ARTICLE: How was it for you at Newcastle?

[ClaretTony]

Did you go to Newcastle today?

If so, could you please spend a couple of minutes completing the FSA Away Fans Survey. Burnley FC Supporters Groups are affiliate members of the FSA while this website is an associate member.

Article:
https://www.uptheclarets.com/how-was-it ... -newcastle

Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/awayfans-2019-20

[lakedistrictclaret]

Done this.
Newcastle is always a good away trip, and their fans are ok, but I have commented on the potentially dangerous overcrowding of the away concourse at half time.

[beddie]

Too many nose bleeds for me I thought there was discussion about the possibility of away fans being brought down to a lower level or have I dreamt that?

[Jakubs Tash]

Off subject a little bit, but I thought it was the case that all away fans were required to have some seats next to the pitch in the Premier League? Have I got this wrong? Clearly no away seats anywhere close to the playing surface at SJP.

[ClaretTony]

Too many nose bleeds for me I thought there was discussion about the possibility of away fans being brought down to a lower level or have I dreamt that?

Big thanks to everyone who has done the survey

beddie - it i not a discussion but a Premier League rule although they've not been able to enforce it on Newcastle who claim they have to put away fans up there for safety reasons. It's far too high, but it is still better than being stuck too low down.

[ClaretTony]

Done this.
Newcastle is always a good away trip, and their fans are ok, but I have commented on the potentially dangerous overcrowding of the away concourse at half time.

I've also commented on the concourse - and reported it to both police and stewards at the time. That was dangerous.

[dougcollins]

Being in the same postcode as the pitch would help.

[Rick_Muller]

My comments below:

At half time I wanted to use the toilet and that meant trying to negotiate through the crowds on the concourse. It was very cramped and at times my feet left the floor and I was moved along with the crowd. I felt really unsafe and it was dangerous. The toilet facilities were just not acceptable for that many away fans. Dare I say it, but it could be a crush incident causing loss of life if nothing is done about it.

Some people even urinated in the sink because desperation set in (for Zlatan )

To add to that, everybody had to stand. The seat spacing meant that there was no room to actually sit down. I didn’t measure that actual gap, but in my row 3 normal sized males took up the seating for 4 people, hence having to stand. That’s probably why the stewards refused to get people to sit down.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

This was the club statement from 2 years ago and I have not heard anything that states that this could change!

"Newcastle United have released an official statement on Thursday, regarding away fans.

Newspaper reports had earlier claimed that Newcastle supporters in the Leazes End would not be moved in time for next season, to allow some away fans to be next to the pitch.
Premier League clubs had agreed in 2016 that as from the current (2017/18) season, all clubs would have to have at least one section of Away fans at pitchside.
The aim was to try and ensure better atmospheres by preventing clubs putting travelling fans in the worst possible seats.
Newcastle United and Man Utd were granted exemptions for this season but the general belief amongst media and supporters, was that as from next season both clubs would have to comply.

However, whilst there is no news on Man Utd’s situation, the official Newcastle United statement released today, DOES confirm that no fans will be moved in the Leazes, with NUFC granted an indefinite exemption.

Newcastle’s United Official Statement:
“Newcastle United can confirm the club has been granted exemption from the Premier League’s ‘Away Supporter Location’ ruling.
“Premier League rule 10.3, which was introduced at the start of the 2017/18 season, requires clubs to locate away supporters together, with a minimum of one seating block to be situated pitch-side, subject to local authority approval.
“Since the redevelopment of St James’ Park in 2000, away supporters have been located on level seven of the Leazes Stand and will remain there after extensive consultation with the local authority, emergency services and independent consultants concluded it to be the most appropriate location to ensure the safety of away supporters.

“The club adopted a positive approach following notification of the Premier League’s rule change and commissioned detailed crowd flow modelling of supporter movements on a match day, to determine if a safe relocation option could be accommodated.
“This considered all stands and sections within the stadium.
“However, analysis showed that each proposed option for relocation significantly increased the risk of confrontation, conflict and potential disorder between home and away supporters entering and, in particular, exiting the stadium.

