Is PP becoming second rate?

[Henrycav81]

53 minutes ago, JuanFloEvraTheCocu'sNesta said:

Are you accusing Vimto Enjoyer of stealing a hoodie from the club shop?

Well we now know kirchner couldn’t afford to buy one 

[Ram-Alf]

53 minutes ago, Gaspode said:

I've never been back since the end of the 1997 season - don't want to ruin the memories by seeing what's there now....

When DCFC are at home I travel down St Thomas Rd, Dairyhouse Rd and Douglas St, Raynesway tip looks better, Traffic Wardens would have a field day but they've more sense than try and ticket an illegally parked car down there, Illegal activity that even Peartree Police station can't handle.

 

[SamUltraRam]

19 hours ago, Monty said:

After 26 years PP could definitely do with an upgrade. Stadium MK is by some distance the best stadium in L1 (for facilities and design) and probably in the Championship too 

Comment by an MK Dons fan on their forum regarding their visit to PP "Our club could learn so so much from that ground in how to run our ground... for a new build it felt like a football ground... every time I see these types it makes me more and more embarrassed about ours tbh... and even more flabbergasted at those that defend it."

"I'm talking more what it looks like. More character. More feeling of an actual football stadium. You walk around ours when the football isn't on and it feels like what it is, a multi purpose stadium and not a football stadium. Very little signage. Very little to showcase its MK Dons that play there. Pride Park had it all. Old pictures in poster form all around the exterior of the ground of former players, memorable moments, seas9ns gone by. The board we have at the top of the Cowshed? They had similar outside their gate. About 8 burger vans, statues of legends etc. Ours is quite simply a big bowl with some black marble brickwork and an MK Dons badge plastered on the building in each corner. Once you get into the ground there's very little character. Very few quirks to make it feel like ours. Go to many other grounds and it's full of imagery of their club. Their proud moments. Ours is simple, plain black, round and characterless."

I've also seen many, many comments from visiting Championship fans over the years who think PP is the best of the 'bowl' stadiums

Edited April 14, 2023 by SamUltraRam

[Gee SCREAMER !!]

33 minutes ago, dantheram said:

always been, always will be a provincial 2nd tier club

Eh.    Was only 10 years ago Man City had won 2 league titles and last won something in 1975 .  Look how that turned out. We've finished runners up on 3 other occasions as well and broke the British transfer fee on numerous occasions.  3 times as recent as the 90's with buying and selling.  The real litmus test is how long you've played top flight and it's significantly more than half and greatly masked by the last 15 years.  

[Vimto Enjoyer]

1 hour ago, The Last Post said:

Normanton...when was the last time you went down there where the BBG used to be? 

I think a few have misunderstood my point, and I'm not saying it's right or wrong - just my opinion. 

Normanton was as much part of the character of the BBG as the ground was. To experience the BBG and Derby County was to experience the walk through the communities, pubs, cafe's and chippies on the way to the turnstile. It has social and cultural value because people live, work and socialise in that area, even now. That doesn't change because you personally don't go down there anymore.

Compare to Pride Park, which is located in the middle of a bland, modern industrial estate, surrounded by car dealerships and call centres. An almost liminal area, where people visit only to pass through. No history, no culture, no social value. The character of a football ground (and by extension, the club as a whole) is defined by the area in which the ground is situated.

Edited April 14, 2023 by Vimto Enjoyer

[jimtastic56]

I went to Luton away last season and that ground really took you back to the 70’s . PP is somewhere in the middle between that and Spurs stadium. The High st in Luton made Normanton look quite affluent. As for PP I have noticed the steelwork is becoming a little bit rusty.

[Foreveram]

21 minutes ago, SamUltraRam said:

Comment by an MK Dons fan on their forum regarding their visit to PP "Our club could learn so so much from that ground in how to run our ground... for a new build it felt like a football ground... every time I see these types it makes me more and more embarrassed about ours tbh... and even more flabbergasted at those that defend it."

"I'm talking more what it looks like. More character. More feeling of an actual football stadium. You walk around ours when the football isn't on and it feels like what it is, a multi purpose stadium and not a football stadium. Very little signage. Very little to showcase its MK Dons that play there. Pride Park had it all. Old pictures in poster form all around the exterior of the ground of former players, memorable moments, seas9ns gone by. The board we have at the top of the Cowshed? They had similar outside their gate. About 8 burger vans, statues of legends etc. Ours is quite simply a big bowl with some black marble brickwork and an MK Dons badge plastered on the building in each corner. Once you get into the ground there's very little character. Very few quirks to make it feel like ours. Go to many other grounds and it's full of imagery of their club. Their proud moments. Ours is simple, plain black, round and characterless."

