Ground Improvements - Well done GTFC

I have just watched the Debbie Cook interview on the club site.

Although the major work has been put back to next summer , some good work has gone on at BP .

Looks like toilets have been refurbished in The Main with a baby change added (very good) , a good few seats replaced and some other bits .

It might not be the major overhaul we all crave but it's great to see some tangible improvement and care for our old ground .

Well done to all involved .

UTM

I've just finished watching.
Unbelievable amount of effort put in this pre season (again). I'd love to see a 'then and now' album of what things looked like compared to now

any link to the Debbie Cook interview?

Quoted from forza ivano

any link to the Debbie Cook interview?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cky1nyYOar0

I’m all for any ground repairs / improvements, but I’d love to actually hear the long term plan for our home ground.

Quoted from jimgtfc

I’m all for any ground repairs / improvements, but I’d love to actually hear the long term plan for our home ground.

They've said multiple times for now we are staying at BP and are looking at possible ways of investing in BP

I reckon next summer could see the roof of the main stand and possible extension being implemented, she almost said as much in her interview, also thought I read about some grants being available next summer.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

They've said multiple times for now we are staying at BP and are looking at possible ways of investing in BP

They've said no such thing. They have a policy of not talking about things until they have something concrete to announce.

All work at BP that has taken place and is planned is just to patch it up and keep parts of the ground open.

It’s a massive task to turn around 20 years of decline, They’re doing an incredible job.

Lots of small details here that make a difference.  It seems obvious that improving facilities for players makes it more like that they’ll come here but it wasn’t obvious to the previous regime.

Quoted from gytone

I reckon next summer could see the roof of the main stand and possible extension being implemented, she almost said as much in her interview, also thought I read about some grants being available next summer.

I’m not sure if the Government Levelling up fund is available for football/ sports clubs but is available for cultural and community organisations, Blundell Park with its town location is definitely a community asset and maybe that’s what she was referring to.

Ground improvements:

Putting the temporary bar back in the entrance to the Findus would help, the queues in the lower bar are horrendous at half-time.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

They've said multiple times for now we are staying at BP and are looking at possible ways of investing in BP

Yeah I know, but they say that without really saying anything at all. Will we just keep replacing seats and painting the numbers for the next few years? I might sound ungrateful I know, and I really am grateful for everything they’ve done for this club, I’d just like to hear a tangible long term plan, like we’re looking at options for replacing the main or the findus or whatever. I don’t understand why it has to be all hush hush, same with the training ground.

Quoted from jimgtfc

Yeah I know, but they say that without really saying anything at all. Will we just keep replacing seats and painting the numbers for the next few years?

For the time being I think so. I think it was on the DN podcast they said at the back end of last season something along the lines of that there wasn't really the funding for a new ground at present and along with them both saying for a while that BP was enough for the time being I think we'll just see more investment in what we've got. Especially with what ls being spent on the training ground as well.

Quoted from jimgtfc

Yeah I know, but they say that without really saying anything at all. Will we just keep replacing seats and painting the numbers for the next few years? I might sound ungrateful I know, and I really am grateful for everything they’ve done for this club, I’d just like to hear a tangible long term plan, like we’re looking at options for replacing the main or the findus or whatever. I don’t understand why it has to be all hush hush, same with the training ground.

At the fans forum I believe Andrew went a bit more in depth about what they're doing and the plans and I imagine with his background he's probably at the forefront of any discussions. Given he's the quieter of the 3 on social media etc is probably why it's an issue that's not really addressed as much as the others.

Quoted from sonofmadeleymariner

They've said multiple times for now we are staying at BP and are looking at possible ways of investing in BP

Ok  We're staying I can live with that so future improvements /investment / developements are
needed for BP  Please.
UTM 2023--24.

Quoted from jimgtfc

Yeah I know, but they say that without really saying anything at all. Will we just keep replacing seats and painting the numbers for the next few years? I might sound ungrateful I know, and I really am grateful for everything they’ve done for this club, I’d just like to hear a tangible long term plan, like we’re looking at options for replacing the main or the findus or whatever. I don’t understand why it has to be all hush hush, same with the training ground.

I think it's because they are not going to announce what they would like to do, only what they are going to do once it's beyond certain.

The training ground is the priority, and won't be cheap, but they won't announce their plans until all the contracts and permissions are done and dusted.

I think once the training ground is squared away, they will concentrate on the future of BP. Sort the playing side first, then develop the ground into a fit state to showcase what will hopefully be a much more talented and competitive team.

The alternative is plans that never come to fruition, and we all know how frustrating that is.

It's all not good enough really . Look at Scunthorpe, they've closed , opened and closed their academy. They've moved to Ilkeston and back again . They're building a new ground, ready in 2 years , funded   by an enabling development and government money .

Our owners have laid some seed and fixed a bog

Quoted from It Bites

It's all not good enough really . Look at Scunthorpe, they've closed , opened and closed their academy. They've moved to Ilkeston and back again . They're building a new ground, ready in 2 years , funded   by an enabling development and government money .

Our owners have laid some seed and fixed a bog

Christ don't give that cult following anymore ammo ,they will be saying we are envious of their primary non-funder next !

