Unreserved Area - Singing Section - South Stand

[WTMS]

Just out of interest, does anybody know exactly what the club would like to consult supporters about?

There seems to be three questions, to my mind:

1) How large should such an area (unreserved seating) be?

My answer: About the same size as the number of people who were frequenting the East East, if not a little bigger. Call it 2000 for good measure (season tickets and potd).

2) Should the area be a different price to the rest of the stand as a whole?

My answer: No

This is all basic stuff so far, no need for long meetings.

3) Where should the area be?

My answer: I don't particularly care, if you asked ten different people you'd likely get ten different answers.

A Barry bonus question:

4)Should the club take a more lenient attitude towards the area re standing etc

My answer: Yes

May I just ask 2 questions (plus this one), myself?

1) What is so unclear about these answers, that requires further consultation?

2) Is it possible for any managerial group, who wear suits, to make basic decisions, without relying on a long, tedious and pointless process that usually require many long, tedious and pointless meetings?

I shall put it in capitals, so that it stands out nice and clear: THERE IS CLEARLY A DEMAND FOR UNRESERVED SEATING, YOU ARE A BUSINESS BCFC, I HATE TO THINK WHAT LORD ALAN SUGAR WOULD MAKE OF ALL THIS.

I will volunteer to step forward and tell the club this in person, in the new year, if the use of the Internet remains beyond them by that point.

Your ideas on pricing do differ to those on pricing submitted to BS - BCFC by the Supporters Trust regarding a "Singing" area / section.

I will volunteer to step forward and tell the club this in person, in the new year .. What the Supporters Trust will need is people to do that, use some facts v opinion, and make a honest commitment to USE what is being proposed as fans did at the meeting [Eastend] you attended back in January 2007 .

[richwwtk]

Your ideas on pricing do differ to those on pricing submitted to BS - BCFC by the Supporters Trust regarding a "Singing" area / section.

 

 

So what were the ideas on pricing submitted to the club?

[WTMS]

So what were the ideas on pricing submitted to the club?

Check the Supporters Trust website - They are included in a detailed set of suggestions to BS - BCFC , providing the Supporters Trust's reasoning to underpin pricing spread, but omitting [accidentally] reference to unreserved seating.

[Blagdon red]

[richwwtk]

The Supporters Trust doesn't appear to have been updated for 18 months and I can't find anything there. Could you not provide a brief summary? There can only be 3 options for pricing in a singing/unreserved area.....

 

1. The price is the same as the rest of the stand

2. The price being slightly higher to reflect the reduction in available seats to sell in that area

3. The price is cheaper than elsewhere

 

1 would be acceptable, 2 would be showing a real commitment to this area on behalf of the people calling for it, 3 would be taking the piss somewhat

[richwwtk]

[Bristol Rob]

[Blagdon red]

So if I understand, those who want to sing should pay less, be housed in the newest stand with the best facilities and have any increase in admission price frozen because it's possible they might not earn as muchas ssomeone else.

No, it primarily means that there should be a wider spread of prices than there is at present. This would be one way of achieving that. All others ideas would, I'm sure, be welcome.

[Phileas Fogg]

I have been one of the biggest critics' of the club about the unreserved issue. Price isn't the issue and shouldn't be the priority - bit confused why there's focus about it actually.

It's obvious an unreserved/singing section shouldn't have reduced prices - especially if it's in the new stand!

[exAtyeoMax]

I don't really understand why it has to be 'unreserved seating' to be a 'singing section'? Surely it can be reserved? It seems the only reason is if you want to bring a friend occasionally. Why not get them to buy a season ticket?

As a new member of the south Stand when it opens I expect to pay the same as everyone else, not more because I choose to sit in a reserved seat.

[Cowshed]

It would seem that the people calling for an unreserved seating area want the moon on a stick and I can almost understand the clubs seeming reluctance on this.

That is the Supporters Trust suggestion, and spreading prices wider, along with unreserved seating is happening at other clubs already.

I don't really understand why it has to be 'unreserved seating' to be a 'singing section'? Surely it can be reserved? It seems the only reason is if you want to bring a friend occasionally. Why not get them to buy a season ticket?

