North Stand expansion - seating, ticketing etc

[Gone for a Burton]

But then the point is it’s not an atmosphere stand…. It’s a purpose built hospitality stand.

Opportunity to create a brilliant atmosphere missed!

1) What are Everton doing with their atmosphere ends ?

2) Does anyone know if City undertook a 'holistic', stadium wide, review of all seating/standing/home/away/ arrangements with a view to grabbing the opportunity to synchronise/coordinate all and any other relocations/ changes as part of the NS project ?

3) What is the membership of 1894 & are they all STHs ?

4) What is the membership and management structure of the OSC ?

What other unofficial, active, supporters clubs exist (Blue Alliance) ?

TIA.

 

[M18CTID]

I’m sorry but holding a piece of cardboard up above your head before kick off is not creating an atmosphere.

Even if that actually floats your boat it’s done a couple of times a season whilst loads of supporters are finishing pints or still
queuing to get in the stadium.

An atmosphere is created by 4 sides of stadium singing, screaming and shouting throughout the game.

A couple of rows at the front of the new NS second tier is not going to affect that - and for the 100th time the new stand does not get built if there were no corporate or GA premium seats !

That's not the fucking point. I've been up in that section in Level 2 loads of times when doing drop down banners and most of the fans in that section don't sing full stop. It's been stated on here numerous times that there is a void between the singers in SS3 and SS1 and some of that is down to that particular section. The club have basically slapped a hospitality area in between the 2 main singing areas of the ground.

 

[Prophet of Doom]

That's not the fucking point. I've been up in that section in Level 2 loads of times when doing drop down banners and most of the fans in that section don't sing full stop. It's been stated on here numerous times that there is a void between the singers in SS3 and SS1 and some of that is down to that particular section. The club have basically slapped a hospitality area in between the 2 main singing areas of the ground.

The problem we have is that every week there is an excuse why the atmosphere is shit.

Acoustics, too cold, kick off times, tourists, style of play, can’t hold a card above our heads, hang flags etc etc etc.

The reason the atmosphere is shit is cause there are only a few hundred that consistently sing - located in different areas. 3 stands holding 40 odd thousand supporters do not make a peep for 99% of home games.

A new stand with 8000 seats together might make a difference but who knows.

I’ve yet to see anything which has identified how many would be willing to move. If it’s less that 3000 then why is anybody moaning about 600 premium seats at the front.

And let’s hope the club have ideas how to fill the seats if we kick off next season with a new manager and the likely drop off.

 

[M18CTID]

The problem we have is that every week there is an excuse why the atmosphere is shit.

Acoustics, too cold, kick off times, tourists, style of play, can’t hold a card above our heads, hang flags etc etc etc.

The reason the atmosphere is shit is cause there are only a few hundred that consistently sing - located in different areas. 3 stands holding 40 odd thousand supporters do not make a peep for 99% of home games.

A new stand with 8000 seats together might make a difference but who knows.

I’ve yet to see anything which has identified how many would be willing to move. If it’s less that 3000 then why is anybody moaning about 600 premium seats at the front.

And let’s hope the club have ideas how to fill the seats if we kick off next season with a new manager and the likely drop off.

Maybe the club should've surveyed all season ticket holders on that - it's not rocket science is it?!

Your last paragraph is a very good point though

 

[TheGhost]

This conversation appears to be going round in circles.

Simple solution. Make SSL3 the atmosphere end and all standing.

Move anyone who doesn’t want to stand into NSL2 with all the hospitality,

That's not the fucking point. I've been up in that section in Level 2 loads of times when doing drop down banners and most of the fans in that section don't sing full stop. It's been stated on here numerous times that there is a void between the singers in SS3 and SS1 and some of that is down to that particular section. The club have basically slapped a hospitality area in between the 2 main singing areas of the ground.

I was booted out of SSL2 up to SSL3 due to Joes. Level 2 of the Etihad is mostly hospitality or premium seats now much like Wembley or the Emirate's. How much more hospitality do they need? They’re more or less giving away the hospitality for some of the lesser games as it is.

 

[Invisible Man's Bandage]

This conversation appears to be going round in circles.

Simple solution. Make SSL3 the atmosphere end and all standing.

Move anyone who doesn’t want to stand into NSL2 with all the hospitality,

I was booted out of SSL2 up to SSL3 due to Joes. Level 2 of the Etihad is mostly hospitality or premium seats now much like Wembley or the Emirate's. How much more hospitality do they need? They’re more or less giving away the hospitality for some of the lesser games as it is.

You keep banging the drum for SS3 to be made all standing but it's like that bloke who stood outside Maine Road with his end of the world sign. The club aren't considering it as if you haven't noticed they are proposing 3000 standing in the expanded NS.

The suggestion that anyone who doesn't want to stand is moved to NS L2 'with all the hospitality' is your best one yet :)

 

[Gone for a Burton]

The problem we have is that every week there is an excuse why the atmosphere is shit.

