Away fans in south stand!!

[Phileas Fogg]

23 minutes ago, Marlborough Red said:

Brilliant suggestion from Countryfile .The idea of moving the family section to the Heineken area in the South Stand creating room for the Atyeo fans to move into the existing family area in the South Stand is an excellent idea.

•  It's a welcome return to the EAST END for these loyal and vociferous fans.
• Creates extra revenue for the Club with larger away followings now possible with reduced stewarding costs
• Standing in the corner next to the Dolman  (the EAST END) doesn't spoil anybody's view.
• Younger fans are distanced from the potentially robust language
• Away hospitality quests should be much safer in the family environment
• Currently the high number of empty seats in this family area now filled by flag waving supporters making a better spectacle on TV
• Atmosphere should spread easily with Dolman fans  and South Stand fans joining the songs.

Bristol Sport - let's do this next season (if not sooner)

Potentially a good place to trial safe standing if/when it comes in. I think it's a great suggestion by Countryfile and seems the most logical solution to the issue that exists.

[Charliesboots]

1 hour ago, Countryfile said:

Well here I am again breaking my own rule for the second time.

In general this has been a reasoned and valuable debate.

If those that don't want any segregation accept that at this time it is necessary, and those that don't want away corporates in the SS accept that it has and will happen, what about thinking of some possible solutions?

I have a possible, but feel free to shoot me down.

The club needs the revenue from the corporates, therefore room has to be made for them.

Make the Heineken corner the family section with part of it reserved for corporates, with the strict understanding that unreasonable behaviour will not be tolerated and that the area will be policed strictly by stewards fully trained to remove  anyone causing a problem (this has definitely been an issue at both home games).

If we are to believe the likes of Charlie and others, corporates will refrain from using bad language and are not prone to getting into fights, let's give them a chance.

For those who would like to see no segregation, this is a first step, introducing young fans  to the concept who will grow up with no segregation as part of their match day experience, while parents will have the assurance that it will be policed correctly.

Having moved the family section to that area the other corner could be used  to house the S82, singers, whatever you want to call them, freeing up the Atyeo to house entirely away fans, remembering that only 1,000 seats are required at the moment to house those fans, but there would be room to expand round towards the centre of the stand.

Over to you.

Another good and reasonable suggestion @Countryfile  

My point, in this at times lively debate was always centred around the fact hospitality has always been in the 'home end'; it's just much more noticeable now as this is the first season hospitality has returned since the re-development. 

Coupled with its acceptable practice in all other football clubs and even our national stadium to do the same there clearly is a need to calm our supporters and temper their worries with this new situation now introduced to them.

The overreaction by sections of our support to suggest, condone or even practice violence to away supporters who have found themselves in this new situation is also most ugly, distasteful and a scene I don't want to see at our club.

Your suggestion is sensible and in my view a pragmatic solution for the club to explore. 

I would be interested to see what is made of it. 

[Bowie]

4 hours ago, Loon plage said:

There were also fans in the south stand.

And my comment above refers to any match of course.

Yes, in the hospitality section of the South Stand, which is in both corners beneath the two lounges.

[Bowie]

45 minutes ago, Charliesboots said:

Another good and reasonable suggestion @Countryfile  

My point, in this at times lively debate was always centred around the fact hospitality has always been in the 'home end'; it's just much more noticeable now as this is the first season hospitality has returned since the re-development. 

Coupled with its acceptable practice in all other football clubs and even our national stadium to do the same there clearly is a need to calm our supporters and temper their worries with this new situation now introduced to them.

The overreaction by sections of our support to suggest, condone or even practice violence to away supporters who have found themselves in this new situation is also most ugly, distasteful and a scene I don't want to see at our club.

Your suggestion is sensible and in my view a pragmatic solution for the club to explore. 

I would be interested to see what is made of it. 