As a new member of the south Stand when it opens I expect to pay the same as everyone else, not more because I choose to sit in a reserved seat.

The singing section and its price was created by the club. The Supporters Trust are following what City and other clubs do.

[beaverface]

As I've mentioned before, can't the seat colour in say two blocks of the south stand be a different colour ie. grey, and then tickets sold on a reserved seat basis, however, and this is the key point, the club then don't enforce sitting in your exact seat when you're in one of these grey blocks - so basically, sit where you want.

 

Would this get around the losing 10% capacity rule?

[WolfOfWestStreet]

How bad has it got where the club have had to show horn in these "singing sections".

I hate the term. The whole ground should be a singing section.

If you have to artificially create areas where a small number of supporters are relied on to provide the vocal support then I'm sorry we should be embarrassed to call ourself football supporters and should do something else with our Saturday's.

[Dollymarie]

The Supporters Trust doesn't appear to have been updated for 18 months and I can't find anything there.

You're probably looking at our old site. The new one is on the tab at the top of this forum, or can be found here

http://bristolcitysupporters.org

[cidered abroad]

How bad has it got where the club have had to show horn in these "singing sections".

I hate the term. The whole ground should be a singing section.

If you have to artificially create areas where a small number of supporters are relied on to provide the vocal support then I'm sorry we should be embarrassed to call ourself football supporters and should do something else with our Saturday's.

Smaller groups of singers/chanters would encourage more to join in. A separate section makes it seem like" them and us".

[WTFiGO!?!]

Your ideas on pricing do differ to those on pricing submitted to BS - BCFC by the Supporters Trust regarding a "Singing" area / section.

I will volunteer to step forward and tell the club this in person, in the new year .. What the Supporters Trust will need is people to do that, use some facts v opinion, and make a honest commitment to USE what is being proposed as fans did at the meeting [Eastend] you attended back in January 2007 .

Old East End mentor, first and foremost, let me explain, that I am pissed. Merry Christmas, incidentally.

Firstly, as much as I swerve to the left of centre, politically, to use management speak: I wouldn't "marry together" the issues of a socialist price range and unreserved seating. The main agenda has to be, get the vibe of the non static 'sit where the **** you want and stop being so ******* anal about everything' lot, in one particular area of a 27000 capacity ground.

I still don't understand, why this can't be simply put into place without having to wear a suit.

I swear now to contact Blagdon Red and the ST guys if that's what common sense requires, no problem at all.

As for commitment to USE the bloody area, like I did in 2007, when I'm not working Saturdays and we're at home, I would do just that. Presumably there IS demand for such an area. I'm thinking too of the new school of kids and the sad fact AG will die on its ass again if there are no takers.

Anyway, God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay and let's hope the new AG doesn't remain as sterile as the current one.

[cider head]

This video is what i miss, the odd big match day atmosphere that mother Ashton gate used to produce

(and take away the type of stands).

 

WHERE HAS IT GONE? singing, that pre match excited  noise, the buzz???

 

If anyone can try and bring a little of this back then i'm willing to talk, but nothing in the form of modern football plastic support,

although i have lost count of the times i have sat down and talked about this subject (match day experience)

 

And read through pages of this should give a good guide  http://www.bcfc3lions.co.uk/mainpage.html

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFdz81hzmTA&list=UU04o8Z4U5lWN6vqiG6inCuQ

[Bristol Rob]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2887091/Chelsea-bid-liven-Stamford-Bridge-atmosphere-singing-section-Shed-End-designated-fans-lead-songs.html

[Sixtyseconds]

No good chucking youtube clips about ... 15000+ of that crowd are in uneserved areas AND paying less than others. Ricktwot wont like it ... Selfish wanting the moon moaning bastards filling the ground up and making noises tsk ...

[richwwtk]

No good chucking youtube clips about ... 15000+ of that crowd are in uneserved areas AND paying less than others. Ricktwot wont like it ... Selfish wanting the moon moaning bastards filling the ground up and making noises tsk ...

