It would be even more financial loss for Gillingham ! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54439207.... ..... Let me explain.. The National restrictions, imposed on us, because of Coronavirus, is NOT going to change for several months. I think that we all 'accept' that it will be April before the Government will make any significant change to the rules / restrictions..... And, with the present rate of infection, we would be kidding ourselves to expect any more 'freedom' before next Easter.,..... so - what we've got is here to stay - for a while. so -why don't I want fans into Priestfield stadium ? There have been a few games played, this season, with a very limited number of fans in the ground -- 'test' matches - to see if they could work with Covid compliance - and, allegedly, they have been 'successful.' - but - These matches have involved a pitifully low number of fans. The numbers have not been financially 'viable' for football clubs. The prospect of a 'viable' number of fans that would be permitted into stadiums, under current restrictions, is remote. We might be lucky enough to have 25% of our capacity. At Gillingham, that won't even give us 3,000 fans. This, on a personal level, should be 'good' news - because it should be enough to accommodate all STH -including me ! --- BUT Whilst I, as a STH, might benefit by being allowed into the ground - the Club will, I suspect, be well out-of-pocket. It will not receive any more 'gate' receipts from the fans - because they will have already paid for their season ticket. Nor will the Club receive any gate money from 'away' supporters -who will not be permitted to attend...... ..... And with little prospect of any 'appreciable' increase in income - the Club will be forced into much extra expense - extra stewards - before the match - to assist Covid marshals and seating protocols, Police - and whatever other manpower and material expense ( sanitisers etc ) -costs that won't be recouped by having 'only' a few STH - who, by and large may not be spending any money inside the ground - not least because enforced social distancing will make it impractical to visit the loo at half time** - let alone queue up for a crappy pie.............. All these extra costa are not financially viable at Gillingham - with just STH inside the ground.. We need ALL fans, including 'away' fans to be allowed back into stadiums --- but -- the Easter bunny will have come and gone before that will happen ....... so - don't bother asking anything from Father Christmas. ** I don't need to go - I have a strong bladder !
I genuinely can't see how it can work safely, a few points why I think that... 1. Currently the government has restaurants and pubs closing at 10pm. We all know the reason is due to alcohol. Now personally I would have handled this differently, I don't see any reason why a food outlet needs to shut at 10pm, if alcohol is the problem, then permit the licence only until 10pm. That way the food outlets, can continue to serve food, and non alcoholic beverages, this also will prevent an on mass kick-out time, such as those highlighted in London. To my point....Football generally as a rule involves alcohol consumption prior to the game, if it's unsafe after 10pm, how is it any safer prematch at Football. 2. Enclosed spaces, the food outlets and as you have rightly highligted the loo's are all in enclosed spaces, does this really require any further explanation! 3. The club has already got the STHolder money, where's the problem financially (albeit the cost difference will be outstanding), it also has the additional income from day trippers via IFollow. It also uses it as an advertising platform, I'm sure we've all seen the advert logo's appearing on our screens for the club. Merchandise can still be sold online. The club will gain no extra revenue by trialling a minority. They also need no increased financial liabilty through stewards and policing. Anyway what do I know, someone will be telling me next Maguire is a good defender.....
challenge to brb I challenge you to login to the Official site's 'shop.' ( and actually make a purchase - before Christmas ) -- for ages the website says that the service is unavailable..... You may remember that a few of weeks ago, whilst visiting Gillingham, I stopped off at the Club - to make enquiries about the ifollow codes ( I've got mine for Saturday ), and the club shop wasn't open - nor did it look like there was any stock inside ! With Christmas fast approaching, the Club will miss a trick if it doesn't have sales available - ( at least online ! )
Would be interesting how many supporters have either been granted (free) access to follow and how many have paid the £10. This could show if it is viable to open the stands.
Don't be in such a hurry - I've given you until Christmas........ and not said which year ! All joking aside - it would be criminal if the Club doesn't have merchandise available to purchase for Christmas....... maybe they don't need the money --- it would seem that money isn't so tight - if they can afford to make the (non) long trip to Shrewsbury the day before the match -- can we really afford the 'extravagance' of overnight accommodation when we're not getting any income ?
