Safe standing consultation (10 Viewers)

[Travs]

That does sound simpler than moving the away fans, as long as City fans can be given regular/permanent access to ~half of the South Stand, with just the minimum required away capacity and only a narrow no man’s land. No more empty blocks in a prime part of the stadium.

We keep hearing that the difficulties are in the concourse underneath, but hopefully it’s not impossible to fix with a bit of investment (which has potential to pay for itself in increased capacity).

I'm probably in a absolutely tiny minority here.... but i don't want our away end to be paltry.... it massively improves the spectacle when there's 4000+ away fans.

Regardless of demand from City fans, i'd like to see our away end stay at 4k minimum.

 

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[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Why would it though? I don’t get why we are so OTT about home and away fans mixing. Jesus, it’s not the 80’s.

Away at Leicester, first time we have played them in 12 years and all fans mixed and released in to each other and no problems.

This idea that you can’t have fans mixing when entering or leaving the ground is nonsense and is not an issue at other grounds.

Agree . But as I've said before, we're talking about our health and safety team !!!

I don't think they will allow it . It's after the game has finished, which will be the biggest concern.

 

[CovInEssex]

I'm probably in a absolutely tiny minority here.... but i don't want our away end to be paltry.... it massively improves the spectacle when there's 4000+ away fans.

Regardless of demand from City fans, i'd like to see our away end stay at 4k minimum.

Wrong sort of thinking. Yes it was nice having 4/5k away fans 'doing us a favour' and making loads of noise for us, creating a spectacle.

We can now sell those tickets and make our own noise.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I'm probably in a absolutely tiny minority here.... but i don't want our away end to be paltry.... it massively improves the spectacle when there's 4000+ away fans.

Regardless of demand from City fans, i'd like to see our away end stay at 4k minimum.

Why would I want to see a whole away end celebrating goals and victories?

 

[Marty]

They need to redesign the outside first, removing the steps at the back of block 14/15, and filling in the space making it much wider as well as creating additional exits would massively ease congestion after games.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

Wrong sort of thinking. Yes it was nice having 4/5k away fans 'doing us a favour' and making loads of noise for us, creating a spectacle.

We can now sell those tickets and make our own noise.

Absolutely spot on. Had we won promotion last season this wouldn't have come up . If anything we'd be calling for the away allocation to be reduced.

 

[pusbccfc]

Actually, there is a near empty 8,000 seats as all those currently available haven’t been sold so far.

Based on the South Stand being closed to home fans and Block 13 blocked off, we could only fit around 3000 more home fans in the ground if we wanted to. This is despite it being a 33,000 seater stadium.

The maximum number of home fans is around 25000, even if the away team turned up with 700.

 

[pusbccfc]

They need to redesign the outside first, removing the steps at the back of block 14/15, and filling in the space making it much wider as well as creating additional exits would massively ease congestion after games.

It's ridiculous that they cannot open those steps. They can move the fencing back and reopen them.

 

[SBT]

Why would I want to see a whole away end celebrating goals and victories?

Few things better than a big away end silenced by us scoring and winning though!

I agree with the general principle that big away followings tend to make for better atmospheres inside the ground

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Few things better than a big away end silenced by us scoring and winning though!

I agree with the general principle that big away followings tend to make for better atmospheres inside the ground

Don’t mind having lots of them there. Do mind the opposition having an extra boost by shooting towards them!

 

[oakey]

It appears supporters "affected by" this proposal will be consulted?
Why are supporters groups also being consulted? Surely if these supporters group members are affected they will know. Why are these people being consulted twice, those unaffected but still supporters club members once and the rest of us not at all?

It seems a very strange way to consult fans. I suspect we will all be affected one way or another but the majority will be overlooked.

 

[Travs]

Wrong sort of thinking. Yes it was nice having 4/5k away fans 'doing us a favour' and making loads of noise for us, creating a spectacle.

We can now sell those tickets and make our own noise.

Nothing wrong with it at all.... i just think the overall atmosphere is far better when there's a large away allocation.

For me it improves the matchday experience.

 

[hamertime]

I already posted my ideas on another thread previously. The reality is, I genuinely have no idea how realistic it is to move the away fans, or what the rules would have to be on 'no mans land' segregation. Therefore, this is just a bit of fun. That being said I would be happy to get involved with the consultation. @Sky Blue Pete - I think it is a great opportunity for the club.

