Quote Originally Posted by IanD View Post
Quite how Luton's ground gets a safety certificate, I'm not sure. Very restricted entry and exit for away fans, an away bar area that doesnt appear to have a secondary exit in the event of fire (with a theoretical max number of 60 in there but the stewards weren't counting), a refreshment area built onto old terraces so it was easy to stumble backwards when getting a drink, walls at the front of the away end about 5 foot high (restricting the view and evacuation onto the pitch in an emergency), restricted view of the pitch unless you move around trying to find a decent view plus no facilities for away fans in the local area apart from the Con club which soon gets overwhelmed. Somerton Park is/was better!
Are you a HSE executive and did you get to see any of the game at Kenilworth rd? Only Joking

C'mon, it's great! I used to be mesmerised by old stadiums in the heart of a community. Shoehorned in, backing off to gardens, railway lines, turnstiles where the queue would meander onto the road (because they'd only opened one turnstile) Squeezed in refreshment bars as an add on etc. They probably weren't that safe, although i think of those types of stadiums when i picture a football match, more than i do the modern stadiums. I think for a lot of older football fans, old grounds were like pubs or greasy spoon cafe's, plenty of them were shit pits, the seating and scenery was long past it's sell by date, and the landlord-owner didn't give a shit for customer care. Although it was those facets that gave these establishments authenticity and character, it changed the mood, you felt part of something that isn't as prevalent today in my opinion.

Old Bastard rant, over