Quote from: dave.woodhall on June 23, 2019, 10:11:38 PMIt's alright to say stick an extra eight/ten thousand seats in and they'll be filled, but apart from the obvious how? (because we're still looking at a thirty per cent rise in gates at least to prevent the project from looking daft) there's also the question of where they're going to go. You're not going to be able to double the capacity of the North Stand because there isn't that much room there - in fact, a new stand even holding the same number as now would take up a lot more space than the present one because we'd have to allow a lot more legroom and corporate facilities. Then there's the additional parking that would be needed. It all adds up to much more than build it and (hope) they'll come.I thought we already had planning permission to develop/replace the North Stand and its disgracefully renamed neighbour going back to when Ellis was in charge. So that doesn't seem to be a problem.
It's alright to say stick an extra eight/ten thousand seats in and they'll be filled, but apart from the obvious how? (because we're still looking at a thirty per cent rise in gates at least to prevent the project from looking daft) there's also the question of where they're going to go. You're not going to be able to double the capacity of the North Stand because there isn't that much room there - in fact, a new stand even holding the same number as now would take up a lot more space than the present one because we'd have to allow a lot more legroom and corporate facilities. Then there's the additional parking that would be needed. It all adds up to much more than build it and (hope) they'll come.
But even so, it suggests there is no reason why we can't increase capacity in that space. And transport probably has improved, to an extent. We have more fans arriving by coach, for instance, which lessens impact to residents. Still plenty more to do there, admittedly. But if the council can grant permission for a 15,000 capacity stadium to be expanded to 40,000 then a 25% capacity boost for a stadium not far away shouldn't be catastrophic.
It's not about not thinking too big, it's about not getting ahead of ourselves. I'd love us to think bloody massive, starting with the football. Chuck shedloads of money at that first, make progress on the field, that's the biggest single thing that'll bring the crowds in. Everything follows from there. There's nothing Doug Ellis about that whatsoever.
Pretty sure the North holds just over 7k, it shouldn't be too difficult to build a new stand there that could hold say 13k (same as the Holte but with boxes and corporate included in that capacity) taking us to approx 48k. And if we're still selling out then look at Witton Lane if a further increase is needed, which will probably take a long time to sort anyway with the road and houses. I just don't see the point in spending a shitload load of money to add just a couple of K, and then find it's still not enough. Either do the North properly or leave it as it is (capacity wise).
Quote from: PeterWithesShin on June 23, 2019, 10:32:45 PMPretty sure the North holds just over 7k, it shouldn't be too difficult to build a new stand there that could hold say 13k (same as the Holte but with boxes and corporate included in that capacity) taking us to approx 48k. And if we're still selling out then look at Witton Lane if a further increase is needed, which will probably take a long time to sort anyway with the road and houses. I just don't see the point in spending a shitload load of money to add just a couple of K, and then find it's still not enough. Either do the North properly or leave it as it is (capacity wise).Good luck in almost doubling capacity with the land we have available, bearing in mind that you'll need more car parking and room for improved shop facilities.
Quote from: Brassneck on June 23, 2019, 09:46:25 PMQuote from: dave.woodhall on June 23, 2019, 09:10:07 PMQuote from: Ads on June 23, 2019, 08:58:17 PMWhy would you compare us to utter irrelevances like Walsall or Coventry as a reason not to increase capacity?And we're not going to be averaging mid-30s. We'll be selling out, every week.Strike while the iron is hot. Dont add 3,000 seats, add 10,000. Grow every facet and act like the big club we self evidently are, but seldom perform as.They're as valid as comparing us with Arsenal. The same things that are being said now were being said last time we got a 40k average, and look what happened after that. Let's see if we can fill what we've got first, before getting above ourselves.How about West Ham Dave? They now average way more than we do and I think they have a waiting list for season tickets.Football is booming. We somehow have to find a way to increase our gates just as others have done.West Ham are in London, playing in one of the world's most iconic stadiums. Ask their supporters what they think of it.
Quote from: dave.woodhall on June 23, 2019, 09:10:07 PMQuote from: Ads on June 23, 2019, 08:58:17 PMWhy would you compare us to utter irrelevances like Walsall or Coventry as a reason not to increase capacity?And we're not going to be averaging mid-30s. We'll be selling out, every week.Strike while the iron is hot. Dont add 3,000 seats, add 10,000. Grow every facet and act like the big club we self evidently are, but seldom perform as.They're as valid as comparing us with Arsenal. The same things that are being said now were being said last time we got a 40k average, and look what happened after that. Let's see if we can fill what we've got first, before getting above ourselves.How about West Ham Dave? They now average way more than we do and I think they have a waiting list for season tickets.Football is booming. We somehow have to find a way to increase our gates just as others have done.
Quote from: Ads on June 23, 2019, 08:58:17 PMWhy would you compare us to utter irrelevances like Walsall or Coventry as a reason not to increase capacity?And we're not going to be averaging mid-30s. We'll be selling out, every week.Strike while the iron is hot. Dont add 3,000 seats, add 10,000. Grow every facet and act like the big club we self evidently are, but seldom perform as.They're as valid as comparing us with Arsenal. The same things that are being said now were being said last time we got a 40k average, and look what happened after that. Let's see if we can fill what we've got first, before getting above ourselves.
Why would you compare us to utter irrelevances like Walsall or Coventry as a reason not to increase capacity?And we're not going to be averaging mid-30s. We'll be selling out, every week.Strike while the iron is hot. Dont add 3,000 seats, add 10,000. Grow every facet and act like the big club we self evidently are, but seldom perform as.
Quote from: Chinchilla Bathhouse on June 23, 2019, 10:25:28 PMIt's not about not thinking too big, it's about not getting ahead of ourselves. I'd love us to think bloody massive, starting with the football. Chuck shedloads of money at that first, make progress on the field, that's the biggest single thing that'll bring the crowds in. Everything follows from there. There's nothing Doug Ellis about that whatsoever.The crowds are being brought in with record ST sales, and it will be the best part of at least a year before it happens so the club has the opportunity to asses demand etc.