Newport Reminder (1 Viewer)

[covboy1987]

Watching the Newport v Brighton game tonight reminds me of some of the circus games at the Ricoh where the ball done all sort of tricks – Not entertainment like a circus would provide but basically it causes poor quality football- the bobble causing players to panic -the ball is there then its suddenly gone - potential for bad injuries -not enjoyable for a spectator – not enjoyable for Mr Robins and his free flowing football –If we ever go back then the pitch issue it must be sorted -

 

---

[stevefloyd]

Thats the problem with sharing with knuckle draggers

 

[superskyblue]

In my view we haven't played a lot of free flowing football this season. The only two games I can clearly picture us playing football like we did in League 1 are Bristol City and Millwall (that could be poor memory on my part given that they were our first and last league games though). It's possible the pitch at the Ricoh could have helped more than hindered us this year.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Certainly can't knock the ball across the back on pitches like that. Ruins any free flowing football.

 

[The Philosopher]

I really hope that we never go back to the Ricoh.

I re-read the other day that it was voted the worst footballing experience in the EFL

CCFC's Ricoh Arena home ranked as worst stadium in the country

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea were all rated as being in the top ten

www.coventrytelegraph.net

Warwick Uni, The Butts, Greene King stadium, Lady Herbert’s Gardens - anywhere but having to go back to that badly designed, soul-less 90’s designed joke of a stadium. I think playing in that stadium with the lack of atmosphere contributed massively to our decline. We played better at Sixfields and at Stans.

Put a roof on it and turn it into a permanent Nightingale hospital. Wasps can buzz off.

rant over

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

I hope we are back there ASAP for all of the obvious reasons.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I really hope that we never go back to the Ricoh.

I re-read the other day that it was voted the worst footballing experience in the EFL

CCFC's Ricoh Arena home ranked as worst stadium in the country

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea were all rated as being in the top ten

www.coventrytelegraph.net

Warwick Uni, The Butts, Greene King stadium, Lady Herbert’s Gardens - anywhere but having to go back to that badly designed, soul-less 90’s designed joke of a stadium. I think playing in that stadium with the lack of atmosphere contributed massively to our decline. We played better at Sixfields and at Stans.

Put a roof on it and turn it into a permanent Nightingale hospital. Wasps can buzz off.

rant over

We really need to be back in coventry and the Ricoh is the only solution for next season. Once there we can decide what next

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

I really hope that we never go back to the Ricoh.

I re-read the other day that it was voted the worst footballing experience in the EFL

CCFC's Ricoh Arena home ranked as worst stadium in the country

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea were all rated as being in the top ten

www.coventrytelegraph.net

Warwick Uni, The Butts, Greene King stadium, Lady Herbert’s Gardens - anywhere but having to go back to that badly designed, soul-less 90’s designed joke of a stadium. I think playing in that stadium with the lack of atmosphere contributed massively to our decline. We played better at Sixfields and at Stans.

Put a roof on it and turn it into a permanent Nightingale hospital. Wasps can buzz off.

rant over

Yes it was the stadium, nothing to do with the poor quality of footballers....the stadium was responsible for the fans failing to create an atmosphere. What you really mean is that it gives you an excuse to hate.
Rant over

 

[Travs]

To be honest for me the massive reduction in my passion for the game came as a result of leaving Highfield Road, and the subsequent total erosion of the match day experience. To me it mattered less that we were shit.

So whilst we do need to be back in Cov, and that means Ricoh for now, I agree with anyone who thinks it is a crap place to watch football.

My worry is the "new stadium" at UOW, while hopefully being club owned, and a more suitable size, will probably suffer similar issues in terms of location and experience.

 

[The Philosopher]

Yes it was the stadium, nothing to do with the poor quality of footballers....the stadium was responsible for the fans failing to create an atmosphere. What you really mean is that it gives you an excuse to hate.
Rant over

It’s a diminishing spiral.

Poor initial transport links, lack of decent pubs, stadium far too “open” = reduction in atmosphere

fans too far from pitch = reduction of “cauldron” like effect which = less effect on players be they ours or opposing.

