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Feels a bit like that GTFC ticket office is struggling a little; people can't get through on phones, Orient ticket sales process not great. I don't think we've sent the away allocation to Northampton yet and I thought part of the Osmond would be opened to home fans for Northampton straight away. We shouldn't get to a point where there are only restricted views available before opening it and also instigating ST buy-back.

I think there is good reason for this though; the close season has been very short for us and coupled with the massive demand increase it would have been very difficult to increase and train staff resources that quickly, and everyone needs and deserves a holiday...

Hopefully this will improve quickly.

Quoted from Peeler_Crab

With tickets now on general sale, I've just done a quick tally of current available seats

Pontoon = 44

Lower = 16

Upper = 36

Main = 335

I'm not sure if Northampton are getting the full allocation, or just the 1,200 which had been mentioned recently

Update...

Lower = 4
Upper = 3 (1 restricted view)
Ponny = 0
Main = 227 unrestricted (80 restricted)

I wish they’d just crack on & open the Osmond up from the start. Seems really out of order to me to essentially force people to pay full whack for restricted view seats when there are premium view seats in the Osmond that won’t be available until the last minute. It’s also no good if you want to go in a group of more than 2, given that your basically down to singles everywhere else.

The decision must’ve been made by now to have town fans in there, so let’s just get on with it.

Luckily I’ve got 2 tickets for the Main. But this is immediately showing up the point I was trying to make last week about Debbie/Jason seeming to be in the comfort zone on this issue by saying we have a 9000 capacity.

They should be speaking with each away club weeks in advance and asking do you need 600 or 1200 tickets and then dependent on the answer, making the 600 or 1200 tickets available to Town fans to buy.

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Bought 2 in Upper within mins of being available, other than 1 pair on front row, and restricted views they were the only two together available in there. All singles otherwise. Not looking good for us exiles in the future. :o

I live in Grimsby but as I work in non-league football at weekends, I won't know if I can go until last minute when there is a postponement where I'm supposed to be. I genuinely worry that I won't be able to get to the 3 or 4 games I will be able to make.

It's a great problem for the club to have but the lack of 2 seats next to one another suggests the club needs to look at bringing in some extra capacity pronto.

I think I'm more surprised than disappointed that the extra capacity issue hasn't been addressed yet.  Perhaps I'm looking at it too simplistically but the segregation of the Osmond is pretty much already there isn't it? The issue, as mentioned by others, is how many away fans are bringing and flip between the two sides accordingly.

Equally so the corners are just wasted potential.  I get that we can't expect people to sit exposed to the elements in November-February (although that's pretty much what happens in the Lower and other parts of the ground) but is it not feasible to get temp seats in the corners now and in the 3 months until the excrement weather hits plans are in place to give them some sort of cover?

In full agreement regards the restricted view seats, they're not fit for purpose and it's unfair to expect anyone to purchase one and see half of the pitch when there are unsold seats elsewhere in the ground.  I'd rather just write them off, focus on increasing the home capacity in other areas and then if needed can give those seats away for free/cheaper.

Comfort zone is probably a good term coined by Roast Em Bobby.  It does feel a bit like there's some sort of mental barrier going on that we can't/won't achieve sell-outs or even have the potential to exceed the capacity.

Quoted from diehardmariner

I think I'm more surprised than disappointed that the extra capacity issue hasn't been addressed yet.  Perhaps I'm looking at it too simplistically but the segregation of the Osmond is pretty much already there isn't it? The issue, as mentioned by others, is how many away fans are bringing and flip between the two sides accordingly.

Equally so the corners are just wasted potential.  I get that we can't expect people to sit exposed to the elements in November-February (although that's pretty much what happens in the Lower and other parts of the ground) but is it not feasible to get temp seats in the corners now and in the 3 months until the excrement weather hits plans are in place to give them some sort of cover?

In full agreement regards the restricted view seats, they're not fit for purpose and it's unfair to expect anyone to purchase one and see half of the pitch when there are unsold seats elsewhere in the ground.  I'd rather just write them off, focus on increasing the home capacity in other areas and then if needed can give those seats away for free/cheaper.

Comfort zone is probably a good term coined by Roast Em Bobby.  It does feel a bit like there's some sort of mental barrier going on that we can't/won't achieve sell-outs or even have the potential to exceed the capacity.

How are the top 3 rows of the Main Stand not classed as a restricted view? It is impossible to see any ball above head height. We play Northampton in 11 days and there aren't any half decent views for families.

The fact that the top 3 rows of the Main Stand remain unsold suggests they are the most undesirable seats in the ground so the club need to establish whether Northampton need 600 or 1200 seats and start selling what they don't need whilst also working hard to find out what additional capacity we can have.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

1,200 is the new maximum allocation.

Has that been confirmed? I thought in her interview Debbie Cook said that wasn't necessarily the case for all matches. It seems to me that some people have taken that to mean that they might slash the away allocation further, however I think what she meant there is that for certain games they might increase it back to the standard 1800ish. For the likes of Bradford and Donny for example.

Sorry, I know this has been done to death....but what percentage do we have to give to away teams, or at least offer?

Quoted from Son of Cod

Has that been confirmed? I thought in her interview Debbie Cook said that wasn't necessarily the case for all matches. It seems to me that some people have taken that to mean that they might slash the away allocation further, however I think what she meant there is that for certain games they might increase it back to the standard 1800ish. For the likes of Bradford and Donny for example.

If she did think that then it's a mistake isn't it? We have a small capacity and when home demand is so high then 1200 is adequate.

I agree with other posters about the Osmond should be opened up now for tickets if indeed that is the plan.

