If I had my way I'd get down to Falmer right now with a shovel! What's the delay? Why can't we start building now?

Really, I thought we could wait a bit longer 'till, lets say, 2020.

For goodness sake what is this story? Talk about writing the bleeding obvious.

Doug Is Evil wrote:
If I had my way I'd get down to Falmer right now with a shovel! What's the delay? Why can't we start building now?

The anser is they don't have any money.

the club need to say when falmer is being started, planning appeal was won ten months ago, we were told when lewes stuck the knife in , this would not hold up things , as we can continue with sellecting contractors!! that was nearly two years ago! time the club was honest , get started or forget it.

Well Mark, Brighton the club have stated when work will start - November, repeatedly.
Just because we have planning permission doesn't mean we can start the next day! Contractors won't tender until they know it can go ahead, the loan has to be obtained, which I understand it has, and if you went in to matches and bought a programme you'd see that various legal procedures and further planning permissions have to be obtained. So I suggest you PAY ATTENTION at the back, or are you just one of those boring stirrers?

tenders go out to contractors this month. Then we wait to see who can come in under budget!! Hope it goes ahead, as getting fed up with withdean.

If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Bossman wrote:
If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Pathetic. I suppose you are also going to suggest that DK and MP were in league with Lewes council and the residents of Falmer!!!

In a time of massive financial uncertainty and impending recession does anyone seriously think a club with 7,000 fans is going to get 50 million quid of investment loan? Anyone who invests at the moment would surely be crazy.

Bossman wrote:
If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Couldn't agree more. Nice to see a player clear-out now we need a top-to-bottom management clear-out too.

Then and only then can we look forward to the new stadium and a fresh start.

We will get Falmer all be it a year or 2 behind schedule. To me this article is more softening us for the fact we wont be spending out this summer. The 300k we paid for Murray was spun to us that we are going places, then 3 days later the money and some was recouped by Revell and Hammond. It really is time for DK to invest in the playing side. It's obvious that if we can spend out to get in the championship then our finances will be better. When he didnt invest in the team in the Champs before , this is a knock on from that. Speculate to accumilate DK !

Drew wrote:

Bossman wrote: If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Pathetic. I suppose you are also going to suggest that DK and MP were in league with Lewes council and the residents of Falmer!!!

The FACT is that this Falmer should have been sorted years ago, too much talk and pointing fingers and not enough action from DK. In my experience as a company director, if I want something I get it, and I don't rest until I do. I can't help but imagine if Messrs Knight and Perry showed just a fraction of leadership, ambition, drive and determination - we would have had Falmer years ago. The only person on the Board who has this ruthless business edge is Tony Bloom, trust me.

Bossman wrote:

Drew wrote:

Bossman wrote: If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Pathetic. I suppose you are also going to suggest that DK and MP were in league with Lewes council and the residents of Falmer!!!

The FACT is that this Falmer should have been sorted years ago, too much talk and pointing fingers and not enough action from DK. In my experience as a company director, if I want something I get it, and I don\\\'t rest until I do. I can\\\'t help but imagine if Messrs Knight and Perry showed just a fraction of leadership, ambition, drive and determination - we would have had Falmer years ago. The only person on the Board who has this ruthless business edge is Tony Bloom, trust me.

Thank you for that, Mr Bloom.

Now sod off, read about what has been going on (that's if you CAN read), come back, and apologise for being such a ****.

Bossman wrote:

Drew wrote:

Bossman wrote: If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Pathetic. I suppose you are also going to suggest that DK and MP were in league with Lewes council and the residents of Falmer!!!

The FACT is that this Falmer should have been sorted years ago, too much talk and pointing fingers and not enough action from DK. In my experience as a company director, if I want something I get it, and I don\\\'t rest until I do. I can\\\'t help but imagine if Messrs Knight and Perry showed just a fraction of leadership, ambition, drive and determination - we would have had Falmer years ago. The only person on the Board who has this ruthless business edge is Tony Bloom, trust me.

Thank you for that, Mr Bloom.

Now sod off, read about what has been going on (that's if you CAN read), come back, and apologise for being such a ****.

Bossman wrote:

Drew wrote:

Bossman wrote: If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Pathetic. I suppose you are also going to suggest that DK and MP were in league with Lewes council and the residents of Falmer!!!