The thing is....last season both of these areas were corporate hospitality, there wasn't so many away supporters in those areas though as the first two games this season, as most of the people in these areas were the people who are now in the Boxes and Central Lansdown, there was a couple of minor incidents in the Dolman/South Stand Corner which were quickly dealt with though, mainly from visiting club directors celebrating goals and home fans taking offence, however there was definitely away fans in those areas last season (as I was sat with some for the Derby game)

Those areas however had more "specialised" security though, (blokes in suits rather than standard stewards) so issues were dealt with quiet and quickly. 

I'd still say the biggest issue is those security people are now in the Lansdown stand and at present there is just normal stewards in south stand, that needs to change.   Still a learning curve but things will settle down.

 

 

[Bowie]

1 hour ago, Marlborough Red said:

Brilliant suggestion from Countryfile .The idea of moving the family section to the Heineken area in the South Stand creating room for the Atyeo fans to move into the existing family area in the South Stand is an excellent idea.

•  It's a welcome return to the EAST END for these loyal and vociferous fans - Not next to the corporate fans
• Creates extra revenue for the Club with larger away followings now possible with reduced stewarding costs - N/A
• Standing in the corner next to the Dolman  (the EAST END) doesn't spoil anybody's view - It will spoil the view of the corporates in the corner
• Younger fans are distanced from the potentially robust language - They are fine where the are
• Away hospitality quests should be much safer in the family environment - Needs better stewarding
• Currently the high number of empty seats in this family area now filled by flag waving supporters making a better spectacle on TV - Currenty family area is full and on TV...moving them will take them off TV
• Atmosphere should spread easily with Dolman fans  and South Stand fans joining the songs - Atmosphere in Dolman and especially SS is already good

Bristol Sport - let's do this next season (if not sooner) - Sorry but your point is full of holes

The problem that you and Countryfile are missing is that BOTH corners have corporate lounges and supporters in, the family corner you suggesting also has a corporate area and behaviour here is better because of the family atmosphere there.  What your suggesting is already happening in it's existing corner.

The wanted to move Atyeo fans to A block Dolman for a reason....it's as far as possible from any corporate areas.

Regardless of anyone's views as long as there is corporate areas in both corners of the south stand.

 

[Charliesboots]

13 minutes ago, Bowie said:

The thing is....last season both of these areas were corporate hospitality, there wasn't so many away supporters in those areas though as the first two games this season, as most of the people in these areas were the people who are now in the Boxes and Central Lansdown, there was a couple of minor incidents in the Dolman/South Stand Corner which were quickly dealt with though, mainly from visiting club directors celebrating goals and home fans taking offence, however there was definitely away fans in those areas last season (as I was sat with some for the Derby game)

Those areas however had more "specialised" security though, (blokes in suits rather than standard stewards) so issues were dealt with quiet and quickly. 

I'd still say the biggest issue is those security people are now in the Lansdown stand and at present there is just normal stewards in south stand, that needs to change.   Still a learning curve but things will settle down.

 

 

Sadly they were not in general sale.

Only hospitality on offer last season was for those who had paid for Executive Boxes this season and the Directors etc.

As you've put if their were any away supporters they were very limited indeed  

This season is the first since the demolition of the Williams Stand we've been able to offer full hospitality.

 

 

[Bowie]

1 minute ago, Charliesboots said:

Sadly they were not. 

Only hospitality on offer last season was for those who had paid for Executive Boxes this season and the Directors etc.

This season is the first since the demolition of the Williams Stand we've been able to offer full hospitality  

 

sorry, bad way of explaining but that's kinda what I meant, 

There was a lot of "invited guests" which were connected to Heinkein and connected to people with boxes who have now moved.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Bowie said:

The problem that you and Countryfile are missing is that BOTH corners have corporate lounges and supporters in, the family corner you suggesting also has a corporate area and behaviour his better because of the family atmosphere there.  What your suggesting is already happening.

