@Aylesburyblue said:
Be interesting to see how the distancing will be arranged on the terrace.
Can't imagine they'll open the terrace. Much safer to keep everyone in the three seated stands. I wonder if this means subs will be going back in the dugout?
@DJWYC14 said:
I thought the terrace held around 1000?
Think Woodlands is around 5k, away end 2k, main stand 1500?
Obviously would have to limit numbers in the away end (as indeed they would have to in the other stands) but at least they would have the option of standing whilst sticking close to their allocated seats. Social distancing might be difficult to maintain, admittedly.
I’d be surprised if fans were allowed in the main stand myself, to keep this area for the clubs and their bubbles etc and spread fans around the other 3 stands
Personally, I was quite happy not having a choice, this will result in personal turmoil between a strong urge to go and concern about exposing myself to an additional risk level.
Both myself and the Mrs are vulnerable with a moderate risk and have taken reasonable care to keep the risk of exposure to a minimum. My underlining approach throughout this pandemic has been 'I don't want to find out how bad it could be'.
Running has become an important part of my life and the support I have received through this has been fundamental in my improved health & fitness, but even here, except a few occasions, I have avoided meeting with others.
We have to go shopping which I am sure is a far higher risk than probably attending a controlled football stadium, but it is a matter of weighing up what is essential against the added risk just for my own entertainment.
I am a season ticket holder but shall judge the precautions put in place by WWFC and make a decision, but will remain very wary.
To keep things simple and easy to manage the club may limit tickets to season ticket holders only, even if the theoretical limit is 4000 spectators in Tier 1.
If they can have 4000, there was a waiting list for season tickets holders due to the 2400 cut off point. I would imagine they will sell season tickets for the remaining 17 home games at an appropriate price.
@Jocks_little_helper thats my dilemma too! Desperate for a live fix but concerned not to let a year of careful behaviour go down the socially distanced toilet!
Didn't see any of the Parliament announcement or the TV news conference last night but having listened to the news this morning it feels like everything is over and life is back on. Might be watching the wrong news but this doesn't feel right to me and fills me with some degree of fear.
I want to watch some live football but I can't see why it works now and not before. I see the terrace at Adams Park as a potential superspreader event. Going to be a call for the club on a balance of safety over revenue.
I have no idea if I'm on the list for entry after my season ticket purchase fell in to a black hole. I think I will travel to matches if I can but I am certainly not excited about the prospect
Opening Day of Season. 7 day average for daily cases was 1812. 7 day average for daily deaths was 7. No fans allowed in.
Yesterday. 7 day average for daily cases was 19,544. 7 day average for daily deaths was 440. Up to 4000 fans let in (depending on tier).
Unless this is a PR exercise and almost all areas are going to start in the Top tier (strictest lockdown so no fans), and they are using football as a bit of a carrot for better compliance, there seems to be absolutely no reason for this.
Then again, going to the football outside IS safer than going to a pub, which have been open most of the way through though, so it is swings and roundabouts and not a lot about the policies has made sense for some time, as economics are obviously a large part of the decision making.
I think regardless though, the fact you could have 4,000 at Adam’s Park or 4,000 at Spurs stadium are obviously such different prospects it makes zero sense.
4,000 without away fans can easily be accommodated at AP in my opinion.
As long as every kiosk, ticket desk, and stretch of bar is open and properly staffed, limiting queues, I think pinch-points can be mitigated against.
If the club defaults to its usual behaviour over the last few years though, of opening half the facilities and under-staffing with a bunch of 16 year old temps who don't have the training or experience to anticipate the half-time rush and line up a couple teas and coffees in advance it will be dangerous.
If the club feel it would be unprofitable to fully staff facilities like that, they probably shouldn't open them at all.
People who want to stay after the game for a beer, look at the new plaqe wall, or visit the club shop, should be escorted via one exit in groups to the Vere, Monty's or a marquee straight after the final whistle.
Anyone who wants to leave on full time out another exit and straight down Hillbottom road or to the car park.
I suspect we will not get anywhere near 4k for some of the first games - a lot of our supporter base are elderly, vulnerable or young families and will not want to risk it.