Quoted from Mappers

Christ don't give that cult following anymore ammo ,they will be saying we are envious of their primary non-funder next !

😂😂😂😂 Sorry mate

Quoted from gytone

I reckon next summer could see the roof of the main stand and possible extension being implemented, she almost said as much in her interview, also thought I read about some grants being available next summer.

The tender process for the Main Stand works happened. There’s apparently a good reason why the work didn’t.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

They've said no such thing. They have a policy of not talking about things until they have something concrete to announce.

All work at BP that has taken place and is planned is just to patch it up and keep parts of the ground open.

I'm not fussed about the policy of not talking about things until it's actually happening. It's not exactly true though, because they have told us about some of their plans for the training ground.

All those drawings, baseball caps and photos with spades in the ground at Great Coates or Peaks Parkway achieved the square root of FA.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

The tender process for the Main Stand works happened. There’s apparently a good reason why the work didn’t.

that sounds cryptic - would you like to illuminate us further?

Quoted from forza ivano

that sounds cryptic - would you like to illuminate us further?

Usual reaction when a tender price is received post Brexit/covid/Ukraine is excrement we better have a rethink

Quoted from MuddyWaters

The tender process for the Main Stand works happened. There’s apparently a good reason why the work didn’t.

In Debbie's interview I believe she hinted at there being further funding available next year, i'm pretty sure someone on here said that aswell.

Thought it had been mentioned previously that as part of the new TV deal money will be available to EFL clubs to help with ground improvements and training grounds, so they are hoping to access some of this..

Quoted from MuddyWaters

The tender process for the Main Stand works happened. There’s apparently a good reason why the work didn’t.

I suppose the work being a considerable deal more expensive or being eligible for a grant in 12 months time are very good reasons for that.

Quoted from promotion plaice

Ground improvements:

Putting the temporary bar back in the entrance to the Findus would help, the queues in the lower bar are horrendous at half-time.

Access in and out of the Upper is poor with low crowds. A nearly sold out Upper, coupled with people standing around the lobby with beer in hand is a terrible idea.

Quoted from promotion plaice

Ground improvements:

Putting the temporary bar back in the entrance to the Findus would help, the queues in the lower bar are horrendous at half-time.

It was good to have the extra bar when the ground was half empty but it was overly cramped when we had a big crowd. Ferry the hospitality lot in from Cheapside on a coach, bin the car park off and have a giant outside bar there.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

The tender process for the Main Stand works happened. There’s apparently a good reason why the work didn’t.

JF and his ladder not available?

I took my girls on the tour of BP the trust offered earlier in the year, and the tour guide mentioned there were plans to extend the Main Stand in the summer. I don't honestly know his name but I'm 99.9% sure he was a Trust Committee Member and so I took it as having a little more knowledge than your average without taking it as gospel fact.

I'm having a wonder and putting 2+2 together with a variety of answers, one of which being that if they've opted to look at ST sales this summer and see if it wasn't a promotion spike that happened last year before deciding whether to amalgamate necessary works alongside an extension or some other major development of the Main.

If this guy was 'in the know' of an extension that didn't come to fruition then perhaps it's a bit of leakage of conversations that are taking place with recognition of the increasing need, without it being fully rubber stamped.

Could be a million and one explanations to what is actually happening and I suppose we'll know for certain next summer when the work is carried out but I'm hopeful that something exciting will be on it's way next year.

The big thing with a revamped Main stand offering decent views is fans relocating from other stands and a further uptake on Season Ticket sales. The main stand whilst not having the elevated view of the Upper is a closer to the pitch and usually several degrees warmer 😀.
I really hope to see this I think  can only be a positive for the club and another indicator of progress off the field from 1878.Hopefully the steadfast support from the fans over there reign gives them confidence that the greater together message goes both ways and is getting through.UTM

After nigh on 20 years of promise after promise, I’d like to think that no news is good news and that until everything is signed off and 100% guaranteed, it’s only then that we will find anything out.

There’s been way too many arguments and vitriol passed due to the false plans and pie in the sky dreams from Timmy tyre kicker and his chums that if something is going to be done by 1878 then I’d think it’s more than likely going to happen.

An extension to a decrepit fire hazard?! I would doubt it. Full demolition and an extended replacement including tying-in with the pontoon by way of a filled corner is required.

I know money is a huge issue, but these sticking plasters have got to stop. I’d rather they do nothing than do something half baked.

Daft question but .... is it in danger of becoming a listed building which would hamper any improvements or halt demolition?

Quoted from Heisenberg

An extension to a decrepit fire hazard?! I would doubt it. Full demolition and an extended replacement including tying-in with the pontoon by way of a filled corner is required.

I know money is a huge issue, but these sticking plasters have got to stop. I’d rather they do nothing than do something half baked.

For what it’s worth, I was told that the major works should have happened this summer but something bureaucratic got in the way.

We have room within the stadium could we not work round piece by piece? So start by building a completely new stand in the corner of the main/pontoon connecting to the pontoon, then working our way across the main stand closing off sections with the new build offsetting the lost seats while we work, with the end result being a new enclosed stand running around 3 sides of the pitch with an overall net increase in capacity?