The wanted to move Atyeo fans to A block Dolman for a reason....it's as far as possible from any corporate areas.

 

 

Funnily enough I tried to get into the commercial office on Saturday on another matter and the doorman as well as telling me it was closed was also turning corporate people away saying the area was now closed, I presume he meant the balcony and the Lansdown suite, which was the temporary home of SL et al while the WS was built.

I'm not sure where scouts etc are now sitting, but would expect them to be in the WS posh seats.

[Bowie]

10 minutes ago, Countryfile said:

Funnily enough I tried to get into the commercial office on Saturday on another matter and the doorman as well as telling me it was closed was also turning corporate people away saying the area was now closed, I presume he meant the balcony and the Lansdown suite, which was the temporary home of SL et al while the WS was built.

I'm not sure where scouts etc are now sitting, but would expect them to be in the WS posh seats.

I "THINK" that they didn't sale anything for that area for Newcastle game due to the lack of knowing if the Lansdown Stand facilities would definitely be ready as I believe a lot of people got bumped in there for the Wigan game.

no idea if anyone else had gone in that area though, assuming it was empty in the posh seats. 

[Mad Cyril]

5 hours ago, RumRed said:

The worst behaviour I've seen in years is at the races and that's not even a partisan sport.

just a bunch of Oiks and over privileged jocks flashing the cash and not being able to hold their booze/coke.

Alright let it go.

We have sold him to Leeds. Can we not now just move on?

[Marlborough Red]

Bowie.

To directly respond to your constructive but erroneous in some respects  criticism;

• If it's true and there is corporate in both corners  of the South Stand  then simply move all Corporate to the Heineken side together with the family area.
• Additional revenue from a packed Away end . perhaps as many as 8,000 extra away fans in a full season. Around £250,000!
• No Corporates in the East End -so no views spoiled.
• Just a change of sides -same viewpoint.
• Agree -Family / Corporate area will need some stewarding _funded by reduction at Atyeo end with no segregation
• The Dolman /South Strand corner looked at least a third empty on Saturday as it was for the whole of last season. Family ST holders not taking up their Free seat for the youngsters I suspect.
• Agree but could get even better.

 

 

[Bowie]

13 minutes ago, Marlborough Red said:

Bowie.

To directly respond to your constructive but erroneous in some respects  criticism;

• If it's true and there is corporate in both corners  of the South Stand  then simply move all Corporate to the Heineken side together with the family area.
• Additional revenue from a packed Away end . perhaps as many as 8,000 extra away fans in a full season. Around £250,000!
• No Corporates in the East End -so no views spoiled.
• Just a change of sides -same viewpoint.
• Agree -Family / Corporate area will need some stewarding _funded by reduction at Atyeo end with no segregation
• The Dolman /South Strand corner looked at least a third empty on Saturday as it was for the whole of last season. Family ST holders not taking up their Free seat for the youngsters I suspect.
• Agree but could get even better.

 

 

Sorry, I'm just checking, but you do realise that there is a a large/restaurant bar area in that corner (about same size as Heineken bar which is accessed from the corporate seats directly in front of it?

Those approx 200+ seats are £99+VAT each giving you access to those facilities, when full that generates 20k+ a game just from small corner (450k+ a season)

You can't just move those people to the other end of the stand, as you then have an empty facility and the Heineken isn't capable of just handling another 200 odd people. (someone else can probably confirm the capacity of those facilities)

Maybe the club haven't directly said it but I think Atyeo fans need to adjust to the fact that your not ever going to go back in that corner, much as the club value the vocal support, £1m a year income for the corporate areas in south stands for the sake of 400odd seats means more.  Lansdown wants the club to be self sufficient to be successful....this is part of it, stadium doesn't pay for itself and need to be a money making venue.

(apologises if that comes across rude as it's not supposed too)

 

[RumRed]

14 minutes ago, Mad Cyril said:

Alright let it go.

