[Odysseus]

So our first season in our new stadium ends with a championship trophy and promotion to League One, can’t have asked for better than that. With 23 league games, a high profile League cup game, an England U19’s International, two televised games and various Derbyshire Cup and Youth team games played at the B2net we can definitely say it has had a thorough test and work out. How do we think the place has stood up to the trials and hardships of the football season? Did the “green carpet” solve the problem of players not being able to keep their feet off the pitch? Do we need to do something about heating the stands in winter to stop a recurrence of the burst water pipes we had? What has the food retail service been like in your stand, any changes or improvements needed? The pitch has been nothing short of marvellous, no games called off for a waterlogged pitch and considering the winter we had the cancellations for a frozen pitch were totally understandable. Has the scoreboard finished off the place nicely or are there things you still want added? What about segregation and stewarding, are there things we still need to sort out, or did the embarrassment of the Bury goalkeeper incident make everyone realise it was a real problem that needed a proper solution? Indeed has it been sorted out or is it just a case of the fans behaving impeccably on the day, and what about visiting supporters, does something need to be done about fans leaving the ground after the match? The pigeon problem still has to be sorted somehow, the hawk is just not doing it for me. I would give the stadium 9.5 out of 10 for this season, what about you, what issues do you think need addressing or is it just about perfect for you? It’s going to be a long summer we need something to talk about in the close season!

This post has been edited by Odysseus: 09 May 2011 - 11:35 AM

[moondog]

Odysseus, on 09 May 2011 - 11:25 AM, said:

So our first season in our new stadium ends with a championship trophy and promotion to League One, can't have asked for better than that. With 23 league games, a high profile League cup game, an England U19's International, two televised games and various Derbyshire Cup and Youth team games played at the B2net we can definitely say it has had a thorough test and work out. How do we think the place has stood up to the trials and hardships of the football season? Did the "green carpet" solve the problem of players not being able to keep their feet off the pitch? Do we need to do something about heating the stands in winter to stop a recurrence of the burst water pipes we had? What has the food retail service been like in your stand, any changes or improvements needed? The pitch has been nothing short of marvellous, no games called off for a waterlogged pitch and considering the winter we had we the cancellations for a frozen pitch were totally understandable. Has the scoreboard finished off the place nicely or are there things you still want added? What about segregation and stewarding, are there things we still need to sort out, or did the embarrassment of the Bury goalkeeper incident make everyone realise it was a real problem that needed a proper solution? Indeed has it been sorted out or is it just a case of the fans behaving impeccably on the day, and what about visiting supporters, does something need to be done about fans leaving the ground after the match? The pigeon problem still has to be sorted somehow, the hawk is just not doing it for me. I would give the stadium 9.5 out of 10 for this season, what about you, what issues do you think need addressing or is it just about perfect for you? It's going to be a long summer we need something to talk about in the close season!

Great questions for debate but we only had one match called off Wycombe (28th December) arguably postponed too early

[Odysseus]

moondog, on 09 May 2011 - 11:30 AM, said:

Great questions for debate but we only had one match called off Wycombe (28th December) arguably postponed too early

Thanks, I couldn’t remember off hand how many had been cancelled so took a guess, but I do remember some posts about the “frost covers” and whether there was going to be a problem or not. I also remember watching the web cam during the build to see if the sun shone on the whole pitch during the morning hours, to see if the pitch could thaw before kick off, but couldn’t determine if it did!

[Odysseus]

Come on people, you are not telling me nobody has anything to say about the first year in our new stadium? Is it the because it’s in the “Stadium Talk” forum and a little out of your comfort zone? Don’t worry boys and girls you can’t catch anything (well nothing terminal) in this forum, it’s a lovely little forum not as congested as “Spireite Debate” and definitely with a better class of debate and discussion. So come on in, the water is lovely and there is always a welcome no matter what your views, you know you want to really!

[Skywalker]

If I’m honest, I didn’t know what to expect at the start of the season, but I’m pleased to say it exceeded my expectations. I’ve had the privilege of sitting in 3 of the 4 stands this season and at various heights and felt the view of the pitch and ground to be good on every occasion. The refreshments are fairly priced and the quality of the food (steak pies in particular) has been far better than the tripe served up at Saltergate.

The atmosphere and ambience at the club feels fresh and inviting. It’s good to see more families attending matches. The quality of football has obviously helped, but hopefully the first timers this season will now be converted on a regular basis.

The Bury incident was disappointing, but the prompt and professional response of the club in resolving the issue was welcomed and will go along way to repairing any negativity caused.

[Bankrobber]

Overall i'm more than happy with our new stadium. I've held a season ticket and enjoyed my new matchday experience. I've also arranged for my new son's christening at the venue which was excellent and the help from the club was first class, even when i managed to screw up the dates of the booking. The innovations with the loyalty card for ST holders should be well received next season.

Disappointments for me are the slow service at Half Time under the West Stand. Unless you go for a pint ten minutes before the end of the first half, don't bother. If that's my only gripe, it's been pretty good really hasn't it?

When we moved i was probably more bothered about things like parking and what i was going to do pre and post match in and around the Whitt Moor area. I needn't have worried. Parking down Thompson Street has proved dead easy (and free) and getting to go in the Tup and the Red Lion regularly is simply brilliant, and i'm relieved and glad so many other Town fans have taken to the move like ducks to water.

