Away fans

[Benhall-Robin]

Should we go down, which looks increasingly likely by the week.

Given the atmosphere that is created does not travel well and with the understanding that very few clubs would bring more than 700 away fans in League 2, is it finally time to give home fans both ends and incorporate the away support in a section of the Colin Farmer? While there may be logistical challenges to overcome regarding access and egress, it's certainly feasible. This idea has gained traction on Twitter, and it deserves serious consideration.

[Jerry St Clair]

Definitely worthy of consideration, but I think there are fundamental problems with it that mean it's a non-starter.

1. The CF would be permanently split in two meaning home fans only get half the concourse for every home game. It's a rubbish experience when it's full.

2. The away section of the CF holds 500. We are obliged to give away clubs a minimum allocation of 10% of ground capacity, so if they ask for 700 or more we'd have to open the Hazlewoods to comply with League rules. Meaning you'd have away fans in the CF, a rubbish concourse experience for home fans, all for a few hundred in the Hazlewoods meaning it couldn't be used for home fans. More than half of teams in L2 average more than 500 away from home this season:

AFC Wimbledon – 579
Tranmere Rovers – 636
Doncaster Rovers – 648
Gillingham – 692
Walsall – 702
Swindon Town – 814
Stockport County – 1056
Grimsby Town – 1090
Bradford City – 1163
Mansfield Town – 1179
Notts County – 1291
Wrexham – 1651

3. Because we'd probably have to open the Hazlewoods for away fans for around 10-12 games, we couldn't sell season tickets in that area. We'd also be chopping and changing stewarding arrangements from game to game which would cost time and money.

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Should we go down, which looks increasingly likely by the week.

Given the atmosphere that is created does not travel well and with the understanding that very few clubs would bring more than 700 away fans in League 2, is it finally time to give home fans both ends and incorporate the away support in a section of the Colin Farmer? While there may be logistical challenges to overcome regarding access and egress, it's certainly feasible. This idea has gained traction on Twitter, and it deserves serious consideration.

The issue is that when away fans have any of the CF they get half the facilities.

This usually means 2 blocks of away fans have half the facilities, whilst 6 blocks of home fans have half the facilities.

The result is overcrowding and a much diminished experience for fans. At the Exeter game the toilet queue was so long that one old man had to urinate outside in the smoking area. That’s because 6 blocks of people were using toilets designed for 4 blocks of people.

It also means the effort Iglu have put in to set up the cask bar by block 7 is undermined by closing access to this.

If half the facilities are permanently taken away from home fans in the CF then as an ST holder I would have two asks: 1) prices are reduced significantly to compensate for the diminished facilities and restricted access to toilets and catering and 2) access is made from the main car park around the back of the C&G so that it is easier to use the main fan zone pre-match, given the home fans can no longer access the new pop-up bar in the CF.

If anything, the reduced away followings in L2 mean we should never have to give any of the CF to away fans. Not even Swindon. We could even potentially give smaller followings half the Hazlewoods like Carlisle had, and let home fans in the other half closest to the CF.

[andgarod]

The Hazelwood can be split easily above the gang way
All those nearest canteen could then use those facilities

A bit of netting and stewards would split it
So along with the CF that would be about 1000
If there is no need then you can sell the CF or the Hazelwood
or have a neutral area

[Jerry St Clair]

The Hazelwood can be split easily above the gang way
All those nearest canteen could then use those facilities

Which turnstiles would away fans use? The CF? And they would then walk out of the CF concourse, round the pitch and into the Hazelwoods?

Would all 1000 use the tiny concourse area behind block 6 and 7. Does that section of concourse have capacity to support 1000 people? Is it compliant with the ground safety certificate? Likewise, does the Canteen have enough facilities to support an extra 500 from the HAzelwoods?

[Jerry St Clair]

We could even potentially give smaller followings half the Hazlewoods like Carlisle had, and let home fans in the other half closest to the CF.

Good to see you're already planning for huge demand for the promotion push!

[Fuller]

No doubt the FED/Robins Trust board are all over this. It’s a crush in the concourse and everyone is moaning about the lengthy queues in the CF when half of the facilities are not available.
Best thing to do is demolish the whole ground and rebuild it with the pitch moved round 90 degrees. Improved facilities, gym etc and a hub for the local community.
I’m sure the council will cough up……

[bigdavejambo]

why doesnt somebody mention it at fans forum? i recall its been tried before around 2009/10 i think