I've also seen many, many comments from visiting Championship fans over the years who think PP is the best of the 'bowl' stadiums

Well they’re never going to make a profit from the few home fans that turn up.

[Ram-Alf]

17 minutes ago, Vimto Enjoyer said:

I think a few have misunderstood my point, and I'm not saying it's right or wrong - just my opinion. 

Normanton was as much part of the character of the BBG as the ground was. To experience the BBG and Derby County was to experience the walk through the communities, pubs, cafe's and chippies on the way to the turnstile. It has social and cultural value because people live, work and socialise in that area, even now. That doesn't change because you personally don't go down there anymore.

 

The community has changed, The Culture has changed, The residents have changed, Pubs have gone, You can't replicate what was in an area that have long since gone.

I do, I travel through there every time DCFC play at home, I've seen the change

[Vimto Enjoyer]

1 minute ago, The Last Post said:

The community has changed, The Culture has changed, The residents have changed, Pubs have gone, You can't replicate what was in an area that have long since gone.

I do, I travel through there every time DCFC play at home, I've seen the change

I don't disagree with anything you've said and I'm not arguing that we should. It has also changed largely because the Baseball Ground no longer exists within it.

I'm talking about what gives an area social and cultural value, and that is simply that communities live, work and socialise within them. Football grounds were traditionally built in these areas, and now they're not, and I think that's a shame.

[Vimto Enjoyer]

15 hours ago, Vimto Enjoyer said:

Don’t know if I’m adding anything of value to the discourse here, but I genuinely hate Pride Park. A cut and paste Stadium™ situated miles away from anything else of cultural or social value, devoid of any character and lacking any real atmosphere (90% of the time). 
 

Flatten it and turn it into a car park. Rebuild the BBG!

FWIW the last part of this was intended to be tongue in cheek.

I understand why we had to move out of the BBG and I understand why Pride Park was built in the area in which it was. 

I just wish it wasn’t. 

[nottingram]

1 hour ago, SamUltraRam said:

Comment by an MK Dons fan on their forum regarding their visit to PP "Our club could learn so so much from that ground in how to run our ground... for a new build it felt like a football ground... every time I see these types it makes me more and more embarrassed about ours tbh... and even more flabbergasted at those that defend it."

"I'm talking more what it looks like. More character. More feeling of an actual football stadium. You walk around ours when the football isn't on and it feels like what it is, a multi purpose stadium and not a football stadium. Very little signage. Very little to showcase its MK Dons that play there. Pride Park had it all. Old pictures in poster form all around the exterior of the ground of former players, memorable moments, seas9ns gone by. The board we have at the top of the Cowshed? They had similar outside their gate. About 8 burger vans, statues of legends etc. Ours is quite simply a big bowl with some black marble brickwork and an MK Dons badge plastered on the building in each corner. Once you get into the ground there's very little character. Very few quirks to make it feel like ours. Go to many other grounds and it's full of imagery of their club. Their proud moments. Ours is simple, plain black, round and characterless."

I've also seen many, many comments from visiting Championship fans over the years who think PP is the best of the 'bowl' stadiums

MK Dons could put posters of some of their former players and memorable moments outside their ground. 

Vinnie Jones and Dennis Wise maybe

[Alty_Ram]

1 hour ago, SamUltraRam said:

Comment by an MK Dons fan on their forum regarding their visit to PP "Our club could learn so so much from that ground in how to run our ground... for a new build it felt like a football ground... every time I see these types it makes me more and more embarrassed about ours tbh... and even more flabbergasted at those that defend it."

"I'm talking more what it looks like. More character. More feeling of an actual football stadium. You walk around ours when the football isn't on and it feels like what it is, a multi purpose stadium and not a football stadium. Very little signage. Very little to showcase its MK Dons that play there. Pride Park had it all. Old pictures in poster form all around the exterior of the ground of former players, memorable moments, seas9ns gone by. The board we have at the top of the Cowshed? They had similar outside their gate. About 8 burger vans, statues of legends etc. Ours is quite simply a big bowl with some black marble brickwork and an MK Dons badge plastered on the building in each corner. Once you get into the ground there's very little character. Very few quirks to make it feel like ours. Go to many other grounds and it's full of imagery of their club. Their proud moments. Ours is simple, plain black, round and characterless."