I think a categoric statement from the club would be good to sort ticket arrangements once and for all.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Sorry, I know this has been done to death....but what percentage do we have to give to away teams, or at least offer?

We have to be able to give 10%, Debbie confirmed that in her interview last week. Some clubs may ask for much less but natural segregation is there for a 1200/600 split. If we were to give away fans 10% of our capacity, we would then need to segregate with covers. I guess an away allocation of 1200 comfortably covers us if we get temporary seats in too.

Is the natural segregation good enough for when Bradford come to town or will we give them 1800?

The very high demand for tickets is ‘now”,  imagine if we start the season similar to last season?

Yes the Osmond needs sorting out early. This is the no 1 issue for fans after the team.

There is clear evidence that additional seating in at least one corner is needed this season.  The additional income will cover costs.  Needed as a customer demand anyway.

Not sure the weather is a big an issue as we think.  Winters are milder. Some  Grounds still  have open stands.  Fans still have a choice if tickets sold match by match. We should have the choice at least whether to purchase an open stand ticket.  (I used the open stands in the 1960s ok).

Restricted view seats SHOULD be cheaper by a quid or two, it's as simple as that. It shouldn't be a case of 'well we told you they were restricted'

Block A in the Osmond now open. Less than 200 left in the Main.

Quoted from immariner

Restricted view seats SHOULD be cheaper by a quid or two, it's as simple as that. It shouldn't be a case of 'well we told you they were restricted'

Restricted view seats should be more than a quid or two cheaper and other seats should be openly available before it gets down to that. Like DHM said, the restricted view seats should be forgotten about as far as selling seats is concerned.

The club should also make sure single seats aren't left for a period as it stops children going with their parents.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Restricted view seats should be more than a quid or two cheaper and other seats should be openly available before it gets down to that. Like DHM said, the restricted view seats should be forgotten about as far as selling seats is concerned.

The club should also make sure single seats aren't left for a period as it stops children going with their parents.

Also single seat buyers should not have the option of choosing the middle of a row of 3 or 4 empty seats when there is a busy game

Whilst it's frustrating, this is a great problem to have. Imagine thinking this was possible 18 months ago.

From the evidence we've seen so far I think it's fair to say we know the club will be working on improving all these things. They will take time though, it's been a crazy short turn around for the club this pre season.

Quietly tucked away in this update on the OS is a reference to season tickets sales of over 5,700.

https://gtfc.co.uk/august-home-fixture-tickets-now-available/

Quoted from Poojah

Quietly tucked away in this update on the OS is a reference to season tickets sales of over 5,700.

https://gtfc.co.uk/august-home-fixture-tickets-now-available/

Perhaps they do t want to draw attention to the extra cash made?

Quoted from Poojah

Block A in the Osmond now open. Less than 200 left in the Main.

I found that strange too when me and my brother decided to watch a game from the Osmond last season for a change.

We could only pick a seat from block A and other blocks wouldn't be available until the previous block had sold out. Doesn't happen in other parts o the ground.

We bought seats in block A and sat somewhere else as did most people in there, which made it all a bit pointless.

Quoted from aldi_01

Perhaps they do t want to draw attention to the extra cash made?

At least the motives behind that don't centre around benign loan repayments and pensions these days. 2000 extra season ticket sales must equate to at least £300k after VAT and concessions which could add a "Grimsby Premium" to any player enquiries.

Quoted from Mikey_345

Whilst it's frustrating, this is a great problem to have. Imagine thinking this was possible 18 months ago.

From the evidence we've seen so far I think it's fair to say we know the club will be working on improving all these things. They will take time though, it's been a crazy short turn around for the club this pre season.

It's a sign of how good things are that we are sat here genuinely worried about how we are going to get tickets. With 5,700 season tickets sold, I think something needs to be done for exiles like you living miles away from BP. There should be a mechanism that grants people season ticket priority for away games within a certain radius of their address. You can never please everyone but a town fan living a stones throw from Sutton for example should have the opportunity to watch the game with their town supporting friends.

Back to my first sentence though, the fact we are discussing these things has to be taken as a positive.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

At least the motives behind that don't centre around benign loan repayments and pensions these days. 2000 extra season ticket sales must equate to at least £300k after VAT and concessions which could add a "Grimsby Premium" to any player enquiries.

I spoke with Cowley and a couple of coaches at Lincoln after that mad season they had, cowley had to tell the club to stop talking openly about how much they’d made because excrement players were wanting more cash because they knew Lincoln had it…

Well done to the club. I actually think they're being spot on with all of this. No point opening the Osmond too soon until seats are almost all gone elsewhere. 1 block at a time also makes sense to help he ease of segregation better.
UTM. Well done to all involved.

Tickets have gone on sale Northamptin end. They've been given an initial 919

Quoted from jamesgtfc

We have to be able to give 10%, Debbie confirmed that in her interview last week. Some clubs may ask for much less but natural segregation is there for a 1200/600 split. If we were to give away fans 10% of our capacity, we would then need to segregate with covers. I guess an away allocation of 1200 comfortably covers us if we get temporary seats in too.

Is the natural segregation good enough for when Bradford come to town or will we give them 1800?

Thank you.

We all know the absolute frustration when it comes to away tickets and I don't want us to be 'that' club. But I think I'm definitely leaning towards just drawing a line in the sand and saying you get 10%, that's it. It doesn't matter if you can sell more or not, we're having 90% for ourselves. I dare say with the exception of Bradford and Stockport, no-one is going to bring 900. What we may lose in ticket sales to those two, I would like to think we would recover from our own ticket sales throughout the season, even if we had to lose a few seats due to segregation covers.