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

After nigh on 20 years of promise after promise, I’d like to think that no news is good news and that until everything is signed off and 100% guaranteed, it’s only then that we will find anything out.

There’s been way too many arguments and vitriol passed due to the false plans and pie in the sky dreams from Timmy tyre kicker and his chums that if something is going to be done by 1878 then I’d think it’s more than likely going to happen.

I think it was Chairman Bill Carr that made the first announcement of a new ground.

A good source has told me that moving walkways are to be installed at the front of each stand so that early-leavers don’t linger around blocking everyone’s view.

Quoted from Heisenberg

An extension to a decrepit fire hazard?! I would doubt it. Full demolition and an extended replacement including tying-in with the pontoon by way of a filled corner is required.

I know money is a huge issue, but these sticking plasters have got to stop. I’d rather they do nothing than do something half baked.

I really don't think it's in Andrew & Jason's nature to do Anything 'half baked'!

Didn't Debbie say in her interview that grants were becoming available next year, so it made sense to delay the major works by a year.
It all sounds very interesting if the stuff about an extension is valid. Also the poster who said about them wanting to see if the massive STH sales were a flash in the pan, sounds very 1878!

Quoted from ska face

A good source has told me that moving walkways are to be installed at the front of each stand so that early-leavers don’t linger around blocking everyone’s view.

Do they have the “Barnet” reverse gear functionality -  for when we are 3-1 down against mediocre opposition with a panicking defence when we pull one back?

Quoted from forza ivano

I really don't think it's in Andrew & Jason's nature to do Anything 'half baked'!

Didn't Debbie say in her interview that grants were becoming available next year, so it made sense to delay the major works by a year.
It all sounds very interesting if the stuff about an extension is valid. Also the poster who said about them wanting to see if the massive STH sales were a flash in the pan, sounds very 1878!

Premier League solidarity payments to the EFL are increasing and the PL wants the increase to be directed towards infrastructure projects rather than just going on increased wages for players. I'm guessing JS & AP are hoping for a structure to be put in place that will deliver the new training ground and make a new stadium viable in their heads.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

Premier League solidarity payments to the EFL are increasing and the PL wants the increase to be directed towards infrastructure projects rather than just going on increased wages for players. I'm guessing JS & AP are hoping for a structure to be put in place that will deliver the new training ground and make a new stadium viable in their heads.

That's their hope and it would be great ,but I'm  sure clubs will find loopholes to chase the dream and spunk it away on player salaries .

Quoted from Mappers

That's their hope and it would be great ,but I'm  sure clubs will find loopholes to chase the dream and spunk it away on player salaries .

Loopholes should result in points deductions on this one. That money HAS to be used on infrastructure. Football is on a slippery slope, and using the EPL money wisely can start the fixing process. Losing their confidence could f#ck things up forever for ‘the likes of Grimsby’.

I have no doubt we’ll do the right thing, but someone’s bound to mess it up.

Perhaps they meant a more permanent division of the Osmond in favour of home fans?

I know money is tight but would have been nice for all toilets to be upgraded ,hot water and electric handryers .It is 2023

If they know the grants are to be available next year (is that January or the start of next season?) then they could fence the gap off between the Pontoon and Main, and start building something now. As long as the upfront costs are covered by 1878, they will get their monies back

The only things that would need a temorary home would be the announcers box, and the Match Commander/Police Box. A two storey temporary structure could easily be erected either between the Lower and Pontoon or Lower and Osmond

Quoted from Oly1987

We have room within the stadium could we not work round piece by piece? So start by building a completely new stand in the corner of the main/pontoon connecting to the pontoon, then working our way across the main stand closing off sections with the new build offsetting the lost seats while we work, with the end result being a new enclosed stand running around 3 sides of the pitch with an overall net increase in capacity?

I'm absolutely sure that many years ago Notts County rebuilt their ground in the close season. If not all the ground, I'm sure it was three of the sides.

Total guess but IF they're revamping / rebuilding the main stand it wouldn't suprise me if they extend it to the police box. That'd give us an extra couple hundred seats and providing they update the roof situation a couple hundred extra non restricted seats

It's videos like these that make me so grateful Fenty has gone. And Jason and Andrew are our owners. Their team headed by Debbie are in a different world to what we had before. That man wasted 17 years of my time and passion, I can't wait to see us fly.

Interesting to see that, apart from against Wimbledon and Mansfield, we're opening the bigger (1,200 seats) section of the Osmond to Town fans. Good move that, should mean anyone who wants a seat can get one.

A slight shame that Wimbledon will fall between the two extremes of being sufficiently accommodated within the Osmond’s smaller section and filling the larger section. I’d imagine we could have sold the 1,200 seats to home fans had they been available.

Quoted from Mappers

That's their hope and it would be great ,but I'm  sure clubs will find loopholes to chase the dream and spunk it away on player salaries .

'Tshimanga joinery services contracted for £5k a week for 2 years worth of....repairs...'

Quoted from Mariner_09

Interesting to see that, apart from against Wimbledon and Mansfield, we're opening the bigger (1,200 seats) section of the Osmond to Town fans. Good move that, should mean anyone who wants a seat can get one.