We have sold him to Leeds. Can we not now just move on?

To be honest those shenanigans were nothing in comparison to a lot of race goers (still dickish though).

i hate the races so much that I've turned down a lot of hospitality because I just can't take the level of boorish people that attend.

[Red Army 87]

34 minutes ago, Charliesboots said:

Sadly they were not in general sale.

Only hospitality on offer last season was for those who had paid for Executive Boxes this season and the Directors etc.

As you've put if their were any away supporters they were very limited indeed  

This season is the first since the demolition of the Williams Stand we've been able to offer full hospitality.

 

 

I would also imagine that it is more popular and attractive to away supporters due to our much improved facilities in comparison to the old williams package.

[Lanterne Rouge]

3 minutes ago, RumRed said:

To be honest those shenanigans were nothing in comparison to a lot of race goers (still dickish though).

i hate the races so much that I've turned down a lot of hospitality because I just can't take the level of boorish people that attend.

You wouldn`t get me anywhere near Ascot or Epsom but you can still have a good day out at the smaller courses, particularly midweek. I love a day at Newton Abbott, Exeter or Taunton.

[RumRed]

1 minute ago, Red Right Hand said:

You wouldn`t get me anywhere near Ascot or Epsom but you can still have a good day out at the smaller courses, particularly midweek. I love a day at Newton Abbott, Exeter or Taunton.

Ascot and Epsom are shocking but also been to York and that was the worst for me.  I'll stick to the dogs and football.

[BS4 on Tour...]

4 hours ago, Moor2Sea said:

I know a Newcastle fan who went with a mate in the West Stand. Told him how to behave, to cover up his Newcastle screen saver and all went well....

'......cover up his Newcastle screen saver...' !!!!!!

Good grief, how the world has changed! 

God how I miss the real East End in the 70s and 80s....

 

[RedRock]

2 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

'......cover up his Newcastle screen saver...' !!!!!!

Good grief, how the world has changed! 

God how I miss the real East End in the 70s and 80s....

 

Yep. Equivalent to the colour of the folded handkerchief on the breast pocket of your Crombie jacket, but not quite as obvious as the silk scarf attached to the wrist! 

[Guest]

18 minutes ago, Bowie said:

Sorry, I'm just checking, but you do realise that there is a a large/restaurant bar area in that corner (about same size as Heineken bar which is accessed from the corporate seats directly in front of it?

Those approx 200+ seats are £99+VAT each giving you access to those facilities, when full that generates 20k+ a game just from small corner (450k+ a season)

You can't just move those people to the other end of the stand, as you then have an empty facility and the Heineken isn't capable of just handling another 200 odd people. (someone else can probably confirm the capacity of those facilities)

Maybe the club haven't directly said it but I think Atyeo fans need to adjust to the fact that your not ever going to go back in that corner, much as the club value the vocal support, £1m a year income for the corporate areas in south stands for the sake of 400odd seats means more.  Lansdown wants the club to be self sufficient to be successful....this is part of it, stadium doesn't pay for itself and need to be a money making venue.

(apologises if that comes across rude as it's not supposed too)

 

For the purpose of this discussion I have checked the relevant website.

Heinekin lounge can cater for up to 250 people seated for meals.

In the opposite corner there are 4 rooms listed as Boardroom, Lansdown 1 and 2, and Guest lounge.

These rooms can be opened out to make 1 room which can accommodate a maximum of 45 people seated for food.

I beleive one of these rooms has been allocated for the supporters club, perhaps dolly can confirm.

So clearly they are not being used for corporate dining now, even if they were being used last season.

it may be that the guest lounge is or was for scouts etc. Unless you or someone else reading the topic has actually dined there on match day I would doubt they were used for corporate guests, even last season.

[Lanterne Rouge]

4 minutes ago, Moor2Sea said:

Yep. Equivalent to the colour of the folded handkerchief on the breast pocket of your Crombie jacket, but not quite as obvious as the silk scarf attached to the wrist! 

