Always wondered why Swales got the blame for the bent attendance figures when the bloke on the turnstile would take 50p of my dad for us kids to go through together. Two clicks of the turnstile. Four more in the stand. Certainly in Platt Lane anyway. Sure it happened in Kippax as well.Swales was always fiddling the attendance figures. The pink final attendance typically stated around 36k. Every regular knew there were often 40k plus inside. When I was a nipper in the early 70's, my dad would lift me over the turnstile, just like many other dads did who had kids.
I bet our record attendance of 84,569 was not the true attendance, probably quite a few more in there.
It wouldn't be "quick" though, as there are thousands already walking on the roads in their way, plus car traffic. 10 buses would reduce that by 1500, a drop in the ocean, especially if we expand further.10, 150 capacity bendy buses going to Piccadilly Station, would be ideal. Quick Journey, drop off and turn around.
I have thought of a neat way of increasing capacity to 70k without much effort for City......
Open up the Minihad & Athletics stadium for overspill fans.
7K in the minihad & around the same in the athletics stadium.
Could make it family friendly, (relocate the family stand?) with a lads stand for teenagers to watch with their mates
Charge a low fee (like the cost for EDS games) and everyone watches on the big screens.
Could even be able to allow alcohol as its not a live event, simply watching on TV like millions do in pubs watching Sky.
People on the waiting list (if there are still any out there) could also be allowed to watch for free as part of their obligation to pay £100 ro be on it
This could also be an option when any ground expansion is undertaken in the Etihad, more flexible than the last expansion, which had to be done without causing too much disruption to the existing capacity.
To get fans into the stadium you've got to make it a pleasant experience these days especially when tickets are £50+. If you reduce the price of tickets then the club doesn't necessarily have to be obliged to make it a big experience when going to the match. City Square is all well and good but there's no need for it really. So too pre-match videos and associated razzamataz. And just have two bars per stand like the old Kippax at Maine Road which used to be an absolute free-for-all when it came to trying to get a pint at half time.
If it was up to me, I'd increase the capacity to 80,000 if possible and in conjunction with new partnerships with Metrolink and FirstBus and Manchester City Council I'd include FREE transport to and from the city centre as part of buying a match ticket. Take a leaf out of the German model because it works. City could be the first British club leading the way in fan-friendly ticketing. Also increase the fanzones at the stadium and have zones INSIDE marquees with each marquee having multiple beer outlets. Price it all favourably and eliminate cash. Pay contaclessly and speed up getting served.
Good point any increase is hindered by Metrolink. Also we need the to have City square properly protected from the elements.
Who said it was going to be 9000?