Debbie Cook interview

25 minute interview with Matt Dean.

https://t.co/L5Yt1N7YRF

I  have just listened to it. To summarise over £100k spent at BP plus more at the academy and Cheapside grounds. Work is still being done on the new training ground and a no commitment as to when it will start. We're staying at BP unless we sell out every game, but it could change.

As far as the new shirts go they were ordered in February and doubled the previous order to 1,000 shirts. Nobody knew at that time, given our league position, that we would be promoted with 5,600 season tickets sold. 1,200 seats are allocated for away fans (various reasons ) and the club is talking to the Trust to sort out how best to allocate away tickets for our fans.

The team travel to Tenerife on Friday with no local games planned, 22 players, 11 playing against 11 ( her words).

Some headlines -
Circa £200k spent on painting, pitches, pissers
Away allocation at BP 1,200 max - using the structural segregation of stand (makes absolute sense to me)
Loyalty scheme for our away trips being looked at with the Trust.

The mantra that we are not filling Blundell Park keeps being repeated - which I find a bit strange; we are not filling it to the nominal capacity, but no game since all-seater conversion has ever got within 600 that nominal capacity - its clearly not the useable capacity (perhaps Matt Dean needs to use that line in the questions). 3 games last year in the 5th tier were home sellouts and many were close to that. What I found interesting was maybe there was a hint from Debbie that redevelopment of BP might actually be a serious option - the ground has "soul" implying that others (new ones) are soulless (which we already know). Maybe I'm reading too much into that, but maybe not...?

really good interview
new fan survey coming out, to check their progress with fans
dealt with the shirt issue.
New commercial manager appointed Jo Taylor - another local female appointed to a top job
Pretty firm commitment to making the Osmond corner a home fan family enclosure, with the rest of the Osmond (1200) given to away fans. That means 600 extra seats, which surprises me, as i didn't think it was that big

Think it's prett safe to assume from what she said that Fenty had basically spent naff all and the ground has been allowed to dilapidate

Just the place to put the family stand right next to the away fans  

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Just the place to put the family stand right next to the away fans  

Wasn’t it half full of families most of last season, and isn’t the Osmond end of the Main currently the family section?

In the list of improvements to BP Debbie didn't mention the dilapidated PA system, please tell me this has been done as its currently not fit for purpose

Quoted from Simon

In the list of improvements to BP Debbie didn't mention the dilapidated PA system, please tell me this has been done as its currently not fit for purpose

They’ve talked about this since they took over, it’s an ongoing issue that is continually explored. I think the issue was the outrageous costs to adapt and improve it…

It's never been great but the PA system seemed at it's worst last night.  Just a muffled noise.

Interesting stuff about the away capacity and reclaiming of the corner for Town fans.  I agree that not filling BP shouldn't be seen as a lack of intent from the fanbase.  There's a large proportion of the ground that just isn't going to get filled on a regular basis simply because the views are so poor, rather than an increase in numbers from the 600 in the Main/Osmond corner I'd see it as replacing those type seats.  

Hoping there's more to come in terms of increasing the overall capacity but great to see the club are putting stuff in place now.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Interesting stuff about the away capacity and reclaiming of the corner for Town fans.  I agree that not filling BP shouldn't be seen as a lack of intent from the fanbase.  There's a large proportion of the ground that just isn't going to get filled on a regular basis simply because the views are so poor, rather than an increase in numbers from the 600 in the Main/Osmond corner I'd see it as replacing those type  

I'd like to see at least some acknowledgment that restricted views and the stadium facilities itself can be somewhat off putting in maximising attendance but that doesn't seem to fit the current narrative being spun.

If the bar to moving is us achieving 9k gates at Blundell park then that simply isn't physically possible, nomatter how many time they say we have 9k capacity (or even more seats in some interviews)

Quoted from Simon

In the list of improvements to BP Debbie didn't mention the dilapidated PA system, please tell me this has been done as its currently not fit for purpose

Thank you for bringing that up, i did last week and emailed Dave smith as yet still no reply. Sitting in the main stand the PA system is appalling, if we had to evacuate the stand other than watching every one pour onto the pitch we'd not stand a chance.