This will be unpopular but the layout of the ground isn't lending itself to this level of doing percentages. Logically the easiest thing to do would be to split the Pontoon for home/away fans and have the Osmond exclusively for home fans. That isn't going to happen (again), but you can certainly see why it was done back in the 1980's.

Very nice problems to have.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Thank you.

We all know the absolute frustration when it comes to away tickets and I don't want us to be 'that' club. But I think I'm definitely leaning towards just drawing a line in the sand and saying you get 10%, that's it. It doesn't matter if you can sell more or not, we're having 90% for ourselves. I dare say with the exception of Bradford and Stockport, no-one is going to bring 900. What we may lose in ticket sales to those two, I would like to think we would recover from our own ticket sales throughout the season, even if we had to lose a few seats due to segregation covers.

This will be unpopular but the layout of the ground isn't lending itself to this level of doing percentages. Logically the easiest thing to do would be to split the Pontoon for home/away fans and have the Osmond exclusively for home fans. That isn't going to happen (again), but you can certainly see why it was done back in the 1980's.

Very nice problems to have.

I think the point Debbie was making was that if we gave away fans 900 tickets, we would have to cover off about 300 in segregation so we may as well sell 1200. If a team is honest with us from the outset and only asks for 600 or less then we have 1200 tickets to sell home fans rather than 600. It all boils down to communication doesn't it?

Ah, I see! Having to cover off seats to segregate is a right pain then.

Definitely down to communication and getting it done early!

The front rows in Block A are not for sale so looks like they are being covers anyway and I woukd guess they are getting 919 because she the fron rows in there blocks are covered also .
Not clear that anymore then Block A will be available to home fans
When it’s sold out in a few days and the attendance ends up being 8000 the club will then hopefully address the issue instead of the approach to date

Quoted from HerveJosse

The front rows in Block A are not for sale so looks like they are being covers anyway and I woukd guess they are getting 919 because she the fron rows in there blocks are covered also .
Not clear that anymore then Block A will be available to home fans
When it’s sold out in a few days and the attendance ends up being 8000 the club will then hopefully address the issue instead of the approach to date

I think a number of people who can't attend every game will have bought season tickets to secure themselves a decent view for the games they can attend. Those red spaces in a home sell-out will be a cause of frustration, debate and complaint from fans that the club will have to deal with.

Certainly a good problem to have but I think it would be prudent of the club to openly discuss with fans what hoops the club need to go through and how optimistic they are of getting some extra seats in BP when, not if, we need them.

Quoted from HerveJosse

The front rows in Block A are not for sale so looks like they are being covers anyway and I woukd guess they are getting 919 because she the fron rows in there blocks are covered also .
Not clear that anymore then Block A will be available to home fans
When it’s sold out in a few days and the attendance ends up being 8000 the club will then hopefully address the issue instead of the approach to date

Covering rows of seats is just pathetic and needless, just sell the blasted seats

Imagine the outcry if a club only gave us 919 tickets knowing an away end held almost double that…

Quoted from aldi_01

Imagine the outcry if a club only gave us 919 tickets knowing an away end held almost double that…

exactly!!

Quoted from aldi_01

Imagine the outcry if a club only gave us 919 tickets knowing an away end held almost double that…

I thought it was cúntish when Notts County did it, given they had the ability to give us another couple of thousand more but opted against it to give themselves a competitive advantage (that ended well).

I thought it was perfectly reasonable when Wrexham gave us even less, on the basis they had met the minimum requirement and would go on to sell every seat in the home end to their own fans.

If Town can sell those seats in the Osmond, and we’ve already sold 40 since they became available three hours ago, a week and a half out from the game, then there’s no issue whatsoever.

Quoted from andypandy04

Covering rows of seats is just pathetic and needless, just sell the blasted seats

the issue was covered in the interview with Debbie, which you obviously haven't bothered to listen to. It's also been covered in a previous thread on here, which you obviously haven't bothered to read

She explained that the away seat allocation total is a delicate financial balancing act between the cost of selling/not selling the seats plus the cost and inconvenience of covering the seats in tarps; This latter point is in the lap of the police who instructed the club that if they sold extra tickets ,then a higher police presence would be requireded, so increasing the cost to the club of policing the fixture.
That's the reason the Stockport fixture saw a reduced away allocation with tarps covering the first 3 rows. Basically the increased policing costs outweighed the value of selling those extra few hundred seats

so not pathetic, not needless and certainly a far more complicated situation than just selling 'the blasted seats'

I would pay the extra policing costs then to be honest. Tarpaulins look hideous and are just an invitation for idiots to rip them to shreds like ours did at Chesterfield.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I would pay the extra policing costs then to be honest. Tarpaulins look hideous and are just an invitation for idiots to rip them to shreds like ours did at Chesterfield.

If you look online our block in the Osmond is also probably going to be tarped on the first two rows.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

If you look online our block in the Osmond is also probably going to be tarped on the first two rows.

Has it suddenly become de rigueur to put ugly tarpaulins everywhere?

Notts county was totally different. We will actually fill the part we're not giving them. The whole of the stand out fans were in was empty.

Quoted from aldi_01

Imagine the outcry if a club only gave us 919 tickets knowing an away end held almost double that…

I think the play-off gate receipts were split 6 ways so there was very little financial gain if Notts gave us more tickets but we served them with karma. The ticket situation there is much different though because it's a 20k stadium that they can't fill. We are in a situation where we can't fit our fans in so there is some method to our limiting of away numbers.

And again, the issue of police literally bullying clubs is raised once again, meanwhile folk cryarse about a statement telling us what rules/laws were already in place.

How on earth the police can dictate to a private company how they can and can’t sell tickets is bonkers.

