This us what o don’t understand about City. They are winning and challenging all the time. If that was us or Newcastle then we’d both need a 60000 stadium. Seems like they suddenly feel entitled. I’d love to be in that position but, if we were, I reckon our home tickets would sell out every week!!
Our highest average crowd in our history is under 49,000, so in my opinion we do not require a bigger stadium regardless of success.
But that was back when the stadium was only big enough for around 35000!! Crammed like sardines back then. If we were in City's position, I think there's no doubt you'd have to extend the stadium to meet the demand. Us and the Mags are, IMO the 2 best supported clubs in this country when you think of catchment, local "riches", average wages etc. iF we were pushing top of the premier league season on season we'd need more space in the SoL in my opinion
I'm going back when we were a top side with a capacity way over 60,000 in our Riker Park days. We never averaged over 49,000 even then.
Yeah but I'm thinking of how we averaged 20000 a season before moving into the 42000 SoL then averaged 41000. I remember when we struggled to get 18000 at Roker and just think that a team pushing to win the league would have 60000 easily and fans wanting more. I don't think it'll happen in my lifetime (I've not long turned 45!) but hey ho!! Just think the demand would be massive if we were in that position. My comment about the "capacity" was off the cuff. By modern standards, the 60000 Roker park would likely be a stadium capacity of 35000-40000 due to crushing and the regulations etc. Back in the 50s and 60s there was none of that. Plus, in my opinion, you build a stadium for your biggest attendances and we'd sell 60k against the mags easily (sadly, something I can't see happening for a while!)
Problem is there'd be loads of empty seats most weeks which never looks good. In our last ten years of the Premier league we averaged around 41,000 so I personally think it's better to have a full stadium at 42,000 capacity than 7,000 empty seats. We ended up giving lots of free tickets so better for demand to outstrip supply.
If we were sitting top of the prem or fighting for it, I don’t think there would. Of course it’s just an opinion. Also 2 of the years we averaged over 46k. And we were 7th not top!! That’s the point I’m making. not sure why so many fans care about “how bad empty seats look”. If there are 45000 in a 60k stadium that makes more money than 41000 in a 42000 stadium for the club. And leaves the seats there when we need them
I think since the Roker days stadiums have become more ‘family friendly’ so you see more lasses and young uns at the game. Im inclined to agree with RAW mind for all that we probably could out 55-60k in if we were performing, I doubt we’d sell that out every week. Mind, if we do get to that level demand would rocket and they’d make an educated and demand based decision.
As a resident mag I didn't want to be the one to say it but it was the thought going through my mind. In a time of declining attendances (due to the current league) and Covid-19 this has got to be one of the more unexpected threads to go up. Invest in players and once in higher leagues fans would come back and then it becomes a consideration. Honestly think you have a big enough stadium unless you get in the top half of the Premiership (or beyond).
Its theoretical mate, nobody is suggesting we change anything right now. I think the opener was more ‘would we build it smaller?’ than bigger.
Reckon so. Bit surprised tbh. Our main issue last year was failing to convert chances (our players behind Joelinton did their bit and he was a prize donkey), if they do the same this season and are feeding Wilson instead then we're comfortable I reckon. Fraser is a big "cherry" on top. We're still not finishing top half but I don't think we're finishing bottom 5 either. Happy with that. Well... happy is a strong word for something which is only marginally above ambivalence.
Think they keep you up. Not sure you needed Fraser but if you can get a player of that quality for nowt you do it. Lewis would be the cherry on top as you’re dog **** at wing back both sides.