Key:

Yellow - New Singers Corner - Approx 2000 Capacity
Red - New Away End - Approx 3000 Capacity
Black - New Safe Standing Section - Approx 2000 Capacity
Orange - Segregation 'No Mans Land'

The section above the black square then becomes pretty much another tier, which could look smart behind a decent safe standing section, which itself would fit nicely between the two large entry/access points. The away end would need to comply with the minimum league standards (3000 I believe) and therefore might need some jiggling, but the rest of the stadium after that pretty much stays as it is.

View attachment 31781

If you can build it in Lego for me to actually see then I will take it seriously.

 

[Tommo1993]

Nothing wrong with it at all.... i just think the overall atmosphere is far better when there's a large away allocation.

For me it improves the matchday experience.

Even if it’s Sunderland making no noise whatsoever?

 

[Brylowes]

Told today that consultations have taken place about moving away fans into the corner for Blocks 23-27 for next season which would then allow safe standing to be installed in both corners.

Ultimately, it seems the club are keen to sort the current issues with segregation while adding the safe standing.

If away fans are moved to blocks 23-27 will blocks 21-22 & 28-29 be left empty ?

 

[MalcSB]

Nothing wrong with it at all.... i just think the overall atmosphere is far better when there's a large away allocation.

For me it improves the matchday experience.

A win improves the match day experience for me, not the size of the away allocation.

 

[MalcSB]

Some of the suggestions on here would make a new stadium a better option. I understand there’s some space available at Warwick UnI.

 

[MalcSB]

It appears supporters "affected by" this proposal will be consulted?
Why are supporters groups also being consulted? Surely if these supporters group members are affected they will know. Why are these people being consulted twice, those unaffected but still supporters club members once and the rest of us not at all?

It seems a very strange way to consult fans. I suspect we will all be affected one way or another but the majority will be overlooked.

It isn’t a strange way to consult with stakeholders. Most consultation will seek the views of both individual stakeholders and relevant organisations, in this case such as supporters groups, WMP, our friends at the council. Really anyone who attends matches could claim to be affected if the proposals 8nclude moving away fans and/ or Singers Corner to the North Stand. If they stay broadly where they are only a minority would be affected.

 

[MalcSB]

I get what you are saying Oakey, and I respect it. But remember that for many decades, the life and soul of football in this country was the thousands of fans standing on the terraces. In reaction to the safety and hooligan issues in the 70s and 80s, billions have been spent by clubs up and down the country to make it more of a theatre/concert experience, fitting everyone neatly into rows of seating. It does take something away.

IMO it was always possible to keep standing terraces if they were properly designed and the numbers were controlled. ‘Safe standing’ is a modest investment in giving back the choice to people, at a small cost relative to the astronomical spending that has been done on seated fans.

The spending on seating wasn’t a choice, it was a legislative requirement.

 

[SBT]

Even if it’s Sunderland making no noise whatsoever?

Pretty clearly, yes

 

[Calista]

The spending on seating wasn’t a choice, it was a legislative requirement.

True, but still spent.

 

[oakey]

Supporters groups only represent their own members. Who represents the majority of fans who are not in a supporters group?
I have been a supporter since 1970 and a season ticket holder for at least 35 of those years. Who represents people like me?
If the stadium is reconfigured it will affect most of us. I currently accompany a wheelchair bound supporter from car park A to block 21. We have already switched from car parks C and B because access that side is too difficult. Changes are certain to affect this again.
As it happens I well remember standing in the 70s and 80s. Most of those who remember standing do not want to do it again.
I was also at the Leppings lane fence in the near miss in 1987. I had many good and bad experiences standing.
The fact is safe standing should, perhaps, have been done from the start but it wasn't so to change it back is costly.
All I'm asking for is proper consultation with all interested parties. Also the costs be fully outlined. It is not unreasonable for all fans to be asked if we all end up paying more or facing upheaval.
The club has a very poor record on this stuff and it looks like this will be another poorly executed change.

 

[pusbccfc]

If away fans are moved to blocks 23-27 will blocks 21-22 & 28-29 be left empty ?

Not if they sort the health and safety issues that are currently an issue in the South Stand.

 

[pusbccfc]

A win improves the match day experience for me, not the size of the away allocation.

Can you not have a good matchday experience without a win?

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Some of the suggestions on here would make a new stadium a better option. I understand there’s some space available at Warwick UnI.

What would your suggestions be out of interest?

 

[MalcSB]

True, but still spent.

The alternative was no football club. Seating wasn’t an option, safe standing is and so using the cost of the former to justify the costs of the latter isn’t reasonable.

 

[MalcSB]

What would your suggestions be out of interest?