The issue with the tarp was covered by Debbie and o understand exactly why their allocation is so low…still, we’d be up in arms on here, regardless of facts had we only been given say 919 for orient…

Quoted from forza ivano

the issue was covered in the interview with Debbie, which you obviously haven't bothered to listen to. It's also been covered in a previous thread on here, which you obviously haven't bothered to read

She explained that the away seat allocation total is a delicate financial balancing act between the cost of selling/not selling the seats plus the cost and inconvenience of covering the seats in tarps; This latter point is in the lap of the police who instructed the club that if they sold extra tickets ,then a higher police presence would be requireded, so increasing the cost to the club of policing the fixture.
That's the reason the Stockport fixture saw a reduced away allocation with tarps covering the first 3 rows. Basically the increased policing costs outweighed the value of selling those extra few hundred seats

so not pathetic, not needless and certainly a far more complicated situation than just selling 'the blasted seats'

For me this is another reason to stop saying we have a capacity of 9032 in the context of selling out the ground. If we have seats that require tarpaulin then we can't sell those seats or at least choose not to for financial reasons. Counting them in the total is either incorrect or disingenuous.

Quoted from Poojah

Block A in the Osmond now open. Less than 200 left in the Main.

nothing at all left in Pontoon, Upper or Lower. Only 50 unrestricted view seats left in the main. Over 80 sold in the first block of the Osmond

Quoted from aldi_01

And again, the issue of police literally bullying clubs is raised once again, meanwhile folk cryarse about a statement telling us what rules/laws were already in place.

How on earth the police can dictate to a private company how they can and can’t sell tickets is bonkers.

The issue with the tarp was covered by Debbie and o understand exactly why their allocation is so low…still, we’d be up in arms on here, regardless of facts had we only been given say 919 for orient…

But if we don't reduce the capacity by placing tarps over the front rows, you need more police/stewards to cover along the fence and stop fans going over onto the pitch.

The cost of these extra stewards/police is more than the money made from extra ticket sales, so there is not much point. Plus 900 away fans is easier to handle in and around the ground than 1200 to 1800.

We are under no obligation to put away fans before our own.

It'll hardly matter for the majority of games anyway, as most teams don't have large away followings.

Who are these numpties booking 2 seats but purposefully leaving at least one single seat next tothem, for no obvious reason? The software should prevent this

Quoted from ginnywings

But if we don't reduce the capacity by placing tarps over the front rows, you need more police/stewards to cover along the fence and stop fans going over onto the pitch.

The cost of these extra stewards/police is more than the money made from extra ticket sales, so there is not much point. Plus 900 away fans is easier to handle in and around the ground than 1200 to 1800.

We are under no obligation to put away fans before our own.

It'll hardly matter for the majority of games anyway, as most teams don't have large away followings.

Pay it then!
On one we applaud the owners for not penny pinching then when it effects how many fans get in it’s ok to pennypinch.

Quoted from HerveJosse

Pay it then!
On one we applaud the owners for not penny pinching then when it effects how many fans get in it’s ok to pennypinch.

It's not penny pinching though is it?

It's making a financial decision not to lose money to accommodate more away fans.

Quoted from HerveJosse

Pay it then!
On one we applaud the owners for not penny pinching then when it effects how many fans get in it’s ok to pennypinch.

Penny pinching is furloughing the groundsman, penny pinching is paying your top scorer less. Penny pinching is shimmying up some floodlights in the hope you can sort it yourself, flipping it up and then having to get someone to do it properly anyway. Penny pinching is refusing to pay a tax bill…this is not penny pinching…

Quoted from ginnywings

It's not penny pinching though is it?

It's making a financial decision not to lose money to accommodate more away fans.

And more home fans

Quoted from HerveJosse

And more home fans

More fans…who cares if it’s 250 home or away…they’re all paying…however, if that 250 barely makes the money to cover the costs of additional stewarding then it’s not worth it…

Quoted from aldi_01

More fans…who cares if it’s 250 home or away…they’re all paying…however, if that 250 barely makes the money to cover the costs of additional stewarding then it’s not worth it…

If you are one of the 250 home fans who can’t buy a ticket perhaps because you can’t justify a season ticket because you can have not make 10 games a year for various reasons then you care

Quoted from HerveJosse

If you are one of the 250 home fans who can’t buy a ticket perhaps because you can’t justify a season ticket because you can have not make 10 games a year for various reasons then you care

250 x 20 is 5 grand if my maths are right 🤔
I doubt an extra ten stewards cost that much

Quoted from HerveJosse

If you are one of the 250 home fans who can’t buy a ticket perhaps because you can’t justify a season ticket because you can have not make 10 games a year for various reasons then you care

Perhaps but judging by the numbers, even those who sometimes don’t know have committed to a season ticket this year. We’ve literally sold more season tickets than we have in 30 years and if they all turn up it’s essentially our average gate for the entirety of Fenty’s dreadful reign…

I’d argue that if someone is only making that decision on the day then they know the risk, thus, the club have been clear that it needs to be a sensible business decision.

Quoted from aldi_01

Perhaps but judging by the numbers, even those who sometimes don’t know have committed to a season ticket this year. We’ve literally sold more season tickets than we have in 30 years and if they all turn up it’s essentially our average gate for the entirety of Fenty’s dreadful reign…

I’d argue that if someone is only making that decision on the day then they know the risk, thus, the club have been clear that it needs to be a sensible business decision.

Why do you benchmark everything against Fenty’s rein move on benchmark things against the best decision that can be made

Quoted from HerveJosse

Why do you benchmark everything against Fenty’s rein move on benchmark things against the best decision that can be made

Hence why I said 30 years. His dreadful rein or not, we’ve never had this many season ticket holders, and contrary to what many think, we’ve always had relatively poor home attendance (away too but we forget that).