The FACT is that this Falmer should have been sorted years ago, too much talk and pointing fingers and not enough action from DK. In my experience as a company director, if I want something I get it, and I don't rest until I do. I can't help but imagine if Messrs Knight and Perry showed just a fraction of leadership, ambition, drive and determination - we would have had Falmer years ago. The only person on the Board who has this ruthless business edge is Tony Bloom, trust me.

Exactly!

Whilst we only get snippets of information about what is going on, it looks like Knight had so little faith in getting Falmer approved, he only instructed the detailed design to be started upon receipt of final approval.

That is where a major delay has come from. Also, if time was important, why go for a fixed price tender based upon detailed design drawings and not a two-stage tender? The longer the process takes, the greater the impact of the Olympics' construction works up the road in London.

Sadly, I doubt that even Mr Bloom is the right person financially. Getting Falmer built in the current financial climate will require Directors with deep pockets.

Phil wrote:

Bossman wrote:

Drew wrote:

Bossman wrote: If DK was anywhere near an ambitious chairman, we would have had/be close to Falmer now instead of moaning at himself for not building it yet !!! LOL

Pathetic. I suppose you are also going to suggest that DK and MP were in league with Lewes council and the residents of Falmer!!!

The FACT is that this Falmer should have been sorted years ago, too much talk and pointing fingers and not enough action from DK. In my experience as a company director, if I want something I get it, and I don't rest until I do. I can't help but imagine if Messrs Knight and Perry showed just a fraction of leadership, ambition, drive and determination - we would have had Falmer years ago. The only person on the Board who has this ruthless business edge is Tony Bloom, trust me.

Exactly! Whilst we only get snippets of information about what is going on, it looks like Knight had so little faith in getting Falmer approved, he only instructed the detailed design to be started upon receipt of final approval. That is where a major delay has come from. Also, if time was important, why go for a fixed price tender based upon detailed design drawings and not a two-stage tender? The longer the process takes, the greater the impact of the Olympics' construction works up the road in London. Sadly, I doubt that even Mr Bloom is the right person financially. Getting Falmer built in the current financial climate will require Directors with deep pockets.

Could not agree more. There are too many people that look at DK through rose tinted glasses. Oh he saved our club from collapse..without him there would be no Brighton BLAH BLAH BLAH. Yes - I agree with this, and for that I am thankful for DK. But, considering today's football/business climate, it is time for DK to step aside and let investors in to take this club forward. Simple.

Phil in the middle, don't you actually bother to read the news! plans were drawn up as part of the original application that went in back in 2001. Do you think they just sent the council a postcard asking to build a stadium at Falmer. As a company director, would Bossman stick to plans that are 7 years old or, having got approval, bring them up to date!

Can you tell me where DK and MP have had an influence on delaying the process. Did they initiate objections from Lewes. Did they ask Prescott to initiate a public enquiry and then tell him to ensure that there was a technical error in the final approval which meant it had to go back to the enquiry?

So you incorrrectly state we didn't have detailed plans and say this was the cause of the delay. Well approval came in September and the plans were published at the end of Feb, about 5 months later. How do you account for the rest of the delay, about 6 years. Anything to do with the Public Enquiry. I assume that Bossman has influence over planning procedures so he can circumvent them whenever he feels like.

It is clear you and bossman don't like DK. Fair enough, but don't twist the facts. With regard to Bloom, if he is as good as you say, and rich enough, let him step up to the plate. Strange that, can't recall any moves by him to oust Knight. Perhaps he didn't have faith in getting Falmer either or just doesn't have the balls you seem to think he has!!!!

Bossman, at last, you seem to know who the new investors will be. Can you enlighten us all.

I don't believe DK will take us further than we, but I get fed up with people like you banging on about new investors when nobody is currently in the frame.

Anyone else praying Eastbourne lose tonight? Last thing Albion need while they are so weak is another local team challenging for support. Let us not forget that all it will take is one relegation for us and one promotion for Lewes or Eastbourne for us to be in the same league. Then we will truly be sunk.

If Eastbourne win tonight it could be remembered as the night the Falmer fallacy came home to roost.

Geoff wrote:
Anyone else praying Eastbourne lose tonight? Last thing Albion need while they are so weak is another local team challenging for support. Let us not forget that all it will take is one relegation for us and one promotion for Lewes or Eastbourne for us to be in the same league. Then we will truly be sunk. If Eastbourne win tonight it could be remembered as the night the Falmer fallacy came home to roost.

