Anyone in the Upper Rous?

There's always room in the Gene Kelly Stand !

 

We're Lower Rousers - Got our letters yesterday.

We'll be moving to the Vic Road end for next season. OK by me - stood there as a kid!

 

Fans hit by redevelopment
By Martin Booth
Comment | Read Comments (5)
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road

HUNDREDS of season ticket holders received a letter from Watford FC this week, informing them that they will have to find new seats next season while redevelopment work at Vicarage Road takes place.

Fans in the Upper Rous will be affected most. The directors and press boxes will both be moved to the centre of the Upper Rous Stand from their current positions in the Main Stand.

Long-serving supporters, many who have built up strong friendships with fellow Upper Rous season ticket holders, will be unable to return to their old seats once redevelopment work is complete.

Are you one of the fans affected? Comment below or telephone reporter Martin Booth on 01923 216312.

 

Any chance you can scan the letter and post it up?

 

I sit in the Upper Rous in the middle on the halfway line, not had any letter yet.

 

I sit in the Lower Rous in the middle on the half way line. I'm feeling a bit worried now. Will they make suggestions as to alternative seats? Or do you have to make your own arrangements?

 

I sit in the East Stand and I recieved a letter yesterday basically saying that if I don't move to the Vicarage Road end next season, I will not be able to get tickets the following season when the East Stand is under development.

Personally I don't mind sitting in the Vicarage Road end but i'm sure there are a lot of people who do.

 

I sit in the Upper Rous, kinda level with the penalty spot @ the Rookery end so I'm hoping we're not affected. Haven't received any letter yet anyway...

 

lower rous

got a letter too yesterday. only really 1 point although I haven't read right through the letter so apologies if it letter deals with it.

what will happen for a cup match where the away fans are allowed more than half the vicarage road end? moved again?

the photo they show to provide an example of the different views is a bit sneaky. the lower rous is from a pretty low standpoint whereas they have sat in the middle of the vicarage road end for that pic. reminded me of those "before" and "after" ads in rubbish papers for slimming etc where the fatty has a dour face but oh look she's smiling after treatment!

wouldn't mind some windbreakers on the sides especially near the top cos I remember it being brassack up there.

 

So they suggest moving you to a stand (Vic Rd) where you can't get a drink?

 

I can't recall the exact development plans for the Rous Jon, but I would have thought your seat would come pretty close.

Still, if it remains after the new director's box is built, you'll be in an ace position to give them some mega-volume stick :]] :]] :]]

 

It is the family area of the lower rous that are being moved (the end nearest the rookery) due to a new wheelchair platform. I don't think the middle of the lower rous has anything to worry about. Also when the new East stand is built the family area will be in there.

 

Not happy mate

You don't get the seat back afterwards.

 

