Interesting article here on discussions to start the new season on 12 Sep with up to 50% of fans.

https://www.theticketingbusiness.com/2020/07/10/premier-league-plans-return-fans/

No away fans, toilets to be closed. Certainly some challenges but not insurmountable.

Given the equivalent of about 4 people are infected with the virus in the whole of NE Lincs atm (Public Health England figures) good to see this is being discussed

The toilets closed would be a severe set-back for drinkers, old men and probably fans driving long distances. Maybe they could come up with a workable solution?  (Not nappies or pads). 😟[mail][/mail]

No toilets to me is a non- starter and totally unrealistic. To expect that in a crowd of 3000 people nobody will require the toilet over a two hour period is laughable.

I expect crowds to return on a limited basis but also believe this will not be done without access to the loo.

What was our % attendance vs capacity last season? Could perhaps temp seating allow for an increase in overall capacity to the point where this has no impact?

EFL meeting today to discuss whether to start 29/8 or 12/9 reportedly

I understand they are trying to get it going again and be as safe as possible, which is of course, going to please some, and annoy others

But no toilets is a big issue for many right?

We've all discussed on here plenty of times about certain bowel conditions, which when not great, mean you can visit the toilet a ridiculous amount of times in a day

Quoted from bax

Interesting article here on discussions to start the new season on 12 Sep with up to 50% of fans.

50% of capacity.

Where are Scunny going to find an extra 2000 fans.  ;D ;D ;D

Article says closing the toilets at half time, not altogether.

If they don't close toilets in any other places where crowds gather, the why football grounds?

The authorities always seem to be draconian with rules for football fans compared to the rest of the country.

Maybe we could install more temporary bogs to reduce crowding, it's not rocket science.

Quoted Text

If fans are allowed to attend games, they will be required to wear face masks and the grounds would need to open three hours ahead of kick-off to allow for staggered entry.

As someone who never gets into the ground before 1455 this would be a worry. Imagine being told you need to be in your seat way before KO on those freezing January BP nights.

I'm not even old, but if I consume even just a shot glass of water I need the bog within minutes!  Closed toilets would be a deal breaker for me.  I can go without a beer at football, no problem, but no toilet would be a nightmare for most even without a drink beforehand.

And anyway, 50% crowds surely means we could have 4,000 in?  Pretty much like any game then.

Quoted Text

plans to close toilets at half-time due to concerns over the “brush past” risk when fans are moving around,

This bit doesn't make sense to me - surely the "brush past risk" is higher if people are using the toilets during the match, as they'd be having to get past supporters to get out of their seats?  

Based on 50% capacity it would mean we would be limited to season ticket holders only and that means there will be a rush for the only 4000 available season tickets. The club will miss out on matchday ticket sales but at least they will have the initial cash for season tickets

Quoted from jaygy

Based on 50% capacity it would mean we would be limited to season ticket holders only and that means there will be a rush for the only 4000 available season tickets. The club will miss out on matchday ticket sales but at least they will have the initial cash for season tickets

Have we ever sold 4000 season tickets?

I'm 30 and can't get from my house, to the game and back home again without having a pee.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I'm 30 and can't get from my house, to the game and back home again without having a pee.

That's because there's 8 pubs on the way.......

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

What was our % attendance vs capacity last season? Could perhaps temp seating allow for an increase in overall capacity to the point where this has no impact?

Temp seating comes at a cost per week and with reduced capacity, this would not warrant the investment.

Quoted from bax

Interesting article here on discussions to start the new season on 12 Sep with up to 50% of fans.

https://www.theticketingbusiness.com/2020/07/10/premier-league-plans-return-fans/

No away fans, toilets to be closed. Certainly some challenges but not insurmountable.

Given the equivalent of about 4 people are infected with the virus in the whole of NE Lincs atm (Public Health England figures) good to see this is being discussed

No away fans does make sense as it reduces the chances of infection being brought into an area that currently has a very low rate of COVID-19.

Quoted from SDUTM

No away fans does make sense as it reduces the chances of infection being brought into an area that currently has a very low rate of COVID-19.

It does, but how do you police it, especially in places like London, where it would be relatively easy for a Chelsea fan to get a ticket for Spurs for example.

Ultimately if I can go to work on a packed tube train, go to the pub or a restaurant, both of which are indoors and allow me to use the toilet facilities at my leisure, it seems a bit pointless banning use of the bogs at a (mostly) outdoor venue.

I can’t think of any other kind of venue that has reopened to date which has forbidden the use of toilets. I’m pretty confident that by the time football grounds reopen in some way shape or form you’ll be able to have a slash (or even a shít if it takes your fancy, you dirty, dirty bástard you).

Quoted from Poojah

Ultimately if I can go to work on a packed tube train, go to the pub or a restaurant, both of which are indoors and allow me to use the toilet facilities at my leisure, it seems a bit pointless banning use of the bogs at a (mostly) outdoor venue.

I can’t think of any other kind of venue that has reopened to date which has forbidden the use of toilets. I’m pretty confident that by the time football grounds reopen in some way shape or form you’ll be able to have a slash (or even a shít if it takes your fancy, you dirty, dirty bástard you).

