[Albion] North Stand Expansion + Away fans to be moved

[brighton_tom]

If it does happen, and people are unhappy at moving seats then that's totally fair enough. But to mention, I was originally a STH in the east lower towards the south stand and the away fans got moved there for a few seasons. I was asked by the club to move my ST, which was annoying, but the club offered me a great choice of alternatives (& if I remember correctly at the same price as my original cheaper ST at least for a season). It meant I could move to what I consider a fantastic seat at the Amex. Hopefully if people are asked to move then the club are as accommodating in finding you a new place.

 

[Driver8]

Everyone always slates the idea of a drum but the atmosphere is wank without one so whats the harm in actually giving it a go?

Because you then just have the same wank atmosphere but with some **** banging a drum. e.g. Arsenal. It’s just annoying.

 

[Giraffe]

This. Seems to me that the SW corner does a pretty good job of generating a decent bit of atmosphere out of all proportion to their numbers

Surely the point though is that you then move the south west corner people to behind the goal and you have a base of good support to build an atmosphere behind that goal?

 

[RandyWanger]

Both things are needed and have been discussed at lenght on multiple threads on this site.

 

[Milano]

I don't know why you're so adamant it will be in the East when we know it will be in the West. Most away sections aren't facing the main camera position, our moving the away fans will not make them more prominent on the TV coverage. They will be in the South West corner of the stadium.

I'm not adamant about anything, my view is the SW/W1A makes no logistical sense for a number of reasons. How do "we all know it will be in the West"? Have I missed a formal club comms on this? Please share the link if I have.

Who gives a shit what it looks like on the TV? That makes zero difference to those in the stadium including our players (which is why this is being done in the first place). Wolves is one example where the away fans are in the stand opposite the cameras, another is Arsenal, another is City. Palace don't put away fans in the Arthur Wait so they're not on TV.

I'd be amazed if 'being seen on TV' was even in the top 10 list of reasons why the club wants to do this.

 

[el punal]

Everyone always slates the idea of a drum but the atmosphere is wank without one so whats the harm in actually giving it a go?

Let’s go the whole hog then - why not have the London Philharmonic Orchestra in situ. That’ll be a lot less wank than a f***ing drum. Also, it might ensure that all the songs are played at the right speed, and in tune.

 

[Change at Barnham]

My solution (if technically possible) would be to move the TV cameras to the East Stand.
This would mean that dugout and tunnel action are regularly on TV, and you could put the away supporters in the southern end of the East Stand lower.
It would also mean that the early exodus from the East Stand isn't shown (but quite a few sneak out early from the West Stand also).
I recall watching a Senior Cup Final at the Amex on TV and the camera was located in the East Stand, but I guess it was a more budget type of camera.
I'm sure there are reasons why the Premier League cameras aren't already in the East Stand.

 

[Milano]

My solution (if technically possible) would be to move the TV cameras to the East Stand.
This would mean that dugout and tunnel action are regularly on TV, and you could put the away supporters in the southern end of the East Stand lower.
It would also mean that the early exodus from the East Stand isn't shown (but quite a few sneak out early from the West Stand also).
I recall watching a Senior Cup Final at the Amex on TV and the camera was located in the East Stand, but I guess it was a more budget type of camera.
I'm sure there are reasons why the Premier League cameras aren't already in the East Stand.

I've wondered that before but the Amex was built with TV and comms pre-installed, its one reason Sky etc love it, they literally rock up and plug their lorry in. All that would have to be redone. Plus all the electronic advertising is in the east stand and would also need relocating = probably £millions

 

[Greavsey]

I'm not adamant about anything, my view is the SW/W1A makes no logistical sense for a number of reasons. How do "we all know it will be in the West"? Have I missed a formal club comms on this? Please share the link if I have.

Who gives a shit what it looks like on the TV? That makes zero difference to those in the stadium including our players (which is why this is being done in the first place). Wolves is one example where the away fans are in the stand opposite the cameras, another is Arsenal, another is City. Palace don't put away fans in the Arthur Wait so they're not on TV.

I'd be amazed if 'being seen on TV' was even in the top 10 list of reasons why the club wants to do this.

I think it's probably more likely to not be South East Lower because the players lounge, and seats where the players families watch the game from is on the 1901 level at that end of the stadium.

 

[seagull_si]

My solution (if technically possible) would be to move the TV cameras to the East Stand.
This would mean that dugout and tunnel action are regularly on TV, and you could put the away supporters in the southern end of the East Stand lower.
It would also mean that the early exodus from the East Stand isn't shown (but quite a few sneak out early from the West Stand also).
I recall watching a Senior Cup Final at the Amex on TV and the camera was located in the East Stand, but I guess it was a more budget type of camera.
I'm sure there are reasons why the Premier League cameras aren't already in the East Stand.

