View Full Version : Wembley Ready at Last
The keys are due to be handed over by Monday at the latest. Lets hope it was worth the wait
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6379165.stm
So it is only a year late and goodness knows how much over budget. Still it is nice to finally see an end to the Wembley fiasco.
SOUNDSTYLE
07-03-2007, 18:21
I can't believe they still have those ugly concrete ramps leading up to the stadium.
It ****'s it up!
Couldn't they at least paint them?
Well, it's waaaay late and waaaay over budget but I was at Wembley Arena a couple of weeks ago and it is mighty impressive up close and that's without going in it.
Looks great - stuff the cost! :thumbs:
Greemie666
07-03-2007, 20:28
I for one am looking forward to my team playing there...........
if I live that long.
Seems quite a while since that Didi Hamann goal !!!!
TigaSefi
07-03-2007, 21:24
I been past it many times and i can't wait to get to a match. I think I'll make England vs Israel a priority case.
home_bas
07-03-2007, 22:01
I went past it on the train the other day and thought it looked ugly... :(
That arch makes it look more like a wicker basket than a stadium.
As much as I hate to say it, the Emirates looks FAR nicer from outside - even though they are quite similar in design.
RobDickinson
07-03-2007, 22:28
Seems quite a while since that Didi Hamann goal !!!!
I was half expecting his son, or grandson, to be the next player to score...
I have it on reasonable authority its been '99%' ready for quite some time and the delay was more because of financial issues. But how knows. I wont be going anyhow...
I have it on reasonable authority its been '99%' ready for quite some time and the delay was more because of financial issues. But how knows. I wont be going anyhow...
Well it's looked ready since last summer. If they were going to do last summers FA cup final how could they get it wrong by 12 months? Surely they would have known last Janurary that it would be ready in 18 months not 6?
I don't see what they've been doing since last summer when the pitch and seats were all in place. :thinking:
krycheck_uk
08-03-2007, 10:27
I have managed to secure some tickets to the Wembley open day on Saturday March 17th. This will be the first ever opportunity for the public to see inside the new stadium.
I am planning to sell these tickets to raise money for the NSPCC. Could people please tell me how much they would be prepared to pay for a ticket, so I can get an idea how much to charge?
Keiron99
08-03-2007, 10:36
Looks great - stuff the cost! :thumbs:
You'll be paying for it in ticket prices though. And staging cup semis there too - what a nonsense.
Well, I'm with you there - cup semis shouldn't be there. It was a bad idea (IMO) when they started at the old Wembley. Nowt wrong with Villa Park, etc and keeps Wembley 'special' for the final.
D J Fryer
08-03-2007, 11:42
Looking forward to going to more internationals now - half an hour on the train for me at £10 return - bargain!
The Bear
08-03-2007, 14:19
Someone said to me that the Championship play-off final could still be held at Wembley as long as it gets it's safety certificate ok?
I thought it had already been finalised for Cardiff due to a deadline and the safety certificate issue.
Someone said to me that the Championship play-off final could still be held at Wembley as long as it gets it's safety certificate ok?
Lol, one eye on the play-offs already, Bear? Aren't the PO's AFTER the cup final?
Rip Curl
08-03-2007, 19:10
Well, I'm with you there - cup semis shouldn't be there. It was a bad idea (IMO) when they started at the old Wembley. Nowt wrong with Villa Park, etc and keeps Wembley 'special' for the final.
There is plenty wrong with Villa Park....rest of the grounds are fine though :p
Greemie666
09-03-2007, 05:34
Well, I'm with you there - cup semis shouldn't be there. It was a bad idea (IMO) when they started at the old Wembley. Nowt wrong with Villa Park, etc and keeps Wembley 'special' for the final.
I seem to remember hearing that this is due to the huge cost of the new Stadium. They need as many games as possible to offset the cost.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6379165.stm
The Football Association has finally gained control of the new Wembley Stadium, more than a year after it was originally scheduled to open.
Construction firm Multiplex handed over the keys late on Friday, signalling an end to its £757m building work.
And about time.
Wonder what the first thing to go wrong will be?
KennyVader
10-03-2007, 11:14
I think I prefer the Twin Towers
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/ph/1966.html?i=5&d=1
To me the arch is a huge blot on the horizon.
Wonder what the first thing to go wrong will be?
Well the FA are still refusing to say that it will be ready for the FA Cup final :suspect:
Well the FA are still refusing to say that it will be ready for the FA Cup final :suspect:
just covering their backs until they recieve the safety certificate i think after the march 23rd under 21's game.
home_bas
10-03-2007, 13:20
Is it possible to get tix for the Under 21's game still?