I've also seen many, many comments from visiting Championship fans over the years who think PP is the best of the 'bowl' stadiums

I think we underestimate ourselves and our facilities sometimes. This is very much in line with the conversation that I had with Bristol Rovers fans this season... they were genuinely really impressed with PP. In fact they started the conversation due to overhearing us talk about a slight surprise at their numbers and as I said elsewhere, they listed the stadium as one of the main reasons why they all wanted to come.

Sure, we can't compete with the top grounds and brand new stadiums but we make countless other ground look like tatty sheds. We're not in the top cluster any more but we've still got great facilities.

[Ram-Alf]

14 minutes ago, Vimto Enjoyer said:

FWIW the last part of this was intended to be tongue in cheek.

I understand why we had to move out of the BBG and I understand why Pride Park was built in the area in which it was. 

I just wish it wasn’t. 

Vimto I hear what you're saying, I wish I could build a time machine and whisk back to the 70s, A mad decade of fun and games, Pubs on the doorstep, The Football Tavern, The Hilton, The Windmill, The Grange, The Crystal Palace, The Cambridge,  Fish n chips a stones throw from the BBG, Nip in the Baseball Hotel for the last drink, Season ticket out and with a click of the turnstile and you're in, Approaching the Vulcan St end of the Popside and the site of the crowd, Walk up to the place where you always stood and a wink and a nod to the lads who are already there. 

Do I miss those days...you bet I do, Almost 42k against Spurs winning 5-0, Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle all came and thought they could conquer but went away battered and bruised.

Hillsboro, Heysel and Bradford brought us all down with a huge bump, Our stadia were not fit for purpose, Seats were put in the BBG, Chelsea and Leeds used them as frisbees.

No...we had to move on, Unfortunately PP is what it is, A sanitised ground to watch a game of football with very little atmosphere, I talk to a Spurs fan a season ticket holder at a cost of £6k for their new stadium, He says he'd move back to White Hart Lane in a heartbeat 😉 It's called progress...or so we're told 😬

[Rammy03]

1 hour ago, SamUltraRam said:

Comment by an MK Dons fan on their forum regarding their visit to PP "Our club could learn so so much from that ground in how to run our ground... for a new build it felt like a football ground... every time I see these types it makes me more and more embarrassed about ours tbh... and even more flabbergasted at those that defend it."

"I'm talking more what it looks like. More character. More feeling of an actual football stadium. You walk around ours when the football isn't on and it feels like what it is, a multi purpose stadium and not a football stadium. Very little signage. Very little to showcase its MK Dons that play there. Pride Park had it all. Old pictures in poster form all around the exterior of the ground of former players, memorable moments, seas9ns gone by. The board we have at the top of the Cowshed? They had similar outside their gate. About 8 burger vans, statues of legends etc. Ours is quite simply a big bowl with some black marble brickwork and an MK Dons badge plastered on the building in each corner. Once you get into the ground there's very little character. Very few quirks to make it feel like ours. Go to many other grounds and it's full of imagery of their club. Their proud moments. Ours is simple, plain black, round and characterless."

I've also seen many, many comments from visiting Championship fans over the years who think PP is the best of the 'bowl' stadiums

I agree. I like pride park, I mentioned earlier that even though it's similar to the Riverside it is actually ten times better because it just has a better overall feel about it. For a modern ground Derby have got it pretty much spot on with retaining that history and tradition which makes it feel like a proper football stadium. Posters, signage, statues, even the lettering on the seats, it's all there. Pride park has a soul whereas many other modern grounds do not.

[Kathcairns]

18 minutes ago, The Last Post said:

Vimto I hear what you're saying, I wish I could build a time machine and whisk back to the 70s, A mad decade of fun and games, Pubs on the doorstep, The Football Tavern, The Hilton, The Windmill, The Grange, The Crystal Palace, The Cambridge,  Fish n chips a stones throw from the BBG, Nip in the Baseball Hotel for the last drink, Season ticket out and with a click of the turnstile and you're in, Approaching the Vulcan St end of the Popside and the site of the crowd, Walk up to the place where you always stood and a wink and a nod to the lads who are already there. 

