Davis Cup 2015 - World Group Semi-Final - 18th-20th September

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

RE: Davis Cup 2015 - World Group Semi-Final - 18th-20th September

daisy · County player

Manchester would have had far greater capacity (up to 21000 for certain types of event) so much better in terms of accommodating as many fans as possible which I know was something the LTA was keen to do. + it's close to City Centre and places to stay/eat which would have alleviated a lot of the problems caused by Emirates Arena being out in the sticks by Celtic Park's ground. The lack of transport back after the tennis really upset a lot of people ... disabled in wheelchairs waiting 90mins in the rain for a taxi is really not acceptable. Queues for trains and buses were ridiculous; it took some people 2hrs to return to the City centre on Friday after Wardy's long 5set heroics. Taxis just weren't in evidence - or interested. Sorry Glaswegians on this board but those who were with our AMFF group in March included some locals who were also fed up with the transportation in their home town.

Manchester would have also probably charged 'commercial rates' for the hire of the venue which would have impacted on ticket prices. Emirates is owned by Glasgow City Council so will be relatively cheap, cheap, very cheap by comparison and I heard that was a deciding factor for the March tie. Again it makes pricing better for tennis fans. As a guide we paid £125 for a 3day ticket there in March, £331 at Queens in July (admittedly front category).

Anyhow Bob - are coming with us to be Bob in Glasgow for a few days in September???

biggrin

Anyone else??? We are up to 100 most days ...

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

daisy wrote:

Anyhow Bob - are coming with us to be Bob in Glasgow for a few days in September???

You don't know how much I really want to say "Yes". Actually, you probably DO know.

As always however, it's going to be a late call for me, which will make getting a ticket almost impossible.

Ratty · County player

daisy wrote:
The lack of transport back after the tennis really upset a lot of people ... disabled in wheelchairs waiting 90mins in the rain for a taxi is really not acceptable. Queues for trains and buses were ridiculous; it took some people 2hrs to return to the City centre on Friday after Wardy's long 5set heroics. Taxis just weren't in evidence - or interested. Sorry Glaswegians on this board but those who were with our AMFF group in March included some locals who were also fed up with the transportation in their home town.

Not an option for the disabled obviously, but it's only about a 2 mile/40 minute walk from the Emirates Arena into the middle of town. It does seem odd to me that so many people just never even consider the option, even for very short distances. I suppose safety might be an issue in the dark, but if there's lots of you it wouldn't be.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, seriously, for those who can and if the weather's fine ( relatively speaking ! ) the walk back into the city centre is as Ratty says and essentially pretty much a straight road ( maybe save any post match drinking until you get back into the city centre, I believe side street east end drinking establishments can be err interesting so maybe not divert, but otherwise fine and a nice healthy walk )

But yes, doesn't sound good at all for any such as disabled who haven't that option, and those who they are with.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 5th of August 2015 05:59:13 AM

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
I am soo out of touch these days having lived overseas for so long. I thought that Florence's backing group was made up of Dougal, Zebedee and Ermintrude. Have to be honest and admit I had never heard of Florence and the Machine before all this.

I have never heard of them either, and I live in England! To be fair since our daughter moved to Nottingham nearly 10 years ago I (thankfully) know nothing of the music scene these days. Well, I have heard of One Direction, but that's about all.

Spectator · All-time great

I know nothing about them but the name - and the fact that they schedule their concert tours very inconveniently. BiS - yes indeed. I can hear them now. Wouldn't that be a concert! (If they could have a concert. Ermintrude might be too busy eating flowers ... and Zebedee might lose concentration ... making Dougal very nervous indeed ... ah! the potential! I sense the plot of a new series!)

