From what I understand the expansion will be in 2 or 3 phases and will obviously be dependant on us remaining in the Prem
So would we fill 32000 every week probably not. The top teams, not a problem, but against the likes of Reading it might be tough. However, if you're going to expand the ground, adding 12,000 seats probably doesn't cost much more than adding say 5,000 since there's minimum amount of structure that has to be built regardless of how many seats you actually want. I would think that this factor has as much to do with it as anything else. We definitely more seats. There are many exiles that would plan a trip around seeing some games and right now that's virtually impossible.
I would say 32k would enough for us no matter what division we are in, it's a shame that the stadium wasn't designed to make expansion easier and less expensive.
I think that the point that's being missed here is that the demand is for season tickets. Not for capital one tickets or games against Reading or Southampton tickets. If there's an expansion of 12,000, most of them would go as season tickets a lot will mean increased allocation for the away end. I know a lot of clubs don't sell out the away end, but wouldn't we have to offer them more if our capacity was increased? There still won't be a hell of a lot for general sale. I think it's something like 10% of the capacity has to be available for general sale? That would mean just an extra 1,200 seats that MAY not be sold. I really don't think the board would be worried about the capital one cup crowd in the slightest
They have to offer 10% in of the away end in the cups I think, and a minimum of 2k in the league. That is why Utd don't have to allocate 7.5k for the away end. What we got to look at is the price on tickets will it increase ? Will there be room for promotions like kids for a quid that we've had previously. Also what about the infrastructure around the stadium, roads and rail and bus links, getting an extra 12k fans a game will have a huge impact on the area, something must be done to counter the chaos.
Considering one poster is talking about the up take of season tickets and another is talking about people not being able to afford season tickets there is certainly a grey area in what we will attract, season ticket or not!! My point about the carling cup game was that if the desire is as strong as some people think then we would have sold more than 15000 tickets just purely as alot of these people missing out on prem games would have been chuffed to get to see the team no matter what. Thats how i see it anyway. If i was home at the time i would have been there to see the team as i cant get to games normally, i would expect people in the same boat to do the same no matter who we are playing, truth is it dont work that way. If there were 12000 extra season tickets on offer i would buy one for myself and let my dad use it when im away, i did not go down this road last few years as i thought it bad taste to people who would love to be there every game and would cherish every game, i kind of regret that in one way but not in another.
I see your point Norway, but I really can't see the board worrying about our attendance for a league cup game against 'boro when considering our expansion when they have such a demand for season tickets. There were a lot of new faces down there that night, and a lot of regulars missing around where I am. I don't know why this was as I noticed faces missing that I've always known to be there pretty much since we've been at the Liberty. Maybe it's just complacency (if that's the right word) setting in that there wasn't much appeal for a cup game against a championship side when you compare it to what we're used to seeing week in week out now
Trouble is Sa9 ,will there be complacency if we maintain prem status ?? There are likely to be people that will have had their dose of prem football and will be ready to go back to following the Ospreys or what ever else they followed before, we have seen it before havent we? A good gauge to the appiteite for me is the cup game, it wasnt like it was a nothing game it was a game giving us a semi final in the league cup!! there are of course all kinds of factors involved with money being tight etc but when the club are looking at planning i can pretty much gaurentee they will be looking at that attendence as well. Will people buy season tickets and just watch the big games? that goes against many peoples view that times are hard, maybe season tickets will be sold all over denmark and south korea! im not being horrible about it im just trying to understand where the market is, i was offered a few tickets for Villa and could have got my hands on about 10 of them truth be told! How many people are down for season tickets on a waiting list? and how many of those people when push came to shove would actually purchase them?especially as economic times are getting harder? The economic situation is another factor, while things are getting worse in the local area will those who already have season tickets be able to afford them in the coming years? There are alot of variables to take in for the board on this one, the main driving force will be the team on the field and if that keeps doing well the demand will be there,but people will eventually grow tired of just being in it they will want to see the team compete further, falling attendences at Boloton(when in prem league) Wigan,Sunderland,Newcastle,Everton,Blackburn(when in premier league) and others show that people get tired of just existing they want ot succeed. Our core support has grown immensely over the last 8/10 yrs from 3000 to probably 15000 which ironically enough was the number that braved the elements on a cold tuesday night in November(or when ever it was) that will be our legacy if it all went tits up, we have grown to a medium size club from a small club. Just how far we can grow will need alot of careful thinking and a whole load of luck .
Agree with that. There are many expats who would plan trips with the knowledge that tickets would be available. The support our club is getting in Australia is getting bigger and bigger. Much more than I realised. I would certainly base my trips home around good games. I know Musty is always on the look out!
i am brisbane jack, cant buy a season ticket for next season to get me a seat for 1 or 2 games when i am over there, fking hopeless
Perhaps this might be an option for you musty, I go there sometimes as its a freebie for me http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/hospitality-offers-341300.aspx
One thing to consider is if we are relegated in the near future . it is better to make use of the wealth provided by being in the PL than try to expand outside it ? many clubs have taken time to adapt to the PL and drop out but then return stronger and with a better infrastructure in place to enable it to survive, this may be the way that the club can grow. The Swans are fairly unique in that there are no PL teams within a decent travelling time unlike other clubs eg Wigan or any of the midlands teams so therefore the kids now wearing the many replicate seen around the area will be the fans of the future and will want to be part of the family, this obviously may take a few years but time as we know is gone in an instant.(especially at my age)