 

I'm supportive of people wanting unreserved seating, I just don't think they should also pay less for the privilege.

 

Feel free to continue with the insults though.....

[Aizoon]

May I just ask 2 questions (plus this one), myself?

1) What is so unclear about these answers, that requires further consultation?

2) Is it possible for any managerial group, who wear suits, to make basic decisions, without relying on a long, tedious and pointless process that usually require many long, tedious and pointless meetings?

I shall put it in capitals, so that it stands out nice and clear: THERE IS CLEARLY A DEMAND FOR UNRESERVED SEATING, YOU ARE A BUSINESS BCFC, I HATE TO THINK WHAT LORD ALAN SUGAR WOULD MAKE OF ALL THIS.

I will volunteer to step forward and tell the club this in person, in the new year, if the use of the Internet remains beyond them by that point.

Is it possible for any managerial group, who wear suits, to make basic decisions, without relying on a long, tedious and pointless process that usually require many long, tedious and pointless meetings?

 

Anyone who's ever worked in one of the divisions of Megacorp International (and most of us have) will know the answer to that one

 

I blame the ties, myself; they restrict the flow of blood to the brain. List to any TV pundit and you'll get the idea.

[WTMS]

How bad has it got where the club have had to show horn in these "singing sections".

I hate the term. The whole ground should be a singing section.

If you have to artificially create areas where a small number of supporters are relied on to provide the vocal support then I'm sorry we should be embarrassed to call ourself football supporters and should do something else with our Saturday's.

Out of interest what would your alternative be?

The way the ground is now managed, and has been for a extended period prevents fans autonomously moving in numbers into new areas as they once did e.g Williams Casuals corrner / Dolmam A-B / Parkend. Clubs and fans [check attitudes on thread] discourage the dynamics that once made Ashton Gate more vocal than it is now.

I'm supportive of people wanting unreserved seating, I just don't think they should also pay less for the privilege.

Privilege? As mentioned unreserved areas have been part of Ashton Gate for decades, including stands.

Hooliganism in the 80 - 90's aside the sections of Ashton Gate traditionally associated as being more atmospheric have also had lower prices.

[1960maaan]

Not just City having a problem or trying to sort it....

Chelsea bid to liven up Stamford Bridge atmosphere with singing section in Shed End and designated fans to lead songs

• Blues chiefs wish to introduce the proposals after Jose Mourinho claimed it was like playing in 'an empty stadium' last month
• Chelsea want to trial a new singing section in the Shed End, which is shared with away supporters 
• They also want to give individuals responsibility for leading the singing
• The noisiest Chelsea fans are usually at the other end of the ground in the Matthew Harding Stand
• Another idea is to move away fans and create a second large groundswell of vocal support in the Shed End

Chelsea want to trial a new singing section in the Shed End, which is shared with away supporters, in the hope it will spark more noise from other parts of the ground. 

They also want to give individuals responsibility for leading the singing.

The noisiest Chelsea fans are usually at the other end of the ground in the Matthew Harding Stand, and another idea is to move away fans and create a second large groundswell of vocal support in the Shed End.

 

Oh BTW.... this is from the Daily Mail, make of that what you will.

[richwwtk]

Privilege? As mentioned unreserved areas have been part of Ashton Gate for decades, including stands.

Hooliganism in the 80 - 90's aside the sections of Ashton Gate traditionally associated as being more atmospheric have also had lower prices.

 

I used the word privilege as a term of speech rather than the literal meaning, as I have said several times I think an unreserved seating area is a good idea. If it was up to me the whole of the South Stand would be unreserved and just the Dolman and Grandstand would be allocated seating. I doubt this will happen in actuality though, because of the associated 10% reduction in capacity.

 

The atmospheric sections at Ashton Gate were cheaper because it was terracing, not because it was louder. Just because people sing, shout and sit where they like is no reason for them to have cheaper tickets than people sat in otherwise identical seats.

