If you remember, just before the last World Cup Final the Aussies whinged about the drop-offs at Old Trafford, stating they were unsafe, as they come straight after a shallow in-goal. Lo and behold, they had a couple of high leapers dropping a lot further than they realised during the match, something I've never seen during a Grand Final (I suspect that is why they go for the grubbers rather than the high balls).

I assume the North South refurb will take that into account. The away fans on the West Terrace will just have to bring a set of steps with them.

That would help drainage too I guess

I'm not trying to convince you, or anyone.

I'm passing on what I was told by someone at the club.

It's "amusing" on a couple of fronts = the club were unaware that it would happen and those at the front of the West terrace will need a periscope to see the pitch now.

I think it was an album by Yes.

Tales from topographic oceans

Gotta love a Wakeman keyboard solo

Saw Rick Wakeman in Lee Moor club about 25 years ago.

Although a little before my time, could appreciate how good he was

I doubt it will be much higher than the existing, but as we are moving with a 21st century pitch like vasty says there will be run off's I doubt it will be as extreme as the ones at old Trafford. Id imagine it to be like most Premier league pitches (as we are moving to that sort of technology) which have a crown in the middle (highest point) and run off towards the sidelines for drainage. Think of a crown green bowls pitch.

As I said before, it costs a lot of money to remove spoil (where there's muck there's brass is the old saying). This could be a cost saving exercise, but if its not on the clubs side and the contractor quoted for removal of spoil and hasn't done it then they need to get in touch with them for a variation. Soil does settle so as Vastman says its likely to be max 30cm higher once rolled IMO.

Out of curiosity, do we know of any timeliness, as to when the first bricks, so to speak, are being laid

Not really.

My guess is that the drainage/sewers will be laid then the concrete base will go down. possibly be done by early next month.

Then the steel frame will go up, this will be the equivalent of the first brick imo, hopefully by November. Then the roof to allow it to be water resistant and allow work to carry on in all but the worst conditions not long after.

Then I'd expect the work to appear to slow down as all the boring plumbing, first fit electrics etc are installed. I'd anticipate a few months and then by March all the cladding and glazing will go on.

April, too May will be final fit out, electrics, media, kitchens, bogs decorating etc.

June will see the building, snagging done and hopefully we move into the office side.

July, final safety certificate and bingo.

Of course this depends on a perfect build schedule, no material issues, a compliant Council and so on - god only knows if that will happen.

Klav can probably tell me if I'm about right.

North stand (in whatever configuration) I'd expect before Christmas but who knows.

Thanks for that Vasty, mate. Very thorough and insightful.

Thought it would be something like that.

It could also depend on weather conditions. A harsh British winter has been known to delay building projects. I'm no Michael Fish, but I dont think we get those like we used to.

Again there are others who know better than me.

I think with modern techniques it's pretty hard for the weather to disrupt. So based on the time of year certain things will happen, here goes.

A deep frost before you lay the foundations and drains but that seems (unlikely until the new year).

Very heavy snow that hangs around (possible).

High winds when putting up the steelwork (unlikely).

Ditto the cladding and glazing (possible).

As ever though, if we'd had some luck and the build had started in May life would have been far simpler. And there might even been a chance of a quicker than expected build that might have seen us open for business as soon as early April, oh well.