[url]https://thefsa.org.uk/news/32-year-safe-standing-campaign-finally-wins/[/url]

Half the Pontoon?, open corners, Lower Youngs?

Understand from a previous thread it doesn't add much if anything to capacity so Pontoon end open corners would make most sense.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

[url]https://thefsa.org.uk/news/32-year-safe-standing-campaign-finally-wins/[/url]

Half the Pontoon?, open corners, Lower Youngs?

Understand from a previous thread it doesn't add much if anything to capacity so Pontoon end open corners would make most sense.

Not sure that those who currently sit in the half of the Pontoon and those in the Lower Youngs you want standing would say if they wanted to remain seated. Also the corners were demolished years ago.

It’s a pilot scheme for Premier League & Championship clubs only. And it wouldn’t add to capacity as every current seat = 1 rail seat = 1 standing position.

And I really don’t see the point in installing any at BP when it won’t increase revenue to help pay for pay for it. Maybe in a new stadium?

It wouldn't increase capacity at all but if there was demand for it, I guess the Pontoon seats could be used in the 3 open corners to increase capacity?

Quoted from jamesgtfc

It wouldn't increase capacity at all but if there was demand for it, I guess the Pontoon seats could be used in the 3 open corners to increase capacity?

No idea if that's possible but that would look ace, an all standing Pontoon with the open corners then filled with the left over seats, especially with a roof joining the Main to the Pontoon (or at least closing the gap).  

Good that this is happening, but disturbed that clubs taking part will be required to have a “Code of Conduct” for those in standing areas. As if football fans aren’t subject to some of the most restrictive laws in the country already, you now need another fcuking set of rules on top to make sure you’re all good boys and girls, simply because you’re standing rather than sitting?

Pathetic.

We already have standing (probably safe) waiting in the queue for the toilets at half-time.  

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

We already have standing (probably safe) waiting in the queue for the toilets at half-time.  

The standing in the queue is safe but the toilets aren't.

Quoted from diehardmariner

No idea if that's possible but that would look ace, an all standing Pontoon with the open corners then filled with the left over seats, especially with a roof joining the Main to the Pontoon (or at least closing the gap).  

Judging by the reaction, looks like just me and you think that is a good idea.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Judging by the reaction, looks like just me and you think that is a good idea.

The solution for us is a new stadium with rail seating behind both goals. That would get my vote.

Blundell Park is beyond redevelopment, no matter what the romantics think.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Judging by the reaction, looks like just me and you think that is a good idea.

It's not the idea but the practicality of installing it at  BP. It won't increase the gate and is not cost effective.

Quoted from Heisenberg

The solution for us is a new stadium with rail seating behind both goals. That would get my vote.

Blundell Park is beyond redevelopment, no matter what the romantics think.

Not safe standing per se, but I’ve always liked the look of Gremio’s ground in Brazil. It’s only nine years old, so it’s quite odd to see old school terracing in such a modern stadium.

[img]https://www.linkpicture.com/q/LPic614b5f53668781258341871.jpg[/img]

[img]https://www.rbsdirect.com.br/imagesrc/25741728.jpg?w=1200&h=630&a=c&version=1575255600[/img]

I'd understood that previously we couldn't convert seating back to terracing that was done because we were in the Championship. This change should remove that restriction. Whether there is any point, will be for 1878 to work out the cost-benefit, which I expect they are very good at...

Don't most people stand up during the match at some point anyway? Having a seat positioned behind everyone is a bonus.

If each seat can only be replaced with one standing admission, then there is ne benefit to getting rid of the seating.

Seats are designed to be sat in, not stood in front of. It’s not safe to have hundreds/thousands of people stood with something at shin height in front of them. That’s the point.

I'm fortunate enough to sit in the Upper if I was in the other stands and I'd bought a seat I'd expect to be able to sit down. I think people should be allowed to stand at football matches but in designated standing only areas.