I had a feeling no kiosks were open at the pilot events at various grounds and that all food and drink had to be served outside the turnstiles. I don't see how it could be done safely in the Family Stand at all, where the toilets - an issue in themselves - are right next to the kiosk at either end.
Presumably we'd also close the car park to everyone but blue badge holders? You can't socially distance with traffic down Hillbottom Road, that's a complete non-starter.
Wonder if it would be like Scotland as well, where you have to stay in the ground for the duration of the game (unless you fall ill, presumably).
@chairboyscentral said:
Can someone good with maths work out how long it would take to empty the ground if 4,000 people left in groups of, say, 100 at one-minute intervals? Although even 100 sounds like a lot.
@Quarterman said:
Opening Day of Season. 7 day average for daily cases was 1812. 7 day average for daily deaths was 7. No fans allowed in.
Yesterday. 7 day average for daily cases was 19,544. 7 day average for daily deaths was 440. Up to 4000 fans let in (depending on tier).
Unless this is a PR exercise and almost all areas are going to start in the Top tier (strictest lockdown so no fans), and they are using football as a bit of a carrot for better compliance, there seems to be absolutely no reason for this.
Then again, going to the football outside IS safer than going to a pub, which have been open most of the way through though, so it is swings and roundabouts and not a lot about the policies has made sense for some time, as economics are obviously a large part of the decision making.
I think regardless though, the fact you could have 4,000 at Adam’s Park or 4,000 at Spurs stadium are obviously such different prospects it makes zero sense.
There is no logical reason for the change of position from August. At least not that I can see.
Regarding capacity in larger stadia, I wonder if there is more concern about the volume of people travelling rather than the number of people inside the venue? Plenty of grounds could hold tens of thousand at 50% capacity but a lot of them are in urban areas and depend on public transport quite heavily. 30,000 people at Spurs, for example, would cause significant difficulty on the tube.
Also, the mood music from government seems to suggest that most populated areas will be tier 2 or 3. Like others, I doubt we will see 4,000 at AP until restrictions are loosened again, perhaps from Easter.
If I were betting on it, I’d guess it is more likely the area ends up in tier 3 (if not now then in the new year) with no supporters, than tier 1 with 4,000.
Comments
It does make sense to do so. Just will have to make the numbers fairly small. 200-300?
What is the capacity of the terrace? 1,600-1,800?
And I suppose the crush barriers could be useful in enforcing social distancing
At own risk of course. Maybe terrace dwellers in the away end and choose (if winning toss) to kick towards terrace first half??
I thought the terrace held around 1000?
Think Woodlands is around 5k, away end 2k, main stand 1500?
1,717 in 2000, but didn't it come down slightly when they reduced the licenced/'usable' capacity?
Exactly.. my thoughts as well.
Only problem with opening three sides is that Oxford might think we are putting on a tribute.
Is there room for a bowling alley in the terrace?
Obviously would have to limit numbers in the away end (as indeed they would have to in the other stands) but at least they would have the option of standing whilst sticking close to their allocated seats. Social distancing might be difficult to maintain, admittedly.
I’d be surprised if fans were allowed in the main stand myself, to keep this area for the clubs and their bubbles etc and spread fans around the other 3 stands
The other two?
Weren’t we in tier 2 before the new lockdown? Which would mean 2,000 fans?
Tier 1 but could end up in 2
It would surely make the whole thing easier to start with 2,000.
Downside is next to no profit though, having already taken payment in and surely having fairly limited food offerings.
Personally, I was quite happy not having a choice, this will result in personal turmoil between a strong urge to go and concern about exposing myself to an additional risk level.
Both myself and the Mrs are vulnerable with a moderate risk and have taken reasonable care to keep the risk of exposure to a minimum. My underlining approach throughout this pandemic has been 'I don't want to find out how bad it could be'.
Running has become an important part of my life and the support I have received through this has been fundamental in my improved health & fitness, but even here, except a few occasions, I have avoided meeting with others.
We have to go shopping which I am sure is a far higher risk than probably attending a controlled football stadium, but it is a matter of weighing up what is essential against the added risk just for my own entertainment.
I am a season ticket holder but shall judge the precautions put in place by WWFC and make a decision, but will remain very wary.
