Forum Topic

Farewell Griffin Park

On the subject of football stadiums it was really great to see Griffin Park get a suitable send off last night with one of the most important wins in the history of the club last night. Brentford isn't my team but I've been to the old ground dozens of times over the years and it never failed to provide a great atmosphere. I hope they win at Wembley because it will be great to have the potential to watch Premier League football nearby and it will be a sad outcome if they are back in the Championship next season playing in a half empty stadium with all the intensity that Griffin Park provided taken away.

Gordon Southwell ● 2238d20 Comments

They don’t have a safety certificate for themes ground yet.

Simon Hayes ● 2238d

From memory, a safety certificate can only be issued following an observed game of some description.  It'd be surprising if that had yet proven possible. Is there any reason whatever to doubt that such a certificate will be issued?

Phil Kay ● 2238d

I assume a Safety Certificate would not been issued until there has been a trial event with joe-public spectators.  Which of course can't happen at the moment.That said, if no crowds, presumably new season could start in new stadium without the certification?Now the last game has been played are there any firm dates for demolishing the old stadium or will that be put on hold until the new ground is up and running?

Philip Coe ● 2237d

They certainly have to have a couple of test events before a certificate can be issued. Doubt they’ll manage before new season.How ironic if they make the Premier league and play in an empty stadium.

Simon Hayes ● 2237d

Please don't go and watch them if ''they are not your team''. That's not how football works and part of the reason other local clubs are beginning to dislike Brentford. They seem to be attracting Spurs, Arsenal, CFC fans etc who are only going as they play nice football.They will beat Fulham ,we all know that, but please let their patient supporters get a ticket before you do.

Simon Wycombe ● 2237d

Theres always been a closer affinity with Chelsea and Brentford than with Fulham and QPR I think it goes back to the days of Chopper Harris and the fact that Chelseas reserves play at Griffin Park. But Spurs fans becoming Brentford fans?? Surely Not!!???

Raymond Havelock ● 2237d

I know Portsmouth,CFC(can't say their actual name),Arsenal and Tottenham fans that have a ST at Griffin Park.

Simon Wycombe ● 2237d

Intensity at Griffin Park???Typed with a wry smile or a sense of irony?!??!!

Colin Goodman ● 2235d

Rightey-O Simon, I will stop going and give my money to QPR and Fulham instead. My team is over a hundred miles away and I only get to see them two or three times a season so I need an alternative. I don't think I ever deprived a Brentford fan of a seat because the stadium was never full for any of the games I went to or I was given a ticket by a supporter who couldn't make it to the game. Recently Benrahma alone has been worth the ticket price but he won't be there next season if you lose on Tuesday and I prefer lower league games so won't be going to see him in the Premier League. If you don't go up a half empty Lionel Road against Preston on a cold October evening will not be very tempting.

Gordon Southwell ● 2235d

'You'. How very dare you!I am a Rangers fan but am sick and tired of mates of mine,who support the team's Imentioned, getting a Brentford ST.

Simon Wycombe ● 2234d

Am I allowed to go to Loftus Road on the basis that they don't play nice football like Brentford? I used to live quite near the ground and would wander up just before kick off to get a cheap restricted view ticket. It made me quite nostalgic to see clips of Roy Wegerle before the FA Cup final at the weekend — very underrated player.

Gordon Southwell ● 2234d

We don't get those fans anymore for reasons stated. Wegerle was one of my favourites.

Simon Wycombe ● 2234d

Yes Wegerle was a good 'un , scored that wonder goal at Leeds.When he left Les Ferdinand finally blossomed we have had some great number 10s Stainrod , Byrne , the mercurial Marsh and the master himself Stan Bowles ,sadly not in good health when he came on the pitch a couple of years ago the reception he got was unbelievable. Currently we have Ebe Eze a young lad with a big future. Anyway good luck to Brentford tomorrow.

David Burke ● 2233d

I kind of want to wish them luck but dread them doing it at the same time!At least one less local derby to lose next season!

Simon Wycombe ● 2233d

Oh dear....Obviously hope the COVID-19 crisis abates really soon for far more important reasons, but; like to see us get our modern day traditional beating at the new sparkling huge 17,000 seater stadium

Colin Goodman ● 2232d

At least it would be in more comfortable surroundings!the terrace is too low and the seats in the away end are for 5ft people only.

Simon Wycombe ● 2232d

I wouldn't be surprised to see little old Brentford back at GP at beginning of next season.

Simon Wycombe ● 2226d

Why would that be Simon? Any inside info? Nostalgically it would be nice to have the last game in front of a crowd.

Philip Coe ● 2225d

The new stadium cannot be safety tested at anythng like capacity due to social distancing.

N V Brooks ● 2225d

Saw the floodlights on at Griffin Park in the distance on Monday.The New Stadium does not yet have a crowd safety certificate and thus cannot be insured for events or meet H&S requirements or licensing requirements.It probably does but the procedures cannot be applied in the current circumstances.BFC have not been very clear to season ticket holders or members what may or may not happen or indeed what can happen. Probably because the second they dos so the rules will change again.However the H&S issues and the bigger problem of the roads and vehicular access has been overlooked. Closing Lionel road has major implications for emergency services to both the stadium, flats and railway and A4 and M4 and Gunnersbury Park and the Golden Mile as well as emergency diversions to clear access for the south east side and the Fountain centre. CS9s design has overlooked several current safety and evacuation options and has not factored in a possible influx of up to 17,000 people in a very dense traffic area. Trouble is the Emergency services Executives are hand in glove with authorities and out of touch with those who actually work 'at the coal face' who have been discouraged from raising concerns.  Again the people who know best and encounter the problems constantly are not being asked or consulted. A mid worst case scenario could be catastrophic, so it's doubly important this is fully discussed with local businesses and residents and fully resolved.So far to date it's been heads buried in the sand.So it's possible that if things remain spectator free, Brentford may have permission to play games at the new ground.But if rules change and limited numbers are permitted then either they will have to become the only club to continue playing behind closed doors or return to Griffin Park where at least reduced spectators can attend.

Raymond Havelock ● 2225d