Would you swap Madejski Stadium for Elm Park?

[No Fixed Abode]

It's a shame the Mad Stad is in the arse end of nowhere with not much around it. You really can't beat grounds that are near a plethora of pubs etc. Perhaps it will come to life more when the site is developed further.

[Winchester Royal]

It's a shame the Mad Stad is in the arse end of nowhere with not much around it. You really can't beat grounds that are near a plethora of pubs etc. Perhaps it will come to life more when the site is developed further.

I find myself in agreement - if the Madejski was somewhere like Kings Meadow, Palmer Park or on Richfield Avenue there would be more pubs, easier access from town and the station, and perhaps more of a match day vibe.

[Mr.Swainey]

@ anyone who prefers the Madejski.

Elm Park was beers, windmilling and bounces - football in a nut shell.

[Mr.Swainey]

It a was fab, proper match day experience. It was natural not forced the way it is now with rumblesticks, blaring music out the pa system so you can't hear what the person is saying next to you and no goal music. oh to do the walk along the oxford road again before the game - it was always fun.

You didn't need a season ticket, you could just pick and choose the games you were able to attend and not have to worry about being sat on your tod because all your mates now have no spare seats around them. All your mates would have their bit of the south bank, you knew where they were, you could just pitch up squeeze through and go and stand with them. You could sneak a couple of tinnies in smoke call the oppo fans oxf*rd as much as you wanted without the fear of some fleece wearing oxf*rd turning around and saying "can you mind your language there is a kid sat here" . After the game you could jump on an old red routemaster and by the time conductor had got round the bus to take the fares you were already off

depressing soules megabowl is not how football should be.

+1.

[Barney]

I was present at Elm Park from 1970 through to its closure. From a boy, I progressed through the Tilehurst End..and then my 'home' was the Southbank. I barely missed a home game from mid 1970s till its closure. Brilliant memories. Epic wins, packed night games, pitch invasions, numerous promotions and relegations, and some woefully low crowds.
Having a pee break at half time was a chore. A few 'offs' with away fans that got into the Southbank. Charlie Hurley's Blue and White Army. Aldershot away. That incredible 25000+ game against Southampton. Robin Friday. Etc etc

Stunning memories. But memories they are.

This is my 35th consecutive year as a season ticket holder.

The game has changed. The match day experience has changed. Rather than a beer in the Victory or the Spread, I can buy a beer outside.. Or in the rendezvous. Or in the concourse.

I take my seat, and hear this thunderous pre match music.

In all honesty, I'll watch RFC till I die. I don't particularly like the 'new game', but that's the way it is.

Facilities... Madstad all day long. Memories and truly great passion...Elm Park.

[LUX]

good post

(and I think we went to Primary school together. Part of the HNA Norcot clique, but you were actually in my class).

[Stevie G]

Nostalgia - someone else's history with all the bad bits taken out.

No.

[Barney]

Nostalgia - someone else's history with all the bad bits taken out.

No.

The question was would you swap the Madstad with Elm park.

It's a hypothetical question, as Elm Park is a housing estate now.
For a number of the older generation, Elm Park has great memories. Yes, there were bad times...but there are tremendous memories.

A lot of current RFC fans never experienced Elm Park anyway !!

I'll reiterate, the Madstad has great facilities... But, it'll never have the atmosphere that was sometimes generated at Elm Park. Only those that witnessed it will appreciate it.

Times change, move on.

And Lux... spot on my friend.

[poohs pure]

How about the Madejski stadium where Elm Park used to be? Get rid of the car park, we don't need one of those with all those lovely side streets to park in and it would shine like a beacon, drawing us to our spiritual home in the west.

[No Fixed Abode]

:lol: @ anyone who prefers the Madejski.

Elm Park was beers, windmilling and bounces - football in a nut shell.

I think the general consensus is the Madejski is a better stadium but Elm Park was a better location.

[Green]

It's a hypothetical question, as Elm Park is a housing estate now.

It's a hypothetical question for a thousand and one reasons but thanks for this nonetheless, Barney.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

I would love to see the current Youth dealing with the likes of Stoke and Swansea steaming into the Southbank. Most of our lot ran away then, the current lot would probably emigrate.

FTR, I stood my ground.

[AthleticoSpizz]

^lol yeah^

Imagine turning up for your usual spot on the SB amongst a sea of blue and white, only to see unfamiliar faces.....and then the booming sound of "play up Pompey" bellowing all around you.

[The Cap]

WoodleyRoyal wrote:
It a was fab, proper match day experience. It was natural not forced the way it is now with rumblesticks, blaring music out the pa system so you can't hear what the person is saying next to you and no goal music. oh to do the walk along the oxford road again before the game - it was always fun.

You didn't need a season ticket, you could just pick and choose the games you were able to attend and not have to worry about being sat on your tod because all your mates now have no spare seats around them. All your mates would have their bit of the south bank, you knew where they were, you could just pitch up squeeze through and go and stand with them. You could sneak a couple of tinnies in smoke call the oppo fans oxf*rd as much as you wanted without the fear of some fleece wearing oxf*rd turning around and saying "can you mind your language there is a kid sat here" . After the game you could jump on an old red routemaster and by the time conductor had got round the bus to take the fares you were already off

Good summary that Woodley. As for the Oxford Road.....yeah, always fun that one. Particularly when the Pompey, Villa and Wednesday crews pitched up.

Barney wrote:
Facilities... Madstad all day long. Memories and truly great passion...Elm Park.

In a nutshell, my feelings too.

[Ian Royal]

I'm really glad I got to experience Elm Park and the South Bank, but the Mad Stad is better. Put in safe standing and I wouldn't even feel slightly shameful saying that.

[WoodleyRoyal]

Which stadium sounded better on the radio Ian?

[No Fixed Abode]

Which stadium sounded better on the radio Ian?

[handbags_harris]

Without the move to the MadStad there'd have been no Steve Coppell, no 106-point team and no Premier League.

So no.

Have a read of the below, you'll see floyd's suggesting the hypothetical scenario of rebuilding Elm Park and moving back there. He's not suggesting a historical rewrite.

Ok we’ve had our fun, two spells in the top flight and arguably none of that would be possible without having moved to the Madj. But imagining if we could rebuild EP brick-for-brick would you swap what we have now for what we had then?"

[The Sum of the Parts]

Have a read of the below, you'll see floyd's suggesting the hypothetical scenario of rebuilding Elm Park and moving back there. He's not suggesting a historical rewrite.

Ok we’ve had our fun, two spells in the top flight and arguably none of that would be possible without having moved to the Madj. But imagining if we could rebuild EP brick-for-brick would you swap what we have now for what we had then?"

I'm not reading all that!

[Gordons Cumming]

Nostalgia - someone else's history with all the bad bits taken out.

No.

Ditto.

Life moves on.........................................

Nothing is forever...............................

All good things......................................