The club have made a decision, cry bottom all you want but they’ve shown already that they generally make the right one…

I don't think some are quite grasping what we are doing in regards to accommodating more Town fans.

The Osmond holds 1800 and has 5 blocks- A B C D E.

Blocks A and B hold 600 and blocks C D and E hold 1200. There is a natural barrier between block B and block C.

We have to give 10% of capacity to away teams, so if we cover the first rows of seats in C D and E, we can give away fans 919 seats and also not have to have as many police/stewards because of the tarps.

That leaves blocks A and B for Town fans, which is 600 seats that wouldn't normally be occupied by home fans. I imagine against clubs with less away fans, that could be swapped around, so we have the larger section and them the smaller.

It looks from the ticketing plan for the Osmond that only row A is unavailable to home fans for whatever reason, which is about 30 odd seats.

Quoted from ginnywings

I don't think some are quite grasping what we are doing in regards to accommodating more Town fans.

The Osmond holds 1800 and has 5 blocks- A B C D E.

Blocks A and B hold 600 and blocks C D and E hold 1200. There is a natural barrier between block B and block C.

We have to give 10% of capacity to away teams, so if we cover the first rows of seats in C D and E, we can give away fans 919 seats and also not have to have as many police/stewards because of the tarps.

That leaves blocks A and B for Town fans, which is 600 seats that wouldn't normally be occupied by home fans. I imagine against clubs with less away fans, that could be swapped around, so we have the larger section and them the smaller.

It looks from the ticketing plan for the Osmond that only row A is unavailable to home fans for whatever reason, which is about 30 odd seats.

It’s 3 rows A not on plan and B&C already greyed out when went on sale hence why there is a 20% or so reduction in capacity

Quoted from HerveJosse

It’s 3 rows A not on plan and B&C already greyed out when went on sale hence why there is a 20% or so reduction in capacity

Fair enough, didn't know that. :-/

You have a valid point then regarding the home fans. Maybe the club should just bite the bullet and put extra policing in the 2 block home section. Maybe it's all or nothing?

It remains to be seen if we sell out that section first and foremost.

Guess we will know more as the game approaches.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I think something needs to be done for exiles like you living miles away from BP. There should be a mechanism that grants people season ticket priority for away games within a certain radius of their address. You can never please everyone but a town fan living a stones throw from Sutton for example should have the opportunity to watch the game with their town supporting friends.

For totally selfish reasons I agree mate - difficult to see how that could be done though, could be open to a lot of misuse. In the meantime I’ll just keep my fingers crossed as Sutton’s away capacity has just increased..

It will never happen and there’s many great reasons why (people having season tickets etc), but I’d love for clubs who will bring double figures to just give them the block of the main closest to the osmond and then to fill the Osmond with our fans. The idea of both sides behind both goals being full of loud Town fans would be awe inspiring

Quoted from ginnywings

Fair enough, didn't know that. :-/

You have a valid point then regarding the home fans. Maybe the club should just bite the bullet and put extra policing in the 2 block home section. Maybe it's all or nothing?

It remains to be seen if we sell out that section first and foremost.

Guess we will know more as the game approaches.

I expect Block B of the Osmond to open soon, probably tarped at the front as well. It will follow what was indicated by DC , using the structural segregation of the Osmond layout, and I expect this will be the norm. We also see if we release the 281 seats to Northampton if they need them.

We've 10 days to sell about 600 seats including the Osmond, plus ST buybacks which will be triggered in the last few days. I expect this will be a similar attendance to Stockport, but with more home fans and fewer away.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

I expect Block B of the Osmond to open soon, probably tarped at the front as well. It will follow what was indicated by DC , using the structural segregation of the Osmond layout, and I expect this will be the norm. We also see if we release the 281 seats to Northampton if they need them.

We've 10 days to sell about 600 seats including the Osmond, plus ST buybacks which will be triggered in the last few days. I expect this will be a similar attendance to Stockport, but with more home fans and fewer away.

Yeah, it's looking that way.

Stockport game was 7800 with 1450 away fans and 6350 home fans.

The Northampton game will have around 7000 home and 900 away, if they sell all theirs.

The club are smart... IF we totally sell out of every home seat they may well open up the bottom 3 rows and recruit extra stewarding if it's needed.

Of those seats covered in the osmond, are any regarded as restricted view? I remember at leat the first two rows being relatively low down…

Quoted from DB

10 stewards @ £9/hr (min wage) 3hr min per game is £270 per game is £5,400 less your 5 grand and the club is £400 out of pocket. Plus the police may want an extra PC for a full shift (8 hrs) say £30/hr ( Inc overtime, transport, NI, pension etc. ) £240 per game is £4,800.

I may be wrong with police costs but suddenly 5 grand has gone so it's easy to see why the numbers don't add up in the clubs' favour.

I'm completely baffled by your sums.

Quoted from ginnywings

I'm completely baffled by your sums.

Yeah, he hasn’t even factored in the money for those extra fans buying pies and bovril. Sh1t stats.

I think DB is calculating the additional costs over a season and comparing it to the additional income from a single game. Need to x the 5k by 23 games so its 5.4k vs 115k

Quoted from ginnywings

I'm completely baffled by your sums.

So am I, misunderstood Grimps post. Withdrawn mine.

Don’t get me wrong DB, I’m very grateful that you’re doing it but I think I’ll be checking my prediction thread results very carefully this season 🤪

Quoted from AussieMariner

Don’t get me wrong DB, I’m very grateful that you’re doing it but I think I’ll be checking my prediction thread results very carefully this season 🤪

;D ;D ;D

Quoted from ginnywings

I'm completely baffled by your sums.