I’m not at all interested in safe standing and personally rather money was spent on the team than on a stadium we don’t own and theoretically could be evicted from, or held to ransom over, in less than 5 years.

if I was going to introduce safe standing, Singers Corner and away support would stay in South Stand. I think there is a breeze block wall which separates the concourse between block 14 and 13 - knock that down and build another between 11 and 10. Have as much standing from 11 to 16. Block 10 should be more than enough segregation. In terms of facilities, I have never been in the away end so don’t know if sufficient would be left, but the non corporate areas of west stand are currently pretty poorly catered for if there isn’t access to the whole concourse. I sit in block 1 but get my drinks from the Camden Ales stall near block 22 as Budweiser is like diluted piss water.

The above wouldn’t affect concert seating.

 

[Saddlebrains]

Tenna says they dont move away fans ever

 

[MalcSB]

Can you not have a good matchday experience without a win?

I didn’t say that, but size of away support has zero impact for me whereas a win will always improve it.

 

[chiefdave]

I currently accompany a wheelchair bound supporter from car park A to block 21. We have already switched from car parks C and B because access that side is too difficult. Changes are certain to affect this again.

The club had a disabled supporters forum recently and are establishing a disabled supporters association with the help of Level Playing Field. Might be worth contacting Jodie Jones if you're concerned about how any safe standing plans will impact wheelchair bound supporters or that their views are being excluded from any consultation.

 

[MalcSB]

Supporters groups only represent their own members. Who represents the majority of fans who are not in a supporters group?
I have been a supporter since 1970 and a season ticket holder for at least 35 of those years. Who represents people like me?
If the stadium is reconfigured it will affect most of us. I currently accompany a wheelchair bound supporter from car park A to block 21. We have already switched from car parks C and B because access that side is too difficult. Changes are certain to affect this again.
As it happens I well remember standing in the 70s and 80s. Most of those who remember standing do not want to do it again.
I was also at the Leppings lane fence in the near miss in 1987. I had many good and bad experiences standing.
The fact is safe standing should, perhaps, have been done from the start but it wasn't so to change it back is costly.
All I'm asking for is proper consultation with all interested parties. Also the costs be fully outlined. It is not unreasonable for all fans to be asked if we all end up paying more or facing upheaval.
The club has a very poor record on this stuff and it looks like this will be another poorly executed change.

One poster has said that reconfiguration is being considered and lots have then jumped on the bandwagon with their fantasies. We won’t know what is proposed until the consultation is issued, but you are quite correct that moving away support would have the propensity to affect everyone and hence everyone should be consulted - certainly all ST holders.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Supporters groups only represent their own members. Who represents the majority of fans who are not in a supporters group?
I have been a supporter since 1970 and a season ticket holder for at least 35 of those years. Who represents people like me?
If the stadium is reconfigured it will affect most of us. I currently accompany a wheelchair bound supporter from car park A to block 21. We have already switched from car parks C and B because access that side is too difficult. Changes are certain to affect this again.
As it happens I well remember standing in the 70s and 80s. Most of those who remember standing do not want to do it again.
I was also at the Leppings lane fence in the near miss in 1987. I had many good and bad experiences standing.
The fact is safe standing should, perhaps, have been done from the start but it wasn't so to change it back is costly.
All I'm asking for is proper consultation with all interested parties. Also the costs be fully outlined. It is not unreasonable for all fans to be asked if we all end up paying more or facing upheaval.
The club has a very poor record on this stuff and it looks like this will be another poorly executed change.

The invitation to comment isn’t limited to those in the blocks affected or supporters groups
The link is on the first post I think
The initial safe standing is proposal is where there is a clear risk of injury in singers corner blocks due to the angle of the stand being so steep and the current unsafe standing

 

[MalcSB]

The invitation to comment isn’t limited to those in the blocks affected or supporters groups
The link is on the first post I think
The initial safe standing is proposal is where there is a clear risk of injury in singers corner blocks due to the angle of the stand being so steep and the current unsafe standing

Thanks for the reminder Pete, and the original post is quite clear that it is the upper levels of 13,14,15,16 where safe standing is being considered and not the major reconfigurations some have dreamt up and which have started hares running.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

I’m not at all interested in safe standing and personally rather money was spent on the team than on a stadium we don’t own

Bingo.

 

[shmmeee]

Some of the suggestions on here would make a new stadium a better option. I understand there’s some space available at Warwick UnI.

At this point we’d have to go bigger than the CBS to be viable and that’s probably not viable at Warwick. More likely to expand the CBS.