When we moved i thought 10k was a good size for the new place. Given the way the b2net has been taken to, you do have to wonder whether it should have been a bit bigger. I know finance was/is the issue when the plans were drawn up, but how much would it have been to build a ground with another couple of thousand seats?

[spirette]

I was sad to leave Saltergate, but knew we needed a new stadium in order to progress. We chose not to have season tickets, as we wanted to sample all the stands, then choose where we liked best, and have half season tickets as Christmas presents.
We didn't go to any friendlies, due to holidays and other commitments. I'll never forget the first time I set foot inside the West Stand at the first game - I was so impressed by the concourses, the seats, the pitch, the whole ground in general. Each stand we sat in, we liked for different reasons, but chose the West Stand.

Me and my boyfriend went to the Valentines Day meal, and it was then, sat looking at the pitch that it really hit me that this fantastic stadium was "ours". I was sat in a lovely lounge area, with fantastic food, looking over OUR stadium. It felt surreal. I also never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be sat at a Chesterfield ground watching an England U19s game!

Overall, I love the stadium. I get such a buzz every time I walk into the place, even if we're not playing! Just going to the shop, or to get tickets is such a buzz.
The whole experience of match day is so much better, and I'm so proud of the B2net, and its brilliant that Chesterfield has finally got a stadium that the supporters have waited so long for, we can be proud of and is attracting more people.

Here's hoping the new stadium is the start of big things for Chesterfield Football Club.

[Johnnyspireite7]

I for one think it's been a fantastic first season for the B2net. Not many teams move to a new ground and settle in as quickly as we have. I have only been in the South stand on match days and the England U19 game and the West (only for a couple of YT games) and the atmosphere we produce has been fantastic, even when there is only 900ish there for YT games (and that's another thing how often did we had that many at YT games at Saltergate). We still have things to learn but that is inevitable and we are developing as a club along with our uses of the new stadium. We even have a pitch that makes Wembley look like a municipal park (maybe we should send the guys who did ours to them to show them how its done).

I also have had experience of the Corporate side through my Nan's wake which the rest of my family loved, especially when the doors onto the walkway was opened and everyone got to have a good look at the new stadium, Most of my Nan's side of the family are Derby fans and I think they were a tiny bit jealous of what we have here.

And next season we get to host the two clubs who have something to learn about humility (Stupidname especially), bring it on!

[JonB]

Went in the North Stand last weekend which completed a full house for me of all four stands having been in various parts of the East Stand all along it, the Kop for the England Game and towards the Kop end of the West Stand as well as directly above the tunnel. To be honest the view from all of the locations has been good and people i've taken along to games have commented on how good it is in terms of view, atmosphere and facilities.

I had a walk round on one of the open days for season tickets and realised it looked the part but my first game, Cheltenham at home, opened my eyes not only to the quality we had on the field but a quality venue to watch it in. I also attended one of the comedy nights for a taste of the lounge facilites and to be honest they are good as well.

Just be nice to get the East Stand community stuff done and dusted to round things off....something David Conn mentions in his article this week as being close.

[Odysseus]

A couple of things I would like to see done over the summer months is, firstly to finish the landscaping which should make the place look loved and cared for. Secondly to give the place a good clean, especially under signage where water has left marks, and talking of signage hopefully all missing letters and broken signs should be replaced, nothing says unloved like “P int bil ty Stand”. Thirdly would a street sweeper before and after the match be a good idea, mechanical or human, as the “wind shadows” in the corners tend to collect all the litter and make it look awful.

[moondog]

Odysseus, on 15 May 2011 - 10:08 AM, said:

A couple of things I would like to see done over the summer months is, firstly to finish the landscaping which should make the place look loved and cared for. Secondly to give the place a good clean, especially under signage where water has left marks, and talking of signage hopefully all missing letters and broken signs should be replaced, nothing says unloved like "P int bil ty Stand". Thirdly would a street sweeper before and after the match be a good idea, mechanical or human, as the "wind shadows" in the corners tend to collect all the litter and make it look awful.

I'd like to see a sign simply stating "Chesterfield FC" along the back of the West Stand

[Odysseus]

moondog, on 15 May 2011 - 11:43 AM, said:

I'd like to see a sign simply stating "Chesterfield FC" along the back of the West Stand

Do you mean on the outside of the building facing the road, or inside the ground facing the cameras? I would still love to see “Home of the Spireites” on the front above the door so you can see it from the road!

[moondog]

Odysseus, on 15 May 2011 - 01:36 PM, said:

Do you mean on the outside of the building facing the road, or inside the ground facing the cameras? I would still love to see "Home of the Spireites" on the front above the door so you can see it from the road!

inside facing the camera's

[Town_Fan]

I think the best thing is that it felt homely after the very first game for me and it didnt feel like I was watching the Spireites at an away ground which was my fear. If anything I look at highlights and pictures of games from Saltergate and it feels weird watching Town there.

The people have took the new ground and CFC to its heart, long may it continue.

[Odysseus]

After the “Forum” football match there should be lots people on here who have had a real close up view of the stadium, both inside and out, anyone care to share their thoughts on how it looked after a seasons wear and tear?

[Odysseus]

What about the home dressing room, notice any champagne stains on the ceiling?