STANDING
ROOM ONLY |
Blacknblue looks
at ways to make the new North Stand a success |
| IN A YEAR'S
TIME, or so we’re told, Horfield is going to be the proud owner
of a 13,000 (or so) capacity stadium with half of that being seats.
Makes a bit of a change from the humble circumstances we’ve
existed in for so long doesn’t it? And that’s without
the promise of more to come in the future.
So, all things being equal we’ll be the proud owners of a tremendous asset – a 5,500 capacity stand at the Filton Avenue end of the ground which, whatever your views on standing/sitting, will undeniably be a great incentive for the more casual supporters of the Rovers to turn up more often. What can we do to make sure we make the most of this asset? Let’s be optimistic and assume we’ll average, say, 8,000 next season. That still leaves 5,000 spaces worth of spare capacity to be filled so we can afford to be creative here. First of all, let’s fill that stand. A few years ago I remember Stockport County building a nice new stand behind one goal and charging through the nose for it. The result? All County’s supporters migrated to the cheaper stand along the side and left an embarrassingly empty stand behind the goal. Realising their mistake, the club slashed the prices in the stand and hey presto, a full stand creating a decent atmosphere. So, lesson number one, don’t raise the prices just because it’s a new stand. Sod it, let’s stick our necks out and reduce the prices! Even if it’s only cut price admission for kids, OAPs and the unemployed, let’s get as many people in that stand as possible. Lesson number two: every single ground in the Premier League. Quiet as the grave innit. The reason? All the people most inclined to sing are split up all over the ground. So, let’s avoid that by making sure the new stand, or at least the middle sections of it, are unreserved seating so we can all go where we like and don’t lose each other because some people that don’t like singing fancy a season ticket slap bang in the middle of the bit where the noisy peeps like to go. Sorted. This is an opportunity to create a buzz around the club, bring in
floating supporters more regularly, make the place a more attractive
one for parents to bring their children and provide a bigger welcome
for entirely new supporters. Even people that don’t use the
new facilities are going to enjoy seeing the new stand there and
hopefully the atmosphere it generates so let’s make sure it
produces the best results for us. Lord knows it may even help improve
results on the pitch. |