Acoustics, too cold, kick off times, tourists, style of play, can’t hold a card above our heads, hang flags etc etc etc.

The reason the atmosphere is shit is cause there are only a few hundred that consistently sing - located in different areas. 3 stands holding 40 odd thousand supporters do not make a peep for 99% of home games.

A new stand with 8000 seats together might make a difference but who knows.

I’ve yet to see anything which has identified how many would be willing to move. If it’s less that 3000 then why is anybody moaning about 600 premium seats at the front.

And let’s hope the club have ideas how to fill the seats if we kick off next season with a new manager and the likely drop off.

That's not the spirit.

We're City fans, we've got to MAKE it happen like we did in division three.

The doom wishers predicted our support would fall off a cliff.....did it fuck.

33000 for Blackpool at old Maine Road with four mismatching stands and a hair raising atmosphere.

Two goals in injury time at Wembley and three penalty saves in extra time.

We have to reflect on our history, traditions and moments along with our blue Mancunian spirit and ensure that through clear, rational and synchronised actions and communication, we effect the changes necessary to create a bear pit stadium.

It will be our last chance.

 

[TheGhost]

You keep banging the drum for SS3 to be made all standing but it's like that bloke who stood outside Maine Road with his end of the world sign. The club aren't considering it as if you haven't noticed they are proposing 3000 standing in the expanded NS.

The suggestion that anyone who doesn't want to stand is moved to NS L2 'with all the hospitality' is your best one yet :)

The current plan will dissipate what little atmosphere we have already and spread it even more thinly across the stadium.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

You keep banging the drum for SS3 to be made all standing but it's like that bloke who stood outside Maine Road with his end of the world sign. The club aren't considering it as if you haven't noticed they are proposing 3000 standing in the expanded NS.

The suggestion that anyone who doesn't want to stand is moved to NS L2 'with all the hospitality' is your best one yet :)

I've been proposing that SS2/3 become a dedicated City end for months.

It's already the 'atmosphere end' and could be even better if the singing section of 'ESL1 Kippax Corner' moved up there to replace the away fans who should be shifted down to ESL1+SSL1 round the corner flag, the least atmospheric location in the stadium as we know.

It can be achieved with low capex and without compromising any licencing /safety protocols.

It astonishes me that the club are not planning it as just one part of a wider NS re organisation.

It can be done, where there a will there's a way !!

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Maybe some will see it as an opportunity missed - but the stand was built for commercial reasons not to take a gamble that atmosphere would improve.

That kind of goes against what the club posted last week and the idea of atmospheric home end.

Surely the hotel, sky bar and huge shopping/ drinking area will be more then enough commercial revenue?

How much more premium seating do we actually need as well? A lot of seating on level 2 is half empty, especially for less glamorous games or it’s full of away fans.

When pep leaves and we inevitably get worse, I’d love to know where all these new corporate fans are coming from.

 

[pride in battle]

There are things that can be granted very easily! What is impossible in that list?

- release a pricing policy
- consult with existing season card holders in North Stand
- commit to X number of season tickets (and give choice between flexigold or normal)
- move the GA+ seats from front and centre (we gave a few suggestions as to how the could do this).

They’re all easily achievable. If the club truly wants the North Stand to be an atmospheric home end, they can do more.

How much more do you want ?

 

[pride in battle]

Here is a better image:

View attachment 133638

Yellow is current rail seating provision.

Orange is the minimum we'd like to see.

Purple is GA+

What if they put more rail seats in it and they can't fill it because of that ? 3000 to start and more iv the demand is there is a perfect compromise

 

[pride in battle]

More rail seating would be nice but I don't see it as a massive problem. It's a step in the right diretion, particularly being at the back? How many members do 1894 have in the stadium at any one time? GA + I don't think matters massively.

1894 are the only atompshere group the club has and if they don't take this opportunity to lead and influence this move they are fucking idiots.

100% agree

 

[HelloCity]

Posted yesterday and still relevant.

Keep in mind that South Stand level 1 is the area of the ground which sells out fastest.

My view is that a bigger safe standing section in the north stand would actually be more popular amongst fans in general than a seating section in the same place.

Am I the only one who feels 5/6k extra ‘seats’ would still sell out if only safe standing was on offer?

I genuinely think a 5/6k standing section in the north stand would become one of the most popular areas in the ground.

Like even if it wasn’t an official ‘end’, the demand for tickets would see season tickets or just one off tickets sell out for a bigger safe standing section for most league games.

I’m more into the mindset of build it and they will come in this regard rather count roughly how many people want to stand and have them fit into this specific section or making it slightly bigger depending on the numbers.

If Harry and Jane come over from the US to watch City, they aren’t going to say no if the only 2 tickets available are two safe standing spaces in the north stand.

