Listed Football Ground..........Opinions!

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So you're local resident Huddersfield Town supporter here again. The McAlpine, which is what most of us call it, or John Smiths if you prefer, is 30 years old this year and becomes eligible for listed building status next year.

That may seem unlikely, but as the only football stadium to ever  win a RIBA architecture award maybe not so, there's certainly a suggestion it may be one of the buildings put forward. It was innovative, and ok Bolton copied it and got rid of the bugs, but what made it so was having no stanchions/supports anywhere to obstruct the view.

Now for away supporters, I know it is listed in the worst top ten. No cover on the concourse, limited loos and eating facilities. Unsurprisingly, this bothers me not a jot.
So what's anyones opinion. Our new owner will soon own all the stadium. Listed buildings come with restrictions, but whilst we coiuld have probably added another 5k to the crowd during the premier years, it's not necessary for any other division. ( 24.5k was sold out season card wise........not saying they all turned up every game). It is possible to add another tier to the away end, but would be pointless. NB. it is of course, not totally  for away  fans anymore as it used to be. 

Anyway, just for thoughts. It's still a ground that stands out from the norm, one I'm proud to attend when I still can, and personally, I hope it hasn't a cat in hells chance, even though I understand funding is provided towards it on a regular basis.

 

 

 

[Denzel Zanzibar 8,140 15.5k]

Been twice, once when it was the John Smith's Stadium and once when it was the Galpharm Stadium. Luckily both times the weather was okay. 

I like the architecture, I love the fact it's built into a hill too, and there are steps *up* to the Away supporters concourse. For a stadium that's only 30 years old it does have an "old school" feel to it (perhaps that's only relevant to the away section though!)

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4 hours ago, Denzel Zanzibar said:

Been twice, once when it was the John Smith's Stadium and once when it was the Galpharm Stadium. Luckily both times the weather was okay. 

I like the architecture, I love the fact it's built into a hill too, and there are steps *up* to the Away supporters concourse. For a stadium that's only 30 years old it does have an "old school" feel to it (perhaps that's only relevant to the away section though!)

It mostly is Denzel sadly, though  I've been in it myself now home supporters have a third of it. Kilner bank concourse is all enclosed, that's the side built into the hill, as is upper tier opposite away end, enclosed that is. Lower though is very poor and removable seating, built that way for concerts, not that it's been used for many. One of my worries if it does get listed, yet another layer o officialdom to go through, to make any improvements.