Also, it depends to a point on how you see WWFC games are supported in the future.
If, thanks to things like the new TV deal, more and more people decide to stream games instead of actually going to the stadium, then yes, you could say 12K might be too many.
If, as I hope will be the case, live attendance continues to prosper, then 12K would be a good figure to aim for.
Slightly off topic, but I’ll be interested to see if we take the cups any more seriously in the Bloomfield era.
My guess is that we won’t, given RC’s expectation of promotion, but we’ll see. It feels like ages since we’ve had a decent cup run, even though we have had glamour ties relatively recently (Man City A, Spurs H).
It would be lovely to have a good run in the cups. I always think that adds something special to a season. When you look back the cup runs stick in the memory more than the promotions in my case but I am old.
I don't see 12,000 capacity being too stupid a suggestion. I have mentioned several times on other discussions that the terrace needs to be addressed and looked at. As long as we aren't as bad as MK who have 30,000 and can only fill 15% of it.
If you look at the teams coming into the League next year, Reading, Northampton, Stevenage and Leyton Orient are all not too far away and that could mean a few more of their fans come over for a visit. As well as Oxford, Derby, Portsmouth, Charlton who will also bring a big following too.
I'm surprised that we haven't looked too much at the facilities of the main stand. These must be really dated and could really do with looking at once the issues around the terrace have been addressed.
Also, let's not forget that we effectively cut the capacity by around 500 when we upgraded the dugouts, as we no longer put on sale those seats directly affected by that, with the views from them being severely restricted.
Please don’t talk about “teams” coming into “the league” “next year” @Otter87 !! You’ve really sparked anxiety in an ancient pedant.
You’ll know about my fragilities and sensitivities from my comments both on here and in Direct Messages. Next year seems a lifetime away. In just over three weeks we’ll have the fixtures for next season.
I’m very much in agreement with you about the prospect of quite a few substantial away followings and the suggestion that a 12,000 capacity is perfectly realistic. Of course that is based on the hope/expectation that the club is sustainable at this level.
I think development of the “main” stand and its facilities sounds like a very substantial challenge because of the sheer complexity of the building as a whole.
Anyway, good to hear from you and please don’t take my first paragraph too seriously!
The word dugout is a type of dwelling that is either wholly or partially underground. This is rarely the case these days, and they are now basically stand up shelters. What clubs still have genuine dug outs.
Are there 500 empty seats behind there then? Have genuinely never noticed.
I reminded myself in those 2 games we were allowed in during in lockdown in the championship how poor the view is from the back of the far block in the main stand to the other end.
Dreadful legroom too.
There was one Scottish lady so loud and repetitive in her come on wyc......co..ommmmbeee for 90mins that it made it a really poor experience all in.
We might need to challenge your challenge of the phrase "the league" here.
While "league" may be taken as "football league", as opposed to non league, there is a dictionary definition of "league" as "a group of sports clubs which play each other over a period for a championship"
Comments
I’d have thought if our ambition is top of L1/bottom of the championship then 12,000 is the baseline.
goodness me
Also, it depends to a point on how you see WWFC games are supported in the future.
If, thanks to things like the new TV deal, more and more people decide to stream games instead of actually going to the stadium, then yes, you could say 12K might be too many.
If, as I hope will be the case, live attendance continues to prosper, then 12K would be a good figure to aim for.
As the current ground can hold up to 10k with the right safety certificate it'd hardly an outrageous premise is it?
Especially not if we did get to the champs properly, I.e. not ina fan less season.
Definitely in need of expansion if that's the current capacity 😉
Damn you're quick
Type so quickly nipping in from doing other things, that it always needs a very quick re-read 🤣
In the short term any extra money should be spent on the squad to ensure we will compete at the top of League 1.
With respect, we wouldn't.
Slightly off topic, but I’ll be interested to see if we take the cups any more seriously in the Bloomfield era.