We have to offer 10% of our capacity (850-950) but the segregation of the Osmond is 1200/600. Sounds like we have been proactive at checking what clubs will want which is great news. If we increase the capacity of BP beyond 12k, we would need to give some clubs all of the Osmond due to the segregation in place. If our capacity went over 12k, we would need a solution for cup games where you need to offer 15% of your capacity.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

We have to offer 10% of our capacity (850-950) but the segregation of the Osmond is 1200/600. Sounds like we have been proactive at checking what clubs will want which is great news. If we increase the capacity of BP beyond 12k, we would need to give some clubs all of the Osmond due to the segregation in place. If our capacity went over 12k, we would need a solution for cup games where you need to offer 15% of your capacity.

I'm far from an expert on this, but isn't it a case that opposition can be allocated less than 15% on Police or Safety advice? Sure I saw that happened between Arsenal and Man Utd. If that were true I would imagine we would look at circumventing it by citing we can't provide adequate and safe segregation of fans and we will give the maximum we have available within those constraints.

If Gillingham have a good start they might fill the smaller section. I hadn’t particularly noticed it tbh, but for away followings, our home fixtures have indeed fallen in a lop-sided way, with all the big games but Mansfield in the second half of the season.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

If Gillingham have a good start they might fill the smaller section. I hadn’t particularly noticed it tbh, but for away followings, our home fixtures have indeed fallen in a lop-sided way, with all the big games but Mansfield in the second half of the season.

Flip side of that is we got all the best away days in the first half of the season when we've got something to play for (Notts County, Bradford, Donny, Stockport) unlike last season when all the decent ones (bar Orient and Stockport) were when the season was dead.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

I'm far from an expert on this, but isn't it a case that opposition can be allocated less than 15% on Police or Safety advice? Sure I saw that happened between Arsenal and Man Utd. If that were true I would imagine we would look at circumventing it by citing we can't provide adequate and safe segregation of fans and we will give the maximum we have available within those constraints.

Possibly, but there is also the risk that they could make us switch stands for cup games. The Main Stand currently holds 2200 and the Findus holds about 2800. That is a risk that would just need managing and factoring in as part of any extension.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

We have to offer 10% of our capacity (850-950) but the segregation of the Osmond is 1200/600. Sounds like we have been proactive at checking what clubs will want which is great news. If we increase the capacity of BP beyond 12k, we would need to give some clubs all of the Osmond due to the segregation in place. If our capacity went over 12k, we would need a solution for cup games where you need to offer 15% of your capacity.

Yeah if we ever did increase at BP keeping it to 11900 might be advisable

Quoted from Mappers

Yeah if we ever did increase at BP keeping it to 11900 might be advisable

If you filled the corners in, you would just need to plan segregations accordingly, as telling STHs in the Main Stand they have to move behind the goal if they want to attend Man Utd at home isn't going to generate a positive reaction.

Could you realistically take BP above 12k anyway? I doubt we could increase the Main Stand height and I suspect any extension of the Findus wouldn't be at the same height.

If you mirrored the layout of the Main Stand, extending it up to the Pontoon, you’d get just under another 1100 seats in there, give or take a row or two.

Like we’ve said before though, there’s no point extending the stand with the same design as it currently has as the roof pitch and all the supporting posts means you’ve got probably 10-15% of seats with a restricted view.

Not sure if Archibald Leitch posts on here but if you’re doing the work you might as well stick a different roof on. Can this be done with a 100-year-old structure? Who knows. An architect probably.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

If you filled the corners in, you would just need to plan segregations accordingly, as telling STHs in the Main Stand they have to move behind the goal if they want to attend Man Utd at home isn't going to generate a positive reaction.

Could you realistically take BP above 12k anyway? I doubt we could increase the Main Stand height and I suspect any extension of the Findus wouldn't be at the same height.

Realistically would we ever need that much more than that ?

Attendance wise i see us as a club who could probably get 10-12k regularly if doing well but not sure if much more than that ; similiar to Stockport, Rotherham , Luton and Lincoln really not a small club attendance wise  but not a big one we are sort of stuck in between aren't we - when people say we are 'massive ' or Colchester Utd & Newport fans/manager put is in a lower or similiar category to them it's quite laughable though as in terms of crowds we are far bigger and have more potential .

You would think our natural level if you go on crowds alone is around slap bang in the middle of league one , if we improved BP and increased capacity - when you think about it we have spent 30 years with over achieving for 10 and then underachieving for 20 really,really badly with not much in between - it would be nice to play at what i think is our natural level for a bit , much like it's nice our neighbours have finally reached their's .  


If we went through the leagues and the amount you need to be competitive ,crowds are basically irrelevant as Luton , Bounemouth and Brentford prove - player trading , TV money and commercial dwarf any gate receipts hence the none greedy selling tickets for cheaper or on par with lower league clubs .

