Ok I see what you mean. I can't see arranging to meet in Starbucks for a latte before the match either!

Not been to stratford for years. Are the old pubs still there or have they made way (I remember the swan? in the broadway, the wetherspoons one (Golden Hind?) round by that pointy glass building (ok not exactly traditional!). I'm sure the Golden Egg cafe is long gone...lol.
I think I'm gonna go back for a reccy just in case the move does happen.

Thanks for your reply insidewhammer, I think you're about spot on with those figures.

The point I was making was that construction costs for the taxpayer would apparently be around £100m. If this could be financed over 25 years or so at £5m a year (incl interest) it could be offset by sponsorship monies, so the media stories about extra cost to the taxpayer don't really stack up.

Good points Gav, although I don't get the last one. surely the local facilities for fans would be better, including food and drink. Or am I missing the point?

Another point would be the increase in fair weather/casual/less committed support.

Another thing that crossed my mind, assuming we are in the Prem, is when we play teams with bigger support than us, is there a danger of a Wigan situation where the home support would be matched or outnumbered by the away?

I still think if we want to progress as a club we need the financial benefits of the move. Hopefully we will find a way around the problem of atmosphere/view etc. I'm convinced there will be some kind temporary seating solution found.

Iain, as you well know, anything printed in the Daily Mail should be taken with a pinch of salt big enough to grit the M11 from now until February.

However, as far as us taking over the tenancy of the OS is concerned, I think the game has changed recently. With Spurs now stating publicly that they have absolutely no interest in the stadium, the choice is either us, Orient or a hugely expensive white elephant.
I don't think Orient would either want or be capable of taking over the tenancy. I really can't see how that could happen. Hearn is just holding out for a nice cash bonus.

In which case we are surely now in a position to take the stadium on our terms or walk away. Which is giving the OPLC little choice but to accept. OK asking for the track to be removed would open up a can of worms that would delay any decision for years. But I'm sure we could work with the OPLC to ensure there are seats over the track during the season and all athletics events take place in the summer (bar something like the World Athletics Championships as a one-off).
Really, what would they do with the stadium if we pulled out?

I understand a deal had been pretty much done with Westfield for naming rights to the stadium. With the bulk of the money going to WHU. And it was for very big numbers.
From what Gold was reported as saying yesterday any lease would be very long term. I assume that enables Westfield or whoever to carry on with their proposed sponsorship but with that money now going to the OPLC? Surely this would cover any additional costs being incurred by the taxpayer.

And whilst we are on the subject of UK taxpayers, I think it's worth noting that Joe Lewis, the British billionaire owner of Spurs, has decided not to contribute to the UK tax system at all and is located in the tax haven that is the Cayman Islands. They really should be told the offer of £17m of public funding for infrastructure around WHL is no longer on the table.

I'm bored too, here's a few more...

@holmar_eyjolfs

@Etherington26

@jasonburt_tele
@henrywinter

Sorry doubled up on a couple you already had. Deleted them now.

Common sense from you as usual Devo, but sadly you are in the minority... it's much easier to have someone to blame.

If we do change the manager I give it no more than a few weeks before this board is screaming for his head.

Lol. Thumbs up Roshi and Devo!

Great night. Nice to see such a positive performance chart.
I have to say though, there's no such thing as coincidence. The team effort has improved dramatically over the past 10 days or so. We need to see some points up there for Wally Downes.

Hello Robert. I have to say I usually come to WHTID for the comments. If you're gonna be contributing on a regular basis that might change.

Really enjoyed reading that. Lighthearted but thoughtful and full of wit and personality. Reading this and watching the specials on sky arts has just put a huge smile on my face.
Best debut I can remember since Freddie Kanoute.

Cheers fella.