I mean, has anyone ever referred to the Ricoh as “intimidating” or “fortress-like”?

The lack of atmosphere / accessibility reduced attendances (maybe only slightly and I’m talking about real attendances, not the BS ones)

HR attendances were under declared and the cash used for bungs etc (possibly).

RA attendances over inflated with ST and free tickets not used counted.

less people turning up = less money = less budget = slightly worse players = less wins = downward spiral.

That’s not a rant, just an opinion and I don’t care if I’m labled at “HATER” (I mean WTAF) because I really dislike the Ricoh and everything about it.

Give me a scruffy boozer where the chairs don’t match each other and the bar is in the wrong place over some gimpy chainpub. Stadia the same.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

It’s a diminishing spiral.

Poor initial transport links, lack of decent pubs, stadium far too “open” = reduction in atmosphere

fans too far from pitch = reduction of “cauldron” like effect which = less effect on players be they ours or opposing.

I mean, has anyone ever referred to the Ricoh as “intimidating” or “fortress-like”?

The lack of atmosphere / accessibility reduced attendances (maybe only slightly and I’m talking about real attendances, not the BS ones)

HR attendances were under declared and the cash used for bungs etc (possibly).

RA attendances over inflated with ST and free tickets not used counted.

less people turning up = less money = less budget = slightly worse players = less wins = downward spiral.

That’s not a rant, just an opinion and I don’t care if I’m labled at “HATER” (I mean WTAF) because I really dislike the Ricoh and everything about it.

Give me a scruffy boozer where the chairs don’t match each other and the bar is in the wrong place over some gimpy chainpub. Stadia the same.

Not to be awkward but ‘Fortress Ricoh’ was actually bandied around more than once when we had good runs there.

 

[shmmeee]

It’s a diminishing spiral.

Poor initial transport links, lack of decent pubs, stadium far too “open” = reduction in atmosphere

fans too far from pitch = reduction of “cauldron” like effect which = less effect on players be they ours or opposing.

I mean, has anyone ever referred to the Ricoh as “intimidating” or “fortress-like”?

The lack of atmosphere / accessibility reduced attendances (maybe only slightly and I’m talking about real attendances, not the BS ones)

HR attendances were under declared and the cash used for bungs etc (possibly).

RA attendances over inflated with ST and free tickets not used counted.

less people turning up = less money = less budget = slightly worse players = less wins = downward spiral.

That’s not a rant, just an opinion and I don’t care if I’m labled at “HATER” (I mean WTAF) because I really dislike the Ricoh and everything about it.

Give me a scruffy boozer where the chairs don’t match each other and the bar is in the wrong place over some gimpy chainpub. Stadia the same.

Alright grandad.

 

[shmmeee]

Not to be awkward but ‘Fortress Ricoh’ was actually bandied around more than once when we had good runs there.

And it put 30% on our gate instantly.

But don’t let little things like facts get in the way of a good RANT

Fuckin Ricoh-Anon over here with his conspiracy theories about gates

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

It’s a diminishing spiral.

Poor initial transport links, lack of decent pubs, stadium far too “open” = reduction in atmosphere

fans too far from pitch = reduction of “cauldron” like effect which = less effect on players be they ours or opposing.

I mean, has anyone ever referred to the Ricoh as “intimidating” or “fortress-like”?

The lack of atmosphere / accessibility reduced attendances (maybe only slightly and I’m talking about real attendances, not the BS ones)

HR attendances were under declared and the cash used for bungs etc (possibly).

RA attendances over inflated with ST and free tickets not used counted.

less people turning up = less money = less budget = slightly worse players = less wins = downward spiral.

That’s not a rant, just an opinion and I don’t care if I’m labled at “HATER” (I mean WTAF) because I really dislike the Ricoh and everything about it.

Give me a scruffy boozer where the chairs don’t match each other and the bar is in the wrong place over some gimpy chainpub. Stadia the same.

