the pitch distance etc but doing nothing,and UP can't really be developed enough, is really not an option.

I know that on here there are not a lot of fans of Gold and Sullivan, but you can't deny that Gold was right when commenting on the need to move to the OS that for a club to be a success millionaires (like G&S) are not enough anymore you need billionaires, like Chelsea, Man City etc.

Getting back on topic in light of the demise of the NOTW where does this leave Spurs. It has been said by OFCOM that they will await the outcome of police investigations before deciding whether News International would be a "fit and proper person" to take over BskyB. Following the use by Spurs of PIs to illegally obtain bank account information if this is proved, albeit it seems to have been admitted, should we not ask the PL to also look into whether Levy & co are "fit & proper" people to run a football club.

I'm 47 so don't go back quite as long, but agree with you on all that you have just said.
Lets just hope we are both right!

[IronworksDave]

There's more chance of me having a shag with Pippa Middleton than WH having the running track ripped up in 2018.

Now there's a pleasant thought - your quotes are all correct but the big 'gap' comes in terms of finance. It costs a fortune to operate a massive venue like the OS the H&S requirements alone costs 1,000's a day. UK Athletics can't afford to run Crystal Palace a run down cheap cesspit - it's all very well for well meaning bigwigs to say "schools and clubs will use it 365 days a year" but who's going top pay? To open a venue of the OC's size requires full H&S compliance through car park, security, fire control, medical, telephones, CCTV etc. How many schools and clubs can pay for this? It's a pipe dream and can't work either that or West Ham will end up paying a massive bill to meet it's lease obligations ..... this utopian 'idea' has failed at every major sports venue around the world and it's never going to work here.

[eastsider]

Now there's a pleasant thought - your quotes are all correct but the big 'gap' comes in terms of finance. It costs a fortune to operate a massive venue like the OS the H&S requirements alone costs 1,000's a day. UK Athletics can't afford to run Crystal Palace a run down cheap cesspit - it's all very well for well meaning bigwigs to say "schools and clubs will use it 365 days a year" but who's going top pay? To open a venue of the OC's size requires full H&S compliance through car park, security, fire control, medical, telephones, CCTV etc. How many schools and clubs can pay for this? It's a pipe dream and can't work either that or West Ham will end up paying a massive bill to meet it's lease obligations ..... this utopian 'idea' has failed at every major sports venue around the world and it's never going to work here.[/quote]


If UK athletics cannot afford to stay then surely they will have to go and the stadium would then be ours to do as we wish??

[vind]

As others have mentioned, wonder if SPurs will get hauled up through their risible actions on snooping and spying on WHU directors plus OLPC directors

Hopefully only a matter of time

[Pedant]

WHFC will be just tenants in the OS.

That a bit like (in fact is exactly like) saying John Lewis are "just the tenants" of a big shopping centre. Try to grasp the concept on an anchor tenant and what it means to a landlord.

WHU's presence permits UKA to have a venue 20 days a year that it can comfortably afford, unlike Crystal Palace which, as well as being a cesspit is in the arse-end of nowhere. I used to live in south London, love athletics and could still hardly ever be arsed to put up with the ****hole. Simply have a venue that isn't embarrassing will make all the difference.

[Adie64]

WHFC will be just tenants in the OS.

That a bit like (in fact is exactly like) saying John Lewis are "just the tenants" of a big shopping centre. Try to grasp the concept on an anchor tenant and what it means to a landlord.

WHU's presence permits UKA to have a venue 20 days a year that it can comfortably afford, unlike Crystal Palace which, as well as being a cesspit is in the arse-end of nowhere. I used to live in south London, love athletics and could still hardly ever be arsed to put up with the ****hole. Simply have a venue that isn't embarrassing will make all the difference.

Thats what Spuds don't seem to get, UKA don't want a new Crystal Palace that they can't afford the up keep on.
They want the olympic stadium for their big events and world championships that we will maintain for them.
It's very well saying heres a nice new stadium thats only used a few times a year.
Your quite right Pedant, they just don't get it!

[Up the Junction]

More Sunday Times revelations:

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=125465

[Headtheball]

They say that a week in politics is a long time...
Well, this time last week we were all thinking what have our club got themselves invloved with. Another cockup!
Now, it looks like it is going to bite Daniel Levy and Spuds arses big time.
Sweet!

