1894Group statement on the atmosphere in full here

[Neville Kneville]

There is another reason why City need to be using this stadium expansion to sort out the atmosphere problems. Kids become hooked on the club because they want to be part of it. The match is exciting for them when there is a great atmosphere. When the place is quiet they might as well be watching on the telly or doing something else.

Whilst I support the 1894 group and like the idea of them trying to bridge the gap between the singing areas, I think they should consider making the top tier of the South stand their own, and building from there. Being under a low roof will make them far louder than the bottom tier and people in other areas will take their lead from them.

Am the only one who thinks also that having a good atmosphere would help to attract corporates, and being known for a bad atmosphere the oppposite?

The market in the NW isn't huge in this regard and we have to compete directly with one of the most famous 'names' in the entire world of sport. The quality of the facilities on its own isn't enough. The quality of the spectacle needs to be high, and that's not just the quality of the football. Being part of an exciting atmosphere is a part of the spectacle, too.

Definitely. It improves the product for everyone. You could even make an argument it makes us more attractive to players, although that's a tenuous link at best.

City have to take this opportunity. Even the cladding on the roof can make a difference: at the moment the songs have nothing to bounce off until the whole stadium sings.

A big ground, with cheap tickets & a fantastic atmosphere, would be an attraction in itself. People would want to be there, not just because of the team, but because of the event of going to a game.

They can build this if they act now imo. It's the one chance City will get. If they get this wrong, then it will probably not affect future gates, as they will find enough tourists etc to fill the seats as the profile of the club gets bigger & the team continues to pick up trophies (that's what happened with the rags) & probably expand even further one day, but right now, they have the opportunity to try & build something like Dortmund, rather than building Swamp II. Sacrifice some of the potential earnings for the sake of building a bigger crowd in the future.

Low prices, fantastic atmosphere= absolutely huge gates in a huge stadium 20 years down the line. Find a way to finance it.

 

[kippaxkid74]

re the constant mentions of "put the family stand in level 3" - it will never happen because most kids like to watch the action from close up and see the players faces, not squint at them from high above. I know when i was a kid i loved being right at the front (ie front 10 rows).

(and i don't have any kids.. so have never sat in the family stand, but just wanted to comment!)

 

[Chippy_boy]

Am the only one who thinks also that having a good atmosphere would help to attract corporates, and being known for a bad atmosphere the oppposite?

The market in the NW isn't huge in this regard and we have to compete directly with one of the most famous 'names' in the entire world of sport. The quality of the facilities on its own isn't enough. The quality of the spectacle needs to be high, and that's not just the quality of the football. Being part of an exciting atmosphere is a part of the spectacle, too.

Definitely. It improves the product for everyone. You could even make an argument it makes us more attractive to players, although that's a tenuous link at best.

City have to take this opportunity. Even the cladding on the roof can make a difference: at the moment the songs have nothing to bounce off until the whole stadium sings.

A big ground, with cheap tickets & a fantastic atmosphere, would be an attraction in itself. People would want to be there, not just because of the team, but because of the event of going to a game.

They can build this if they act now imo. It's the one chance City will get. If they get this wrong, then it will probably not affect future gates, as they will find enough tourists etc to fill the seats as the profile of the club gets bigger & the team continues to pick up trophies (that's what happened with the rags) & probably expand even further one day, but right now, they have the opportunity to try & build something like Dortmund, rather than building Swamp II. Sacrifice some of the potential earnings for the sake of building a bigger crowd in the future.

Low prices, fantastic atmosphere= absolutely huge gates in a huge stadium 20 years down the line. Find a way to finance it.

Not to mention it would help our performances on the pitch - motivate our players and intimidate the opposition. The value of a "fortress" atmosphere cannot be underestimated imho.

EDIT: just getting up to speed on this, so I don't know who the 1894Group have approached and what their message has been. If the message is that in the OP's post, then it's missing an enormous trick: You convince people to do something by selling the benefits, not the features. We seems to be dwelling on how we improve the atmosphere, not starting from a position of "why is it important".

Surely our presentation should start with a list of benefits; off the top off my head:

Improved results on the pitch
Improved brand image
Greater appeal to corporate sponsors
Greater appeal to match-day hospitality customers
Greater appeal to spectators, improved customer loyalty
Appeal to youngsters/young fans
Improved media coverage / media appreciation
Improved player appeal / City pulling power

You could even try to put a financial value on all this. So you end up with a convincing argument that says, OK something MUST be done about this.. Then it's just about how we go about it. But the club will move mountains if they are truly bought in to why it's really important. If they are not, then it just gets lost in the noise of lots of other competing initiatives.

 

[1.618034]

Some constructive criticism for the 1894 Group.

Last LC game I relocated to 110 (FWIWW) and when the tickets came up for the Newcastle game the club just allocated me the same seat, which was fine as I thought I'd be in with the singers again.

But now, a couple of days before the fixture, I find out that they've moved to 116...