What nonsense! I shall be hoping Eastbourne win, and win well, because they are SUSSEX. I cannot believe another Sussex fan is thinking the way you are. Have you forgotton the BHA Crawley FA Cupo match at the Goldstone in ... OK I can't remember when it was but I went and it was fantastic. Splendid atmosphere and the match clearly sparked interest county wide.

the point about the stadium is there will be changes to the final plan, there always is with a large build of this nature the planning chnges are normally agreed on site, and then the application is rubber stamped, the builders could and should have been shortlisted a year ago!! if the club want a fixed price then the builder will go over priced as they dont want to lose on the job, hoiwever a council officer has already dropped a hint that the builder will be from portslade! why not start on the road access? that will be needed for the contractor to get started, dragging the heels..

David wrote:
Well Mark, Brighton the club have stated when work will start - November, repeatedly. Just because we have planning permission doesn't mean we can start the next day! Contractors won't tender until they know it can go ahead, the loan has to be obtained, which I understand it has, and if you went in to matches and bought a programme you'd see that various legal procedures and further planning permissions have to be obtained. So I suggest you PAY ATTENTION at the back, or are you just one of those boring stirrers?

Can anyone tell me which bank has agreed this "loan" please...???

Lets see ...loss making business , about to build a stadium at a time when a recession is about to hit and commercial property will nosedive in value....hmmm - wasn't Northern Crock was it?

william of orange wrote:

David wrote: Well Mark, Brighton the club have stated when work will start - November, repeatedly. Just because we have planning permission doesn\'t mean we can start the next day! Contractors won\'t tender until they know it can go ahead, the loan has to be obtained, which I understand it has, and if you went in to matches and bought a programme you\'d see that various legal procedures and further planning permissions have to be obtained. So I suggest you PAY ATTENTION at the back, or are you just one of those boring stirrers?

Can anyone tell me which bank has agreed this \"loan\" please...??? Lets see ...loss making business , about to build a stadium at a time when a recession is about to hit and commercial property will nosedive in value....hmmm - wasn\'t Northern Crock was it?

yes am surprised the club have not released that how happy they are to have found a bank that will lend 40 million, with no surity, with the chance that the club go into recievership, then the bank get 4 million only back!! that has happened at leeds, and at several other clubs, surely the club could tell us that?

Do any of the posts on here know anything of the way construction contrats are agreed?

Of course the club will want a fixed price tender as it places the risks of rising material prices, increasing labour costs (especially ith the Olympics so close) etc. firmly with the contractor and not with the club.

The two stage tender route as previously mentioned on this string may further delay the process and not expedite the matter as contractors would want to dot I's and cross T's before agreeing to a gauranteed maximum price. Even then the will qualify their bids so much that the price the submitted does not mean squat.

Remember that MP has come from a building background with McAlpine and will understand all this. Which is far more than some of the people on this forum seem to do!!

good post except you agree with me, a contractor will exceed his material costs by 15% on top of his existing margins, to cover the crazy price of raw materials, the club quoted the cost of stadium had risen by 10 million, i believe the real cost will be more like 60 mill, thtas without factoring the interest on staged payments, over two years again say 5 million.? can the directors find that money in todays climate?

Drew wrote:
Phil in the middle, don't you actually bother to read the news! plans were drawn up as part of the original application that went in back in 2001. Do you think they just sent the council a postcard asking to build a stadium at Falmer. As a company director, would Bossman stick to plans that are 7 years old or, having got approval, bring them up to date!

Can you tell me where DK and MP have had an influence on delaying the process. Did they initiate objections from Lewes. Did they ask Prescott to initiate a public enquiry and then tell him to ensure that there was a technical error in the final approval which meant it had to go back to the enquiry?

So you incorrrectly state we didn't have detailed plans and say this was the cause of the delay. Well approval came in September and the plans were published at the end of Feb, about 5 months later. How do you account for the rest of the delay, about 6 years. Anything to do with the Public Enquiry. I assume that Bossman has influence over planning procedures so he can circumvent them whenever he feels like.

It is clear you and bossman don't like DK. Fair enough, but don't twist the facts. With regard to Bloom, if he is as good as you say, and rich enough, let him step up to the plate. Strange that, can't recall any moves by him to oust Knight. Perhaps he didn't have faith in getting Falmer either or just doesn't have the balls you seem to think he has!!!!