Yeah last nite in top of findus was utterly indecipherable and previously I've usually been able to make it out up there

The PA system is an odd one, in so much that it's one of the ground's obvious achilles heel's, and so it's surprising it hasn't been given the love that other, perhaps less obvious areas have in terms of investment. As much as I like crowd noise to be as organic as possible, pre-match music and PA announcements are nevertheless useful tools in generating atmosphere and as already noted, there is the serious point of needing to convey important information to the crowd in the event of an emergency.

I understand that the replacement of the existing system would be very costly, and that's the primary reason it hasn't been upgraded, however there must be cheaper alternatives, such as the temporary large speaker that was brought in between the Pontoon and Main Stand on occasion ahead of big games in the past.

All that said, it's clear that the club is being run with competence right now, and so I'm sure this is an oversimplification of the situation and / or the costs involved.

I do wonder whether the whole New Stadium thing and their refusal to commit to one, instead focusing on BP is a little bit of a smokescreen. We've spent at least 25 years, probably longer pushing for a new stadium with various issues or delays along the way much to our frustration as a fanbase, be that because you want a stadium or you're fed up with constant failure on the topic. Or both.

Given how we've seen 1878 be heavily focused on fan engagement and taking their views into account (for the most part, acknowledging the badge brigade), I wonder how much is being developed/planned in the background that is not spoken out loud until something of genuine substance and credentials can move forward.

I know so much can become public through planning permissions etc and I'm sure lot's of other aspects too but I wouldn't be at all surprised if 1878 have scrapped everything that went before and are quietly building the foundations of a project that might actually come to fruition without extending the fans frustration over protracted (non)movement.

All the while recognising that until said project reaches a stage where it can be put into motion and building begins, BP does need improving and will commit to do so because all best laid plans can always fail.

Quoted from Poojah

The PA system is an odd one, in so much that it's one of the ground's obvious achilles heel's, and so it's surprising it hasn't been given the love that other, perhaps less obvious areas have in terms of investment. As much as I like crowd noise to be as organic as possible, pre-match music and PA announcements are nevertheless useful tools in generating atmosphere and as already noted, there is the serious point of needing to convey important information to the crowd in the event of an emergency.

I understand that the replacement of the existing system would be very costly, and that's the primary reason it hasn't been upgraded, however there must be cheaper alternatives, such as the temporary large speaker that was brought in between the Pontoon and Main Stand on occasion ahead of big games in the past.

All that said, it's clear that the club is being run with competence right now, and so I'm sure this is an oversimplification of the situation and / or the costs involved.

Or just get a man with a large voice and a bell.

O Yea. !    O Yez  !   O  Yez  !      

Quoted from grimsby pete

Or just get a man with a large voice and a bell.

O Yea. !    O Yez  !   O  Yez  !      

There used to be a bloke who stood in the Barratt stand with the loudest voice I have ever heard. Regardless of who we were playing he always shouted the same thing every week: 'Bloody rubbish number seven'

I took in a Salisbury Town home fixture last season while visiting family, and their ground PA was clear and loud enough in each stand, we could stroll around the stands to go to the toilets and their bar areas, so got announcements on 3 sides quite easily.

I assume that surveys have been done so as to split the power amplifiers into individual stands, with ability to raise  or lower volumes as needed.

The quality and size of loudspeakers has vastly improved, even given that they need to be waterproof if positioned in open areas. Poor wiring can also effect speakers working to their clarity and I guess that those which are in place has been there for years.

A new speaker is a waste of money if the wiring is not up to standard. Loop impedance tests will prove if wiring replacement is needed. Bad connections into speakers can also effect output and clarity.

I would assume that all of these common problems, along with amplifier volume and setting tests for correct output frequencies, have been surveyed prior to getting new equipment quotes??

Quoted from acko338

I

I assume that surveys have been done so as to split the power amplifiers into individual stands, with ability to raise  or lower volumes as needed.

The quality and size of loudspeakers has vastly improved, even given that they need to be waterproof if positioned in open areas. Poor wiring can also effect speakers working to their clarity and I guess that those which are in place has been there for years.

A new speaker is a waste of money if the wiring is not up to standard. Loop impedance tests will prove if wiring replacement is needed. Bad connections into speakers can also effect output and clarity.

I would assume that all of these common problems, along with amplifier volume and setting tests for correct output frequencies, have been surveyed prior to getting new equipment quotes??

I do believe that under JF. At the start of each season we switched it all off for 30 seconds then back on again.
Surely that would have cured any Gremlins in the system !!

I seem to remember they looked at quotes to replace it and the cost was obscene - or am I misremembering?