And asking someone the name of your reserve goalie. We were full of tricks weren`t we!

[Dollymarie]

17 minutes ago, Countryfile said:

For the purpose of this discussion I have checked the relevant website.

Heinekin lounge can cater for up to 250 people seated for meals.

In the opposite corner there are 4 rooms listed as Boardroom, Lansdown 1 and 2, and Guest lounge.

These rooms can be opened out to make 1 room which can accommodate a maximum of 45 people seated for food.

I beleive one of these rooms has been allocated for the supporters club, perhaps dolly can confirm.

So clearly they are not being used for corporate dining now, even if they were being used last season.

it may be that the guest lounge is or was for scouts etc. Unless you or someone else reading the topic has actually dined there on match day I would doubt they were used for corporate guests, even last season.

Yes, the smallest of the rooms is the temporary home for the SC&T. Another room is for the match day mascots and their families, and one of the rooms on Saturday was designated as the staff room for those working to come to to be assigned their job for Saturday. 

[NickJ]

3 hours ago, Brizzol said:

I was one of the brothers and didn't throw any punches. Whilst my behaviour wasn't the greatest I would appreciate it if you didn't lie about what happened. Alcohol and the manner in which they celebrated was part of the reason I reacted the way I did. 

Also I didn't know away fans could be situated so close to us and don't think we would have purchased our seats there if this was known to us before we did. 

I think the club has got that wrong.

 

I've been reading this thread over the past couple of days, was sat about 10 yards away, and I'm glad for the dignified way in which you have clarified this.

The comments on here about punches being thrown, well I watched most of the incident - which for the benefit of everyone BTW was a non event - unfold and didn't see a single punch.

Lots of angry faces and arm waving but no actual physical contact. Maybe that's why the stewards didn't really do a lot.

Every single seat is covered by CCTV, so why have there been no arrests and/or pictures in the Evening Post looking to ID the "culprits".

As for the inability of fans to mingle and banter, well in the Heinekin Lounge after the game that's exactly what happened with those same Newcastle lads, who incidentally I believe were part of a larger party including Bristolians.

So all in all, the Geordies celebrated, some of our boys got a bit unhappy, then some of them kissed and made up, and the Geordies BTW had no problem with it and acknowledged that the same would happen at St James Park.

 

 

[Guest]

14 minutes ago, Dollymarie said:

Yes, the smallest of the rooms is the temporary home for the SC&T. Another room is for the match day mascots and their families, and one of the rooms on Saturday was designated as the staff room for those working to come to to be assigned their job for Saturday. 

Thanks Dolly.

So no corporates in that area one less excuse to put the seating area in front to a good use.

[Redtucks]

Having read through this thread, I find it so depressing that a certain section of our fan base find themselves unable to accept fans of another team in the same area of the ground, or find it unacceptable that fans of another team should celebrate a goal.

As has been mentioned, why is this something that only seems to happen at football matches.

Some people seem to try to justify it as “…it’s all part of football.” But why is it?

It never was when I first started watching City.

Why is it that we can go to an away game, sit in a pub with opposition fans, discuss current form, new signings of both sides and previous encounters, shake hands, wish each other a good game then have to go into our own segregated areas of the ground where fellow fans yell abuse and threats at opposition fans, very often at the expense of actually watching the game. Very often, after the game, we have even had a pint with opposition fans and discussed the game, never feeling the need to become aggressive even though we may have been very aggrieved with the result.

I have a brother and a nephew who unfortunately for them, because they have lived for many years in South Wales, support Cardiff City. That is their problem!!!

We do, and have done for years, given each other plenty of stick and good natured banter, but have never come anywhere near violence.

However, I have never been able to attend a City v Cardiff game with them because of segregation, which has been brought about by the tribal attitude of a minority of football fans.