To keep things simple and easy to manage the club may limit tickets to season ticket holders only, even if the theoretical limit is 4000 spectators in Tier 1.
If they can have 4000, there was a waiting list for season tickets holders due to the 2400 cut off point. I would imagine they will sell season tickets for the remaining 17 home games at an appropriate price.
@Jocks_little_helper thats my dilemma too! Desperate for a live fix but concerned not to let a year of careful behaviour go down the socially distanced toilet!
Didn't see any of the Parliament announcement or the TV news conference last night but having listened to the news this morning it feels like everything is over and life is back on. Might be watching the wrong news but this doesn't feel right to me and fills me with some degree of fear.
I want to watch some live football but I can't see why it works now and not before. I see the terrace at Adams Park as a potential superspreader event. Going to be a call for the club on a balance of safety over revenue.
I have no idea if I'm on the list for entry after my season ticket purchase fell in to a black hole. I think I will travel to matches if I can but I am certainly not excited about the prospect
I fear this will all lead to a third national lockdown in Feb\March. I hope I am wrong.
We were in tier 3 but are now in tier 2. Peterborough, Sunderland and Oxford still in tier 3.
B'doom................ tish
Opening Day of Season. 7 day average for daily cases was 1812. 7 day average for daily deaths was 7. No fans allowed in.
Yesterday. 7 day average for daily cases was 19,544. 7 day average for daily deaths was 440. Up to 4000 fans let in (depending on tier).
Unless this is a PR exercise and almost all areas are going to start in the Top tier (strictest lockdown so no fans), and they are using football as a bit of a carrot for better compliance, there seems to be absolutely no reason for this.
Then again, going to the football outside IS safer than going to a pub, which have been open most of the way through though, so it is swings and roundabouts and not a lot about the policies has made sense for some time, as economics are obviously a large part of the decision making.
I think regardless though, the fact you could have 4,000 at Adam’s Park or 4,000 at Spurs stadium are obviously such different prospects it makes zero sense.
4,000 without away fans can easily be accommodated at AP in my opinion.
As long as every kiosk, ticket desk, and stretch of bar is open and properly staffed, limiting queues, I think pinch-points can be mitigated against.
If the club defaults to its usual behaviour over the last few years though, of opening half the facilities and under-staffing with a bunch of 16 year old temps who don't have the training or experience to anticipate the half-time rush and line up a couple teas and coffees in advance it will be dangerous.
If the club feel it would be unprofitable to fully staff facilities like that, they probably shouldn't open them at all.
People who want to stay after the game for a beer, look at the new plaqe wall, or visit the club shop, should be escorted via one exit in groups to the Vere, Monty's or a marquee straight after the final whistle.
Anyone who wants to leave on full time out another exit and straight down Hillbottom road or to the car park.
I suspect we will not get anywhere near 4k for some of the first games - a lot of our supporter base are elderly, vulnerable or young families and will not want to risk it.
I had a feeling no kiosks were open at the pilot events at various grounds and that all food and drink had to be served outside the turnstiles. I don't see how it could be done safely in the Family Stand at all, where the toilets - an issue in themselves - are right next to the kiosk at either end.
Presumably we'd also close the car park to everyone but blue badge holders? You can't socially distance with traffic down Hillbottom Road, that's a complete non-starter.
Wonder if it would be like Scotland as well, where you have to stay in the ground for the duration of the game (unless you fall ill, presumably).
I did realise that afterwards but hoped nobody would notice!
What's a 'plaque wall' - must have missed that?
The result of years of bad dental hygiene
There is no logical reason for the change of position from August. At least not that I can see.
Regarding capacity in larger stadia, I wonder if there is more concern about the volume of people travelling rather than the number of people inside the venue? Plenty of grounds could hold tens of thousand at 50% capacity but a lot of them are in urban areas and depend on public transport quite heavily. 30,000 people at Spurs, for example, would cause significant difficulty on the tube.
Also, the mood music from government seems to suggest that most populated areas will be tier 2 or 3. Like others, I doubt we will see 4,000 at AP until restrictions are loosened again, perhaps from Easter.
If I were betting on it, I’d guess it is more likely the area ends up in tier 3 (if not now then in the new year) with no supporters, than tier 1 with 4,000.