Mappers, I sort of agree with you, but to double the number of sth when we are not far off our lowest ebb is startling.and all the chat is we could potentially do far more if the capacity, 'experience' ,facilities n ticketing is improved further
Likewise the away support now is probably the highest , the most committed n the most fervent I've seen in 50+ years of supporting town.
The other thing to factor in is that 1878 have only just scratched the surface in terms of commercial opportunities trying to attract new fans  ,re energizing lapsed fans, mobilise exiles, n maybe with the new documentary series attracting a new wave of fans

I'm honestly not sure what the expectation should be or what our natural ceiling is today.

Historical comparison isn't valid.  We're getting more at this level than we were 30 years ago in the second tier.  The game is more popular now, probably a result of many things but none more so than the taboo that was associated with football in the late 80's/early 90's and then the knock-on years from that.  More exposure to the overall game, arguably even that knock-on of over saturation at the top which potentially has seen greater interest in local teams...bigger brains than mine to look at that.  Either way, the game is more popular.

We've also got a excrement position in which we can't say what the actual demand is for good seats.  Anecdotally we know that some people aren't getting to games because seats aren't available that they want (good views or not available in pairs, three's etc). But we've no data to back this up.  Equally so there's that cluster of sold tickets but never used, which are arguably eating into the demand piece of the pie.

I'm a big believer in both building it and they'll come and aiming as high as possible.  I'm not suggesting we build a 25,000 seater like Darlington. But I don't think we need to confine ourselves to a capacity of 10-12,000.

Ultimately people want to be entertained and they want to be entertained in good surroundings.  Entertainment wise we've actually done little of it on our own turf in recent years, most of it has come on the road.  Our surroundings are awful.  Yet we've still significantly increased the number of tickets we're selling, I don't think it's a flash in the pan. This will be 3 seasons on the spin now where we've got very good numbers compared to the last 20 odd years.

If we were entertaining and the surroundings were nicer, what numbers would we be pulling in?  Our nearest professional rival is about to go belly-up, rightly or wrongly there's a generation or two of future fans that we might well be nabbing off them.  Whilst we are constrained geographically and population wise in the sense that the north and east are water, the south and west are pretty much a free-for-all for a good 15-20 miles.  Just like there's floating fans in NE Lincs, it's the same in North Lincs, East Lindsey, the northern parts of West Lindsey etc.  Caistor, Louth, Market Rasen, Brigg, Mablethorpe, Skegness....all places were we've traditionally drawn decent numbers from are all areas for potential fans to be drawn in from.  The more successful we are, the better the surroundings are and the more entertained people are the more those people will be interested and want to be involved.  

I'm with forza on this one, I think 1878 are only just starting with this.  It's not a criticism, far from it, but so far they've done very little.  They've made simple changes that should have already happened and have had a bit of relative luck in terms of we've had instant success via the play-offs and a cup run. What happens when they start really getting under the bonnet of it?

Quoted from forza ivano

Mappers, I sort of agree with you, but to double the number of sth when we are not far off our lowest ebb is startling.and all the chat is we could potentially do far more if the capacity, 'experience' ,facilities n ticketing is improved further
Likewise the away support now is probably the highest , the most committed n the most fervent I've seen in 50+ years of supporting town.
The other thing to factor in is that 1878 have only just scratched the surface in terms of commercial opportunities trying to attract new fans  ,re energizing lapsed fans, mobilise exiles, n maybe with the new documentary series attracting a new wave of fans

Don't disagree with you either mate

It's just my opinion , the truth is none of us know what the true potential is/isn't until we suitably upgrade the experience ,facilities and actually have a consistent spell of winning .

The away support is great , seriously worried for the Notts game ; although I have signed up to their ticket site and bought a ticket for their friendly as someone suggested on here ,so it might be the home end .Not missing that one .

Quoted from diehardmariner

I'm honestly not sure what the expectation should be or what our natural ceiling is today.

Historical comparison isn't valid.  We're getting more at this level than we were 30 years ago in the second tier.  The game is more popular now, probably a result of many things but none more so than the taboo that was associated with football in the late 80's/early 90's and then the knock-on years from that.  More exposure to the overall game, arguably even that knock-on of over saturation at the top which potentially has seen greater interest in local teams...bigger brains than mine to look at that.  Either way, the game is more popular.

We've also got a excrement position in which we can't say what the actual demand is for good seats.  Anecdotally we know that some people aren't getting to games because seats aren't available that they want (good views or not available in pairs, three's etc). But we've no data to back this up.  Equally so there's that cluster of sold tickets but never used, which are arguably eating into the demand piece of the pie.

I'm a big believer in both building it and they'll come and aiming as high as possible.  I'm not suggesting we build a 25,000 seater like Darlington. But I don't think we need to confine ourselves to a capacity of 10-12,000.

Ultimately people want to be entertained and they want to be entertained in good surroundings.  Entertainment wise we've actually done little of it on our own turf in recent years, most of it has come on the road.  Our surroundings are awful.  Yet we've still significantly increased the number of tickets we're selling, I don't think it's a flash in the pan. This will be 3 seasons on the spin now where we've got very good numbers compared to the last 20 odd years.