I wrote this elsewhere, see what you think guys... How I view letting fans back in stadiums. It may work for bigger grounds, I'm struggling with the practicality for smaller grounds; Our ground holds 10,500 Of that total our saffolding away stand holds 2,500 but is rarely used I would imagine we would have capacity of 2,500 fans, across all four areas, within social distancing rules STH in the main were £300 or £13 per game. Ifollow the substitute is £10 per game or FREE if an STH Ifollow requires no crowd control We sold let's say 3k in STH Even IF you let in every season ticket holder during the course of the season at EVERY game, you save or 'make' £9k per game. All our hospitality and toilets are in Enclosed concrete spaces, deep under the stands for the Rainham End, top enclosed Medway Stand. For us at The Gills, I can't see how it would be financially rewarding to open up under covid conditions, especially when you also weigh in the risk factor. I can imagine the uproar if 750 STHolders have to sit in the BMS (away stand) The only way this would be financially viable is to allow NON STHolders paying full match day price in, that won't happen. I just feel it would cost more than you would gain, whereas clubs such as Hull and Sunderland, could make it more viable, bigger stadiums.
you dared to say it ! ''the only way that it would be financially viable is to allow NON STHolders '' ........... I didn't realise that you cared so little for your testicles.... ...... Your thought ( which has crossed my mind - but I wasn't going to mention ), actually makes financial sense --- and knowing Mr. Scally's contempt for STH, you might want to give him a call (( you can then form a soprano duet ))
oh and you are about to hate me even more... This is a bit ruthless, but there is a way for the club to make money out of a dire situation. It would be to withdraw all STH's because most of the sold seats will not be available anyway, because people will have to sit where told. Then make everyone purchase match day tickets at full face value, STH's can use their stub for the appropriate discount but must pay the difference. It will go down like a sack of poo, but it's something I would seriously consider for any clubs at risk of going under. ok, I'll get my coat now, and leave quietly
No way we have sold 3000. Likely be under 2000. Probably 1000 plus as only sold season tickets for a short while
Ssshh, don't tell @alwaysright that, keep it between us. Although if the case, that then benefits the club in being able to sell more match day tickets, at the much higher price.
brb Post No.14 just about balanced the stupidity of No. 12 ! gioblues estimate is probably close to the mark. Mr. Scally hasn't always endeared himself to STH - but - nevertheless, I have cut him a bit of slack (( until I heard that we wasted precious money on player accommodation overnight in Shrewsbury ! )) I am not alone, as a STH, in having 'lost out', last season - with the number of games for which our season tickets were more use as expensive toilet paper - but - I have not asked for any refund.... ... and the situation this season will be a lot worse ---- yes, I am getting a free ifollow code - but - at what cost ? --- and still I am not going to ask for a refund !! THAT decision, by me, is madness - but an indicator that I recognise the exceptional times - and my gesture to try to help to keep the club from bankruptcy (( that is why I am angry that we wasted money in a Shropshire hotel last Friday )). When all the dust settles, I hope that Mr. Scally will show some appreciation for the sacrifices that (in particular), STH are making -by not asking for refunds.......... ..... and, yes, there would be blood shed if STH were to be put in the BMS
I can't wait until the STH's turn up and the yellow jobsworth tell them to sit there! Then at H/T the bogs are out of service, as they are in an enclosed space, well apart from the cattle grid in the GRS section
brb I accidentally 'sent' my post before it was complete - and your reply came in too quick ! If we have only 2000 STH, they can comfortably be accommodated other than the BMS - which can be used for the other 500 fans that we'd be permitted...... ....... but - this is all very academic - the rate of infection is rising so fast, there will be no fans in any sporting venue - probably not until next season !........ and your earlier post about going for a pint before matches -- well -- in central Scotland, you now can't do either !
I always use to be a Town End in the early days, until they built that monstrosity, got some great memories in that end of the ground. I'm a bit older now though grumpygit, and the old bones need the creature comforts of shelter.
I'm old enough, and with underlying health conditions so the virus is more of a concern than being a little cold and uncomfortable..