It seems bizarre that either the efl or a ground safety officer hasn't shut the ground until it's sorted . It's dangerous on so many levels .

I might be playing devils advocate but there's something in it

Re a new stadium. Firstly, the capital required would be immense, even if a suitable site could be agreed upon. How would the money be raised. Secondly, when 1878 took over, the club, like every entertainment business, was gripped by the disastrous Covid pandemic and was about to be dumped back into the NL with a clearly inadequate playing staff, a legacy of Holloway and the previous board. What prospects were there, at the time, of a recovery of fortunes in the near to medium term?
The remarkable end to the 21-22 season has shocked us all and has required a huge re-think of the future of the club (note even the home shirt purchase planning process was turned upside down by the resurgence of interest).
I think 1878 is doing a fantastic job, improving the management structures of the club and the most immediate shortcomings in the training facilities and the stadium infrastructure issues (dressing rooms etc). I expect the list of 'things to do' stretches to several spread sheets, and all the while the balance sheet of income to expenditure has to be monitored carefully. Of course, fans are always in a hurry to see things improve both on the pitch and away from it, but there are only 24 hours in a day, the management team is not infinite in number or resources and planning is clearly key to this formidable group. Patience is always a virtue!

A possible PA announcement on our current pa system

Gjbfghbhumvgunbfyjbcfyhbgyujvderhhbvyhbvghhvggg

On a new sytem
Could Mr Smith please contact the nearest Steward , this is an emergency.

Could you please evacuate the ground

I could go on

I suspect, if we are to ever get an update regarding a new stadium and whether or not it’ll happen we’ll get a well penned, well timed press release/statement with actual concrete plans…

Unlike before where any hint or a new ground (it was never ever happening under Fenty and he only cared for himself) the club used to shoot their bolt quicker than a 14 year old jacking off to pictures of Sam Fox…

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

maybe there was a hint from Debbie that redevelopment of BP might actually be a serious option - the ground has "soul" implying that others (new ones) are soulless?

If the new owners think League One is Town's natural level and 10k is an adequate capacity, then fine, stay at Blundell Park.  I find that extremely frustrating, as I feel we could get gates of 15k in the Championship.

Given that the ground is in the middle of a residential area, are we sure that the council would grant permission for a new stand to replace the Main?

Quoted from acko338

I took in a Salisbury Town home fixture last season while visiting family, and their ground PA was clear and loud enough in each stand, we could stroll around the stands to go to the toilets and their bar areas, so got announcements on 3 sides quite easily.

I assume that surveys have been done so as to split the power amplifiers into individual stands, with ability to raise  or lower volumes as needed.

The quality and size of loudspeakers has vastly improved, even given that they need to be waterproof if positioned in open areas. Poor wiring can also effect speakers working to their clarity and I guess that those which are in place has been there for years.

A new speaker is a waste of money if the wiring is not up to standard. Loop impedance tests will prove if wiring replacement is needed. Bad connections into speakers can also effect output and clarity.

I would assume that all of these common problems, along with amplifier volume and setting tests for correct output frequencies, have been surveyed prior to getting new equipment quotes??

You know your stuff, so short of completely starting again with an up-to-date system (which seems to be cost prohibitive) would you recommend anything that can be done on a semi-temporary basis to improve things?? Even in Fenty's time in our annual relegation scraps he managed to improve the (sound) experience.

That speaker we had in the Harrington Street corner under Jolley was loud and clear, surely something like that wouldn't be extortionate.

Then again, football work comes at a premium cost, whatever they've done to the gantry cost £27k for example!

Quoted from White_shorts

If the new owners think League One is Town's natural level and 10k is an adequate capacity, then fine, stay at Blundell Park.  I find that extremely frustrating, as I feel we could get gates of 15k in the Championship.

Given that the ground is in the middle of a residential area, are we sure that the council would grant permission for a new stand to replace the Main?

I don't know but expect 1878 will do. I might be wide of the mark here but I think they may be taking a serious look at it, given the strong messaging that they are not looking at a new ground. Remember, their initial messaging was - it's not a priority, we are not filling BP. Now it's - "the capacity is 9k (when the usuable capacity clearly isn't)...we are not filling that (when we are pretty damn close to filling the home areas with STH) we are reducing the away allocation, ...hope families will go for the Osmond / Main corner...we'll start looking at additional capacity at BP if need to, and, BP has soul..."