If we were entertaining and the surroundings were nicer, what numbers would we be pulling in?  Our nearest professional rival is about to go belly-up, rightly or wrongly there's a generation or two of future fans that we might well be nabbing off them.  Whilst we are constrained geographically and population wise in the sense that the north and east are water, the south and west are pretty much a free-for-all for a good 15-20 miles.  Just like there's floating fans in NE Lincs, it's the same in North Lincs, East Lindsey, the northern parts of West Lindsey etc.  Caistor, Louth, Market Rasen, Brigg, Mablethorpe, Skegness....all places were we've traditionally drawn decent numbers from are all areas for potential fans to be drawn in from.  The more successful we are, the better the surroundings are and the more entertained people are the more those people will be interested and want to be involved.  

I'm with forza on this one, I think 1878 are only just starting with this.  It's not a criticism, far from it, but so far they've done very little.  They've made simple changes that should have already happened and have had a bit of relative luck in terms of we've had instant success via the play-offs and a cup run. What happens when they start really getting under the bonnet of it?

Good post mate

Well the first half of this season will give an indication of potential support levels. We will have 7,900 home tickets available for all but 2 games. If we have a good start we’d need to be selling that out on Saturdays to give confidence on extending the Main

Quoted from Mappers

Don't disagree with you either mate

It's just my opinion , the truth is none of us know what the true potential is/isn't until we suitably upgrade the experience ,facilities and actually have a consistent spell of winning .

The away support is great , seriously worried for the Notts game ; although I have signed up to their ticket site and bought a ticket for their friendly as someone suggested on here ,so it might be the home end .Not missing that one .

Hopefully Jason Herbert doesn't start supporting Notts if Scunny fold before then. He will want to see their ticket system so he can filter out people like you; again.

I think it was when Furneaux was in charge there were plans and possibly a scale model of BP with a roof joining the pontoon to the mainstand as well as covering the two other corners so effectively a roof all round the ground.

Quoted from arryarryarry

I think it was when Furneaux was in charge there were plans and possibly a scale model of BP with a roof joining the pontoon to the mainstand as well as covering the two other corners so effectively a roof all round the ground.

I can’t recall this

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Could you realistically take BP above 12k anyway?

I don't think the council would give permission to increase the capacity of BP to more than 10k.

Extending the Main Stand would improve match atmosphere a little bit, but still be inadequate for the Championship.

Quoted from White_shorts

I don't think the council would give permission to increase the capacity of BP to more than 10k.

Extending the Main Stand would improve match atmosphere a little bit, but still be inadequate for the Championship.

I can’t see why not ?
It’s held a lot more in the not so distant past .
Other than some traffic 45 mins either side of kick off what difference will it make ?

There’s not enough street parking near the ground when we have crowds of 5000 so bigger crowds will only encourage fans to park in Cleethorpes or towards Freeman street which would help businesses in both

Quoted from Mappers

Realistically would we ever need that much more than that ?

Attendance wise i see us as a club who could probably get 10-12k regularly if doing well but not sure if much more than that.

Let's be optimistic: imagine it's the final day of the 2027-28 Championship season.  Grimsby Town have a home game against Sunderland.  The winners are guaranteed a place in the play-offs.  Do you think 12k would be adequate for the number of supporters wishing to attend?

What’s the alternative, build a new ground with magic beans?

Quoted from White_shorts

Let's be optimistic: imagine it's the final day of the 2027-28 Championship season.  Grimsby Town have a home game against Sunderland.  The winners are guaranteed a place in the play-offs.  Do you think 12k would be adequate for the number of supporters wishing to attend?

What? So we build a ground with magic beans simply to accommodate a few fair weather types who fancy getting involved because there’s a sniff of the big time.

Quoted from White_shorts

Let's be optimistic: imagine it's the final day of the 2027-28 Championship season.  Grimsby Town have a home game against Sunderland.  The winners are guaranteed a place in the play-offs.  Do you think 12k would be adequate for the number of supporters wishing to attend?

Alternatively…..it’s a Tuesday night in January, Town have a home game against  fellow mid table opponents Preston North End. Do you think 12-13k would be adequate?

Quoted from ska face

What’s the alternative, build a new ground with magic beans?

We could tap up the Qatari's after tonight's game.

Would you like to cough up for a new stadium in a beautiful beachside location?

Quoted from aldi_01

What? So we build a ground with magic beans simply to accommodate a few fair weather types who fancy getting involved because there’s a sniff of the big time.

No we build it with the intention of filling it one day and not being held back.
If Lincoln , Donny and Rotherham can get crowds of 10000 we can get more as historically we’ve always got better support than all of them.
This isn’t the 80s 90s or even the early 2000s anymore .
People up and down the Country are flocking back to support their local league clubs.
Right now we’re not in a position to capitalise on that

Quoted from ska face

What’s the alternative, build a new ground with magic beans?

We're talking about something that countless Football and Rugby clubs have successfully delivered over the past 30 years. The difficulties of delivering it might be more significant now than in the past, but if we want the club to compete with the clubs we used to walk all over and outperform we need to maximise our turnover by having a stadium that is open and generating income 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. BP can never do that.

