Should We Stay Or Should We Go?

[Long John]

Is this actually a thing? Is there anything in this rumour? If it was right and not a flat pack in a field somewhere then move.

[Sabricadabra]

I can see valid arguments for both, but if we ever want to be more than a middling second tier club the number one priority is finding a way of increasing revenues. The CG has plenty of history and charm but it’s a millstone round the club’s neck in terms of finances. A stadium which only brings in revenue on matchdays is prehistoric in this day and age.

On balance, I’d slightly tilt in favour of moving as long as a new stadium fulfilled all the commercial, transport links, and accessibility requirements, and assuming it was at least reasonably classy from an architectural point of view.

[stirred]

I’m not aware of a site in the city area that is large enough and could handle the crowds and traffic. Maybe there is, but if we’re talking about moving to get extra stuff like a hotel? as part of a complex it would be even harder. And you likely lose the nice views, which must be a potential selling point - I see Fulham are going to have swimming pool and rooftop bar on their new riverside stand.

We could probably build the new stand etc as a length stop gap. I heard £100M mentioned, and £50M coming in from the apartments. No idea how accurate that is, but if it’s a net spend of £50M and we stay for another 25 years that’s only Knockaert’s wages a year. And it gives us a boost, as well as being a necessity to meet Premier League criteria. Once we get there these sums will quickly look much smaller.

Problem is, the lack of space is only going to get worse as the land is developed over time and any space would be further out.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Sunderland are not in the 3rd division because of their stadium.

And Leicester are not in the PL because of their stadium either.

As for Wigan they won the FA Cup but now find themselves in League 1 after staying up by the skin of their teeth on the last day otherwise they would now be in league 2.

I suppose all this means that having a new stadium  guarantees nothing. I get the impression that some might think that the increase in income etc etc automatically guarantees that we'll be competing with the best clubs again but sadly it doesn't.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Forests commercial ie non match day revenue for 19/20 was £7 million which was 12th in the Championship. This income includes stuff like sponsorship, retail, hospitality etc bit excludes broadcasting.
Bristol, City, Norwich, Derby, Stoke all earn roughly double what we do from commercial, I suspect the lack of income from the stadium limitations is a fair chunk of that.

But put that in perspective, best case scenario we earn another £7 million a year from a new stadium. Parachute payments from relegated clubs are a whopping £40 a year so commercial income is a drop in the ocean comparatively. Our matchday income, ticket sales etc is about the same£7 million, again would expect to increase that a bit but not much with a new ground.

We have to try to close the gap somehow in my opinion but I agree with Sniffer that a new stadium wouldn’t guarantee success and it wouldnt make the sums that much better. If we do ever make the PL I think we need better than what we have at the CG and I come back to the point if we update the Peter Taylor stand then we have another 3 stands that are all badly dated. Just think it makes more sense to start again but only if the right site can be found.

[ozzyten10]

My view is that it obviously makes financial sense to move - there is no financial sense in football!

[optimistic_red]

I haven't voted, as too little info at the moment.

Where is there space in the city center?
Only spot I can imagine are:
Broadmarsh (dont think site is big enough).
Eastside Island (behind BBC, Covid testing place)

Could it just be a story to get Rushcliffe BC to be more flexible?

As long as we don't move to Gamston, Trowell, Chillwell, Arnold etc!

[Paplane]

Is there an actual story on this or it it just an unsubstantiated rumour? Anyone know?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Is there an actual story on this or it it just an unsubstantiated rumour? Anyone know?

Ozzy was the first to mention it on another thread last week.

Perhaps you can clarify Ozzy or shed a bit more light on the matter?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Stay currently leading with more than 66% of the vote.

[ozzyten10]

There is a developer currently looking at the viability for sites around the city centre including broad marsh site. They have a multiple use stadium (with roof) as the centre piece of the development and are trying to get nffc interest.
The broad marsh site - whilst presenting engineering challenges - is plenty big enough.
This is from a journalist friend who used to have connections with The club.
Nffc remain committed to their current plan.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Interesting Ozzy but sounds like a developer trying to sell a concept. No proof that either the Council or the club have the slightest interest.

Think the lack of visible progress has lead many of us to guess that there are problems with the current plan or that the sums simply dont add up. That may well be wrong but at this stage it’s understandable to think that way. If so we may well be looking for alternatives.