Move from Burnden Park

[Gorgiewave]

Hi,

I'm a Hearts fan and a proposal has been made to move to the outskirts of Edinburgh to a purpose-built stadium. I was wondering what the experience was like of leaving Burnden Park. Assuming it is financially better to be in a bigger, more modern stadium, do people still imss Burnden Park? Did anybody give up supporting Bolton because of the change of ground? I'm basically looking for views on what a stadium change is like from the fan's `point of view. I am in two minds about Hearts: the ground is not very big and there is almost no room for expansion, but I fear moving to the outskirts would take away half the experience and pleasure of going to the games.

Thanks to all and good luck for the season.

[Worthy4England]

We had very little choice, from what we were told at the time - financially and everything else considered, so it's a bit of a moot point.

Don't think most fans like the thought of moving out of home, but sometimes you just have to move with the times..

[as]

I couldn't have imagined Okocha, Djorkaeff or Heirro signing for a club playing at Burnden Park.

So it's the future

[William the White]

Burnden had become a total and embarrassing dump through a combination of neglect and Board stupidity - that supermarket was an act of crassness almost unparalleled in English football.

the Reebok is the right size for the club, has superb sight-lines and is the most architecturally pleasing of the new stadia.

It is not difficult to get to - with special bus services and its own train station. Its location on a featureless shopping centre is disappointing but bearable.

The traffic at the end of a match is a problem.

But, all in all, I'm happy with the move. Moving will still be a wrench though. It was for most of us. the old place carried a lot of memories.

[Bruce Rioja]

the ground is not very big and there is almost no room for expansion, but I fear moving to the outskirts would take away half the experience and pleasure of going to the games.

Hi Gorgie.

A few points / questions really here, fella.

Firstly I think that they've performed bloody miracles with Tynecastle given how landlocked it is, but how come they've never re-developed the old red brick stand? Is it listed or summat? It looks to me to be the only stand that actually has a bit of land running its length at the back.

Weren't you moving to Murrayfield at one point? I saw that you'd played some European games there; what happened to that?

Moving to the Reebok has been immeasurably beneficial to the club and from a supporter's point of view there isn't a bad seat in the ground; but yeah, walking down a soulless dual carriageway to a stadium on the very edge of the town can never compare with walking down the Manny Road from the town centre on matchday.


But, it seems, like us, you can't have both!

[Little Green Man]

Weren't you moving to Murrayfield at one point? I saw that you'd played some European games there; what happened to that?

Gorgiewave is probably too pished to reply at the moment - with good reason. I think the Euro games were only played at Murrayfield because the dimensions of the Tynecastle pitch were too small to meet Euro regulations. I'm not sure they've qualified since then.

walking down a soulless dual carriageway to a stadium on the very edge of the town can never compare with walking down the Manny Road from the town centre on matchday.

If they build the new stadium out to the west then they could get whisked there from the fleshpots of Gorgie via the tram in a matter of minutes. Plus, if they use the same contractors as the tram route the stadium will probably get built ahead of schedule and under budget leaving a windfall to spend on strengthening the squad.




Sorry? What? Oh......

[Harry Genshaw]

Well done on todays win lad. Always had a soft spot for Hearts since you had Berry & Foster playing for you. I seem to recall Foster scoring a last minute winner against Hibees one time?

Agree with others here. Burnden was a disgrace and the Reebok easily meets our needs, but I dont know what it is, I got a far better buzz going to Burnden than I ever have at the 'bok. Perhaps it needs another 10 years or so before I start to feel some sort of attachment to it.

[jaffka]

The Reebok is fantastic.

I was against the move when it first happened, due to having great memories and a fondness of Burnden but the club built a superb stadium.

[TANGODANCER]

Burnden was the end of an era. Place of great memories, brilliant atmosphers and, for me, years as Bolton's football home.
That said, it was dying on its feet from age and need of refurbishment that wasn't a practical option. The Reebok is the new millenium and everything moves on. As has been said, not a bad seat in the place and seen by many as a modern and well constructed stadium with good facilities. Burnden was a bit like seeing you favourite old car finally reach its useful life's end but realising your new one is far better for what you want it for. Fantastic place and it'll never be forgotten by me.

[Wandering Willy]

Burnden was the end of an era. Place of great memories, brilliant atmosphers and, for me, years as Bolton's football home.
That said, it was dying on its feet from age and need of refurbishment that wasn't a practical option. The Reebok is the new millenium and everything moves on. As has been said, not a bad seat in the place and seen by many as a modern and well constructed stadium with good facilities. Burnden was a bit like seeing you favourite old car finally reach its useful life's end but realising your new one is far better for what you want it for. Fantastic place and it'll never be forgotten by me.

Indeed. I miss that place often - a place of many memories, first game, Frank's goal, relegation, promotion, Reid's broken knee, Wolves riot etc. It's not the same to go past there and not see it.

As said above, time moves on, and the Reebok is great for us in this day and age.

[Dujon]

Although I speak from afar, Gorgiewave, my advice is to embrace the new ground with all your heart and soul.