Quoted from rancido

It's not the idea but the practicality of installing it at  BP. It won't increase the gate and is not cost effective.

It won't increase the gate itself, but whilst we're at BP surely it's only aspirational to want increase both demand and capacity.

Like it or not, we're not guaranteed to get a new ground any time soon. For the record I'm a believer that we need to move to a new ground for a variety of reasons. But until then we need to best of what we've got. Personally (and I think 1878 are the same) I don't want to limit ourselves to 6,000 home tickets every home game.

North East Lincolnshire has a population of 160,000.  6,000 is a small fraction of that, not even counting for those who live outside the county boundaries. There's no reason we shouldn't look to expand on our fan base or wait for a new stadium to do so.

As for cost effective, there's another thread in the last few days about the increased revenue from extra seats. 2000 seats sold at an average of £15 is just shy of £700,000 over a season. No accounting for any other revenue generated from food, merchandise etc.

We're in the fifth tier of the English league and selling out home games. Yes it's early days and yes it could be a flash in the pan, but if it lasts and we (as a club) aren't looking at maximising our demand and the capacity to meet it, then it would be a failure in my eyes.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Judging by the reaction, looks like just me and you think that is a good idea.

Ah, I don't see the crosses so couldn't comment. If it's just us we can have a corner each named after us. 😉

Filling the corners with seats I’d be all in favour of but if there’s standing I can’t see it anywhere other than the Ponny. A good atmosphere at BP needs the Pontoon bouncing and if there’s standing elsewhere it will just dampen that at a time when it’s the beat it’s been in a while

But ironically Vance the Pontoon is seated. Much better IMO if you’re going to the expense of safe standing to build it in the corners. It’s the cheapest way of increasing capacity. Otherwise you just spend a lot of money just to end up with the same capacity.

Get rid of the police box while we’re at it to make more space. With modern cameras you don’t have to have a control room looking directly at the pitch.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

It wouldn't increase capacity at all but if there was demand for it, I guess the Pontoon seats could be used in the 3 open corners to increase capacity?

You would have to rebuild the corners and how much would that cost and if having seating then a roof as most people would be unlikely to buy season tickets to sit in the rain. The temporary seating we had previously was put in for a few big games and soon became unsafe that it wasn't used then taken down.  

Whilst I’m a big advocate of safe standing and have experienced it at several stadiums across the world, I think, as town fans we have to recognise that it’s unlikely to feature at BP, or if it does, it’ll be only a small amount.

One thing the new owners have going for them, through the trust also is communication with fans. Whilst plenty of us would much rather stand I do know that around me in the lower findus you’d probably have a 50/50 split, ripping the seats out and replacing them, aside from being costly probably wouldn’t help with club-fan relationships and right now that’s the journey our club is on after the years of embarrassing leadership and alienation and condemnation of the fans from the previous incumbents…

I’m all in favour of ripping all the seats in the lower and the pontoon out but I’m aware that would be unlikely and I understand why.

For football in this country as a whole, it’s a step forward…may be one day we’ll be able to drink as we stand too…

I haven't stood for an entire match for years. Perhaps people who travel away in this league, and come across standing areas often can vouch for its "enhanced experience". It might be a relief to stand after a 5 hr car journey.
Or is it a nostalgia thing that we had "taken" away and now pine for.
One thing is sure, you can't mix sitting and standing, kids and women are at a disadvantage when in a standing area anyway, and some kind of leaning barrier needs erecting.
Suggest the Osmond Community corner is made a standing area, and the use of is monitored. If it's filled consistently, then it's a winner. However, if it's sparsley filled, after a few games when the novelty wears off you have an answer.

I’m still amazed that some people think a new stadium won’t happen under 1878. BP is not fit for purpose. The Main Stand & Osmond Stand especially so.

