The recent move means we can fill more seats, so even on that basic level it does affect capacity, but structural alterations are being described as relatively low cost for a stadium expansion, but it was argued by some it was expensive, if not impossible for the evictions. As I argued at the time, stairs are not that expensive to build. Had the evictions been subject to better discussion, the expansion could have coincided with the move. It's still not too late to do that, if the desire's there, it'll just cause more upset and upheavel.
This has often been said, and was publicly stated around the time the stadium was built, but I believe it's bollocks.
Stoke didn't sell out, but that doesn't tell the whole story, we had around 150 tickets unsold, you couldn't get 2 together though so unless you're going on your own then you're **** out, the only seats available in the week leading up to the game were in the block next to the away fans, which is not everyones cup of tea of course. If you want a ticket now you're either sat behind the goal (****e view) with the away fans gobbing off at you or you're up in the west upper 'wings' (****e view) People clearly want a good view of both goals and we simply can't offer them that unless we add an east upper tier.
It's been contested by me for one, as I was told by someone who really would know, that the statement was incorrect and the East Stand is not structured to be expanded in the way that was allegedly intended. Whether this is by accident or design I don't know but I was categorically told "that's wrong".
There is currently no desire for any expansion, it's simply not on the agenda for the owners, so it's not relevant. It's also daft to suggest it just involves bunging in some stairs, it would involve some very major works. There are currently four towers that allow access to both the upper and lower tiers... please log in to view this image To allow away fans into the upper tier, at least one end of the stadium would have to separate the access from the upper and lower tiers. That would involve two new towers being built at one end the ground and they wouldn't currently fit, you'd have to remove the two that are there and put in four new smaller ones that would fit. It was never a viable option, which is why it was dismissed by every owner we've had.
I was told this too, I believe it was actually investigated the first time we were in the Premiership where it was discovered the foundations were not there, they also said something about the increased costs of extending that stand due to the proximity of the railway line & the impact works may have on the stability of that line. The other question is who will pay for any expansion as allegedly it is more expensive to modify the current stadium per seat than to build a new one. The Allams have said they will not extend a stadium they do not own & the council simply does not have the money for it. As others have also mentioned, there would probably be no financial benefit to the Allams from expansion as the increased outgoings (excluding building costs) would almost equal the increased income. Safe standing if permitted would also have a similar impact as the costs would probably not be covered by the ticket sales, as rather than selling more tickets we would probably simply see people move from the more expensive seating to the cheaper standing. There are also other problems with the size of the concourse in the North, which could not cope with a 50% increase in numbers
I understand why you're so defensive, but Engineers and builders disagree that it's daft and not viable. It really doesn't necessarily need what you're claiming. It's also certainly relevent as expansion is what is being discussed on this thread.
My intemperate rant aside ! Wouldn't disagree with your definition it's not of course just a problem with city, you'd be amazed at the number of Geordies I have worked with who support Liverpool or manure. Perhaps we suffer less than other big teams , arsenal for example. What I was angry about was one suggesting City's fan base ( and potential fan base) was and is so small that a 25,000 stadium is as big as we'll need and only 'plastics' will fill the apparent empty seats for the big games. In truth the number of empty seats at the KC is very small our average is well over 90% of our actual capacity. If we were like a Wigan only relying on big away followings to boost our attendances maybe 25,000 would be adequate but we're not .its the small club mentality I can't stand, probably because as an old timer I can remember being in crowds of 30- 40,000 at BP. If we want to see bigger crowds at the KC and throughout the premier league we should follow the bundesliga example safe standing and a sensible ticket pricing system
I'm not defensive at all, just realistic. I think if we were to build an East Stand Upper, it should house the away fans, so I agree with the principal on moving them up, I just don't agree that it was a simple job doing it in the West. Maybe you'd like to have a word with your engineer mates and come back to me with an explanation of where the two new staircases would go?
I recently came across this, is from a fan liaison meeting with Adam Pearson in 2007 - Any capacity increase will be financed by the SMC and the chairman of both Hull City and the Stadium Management Company feels that wouldn’t need to happen until City had tasted Premiership football and shown they could achieve that status regularly.
Why? It's hardly your decision one way or the other, but perhaps you'd be better asking your engineering mates how come plenty of others say it's not that big a deal? It's another example of looking for excuses to justify what was done rather than any realistic reason.
Current PL rules do not allow that, but many modern football fans prefer to sit these days so it could only be done in certain parts of the ground & even if it could meet safety rules the "sensible ticket pricing" probably isn't an option in the league where wages are on average more than double those in the Bundesliga & where safe standing could result in lower matchday income
I haven't got any engineering mates, but I have been using the West Stand for almost twelve years, I know the layout inside out and I don't see a practical way of doing what your suggesting, hence my request that you get someone who's claimed it's easy, to explain how. 'Engineers and builders disagree that it's daft and not viable' - Fine, who are they and what do they say?
It's not Premier League rules, it's the law, there needs to be a change in legislation for safe standing to be allowed.
Using the stand hardly qualifies you as an engineer, anymore than commenting about it on here makes you the chairman or decision maker. As such, it's a pointless discussion. You've based your opinion on limited knowledge and presumably you can only assess any reply with that same level,but I asked people with experience of projects and that have used the ground at least as long as you. I'm happy with their opinions, but didn't take firm notes, on the grounds it'll never be my decision. If you think such as task's difficult and expensive, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to quote for any works you need doing. As it is, you're dismissing options in a similar way to Gerraghty did, by trying to suggest that the way you've considered is the only possible option, when in reality, there are several that could be reviewed.
There's no room for two more towers, you don't need to be an engineer to know that, you just need eyes.
I wondered when the little heads would make an appearance. As I said, there isn't just one option, you're clearly not an engineer and it's not your decision any way. I'll keep trusting the engineer's opinion over a dressmakers.
Wahay, wind and piss gobs**te posts schollboy insults and a laughing head. I've noticed you get abusive when people highlight the fact that you're not the font of all knowledge and you don't run the club, but are in fact a bit of a tosser on an ego trip. Keep scanning twitter for insights and posting them on here, you're better at that than you are at engineering and childish insults. It's the sort of attitude that got FLAG closed down. Little wonder Allam didn't want to deal with you, I reckon any new owners could be even less likely to. For fans, I see that as a double edged sword, as a good fans group is needed. It'll be a shame if ego's destroy another one.
