Do we get to keep our seats in the new stadium?
Friday, June 4, 2010 at 1:00PM I know it's early days and appreciate the club are working towards getting everything approved relating to the Northumberland Development Project and our majestic new stadium. And I'm equally grateful for the level of interest shown by the club/chairman re: the supporters input and positively buzzing that Bill Nicholson is being remembered in a fitting way. But there is one thing that I've not managed to see confirmed (although I vaguely remember something post-supporter survey perhaps but can't quite grasp it from the back of my mind) and that is simply this:
Where do the club plan to seat season ticket holders in the new ground?
I'm not talking about first come first served, but rather the option to retain our seat (the equivalent of) in the new stadium if we wish to do so. Thus allowing for an assured transition that people who have sat (stood) together and sang together for years will continue to do just that from practically the same point of view looking out onto the pitch in our new (to be built) home.
You might not be that fussed, but personally would like to see confirmation from the club that they plan to retain seating blocks of fans who wish to remain together. For example - the Park Lane end are suitably moved to say the new kop end thus retaining seasoned vocal support rather than going down the route of let's say Man City, who had a fragmented voice when initially moving to Eastlands where there was no mass movement of blocks of fans. Some would say they still struggle to out sing away fans.
My understanding that from an official standpoint the club have not yet reached the level of detail within the Development project where they look at specific seating arrangements for current season ticket holders. Which is fair enough, as long as the option is one that exists once that level of detail has been achieved.
Like I said, early days, but I believe this is the last piece in the jigsaw with regards to the new development, and it's a vital piece. Looking forward to what Levy and co decide.
Reader Comments (21)
i believe that i read that they plan to put all season ticket holders together in the NEW SHELF
I would hope that this is where fans groups such as The Trust also come into play. Dare I say also that the club could consider a more general opinion poll!?!! Even if they took no notice of it, it would be a good PR exercise. Not very likely I know.....
Usually the club will invite season ticket holders to the new stadium to view seats within a similar area.
From the consultation document:
• Keeping fans together – We will seek to keep fans together in
groups when we move to retain the camaraderie which has built
up over the years.
I'll be happy to get a season ticket where ever. Although I suspect that they wont be allocating another 23,089 of them so I might still miss out!
Well levy has played a blinder for us in recent times so I can't see his backing this one up. We'll make this place a fortress if he gets it right. The future is so bright I'm almost blinded by it.
On another note I hope rio f is crocked as daws is on standby to replace him. It would be great for him and us if he got some world cup time. He deserves it really even if it is only in the 3rd group match that will probably be meaningless. King and Terry to start against yanks?
Thanks Shelfy, I knew I had read something somewhere. Although apparently if you email the club, they won't quote this - rather than simply say they have yet to decide.
Club say season ticket holders will be grouped together, whether that means park lane boys will be in the stand nearest the park lane I don't know. I think the new Kop type stand will be at the paxton end so can't see that being a family stand anymore.
Edit
*him cacking this one up*
Tbh I haven't "settled" into a seat yet. I've only had a season ticket for 1 season so far (what a season to get it!!!) and I am moving next year to a cheaper seat in the tier below because I couldn't get into the south stand. I guess the place where all the noise will come from in the new stadium is supposed to be the "kop" stand. So that is likely where I will try and get my seat providing nothing changes my mind between now and when we move in. Plus from the plans, that looks the closest to WHL station too ;-)
1st
when the stadium is completed IS it expandable to accomodate even more fans in , in the future or i my mind it needs to be around 60k already, instead of 56k+
Here Here, this is imperative!!!!
Does anyone know the final ground capacity would prefer 60k to 56k + agree with yid up north if we become as big as we are hoping for ground will need expanding. COYS.
This will happen. I doubt the club would want to piss us off. They have no reason to mix up the fans.
As the black, blind, one-legged, orphaned, begger said
'I wish I had your problems'
Such is life Jimmy old boy.
Dawson - packed, booked, on board
I wrote to the club a year ago to ask the same question. My seat is east stand upper- front row on the half way line and I want to retain a simile position in the new stadium. It won't be fair if a brand new season ticket holder gets the prime position and loyal fans who have attended every game for 30 years (remember the lean years between 1989 and 2006) get banished half way up the stand on one of the wings. There is no reason the club can't agree in principle to people keeping their position without getting into detail at this point.
THE KOP TYPE STAND WILL BE THE SOUTH STAND D.LEVY TOLD MEMDERS AT THE AGM
Seems a bit strange to say I know but I'm quite worried about moving into the new place.My seat is in the back row of the shelf (block 29) and we all stand up.Sitting down can be ok on occassion if it's nice and steep but what drives me mad is the constant up and down that so often happens.Also worried about the cost of a similar seat in the new place too.