West stand update

Get ready for some disappointing news.

I have a mate who works at Oakwell on match days and has done for several years. I asked him yesterday what was the problem with the north side of the west stand and he basically said there's nothing wrong with it. The club are just refusing to sell tickets in there for no reason. It's left many of the staff scratching their heads as to why the club are losing money on it. He also said it definitely should have been open for the Sunderland game and the Blackpool game yesterday.

I get that it's not really an issue as the demand just isn't there at the moment but it really is an odd one for me this.

 

I thought it has been agreed that the toilets had been knocked down for a press room on the North side, and either access wasn't available to the South side or not enough toilets were available hence it's closure?

 

Other clubs have portaloos.

 

I take your point, but they'd have to pay for them which seems a little pointless just for the sale of a few tickets.

 

Probably be covered by ticket sales for Sunderland and yesterday.

 

To be brutally honest, I'll be glad when the whole stadium gets levelled and we can have something purpose-built that's fit for modern day football.

I love Oakwell but little thought went into futureproofing and expanding it when it was built. I know that the Ponty end can "supposedly" have a second tier tacked onto it but I'd hazard a guess that it would be just as expensive as building a new stand from scratch. North Stand is a total waste of space and the East Stand is starting to look tired on the inside. The corner stand is hideous and the control building with the scoreboard on it is a joke. I appreciate the history where the West Stand is concerned and in an ideal world I'd rebuild it brick by brick in the Ponty end carpark for use as a clubshop and a bar, but if it needs to be levelled then crack on. It's 2019 not 1919.

 

The demand wasn't there (Sunderland match perhaps being the exception this season).
If people can be contained to the the south side of the west stand then why would they open the north side, that would result in extra costs. Also despite what your mate says I'm sure the club confirmed that there weren't any facilities to the north side of the west stand so it couldn't be used. Now if we do go up then next season we can expect larger attendances so it gives the club the summer to sort out the north side of the west stand so it can be used should the demand be there.

 

Why would they consider 2nd tiers??? It’s half empty most of the time! 3/4 of the stadium is relatively new compared with many stadiums anyway. Don’t agree with anything you’ve said here

 

Small pockets of empty seats around all stands yexterday so i would say the club got it right. Would much rather us be packed into half the west stand than spread out into both halfs. May be next season if we go up we'll need the north side of the west stand.

 

You’ve contradicted yourself there.
Clearly there is a demand for it at the moment.
And if we do well if we get into the Championship - or the ticket prices are right then there will again be a demand for it.

And no - the North Stand isn’t a waste of space.
It can accommodate a big away support to bring revenue into the club.
Or if demand is there the club could look at fencing sections of it both within the stand and the rear of the stand so it can be used by both home and away supporters.

 

Never said we should? I said we should knock it all down and build something fit for purpose, just cos it's "new" doesn't mean it's good.

 

Didn't know if i could go until late yesterday so didn't risk going and not being able to get in. How many more felt the same ?

 

The demand wasn't there though yesterday was it? They were selling tickets on the turnstiles, the club arent going to hire in portaloos and pay for extra stewarding when a few people may sit there otherwise they'd be losing money. Tbh I said before the game they may have cocked up but it seems they got it spot on.

 

There was lots of talk regarding yesterday being a sell out, but did anything official get released. I believe the club had pay on the gate and seat were available, not sure anyone was turned away?

The club clearly have had it right so far. There are seats available for everyone and no need to do anything with that part of the west stand. Seems like another excuse for some to find another 'the club have got it wrong argument. in future i think they clearly have to make decisions on the west stand and how we can develop our stadium and accommodate more opportunities.

 

Not being funny but how many fans are in that position?

 

Actually thought has gone into future proofing, allowing room for the pitch to be expanded for eg. Oakwell may not be perfect but personally I prefer it to a plastic stadium like the Ricoh.

 

The North Side of the West Stand Upper has had a lot of work done to add in new press and media section. It’s sits a little awkwardly for me, but indicates that the final block at the side wouldn’t be opened up unless demand was definite I.e cup game v a big PL side.

For me, the easiest option to increase home capacity would be to just split the North Stand as and when required. That’s what it was built for. Far easier and cheaper than re-opening the West Stand.

 

I don’t think your mates in the know as much as he likes to think he is imo

 

My thoughts exactly

 

My son phoned the club yesterday for 2 tickets and was told it was sold out. How many more did the same and how many ouldnt get 2 seats together? I'm sure there would have been close to 16000 if they'd opened that side