Forum Topic

Brentford FC new stadium

Is 17,250 sufficient capacity for a club with Premiership aspirations?

Mike Paterson ● 2919d16 Comments

This is what is currently proposed for the old grounds:http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/see-how-new-homes-would-9710202

Alex Shpinkov ● 2915d

Some mention of staying at the old ground.  Is it not a done deal?  Always struck me as more of a property developer's, rather than football owner's, concept.  Nearly a 1,000 new homes and I am not sure whether that figure includes the inevitable high rise residential redevelopment of the old ground.

Philip Coe ● 2915d

I think for 17,000 - and worse access - it is better to stay at the current ground. Or perhaps move to the new site at Chiswick roundabout but allow the fans to have some of the millions that will be made off the property deal that is the sole motivating factor for the move anyway..

Jacob James ● 2917d

It's certainly true that Griffin Park with a full house and a good game and fans enjoying it to the full makes for a great atmosphere. And interesting that Brentford is among the top favourite venues for away fans.But 20-25,000 is not a particularly big venue either. 17,000 is very near what has crammed into Griffin Park at times in recent memory.But what is not clear (Yet anyway) Is that 17,000 odd minus the 3000 hospitality spaces or including them?  Take 3000 out and it's 14,000. almost the same as Griffin Park.And what is the intention on ticket prices?  Will it become unaffordable?Atmosphere, is very important in Football and attempts to engineer that atmosphere - West Ham's new ground as a recent example has not just fallen short but backfired.It is almost organic and Griffin Park oozes it at times, even though we all know it is far from perfect.

Raymond Havelock ● 2917d

There is another way of looking at it... A small stadium in tight confines could, for a big game, create a completely brilliant atmosphere- especially if under floodlights. Think Bentford v Fulham or QPR, or London Irish v Wasps or Leicester. You'd be right on top of the action, with 17,000 other people. Something to look forward to.

Mark Gormley ● 2917d

I think the answer to the original question is that the capacity is fine for a premier league team. The TV revenue is so huge now that gate receipts are a relatively small part of total income which is why you are seeing some non-traditional smaller teams in the top division and some clubs with high levels of support in the championship.Smaller gate receipts may put a lid on what the club can spend under financial fair play but their 'moneyball' type acquisition policy means they would be unlikely to meet it anyway and there is probably some creative accounting they can do with property revenue so allow them to spend without any restrictions should they want to. Also like QPR they can justify higher ticket prices if they are in the premier league because of their small capacity with away fans being charged a lot.

Paul Corcoran ● 2917d

Yes, but Bournemouth have put everything into the right perspective.They got into the Premiership and so far, survived.They know now how many will turn up and watch them in the premiership and precisely what can be sustained.Brentford had it all cued up on song and got rid of the best manager in a generation and subsequently disassembled a winning team of emerging quality.The priorities are wrong. Get a winning and consistent team and manager. Get there, stay there and then get it right.As I'm in Norwich this week I thought short trip across to Suffolk fine city might be a cheery day. Wrong!! A hard working team but way short of the standard. A shame but got to do better.

Raymond Havelock ● 2918d

And Bournemouth are searching desperately for a new stadium

Guy Lambert ● 2918d

Thanks. I really learn a lot on this site.

Nicholas Beard ● 2918d

Current capacity of Griffin Park is 12,573. All time record is 38,000- pre WWII. It might have been a bit of a squeeze.Modern record is 17,859- Cup game against Liverpool in 1983.The smallest current Premier League stadium is Bournemouth- 11,464.Swansea, Watford & Burnley have just over 21,000.The good news is 17,250 is just about perfect for a top level rugby side!

Mark Gormley ● 2918d

Would'nt they know the number of seats needed roughly for a premier club? I don't know much about football as you probably gather. I remember big long lines of fans in Hanwell for trolleybuses in the 1950 to get to Brentford on Saturday afternoons. I wonder how many watched a game then.

Nicholas Beard ● 2918d

The Fans shot their self's in the foot by getting people from 30 miles away to sign the consultation.How can any fan that doesn't live in the area know what effect the new stadium will have on local residents, they just drive or bus in on the day and leave straight after the game.

Bernard Allen ● 2918d

I would run with the fans feelings.

Nicholas Beard ● 2918d

Was not the original aspiration and justification for the new stadium one of 25,000 and full community use?May as well stay put.  Fans have been very rose tinted specs about all this. The clubs inference that fans are 100% in favour of leaving Griffin Park does not seem to be the feeling of the fans I often stand with.  Quite mixed in opinions from dead against to rather uncomfortable about the future stadium. Beginning to emerge that those feeling might be right.

Raymond Havelock ● 2918d

I dont know much about football but if Brentford get into the Premier league they will clearly need a new stadium in order to capitalise the premier leauge. Short term view as usual.

Nicholas Beard ● 2919d

These changes reflect what one had always suspected - the site is not big enough to accommodate a football ground and an ambitious residential development. What is being offered now is a tiny ground capacity with other facilities moved off site. Has any other football club ever swapped it's existing ground for less space, less amenities and worse access - and claimed that this is an improvement ?

Alison Weitzel ● 2919d