1,000 Away Fans

[Sefton Aubergine]

I'm not sure what the capacity is for away fans since the crush barriers were removed? I'm guessing it is about 400 standing and about 150 seats. The reason I ask is I noticed Stockport took well over 1,000 to Fylde and if Notts County are in the top six when we play them both clubs may want to bring more fans than we can accommodate in March. When Hartlepool had their big following last season they were given the whole of the Holker Street end but with the potential of 3,000 home supporters I don't think that is possible, unless we can find a way to get more home fans in other areas.

I realise that this could all change dependent on results but maybe it would be worth costing the erecting of a temporary (scaffolding type) stand between the main stand and the floodlight at the Crossbar End?

[PerthBluebird]

I'm not sure what the capacity is for away fans since the crush barriers were removed? I'm guessing it is about 400 standing and about 150 seats. The reason I ask is I noticed Stockport took well over 1,000 to Fylde and if Notts County are in the top six when we play them both clubs may want to bring more fans than we can accommodate in March. When Hartlepool had their big following last season they were given the whole of the Holker Street end but with the potential of 3,000 home supporters I don't think that is possible, unless we can find a way to get more home fans in other areas.

I realise that this could all change dependent on results but maybe it would be worth costing the erecting of a temporary (scaffolding type) stand between the main stand and the floodlight at the Crossbar End?

The pitch side view in that corner is terrible you can see anything unless your are right on the wall and even then restricted a section off the seats and the holker street corner will do why let 1000’s off fans in and give the away team and advantage think smart.

[Steelworks End]

why let 1000’s off fans in and give the away team and advantage think smart.

We need the money?

[spirit of 1990]

Dean, in the coming weeks (or months) we’ve been asked to look at a barrier that can be erected fairly quickly in the corner by the garage. This was just in case of a big FAC draw (obviously gone now) but also to do with the possibility of a bigger team (Notts C etc) bringing a larger than normal support.
It worked last season with Hartlepool, even though it was quick notice, but this time we’ll be a bit better prepared & make a better job of it.

[Sefton Aubergine]

I'm not sure what the capacity is for away fans since the crush barriers were removed? I'm guessing it is about 400 standing and about 150 seats. The reason I ask is I noticed Stockport took well over 1,000 to Fylde and if Notts County are in the top six when we play them both clubs may want to bring more fans than we can accommodate in March. When Hartlepool had their big following last season they were given the whole of the Holker Street end but with the potential of 3,000 home supporters I don't think that is possible, unless we can find a way to get more home fans in other areas.

I realise that this could all change dependent on results but maybe it would be worth costing the erecting of a temporary (scaffolding type) stand between the main stand and the floodlight at the Crossbar End?

The pitch side view in that corner is terrible you can see anything unless your are right on the wall and even then restricted a section off the seats and the holker street corner will do why let 1000’s off fans in and give the away team and advantage think smart.

Thanks for thinking smart for me, I feel enlightened.

[Sefton Aubergine]

Dean, in the coming weeks (or months) we’ve been asked to look at a barrier that can be erected fairly quickly in the corner by the garage. This was just in case of a big FAC draw (obviously gone now) but also to do with the possibility of a bigger team (Notts C etc) bringing a larger than normal support.
It worked last season with Hartlepool, even though it was quick notice, but this time we’ll be a bit better prepared & make a better job of it.

My point is more that if the whole of the Holker Street end is given to the away club, the possibility of 3,000 home supporters will be a tight squeeze in the rest of the ground. Last seasons home game with Hartlepool I think the home support was around 1,900 and felt pretty full in the popular side. There were empty seats in the Stand but could we get another 1,300 in based on the home support being nearly 3,200 on Boxing day? All hypothetical I know but maybe worth having a plan mate, cost allowing.

[HenneysKnee]

If both teams are still in the play off picture I imagine Stockport would bring pretty much whatever we could give them

[Sefton Aubergine]

If both teams are still in the play off picture I imagine Stockport would bring pretty much whatever we could give them

Agreed and when clubs are expecting large away followings they tend to up the home support. If Barrow are still top of the league and we give the whole of the Holker Street end to away fans is there a risk of Barrow supporters not getting in?

[Jonty]

If both teams are still in the play off picture I imagine Stockport would bring pretty much whatever we could give them

Agreed and when clubs are expecting large away followings they tend to up the home support. If Barrow are still top of the league and we give the whole of the Holker Street end to away fans is there a risk of Barrow supporters not getting in?

Or the game could be ticketed like the FA cup tie v Rochdale and restrict away numbers to the section of the HSE that is segregated (500) and allocated for way fans now and the “W” of the Main stand (164). Fill the rest of the ground with Barrow fans which I think we would easily do for those games. if, etc.

[Jonty]

Remember the days when even the thought of giving up the whole of the Holker Street End to away fans would lead to heated debate on here. IF, (and that is the key word) such a situation arises for a high profile game then the answer is to “all ticket” the game and restrict the away numbers to the corner sectioned off now and the “W” of the Main Stand, with the rest of the ground packed out with Home support.

[Sefton Aubergine]

I think there is a very realistic possibility of games later in the season having to be made all ticket, I certainly hope so because it means things are going just as well. My thoughts about a temporary stand are about upping the capacity and whether it would be cost effective and if so how much time would be needed to pass safety inspections etc.

[mr_grey]

Remember the days when even the thought of giving up the whole of the Holker Street End to away fans would lead to heated debate on here. IF, (and that is the key word) such a situation arises for a high profile game then the answer is to “all ticket” the game and restrict the away numbers to the corner sectioned off now and the “W” of the Main Stand, with the rest of the ground packed out with Home support.

[barrowaberdeen]

Based on no inside knowledge, I would say the positioning of the floodlights would be an issue re temporary stand.

There is some scope and intention to put better crush barriers on the Hse. How long that takes in practice I don't know.

I think working out how we'd segregate a game like that is a difficult one. We almost need it to be more portable. For example, we could have done with pushing Fylde further into the corner.

[Jonty]

Remember the days when even the thought of giving up the whole of the Holker Street End to away fans would lead to heated debate on here. IF, (and that is the key word) such a situation arises for a high profile game then the answer is to “all ticket” the game and restrict the away numbers to the corner sectioned off now and the “W” of the Main Stand, with the rest of the ground packed out with Home support.

Big issues on Boxing day with main stand having very limited or no space nearer kick off due to all corporate being sold out and the drive for 3000 fans with what appeared to be caused by not controlling online ticket sales for main stand seated area. Only guarantee of a seat in stand was a reserved seat!

Fortunately Fylde only brought a handful of fans.

Large queues on popular side was a problem and will need resolving .

Exactly and learning from the experience, the answer is set ticketing for games with larger than expected home and away fan followings and control the numbers. Fylde have clearly set an away capacity. We could do it and if we get promoted we will no doubt have to move towards it. In games were there would be a large Home and a large away crowd anticipated, then the away numbers should be scaled back to allow as many home fans as possible in to get behind the team.

[whitty1969]

Chaps, all these issues are been looked at by the board right now.
We are planning for the bigger teams at home immediately.
However there are 2 scenarios been discussed for next season, we are either in the National league or the EFL.
What a good problems to have....