Do I miss those days...you bet I do, Almost 42k against Spurs winning 5-0, Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle all came and thought they could conquer but went away battered and bruised.

Hillsboro, Heysel and Bradford brought us all down with a huge bump, Our stadia were not fit for purpose, Seats were put in the BBG, Chelsea and Leeds used them as frisbees.

No...we had to move on, Unfortunately PP is what it is, A sanitised ground to watch a game of football with very little atmosphere, I talk to a Spurs fan a season ticket holder at a cost of £6k for their new stadium, He says he'd move back to White Hart Lane in a heartbeat 😉 It's called progress...or so we're told 😬

Agree, the atmosphere changed in Baseball Ground as soon as it went all seater, thats why they need to bring back designated standing areas in all grounds. Mind you i appreciate my seat now im the older generation😂

[Crewton]

Parking was only possible around the BBG because few who lived round there owned cars. Imagine the fun and games if we still played there?

Some people just wouldn't bother.

[ram59]

2 hours ago, dantheram said:

always been, always will be a provincial 2nd tier club

I take it, that this is just a wind up, not backed by any evidence.

So many statistics say otherwise, number of titles are in the top 20, predominately played in the top division, currently in lg1 with attendances in the top 20, stadium with capacity and facilities in the top 20, etc.

There you go, I've taken the bait and replied.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, SamUltraRam said:

Comment by an MK Dons fan on their forum regarding their visit to PP "Our club could learn so so much from that ground in how to run our ground... for a new build it felt like a football ground... every time I see these types it makes me more and more embarrassed about ours tbh... and even more flabbergasted at those that defend it."

"I'm talking more what it looks like. More character. More feeling of an actual football stadium. You walk around ours when the football isn't on and it feels like what it is, a multi purpose stadium and not a football stadium. Very little signage. Very little to showcase its MK Dons that play there. Pride Park had it all. Old pictures in poster form all around the exterior of the ground of former players, memorable moments, seas9ns gone by. The board we have at the top of the Cowshed? They had similar outside their gate. About 8 burger vans, statues of legends etc. Ours is quite simply a big bowl with some black marble brickwork and an MK Dons badge plastered on the building in each corner. Once you get into the ground there's very little character. Very few quirks to make it feel like ours. Go to many other grounds and it's full of imagery of their club. Their proud moments. Ours is simple, plain black, round and characterless."

I've also seen many, many comments from visiting Championship fans over the years who think PP is the best of the 'bowl' stadiums

I specifically noted ‘facilities and design’ re stadium Mk - nothing about attendances, old pictures or posters, character, history, statues, burger vans etc etc

three examples of facilities and design 

a fully integrated 4 star hotel (revenue raising)

A large indoor arena attached to the stadium providing another event venue on site and further revenue raising potential 

a pitch facing concourse running around the whole stadium at tier one level for concessions (not under the stands adding to the general crowding) 

new build comment?? PP is 26 years old…

[Guest]

6 hours ago, dantheram said:

always been, always will be a provincial 2nd tier club

Your statement does nothing other than highlight your complete ignorance of the history of our club.

We still stand 16th in terms of all-time points won in the top tier. Since the last time we were Champions of England, only 11 clubs have achieved that honour. This season, we have the highest home attendances of the clubs playing in the third tier and the 19th highest average home attendance of all the English clubs. That is higher than four PL clubs and 22 Championship clubs.

We will always be a provincial club because of our geographical situation, just like Man City, Liverpool and Man Utd and we wouldn't want it any other way. But the historical and current record is the reason that many enlightened people in the football world recognise that we are still a club who should rightfully aspire to be playing in the top tier.

It is the reason why our young supporters who have never seen us play in the top tier live with the hope that their dream of seeing that soon is a realistic one.

If you really are a Derby fan, it is high time that you gained some sense of self-respect. Otherwise, you will continue your journey through your footballing life forever fumbling in the dark with no sign of light at the end of your tunnel. That would be such a waste.

 

[Mrso]

I don't get very encouraged by all this nerdy positional placement of our attendances and stadium size.  Just look at Bradford City.  Their attendances are regularly twice those of any other League 2 club and never get out of it.  Or Sunderland who sort of 'deserve' European football far more than we ever will (and from a small city) but never get near it.