I assume it's not going to be a sellout!!
home_bas
10-03-2007, 13:25
Just had a look at the pic of the old Wembley - it really does look better IMHO than the new one.
Kind of makes a bit of a ham of one of the selling points about it being important being in Wembley due to the history - to be honest the stadium they've built could be anywhere really as they've kept none of the original features. Renders the Wembley connection useless by anything but name.
The only justifications they could possibly have for keeping it in Wembley is:
- site already exists
- we might not get a World Cup without a stadium of this size in the capital (I know we've got Twickers but the Rugger Buggers will never let us use it)
Transport there is generally recognised as 'crap' and the surrounding area is a bit of a hole...
KennyVader
10-03-2007, 18:56
Transport there is generally recognised as 'crap' and the surrounding area is a bit of a hole...
Well TfL did finally get around to finishing the refurbishment of the nearby tube station (they built the new steps to it about 15 years ago and then just gave up for some reason - think they're all open now)
And the immediate surrounding area and Wembley town centre have been given one hell of a spruce up, there are all sorts of fancy streetlights and fountains and stuff around there now.
Yeah, Wembley Park station is quite nice now (well, not bad put it that way) and you'll only ever need to go between the stadium and the station, easily avoiding the retched hive of scum and villainy that is the Wembley residential area.
Is it possible to get tix for the Under 21's game still?
Given that it's only just been announced I don't see why not.
On sale 3pm Monday here (http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/02/EngU21_vItaly_Wembley.htm)
splobber
10-03-2007, 22:27
I drove past the front doors the other day and it all looks very spiffy.
home_bas
11-03-2007, 01:26
Given that it's only just been announced I don't see why not.
On sale 3pm Monday here (http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/02/EngU21_vItaly_Wembley.htm)
Ooooh £10 a pop, cheaper than Charlton! ;)
Will try and get a ticket, perhaps I might even like the new stadium. :)
Good news if the surrounding area has been tidied up, last time I went there in the 'old days' it really was a shocker!
home_bas
12-03-2007, 14:25
Just got tickets!! :clap:
was a major struggle tho, the servers couldn't cope and you kept getting chucked out - luckilly I kept my session string in Notepad! :D
Good luck for you other peeps who want them.
rubbafish
12-03-2007, 14:59
Bas, how do you do that as I was int he cue (got a picture to prove it) and got booted... not a happy Colin!
home_bas
12-03-2007, 15:03
Bas, how do you do that as I was int he cue (got a picture to prove it) and got booted... not a happy Colin!
I got that as well - luckilly I had my session URL string in history so pasted it back in, it worked!
I had LOADS of server errors, was a case of clicking 'back' then 'refresh' until it got me back in the queue. A right white-knuckle ride that was!
Guess I got lucky...
Just got equally lucky myself. Took ages to actually get a queue position and then I assumed I was ok. Thanks to your warning, I copied the URL and kept it handy in case I got booted out.
Which I did, inevitably. Worked after pasting the link back in (thanks!).
Got 2 tickets for block 118 which looks like being by the corner flag so that's not too bad.
Bet they weren't expecting it to be this popular! Think most aren't bothered about the game itself - more getting an early look inside Wembley.
boogieben2
12-03-2007, 15:57
queues have been closed!
dammit!
Thanks home_bas, was repeatedly booted out myself then saw your tip about the link, retrieved mine from my history and got back in with 3 minutes to spare. Kids are chuffed.
home_bas
12-03-2007, 18:40
Glad to have helped! :)
Shame we couldn't all get tickets - the FA seriously underestimated demand for this!
I reckon they could have let the tix go on sale for a few days before publicising it as much as they did - I reckon it still would have sold out before this huge rush.
All it does is clog their server up!
Pisces Iscariot
12-03-2007, 19:10
There are still tickets on sale now and their server is handling it a lot better than it was earlier.
Managed to book tickets an hour and a half ago! Block 525 which is really high up, but just to the right of the half way line in the south stand. Really looking forward to this now.
twetherall
12-03-2007, 19:32
I'm still getting the tickets queue closed message :(
Have URL from my earlier session where I got quite far in the queue before being booted out. Trying to paste that but just getting an error message - ARGH!!
Spent ages trying to get tickets, didn't manage it, but my mate did so we're all off to Wembley :D
I guess they needed to under-price it to ensure it was a sell out (so well done them, they seem to have succeeded)
rubbafish
13-03-2007, 08:19
Spent ages trying to get tickets, didn't manage it, but my mate did so we're all off to Wembley :D
I guess they needed to under-price it to ensure it was a sell out (so well done them, they seem to have succeeded)
Well I didn;t manage to get a ticket despite constant efforts and being in the Q only for their system to give up on me... not a happy Col.