Probably something to do with the sun shining onto the east stand. I would guess that would cause glare?

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

You mean Newcastle!

We'd have to put them up on Ditchling Beacon to replicate that

 

[queens park pete]

I've been sitting the SWC for many years.

Got good seats at the back with a good view.

Easy concourse entry, quick getaway to the station.

Never have the burning sun in my face.

Never get wet.

Made good friends down there.

If I have to move I am going to be really really hacked off and I'm sure many others will be too.

I remember them trialling moving the away to the SEC before and it worked ok as it's right next to the coach park.

I'm also in the SWC back row but one in good company and will be really pissed off if any move doesn't let me sit at least as far up as currently (AC) as sitting low down behind a goal as far as I am concerned is a view only a juvenile who wants to beg someone's shirt would want. Doubtless we will end up with an effing bunfight where a load of noobs rock up and mysteriously snaffle the best seats.
Are Sussex police happy to move away fans away from the current handy for the coach park location? Seems like a pointless move as the reason we are a quiet ground is stewarding over the years has discouraged rowdier support.

 

[queens park pete]

Surely the point though is that you then move the south west corner people to behind the goal and you have a base of good support to build an atmosphere behind that goal?

I think changing the position core of support and mixing it up could have the opposite effect. The wedge shape of the SWC also complicates any attempt to relocate the seating plan more or less intact (my choice if there is no other option but to move). There's also a sizeable disabled platform in this corner with family and friends often nearby. This group of fans need particular attention to their specific needs which the South Stand may struggle to accommodate.

 

[Giraffe]

I think changing the position core of support and mixing it up could have the opposite effect. The wedge shape of the SWC also complicates any attempt to relocate the seating plan more or less intact (my choice if there is no other option but to move). There's also a sizeable disabled platform in this corner with family and friends often nearby. This group of fans need particular attention to their specific needs which the South Stand may struggle to accommodate.

All good points. I am sure the club will consider all of that though before selecting where to put the away support.

 

[Marlton and Hove Albion]

The Amex would then match the Goldstone in the 70s, where the South could sometimes rival the North for atmosphere; the West was where the posh seats were; and the East was so silent you could hear someone at the other end of the terrace opening their packet of Wagon Wheels.

Us oldies remember the time when away fans were in the corner in-between the North Stand and East Terrace. I remember plenty of singing and energy from that section closest to the away fans. Looking back, it seems odd that both sets of energetic supporters were essentially right next to each other with the little bit of segregation between them. Now THAT was a atmosphere.

 

[Mackenzie]

Stick them in the SE corner, the SW is bloody brilliant

 

[schmunk]

I wonder... (If they do move the away fans) If they might move the family section (E1a, E1B and half of E1C) round to the South stand, perhaps to S1A, S21b and S1C as the family stand is less lucrative so behind the goal makes more financial sense for the club.

I hope this doesn't happen as I sit in one of the sections that would have to move and i like where we are! I have a bad feeling that is what will happen. Most Family stands are behins the goal in the cheap seats in other stadiums.

Whatevs, but HANDS OFF MY SHELF.

 

[kevo]

Us oldies remember the time when away fans were in the corner in-between the North Stand and East Terrace. I remember plenty of singing and energy from that section closest to the away fans. Looking back, it seems odd that both sets of energetic supporters were essentially right next to each other with the little bit of segregation between them. Now THAT was a atmosphere.

Yes, a bit of atmosphere from the chicken run, certainly for the big games. But my main memory of the East Terrace was that it was full of moaning old men!

 

[Justice]

I remember

Yes, a bit of atmosphere from the chicken run. But my main memory of the East Terrace was that it was full of moaning old men!

Like here then

 

[Marlton and Hove Albion]

Yes, a bit of atmosphere from the chicken run, certainly for the big games. But my main memory of the East Terrace was that it was full of moaning old men!

Nostalgia is an amazing thing. Chicken run attracted the hardcore (pre-Withdean warriors) who CHOSE to stand in the rain and cold at 3p every other Saturday and during many evenings. North and South Stand were chavs sheltered from all inclemency. Let's face it, our lot have never really been super atmosphere creators. It's few and far between you got the GG rocking and The Amex even less so. Derby, Forest, Pompey, Palace, some of the early 1st Div games. For the most part we are and have been soft, polite southerners. You can stick the Away fans wherever you want, but can't see the atmosphere raised to a level you could measure.