One of our owners has made his millions in delivering finance for property developments. Don’t be fooled by Jason & Andrew remaining silent. They aren’t going to go down the Fenty route of banging on about it endlessly whilst getting nowhere.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

I’m still amazed that some people think a new stadium won’t happen under 1878. BP is not fit for purpose. The Main Stand & Osmond Stand especially so.

One of our owners has made his millions in delivering finance for property developments. Don’t be fooled by Jason & Andrew remaining silent. They aren’t going to go down the Fenty route of banging on about it endlessly whilst getting nowhere.

This is my thinking. They’ll quietly go about their research and affordability processes whilst letting the team crack on and keeping supporters focussed on that. Not sure they’ll spunk valuable cash on a pipe dream either…chasing one site Becauee they’re the only people that think it’s any good…

Quoted from GollyGTFC

I’m still amazed that some people think a new stadium won’t happen under 1878. BP is not fit for purpose. The Main Stand & Osmond Stand especially so.

One of our owners has made his millions in delivering finance for property developments. Don’t be fooled by Jason & Andrew remaining silent. They aren’t going to go down the Fenty route of banging on about it endlessly whilst getting nowhere.

Although 1878 said a new stadium was not a priority they didn't rule it out. I am 100% convinced that they will have some kind of idea of how they would achieve that. For  all we know there could be low key tentative moves going on in the background to explore that. Unlike The Leech, 1878 play their cards close to their chests. Any progress that JF made towards a new ground was flagged up with a display of flags and a trumpet chorus as if to say "look what I'm doing for the club" 1878's priority was creating a better match day experience, building bridges with the fans and dragging the clubs administration into the 21st century. For our club, as a whole, to be a modern, well run business then at some point in the not too distant future we need a new ground. The present ground capacity is set and any development to increase that would be costly and need planning permission. Like a previous poster said, if the open corners were brought back into use, as either seating or standing, then it would have to be roofed. That would  increase the skyline profile with all the resulting objections from nearby residents. By increasing the ground capacity you would have to satisfy the planning officers that there is sufficient nearby parking to accommodate the increase - on street parking would never be considered as "satisfying that"..

Quoted from GollyGTFC

I’m still amazed that some people think a new stadium won’t happen under 1878. BP is not fit for purpose. The Main Stand & Osmond Stand especially so.

One of our owners has made his millions in delivering finance for property developments. Don’t be fooled by Jason & Andrew remaining silent. They aren’t going to go down the Fenty route of banging on about it endlessly whilst getting nowhere.

I agree with you. We don't know how long it took them from thinking about buying Town to the money being handed over and the contract signed. One day, preferably sooner than later, we'll wake to a plan submitted to the council for approval, money, and time frame in place.

They made promises and delivered on all of them. A new stadium was not one of their immediate priorities, but sustainability is so we will just have to be patient. ;)

I fully agree that we need to be filling BP if we want to move to a bigger stadium. There are reasons why some don't/didn't go and they are being addressed. 1878 have had some good fortune in this regard because they inherited a new, untried ticketing system and a fanzone that was on track for completion.

But, I don't think a new ticketing system would have lead to 2 home sell outs from the first 4 games. The ticketing system has undoubtedly helped but 1878 have set about ensuring fans can enjoy quality food at the game and ensured that the club communicates how many tickets are sold to create a buzz about the place. The fact people knew just how few tickets were available last week helped us sell out I am sure because it created the Fear Of Missing Out.

They've made improvements to the ground such as the glass barrier and they announced last week that they had hired 3 new portaloos. It may not sound much, but it's a small gesture that shows they appreciate queues are going to be large.

1878, whilst transparent, only tell us what they want to tell us and I'm sure work is going on behind the scenes but they won't pose for a picture on land owned by their in-laws, only for nothing to happen.

Selling out BP generates significantly more income which means we can improve various things such as infrastructure and the playing budget. But what it also does is mean that people can't get to games so there will then be demand at a new stadium, which means it can start paying for itself.