Quoted from grimps

No we build it with the intention of filling it one day and not being held back.
If Lincoln , Donny and Rotherham can get crowds of 10000 we can get more as historically we’ve always got better support than all of them.
This isn’t the 80s 90s or even the early 2000s anymore .
People up and down the Country are flocking back to support their local league clubs.
Right now we’re not in a position to capitalise on that

I think Donny are the wrong example (the other 2 good one's)  ,crowds inflated by a large away end (which is another argument for more capacity actually , so a contradiction ) but their home attendances are probably 4 or 5k most weeks , would be interesting to see if they go up a lot if they do well.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

We're talking about something that countless Football and Rugby clubs have successfully delivered over the past 30 years. The difficulties of delivering it might be more significant now than in the past, but if we want the club to compete with the clubs we used to walk all over and outperform we need to maximise our turnover by having a stadium that is open and generating income 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. BP can never do that.

Countless teams have done it in the last 30 years, but how do you propose a new stadium for us is funded? York have a community stadium with the luxury of a rugby club as a tenant too.

Most of us acknowledge that BP isn't ideal for the long-term future, but nobody has put forward a viable method of funding it.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Hopefully Jason Herbert doesn't start supporting Notts if Scunny fold before then. He will want to see their ticket system so he can filter out people like you; again.

Probably wonder if sherbert has banned anymore lol

I can see the lads in the pontoon top corner relocating to the osmand behind the goal ( when allowed) this will improve match day atmosphere enormously vocal support from all areas

Quoted from Mappers

I think Donny are the wrong example (the other 2 good one's)  ,crowds inflated by a large away end (which is another argument for more capacity actually , so a contradiction ) but their home attendances are probably 4 or 5k most weeks , would be interesting to see if they go up a lot if they do well.

Yeah but they used to be lucky if they got 2000 back in the days when we was getting double that in the 80s and 90s .
If we was ever to get back in the Championship we’d be needing an away end that could hold at least 3000 probably more which would be filled 10 times a season

Quoted from grimps

Yeah but they used to be lucky if they got 2000 back in the days when we was getting double that in the 80s and 90s .
If we was ever to get back in the Championship we’d be needing an away end that could hold at least 3000 probably more which would be filled 10 times a season

Ohh yeah I remember mate , Disco Des at Belle Vue in all it's glory .


I don't disagree about the away end even in league 1 8 to 10 teams would fill it + so what would we do restrict them to the 1200 when we will take a shed load more .

I suppose if you look at Donny as an example that's them effectively making what 3000 ££££ more in the direct games against us because we can't give them anymore than 1200 and Notts County ,Bradford minimum who could bring what 3000+ on a good day if we had room ?

I think we all agree we need some sort of change , it's just none of us know how ; I would hope Stockwood and Pettit have included it in that 10 year plan they talk about though .

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Countless teams have done it in the last 30 years, but how do you propose a new stadium for us is funded? York have a community stadium with the luxury of a rugby club as a tenant too.

Most of us acknowledge that BP isn't ideal for the long-term future, but nobody has put forward a viable method of funding it.

We only finished paying off the Findus Stand 4 or 5 years ago. I can't remember anyone complaining about how repaying the mortgage on it was holding us back.

How to fund it...

External Investment.
Grants. (Leveling up money or the likely PL infrastructure solidarity system)
Council funds. (Them paying for the road improvements that would open up a site for redevelopment)
Loan/Mortgage.
Naming Rights for new stadium & individual stands).
Increased match day hospitality income.
Increased non-match day hospitality income.
Increased match day ticket income.
Increased match day bar & food income.
Rental income from building things into the stadium (such as a gym, office space etc.. PNE have an NHS Walk in centre built into their newest stand & a McDonald's drive thru is built in Stadium MK).
Selling off or redeveloping Blundell Park (the site is big enough for over 100 residential units)

They're all good suggestions Golly, but I think we've missed the boat on a lot of them.

Enabling developments are dead at the minute. There's enough prime retail and business space available to negate a need for  anyone to attach a business to a football ground.

The Gym Group set up a 24/7 in Grimsby very recently. Empty unit in a retail park, very accessible and central location, free parking. By all accounts got a very good deal on it as the landlords were desperate to fill it and recognised they'll struggle to do so otherwise.  That wasn't the case even 5 years ago.

I don't know what the situation is presently on funding and grants but the sheer costs of a new ground would surely make them look like drops in the ocean. I guess the same when comparing the mortgage on the Findus to a new ground too.

We need to do something and the typical Grimsby mentality of "well we've not had gates over 8,000 since 1996 so let's not strive to get better than that.. ." smacks of the reasons the place will never progress or even hold its ground.

I just don't think that something has an easy solution.

Quoted from Mappers

I think Donny are the wrong example (the other 2 good one's)  ,crowds inflated by a large away end (which is another argument for more capacity actually , so a contradiction ) but their home attendances are probably 4 or 5k most weeks , would be interesting to see if they go up a lot if they do well.

Its more difficult to compare attendances now because some clubs declare tickets sold and others, including us, actual attendance. I think Donny’s home fan numbers are well down on ours.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

We only finished paying off the Findus Stand 4 or 5 years ago. I can't remember anyone complaining about how repaying the mortgage on it was holding us back.

How to fund it...

