Did the Stadium Tour today with the Grandkids, would recommend it. The guide said we are going to develop the North Stand to get the 60,000 seat capacity so we can host finals etc, he mentioned the Spurs stand as a possible option, but this would involve extensive development.
Most away fans I’ve spoken to can’t believe the legroom and the size of the concourses at our place compared to other grounds they go toSome of us miserable gits like to moan about the transport links, the crap food, and long queues for beer (all valid complaints) but I think it is generally a fantastic stadium for families and children and it makes more sense in the long-term to attract these fans for the future. The feedback I get from neutrals is they think the Etihad is fantastic compared to other stadiums. I also think our atmosphere is as good as anywhere when we get up for a match. Anfield was like a library when they were struggling on Monday night.
That’s a very good video. In fact, that’s the best fan video I’ve ever seen.
I found their views on the pre-match stuff very honest and do agree with them; “this will be the worst pre-match experience of the season, I hated it, 2 out of 10”.
The reasons he gives for that are the main reasons I think we lost the Super League Magic Weekend to St James’ Park in Newcastle and exactly why I don’t like it: Too far out of the city centre, nowhere near enough pubs around the ground (to the point that it pisses me off), feels like a kids theme park, aimed at kids even though about 90% of the people attending the game are adults.
City Square is bobbins if you’re not a six year old first time visitor, and could be miles better than it is. I make an effort to avoid it and would even rather just stand around on a random street somewhere close to the stadium doing absolutely nothing than go to City Sq.
All of the positives they give about the atmosphere and our fans being decent people are nice of them n’all. Bournemouth seem a sound bunch, and these lads are knowledgable and not a hint of bitterness.
They went there because away fans aren’t allocated an away pub near the ground, because even home fans have a pitiful amount of pubs around the ground.How many real away fans go to a fucking fanzone? They claimed the city-centre is too far away so they didn't like the pre-match atmosphere. City square is geared up for children and daytrippers. Just 20 minutes walk away they could be drinking in the pubs of one of Europe's biggest party cities where virtually all the City fans drink pre-match. I sincerely hope they are not representative of Bournemouth's usual away support.
I have met and drunk with plenty of away fans before and after matches all over the Northern Quarter. You are right about shirts though because lots of pubs don't even let people in with City shirts! The away fans seem to always go in Wetherspoons in Pic but that's the worst pub in town. I agree there are not many decent pubs near the ground but Ancoats is great these days and that is close enough.They went there because away fans aren’t allocated an away pub near the ground, because even home fans have a pitiful amount of pubs around the ground.
Those lads aren’t getting in anywhere decent in Town with Bournemouth shirts on so fans like that are stumped. They have to just get down to the Etihad and in the ground really.