I'm not an architect, but employ them. Let's ignore planning - we have history of a much larger capacity on the site (may or may not help don't know). The Findus was a cheapskate solution when there was an opportunity to do something more impressive. It needs an arched cantilever stand - high in the middle and lower in the two corners - precedents - Huddersfield, or, better, Thomond Park, Limerick (Munster Rugby), where the arch is seats and the lower part is terracing. It would be a smaller version, but I would estimate a capacity of circa 5k assuming any safe standing would be similar capacity to seating.

The rest would be a replacement with fully enclosed continuous cantilevered roof stands with a similar roof height to present. Maybe with a couple of blocks of safe standing in the Pontoon. I would estimate that would get 7.5k maybe, at a push, 8k capacity. So a 12.5 or 13k capacity stadium. I agree 14k / 15k is ideal for us - and that is what our historic averages show. So BP would be a little on the small side but probably cheaper (alot less siteworks cost than completely new) and deliverable in phases helping with cashflow.

A major drawback of BP - and this is the biggest shortcoming of staying IMO, I don't think it could provide a 500 place corporate suit (don't think the Findus side would have the depth); that would be a great facility for the club and town and a great money earner. Port Vale for example, off the back of promotion have sold the same number of regular ST as us, but they have sold an extra 300 corporates (500 compared to our max of 200). These earn a load of dosh - like first-class rail and airlines - all their profit (when they make it) comes from first class, they make feck all from average punters like me. Let's use £70 a match over 23 matches - (GTFC are quoting £72 for McMenemy's this season) - so Vale make £500k more than Town in matchday revenue and that's without counting the non-match day revenue, with the same fanbase as us.

Quoted from White_shorts

If the new owners think League One is Town's natural level and 10k is an adequate capacity, then fine, stay at Blundell Park.  I find that extremely frustrating, as I feel we could get gates of 15k in the Championship.

I think that's wishful thinking. We only had averages of 5.5 to 6K when we were regulars in the Championship previously.

As others have said the 9000 capacity that Debbie and Jason keep saying is just plain wrong. We'd be better to declare capacity as being 8000 and then the 10% away fans allocation could always be the Osmond corner and Town fans could have the larger part of that stand.

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

I think that's wishful thinking. We only had averages of 5.5 to 6K when we were regulars in the Championship previously.

With all respect that's a bit Fenty-like - check this out

[url]https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/nav/attnengleague.htm[/url]

through the 80s low point in football attendances and the 90s the overall average for the 2nd tier was probably not much more than 10K if our numbers have increased in line with the general trend - we'd be at 10k + average and Blades, Hudders etc games would need a 14 / 15k capacity

Quoted from ska face

Wasn’t it half full of families most of last season, and isn’t the Osmond end of the Main currently the family section?

Exactly. And just from a "crowd safety" point of view it makes more sense to promote the Osmond to families The poilice, SAG etc will certainly be happier with the prospect of a load of families being in the same stand as Bradford/Mansfield fans, than the prospect of a load of pwoper norty types.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

With all respect that's a bit Fenty-like - check this out

[url]https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/nav/attnengleague.htm[/url]

through the 80s low point in football attendances and the 90s the overall average for the 2nd tier was probably not much more than 10K if our numbers have increased in line with the general trend - we'd be at 10k + average and Blades, Hudders etc games would need a 14 / 15k capacity

This shows are average attendances over the years - https://thefishy.co.uk/story.php?id=8382729

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

I'm not an architect, but employ them. Let's ignore planning - we have history of a much larger capacity on the site (may or may not help don't know). .

What? Non starter, unless you mean something else than this looks like.

As for the rest you are talking tens of millions on a constrained site, that would require phasing over several years,  during which part of the stadium would be a building  site.

I don't thinks its remotely  feasible.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

What? Non starter, unless you mean something else than this looks like.

As for the rest you are talking tens of millions on a constrained site, that would require phasing over several years,  during which part of the stadium would be a building  site.

I don't thinks its remotely  feasible.

No I don’t mean build without planning permission - I mean let’s set aside planning issues which may or may not be a deal breaker.

Why do you think it’s not feasible as a project. I posted elsewhere an 8k stand done in 82 days. Why would it cost more than a new build with all the site remediation  drainage and utilities and highways that would be involved? Many clubs have redeveloped in situ on constrained sites - latest is Fulham.