External Investment.
Grants. (Leveling up money or the likely PL infrastructure solidarity system)
Council funds. (Them paying for the road improvements that would open up a site for redevelopment)
Loan/Mortgage.
Naming Rights for new stadium & individual stands).
Increased match day hospitality income.
Increased non-match day hospitality income.
Increased match day ticket income.
Increased match day bar & food income.
Rental income from building things into the stadium (such as a gym, office space etc.. PNE have an NHS Walk in centre built into their newest stand & a McDonald's drive thru is built in Stadium MK).
Selling off or redeveloping Blundell Park (the site is big enough for over 100 residential units)

A suitable stadium would realistically cost north of £30m. I doubt anyone is going to pay us a significant sum of that for the naming rights of our 4th tier (currently) stadium.

There are loads of empty retail units around the town, so I can't see any major chains being keen to throw some money at our new stadium. The only way you will get the NHS as a tenant is by having a town centre location as that helps with their net zero strategy. Unfortunately NELC have other plans for our town centre, which potentially involves the NHS too.

100 houses on BP? I can't imagine them being worth a great deal. Every little helps and all that, but still.

Building costs are astronomical at the moment, and a new stadium financed that way would absolutely cripple us.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Its more difficult to compare attendances now because some clubs declare tickets sold and others, including us, actual attendance. I think Donny’s home fan numbers are well down on ours.

Yeah, it makes our support seem smaller than it is - we have hundreds of empty season ticket seats sometimes!

Quoted from jamesgtfc

A suitable stadium would realistically cost north of £30m. I doubt anyone is going to pay us a significant sum of that for the naming rights of our 4th tier (currently) stadium.

There are loads of empty retail units around the town, so I can't see any major chains being keen to throw some money at our new stadium. The only way you will get the NHS as a tenant is by having a town centre location as that helps with their net zero strategy. Unfortunately NELC have other plans for our town centre, which potentially involves the NHS too.

100 houses on BP? I can't imagine them being worth a great deal. Every little helps and all that, but still.

Building costs are astronomical at the moment, and a new stadium financed that way would absolutely cripple us.

Can we tap into anything that the Humber freeport is bringing to the area? Tax free areas, areas that will be getting a link through the need for redevelopment?

It just seems that the argument will carry on and on forever . Maybe until there seems to be a slightest sense of movement/upgrade, we can all chill out

Freeports are all about dodging tax, turning a blind eye to criminality and only ever lead to low-paid jobs. Don't expect it to do anything much for the area - unless you're a slightly unscrupulous businessman or can persuade somebody to shut down a factory elsewhere in the UK to move the jobs here. Only the folk at the top will make any money. Massive corruption going on at the Teesside freeport as uncovered by Private Eye and the government are even pretending to investigate their shenanigans (before they clear them of deliberate wrongdoing, no doubt).

We had freeports in the UK for 20-odd years until 2012 before they were closed down because they didn't achieve anything.

Quoted from Maringer

Freeports are all about dodging tax, turning a blind eye to criminality and only ever lead to low-paid jobs. Don't expect it to do anything much for the area - unless you're a slightly unscrupulous businessman or can persuade somebody to shut down a factory elsewhere in the UK to move the jobs here. Only the folk at the top will make any money. Massive corruption going on at the Teesside freeport as uncovered by Private Eye and the government are even pretending to investigate their shenanigans (before they clear them of deliberate wrongdoing, no doubt).

We had freeports in the UK for 20-odd years until 2012 before they were closed down because they didn't achieve anything.

You are 100% right they are a spivs dream. All about reducing pesky legislation like tax and employment laws. I’d not want our football club to have anything to do with them.

Quoted from Maringer

Freeports are all about dodging tax, turning a blind eye to criminality and only ever lead to low-paid jobs. Don't expect it to do anything much for the area - unless you're a slightly unscrupulous businessman or can persuade somebody to shut down a factory elsewhere in the UK to move the jobs here. Only the folk at the top will make any money. Massive corruption going on at the Teesside freeport as uncovered by Private Eye and the government are even pretending to investigate their shenanigans (before they clear them of deliberate wrongdoing, no doubt).

We had freeports in the UK for 20-odd years until 2012 before they were closed down because they didn't achieve anything.

Humber Freeport is not Teeside.
Freeports in UK shutdown due to EU and Cameron socialist view on business.
Best place for GTFC is in its historic place of BP from a financial and community aspect. Take Boston Community Stadium, where is the community? Its miles away.

No argument from the majority that the stadium should be central and accessible.  

Not convinced that Blundell Park is the best place for that though, not at present anyway.  If we're going pie in the sky and not worrying ourselves too much with realities, I would have thought the White Elephant regeneration of Grimsby Town centre would have been the absolute perfect place to tie in regeneration funds and a new stadium.

Keeps everything central, accessible, right on a train line and all local bus services and fills space that's largely empty at present.

Quite a few years back I was told that part of the 'plan' for the stadium on the former Freemo flats would have involved NELC as the anchor tenants (or vice-versa) with their main hub sites moving to the site too.  How much truth was in that I don't know but it made sense and fitted with the councils plans to reduce the number of their buildings and centralise the ones that remained.