Spaced · Lower Club Player

Mike Dickson on Twitter has just said he's heard Glasgow is definitely not a done deal due to logistical issues, 2 venues in England still under consideration. Don't go booking trains, flights and hotels just yet!

indiana · Tennis legend

Can the Dalai Lama be bought ?

philwrig · Hall of fame

Bob in Spain wrote:
philwrig wrote:
thejester wrote:
Have to say I'm disappointed that Florence haven't been persuaded to move their gig. Entirely the band's prerogative of course but a weekend in Glasgow will be a lot more difficult / expensive for me than a weekend in Manchester would have been. Oh well, still hooping to get in on the DC action and see another GB win :)
I don't think a big act like Florence and the Machine were ever going to change dates at this short notice, but its interesting that their 1st choice would have been Manchester, maybe so that another part of the country would have been able to share directly the hosting of a DC tie.
I am soo out of touch these days having lived overseas for so long. I thought that Florence's backing group was made up of Dougal, Zebedee and Ermintrude. Have to be honest and admit I had never heard of Florence and the Machine before all this. Still wish I never had.
Manchester would have been great, although kudos to Glasgow. I am sure they will put on another fantastic weekend.

I can actually admit that I have bought all their 3 albums, Miss Welsh is somewhat similar to Kate Bush, of days gone by. Multi platinum artist. You should give them a listen !!

indiana · Tennis legend

Was hearing in a radio report that it's understood Midlands venues are still being actively looked at.

One thing mentioned was that Celtic are due to be playing at home to Dundee on the Saturday, next door to the Emirates, which is considered less than ideal.

Pity about the Hydro in Glasgow, bigger except in a crucial factor, nicer venue, more central, away from the fitba. Surely a Davis Cup crowd could have been relied upon to "raise the roof" !

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 6th of August 2015 09:20:52 AM

panthersfan · Newbie

could they play on Centre court, with the roof closed ? Surely they could get a court up and running by then. I guess a problem would be having a practice court available, Centre Court couldn't be used for matches and practice, and if either team wanted to be picky, they could say that none of the other courts at Wimbledon have roofs, so the practice court wasn't the same as the match court.
I can see this ending up at Wembley Arena or the NEC, or how about my local arena at Nottingham ?

The Knight · Challenger qualifying

panthersfan wrote:
could they play on Centre court, with the roof closed ? Surely they could get a court up and running by then. I guess a problem would be having a practice court available, Centre Court couldn't be used for matches and practice, and if either team wanted to be picky, they could say that none of the other courts at Wimbledon have roofs, so the practice court wasn't the same as the match court.
I can see this ending up at Wembley Arena or the NEC, or how about my local arena at Nottingham ?

I think there is a rule against Centre Court not being able to stage non-Wimbledon matches. Court One would usually be the option if they weren't putting the new roof up!

indiana · Tennis legend

The Knight wrote:
panthersfan wrote:
could they play on Centre court, with the roof closed ? Surely they could get a court up and running by then. I guess a problem would be having a practice court available, Centre Court couldn't be used for matches and practice, and if either team wanted to be picky, they could say that none of the other courts at Wimbledon have roofs, so the practice court wasn't the same as the match court.
I can see this ending up at Wembley Arena or the NEC, or how about my local arena at Nottingham ?
I think there is a rule against Centre Court not being able to stage non-Wimbledon matches. Court One would usually be the option if they weren't putting the new roof up!

Not sure we'd be wanting to play the Aussies on grass anyway even if it was feasible. I think indoor slow hard again suits the bill.

By the way, welcome to the forum, panthersfan

-- Edited by indiana on Thursday 6th of August 2015 01:49:34 PM

christ · Futures level

The Knight wrote:
panthersfan wrote:
could they play on Centre court, with the roof closed ? Surely they could get a court up and running by then. I guess a problem would be having a practice court available, Centre Court couldn't be used for matches and practice, and if either team wanted to be picky, they could say that none of the other courts at Wimbledon have roofs, so the practice court wasn't the same as the match court.
I can see this ending up at Wembley Arena or the NEC, or how about my local arena at Nottingham ?
I think there is a rule against Centre Court not being able to stage non-Wimbledon matches. Court One would usually be the option if they weren't putting the new roof up!

Where was the Olympic Final played?