I just had to get my calculator out then 😂
I should have read further down the posts but yeah they’re throwing away 5 grand for the sake of £270 if our guesstimates are correct 😂

only 100 seats left in 1st block of Osmond - that's a pretty good take up in 1.5 days, given that we were guessing that there would only be a relatively small number of 'walk ups'

Quoted from forza ivano

only 100 seats left in 1st block of Osmond - that's a pretty good take up in 1.5 days, given that we were guessing that there would only be a relatively small number of 'walk ups'

Some not we

Looks like only 40 ish ticket left in the Osmond stand mostly across the top 2 rows, wonder if we'll open the next block, if we are allowed to.

Quoted from gytone

Looks like only 40 ish ticket left in the Osmond stand mostly across the top 2 rows, wonder if we'll open the next block, if we are allowed to.

If block A sells out, then block B will be opened I would imagine. Can't see why it wouldn't be as there is a barrier between block B and block C, keeping home and away fans apart.

Quoted from ginnywings

If block A sells out, then block B will be opened I would imagine. Can't see why it wouldn't be as there is a barrier between block B and block C, keeping home and away fans apart.

Do someone has to buy the few seats left all with crap views before it’s opened ( or not) . The GTFC version of Russian Roulette.

I'm assuming B block will be for Orient?

Quoted from HerveJosse

Do someone has to buy the few seats left all with crap views before it’s opened ( or not) . The GTFC version of Russian Roulette.

No idea.

There are 50 odd seats left in block A, so I'd assume they will wait until they are sold before opening the next block, although when I went in the Osmond last season, I moved to a seat with a better view from the one I purchased as the stand wasn't full.

Quoted from lukeo

I'm assuming B block will be for Orient?

I very much doubt it for obvious reasons. ;)

Quoted from HerveJosse

Do someone has to buy the few seats left all with crap views before it’s opened ( or not) . The GTFC version of Russian Roulette.

Fear not Herve, people were discussing the lack of decent seats on here the other day and just like that, they opened up Block A of the Osmond.

Keep talking about the poor views left in the Osmond and I'm sure Block B will be opened up in no time 😉

Quoted from ginnywings

If block A sells out, then block B will be opened I would imagine. Can't see why it wouldn't be as there is a barrier between block B and block C, keeping home and away fans apart.

5 non restricted view left in Main and 33 in Osmond. Are we allowed to call it a sellout yet?

Quoted from HerveJosse

5 non restricted view left in Main and 33 in Osmond. Are we allowed to call it a sellout yet?

If you want. Is it a rhetorical question?

Block B of the Osmond not open yet, so guess not.

Quoted from ginnywings

If you want. Is it a rhetorical question?

Block B of the Osmond not open yet, so guess not.

Difficult to sell if not for sale

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Fear not Herve, people were discussing the lack of decent seats on here the other day and just like that, they opened up Block A of the Osmond.

Keep talking about the poor views left in the Osmond and I'm sure Block B will be opened up in no time 😉

I've never been right at the back of the Osmond, I assume you lose sight of the high balls like in the back rows of the Main - must do I guess the roof is the same height. I find the reluctance to just open Osmond A and B together a bit strange - it's not as if stewarding cost go up -as once the Osmond is open at all the extras stewards are needed. People shouldn't be forced to buy tickets for the top two rows when seats with a better view are potentially available.

Quoted from HerveJosse

Difficult to sell if not for sale

Well yeah, obviously. I don't know at what stage they will open block B, but I've no doubt they will.

I agree with james in that I can't understand why they don't just open both blocks at once. It happened to me when I went in there last season. Could only get a ticket for the first block, but I just moved seats anyway.

Of course, that is contingent on there being other seats you can move into. If it sells out completely, then you will have to go where your ticket says, regardless of view. Some of the seats at the top of the stand have sold, but I reckon other fans are waiting for the next block to open before buying.

I'm assuming someone needs to trigger it to be open and it was Sunday yesterday and no-one was at work. I'm sure if we are getting block B it'll be opened up today. UTM

There's only 36 seats left available in the traditional home ends. That's quite amazing. Official attendance: 6237.

For context, our final pre-Covid home game against Northampton drew an attendance of 4,879.

https://twitter.com/officialgtfc/status/1554080010109157377?t=8niXkhR2mk_ycI3yJv_uyg&s=19

Final block in The Osmond now open

Quoted from lukeo

I'm assuming B block will be for Orient?

Are they coming too? ;)

What's that block another 300?

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

What's that block another 300?

More like 250 if the bottom rows are tarped.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

What's that block another 300?

It's around 250

I can not understand people saying they don't want a restricted view as you lose the high ball.

It always comes down again . ;D

Quoted from grimsby pete

I can not understand people saying they don't want a restricted view as you lose the high ball.

It always comes down again . ;D

I’ve always wondered what people think when the ball goes up in the air? What are they watching for? An intervention from a bird? Equally, I’m not sure anyone wants a restricted view yet people still buy season tickets in the main stand…

Quoted from grimsby pete

I can not understand people saying they don't want a restricted view as you lose the high ball.

It always comes down again . ;D

Not when Basil Rathbone cleared it it didnt

Quoted from Les Brechin

Are they coming too? ;)

Puppy brain haha

Quoted from grimsby pete

I can not understand people saying they don't want a restricted view as you lose the high ball.

It always comes down again . ;D

Not when Mark Lever cleared it , he’s the only player I’ve seen knock it over the top of the Findus stand 😂

Tickets sales slowing down with just a handful sold today in the Osmond B block

Quoted from lukeo

Tickets sales slowing down with just a handful sold today in the Osmond B block

About 40 since this morning. If that carries on to Saturday we'll be effectively sold out. 7300ish home fans (probably, who the intercourse knows). 45% up on the opening home game last year

How many are we expecting the cobblers to bring?