You can't just set aside any issues, I'd  have no problem with them seeing if a scheme is feasible through  the pre application  process but whatever emerges has to be factored into the scheme. That all cost money though.

As for costs I've seen enough  design  team estimates for refurb/renovations for large capital schemes and in my experience they rarely come in cheaper than clean site rebuilds especially when phased over several  years.

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

This shows are average attendances over the years - https://thefishy.co.uk/story.php?id=8382729

I honestly hadn't realised our crowds were that low in the first few years in the Conference, averaging fewer than 3000 home fans the first couple of years. Understandable obviously but in my mind's eye I'd have gueesed we averaged 3.5-4000 . That drop from 18k in 1950 to 4k within 20 years is quite something

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

As others have said the 9000 capacity that Debbie and Jason keep saying is just plain wrong. We'd be better to declare capacity as being 8000 and then the 10% away fans allocation could always be the Osmond corner and Town fans could have the larger part of that stand.

I don't think you can just declare what capacity you feel like, and even if we did, the corner holds 600, which isn't 10% of 8000.

Our fans seem to have an obsession with upping the seating capacity at BP, when in all probability, even with the amount of season tickets we have sold, I doubt we will sell out every week.

If we sell 6000 season tickets and give the away team 1200, that still leaves about 1800 to fill. A lot of season ticket sales will be regulars from last season converting from match to match ticket buying like myself and my brother. Walk up fans may not be able to choose where they want to sit as in previous seasons, but there will be seats available somewhere.

We should know by now that the new owners are not daft and if it becomes clear that BP is bursting at the seams, then yeah, look at ways of increasing capacity, but as we stand now, we are not yet at that point.

For my money, we need to be looking at upgrading the facilities for the fans that we have now. Toilets and refreshment outlets are going to be seriously strained. We also have to weigh the cost benefits of introducing extra seating and/or more away fans with the costs of hiring said seating and extra security.

I realise that this may be an unpopular view on here, but let's see what happens regards capacity and trust that the board are keeping a close eye on developments.

If our season average goes up by 2000, we will still be well in capacity.

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

As others have said the 9000 capacity that Debbie and Jason keep saying is just plain wrong.

Based on what? Isn’t it her job to know what the capacity is as fairy fundamental starting point?

Quoted from ska face

Based on what? Isn’t it her job to know what the capacity is as fairy fundamental starting point?

Well if you add up the totals for all the stands published on the official website then the total comes in at less than 9032.

Website not accurate? Now there’s a first.

Are the stairwell exits of the Upper Findus one-way fire exits or could they possibly be used to allow fans to enter each end of the Upper? The current entrance is such a bottleneck and fairly uncomfortable from about 2.45. Possibly a daft suggestion but I think if you sat towards either end of the Upper and didn't need a urine or a bovril, you'd be likely to use it

Brand new website maybe they should  check the content?

Quoted from immariner

I honestly hadn't realised our crowds were that low in the first few years in the Conference, averaging fewer than 3000 home fans the first couple of years. Understandable obviously but in my mind's eye I'd have gueesed we averaged 3.5-4000 . That drop from 18k in 1950 to 4k within 20 years is quite something

Our crowds have always been pretty volatile. The best example I can think of is in the late 60's early 70's were a low of 1800 odd turned into regular 10,000 crowds culminating in 23000 for the final game of the season. That involved no ground improvements, no long-term plan or any plan, just a manager (McMenemy) and a galvanised team and public who had had enough of struggling.

It is sad but true that in the Buckley second-tier times support was surprisingly low, but I think football is in a different place today - in many ways, it is so popular and almost defines a town if the football club is on the up or down.

I think this current surge will be long-lasting because the foundations are being built to keep the fan base and build on it year on year.

Those fans who regularly saw big crowds of 10,000 plus took it all for granted, but there is no credible reason why we should not join other less fashionable towns with much bigger crowds than we could have hoped for in the recent past.

Quoted from immariner

Are the stairwell exits of the Upper Findus one-way fire exits or could they possibly be used to allow fans to enter each end of the Upper? The current entrance is such a bottleneck and fairly uncomfortable from about 2.45. Possibly a daft suggestion but I think if you sat towards either end of the Upper and didn't need a urine or a bovril, you'd be likely to use it

Absolutely! I’ve said it before but that stairway and access/egress to the upper is an accident waiting to happen.