Here goes... the Ricoh is a magnificent stadium, much better than Highfield Road[and I loved HR) it was deemed suitable as an Olympic venue and nobody complained about the atmosphere when we have had big gates. The Leeds game in 2010 with 28000 stands alongside the very best I have experienced in Coventry. You say the stadium is too open, yet compared to HR it is far more enclosed.
The issue you fail to acknowledge is that our fans are fickle and not very noisy.
It’s location should not be an issue; it is in Coventry and it’s population has no qualms about travelling to the shops there and is ideally situated for the away fans to get in and out of the city.
If the pub is a reason to hate a stadium then I can’t help you.
You actually said rant over on your previous email, now it’s not a rant?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

And it put 30% on our gate instantly.

But don’t let little things like facts get in the way of a good RANT

Fuckin Ricoh-Anon over here with his conspiracy theories about gates

I must also write letters to Lesta and Southampton informing them that their bowl stadia are holding them back and to recommend joining us in Birmingham for a piss up

 

[Travs]

The match day experience at the Ricoh is terribly poor, something that seems to be backed up by away fans opinions too.

Facts and figures might paint a different picture, but I doubt I'm alone in thinking the Ricoh is a poorer place to watch football than Highfield Road was.

 

[hill83]

Rant over

U ok hun xxxx

 

[Ccfcisparks]

The match day experience at the Ricoh is terribly poor, something that seems to be backed up by away fans opinions too.

Facts and figures might paint a different picture, but I doubt I'm alone in thinking the Ricoh is a poorer place to watch football than Highfield Road was.

Not much enjoyable about the match day experience really. Soulless atmosphere at most games but i think the ground being 1/4 full played a part in that.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Not much enjoyable about the match day experience really. Soulless atmosphere at most games but i think the ground being 1/4 full played a part in that.

I can remember many garbage experiences at HR after relegation. Half empty, away sides having all the fun. The team being shit has more of an effect on the crowd

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

U ok hun xxxx

Read the post of my reply. All good this end

 

[The Philosopher]

And it put 30% on our gate instantly.

But don’t let little things like facts get in the way of a good RANT

Fuckin Ricoh-Anon over here with his conspiracy theories about gates

At Highfield Road there were most often more people in the ground than the official attendance. This was through a combination of turnstile operators trimming (putting a few quid in their own pocket, particularly on the Kop and particularly when no ticket was issued) / squeezing people through and the club owners declaring less cash for tax purposes.

At the Ricoh there were most often less people in the ground than the official attendance. All season ticket holders and complimentary tickets are counted even if the ticket holder is not in the ground. I read somewhere that sponsors were charged based on attendance (ie more reach more revenue) and hence lots of comps were given away and attendances therefore inflated. This may be bollocks, who knows.

Either way, my original statement still stands:

At HR attendances were under declared.
At RA attendances were over declared.

 

[GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee]

It’s a diminishing spiral.

Poor initial transport links, lack of decent pubs, stadium far too “open” = reduction in atmosphere

fans too far from pitch = reduction of “cauldron” like effect which = less effect on players be they ours or opposing.

I mean, has anyone ever referred to the Ricoh as “intimidating” or “fortress-like”?

The lack of atmosphere / accessibility reduced attendances (maybe only slightly and I’m talking about real attendances, not the BS ones)

HR attendances were under declared and the cash used for bungs etc (possibly).

RA attendances over inflated with ST and free tickets not used counted.

less people turning up = less money = less budget = slightly worse players = less wins = downward spiral.

That’s not a rant, just an opinion and I don’t care if I’m labled at “HATER” (I mean WTAF) because I really dislike the Ricoh and everything about it.

Give me a scruffy boozer where the chairs don’t match each other and the bar is in the wrong place over some gimpy chainpub. Stadia the same.

Everyone's opinion is going to be different as they look for different things from their matchday experience. I wasn't old enough to enjoy the 'full' experience at Highfield Road, and whilst I love it due to nostalgia and memories of my childhood, I wouldn't be able to give an opinion worth too much on if we actually needed a new ground.