However, on a cheerier note I just discovered that the Boston Celtics are playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at the O2 Arena in October in an NBA match and I am definetly there. I also may go to see the LA Kings Vs. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks who are playing an NHL match in September. This is looking like a good sporting year :)
TigaSefi
13-03-2007, 11:43
ppl can buy these tickets on ebay now....
at £500 each :|
campdave
13-03-2007, 12:03
ppl can buy these tickets on ebay now....
at £500 each :|
I'm fairly certain that touting football tickets is illegal
rubbafish
13-03-2007, 12:46
I'm fairly certain that touting football tickets is illegal
It is but was so predictable. Example: In the U21 tournament in Holland later int he year me and my friends got tickets for all 3 group matches fairly easily. Just look at the fiasco for this one. When are the FA (and UEFA & indeed FIFA) going to do something like passport numbers on tickets to stop touts! My hatred for touts runs deep!
If it's illegal (which I do realise it is), is it in Ebay's 'rules'? If so, surely they will/should be pulling the auctions?
I know this is Ebay we're talking about but y'know...
KennyVader
13-03-2007, 13:07
I am not sure that touting U21 tickets is illegal (that doesn't mean I agree with it by the way). I think it is only certain classes of tickets like premiership, main divisions, and internationals.
You would have thought that a big new stadium would have been an ideal opportunity to introduce pre-register-your-photo tickets like Glastonbury though. The pre-registered photos would not have to be done for every match, just every 2 or 5 years or so, so would not be a hassle to true fans. Maybe they will do it once everyone sees if it was a success at Glasto or not.
You would have thought that a big new stadium would have been an ideal opportunity to introduce pre-register-your-photo tickets like Glastonbury though. The pre-registered photos would not have to be done for every match, just every 2 or 5 years or so, so would not be a hassle to true fans. Maybe they will do it once everyone sees if it was a success at Glasto or not.
Too advanced for the FA to get their heads aound, not to mention whatever the cost to implement it would have quadrupled in the first few weeks.
Great start to a brand new era couldnt even organise selling tickets for an u21
game without the system going into meltdown after 10 minutes, pathetic :(
home_bas
13-03-2007, 19:37
Thing is, for things like this it's still 'job done' by the FA as they sold out.
The bean counters will see no business case for fixing the system.
However, if that was my company's website and it performed like that, I'd be having my balls roasted by the MD round about now!
smartiepants
14-03-2007, 12:54
I'm a lucky boy, My employers did a lot of work there & have an eight seat Hospitality box, I have been asked If I would like to go to the first match, It would of been rude of me to turn it down ;)
SOUNDSTYLE
16-03-2007, 18:57
Is this U21 match being shown on TV somewhere then?
Is this U21 match being shown on TV somewhere then?
Sky Sports are showing the match live.
steven_9709
19-03-2007, 16:10
I shall be there on May 12th supporting the mighty Stevenage Borough in the final of the FA Trophy!!! :clap:
Why have they left so many section closer to the pitch empty but sold out sections well up in the gods?
Blimey that didn't take long for the first goal :eek:
BlueDwarf
24-03-2007, 12:43
On the U-21 match- (spoilered just in case)
Awful way to lose a 2-1 lead after all that hard work. So sloppy.
3-2 now, ' game this is :D
BlueDwarf
24-03-2007, 12:56
Hat-trick for Pazzini.
Hope the senior squad defend better. Awful.
welshmatt
24-03-2007, 13:18
Agreed, some of it has been absolutely shocking.
unrealnils
24-03-2007, 14:18
What an exciting game bazzani killed it!
Bentley's free kick was well taken too what a way to kick it off something tells me it will be the best game if the day though
home_bas
24-03-2007, 15:57
Well, just got back - Wembley is AMAZING!
Take back all of my previous scepticism, it is a great stadium.
Game was so-so, Bentley was excellent, I can't beleive Richardson managed to stay on the pitch as long as he did. Ferdinand is a waste of time as well, great first goal but Ferdinand just stood back and watched. Lita worked hard and Reo Coker was good.
Almost got my program signed by Pazzinni at the end as well - would have been nice if I'd got that one! Fair play to the guy - the first goal, probably going to be one of the quickest ever, and the first hat-trick. Not a bad day's work!
