Away allocations / South Stand

I thought the segregation within the concourse could be moved therefore opening up another entrance to seats for larger away support. If it can't be moved - massive error - then they'd be concerns about number of people using one entrance/exit

We used to give the whole of old South stand to away fans for big games (e.g. Leeds always filled it), presumably that was the same turnstiles as we have now?

There is likely to be some small flexibility in the capacity for Away fans in the South Stand in future. Not loads. Fair enough.

BUT.

Three thoughts:

1. Extending the capacity for Away fans in the South Stand so that they have a more central presence is unwise. A large and growing list of clubs are exploring the ways in which visiting fans are not in a prime position behind a goalmouth.

Splitting up away supporters into discrete sections, moving away fans to corners or placing away fans high up is the noticeable trend.

In extending the space in the South Stand for away fans home supporters will need to be moved towards the fringes. The creation of a neutral or dead zone behind the goalmouth would be far from desirable.

Ideally, home fans directly behind both goalmouths is a desirable strategy for the future. South Stand central seats full of home supporting season ticket holders should be the long term aim and seats in a section like the MKJ stand should be sold last. Away fans in the corner of a new East Stand? Sounds good.

2. The income gained from ticket sales from a very large away following seems good. Appears good only. However, a range of changed working practices and arrangements for stadium staff will be an outcome of the different set-up.

Larger than normal away numbers may well require additional facilities to be provided and significant numbers of extra temporary staff who need careful vetting and training. Food outlets, bars and toilet provision are examples of facilities that may need to be increased if larger away followings are permitted.

The entry and egress structure cannot easily be adjusted for the untypical crowd size. Similarly, the required circulation areas for visiting supporters is not very flexible at The Memorial Stsdium at present.

One of the biggest costs likely to be incurred will be the not inconsiderable cost of extra safety stewards and the inevitable policing provision. Car and coach parking provision for away teams with larger than normal followings remain a clear challenge.

It is worth calculating the cost of the "extra provision" against the "extra income" accrued. It may not be worth it.

3. It might be helpful to reflect on the outcome of past fixtures at The Mem at which "hordes" took over the South Stand area. Did it help us to beat Leeds United, WBA or FGR in their promotion season?

Once or twice it helped. Ricky Lambert has scored a cracker against someone.
There are few other times where these "hordes" went away disappointed.

With a full to capacity South Stand that is increased in size now the noise and atmosphere created can be loud and impressive. It could prove to be intimidating if it is full of away supporters.

It IS great to enjoy the atmosphere and hear the supporters in full voice when it is full of Home fans.

Long term we need to fill it.

Those who attended the Cardiff City pre season "friendly" can recall how their fans belted out their anthems. Yet they only had the allocation that is typically provided. If they had been given more of the South Stand they would have totally drowned out the home support.

This type of impact will occur if and when the money-minded short termism prevails.

Getting kicked out of cups, dropping points, getting relegated. OK. This can and will happen anyway. Letting "hordes" take over critical sections of the stadium for the short- term financial benefit will make it happen more often.

Finally. The aim has to be. Fill the South Stand with Home supporters.

I went to Cardiff freindly and they were able to have 1600 in South stand because there were NO st holders also cup games can be flexible . However with leauge games they are restricted to 650 terrace and 750 stand. Therefore the current away allocation is exactly the same as when we had the tents . This makes NO sense when we average 7500 in a 12k stadium.

You mentioned away fans income may not be worth it ?. If true then what use would it be to extend the ground any further. We haven't averaged more than 12k for 55 years. Finally talking to fans from FGR swindon Cheltenham at cricket games . They are gutted the lost of the BIG 6 away followings in div one and the revenue it brought . These clubs would sweeze in away fans like sardines in a small can.

Of course home fans need comfortable accessible family freindly facilities . However : the club needs to generate income to survive. It is equally madness to have 8500 home fans on CAT A games and only 1400 away fans . Thus leaving 2-3k empty for the sake of it.

I think most fans would agree with both our points A) priority to home fans first . B) If there are up to 3000 empty places allow the away fans to increase allocation based on needs .

I did wonder why Shrewsbury only had seats on Tuesday. Did they all want to sit down? Hopefully more money for us presuming stand is dearer than enclosure- - -

Which I get but most home games away fans are in both enclosure and stand, why was Tuesday different?

It can’t be moved as it bolted in I think.