[Official Site] RAIL SEATING (SAFE STANDING) AT OAKWELL

The east stand doesn't lend itself to a disabled area except the front row which would be exactly the same problem as the Ponty end. The west stand does because of how the stadium is built on a slope.

And I haven't claimed the fan group is a closed shop

The west stand has to be rebuilt soon, it's falling to bits, only half of it is open, it was closed on safety grounds recently, it limits our attendance etc and it costs a fortune to keep it open. It's false economy throwing money at it to keep a relic open. Some people just refuse to acknowledge it because of nostalgia.

 

Should we stick another £1/£2 on a pint to those who will use the new fanzone for complaining about the present one. (I'm guessing a bigger expenditure). Cos folk could well go elsewhere. ?.
I reckon standing will attract more of the younger element. And it'll pay for itself in no time.[/QUOTE]

My take on this is that this is happening out of necessity because gangway 1/2 of the Ponte simply refuse to sit down, and the club are at risk of serious sanctions.

The 90+% of us that don’t act like this shouldn’t be affected and I won’t be thrilled if my ST goes up in cost to pay for it. That might not happen of course but either way I’d rather us sign a decent player than chuck money at this if it boils down to either / or.

 

I don’t expect it to make much of a difference tbh. ‘Sing when you’re winning’ applies to standing and sitting. I watched a game a few weeks back and the standing section was silent because they were getting beaten at home.

We’ve had some great atmosphere at Oakwell both pre and post seating, and it’s also been like a morgue in both eras.

I get that some fans see it as cool and edgy to stand, so cater for them by all means, but give me a seat every time.

 

Really ST what dont you get. I've told you everything what was said at the meeting in this and a previous thread. Money money money. There isn't a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So you want the board to go out along with the council to borrow a vast amount. At this stage. Where interest payments will far outweigh maintenance costs. Call it what you want. I call it living within means.
As I've said volunteer for the advisory group maybe your questions and advice may get noted. I know you haven't said it's a closed shop. It was a prompt to join the bugger.

 

Fantastic news. I used a rail seat at Wembley at play off final. Brilliant experience (apart from the result)

 

My take on this is that this is happening out of necessity because gangway 1/2 of the Ponte simply refuse to sit down, and the club are at risk of serious sanctions.

The 90+% of us that don’t act like this shouldn’t be affected and I won’t be thrilled if my ST goes up in cost to pay for it. That might not happen of course but either way I’d rather us sign a decent player than chuck money at this if it boils down to either / or.[/QUOTE]
We will still continue to have both. The lease has meant a release of funds. To be spent on the stadium. But not to the tune of building a new west stand.
Changes will occur. One day in the distant future those in the west stand will either not renew because of nostalgia. Or move on and accept change.

 

I like TonyTykes idea about instead of perhaps a standing corner make it a few seats deep and all way across the top of the stand.Could that be put forward as an option?

 

They are looking at all options mate and a planned survey eg structural. Vision etc will be taken into account. What I can guarantee is. some folk will kick off. For their own reasons. That's fair enough. But time doesn't stand still mate. Ask any fans who go to a new purpose buit stadium.

 

I must admit I'm old school but if this gives people what they want and create a better atmosphere I'm all for it.

 

Bit like the Glassworks mate. Lots against it at the beginning. "Eee it's not like 60s"
Very few against it now. Most of us including yours truly are not comfortable with change. But I'm so proud how things have moved forward. And generally accept that's the way to be. For future generations and not our selfish selves.
When are you back on the away Trail mate btw.

 

Compulsory sitting down was and always has been an appalling idea and I've despised it from day 1 when we were forced to go all seater but other clubs just fobbed the fa off. The only time that sitting down at a match has been good was sat on the wall of the brewery stand.

 

Not sure mate,not been away since Peterborough.Thinking Burton away might be next.

 

Didn't make Peterborough mate missen. Catch you at Burton if not at home 1st.

 

I agree it seems to be the way most clubs will go, if they can afford it. I’m a sit-downer though and there’s no going back to standing for me at a football match.

 

That's true, for most of the first half of the Exeter game the whole of the Ponty was actually seated!

 

Not surprising really. It's a 2 way thing especially at home. And the first half was soul destroying.
Hopefully we can create summat like we do away. But again the performance on the field helps.
The sty is also like a morgue when wendy are losing.
It must be full this season.

 

I know you've been told they won't or can't spend the money but what I'm saying is in my opinion it's false economy because the building cost of a new west stand isn't going to go down but the maintenance costs to keep it going will continue to rise.

This particular fan group I think is brilliant, and one thing I particularly like about it is that those who can't make meetings in person appear to be able to attend online if I read the last updates correctly. It's not for me though, one reason is it's just not my kind of thing but the other is that I never know what time ill be finishing work and would hardly ever be available on an evening anyway.

 

I tend to agree and still think that grounds should have standing sections. Whenever there’s an away game with standing available I always take the opportunity to do it. Think the rail seats are a great idea for those that want to stand and if it stops the club getting into bother what’s not to like?

 

I'm sorry but that went ............WHOOOOOOOOSH

 

Maybe because the two dozen regular posters on this board do not and never have spoken for the majority of the fan base.. on almost every subject that appears on this bbs..