A sh#t at Blundell Park?  Wow, not sure I've ever dared do that!  The bogs at all grounds are bad due to the shear number of users, but BP's are really bad.  We've all seen worse, but not much worse!

Also I would assume they would ban singing and chanting, they are not allowed at outside public broadcasts, that would be very difficult to police, also, that  chap who sits behind us, we’ve all had one, who shouts and yells every 5 minutes.

I'll be happy to stay at home and watch Town Live on iFollow for now.

Reduced price for STH's that didn't ask for a refund   ;)

If we can get 3000 in the ground. open the away end toilets i think we may just get away with it especially if folk dont wait untill half time to dash all at once .. And if we could get 1500 to 2000 to subscribe to i follow the cas should just about see us through.. By the way if you subscribe to watching it on tv will town get the money if we are playing away or does it go to the home side ?

Quoted from denni266

If we can get 3000 in the ground. open the away end toilets i think we may just get away with it especially if folk dont wait untill half time to dash all at once .. And if we could get 1500 to 2000 to subscribe to i follow the cas should just about see us through.. By the way if you subscribe to watching it on tv will town get the money if we are playing away or does it go to the home side ?

Town get the money if you watch on our i follow whether it's a home or away game.

50% capacity is pretty much what we get anyway isnt it ? So in essence it would be just like a normal matchday so if anyone thinks we could host a crowd under current guidelines and social distancing measures then think again.

In essence 50% would only mean that every other seat would be empty, fill one, miss one, fill one, miss one etc. Dont think the width of seats would be sufficient to keep social distancing if just one seat space was left.
Also in a normal row/block at BP you would still be brushing past 10 people at least to get to or leave your seat in your own row as well as the backs of the people in the row in front.

I would think even a third of capacity would be difficult to implement / manage practically in all honesty under current conditions.

No away supporters in the Osmond would mean that some unlucky souls would have to sit in the upper part and miss any ball over 10 feet.

Longer half time to allow for a more leisurely toilet break.

Quoted from Gaffer58

No away supporters in the Osmond would mean that some unlucky souls would have to sit in the upper part and miss any ball over 10 feet.

Slade gone now, we have Ollie, so should be ok at the back, as we play football now, not hoofball.

Load of crap. Just make it mandatory to wear face masks and crack on as normal.

Quoted from fishboyUTM

Load of crap. Just make it mandatory to wear face masks and crack on as normal.

That's the answer. Everyone who enters the ground wears a mask throughout the match (apart from eating and drinking) . No exceptions. No shaking hands with people you haven't seen in months.

Everybody, and that means EVERYBODY, has to be sensible.

The power of consultation and the fishy demonstrated in this thread. Assuming BP has 9000 capacity a maximum of 4500 allowed in for each game, so a massive marketing campaign to make sure you secure your ticket. 2 free GTFC face masks per season ticket.
When and if things get back to normal you can select your normal or preferred seat so away fans can be allowed back in the Osmond. Toilets have to be open with a steward managing queues etc.
Not sure how they manage bars and catering but there must  be a way? When I've been to the new Spurs stadium they have guys with back packs walking round selling plastic bottles of lager to punters who can't be bothered to queue at the bar. Maybe that might work?
UTM and get it back on

If it is season ticket holders there really needs to be a big push to sell as many as we can as it will be some time before we get any normal match day ticket revenue so the season ticket sales will be our main form of income, we can't just take a back seat and be happy with 3000 like we always are.

Just been announced .......

Every third seat on every other row will be used, admission includes a Cheese Burger and cup of Bovril (Delivered to your seat 1 hr before you arrive). One fan every 10 mins will be allowed through the turnstile (Yes just the one) so to guarantee entry before kick off it will open a 6 am. (Suggest you start queuing around 3 am.) Face masks must be worn and can only be removed for eating, drinking, smoking and shouting at the referee. . Flasks will be allowed but they must be welded to a chain and padlocked to your seat, so you can't throw them. Every seat will be turned into a commode (Bring your own toilet roll and bleach), the continence of which must not be thrown at the referee, but taken home with you after the game. Stewards will be equipped with tazars  to enforce social distancing, or just on people they don't like the look of. After the game one person every ten minutes can exit, last one out by 11.45 pm.   ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

Just been announced .......

Every third seat on every other row will be used, admission includes a Cheese Burger and cup of Bovril (Delivered to your seat 1 hr before you arrive). One fan every 10 mins will be allowed through the turnstile (Yes just the one) so to guarantee entry before kick off it will open a 6 am. (Suggest you start queuing around 3 am.) Face masks must be worn and can only be removed for eating, drinking, smoking and shouting at the referee. . Flasks will be allowed but they must be welded to a chain and padlocked to your seat, so you can't throw them. Every seat will be turned into a commode (Bring your own toilet roll and bleach), the continence of which must not be thrown at the referee, but taken home with you after the game. Stewards will be equipped with tazars  to enforce social distancing, or just on people they don't like the look of. After the game one person every ten minutes can exit, last one out by 11.45 pm.   ;D ;D ;D

It's not as bad as it looks....you don't have to have the Cheese Burger   8)

Are flasks allowed?