My guess is that we won’t, given RC’s expectation of promotion, but we’ll see. It feels like ages since we’ve had a decent cup run, even though we have had glamour ties relatively recently (Man City A, Spurs H).
My memory is bad ...
but I thought we played Spurs at White Hart Lane @PBo?
@Twizz We played them at Adams Park as well, but none (or very few) of us were actually there.
Led too, through Fred, and forced Spurs to bring all the big guns on to avoid extra time.
It would be lovely to have a good run in the cups. I always think that adds something special to a season. When you look back the cup runs stick in the memory more than the promotions in my case but I am old.
Definitely, my 2 most memorable moments are both cup games. Wimbledon and Leicester away
I told you my memory was poor
You have read @Wendoverman’s posts in the past @eric_plant. I know you have.
I don't see 12,000 capacity being too stupid a suggestion. I have mentioned several times on other discussions that the terrace needs to be addressed and looked at. As long as we aren't as bad as MK who have 30,000 and can only fill 15% of it.
If you look at the teams coming into the League next year, Reading, Northampton, Stevenage and Leyton Orient are all not too far away and that could mean a few more of their fans come over for a visit. As well as Oxford, Derby, Portsmouth, Charlton who will also bring a big following too.
I'm surprised that we haven't looked too much at the facilities of the main stand. These must be really dated and could really do with looking at once the issues around the terrace have been addressed.
Also, let's not forget that we effectively cut the capacity by around 500 when we upgraded the dugouts, as we no longer put on sale those seats directly affected by that, with the views from them being severely restricted.
Please don’t talk about “teams” coming into “the league” “next year” @Otter87 !! You’ve really sparked anxiety in an ancient pedant.
You’ll know about my fragilities and sensitivities from my comments both on here and in Direct Messages. Next year seems a lifetime away. In just over three weeks we’ll have the fixtures for next season.
I’m very much in agreement with you about the prospect of quite a few substantial away followings and the suggestion that a 12,000 capacity is perfectly realistic. Of course that is based on the hope/expectation that the club is sustainable at this level.
I think development of the “main” stand and its facilities sounds like a very substantial challenge because of the sheer complexity of the building as a whole.
Anyway, good to hear from you and please don’t take my first paragraph too seriously!
The word dugout is a type of dwelling that is either wholly or partially underground. This is rarely the case these days, and they are now basically stand up shelters. What clubs still have genuine dug outs.
Chelsea
Upton Park used to, I can remember a few European grounds with running tracks, and the dug outs, where you could only see the managers head.
Risborough Rangers have or had dugouts below where people used to stand under cover, but they were still above pitch level.
Getting an exasperated sigh and digital eye-roll from @eric_plant makes it all worth it @micra 😉
In fact, I think Stamford Bridge still has the dugout but puts the subs in the stands like most grounds now
Supposedly you weren't allowed to call the dugouts at Villa Park dugouts while Doug Ellis was chairman
Are there 500 empty seats behind there then? Have genuinely never noticed.
I reminded myself in those 2 games we were allowed in during in lockdown in the championship how poor the view is from the back of the far block in the main stand to the other end.
Dreadful legroom too.
There was one Scottish lady so loud and repetitive in her come on wyc......co..ommmmbeee for 90mins that it made it a really poor experience all in.
Ah memories.
We might need to challenge your challenge of the phrase "the league" here.
While "league" may be taken as "football league", as opposed to non league, there is a dictionary definition of "league" as "a group of sports clubs which play each other over a period for a championship"
So league 1 is just that.
@micra The use of "dugout" should instead be getting your lyrical ire for the reasons the boy Harps describes here.
They should go back to having dugouts for a couple of reasons.
Firstly to stop blocking the game. That view from the old AFC Wimbledon ground was the worst I've encountered.
Shallow terrace where even being over 6ft was no help to trying to see down the wing.
And massive bus shelter esque building "dugout" blocking anything close by too.
I am amazed if there are 250 taped off seats in the 4 rows in front of me (back row behind away dugout).