BlueDwarf
24-03-2007, 16:22
Had you been to the old Wembley? If so, how does it compare? If not, then..uh..yeah!
home_bas
24-03-2007, 16:41
Sadly no, but the 3 guys I went with had been to both, they thought the new one was much better. Really good view of the pitch as well.
One of the guys was an Arsenal fan, he reckoned it was better than the Emirates. Been to Old Trafford myself and the sheer scale of the new stadium really blows you away.
Photos don't do it justice until you come out of Wembley Park tube.
Just got back myself. Fantastic stadium - far better than the old one, which I went to many times. Plenty of room in the seats, a superb view of the pitch and it will have a decent atmosphere when full - a bit subdued today, though. Escalators to the upper tier, great views of the surrounding area from the bars inside the stadium.
Still wasn't sure they've provided enough toilets, even after the publicity, although far better than the previous stadium. Upper tier concourse was very busy, even when two-thirds full, so it isn't going to be the easiest stadium to get around when full. Then again, I can't think of too many which are easy at the best of times.
Biggest surprise was how much of the area still resembles a building site and just how much the town of Wembley itself has deteriorated over the past 10 years, since I was last there for a game.
All in all, though, a fantastic day out and one I'll never forget.
home_bas
24-03-2007, 17:00
Was proud to be part of the first Wembley Mexican Wave. :D
Went round 3 times before dying out!
There's things they still need to get right - for a start the signage at the food/drinks areas was way too small, service was stupidly slow and prices stupid (£4.50 a pie!!!). Beer was reasonable at £3.50.
Fair play to them on the programs tho - I was expeccting to pay up to a tenner and had over a ton with me to buy 10 for myself and friends - turned out to be £3 each. :)
As hedgie says - great day out, only thing that could top that for me is a bigger game. Will be getting my englandfans full membership sorted out in the hope of getting some Euro qualifier tix...
BlueDwarf
24-03-2007, 17:07
Mexican waves should only be done by departing Mexicans.
;)
Glad that the stadium as a whole is a success.
Also forgot to mention that whilst the Millennium Stadium was impressive and better than the old Wembley, this is even better by quite some way. Finally we have a National Stadium in England that we can be truly proud of.
Couple of photo's below - sadly they don't look that great as it was quite dull and I've managed to get camera shake in quite a few of my pictures. These are a couple of the better ones!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/hedgie72/wembley2.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/hedgie72/wembley3.jpg
Pisces Iscariot
24-03-2007, 22:14
I was on the back row in one of the corners and it was ******* cold! Apart from that it was very impressive with a good vue even up there and plenty of leg room.
George vader
25-03-2007, 11:31
Finally a stadium the country can feel proud of, fair play it does look great, up there with the (awesome) Millennium Stadium, without sounding thick I presume the remaining England qualifiers will be played here?
The FA will get every game they can played at Wembley to help pay for it :D
smartiepants
25-03-2007, 11:34
nice to be part of history & actually see some goals from an England team
Hedgie,
I have pinched your pic & marked where I was sitting, nice leather seats, free beer at half time ;)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/433417355_82e249247c.jpg
and some of my own
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/433409504_b2ec30bb63.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/433409494_e1bebac5d2.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/433409500_532e99b4ba.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/62/433409502_56e09ed0a8.jpg
Boozyuzi
25-03-2007, 14:57
How does the sliding roof work ? I know that it doesn't shut completely but I've never figured how closed it can go ?
How does the sliding roof work ? I know that it doesn't shut completely but I've never figured how closed it can go ?
Apparently the roof can close to just above the touchlines.
I had a great day at wembley on sat, can't believe that pazzani came to the first game at wembley, scored a hat trick and still didn't get man of the match!!
Was amazed to see such a poor standard of football at an international match. I know it was only an Under 21 friendly but really? Lita impressed me a lot, good strong performance.
hunts1uk
19-04-2007, 13:13
Could anyone tell me what the parking around the ground is like now?Im going next saturday,taking my young son to the England U16 game.
Don't really want to go by train with him unless i have to.
Cheers
KennyVader
19-04-2007, 14:06
In the daytime?
"what parking"
:nuts:
I heard that there is a limited amount of official parking at £15 a go.
hunts1uk
19-04-2007, 14:09
http://www.csparking.com/wembley.aspx
That must be this place then?Only problem is they haven't got England U16 listed.
steven_9709
12-05-2007, 19:13
Just got back from Wembley after watching Stevenage Boro come back from a 2-0 down to win the FA Trophy 3-2 - what a fantastic day. Stadium is awesome. I'll try and post a few piccies up later...
Come on the Boro!
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