It's been discussed countless times, but to add another to the endless pit. We face a massive conundrum with St Andrews, I mean firstly, it's not in Coventry which above all else is a fundamental reason why we are in a dire situation. Also we had around 7,000 (at a guess?) average attendance there last season, hardly rocking and not sustainable at this level.

I have never particularly been a fan of the Ricoh, it looks quite 'pretty', I could probably deal with the soulless bowl aspect of it, but the one thing that St Andrews made me realise is how empty the Ricoh experience makes me feel. I can only talk from a personal viewpoint but the travel arrangements to get there for me, from less than 20 miles, is absolutely tragic. There is no feel of a 'walk up' with the crowd. The only place to get a drink before the game is in the casino, which although very pleasant and offers good facilities, isn't what I want every week from a football match. It 'feels' like what I imagine an American Football atmosphere feels like. I want to be able to get the train/bus to somewhere, say 20 minute walk away, and stroll to the ground with a choice of places to stop for a beer on the way. Everyone says we're playing away at St Andrews, and obviously we are, but the main 'away' feature for me is how much more enjoyable the whole thing is. It feels like REAL football. I'm not some young scallywag who likes to get tanked up and on the 'gear' at a game, I just like a few drinks and to enjoy it all. The Ricoh has never given me close to that.

I honestly don't know what I feel. I guess I want us to be back at the Ricoh because it's in Coventry, but at the same time the return to that experience fills me with zero excitement. A shit drive, followed by either free-parking and a 40 minute publess walk, or £5 parking. A below average pint in a smart casino with no football atmosphere. Slow getaway and drive home. It's just so empty. I realise some of this won't be relatable to many, after all, we go to watch the football and if that product is good, then it should be good regardless. But there are parts of football that create an environment and enjoyment that is football.

 

[Grendel]

It’s all a bit of a silly argument. If we don’t get back we will cease to exist

 

[The Philosopher]

Everyone's opinion is going to be different as they look for different things from their matchday experience. I wasn't old enough to enjoy the 'full' experience at Highfield Road, and whilst I love it due to nostalgia and memories of my childhood, I wouldn't be able to give an opinion worth too much on if we actually needed a new ground.

It's been discussed countless times, but to add another to the endless pit. We face a massive conundrum with St Andrews, I mean firstly, it's not in Coventry which above all else is a fundamental reason why we are in a dire situation. Also we had around 7,000 (at a guess?) average attendance there last season, hardly rocking and not sustainable at this level.

I have never particularly been a fan of the Ricoh, it looks quite 'pretty', I could probably deal with the soulless bowl aspect of it, but the one thing that St Andrews made me realise is how empty the Ricoh experience makes me feel. I can only talk from a personal viewpoint but the travel arrangements to get there for me, from less than 20 miles, is absolutely tragic. There is no feel of a 'walk up' with the crowd. The only place to get a drink before the game is in the casino, which although very pleasant and offers good facilities, isn't what I want every week from a football match. It 'feels' like what I imagine an American Football atmosphere feels like. I want to be able to get the train/bus to somewhere, say 20 minute walk away, and stroll to the ground with a choice of places to stop for a beer on the way. Everyone says we're playing away at St Andrews, and obviously we are, but the main 'away' feature for me is how much more enjoyable the whole thing is. It feels like REAL football. I'm not some young scallywag who likes to get tanked up and on the 'gear' at a game, I just like a few drinks and to enjoy it all. The Ricoh has never given me close to that.

I honestly don't know what I feel. I guess I want us to be back at the Ricoh because it's in Coventry, but at the same time the return to that experience fills me with zero excitement. A shit drive, followed by either free-parking and a 40 minute publess walk, or £5 parking. A below average pint in a smart casino with no football atmosphere. Slow getaway and drive home. It's just so empty. I realise some of this won't be relatable to many, after all, we go to watch the football and if that product is good, then it should be good regardless. But there are parts of football that create an environment and enjoyment that is football.

Agree 100%.