You have my email. Why not let me know about the latest arrangements so I could have the option to move again?

I'll stay in 110 and get involved there but I would've thought that you'd make sure that people that have supported you in the past would be kept up to date via email. We don't all do facebook or Twatter or read every thread on here...


Good luck but you need to improve your communication.

 

[Puppet Master Silva]

Some constructive criticism for the 1894 Group.

Last LC game I relocated to 110 (FWIWW) and when the tickets came up for the Newcastle game the club just allocated me the same seat, which was fine as I thought I'd be in with the singers again.

But now, a couple of days before the fixture, I find out that they've moved to 116...

You have my email. Why not let me know about the latest arrangements so I could have the option to move again?

I'll stay in 110 and get involved there but I would've thought that you'd make sure that people that have supported you in the past would be kept up to date via email. We don't all do facebook or Twatter or read every thread on here...


Good luck but you need to improve your communication.

How much more work would it be having to inform everyone they've previously had contact with of their plans? There was a thread on here and if you didn't read it it's your own fault.

 

[AltrinchamBlue]

re the constant mentions of "put the family stand in level 3" - it will never happen because most kids like to watch the action from close up and see the players faces, not squint at them from high above. I know when i was a kid i loved being right at the front (ie front 10 rows).

(and i don't have any kids.. so have never sat in the family stand, but just wanted to comment!)

Definitely this. I remember whenever my dad would take me to Maine road when I was 7 or 8ish.. I always wanted to be on the front row. Hate it these days mind you id rather but up the top to see tactics and moves etc but i definitely agree with getting the kids near to the action.

 

[1.618034]

Some constructive criticism for the 1894 Group.

Last LC game I relocated to 110 (FWIWW) and when the tickets came up for the Newcastle game the club just allocated me the same seat, which was fine as I thought I'd be in with the singers again.

But now, a couple of days before the fixture, I find out that they've moved to 116...

You have my email. Why not let me know about the latest arrangements so I could have the option to move again?

I'll stay in 110 and get involved there but I would've thought that you'd make sure that people that have supported you in the past would be kept up to date via email. We don't all do facebook or Twatter or read every thread on here...


Good luck but you need to improve your communication.

How much more work would it be having to inform everyone they've previously had contact with of their plans? There was a thread on here and if you didn't read it it's your own fault.

So having a mailing list of previous contacts is hard work is it?

OK.

 

[Manchester33]

Some constructive criticism for the 1894 Group.

Last LC game I relocated to 110 (FWIWW) and when the tickets came up for the Newcastle game the club just allocated me the same seat, which was fine as I thought I'd be in with the singers again.

But now, a couple of days before the fixture, I find out that they've moved to 116...

You have my email. Why not let me know about the latest arrangements so I could have the option to move again?

I'll stay in 110 and get involved there but I would've thought that you'd make sure that people that have supported you in the past would be kept up to date via email. We don't all do facebook or Twatter or read every thread on here...


Good luck but you need to improve your communication.

Good point, fair enough.

We're in 116 tonight, and going off the stadium plan on the OS there are a couple of empty seats dotted around the block.
If you want too, try and come into this block anyway, I'm sure no stewards are going to stop you and we're not gonna mind it being more crowded!

 

[1.618034]

Some constructive criticism for the 1894 Group.

Last LC game I relocated to 110 (FWIWW) and when the tickets came up for the Newcastle game the club just allocated me the same seat, which was fine as I thought I'd be in with the singers again.

But now, a couple of days before the fixture, I find out that they've moved to 116...

You have my email. Why not let me know about the latest arrangements so I could have the option to move again?

I'll stay in 110 and get involved there but I would've thought that you'd make sure that people that have supported you in the past would be kept up to date via email. We don't all do facebook or Twatter or read every thread on here...


Good luck but you need to improve your communication.

Good point, fair enough.

We're in 116 tonight, and going off the stadium plan on the OS there are a couple of empty seats dotted around the block.
If you want too, try and come into this block anyway, I'm sure no stewards are going to stop you and we're not gonna mind it being more crowded!

OK mate, I just might do that.

 

[Corky]

re the constant mentions of "put the family stand in level 3" - it will never happen because most kids like to watch the action from close up and see the players faces, not squint at them from high above. I know when i was a kid i loved being right at the front (ie front 10 rows).

(and i don't have any kids.. so have never sat in the family stand, but just wanted to comment!)

Definitely this. I remember whenever my dad would take me to Maine road when I was 7 or 8ish.. I always wanted to be on the front row. Hate it these days mind you id rather but up the top to see tactics and moves etc but i definitely agree with getting the kids near to the action.

Not just kids, most adults as well , that is why the 3rd tiers sell out last.

Little consideration is being shown for other fans on this thread, just getting people to move isn't an option.

Recently new season ticket holders like the OP can't just decide where others should sit, people have made their choices over the last 11 plus years and newcomers need to adapt not dictate.