Also not sure how it would work logistically but surely the toilets that are situated in one of those stairwells could be used at half time? Going to the single set of bogs at half time is perilous unless you go 5 minutes either side.

Quoted from ginnywings

I don't think you can just declare what capacity you feel like, and even if we did, the corner holds 600, which isn't 10% of 8000.

Our fans seem to have an obsession with upping the seating capacity at BP, when in all probability, even with the amount of season tickets we have sold, I doubt we will sell out every week.

If we sell 6000 season tickets and give the away team 1200, that still leaves about 1800 to fill. A lot of season ticket sales will be regulars from last season converting from match to match ticket buying like myself and my brother. Walk up fans may not be able to choose where they want to sit as in previous seasons, but there will be seats available somewhere.

We should know by now that the new owners are not daft and if it becomes clear that BP is bursting at the seams, then yeah, look at ways of increasing capacity, but as we stand now, we are not yet at that point.

For my money, we need to be looking at upgrading the facilities for the fans that we have now. Toilets and refreshment outlets are going to be seriously strained. We also have to weigh the cost benefits of introducing extra seating and/or more away fans with the costs of hiring said seating and extra security.

I realise that this may be an unpopular view on here, but let's see what happens regards capacity and trust that the board are keeping a close eye on developments.

If our season average goes up by 2000, we will still be well in capacity.

I thought the corner was 800. Anyhow, if the findus, ponny and main are nearly sold out with season tickets, and the Osmond holds what 1800 or 2000, then where are the extra 1000? The Stockport game las season was a home sell out, they filled their end, and the attendance was 7818. No way another 1200 seats available. I’m pretty certain the 9k figure is based on including temporary seating.

Anyone know anywhere it states what the capacity of each stand is?

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

Anyone know anywhere it states what the capacity of each stand is?

On the official site:

[url]https://gtfc.co.uk/visitors/[/url]

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

You can't just set aside any issues, I'd  have no problem with them seeing if a scheme is feasible through  the pre application  process but whatever emerges has to be factored into the scheme. That all cost money though.

As for costs I've seen enough  design  team estimates for refurb/renovations for large capital schemes and in my experience they rarely come in cheaper than clean site rebuilds especially when phased over several  years.

I'm not doing very well here; perhaps the best way to explain my point is to assume, as you suggest, we've got a positive pre-app for up to 13k capacity on the site, which used to have 24k capacity on it 40 years ago and 17k 30 years ago. Lets also assume that the planning pre-app response requires the replacement stand roofs to create no greater shading of adjoining residential properties.

The central part of the Findus side of the ground has no residential behind so let's assume we can build a bit higher - here is my precendent [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomond_Park#/media/File:Thomond_Park.jpg[/url]  - a smaller version of this down the whole Findus stand side - maybe 5k capacity. And for the rest of the ground a wrap around version of this on 3 sides - possibly including a safe standing element- capacity 8k [url]https://gleventsstadia.co.uk/case-studies/matmut-stadium/[/url].
Drains and utilities are already on site and sized for the historic capacity. Would this cost more more than a complete new build off Freeman Street?

I'm not saying this is my preference, in fact, a new stadium off Freemo would be my preferred location, but I would definitely prefer a Blundell Park redevelopment to a souless out of town stadium. And going back to Debbie, there was repeat of the 1878 line that a new stadium is not being considered at all at the moment, despite Blundell Park having fewer than 2000 home seats available on match days this season, even with the extra 600 in the Osmond / Main Corner. JS, AP and DC, are highly competent and succesful business professionals, they will be starting to plan now what GTFC might do - if say we were promoted again. In which case, Blundell Park at present would be wholly inadequate with teams like Lincoln, Barnsley, Wednesday visiting - probably £150k plus of lost revenue just for those 3 games...

I like Debbie she’s a good calibre exec who’s learning as she goes, she’s positive, accessible and in a relatively short space of time has understood a lot about what the club is about and what it means to our support.

Appointing this role is one of the best things Jason & Andrew have done as it’s someone who thinks about and more importantly addresses the stuff that never used to get done.

Small things matter, she went to the London Stadium on foot (not all the way) walking up with the supporters, the previous regime would have gone in “his” Merc.

Quoted from Grantley

Also not sure how it would work logistically but surely the toilets that are situated in one of those stairwells could be used at half time? Going to the single set of bogs at half time is perilous unless you go 5 minutes either side.