Quoted from gtfc98

How many are we expecting the cobblers to bring?

You’d imagine them to shift the 900 or so we gave them surely?

Quoted from gtfc98

How many are we expecting the cobblers to bring?

According to Yell, there are less than a dozen cobblers in Northamton! LOL

Quoted from aldi_01

You’d imagine them to shift the 900 or so we gave them surely?

On thefootballforum I've seen their away average was circa 560 last season and that's with being 5 minutes away from automatic promotion. I'd guess around 700-800

Quoted from immariner

On thefootballforum I've seen their away average was circa 560 last season and that's with being 5 minutes away from automatic promotion. I'd guess around 700-800

That’s not great, especially given they’re pretty well located and nowhere, with a few exceptions is that far, certainly relative to us.

For what it’s worth, I saw a site this morning that said we had the second highest away attendance in L2 on Saturday, only behind Donny at Bradford (1,971).

only 20 left in Block A and 70 sold in Block B

Quoted from forza ivano

only 20 left in Block A and 70 sold in Block B

Only 7 left of the very restricted views in Block A - the worst of those don't see all of the Pontoon penalty area. A couple of hundred left for those that make a late decision to go. The biggest crowd for an opening home league game since when? If we beat 7,211 (Ipswich 98 ) which we should, it will be Wolves 96/97 - 7,910. It will be the biggest home fan attendance for a home opening League game since pre-all-seater - probably Cambridge in 91/92 - 7,657 how may would Cambridge have brought - they'd just been promoted like us - I think it was 5/600. There were 2 openers v Bolton after that circa 8,500 - but Bolton brought at least 2k to those. If not Cambridge, then, extraordinarily, it would be the infamous Leeds game in 82/83!! Official attendance 16,137 although I expect a fair few Leeds fans got in free. . Let's see what the final number is, but it would be a great quote that - biggest turn out of Grimsby fans for an opening home game for 40 years...

some just gone back on sale in the main stand, 3rd block, row c, about 12 tickets out of nowhere

It'll be great to see the old girl rocking. There will be noise all over the place as people haven't been able to get tickets on the day for their usual stands.

If the team get going it could be great

I’m absolutely gutted to be missing this one. A resplendent BP full to the brim and dazzling in the sunshine - there’s nothing better.

I take solace in the fact that the old girl will be full more often than not this season, which takes the edge off my FOMO just a bit.

If the team put in a committed performance from the off then BP could be rocking. I've got two mates, both Swansea fans, coming with me as they're visiting and I'm hoping they can see what a great fanbase we've got.

The Cobblers took 40,000 to Wembley in 1998 against us. That is a lot of fans to lose. (Ironic like last season and 1998, they very nearly got promotion). :)

9 Upper have become available for Sat

Are we doing the buy back idea if you can't make the game ?

Could this be STH's who can't make it...

Quoted from HerveJosse

Not when Basil Rathbone cleared it it didnt

When did he play for us then 🤣🤣

Quoted from tashee69

When did he play for us then 🤣🤣

Late sixties early seventies including Mcmenemy championship year. Also famous for longest suspension in football at the time 8 weeks for fighting in match against Scunny.

Quoted from HerveJosse

Late sixties early seventies including Mcmenemy championship year. Also famous for longest suspension in football at the time 8 weeks for fighting in match against Scunny.

I was joking as Basil Rathbone was a well known actor, Sherlock Holmes and a load of villainous parts in movies. It was Graham Rathbone who was the footballer.

Quoted from tashee69

I was joking as Basil Rathbone was a well known actor, Sherlock Holmes and a load of villainous parts in movies. It was Graham Rathbone who was the footballer.

Everyone called him Basil.

The seats that are coming back could be from people who've been online and put them in their basket but not actually bought them and it's now reset?

Remember a few weeks ago we was doing it for somewhere and writing stupid initials :X

Quoted from lukeo

The seats that are coming back could be from people who've been online and put them in their basket but not actually bought them and it's now reset?

Remember a few weeks ago we was doing it for somewhere and writing stupid initials :X

Us and Bromley fans (fan?) at Barnet for the away stand for Barnet v Bromley. At first, I thought the Bromley fans had actually bought tickets so it read GTFC Cvnts - then I realised it was done as above...

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Us and Bromley fans (fan?) at Barnet for the away stand for Barnet v Bromley. At first, I thought the Bromley fans had actually bought tickets so it read GTFC Cvnts - then I realised it was done as above...

Ah see I did the gtfc part but I didn't use any foul language

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

The Cobblers took 40,000 to Wembley in 1998 against us. That is a lot of fans to lose. (Ironic like last season and 1998, they very nearly got promotion). :)

Irrelevant, all clubs take more to finals - we took 30k against Bournemouth.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Only 7 left of the very restricted views in Block A - the worst of those don't see all of the Pontoon penalty area. A couple of hundred left for those that make a late decision to go. The biggest crowd for an opening home league game since when? If we beat 7,211 (Ipswich 98 ) which we should, it will be Wolves 96/97 - 7,910. It will be the biggest home fan attendance for a home opening League game since pre-all-seater - probably Cambridge in 91/92 - 7,657 how may would Cambridge have brought - they'd just been promoted like us - I think it was 5/600. There were 2 openers v Bolton after that circa 8,500 - but Bolton brought at least 2k to those. If not Cambridge, then, extraordinarily, it would be the infamous Leeds game in 82/83!! Official attendance 16,137 although I expect a fair few Leeds fans got in free. . Let's see what the final number is, but it would be a great quote that - biggest turn out of Grimsby fans for an opening home game for 40 years...