You silly woman! There is a lot of difference between the standard of drawings required for planning permission and those for construction and tender enquiry purposes with the procurement method that the Club has elected to use.

If i remember correctly, the original intention was to go with a "design and build" contractor (who would have produced detailed drawings themselves), now they are going the traditional route and needed detailed drawings before they could even go out to tender.

Why can't you ever see that Knight is not always right? Are you his love child?

David wrote:
Well Mark, Brighton the club have stated when work will start - November, repeatedly.
Just because we have planning permission doesn't mean we can start the next day! Contractors won't tender until they know it can go ahead, the loan has to be obtained, which I understand it has, and if you went in to matches and bought a programme you'd see that various legal procedures and further planning permissions have to be obtained. So I suggest you PAY ATTENTION at the back, or are you just one of those boring stirrers?

David. I concur mate. Mark, get yourself down to the remedial class son for making such stupid comments. Helllooo......

Phil, fully appreciate the final plans would not be drawn up before planning granted but be honest, you need more than a few sketches to get planning permission. Note you carefully avoided the other questions concerning delays etc.

I note people are talking about the contractors but will somebody answer my question pleeeeeeeease.Its simple so I'll ask it again.

WHICH BANK HAS GRANTED THE BLEEDIN LOAN????

You can't build the thing if you can't pay for it can you!!

Phil wrote:

Drew wrote: Phil in the middle, don't you actually bother to read the news! plans were drawn up as part of the original application that went in back in 2001. Do you think they just sent the council a postcard asking to build a stadium at Falmer. As a company director, would Bossman stick to plans that are 7 years old or, having got approval, bring them up to date! Can you tell me where DK and MP have had an influence on delaying the process. Did they initiate objections from Lewes. Did they ask Prescott to initiate a public enquiry and then tell him to ensure that there was a technical error in the final approval which meant it had to go back to the enquiry? So you incorrrectly state we didn't have detailed plans and say this was the cause of the delay. Well approval came in September and the plans were published at the end of Feb, about 5 months later. How do you account for the rest of the delay, about 6 years. Anything to do with the Public Enquiry. I assume that Bossman has influence over planning procedures so he can circumvent them whenever he feels like. It is clear you and bossman don't like DK. Fair enough, but don't twist the facts. With regard to Bloom, if he is as good as you say, and rich enough, let him step up to the plate. Strange that, can't recall any moves by him to oust Knight. Perhaps he didn't have faith in getting Falmer either or just doesn't have the balls you seem to think he has!!!!

You silly woman! There is a lot of difference between the standard of drawings required for planning permission and those for construction and tender enquiry purposes with the procurement method that the Club has elected to use. If i remember correctly, the original intention was to go with a "design and build" contractor (who would have produced detailed drawings themselves), now they are going the traditional route and needed detailed drawings before they could even go out to tender. Why can't you ever see that Knight is not always right? Are you his love child?

Hardly think planning permission would be granted with just a couple of sketches which was my point. Considerably more work involved and I'm sure you know that. You also don't comment on the points regarding the delay. Typical, avoid any issue that doesn't support your anti DK/MP platform. If you have seen some of my other posts, you will know I don't believe DK is able to take us to the next level once we get into Falmer but you and the likes of Bossman keep banging on about new investors when none are currently even on the horizon.

At long last people are beginning to question Knights claims that `Falmer`will be the platform for a long awaited improvement in Albions fortunes.How can anybody expect the present board to pay the large loans required and build a stronger team,when for the past 2/3 years they have shown they are struggling to pay our way at Withdean.
Banks will note this together with our 5000 gates and will not want to be involved.

william of Orange wrote:
I note people are talking about the contractors but will somebody answer my question pleeeeeeeease.Its simple so I'll ask it again. WHICH BANK HAS GRANTED THE BLEEDIN LOAN???? You can't build the thing if you can't pay for it can you!!

My apologies for committing the cardinal sin of quoting my own post ...but I assume from the silence that nobody can name the bank concerned ...because there isn't one prepared to lend a vast sum of money to a loss making, relegated club with a nominal gate attendance!

Your faith in the projct is commendable but stop living in cloud cuckoo land about this stadium - it isn't going to be built because nobody is daft enough to fund it - welcome to the "credit crunch" - or as it should be more correctly termed - "a return to normality and common sense" as far as bank lending is concerned.

The days of being given a bank loan because you simply exist are well and truly over. You would be better off applying for lottery funding to build it.