Brentford FC - Griffin Park | TheTFF Torquay United Fans Forum

ospelgull
TFF member

Posts: 932

Brentford FC - Griffin Park Sept 20, 2010 19:43:04 GMT

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Post by ospelgull on Sept 20, 2010 19:43:04 GMT

One day after the Southend-Torquay game on saturday the 4th of september it was time for another game of football, also at a lovely venue.

Brentford versus Sheffield Wednesday at Griffin Park. Bottom versus top as things stop by the time. Brentford striker Charlie McDonald scored the only goal in the match, a well struck goal it was!

The stadium is neatly tucked away between the houses and it reminds of days long gone, if only you'd be able to watch a game in black and white at Griffin Park!

Both the main stand and opposite main stand are aging single tiered all seaters. The away end is a double decker stand with terracing down and seating up, Wednesday almost filled this stand completely. On the other side is a covered terrace for the home fans.

A rather unique feat is that it's the only ground in England that has four pubs at every corner of the ground. Two are very close to the ground while the other two are a litter bit further afield.

All in all it was a very enjoyable visit and I'm definitely hoping to come back to this ground for a visit with the Gulls! Next season maybe.

Last Edit: Sept 20, 2010 19:44:19 GMT by ospelgull

chrish
Guest

Brentford FC - Griffin Park Sept 21, 2010 9:23:03 GMT

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Post by chrish on Sept 21, 2010 9:23:03 GMT

Nice photos Ospel. It's my nearest football league ground but I've stopped going as it's over 20 quid to get in now. It used to be 12 quid. 20 is a bit much to follow another team. I'd much rather see Wealdstone for a tenner or Hayes and Yeading for 14. They play Newport County at home tonight.

merse
TFF member

Posts: 2,684

Brentford FC - Griffin Park Sept 21, 2010 9:45:48 GMT

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Post by merse on Sept 21, 2010 9:45:48 GMT

Twenty quid plus to get in gives a foretaste of what Plainmoor regulars might anticipate should the club gain promotion for next season.

Having been made party to what some Brentford players are earning this season, I'm not surprised at those prices; and in such a decrepit old ground they are extortionate!

Griffin Park might tug at the heart strings of sentimental soccer tourists like Rob (and I mean that quite respectfully) but it really is an arse of a "stadium" that looks ready to fall down if anyone slams a door. Not a patch on Plainmoor with it's lovely home comforts in the facilities of the Family Stand and The Bees are badly in need of that proposed new development almost next door in Lionel Road.

The Trust ownership of the club (Bees United) ran into a severe loss making scenario and were only too pleased to sell a sizeable shareholding to a single wealthy investor, Matthew Benham; who is commited to pumping in £1 million a year until 2014 without the club incurring any repayment interest, and appear to be on the brink of surrendering the necessary available shares to enable him to become the major shareholder in 2014. In that year the club have the option of either repaying that investment or allowing him to take majority control through the preferential shareholding he is building up.

Matthew Benham is not a benefactor, he is a major creditor; being owed £4.5 million by 2014 by which time he will no longer be of any obligation to cointinue his funding. So if Bees United wish to continue their ownership of the club beyond that date they will need to raise enough capital to repay him!

Meanwhile Mr Benham owns 35% of the shareholding and has "operational control" of the club. Bees United do have the right of veto over any future sale of any ground (present or future) that the club own as does the former chairman Martin Lange, although his safeguard expires in 2014 when his "special shareholding" converts to an ordinary shareholding. Interestingly 0.5% of shares are still held by the family of former Devon football investor Ron Blindell by his son of the same name.

None of the current board of directors (including Chairman Greg Dyke) has any significant sharholding in the club.

Last Edit: Sept 21, 2010 10:09:37 GMT by merse