There’s YouTube videos of those Bolton games and there’s a hell of a lot more in the ground than 8500 .
The club was having the taxman’s pants down in those days

Quoted from grimps

There’s YouTube videos of those Bolton games and there’s a hell of a lot more in the ground than 8500 .
The club was having the taxman’s pants down in those days

Our attendance counter always seems to get sticky when it gets over 6000

Only the Osmond left (about 130), every other seat taken, why someone would want to sit in the top left corner of block A of the Main instead of the middle of Block B of the Osmond I'm not sure.

1 seat in the Ponny, 1 seat in the main and just over a hundred left in the Osmond. Hopefully can get a bum on every seat before Saturday.

2 in the main, ones restricted view

So if Northampton sell out those few tickets remain we are getting close to a 9k gate?

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

So if Northampton sell out those few tickets remain we are getting close to a 9k gate?

I’m predicting 6500 gate…

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

So if Northampton sell out those few tickets remain we are getting close to a 9k gate?

...cue 10-page debate about the capacity of BP...

Northampton had only sold just over 400 as of Tuesday (thumbdown)

Quoted from Peeler_Crab

Northampton had only sold just over 400 as of Tuesday (thumbdown)

crap supporters

and they are a bunch of snobby bellends as well judging by their comments about us and the town on their forum

Quoted from Hagrid

crap supporters

and they are a bunch of snobby bellends as well judging by their comments about us and the town on their forum

Yes.. I saw that too, Hagrid

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

...cue 10-page debate about the capacity of BP...

Surely someone could go and physically count the seats and put this to bed once and for all? ;D

Quoted from Hagrid

crap supporters

and they are a bunch of snobby bellends as well judging by their comments about us and the town on their forum

Their horrible soulless little town is the Stevenage of the midlands.

Only two blocks currently open on Northampton ticket site so doesn’t look like Osmond will be full

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

Their horrible soulless little town is the Stevenage of the midlands.

I mean our council are shite but they pay their bills…Northampton is such a nothing town…

Quoted from aldi_01

I mean our council are shite but they pay their bills…Northampton is such a nothing town…

Worked in Northampton for about a year,what a soulless place,worst Council in the country,they were taken over as they were such a mess.Offered us new contracts that no professional with any integrity could accept.

Quoted from Hagrid

crap supporters

and they are a bunch of snobby bellends as well judging by their comments about us and the town on their forum

Always been a weird fanbase. Look down their noses at other clubs despite their own support being shite in both numbers and noise. Plus Northampton is a dive. A complete nothing town.

And I have to say only selling 400 tickets for a game that is relatively easy to get to for first away game of the season is pathetic.

Quoted from mariner91

Always been a weird fanbase. Look down their noses at other clubs despite their own support being shite in both numbers and noise. Plus Northampton is a dive. A complete nothing town.

And I have to say only selling 400 tickets for a game that is relatively easy to get to for first away game of the season is pathetic.

I was liken them to Peterborough. Both are non places that are soulless and odd. Arrogant fan bases and this idea that they’re near London, well that was the impression I got at uni from both Peterborough and Northampton.

I’ve lectured a couple of times at Northampton Uni, cracking facilities but that’s all. Weird place and as you say, their fan base is bizarre.

I expected them to shift 900 tickets for their first away game…

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

So if Northampton sell out those few tickets remain we are getting close to a 9k gate?

There's 300 taken out for segregation. It doesn't look like they're going to sell their allocation and we aleo only count people who show up and there'll be a lot of people on holiday right now. I reckon it'll be announced as 7500ish. If they sold out it would be 8000ish

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

...cue 10-page debate about the capacity of BP...

Can it be merged with the inevitable new ground one when there is no doubt complaints about anything from the wind direction and tannoy to the noise from the passing trains and smell of McDonald’s

Remember there 40,000 fans at Wembley 98 complete bellends like there manager at the time Adkins.. crap nothing town too..

Quoted from TwoLeftFeet

Remember there 40,000 fans at Wembley 98 complete bellends like there manager at the time Adkins.. crap nothing town too..

Massive number of day trippers, most of whom would be rugby fans. The rugby union team get crowds of 13-14k, so it's really a rugby place.

Only 21 left so should all be gone this afternoon.

incredible. really is

Apparently they've not even sold 500 tickets

Quoted from out of town

Apparently they've not even sold 500 tickets

That's pathetic.

Quoted from Lost in Lincoln

That's pathetic.

The chickens won’t leave the coup knowing they’ve left the Fox at home.

Hopefully, most ST holders that can't make it will have passed their tickets on, so there are very few empty seats in the home areas.

That is really shite from Northampton - we'll have more fans in the Osmond than they will.

I’m currently the wrong side of the pond. Did the club ever establish a an official route for ST holders to release their seats when they can’t make it? Seems a shame for my seat to be empty.

If you go onto the tickets part of the website you can release your season ticket if unable to attend I think.

If you log in to your account a button has appeared which says I cannot attend, release my tickets … though it looks a bit wonky

Quoted from Running like emson

If you log in to your account a button has appeared which says I cannot attend, release my tickets … though it looks a bit wonky

Good but where is the announcement so people are aware of it!

That’s great, thanks chaps. Will take a look.

Well…err…I think I’ve done it. As advertised, it’s a bit wonky and you get no confirmation. Will see if my ticket shows up to buy.

SOLD OUT (bar for a few single seats dotted about). I put that at somewhere around 7300 home fans. Probably not had that since one of the games towards the end of 2001/2 or Fulham in 98. Probably could have sold a couple hundred more too. Singing voices at the ready lads and lasses! All 4 sides of the ground shouting Maaaaariiinneeers (the slower version) should sound immense!