They are open at half time, that's where I usually go

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

On the official site:

[url]https://gtfc.co.uk/visitors/[/url]

Thank you

Quoted from forza ivano

really good interview
new fan survey coming out, to check their progress with fans
dealt with the shirt issue.
New commercial manager appointed Jo Taylor - another local female appointed to a top job
Pretty firm commitment to making the Osmond corner a home fan family enclosure, with the rest of the Osmond (1200) given to away fans. That means 600 extra seats, which surprises me, as i didn't think it was that big

Think it's prett safe to assume from what she said that Fenty had basically spent naff all and the ground has been allowed to dilapidate

Wasn't that Dave Smith's role?

What is his position now, I saw he was at the match on Tuesday.

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

if our numbers have increased in line with the general trend - we'd be at 10k + average and Blades, Hudders etc games would need a 14 / 15k capacity

That assumes our population and disposable income has increased in line with the average over that period, which they definitely haven't unfortunately. In fact our population is in decline whereas almost everywhere else is increasing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61966084

I do think our numbers would have increased had we been in the championship now, but it would have been at less than  the general trend due to basic demographic and economic factors.

Quoted from toontown

That assumes our population and disposable income has increased in line with the average over that period, which they definitely haven't unfortunately. In fact our population is in decline whereas almost everywhere else is increasing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61966084

I do think our numbers would have increased had we been in the championship now, but it would have been at less than  the general trend due to basic demographic and economic factors.

Up to a couple of years ago I would have agreed, I thought our falling crowds relative to other clubs and the general trend was due the factors you mentioned and the state of Blundell Park. But actually, it appears there was another factor involved...

Quoted from arryarryarry

Wasn't that Dave Smith's role?

What is his position now, I saw he was at the match on Tuesday.

They are working together according to Debbie in her interview.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

On the official site:

[url]https://gtfc.co.uk/visitors/[/url]

We've lost 254 seats.

Main   2277
Pon    1808
YU      1982
YL         826
OS      1884

Total  8777

Quoted ground capacity  9031 - 8777 = 254 fewer seats.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Our crowds have always been pretty volatile. The best example I can think of is in the late 60's early 70's were a low of 1800 odd turned into regular 10,000 crowds culminating in 23000 for the final game of the season. That involved no ground improvements, no long-term plan or any plan, just a manager (McMenemy) and a galvanised team and public who had had enough of struggling.[b][/b]

It is sad but true that in the Buckley second-tier times support was surprisingly low, but I think football is in a different place today - in many ways, it is so popular and almost defines a town if the football club is on the up or down.

I think this current surge will be long-lasting because the foundations are being built to keep the fan base and build on it year on year.

Those fans who regularly saw big crowds of 10,000 plus took it all for granted, but there is no credible reason why we should not join other less fashionable towns with much bigger crowds than we could have hoped for in the recent past.

No comparision really we had a larger capacity.
The difference then was it was standing with a capacity around 27,000, I was there when we played Wolves 79 just over 23,000 that night and it was pack to the rafters, yet our record attendance is 31.651, no idea what it would have felt like being in that crowd.

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Well if you add up the totals for all the stands published on the official website then the total comes in at less than 9032.

Yes it's 6893 for the home areas. 8777 in total. If you reduce the away capacity to give 600 more home seats as was mentioned In Debbie's interview then home capacity is nearly 7500, although a few of the remaining seats for walkups would be officially restricted view, and a big chunk would be poor being at the back of the Main. Not sure what the view from the osmond corner is like. That factor in itself is likely to suppress sales.

I wondered what seating was remaining for people who were prepared to pay full price now the offer has finished but season tickets now unavailable on the website. Perhaps that is just whilst they accommodate people rejigging were they sit with unrenewred season tickets becoming available.

Quoted from DB

We've lost 254 seats.

Main   2277
Pon    1808
YU      1982
YL         826
OS      1884

Total  8777

Quoted ground capacity  9031 - 8777 = 254 fewer seats.

Maybe those 254 seats are corporate?

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Maybe those 254 seats are corporate?

Not according to this


https://gtfc.co.uk/visitors/

No mention of corporate seats etc.Just seats!

If there was someone who had to know the exact capacity of the ground, who is currently responsible for managing it, has to make decisions on stewarding and policing it, has to sell the tickets, has to know and agree away allocations and is looking at increasing financial impact of increasing it, I would simply just accept that they probably know what they’re talking about.

