Manchester United boss inspired new Bristol City stadium
The design for Bristol City's new stadium has been inspired by one of the country's greatest ever managers – Sir Alex Ferguson.
The architect in charge of designing the planned 30,000-seat stadium at Ashton Vale spoke to the Manchester United boss at a match, it has emerged.
Sir Alex told him to base the new ground on his favourite English stadium – not United's Old Trafford ground but Villa Park, home to Aston Villa.
At an exhibition to show plans for the £50 million stadium to fans and residents yesterday, lead architect Mike Trice told the Post that he met Sir Alex at a match in Milton Keynes, in another stadium designed by Mr Trice's firm HOK.
The pair discussed Villa's Birmingham home, with Sir Alex telling Mr Trice that it was the continuous ring of seats on the stadium's lower tier which was responsible for what he called one of the best atmospheres in English football.
And Mr Trice hopes that Bristol City's new ground, which has a similar structure to Villa Park, will generate a vibe to match the club's lofty ambitions.
Fans viewing the plans at Ashton Gate yesterday cautiously welcomed the plans for the new stadium, which will border the David Lloyd fitness centre and the Long Ashton park and ride.
Many were excited about the prospects of moving to a ground which could herald a new era for their club, which has the potential to expand its capacity to 42,000 and which could even host World Cup matches if the FA successfully bids to hold the tournament in 2018.
But others, particularly fans who have supported City at Ashton Gate for decades said they were concerned about the club's future.
Mike Swain, 70 from Brislington, said: "The new stadium doesn't really excite me at all – it looks a bit of a mish-mash.
"I suppose we have got to go with it but I can't see it being ready by 2012, not with the way things are at the moment. I'm worried about the transport issue as well – how are all the fans going to get there?"
Mr Trice, whose company has also designed Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the new roof at Wimbledon's Centre Court, the new Wembley and the 2012 Olympic Stadium, said the new stadium would be one of the best he had created.
He said: "We are trying to create all the benefits of a full bowl and of different stands as well.
"Sir Alex holds Villa Park in very high esteem because of the way the stands are set up and we want to do the same thing here.
"It's a good time to build now because builders are cheap, they want work and a two-year contract is highly attractive."
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by fred, southville
Wednesday, October 28 2009, 7:17PM
“I don't suppose anyone supporting this selfish steam roller idea of "Bristol needs" against the desperate upset to the people of ashton vale, have who have enjoyed living on the edge of city life being dumped on by the ravages the glamarous delights of "English football fan" how unfair!
There is very little to justify, apart from the greed and bully way of the developers who do not necessarily live in the area of disruption.”
by Andy, Bristol
Sunday, March 08 2009, 8:08AM
“I am concerned that the aerial shot does not show any parking at the site. Local residents are sure to face even greater disruption than at present.”
by MKH, Bristol
Friday, February 27 2009, 7:34PM
“Where are the support beams obscuring the view? I can't see them! The second tier at the ends can be added if needed by raising the roof with a crane to the same height as the others and extending the stand backwards. This will happen if it will be used in the world cup or City are in the premiership and need the extra seats”
by spuddy, knowle west
Friday, February 27 2009, 4:47PM
“i love it,its about time city had a new ground just look howgood teams end up playing with a new ground swansea mk.dons doncaster and hull city and look how bigbristol is and we got let down on a arena but this new ground can hold big music events 2 so i think they should stop all the talk and start building it like they have in the past *a die hard city fan”
by Vic, Bristol
Friday, February 27 2009, 3:02PM
“Sir Alex has suggested a MASSIVE clock be visible so that the managers can point to it when insufficient time is added at the end of each half. A wine cellar is also to be installed in each of the managers' offices. Dugouts will be equipped with a link to the public address system so that the manager can make his views known to everyone who understands Scottish. There will be an ego-massage facility in the visitors dressing room in preparation for visiting Premiership players. There will be a shelf in each dressing room with a huge stock of items for the manager to throw. Resuscitation equipment will also be provided to support managers who have stress related disorders. There will be pubs installed in each stand, but these will only be opened on the rare occasions that rugby is played at the stadium. The design will be tailored to ensure that the accoustics are really poor, so that over-priced concerts can continue to be staged. Suggestions for the installation of swear-boxes around the ground have been rejected as there is insufficient room to install one large enough for the job. Bristol City Council have insisted that parking facilities for 30,000 bicycles be built into the plans, along with prayer facilities for 10 different religious groups.”