[IronworksDave]

They say that a week in politics is a long time...
Well, this time last week we were all thinking what have our club got themselves invloved with. Another cockup!
Now, it looks like it is going to bite Daniel Levy and Spuds arses big time.
Sweet!

Don't hold your breath - "West Ham sue Tottenham" - was just newspaper BS no case has yet been filed, it's the OPLC and West Ham who are officially being investigated by independent auditors not Spuds. I hope this bites the Spuds but much more than that I hope it doesn't bite us ........

[WHUTerry]

More Sunday Times revelations:

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=125465" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If this is true, this is pure gold.

[prophet:marginal]

WHU's presence permits UKA to have a venue 20 days a year that it can comfortably afford, unlike Crystal Palace which, as well as being a cesspit is in the arse-end of nowhere. I used to live in south London, love athletics and could still hardly ever be arsed to put up with the ****hole. Simply have a venue that isn't embarrassing will make all the difference.

Crystal Palace a cesspit? You're entitled to your opinion of course, but I'd disagree. The stadium itself is in the grounds of a much bigger, well-maintained park.

Not sure about 'arse-end of nowhere' either. CP and Stratford are both in zone 3.

I like the area, you may have guessed. The OS may not be 'embarrassing' for athletics, but that's not much of a selling point for football fans, is it?

[prophet:marginal]

More Sunday Times revelations:

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=125465" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm torn here between wanting to read more and not being particularly keen to buy the paper this week.

Otherwise, is it right to understand that Tompkins was and remains suspended from his post?

[davids cross]

proph,

I think he means the stadium is a cesspit. And although the description is strong he isn't far off. I've been going since the 70s and the stadium is very old and run down.

I also have to concur about the arse end of no-where. Getting to the stadium is a nightmare and I only live 25 miles from it. Train access to the stadium is an absolute pain, where I come from at least. Agreed that the grounds are nice though.......Imo of course.

[prophet:marginal]

proph,

I think he means the stadium is a cesspit. And although the description is strong he isn't far off. I've been going since the 70s and the stadium is very old and run down.

I also have to concur about the arse end of no-where. Getting to the stadium is a nightmare and I only live 25 miles from it. Train access to the stadium is an absolute pain, where I come from at least. Agreed that the grounds are nice though.......Imo of course.

The stadium itself definitely needs a re-furb, no doubt. As it happens, I always thought that this was symptomatic of the true level of popularity that athletics had as a sport (or collection of sports) in the minds of the cash-paying public.

Getting to the stadium from other parts of London has massively improved over the last year or so, by the completion of the re-development of the Overground service. 20 minutes from Canada Water (Jubilee Line), 25 from Shadwell (DLR) 35 from Highbury and Islington (Victoria). Then add in the actually railway line. Not perfect by any stretch, but acceptable to the limited crowds that athletics pulls in.

[beckton]

Don't hold your breath - "West Ham sue Tottenham" - was just newspaper BS no case has yet been filed, it's the OPLC and West Ham who are officially being investigated by independent auditors not Spuds. I hope this bites the Spuds but much more than that I hope it doesn't bite us ........

Lets wait and see shall we with regard "West Ham sue Spurs", it's still early days.

I remember people saying the same thing about Brady a few months ago and I think it was the Mirror that had to apologise and settle.

As for the investigation by independent auditors, the OPLC set that up themselves presumably to cover their legal arses.

Spurs have employed private investigators that have admitted breaking the law, with what's going on at the moment I'd much rather be in our position than theirs.

[Pedant]

Then add in the actually railway line. Not perfect by any stretch, but acceptable to the limited crowds that athletics pulls in.

So basically, athletics isn't allowed to aspire? You can only develop on past performance? Despite that fact that, give a bit of success, it invariably packs out even now. It has been hamstrung by some pretty poor administrators int he past, combined with an (admirable) decision not to sell out to Sky, making sustainability of success impossible.

So, why should athletics not want to grow?

A bit of gentrification and a tarted up park don't paper over the woeful inadequacies of CP nor Spurs insulting attitude towards athletics.