 

[The Philosopher]

It’s all a bit of a silly argument. If we don’t get back we will cease to exist

To Coventry - yes - agreed. We need to get back to Coventry (or as near as makes no difference, Exhall or Ryton or some place that is “Cov” even if not in the Cov Council patch. Is Warwick Uni? I’m not sure)

To the Ricoh? Short term at a push. However, if we do break ground elsewhere it might be that the Ricoh owners try to thwart by not letting us play there. After all, a new sports Arena will be a direct competitor for conferences and events, ACL don’t want extra competition in that sphere.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

To Coventry - yes - agreed. We need to get back to Coventry (or as near as makes no difference, Exhall or Ryton or some place that is “Cov” even if not in the Cov Council patch. Is Warwick Uni? I’m not sure)

To the Ricoh? Short term at a push. However, if we do break ground elsewhere it might be that the Ricoh owners try to thwart by not letting us play there. After all, a new sports Arena will be a direct competitor for conferences and events, ACL don’t want extra competition in that sphere.

They won’t

 

[Johhny Blue]

And it put 30% on our gate instantly.

But don’t let little things like facts get in the way of a good RANT

Fuckin Ricoh-Anon over here with his conspiracy theories about gates

A 30% increase in crowds would bring us up to 0

 

[shmmeee]

A 30% increase in crowds would bring us up to 0

No it’d be 1.3 Juggys

 

[Adge]

Don’t really remember too many complaints regarding the Ricoh when we were going along nicely at the top of L1 when Mowbray was at the helm.

 

[Hobo]

It’s a diminishing spiral.

Poor initial transport links, lack of decent pubs, stadium far too “open” = reduction in atmosphere

fans too far from pitch = reduction of “cauldron” like effect which = less effect on players be they ours or opposing.

I mean, has anyone ever referred to the Ricoh as “intimidating” or “fortress-like”?

The lack of atmosphere / accessibility reduced attendances (maybe only slightly and I’m talking about real attendances, not the BS ones)

HR attendances were under declared and the cash used for bungs etc (possibly).

RA attendances over inflated with ST and free tickets not used counted.

less people turning up = less money = less budget = slightly worse players = less wins = downward spiral.

That’s not a rant, just an opinion and I don’t care if I’m labled at “HATER” (I mean WTAF) because I really dislike the Ricoh and everything about it.

Give me a scruffy boozer where the chairs don’t match each other and the bar is in the wrong place over some gimpy chainpub. Stadia the same.

Nobody refered to Highfield Road as intimidating or fortress like either.

 

[Travs]

Don’t really remember too many complaints regarding the Ricoh when we were going along nicely at the top of L1 when Mowbray was at the helm.

Well yeah, it was still shite tbf...

For me, languishing at the bottom of the championship in the last couple of years at Highfield Rd was still a far better experience than Mowbray in league1 at the Ricoh.

But everybody has different expectations... I can only speak from my own views and experiences, and leaving Highfield Rd killed the passion for me.

 

[Adge]

Well yeah, it was still shite tbf...

For me, languishing at the bottom of the championship in the last couple of years at Highfield Rd was still a far better experience than Mowbray in league1 at the Ricoh.

But everybody has y has different expectations... I can only speak from my own views and experiences, and leaving Highfield Rd killed the passion for me.

So nothing to do with the Ricoh then and it would have been the same for any ground after leaving Highfield Rd?

 

[Travs]

So nothing to do with the Ricoh then and it would have been the same for any ground after leaving Highfield Rd?

Quite possibly. Although I went to the Ricoh with an open mind, but as I say the experience just wasn't there for me... I should probably say it killed the passion for home matches, as I still enjoyed travelling away, right down into League 2.

Although in my case there's other factors at play. Getting heavily into other sports myself at a competitive level being a main factor. But that's not really relevant.

 

[pipkin73]

Nobody refered to Highfield Road as intimidating or fortress like either.

Maybe not, but many players have said since we left that they hated going their.

 

[Hobo]

Maybe not, but many players have said since we left that they hated going their.

I hope it wasnt our players? Lol.

When we played at HR in those crappy football mag interviews with players many voted it as top flight ground with least atmosphere in 70's. Which used to really annoy me as a kid. But the West End just didnt project sound. Loud if you were in it. Totally unimpressive if you were at the other end.