[WTMS]

I used the word privilege as a term of speech rather than the literal meaning, as I have said several times I think an unreserved seating area is a good idea. If it was up to me the whole of the South Stand would be unreserved and just the Dolman and Grandstand would be allocated seating. I doubt this will happen in actuality though, because of the associated 10% reduction in capacity.

The atmospheric sections at Ashton Gate were cheaper because it was terracing, not because it was louder. Just because people sing, shout and sit where they like is no reason for them to have cheaper tickets than people sat in otherwise identical seats.

The atmospheric sections at Ashton Gate were cheaper because it was terracing, not because it was louder ... And that atmosphere, pricing and terracing led to life long support of City.

"Not because it was louder ..." Hard to comprehend in all seriousness what that means.

The atmospheric sections at Ashton Gate which were seated were also cheaper than adjacent sections of the same stands e.g Dolman. The Eastend in differing configurations terracing / seats was traditionally cheaper. Yes 2007 - 08 the season ticket price was on par with the Atyeo. Higher priced areas have been traditionally quieter

The Supporters Trust idea uses prices to reflect that, and the necessity of attracting younger support into the club. The fan base is ageing, the atmosphere declining further is almost inevitable unless the disparity is addressed in some form, pricing spread can be one measure.

[BCFC Jordan]

All that is needed is an area of 1000-2000 unreserved seats in the new East End that aren't 'officially' there for those who want to stand, but will be the case, in everything but name. If the club really don't want to back standers, they can just label it as the singing area where those who want to commit to creating an atmosphere can go. Maybe not so many seats next season, what with the capacity still being reduced, but when the revelopment is complete there will be something like 20,000+ seats for home fans. A section of 1000-1500 fans standing and creating an atmosphere will make such a big difference, we really don't want to be like so many clubs these days where everyone sits and people get dirty looks from those who prefer to sit in silence. There's nothing wrong with those people, but neither is there anything wrong with those who want to make an atmosphere and really help out the team on the pitch.

 

The stand behind the goal at Palace is something we need to be aiming to be like. I'm not saying that we should completely replicate what they've done and pretend to be European Ultras, but they're on the right path and they've got plenty of praise from the press for it. Even more admirable when you consider the crowds and atmospheres at most other Premier League clubs.

 

20,000 seats for those who want to sit, 1000-2000 for those who want to stand and create a good atmosphere. Located on the right or left side of the new East End. It's really such a simple solution and all parties concerned will be happy.

 

Next year, have a trial area of around about 500.

[screech]

[Bristol Rob]

[Bris Red]

All that is needed is an area of 1000-2000 unreserved seats in the new East End that aren't 'officially' there for those who want to stand, but will be the case, in everything but name. If the club really don't want to back standers, they can just label it as the singing area where those who want to commit to creating an atmosphere can go. Maybe not so many seats next season, what with the capacity still being reduced, but when the revelopment is complete there will be something like 20,000+ seats for home fans. A section of 1000-1500 fans standing and creating an atmosphere will make such a big difference, we really don't want to be like so many clubs these days where everyone sits and people get dirty looks from those who prefer to sit in silence. There's nothing wrong with those people, but neither is there anything wrong with those who want to make an atmosphere and really help out the team on the pitch.

The stand behind the goal at Palace is something we need to be aiming to be like. I'm not saying that we should completely replicate what they've done and pretend to be European Ultras, but they're on the right path and they've got plenty of praise from the press for it. Even more admirable when you consider the crowds and atmospheres at most other Premier League clubs.

20,000 seats for those who want to sit, 1000-2000 for those who want to stand and create a good atmosphere. Located on the right or left side of the new East End. It's really such a simple solution and all parties concerned will be happy.

Next year, have a trial area of around about 500.

The holmesdale end at Palace comprises of about no more than 1500 in the far corner of that end that persistently stand and sing. Granted there 'tifos' or displays involve the whole two tiers but otherwise it is quite a small number, the rest of that stand sit in silence no different to the Atyeo.

[Bristol Rob]

It really is that simple.

Or walk a bit further unless laziness or infirmity precludes it.

'ere we go again...

Of course, if the netters had spent more time bowling than goading, there would be more options.