Oldham AFC Trial

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Originally Posted by NEVTHEDEV

I would suggest the home fans are given the ice cream van stand as that in some ways is the best one for atmosphere and view of the match and players who are very close and must improve the enjoyment of the game for both fans and players. OK it means the away fans are put at each end of the goal or one section of the main stand and also it has the added benefit of getting more away fans in the ground in big games eg Wolves etc. The atmosphere in the big stand is terrible most matches and too many old fogies in there...Also the above suggestion means they can sit in their wheelchairs including Dario...;)

It must be possible to have a barrier and stewards policing it.

I am always jealous when I see the popular side full...;)

They should definitely reduce the prices at the GR end anyway.

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So where do you suggest us old fogies sit,the one`s who have supported the Alex,through thick and thi

Given that the Alex has over 2,000 season ticket holders, not all of them are going to fit in the Pop Side... Not to mention the other 1500 or so who turn up every week. Which adds up to more than will fit in the GRE, Pop Side and Railway End.

If I recall correctly, in discussions with John Bowler, he said the club wanted to keep the Railway End open and used on matchdays because it looked better on the TV. He also said the club had considered giving away fans part of the big stand (this was back in the Championship days) but they didn't want to have to remodel the concourse to segregate fans, plus the increase in stewards required would largely negate any financial benefit from getting more fans in. Seem to also recall that he was reluctant to introduce cheaper prices in the GRE as it would mean extra costs in managing that - preventing people buying GRE tickets and going in the main stand, for example.

The only thing JB mentioned, that I'm surprised they haven't done, was netting

Comments I have heard from away fans over the years have been very positive (mainly the Championship days and Bradford). They like the fact that we can offer the entire side of the ground, rather than bung a few hundred in a poorly positioned corner.

I can see the need to maximise gate money, but the Pop side plus railway end has been more than enough for most games.

I am absolutely dead against allowing Away fans in the main stand. Even for a friendly (e.g. England U19s v. Poland) it increased tension.
Perhaps the solution is, as always, to keep promoting the Alex and simply create more fans of all ages?

I'm all for new ideas to increase attendance but I'm afraid a A£2 reduction in GRE prices won't work. As that sum represents approx 10% to offset it would mean an extra 450 supporters (at adult prices)
Okay- the club haven't got a clue re: marketing as any reduction is only advertised in the programme or on the OS website to people who are, generally, already committed.
An idea, for me, would be a 'bring-a-friend' scheme with some kind of discount. Of course that could backfire as non-ST's can just invite each other (unless you tie it to membership registrations)
They could also be long-term on this with STs bring a friend and if the friend renews give a discount to the initial person.
Whatever, single match reductions won't work because the club have difficulty GIVING TICKETS AWAY FREE to little kids because parents don't want to pay for their own ticket.
There need to be a series of young supporter clubs as well- with regular meetings. This should be available to kids/***** at variou

I'm definitely not behind giving the away fans part of the Main Stand and taking back the Popside. It would be far too difficult and expensive to steward to be honest. It makes much more sense to give away supporters the Railway End - so it would still look full on tele. The average away attendance at Gresty Road last year was 681; the Railway End holds 682! By closing the Popside altogether on match days, the club could save a few bob - less stewards, bar staff, lighting etc. When the big boys (Wolves, Cov etc.) come along, we can re-open the Popside to suit. No-brainer really.

Totally agree that fans in the Main Stand should be bunched closer together. It's a chance for extra advertising with banners / netting either at the top of the stand or down either side. It would also have the effect of making the place look fuller on tele, if that's what Bowler wants. Plus the benefits of improved atmosphere - as proven by away games such as Walsall, Tranny, Oldham; where we were all bunched

I'm all for shutting the top few rows of the main stand, this would increase the atmosphere in the main stand and more advertisement space means more money, and less stewards will be needed.

I'm also for lowering the prices in the GRE. People are not going to pay A£20 for that view when there is a main stand with a fantastic view just meters away.

Something needs to be done, we are going to lose a lot of fans if we keep on doing nothing to attract new fans