Doncaster FC introduce unreserved seating to improve atmosphere

[Steve.S]

I understand that the club's position on safe-standing is quite clear. Number one it is not currently permitted so it would be pointless to introduce it. Two: Due to the size of the concourse and the design and number of access points a safe-standing north stand would not allow any more fans in the stand than there are at the moment, which would mean that either supporters would pay the same as they would for a seat or the club lose money.

I think these are reasonable objections at the moment. That said I would not be surprised if the club changed their mind SHOULD safe-standing be reintroduced across the premier league and championship.

I think an unreserved North Stand would improve the atmosphere and allow the disparate singing groups to sort themselves out on their own without artificially having to manufacture a set of cheerleaders. Tough one for the club though as they inevitably know that people will be moaning vociferously whatever they decide.

Will the club be prepared to lose money then, with unreserved seating you can not have full capacity, so will the club be prepared to lose money by selling less seats in the north. This will also effect people who buy tickets on a match to match basis, as the club will only sell the expensive seats first.

 

[The Birdman]

We need this and a drum

 

[Hotchilidog]

Will the club be prepared to lose money then, with unreserved seating you can not have full capacity, so will the club be prepared to lose money by selling less seats in the north. This will also effect people who buy tickets on a match to match basis, as the club will only sell the expensive seats first.

Pretty sure they would be loathe too. However at the moment the North Stand is nowhere near capacity, it's not exactly full at the moment, so in essence they club would not b closing that much money (if any) just rearranging where people sit in the stand. If the Amex was sold out every week then unreserved seating would not be considered at all. If we are running at around 27,000 or so I think this is less of a problem.

 

[Diego Napier]

You may think that, but as the club would engage with the very people that a lot of you seem to want to move. I would think the vast majority of the seat holders in the central areas would be against the idea.

The main point that I'm making is not that the club should follow this route but if they did, unless you bought a "lifetime" seat, then they are not obliged to offer it to you each year. If that were the case then that would diminish the benefit to those who coughed up £500 at the start of the Amex seat allocation process for a permanent seat.

 

[Steve.S]

That's the problem, doubt it could be rolled out next season as they have not really consulted enough with the fans. Then if we have a good season next season and challenging for play offs/automatic, then it would not be the season after as the STs are sold well before the end of the season, they would not do it in the PL. The only way it could happen sooner would be if we went down. Like you said there are plenty of gaps, so why are the PBC not filling the gaps now. I would think the reason would be, because they can not sit together. So the question would be. Do we have to change to unreserved seating to accommodate a group or can they not just fit this group in, by moving a a few people around. That's the problem, people want the PBC more central, so why don't the club try and fit them into the central area, surely it would mean moving 20 odd people. The north has lots of spare seats sold on a match to match basis. Or make the NW unreserved seating letting more singers move over there if they want to sing.

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

Why would the unreserved section have to be the middle

 

[Steve.S]

The main point that I'm making is not that the club should follow this route but if they did, unless you bought a "lifetime" seat, then they are not obliged to offer it to you each year. If that were the case then that would diminish the benefit to those who coughed up £500 at the start of the Amex seat allocation process for a permanent seat.

They would be obliged, that's why it's called the renewal process. this can only be done with consultation, do not think that they could single out one group of ticket holders and decide that they no longer have seats. A lot of these people had first choice of their seat and paid for it for life. They could not change that without people challenging that. Most of those seats are in the back four rows, how can you have unreserved seating when a lot of seats would have to be reserved

 

[Captain Sensible]

I think its a great idea!

 

[Diego Napier]

They would be obliged, that's why it's called the renewal process. this can only be done with consultation, do not think that they could single out one group of ticket holders and decide that they no longer have seats. A lot of these people had first choice of their seat and paid for it for life. They could not change that without people challenging that. Most of those seats are in the back four rows, how can you have unreserved seating when a lot of seats would have to be reserved

Good grief, did you read and understand what I've written?

I give up.

 

[The Legend that IS Lawro]

Personally can't see any major issues.

Surely it would just be the same as 90% of away games?

I totally agree as you say, 90% of the time at away games it is indeed a free-for-all and no problem. There are exceptions however and Fulham for example our group of three (incorrectly seated) were asked to move along one space in order that one particular solo fan could have his designated seat. We complied of course.

 

[Captain Sensible]

You just need someone in charge of filling in spaces. Most of the time the North is nowhere near full. But if it were, as the stand fills, the stewards would need to guide supporters to the empty spaces. It will be easy enough, the club have the stand monitored 100% of the time anyway.

 

[Brighton Rocker]

A few thoughts on atmosphere at the Amex:
There is agreement that atmosphere is poor?
Away matches have fantastic atmosphere (Fulham, Brentfordx2, Charlton).
Supporters should lift the team to encourage players not just respond to good performances. As evidenced by last 3 matches.
We don't have the best squad but, as long as those on pitch give 100% they deserve our support.
Club made a mistake when moving to Amex by not designating a singing section like Block H at Withdean.
Those who want to stand and sing are spread out across back of North Stand so can't get atmosphere working.
Designating a central singing section in the North Stand will only work if Safe Standing introduced.
The Club should join with the many other clubs supporting introduction of Safe Standing.
Please no drum! Charlton have one but still don't sing.
At meeting with Club in December, they agreed to look at giving season ticket holders option to move to centre of North Stand when renewing to fill in gaps where no season ticket holders at present. Not sure this will happen or make enough difference.
Why is it that some supporters want to be in the home end to enjoy the atmosphere, but don't sing?
At Charlton the Club sample the crowd noise and feed back through the PA. Not a fan of artificial atmosphere but, worth a try?
Let's get behind the lads on Saturday.

 

[Dan Aitch]

I'm still awaiting the club publishing the minutes from the meeting with the supporters. If I might be so harsh, it's pretty bloody appalling for the administrators at the club to be unable or unwilling to do this a month later. Doncaster stated that consultation with the fans led to this and while the Albion have started a consultation process, it feels like a hollow gesture to only have our own recollections of the meeting, with no comments from the club as to which suggestions were favourably received and which will be dismissed.