1894 ASK CLUB TO ORGANISE A FULL FANS CONSULTATION ON THE NORTH STAND
There is a slightly misleading report in Wednesday’s Manchester Evening News. Contrary to their report we currently DO NOT have confidence that the atmosphere will improve under the club’s current plans.
After receiving survey results from almost 1,500 fans- which we passed onto the club, we say it is now time the club organised a full consultation starting with those currently in the North Stand.
In our view plans currently do not have atmosphere at the forefront of their plans, the position and size of the GA+ section being one such example.
1894 were invited to meetings as the club wanted us to be “anchor tenants” of the new stand, which was supposed to be The Blue Wall.
We are not aligned on much with the club at the moment on this development. We of course recognise the club has to maintain revenues but this is the last chance to sort the atmosphere at The Etihad. It’s a golden opportunity to transform the atmosphere once and for all but we feel it’s currently an opportunity the club are not grasping and time is running out. Rather than have handpicked focus groups to run plans past, we feel it is necessary now that the club consults fully.
This is what we have told the club , ie our vision based on our own surveying :
* Many fans would move and buy in to an atmospheric North Stand. The club cannot be half hearted about it though. It has to be a proper end otherwise people are inclined to stay where they are, given so many people have already had to move over the last 20 years.
* Rail seating in North Stand Level 2 - perhaps 7,000 with seating in NS Level 1 (enough space to retain a family stand if people wanted that). An under 25s section in NS2
* Club need to outline their pricing policy - ideally for the next 5 years - before fans are going to make a move.
* Currently 70% of home section is seasoncard. This ratio needs to be maintained after expansion.
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