I played skittles for many years with several fans of the blue few. Again, plenty of good natured abuse and banter, but never a thought of violence.

Why, oh why, can we not accept that other fans have a right to follow the team of their choice and celebrate their achievements in the same way that we do, without having to think about kicking the shit out of them?

 

[East End Old Boy]

1 hour ago, Mad Cyril said:

Alright let it go.

We have sold him to Leeds. Can we not now just move on?

What about Marlon Pack though, his picture is in tomorrow's Racing Post with the tart flashing her tits at Cheltenham!

[flipflopcity]

4 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Sounds a very good idea. 

 

4 hours ago, Phileas Fogg said:

  4 hours ago, Countryfile said:

Well here I am again breaking my own rule for the second time.

In general this has been a reasoned and valuable debate.

If those that don't want any segregation accept that at this time it is necessary, and those that don't want away corporates in the SS accept that it has and will happen, what about thinking of some possible solutions?

I have a possible, but feel free to shoot me down.

The club needs the revenue from the corporates, therefore room has to be made for them.

Make the Heineken corner the family section with part of it reserved for corporates, with the strict understanding that unreasonable behaviour will not be tolerated and that the area will be policed strictly by stewards fully trained to remove  anyone causing a problem (this has definitely been an issue at both home games).

If we are to believe the likes of Charlie and others, corporates will refrain from using bad language and are not prone to getting into fights, let's give them a chance.

For those who would like to see no segregation, this is a first step, introducing young fans  to the concept who will grow up with no segregation as part of their match day experience, while parents will have the assurance that it will be policed correctly.

Having moved the family section to that area the other corner could be used  to house the S82, singers, whatever you want to call them, freeing up the Atyeo to house entirely away fans, remembering that only 1,000 seats are required at the moment to house those fans, but there would be room to expand round towards the centre of the stand.

Over to you.

As others have said BRILLIANT SUGGESTION ...

The Directors Box in the South East corner could be moved to The "Unused" Corporate Section in the West Stand  Freeing up the SEC for the Supporters club / Trust to migrate into.

Probably cheaper than converting the Atyeo !!

[caseyeverett300]

On Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 19:24, Can't stand me now said:

Theres a reason for home & away ends. If you want to sit in the home end just keep yourselves to yourselves. It's common knowledge football fans have tribal mentality. If you try & take the piss in another teams end then I think you should expect a hard time. Right or wrong if you take away that edge from football then the atmosphere would turn into rugby which lets be honest is pretty crap!

if you wanna sit in the opposite end that is fine but don't take the piss and celebrate there is alot worse happening in the world them fans having a bit of a abuse 

[Marlborough Red]

From educated comments made earlier in this thread there seems to be little reason why the Corporate / Family seating area in the South Stand adjacent  to the Dolman, can't be switched to the spiritual home of the East enders. There were rows of empty VIP seats in the Lower West Stand  not used at the Newcastle game, perhaps these could be used to accommodate displaced Corporates at £99. . As previously pointed out the additional revenue generated by these fans is much needed and there must be a Win Win solution here  for the fans and the club. The 4 function suites identified (capacity 45 ) can surely still be used  by various groups without the need for any rebuilding- easy now to walk around the concourse to get to various facilities from any of our 3 home stands.

We all want the same thing -a successful club both  financially and on the field backed by vociferous support. Moving the Atyeo fans into the East End of the South Stand and relocating the Corporates / Family area elsewhere  can make this possible

[TheCulturalBomb]

Some people don't go to a football match for the football, it's always been that way. Very sad.

[RumRed]

3 hours ago, caseyeverett300 said:

if you wanna sit in the opposite end that is fine but don't take the piss and celebrate there is alot worse happening in the world them fans having a bit of a abuse 

Not quite getting your argument? Yes there is a lot worse going on in the world so why have an altercation with an opposition fan that's paid through the teeth to sit in our hospitality?

They scored, we didn't. Quite simple.