Ian Nutter says away fans call him a ‘rich b****** sat in his stand’ during games
A footie fan has splashed out £5,000 to construct a six-seater stand in his back garden for him and his grandsons to cheer on their favourite team. Ian Nutter, 65, decided to erect the terrace after spotting three of his eight grandsons perched precariously over his wooden fence trying to get a glimpse of their local team, Barnoldswick Town, in action.
The Lancashire grandad, from Barnoldswick, revealed there is a ‘massive 15-foot drop’ behind the fence which is just metres away from the pitch. To keep the lads safe, he decided to build his very own viewing box.
Ian, who runs an architectural metalwork firm and has worked with big names like Manchester United, then spent the next six weeks crafting the eight-foot-long seating area. Ian explained: “I didn’t set out to build this it just grew organically. At first it was supposed to be a wooden platform but when I stood on it I thought ‘well this isn’t very good’ so I took it to the next level.
“It was designed by a structural engineer, put together by my four apprentices, and I just oversaw everything. The stand has a steel structure which has been set into concrete – there is a little staircase into it.
“It has a wooden floor and wooden panelled sides similar to what you find on shed. The seats are originals from Burnley FC’s Cricket Field Stand at Turf Moor. Then the roof is made from aluminium and it has toughened glass at the front to stop wide shots from hitting you.”
Before constructing the viewing area in November 2023, he sought approval from Barnoldswick Town Chairman Nigel Hill, who gave his blessing. Ian – who is also a devoted Burnley supporter – attempts to attend as many matches as he can.
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On a typical match day, Ian says he will prepare a thermos of tea or a couple of pork pies to sip and munch on while watching the action unfold.
He said: “This isn’t something I’ve just thrown together its a proper structure. Even it is chucking it down with rain you can watch the game in comfort. Its a great thing to have.
“If there is a football match going on at the bottom of my garden, even if it is rainy and windy, and my wife is inside watching The Great British Bake Off, you’ll know where I’d rather be. When I watch games in the winter, at half time I’ll go to my shed and warm up by the fire before it kicks off again.”
Ian says his grandsons adore it, frequently visiting with their mates to view the fixtures. He has also revealed how he receives banter from visiting supporters who spot him.
“I hear chants from away fans sometimes. They sing ‘rich b*****d sat in his stand’ and I’ll just wave back at them. It doesn’t bother me, it’s just football at the end of the day,” he said.
To watch Barnoldswick Town it costs £7, with a season ticket priced at £120. Ian’s firm Metalcraft Engineering has expertise constructing in football stadiums, fitting architectural metalwork within the stands like corporate bar areas. They have a history of working on high-profile projects, including Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Everton FC’s new football stadium, Hill Dickinson.
