Possible moving of EL3 Fans

[1.618034]

A flyer was passed around our section of EL3 on Saturday concerning the possibility of permanently moving the entire Away fans section to 306,307, 308 & 309.

In a nutshell it made the point that many of these seats are situated in a prime location close to the halfway line, and inhabited by many fans since the stadium first opened. To a lot of people a big part of the matchday is sitting and having the craic with a group of people who over the years have become friends.

These seats don't come cheap and there is the possibility that some EL3 fans could be moved to the South Stand to make way for Away Fans. The obvious reason why most fans who sit near the halfway line do so is because they simply don't like the view from behind the goals.

It also suggested that as many as possible should attend the Points Blue Meeting in order to voice a protest. I just wondered if anything is being organised on a more formal basis by whoever distributed the flyer ? Is there an e-mail petition for those who physically cannot get to the Meeting ?

I would be one of those affected and (along with many others no doubt) I would wish to voice my own protest. I fully appreciate the feelings of those who want the South Stand to be all City, and I can understand the reason why, but we should all have a voice on this Away Fans issue. One way or another some fans are going to be upset by the outcome - whether sections are moved or it stays as it is. I wouldn't like to think that we in EL3 could be railroaded into being moved without proper consideration by the Club.

'Sticking the Away Fans up in the Gods' seems to be an argument used on a regular occasion by some South Standers, and in stadia where that's practical (e.g. St James') I would agree. At the moment though it's not quite as simple as that at the Etihad.

never understood this move the away fans thing.They are surrounded on both sides by how should i put this,fans who like a bit of banter.These fans sat there in the first place for a reason,what are they going to do follow them all around the stadium

Cue the music....


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5sQL7q_IOI&feature=related[/youtube]

 

[becomingparanoid]

I was forcibly moved out of the North Stand without any say whatsoever. I almost told them to stuff it but ended up in a queue for hours in the hope of getting acceptable alternatives from seats not already Season Cards. Also having to pay much more for the great seats we now have in CB3.

So yes I know exactly how you all feel. I am also sure you will get the same amount of support from the rest of the ground as we did. I'm afraid, as always, it's a case of I'm okay Jack. Nobody will say anything in case it ends up with themselves being affected. Good luck.

 

[jayfx]

at least you are all getting pre warned and "consulted" about the move

a couple of years ago I and a few thousand others were just upped and moved without warning from the North Stand Level 1 when the club decided (wrongly as it has transpired) to make the whole of that end a Family stand

I would agree with you re: the Family Stand issue. That was ridiculous. My brother and his 4 mates were moved so know from close hand the effect it had on fans who had sat together for donkey's years but were no longer able to do so.

I tried to called the ticket office to get a friend of mine a ticket for the Wolves games at home. I was told there wasn't any. I informed them that the website still says there are tickets available which he replied "well there is one ticket left but it's in the family stand but obviously you can't have that because you're not with a child".
There are some wankers that work there!

 

[harrogateblue]

There is a valid reason why people sit in EL3. They like the view, it's fantastic. I have a seat in 304, I'm not going to get that same seat in CB3.
I'm in my 50s and believe it or not I don't want to stand, if this did occur I would be seriously pissed off.
If I wanted to be near the away fans then I would have got a seat near them. Seriously bad news if this does occur, the Villareal game was an experiment that failed, miserably.
Realistically if I and my missus had to relocate to level 1 then I seriously would think about chucking it, £40 quid petrol money, £7 pound parking, £15 food and drink adds up and despite the delight of the quality of football, standing for us is a no no.

 

[BillCarlisle]

There is a valid reason why people sit in EL3. They like the view, it's fantastic. I have a seat in 304, I'm not going to get that same seat in CB3.
I'm in my 50s and believe it or not I don't want to stand, if this did occur I would be seriously pissed off.
If I wanted to be near the away fans then I would have got a seat near them. Seriously bad news if this does occur, the Villareal game was an experiment that failed, miserably.
Realistically if I and my missus had to relocate to level 1 then I seriously would think about chucking it, £40 quid petrol money, £7 pound parking, £15 food and drink adds up and despite the delight of the quality of football, standing for us is a no no.

The OS has announced that for the Bayern match the 2,500 away fans will be situated in EL3. According to the Club, in the recent survey 68% voted to re-run the experiment.

I reckon that will mean at least 306,307, 308 & 309 will be affected. Possibly also 305. Block 304 onwards will thus have the pleasure of the away fans right next to them.

It will also no doubt affect access for Level 2 as Bayern fans will most likely have at least one spiral to themselves. Following the queues to get into the stadium for the Villareal game I can see it being even chaotic this time around.

Sounds like it may be the thin end of the wedge. After having a seat in EL306 since day one, I'm preparing myself to be moved next season. No doubt to an inferior view. Not just Operation One End, but also Operation Family Stand Stage 2.

I'll be well pissed off about it if it happens, but probably not as pissed off as those fans moved from the North Stand who may now find themselves moved yet again against their will.