There's nothing wrong with memories any more than there is anything wrong with improvements or relocation (assuming decent design and transport considerations - and the cost!). Not all that many years ago there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth when Burnden Park was sold and the construction of the Reebok commenced. Perhaps there is a small minority who still bemoan its passing; acknowledging history is one thing whilst creating history is another.

[thebish]

what Bruce said.

[FaninOz]

Burnden was the home of football for me for quite a few decades, but as everyone has said it's day was passed and the cost of rennovation would have been astronomical end their wasn't really the space to build a new stadium, car parks etc etc there.

The new Reebok stadium is great but the atmosphere doesn't seem to be the same, perhaps the ghosts of past players and fans that used to occupy Burnden have yet to find their way to Horwich. But give them time, they will do!

So accept that change is necessary, many people find it hard to take, but in the end it has to be the right decision if rennovation of the old place is impractical.

[Juewanderer]

Burnden was the home of football for me for quite a few decades, but as everyone has said it's day was passed and the cost of rennovation would have been astronomical end their wasn't really the space to build a new stadium, car parks etc etc there.

The new Reebok stadium is great but the atmosphere doesn't seem to be the same, perhaps the ghosts of past players and fans that used to occupy Burnden have yet to find their way to Horwich. But give them time, they will do!

So accept that change is necessary, many people find it hard to take, but in the end it has to be the right decision if rennovation of the old place is impractical.

I think you've summed up the move from Burnden with that one word and why quite a few Bolton fans will never accept it. The Reebok's a fantastic ground ...if only it could have been built in Bolton! I hate beginning referred to as Horwich Wanderers

[Lofthouse Lower]

Burnden had become a total and embarrassing dump through a combination of neglect and Board stupidity - that supermarket was an act of crassness almost unparalleled in English football.

the Reebok is the right size for the club, has superb sight-lines and is the most architecturally pleasing of the new stadia.

It is not difficult to get to - with special bus services and its own train station. Its location on a featureless shopping centre is disappointing but bearable.*

The traffic at the end of a match is a problem. **

But, all in all, I'm happy with the move. Moving will still be a wrench though. It was for most of us. the old place carried a lot of memories.

* Not for me, I like being able to go and do my shopping after a game
** Not if you park on Aerospace.

[Gorgiewave]

the ground is not very big and there is almost no room for expansion, but I fear moving to the outskirts would take away half the experience and pleasure of going to the games.

Hi Gorgie.

A few points / questions really here, fella.

Firstly I think that they've performed bloody miracles with Tynecastle given how landlocked it is, but how come they've never re-developed the old red brick stand? Is it listed or summat? It looks to me to be the only stand that actually has a bit of land running its length at the back.

Weren't you moving to Murrayfield at one point? I saw that you'd played some European games there; what happened to that?

Moving to the Reebok has been immeasurably beneficial to the club and from a supporter's point of view there isn't a bad seat in the ground; but yeah, walking down a soulless dual carriageway to a stadium on the very edge of the town can never compare with walking down the Manny Road from the town centre on matchday.


But, it seems, like us, you can't have both!

The old stand is not listed, we've just never had the money to build something bigger or more modern. The ground is very landlocked. We played at Murrayfield in a few European games but our last European game, in 2009, was at Tynecastle. I'm not sure, but I think we have a time limit on how long we can play at Tynecastle in Europe because of the size of the pitch.

Like many, I jkust fear losing not only the routine and familiarity of the area, but also a tight ground that generates a good atmosphere for a good game. St. Mirren have just moved into a new stadium and it looks like I could have designed it myself - boring, soulless. If we had to move, it would take a lot of getting used to and I would want something like the Reebok - distinctive shape and not just off a peg. Thanks for the answers. I think it's less clear cut for Hearts - I remember Burnden Park being in a terrible mess in its last years, before big Mixu was a Hibby.

[Gorgiewave]

Well done on todays win lad. Always had a soft spot for Hearts since you had Berry & Foster playing for you. I seem to recall Foster scoring a last minute winner against Hibees one time?

Agree with others here. Burnden was a disgrace and the Reebok easily meets our needs, but I dont know what it is, I got a far better buzz going to Burnden than I ever have at the 'bok. Perhaps it needs another 10 years or so before I start to feel some sort of attachment to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn0lGFGMccw

I was almost crushed to death, but worth it.

[thebish]

I flew over there this morning in my light aircraft and took a photo just to illustrate the relative sizes and landlockedness of Murrayfield and tynecastle...

[thebish]

Well done on todays win lad. Always had a soft spot for Hearts since you had Berry & Foster playing for you. I seem to recall Foster scoring a last minute winner against Hibees one time?

Agree with others here. Burnden was a disgrace and the Reebok easily meets our needs, but I dont know what it is, I got a far better buzz going to Burnden than I ever have at the 'bok. Perhaps it needs another 10 years or so before I start to feel some sort of attachment to it.

maybe, also - getting older has summat to do with it... Burnden is (for you) emotionally attached to your youth in a way the Reebok never will be...

[as]

The problem with the Reebok is location, it's closer to Wigan town centre than Bolton town centre, and 'pubs' are complete pony up there (cheers to Bish's spy for that one!).