copy of the letter being sent out

Dear
As you will no doubt be aware, towards the end
of 2006, we announced our plans for a major
redevelopment of Vicarage Road Stadium. We are
pleased to announce that we already have builders on
site and work has commenced on this exciting project.
Over the next three years we believe that you will be
delighted with the innovative work that takes place
to create a stadium of which we can all be proud,
however, over the build period there is a need to
relocate a large number of our existing season ticket
holders to facilitate the project.
Any supporters that have to be relocated are assured
that we will do this with the least inconvenience
possible. As I’m sure you will understand we are at
the start of a large build project that will take place in
a considerably short period of time taking into account
that the on the pitch activities continue as normal.
When the redevelopment plans were originally
announced, we did highlight that the Directors Box
area will be moved into the Rous Stand in the fi rst
phase during which the main focus will be on the
Rous and Rookery Stands. Unfortunately, despite
it’s decrepit state, the East Stand currently sites the
majority of main functions for the stadium, including
the changing rooms, press areas, directors box and
most importantly the power station. Therefore, with a
scheduled demolition of this stand in the summer of
2008, we will be actively decamping all these functions
over the course of the next year in preparation.
Having spent the last few months detailing what
the necessary movements are going to be I can
confi rm now that your existing season ticket seat will
unfortunately be affected and you will need to choose a
new location in time for the start of next season.
Before listing the options available to you, it is very
important that we stress that this has not been an easy
decision to come to and we fully appreciate that many
supporters in the central block have held their seats
here since the stand was opened in 1987.
At the moment we have four stands on each side of the
pitch all housing different functions. By 2010 this will
change into a stadium that operates effectively and by
this we mean that there is one main stand with all the
key functions inside that is linked by three supporter
based stands with excellent facilities. The Rous Stand
in effect will be the main stand housing the Directors
Box, dug outs, changing rooms, press box, hospitality
suites and other corporate facilities.
We appreciate that your existing seat can be
considered one of the best in the stadium as it offers
a side on central viewing position. With that in mind, I
would like to confi rm that as an ongoing season ticket
holder, you will be given priority, along with supporters
previously situated in the centre of the East Stand, to
choose a seat when this new stand is ready, should
you wish to do so.
This does of course mean that in the interim period we
will ask you to relocate to an area that does not offer a
central viewing position, however we will do everything
possible to keep you within the Rous Stand if that is
your preferred choice. The three main options open to
you are as follows:
Option 1 – To move from your existing seat in Block
URS 4, into Block URS 1 which is situated at the
Vicarage Road End of the Upper Rous Stand.
Option 2 – To move from your existing seat in Block
URS 4, into Block URS 7 which is situated at the
Rookery End of the Upper Rous Stand.
Option 3 – To move from your existing seat in Block
URS 4, into Block LRS 4 which is situated on the edge
of the penalty area in the Lower Rous Stand.
Unfortunately, until the new East Stand is built, we are
simply unable to offer seats of an equivalent status to
those you currently enjoy and would therefore take this
opportunity to ask for your understanding at this time.
To give you an insight into the scale of the project, we
will be relocating approximately 3,000 season ticket
holders over the months ahead. The Family Area,
currently situated in the Lower Rous Stand will move to
the Vicarage Road End to enable some ground works
for the overall Rous Stand development to take place,
along with constructing a new wheelchair platform.
Another reason for clearing this area is to allow some
seats to be made available for supporters such as you,
who currently have a central viewing position, to have
the opportunity to relocate to seats closer to the centre
line than we are able to offer in the Upper Rous.
Some of your questions answered:
We completely understand that with change, comes
discomfort, and therefore we would like to answer
some questions you may well have about the
forthcoming plans.
Will we have a choice of where we sit?
Yes. When season ticket renewal forms are mailed
to you, there will be the opportunity to indicate your
preferred location in choice order of where you would
like to sit eg – in the Upper Rous Blocks 1 or 7 or in the
Lower Rous Block 4.
If we don’t want to sit in any of the options stated
can we relocate elsewhere?
We will be happy to try and accommodate any
supporters wishing to sit in an alternative location,
however must stress that the areas we have
designated are the best alternatives to your existing
location. We will not sell any new season tickets in the
existing East Stand but if you would like to relocate
to the Rookery End we will allocate the best seats
available.
Are we guaranteed fi rst option to move into a
central location when the East Stand is built?
Yes. As highlighted earlier in this letter, you will be
joined by those season ticket holders who were
originally moved from the centre areas of the East
Stand when it closed a few seasons ago. The new
stand will have more seats available and will therefore
enable us to allocate central seats to both groups of
supporters.
What now?
That’s all for now – we will of course send you full
details at season ticket renewal time of what you need
to do in terms of applying for your seat for next season.
If you have any queries in the meantime please contact
our main reception on 01923 496000 who will be very
happy to help you. To help you visualise the view from
each of the three options we are suggesting please see
the pictures below.
We appreciate that there may be some supporters
currently in the Upper Rous who would like to hear the
reasons behind this move in more detail in a face to
face meeting at the club. If this is the case we would
ask you to contact the number above if you wish to do
this (no later than Friday 30 March) and we will offer a
date for you to come in.
Your support is vital!
Thank you for taking time to read this letter. As
always, your support and understanding is vital.
You will hopefully see the benefi ts of the stadium
redevelopment programme, which once complete
will give all supporters the comfort and facilities they
deserve. With any project of major change, there has
to be upheaval and as I’m sure you will understand the
scale of the work taking place isn’t possible without
your help.
We will be in touch soon with details of next years
season ticket arrangements. In the meantime please
enjoy the remaining games of this season and get
behind the boys!
Kind regards
Paddy Flavin
Operations Director

