When you say an enclosure for rugby, do you mean an area of "safe standing" where seats are locked away for rugby fans to stand and unlocked for football fans to sit? If so I agree with that being done. The big problem now is not Bristol City. The problem is that the law is an ass! If it is safe for a rugby crowd to stand, it is safe for a football crowd, or a tiddlywinks crowd, to stand. The answer to that lies with government and we as football supporters should all be writing to our MP's, organising petitions to present to Parliament and any other legal means of overturning a law that discriminates against one section of society against another. While I live in Portugal, I still vote in Parliamentary elections as an overseas resident, so I will now write to my MP (Filton & Bradley Stoke) as my initial contribution to the safe standing cause.
It's go for rugby but if ever it is go for football standing it is in the wrong place. Bottom of stand too small poor acoustics rubbish feel and fourth prize. City have ignored the very points fans put forward to get the EE back.City have fans who could have put forward something modern but also traditional which would be miles better than that. As the job was done fans couldn't put a idea of a modern end forward.
I hope that's just a (piss?) artists impression on the City website, because it's truly, epically, horrible ?!!! In terms of executive boxes, I went to a Sanderson Xmas Party at Ashton Gate in 1997 and again in 1998 and at one of them Keith Dawe personally showed me a model of what was planned 'for the very near future' for stadium development way back then. It included executive boxes at the back of the Dolman Stand with the last 8 or 10 rows of seats being removed to accomodate them.
It doesn't appear to me as if its too late to express these opinions, at least go down to exhibition and try to communicate your ideas! You're telling all the wrong people on here..
Always lked the Dolman stand, and only moved for the more lively Eastend six years ago. Different vibes and all that. Thing is Chief the Dolman will be re-developed. The sketch is it will not affect the culture that much. I think as a former season ticket holder for a decade I can make myself at least right there. This Wedlock thingy! See what I did there? It isn't' an end, or an EastEND at all. As an EastEND season ticket holder I think it's a bit lop sided that this fans working pow wow advise BCFC what's good for us when they don't use the turf now, or intend to. What could their advice do to the ENDS culture? It could be brown bread that's what. Doubt they understand that either. Sure the working group is well meaning, are nice to the kids, don't binge drink ... But the kiddies who turned Ashton Gates atmosphere around, improved some of our days are not on it.
Hear hear Banksy. Perhaps a bit like the members when I was a union rep in work. At the meetings it was "You tell em this or that" so I took some of the biggest moaners to the next meeting with management. Guess What? They never opened their bloody mouths!
A winning team will help to generate atmosphere. We've had four years of complete dross so it's no wonder the atmoshpere is poorer now. And surprisingly it's much better at City than it would be at many other clubs after four similar years. I only hope the Club realise how loyal we all are to have stuck with such bloody awful football. Maybe this afternoon's signing of Aden Flint (assuming it does happen) will signal a real change for Bristol City. The first centre-back signed for four years and he is what we've been lacking - a tall ball winning centre half. PS; what is the betting that our first away match will be at Swindon Town?
I was answer I your post. One of the blokes I referred to stood up in front of Steve Lansdown years back to argue a case over the EE and proved with actions the chairman was wrong mate. I will be down there but know it's all done now. That prediction was done months ago on here.
Winning teams help to create atmosphere ... I would make you right but having been to the Malaysial bowel that ain't right. I am in the camp of build a stand of the right stuff the rest follows.
Sir Matt Busby once said "You'll get sixty thousand on a rubbish tip to watch a team playing good football and winning but no-one wants to turn up in a posh stadium to see a team playing badly and losing" Which comes first? A winning team or a losing team? Which is the chicken and which is the egg?
I thought your post received courteous replies. They were also informed. Your response is more akin to otib. Naughty!! There will be be no printing out of unaswered e mail to wave around. I shall ask a few questions regarding unreserved seating - Family/friends. The fundamentals are done now. I could ask a question, or two on the 25th on your behalf?
Certainly not meant to be "naughty" - I apologise it it was taken that way. And of course all the replies are well put and courteous. I would not expect anything else on here. And different points of view don't bother me in the slightest as that's what true democracy is. The right of everyone to have an opinion and to state it without fear. What I said is true of some / many who complain bitterly to the messenger but are very reticent when confronted by the originator of the message. It is simply that some clam up when having to speak in public, while others tend to never shut up - me being one of the latter. Certainly not meant as a slight on any individual of our posters, because I don't know who they are or how much they would or do contribute when the opportunity arises. As for any more questions, thanks for the offer. It's unlikely I'll be there as we are hoping to move back permanently to Bristol area around late September time. I'm saving for the season ticket. I personally don't have any strong feelings on the roof design, standing areas (aged 70 I prefer to sit), wrap around or separate stands as I just want us to have a stadium that has a large enough capacity in case the miracle ever happens and one that takes us out of the 1930's, 50's and 70's with enough toilet and refreshment facilities, easy and safe access/exits, wheelchair positions not at worm's eye level. In short, a stadium that Bristol City supporters can be proud of. And of course a team that we are proud of and does us proud!
When fans complain there can be an element of "empty vessel", however I have no doubt that City have fans who can make significant contributions. Regarding the stand in question there is a history to back up that point. Fans there have acted as advocates for others. Only a few months ago fans visited Cardiff, it was condemned by many fans, but it has many of the qualities you look towards as being good. See dynamics of grounds have an impact, it isn't just about 4-4-2 affecting the experience. Design and build a ground which misses obvious elements, and it's an alchemy that creates something that those who like a ground with feeling will be bored by, or worse. We visit those grounds already. Forget proud there. Really no need to answer further ..
