http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/scally-brightons-ground-the-example-97147/ I think most people know my thoughts on a new stadium, and as much has I admire the Chairman's aspirations, I just feel once again nothing has been said that will change my opinion on remaining at Priestfield. To be honest Mr Scally, and I know you read forums, Brighton have always had the fanbase for as long has I can remember since a young kid. I remember the days of standing where they would easily bring 5,000 supporters to pack out our away end. Yes, I accept Medway has a potential support base, but the difference being between us and Brighton, they would always have been able to pack out our ground well before a new stadia. That's a bit like saying Posh who are in the same league as us, if they moved to a new stadium, they could become a blueprint, yet history would show that they have always been able to tap in to 20k attendances. Please don't go into this blinkered, forget Wembley and play-offs along with the odd 'big game' our average has always been around 5-6k. You need to look at the demographics of the area (inc surrounding) - your prices are already too high following in line with the modern day marketing model dictated by Premier League clubs. If you build a new stadium I will still welcome it, but do I really want to sit in what will become yet another modern day sterile development, that could potentially end up as a noose around out neck. Moving slightly astray I would also like to see your past media comments for considerations of safe standing mentioned once again in any future model.
Brb, we agree on many footballing opinions apart from two and seeming as this post isn't about Cody McDonald I will debate with you about the stadium. I know several people who choose not to go to Gillingham games for several reasons. Reason One: They choose not to go because of the location in the town and because of the surrounding streets in fear their cars might get keyed, stolen etc. Reason Two: They choose not go due to poor parking and having to park ages away from the ground. Reason 3: Poor immediate transport links. For those who don't drive or before to have a drink, the current train station is fair walk away from the ground, nearly as far away as appropriate parking spaces. Reason 4: The aesthetics of the ground. Not many people who aren't devout fans want to go to a ground with one stand looking like a shed and another looking like it's been plucked from the 18th hole of the Open. Reason 5: Pricing. Enough said. All of the above issues could be resolved from the new location. People need to remember that the stadium would be over 3 phases, dependant on our success. So even if the stadium doesn't bring any added success, it will only remain at a 16,000 seater which is standard for a middle totop half League One team which we historically prove to be. 16,000 isn't unreasonable and considering we took 35k to the last play off final, not an unrealistic stadium for our potential size. Yes you can point the finger at Darlington and Colchester and state that it was a failure, but historically we're a bigger club than those. Reading, Swansea, Hull, Wigan, Derby, MK Dons and even to a lesser extent Rotherham have all benefitted with newer stadiums which they eventually managed to fill and rise on up through the leagues. You can give me some stats to say that some of those clubs are bigger than us but MK Dons don't gave a history, Wigan were the same size as us until they hit the Prem and Swansea were also similarly sized to us before they moved. 3 teams who have seen real success from a new stadium and the plans in place which are being proposed show there's no real reason why we can't do the same.
I understand your points and very good one's they are, but in all the years I've been going to football when ever I've driven my car it has never been damaged, and only if I arrive late to a game do I have problem parking. Having said that yes, I accept parking is an issue. However, we need to be careful here because many new stadium builds, struggle to cope with the manoeuvre of coaches let alone public parking and for those that do cope with it then become a nightmare to get out, so people end up once again parking away from the ground, hence we go full circle. Unless someone has a disability or is frail, I see it not unreasonable for people make the customary 10/15 minute walk from the car to the ground. As for the station, personally I think it is in a prime geographical distance compared to many. Also we would need to guarantee a Halt before the opening of a new stadium otherwise we will inconvenience public transport users even further, which is one of your concerns regarding poor transport links with the current ground. Personally if we are to have this build, my primary concern is it will become yet another out of town sterile environment. Hopefully there will be a proper pub on site, and not yet another Frankie & Bennys or TGI Fridays charging £5 a pint. I also talked about demographics, I mean by that the ability to afford for all, remembering football is our Nation's community event. I assume the Chairman will bring down pricing with the increased attendances expected, excuse me while I choke on my ale, because we all know that can't and will not happen, which means more lower income people will be priced out of the game, the social cleansing I constantly rant on about. The Gills PegLeg your points are good and valid one's and without doubt will be the way of the future, whether i like it or not, but while the subsequent proposed investment secures our future and while I remain breathing, I'll be bending the Chairman's ear along the way, and I certainly will not let him forget his consideration for safe standing words. Wow I managed all that with out the mention of a certain player
The main reason I stopped going to games reg is money went every week when I was younger cannot afford to pay the prices now. Shame I have a two year old and would love to be able to take him to games just like me old man took me. Not at those prices.