 

Last bit (too much text for the post above)

Statement from the Supporters’ Trust
Board of Directors
Prior to this communication, the Supporters’ Trust was
consulted as to the planned relocations regarding the
movement of Season Ticket Holders from the centre
block of the Upper Rous.
Unfortunately, it is unavoidable that some supporters
will be inconvenienced and unhappy with their
relocation. With the Directors Box being moved out of
the East Stand and into the Upper Rous, there will be
no alternatives other than those stated in this letter for
the next two seasons. We appreciate that the club has
endeavoured to inconvenience the minimum number
of fans.
We have been given an assurance that, following the
redevelopment of the East Stand, the loyalty of the
current Season Ticket Holders who are relocated from
the centre of the Upper Rous will be rewarded. All
those inconvenienced, will be given the opportunity to
obtain seats in a central location in the redeveloped
East Stand similar to those they currently occupy.

 

The club must have some idea about offering some form of compensation for this - perhaps a choice of top seats in the new east stand. Though when that will be finished, who knows.

 

Will the new east stand seats come with complementary sunglasses?

 

I think my worries may be over (by the width of about three seats)

 

So what will happen to those who just purchase tickets without being season ticket holders, will they still get an allocation? Or will it be full of season ticket holders?

 

Was hoping to move back to the Upper Rous next season

 

When Norwich were rebuilding their stand the away support was restricted to about 4 rows. Is that what we will do?

I suppose the number of STHs will fall next season but would we fill 3 stands?

 

Don't think I will be in any bother

 

Birdy you are fine where you are.

Had a chat with someone yesterday because I was very concerned, a few seats over and I would have been affected.

 

Nor me. I'll still have my bird's eye view of Birdy's bald spot

 

If you are behind Birdy you are ok.

 

Already Ive seen alot of complaints about people having to move which is beyond me.
Everyone knows the stadium and especially the main stand needed doing.We get the building under way and start moving things away from the main stand and peeps are moaning.For years on end everyone has complained we needed a new stand and now we are getting it some peeps are in uproar.

I just cant believe that peeps thought that they were gonna be uneffected by this.The same thing happened when the vic was being done.We had to move.
This club needs a new stand.In my opinon the only mistake the club made was that they didnt build the dressing rooms under the rookery end.If anyone has been in the main stand underneath they would see what needs to be taken out and moved.
For this club to move foward off the pitch then these things happen,and No doubt once the new stand is built they will proberly be given 1st choice on seating their also.
In reality you only have to move for 90mins of a game for a while,where as the residents behind the main stand are gonna have to put up with loads of noise for 3 years.
Lets supply the moaners with deck chairs and sit them around the touchline for free and they can be ballboys as well...

 

Don't entirely disagree, but I know people who for 19 years have sat in the same seat in the middle of the Upper Rous.

That is a lot of loyalty.

What do they get in return?
The option to go to either end of the stand or in to the inferior view Lower Rous.

Perhaps if this offer was made with say a 30% discount for the years of disruption before they can then be moved to a central position in the new East stand they wouldn't be so upset.

 

They Knew this was coming,The upper rous is not the only peeps to be effected,the whole of the main stand peeps are as well.The club would not make these decisons lightly.

I along with others compained years ago to make the Rookery our home stand and the club took no notice,even after having meetings with GT about it.
What is our home stand now? No doubt next season the attendances will drop off anyways as the prem glory hunters will dissapear,until we are promoted again in 2008/9.
Im sure the club will drop the prices anyway if they have to move,the club dont have any choice IMO.But you have to remember that current season ticket holders in the Rookery will be given the choice to Re-new 1st,or everyone will be moving and it will be mayhem.

I sit in the lower rous on the half way line,and their is no problem with the view there.I chose the lower rous because the upper rous is so quiet,and even when we were in the CCC the lower rous was always quite well filled.

 

Looks horrible

 

It'll look even better when residents hang out their washing over the balconies.

 

Reminds me of those skanky tower blocks in the east end of London.