Quoted from DB

We've lost 254 seats.

Main   2277
Pon    1808
YU      1982
YL         826
OS      1884

Total  8777

Quoted ground capacity  9031 - 8777 = 254 fewer seats.

How many boxes are there? I seem to think 16 and there's about 16 people per box, so very close to 254 there

Quoted from pen penfras

How many boxes are there? I seem to think 16 and there's about 16 people per box, so very close to 254 there

I think we may have solved it then. 16x16=196. I reckon that the 2 rows in the press box plus the 2 rows for players and staff in front are probably close to 58. If they are excluded from the capacity then the Main Stand corporate seats probably add up to that too.

I'm pretty sure that the "missing" seats are corporate and possibly press.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I think we may have solved it then. 16x16=196. I reckon that the 2 rows in the press box plus the 2 rows for players and staff in front are probably close to 58. If they are excluded from the capacity then the Main Stand corporate seats probably add up to that too.

I'm pretty sure that the "missing" seats are corporate and possibly press.

Maths not your strong point? 😄

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I think we may have solved it then. 16x16=196. I reckon that the 2 rows in the press box plus the 2 rows for players and staff in front are probably close to 58. If they are excluded from the capacity then the Main Stand corporate seats probably add up to that too.

I'm pretty sure that the "missing" seats are corporate and possibly press.

As 16x16=256, you might have got nearer than you thought. 😉

Quoted from ska face

If there was someone who had to know the exact capacity of the ground, who is currently responsible for managing it, has to make decisions on stewarding and policing it, has to sell the tickets, has to know and agree away allocations and is looking at increasing financial impact of increasing it, I would simply just accept that they probably know what they’re talking about.

I agree with you, but surely somebody knows the exact figure.

Yeah Debbie Cook I’d imagine.

Why can’t people just accept it?

Quoted from ska face

Yeah Debbie Cook I’d imagine.

Why can’t people just accept it?

Cos we are massive and we have that many fans, we can't get them all into the ground, therefore we need extra seating.

Our biggest crowd last season was 7818 including 1500 away fans and we had one other over 7000.

If we are restricting away fans to 1200, then I can't see where we will need extra capacity, and if it transpires that we do, then that's the time to have a look at it.

Debbie and Jason have said all this but it seems to be an obsession with some fans.

Quoted from pen penfras

Maths not your strong point? 😄

I'm actually decent at maths but clearly I need to wake up and have a coffee before doing multiplication!

Quoted from ginnywings

They are working together according to Debbie in her interview.

The Company I worked for had offices all over the World  and the few areas that had two managers sharing a role never worked out well for one of them.

Usually it was the one already in the role ending up getting dumped and being fully replaced by the newcomer.

Quoted from pen penfras

How many boxes are there? I seem to think 16 and there's about 16 people per box, so very close to 254 there

There are 9 boxes with 12 seats.

Quoted from GrimPol

There are 9 boxes with 12 seats.

Only 9? Thought it was more. Definitely had more than 12 people in when I was in one, but it was a long long time ago and probably more strict now.

And another!

https://t.co/mHUUYI7svH (full interview)

https://twitter.com/SkyBetLeagueTwo/status/1552325956253130753?t=vLHubpqIe-hi1f2kJpyifA&s=19

Pitch looks absolutely spanking. Contrast that with the condition it was in this time two years ago and you have an excellent visual metaphor for the difference in the state of the club then vs now.

[img]https://i.ibb.co/bsqdb0K/5-AB3-A9-C1-8-FB0-4-F68-AABA-402-E612-D02-C6.jpg[/img]

We’ve come a long, long way…

Quoted from Poojah

Pitch looks absolutely spanking. Contrast that with the condition it was in this time two years ago and you have an excellent visual metaphor for the difference in the state of the club then vs now.

[img]https://i.ibb.co/bsqdb0K/5-AB3-A9-C1-8-FB0-4-F68-AABA-402-E612-D02-C6.jpg[/img]

We’ve come a long, long way…

State of that pitch . Absolutely embarrassing.

There’s another interview with Debbie Cook on the Beef and Dairy Network podcast. Its mainly focused on her winning a bull at the Royal Suffolk show.

[tweet] https://twitter.com/beefanddairy/status/1551528548942450688?s=21&t=u7NjMbZx2ULxuLRijyC-vw [/tweet]