I hope that as many EL3 fans as possible can get to the POB meeting next week and make it clear to the Club just how disgruntled we are about the possibility of being moved permanently.

 

[Fame Monster]

There is a valid reason why people sit in EL3. They like the view, it's fantastic. I have a seat in 304, I'm not going to get that same seat in CB3.
I'm in my 50s and believe it or not I don't want to stand, if this did occur I would be seriously pissed off.
If I wanted to be near the away fans then I would have got a seat near them. Seriously bad news if this does occur, the Villareal game was an experiment that failed, miserably.
Realistically if I and my missus had to relocate to level 1 then I seriously would think about chucking it, £40 quid petrol money, £7 pound parking, £15 food and drink adds up and despite the delight of the quality of football, standing for us is a no no.

The OS has announced that for the Bayern match the 2,500 away fans will be situated in EL3. According to the Club, in the recent survey 68% voted to re-run the experiment.

I reckon that will mean at least 306,307, 308 & 309 will be affected. Possibly also 305. Block 304 onwards will thus have the pleasure of the away fans right next to them.

It will also no doubt affect access for Level 2 as Bayern fans will most likely have at least one spiral to themselves. Following the queues to get into the stadium for the Villareal game I can see it being even chaotic this time around.

Sounds like it may be the thin end of the wedge. After having a seat in EL306 since day one, I'm preparing myself to be moved next season. No doubt to an inferior view. Not just Operation One End, but also Operation Family Stand Stage 2.

I'll be well pissed off about it if it happens, but probably not as pissed off as those fans moved from the North Stand who may now find themselves moved yet again against their will.

I hope that as many EL3 fans as possible can get to the POB meeting next week and make it clear to the Club just how disgruntled we are about the possibility of being moved permanently.

You'll probably be able to get a seat in the Colin Bell third tier with an equally good view. If 68% of our fans want the move, they obviously view it to be good for the team by creating an improved atmosphere.

 

[Carver]

What survey? They didn't ask me to take part in any survey recently.

I'm in EL 305.

I don't want to walk half way round the stadium to/ from CB3 either. I park on the East side of the stadium to go East going home. Bleeding annoys me when people are texting and cutting across the flow of people going away from the ground and don't watch where they are going.

 

[Tonster]

There is a valid reason why people sit in EL3. They like the view, it's fantastic. I have a seat in 304, I'm not going to get that same seat in CB3.
I'm in my 50s and believe it or not I don't want to stand, if this did occur I would be seriously pissed off.
If I wanted to be near the away fans then I would have got a seat near them. Seriously bad news if this does occur, the Villareal game was an experiment that failed, miserably.
Realistically if I and my missus had to relocate to level 1 then I seriously would think about chucking it, £40 quid petrol money, £7 pound parking, £15 food and drink adds up and despite the delight of the quality of football, standing for us is a no no.

The OS has announced that for the Bayern match the 2,500 away fans will be situated in EL3. According to the Club, in the recent survey 68% voted to re-run the experiment.

I reckon that will mean at least 306,307, 308 & 309 will be affected. Possibly also 305. Block 304 onwards will thus have the pleasure of the away fans right next to them.

It will also no doubt affect access for Level 2 as Bayern fans will most likely have at least one spiral to themselves. Following the queues to get into the stadium for the Villareal game I can see it being even chaotic this time around.

Sounds like it may be the thin end of the wedge. After having a seat in EL306 since day one, I'm preparing myself to be moved next season. No doubt to an inferior view. Not just Operation One End, but also Operation Family Stand Stage 2.

I'll be well pissed off about it if it happens, but probably not as pissed off as those fans moved from the North Stand who may now find themselves moved yet again against their will.

I hope that as many EL3 fans as possible can get to the POB meeting next week and make it clear to the Club just how disgruntled we are about the possibility of being moved permanently.

You'll probably be able to get a seat in the Colin Bell third tier with an equally good view. If 68% of our fans want the move, they obviously view it to be good for the team by creating an improved atmosphere.[/quote

Let's not start this again. 68% of those sent a survey who actually filled it in. Let's
not forget that means one third didn't want it. As you like to talk facts perhaps
those 68% could all be from the south stand etc. Who knows?<br /><br />-- Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:49 pm --<br /><br />

What survey? They didn't ask me to take part in any survey recently.

I'm in EL 305.

Quite. Hardly a representative view then.

 

[alib]

I sit in 140 and got the survey

filled it in and said yes when asked we should trial operation one end again

 

[BillCarlisle]

Trouble with surveys is that people who aren't going to be directly affected by it have an equal say in the outcome as those that are. CB Stand SC holders would be extremely confident that they wouldn't be displaced, ditto Family Stand SC holders. That accounts for 50% of the stadium and I would doubt that many would have said 'No'.

Added to those, the EL2 area from the Corporate Seats onwards towards the Family Stand would be equally as confident they wouldn't be affected either.

Personally, I don't think that those of us who sit in EL3 (and who actually received the survey) stood a cat in hell's chance.