I don’t think there’s anything to lose by having more safe standing anyway.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

How much more do you want ?

A seat on the CityGroup board and the stand to be called "The 1894 Stand" for at least 99 years. And one of those little platforms for their drummer to lead everyone from the front row (of course)

 

[pride in battle]

This conversation appears to be going round in circles.

Simple solution. Make SSL3 the atmosphere end and all standing.

Move anyone who doesn’t want to stand into NSL2 with all the hospitality,

I was booted out of SSL2 up to SSL3 due to Joes. Level 2 of the Etihad is mostly hospitality or premium seats now much like Wembley or the Emirate's. How much more hospitality do they need? They’re more or less giving away the hospitality for some of the lesser games as it is.

Giving it away, have you any examples because i've not ?

 

[Eccles Blue]

1) What are Everton doing with their atmosphere ends ?

2) Does anyone know if City undertook a 'holistic', stadium wide, review of all seating/standing/home/away/ arrangements with a view to grabbing the opportunity to synchronise/coordinate all and any other relocations/ changes as part of the NS project ?

3) What is the membership of 1894 & are they all STHs ?

4) What is the membership and management structure of the OSC ?

What other unofficial, active, supporters clubs exist (Blue Alliance) ?

TIA.

At 8.53 am @Gone for a Burton asked these 5 questions, pretty relevant questions they seemed to me but no answers as yet. Just a rehashing of posts that have gone before.
Are there answers to the questions or is this just ignored?

 

[Invisible Man's Bandage]

The current plan will dissipate what little atmosphere we have already and spread it even more thinly across the stadium.

Not really. SS3 has a very good atmosphere so why would that change? 8000 additional seats with at least 3000 standing will only enhance the atmosphere.

 

[supercity88]

I like your balance.

My opinion, the hospitality here as a revenue generating element is quite overstated.

I don't think the club's reasoning for including it is Entirely revenue driven. Purely, because the proportion of it is just so small. If it was, they would imo have crammed far more hospitality in.

Think about it, how much extra revenue do 648 premium seats, out of 9518 in that whole tier, really bring a year. Say that '+' was a difference of £300 a year, from what others have mentioned elsewhere in the grounds, what's that 200k of a difference? Peanuts, in the scheme of that tier generating potentially 7-8m a year. The top part is more formal and probably pricier, but even then, it is only 5% of the tier.

My take is their inclusion is driven by the club wanting long term flexibility, ad much as a bit more income. And the chance to host a champions league final, which they have said before. Think uefa have guidelines on hospitality requirements, wouldn't surprise me if the club covered that here.

The hotel and f&b should more than pay for itself. The retail should cover the bulk of that building. So it isn't like the club are up against it here to recoup the whole investment through ticket sales.

I think people should be more open to the idea that the club are including these because they (rightlynor wrongly) think it is a good thing for the stand, rather than just a bit more profitable. Maybe Populous played a part in selling that to them, as jrb has pointed out they have done at spurs already, and the club have bought into it. Or maybe they gave the club exactly what they wanted.

I think you're right, there's flexibility there and as I've said in the majority of my recent posts it's about just getting in there to begin with and seeing what happens in time. This is the chance to have a home end, and nothing at the moment prevents that from happening. It might be that initially it's not quite delivering, but if you have 3,000 people stood up singing all game it's inevitable that the rest join in rather than turn around and tell them to be quiet. Over time those that don't enjoy it relocate elsewhere and more singers join them. And over time, potentially the GA+ isn't working and there's an opportunity to provide something elsewhere in the ground. But once the singers are in there, that's the hard part done. They're under the roof, with an acoustic design to help keep noise in and they're at the back of a huge single tier. The basic requirement to improve the atmosphere will have been ticked. The other elements are all things that can change over time, and are likely to.

I appreciate 1894 aren't happy with how things have been conducted and that's led to scepticism and negativity. But if they're more concerned with having banter with away fans than creating a positive matchday atmosphere (not saying they all are), then they're not the right group to be in this section anyway. There will be at least 3,000 city fans - depending on pricing - that will be more than happy to stand in the new NS and make some noise. Especially when it's brand spanking new, above City square and all the other benefits it delivers.

The pricing is a key element for obvious reasons. The club needs to boost revenue of course, but it still did cheap tickets in the SS at least initially and may well do some sort of price incentive in the NS. Over time it will increase and change, but we'll see.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Not really. SS3 has a very good atmosphere so why would that change? 8000 additional seats with at least 3000 standing will only enhance the atmosphere.

Depends on how the club do it. For instance let’s says loads of fans move from ss1 or ss3 - will those fans seats then be replaced with expensive match day tickets?

If that’s the case, that could make the atmosphere worse. Ideally with fans moving it should mean more season tickets or at least the opportunity.

I’d argue the kippax corner section has become worse noise wise, as lots of fans moved into ss3. Overall it should improve, but it may take time.