St. James Park - Championship Ground

[tom_ecfc]

Taken from the ‘We‘ll Score Again!’ Fanzine Issue 20 - 1997!

 

[Memphis09]

I don't recall that and I took part in some of the discussions.

It was certainly designed originally so that it could be extended round the Well Street / St James Road corner, though I don't know how easy that would be in practice and where the 1st aid / police hut could be moved to.

IMO to only realistic increase in capacity would come from doing this and butting it onto a small double-decker stand to replace the Barnet terrace. Though I doubt it would be cost-effective unless we got into the Chapionship and stayed up several years.

Agree the away end could easily be extended
Probably would fill it up with half the fixtures we have this season
Or against teams like FGR Accrington Burton Morecambe let have the seat in the end block and open the away end to city fans

 

[tom_ecfc]

Or how about plans for SJP…

 

[John William]

Well definitely over cautious but agree nothing the-club can do other than ask people to diet
So the question is now what is new official capacity as we keep selling out but the crowd varies a great deal

There are always a few people who buy tickets but can't make it for one reason or another. ST holders are included even if they don't attend but other ticket holders are not. It was typically 100-150 when I was doing the numbers for the Gates Committee.

To illustrate, there are always a significant number of no-shows of away fans, whcih can be easily triangulated with actual number through the turnstiles. I think the current reduced away capacity is 1,311 (950 standing, 361 seats) Portsmouth actual was 1,143, Sheffield Wednesday brought 1,254.

The Club of course get the gate money even if fans don't attend, but miss out on programme, food and beverage sales etc.

 

[John William]

Or how about plans for SJP…
View attachment 10743

Interesting, but that plan was for three covered standing terraces. We have done a lot better than that!

 

[Boyo]

 

[Memphis09]

There are always a few people who buy tickets but can't make it for one reason or another. ST holders are included even if they don't attend but other ticket holders are not. It was typically 100-150 when I was doing the numbers for the Gates Committee.

To illustrate, there are always a significant number of no-shows of away fans, whcih can be easily triangulated with actual number through the turnstiles. I think the current reduced away capacity is 1,311 (950 standing, 361 seats) Portsmouth actual was 1,143, Sheffield Wednesday brought 1,254.

The Club of course get the gate money even if fans don't attend, but miss out on programme, food and beverage sales etc.

Thank you

 

[SaintJames]

Much discussion about how we can increase capacity by spending millions on a new away stand etc. etc. My understanding is that the ground capacity is governed by exit's and how quickly people can be safely evacuated? This may sound highly simplistic but could we increase the size of the standing areas capacities by increasing the size of the exit points?Like I said simplistic but wouldn't cost the earth

 

[Oldsmobile-88]

Taken from the ‘We‘ll Score Again!’ Fanzine Issue 20 - 1997!

View attachment 10742

I remember it well. The only thing missing from the illustration at the time was a couple of flying pigs

 

[Oldsmobile-88]

Much discussion about how we can increase capacity by spending millions on a new away stand etc. etc. My understanding is that the ground capacity is governed by exit's and how quickly people can be safely evacuated? This may sound highly simplistic but could we increase the size of the standing areas capacities by increasing the size of the exit points?Like I said simplistic but wouldn't cost the earth

I would imagine one issue is the flight of steps from the BB, it’s a pinch point & slows exit from the ground significantly especially from the top of the BB down the two flights to Stadium Way.