Union Berlin looking at full capacity:

https://www.fc-union-berlin.de/en/union-live/latest-news/club/Union-Berlin-strives-for-full-house-244A/

Might be time for the Govt to allow temporary standing - that might be easy to manage. Then we could have some temporary standing areas installed.

If you say:
1. Compulsary masks.
2. Chanting, shouting banned
3. you work out 1 meter square distances for each seat used.
4. Households don't need to socially distance.
5. No away fans.
6, Longer half times for toilets (and bring extra portaloos)
7. Govt covers cost of policing
8. Allow people to buy Ifollow tickets

You could get a situation where we could probably get 1500-2000 in the ground safely and make it financially viable.

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

Are flasks allowed?

Only for toilet purposes  ;)

Quoted from horsforthmariner

Might be time for the Govt to allow temporary standing - that might be easy to manage. Then we could have some temporary standing areas installed.

If you say:
1. Compulsary masks.
2. Chanting, shouting banned
3. you work out 1 meter square distances for each seat used.
4. Households don't need to socially distance.
5. No away fans.
6, Longer half times for toilets (and bring extra portaloos)
7. Govt covers cost of policing
8. Allow people to buy Ifollow tickets

You could get a situation where we could probably get 1500-2000 in the ground safely and make it financially viable.

I would have thought it would be easier to manage fans social distancing who are sat down rather than standing as it is easier to move about standing than sitting.

All seems a lot of effort and ridiculous rules...the government have essentially told the nation its over but want to put control measures in place.

Football was restarted at two levels in this country for no footballing purposes really.

It’s either safe, or it’s not. Controlling when people urine, no shouting, people spread out, limited numbers etc...all seems a tad ridiculous. Stadiums either open or they don’t. We all live football but if we can’t even choose when to urine or cheer when our team scores is it even worth it.

Talking about 50% attendance is fine when you get excrement attendances like clubs at our level but the bigger teams and the higher levels can’t do that, they have 70% or so ST holders, how do you decide who gets let in?

Quoted from aldi_01

All seems a lot of effort and ridiculous rules...the government have essentially told the nation its over but want to put control measures in place.

Football was restarted at two levels in this country for no footballing purposes really.

It’s either safe, or it’s not. Controlling when people urine, no shouting, people spread out, limited numbers etc...all seems a tad ridiculous. Stadiums either open or they don’t. We all live football but if we can’t even choose when to urine or cheer when our team scores is it even worth it.

Talking about 50% attendance is fine when you get excrement attendances like clubs at our level but the bigger teams and the higher levels can’t do that, they have 70% or so ST holders, how do you decide who gets let in?

I agree, it's all or nothing for me.  I think as long as there's restrictions I'll stay away.  I'll happily sign up to live games on iFollow though, and I've never done that before.  I will do my bit to help the club out financially, but I probably won't go to games if you have to wear masks or stuff like going to the toilet becomes a worry!

The downside of this is that many fans may realise that watching Town for the comfort of their own home is actually far more convenient than going to a freezing cold BP, and this may become their preferred way of watching football in the future......

And can you imagine being told not to sing or cheer?!  Come on, if Town score a goal it's bedlam, and it always will be.  Social distancing just won't work.

I went to Tesco at the weekend and even that's all being relaxed; no more queues for the tills, people brushing against each other.  Life is gradually getting back to normal, and football shouldn't be punished when restrictions for everything else are being lifted.

Quoted from Poojah

Ultimately if I can go to work on a packed tube train, go to the pub or a restaurant, both of which are indoors and allow me to use the toilet facilities at my leisure, it seems a bit pointless banning use of the bogs at a (mostly) outdoor venue.

I can’t think of any other kind of venue that has reopened to date which has forbidden the use of toilets. I’m pretty confident that by the time football grounds reopen in some way shape or form you’ll be able to have a slash (or even a shít if it takes your fancy, you dirty, dirty bástard you).

The big London train stations have all closed their toilets.

September will be a struggle the EFL appeal against the sanctions that kept Macclesfield up won't be heard until early August apparently

Boris Johnson just said he "hopes that spectators will be allowed to return to football stadia from the middle of October."

A lot earlier than I imagined. Trials in early August will give us a sense of the relative safety.

Why can't we have a few hundred people in the ground at least selected by a lottery?

Does it make sense to therefore start the season in mid October? Maybe we could do the checkatrade behind close doors beforehand as nobody goes to that anyway.

I think we have to start earlier than October, provided there’s a financial package before that.

If the season starts mid-September, but BP doesnt open until the mid-October, there will only be a few home games that we wont have a crowd, so any 'financial package' wouldnt have to be massive.

If matches are to be played Saturday - Tuesday - Saturday for a while then it may only be 4 or 5 home games.

Quoted from GrimRob

Why can't we have a few hundred people in the ground at least selected by a lottery?

Well if you see how many people are actually in the grounds of the Premier League and Championship, a few hundred in ours wouldnt be a problem. Just think of it as a reserve game lol. Each stand needs people in it to retrieve the inevitable wayward shots that end up there, or in the open corners.