Following a number of meetings of the stadium Safety Advisory Group, the Local Authority formally agreed not to support any move of away supporters from their current location, concluding that such a relocation would introduce a significant risk to spectator safety.
“The club is satisfied that it has taken all reasonable steps to comply with the ruling and welcomes the granting of an exemption by the Premier League.”

[Zlatan]

If that’s the safest area for away fans, I’d shudder to think what they consider to be the most unsafe place in that ground.

[Top Claret]

I personally enjoyed the experience. Loads of parking, ground in a great location next to the city centre which is crammed with bars. Enjoyed the 142 steps so much so I caught the lift back down and did it again.

My seat was extremely spacious with loads of leg Room and accessibility. Great view of the city but a crap view of the pitch.
Toilets bad to access through the public area, due to Burnley taking a reduced allocation. I personally did not try to access the toilets through the lounge, I went back outside through the terrace.

The ease of the parking and pre match drinks made the experience enjoyable for me. Premier league grounds can be a nightmare when driving but Newcastle was an excellent

[Whitgord]

It’s such a poor indictment on society when the only reason for where the away fans section is placed is due to potential conflict between home and away fans.

[strayclaret]

Third visit since redevelopment. Will be my last, despite it being the easiest premier league ground to get to. Fed up with watching games from outer space.
Also agree with comments re concourse.

[Sproggy]

Another ground designed by someone who's never been to a football match.

[Bosscat]

Another ground designed by someone who's never been to a football match.

[ClaretTony]

Again, thanks to everyone who has completed the survey. A lot of work goes into this at the FSA over a season so every comment made, everyone filled in is useful.

I'll endeavour to post a thread after each of the remaining away games this season.

[alboclaret]

Did Newcastle not make a scene about the cricketfield when they were here recently.

Although cramped at HT facilities are wY better than the cricket field.

If we would have taken the full allocation then entrance 18 would have been open and another set of toilets and space opened up. Granted with more followers too. Not sure of the off set.

[Dark Cloud]

It really is high up there, but as a reasonably fit chap the climb up doesn't really bother me personally and you tend to get used to the birds eye view and stop noticing. I really enjoy going because it reminds me so much of our place as in you can enjoy the numerous excellent pubs in the city centre and you're never really more than 10 minutes walk from the ground (and that applies afterwards too). Compare that to somewhere like Brighton for example and actually there IS no comparison! However the male toilet facilities are nothing short of ludicrous. Surely the proverbial blind man on the galloping horse knows that you can't sell all those tickets and yet have such woefully inadequate toilet facilities. An utter joke (but not in a funny way) and definitely spoils it for a lot of folk!!

[Ashingtonclaret46]

I heard that, in view of the poor toilet facilities yesterday, they are arranging that away fans can visit the RVI, which is just up the road, and have a catheter fitted just for the match.

[Zlatan]

Although cramped at HT facilities are wY better than the cricket field.

I hope you’re joking, the CFS has problems (smokers etc) but it is nowhere near as dangerous as that was yesterday. Yesterday the crush was beyond a joke.

[Leisure]

If we would have taken the full allocation then entrance 18 would have been open and another set of toilets and space opened up. Granted with more followers too. Not sure of the off set.

And another reason why we should have taken the final block of seats available to us! We seemed to have 1 set of toilets for 2200 fans but would have had a 2nd one if we'd have taken the final block of seats and had 3000 there.

[tim_noone]

Sick of Harping on...But away fans are treated shabbily at most grounds and posters on here are happy for away fans to be stuck out of the way in a corner at turf moor.so fair do's

[alboclaret]

And another reason why we should have taken the final block of seats available to us! We seemed to have 1 set of toilets for 2200 fans but would have had a 2nd one if we'd have taken the final block of seats and had 3000 there.

There was 2 sets of toilets but the sign at the gangway only points to one so everyone goes to that one. There was one in the left hand "room" also.

[alboclaret]

I hope you’re joking, the CFS has problems (smokers etc) but it is nowhere near as dangerous as that was yesterday. Yesterday the crush was beyond a joke.

Maybe it got worse than I saw then.

The toilets in cricketfield are ridiculous in my eyes.
One opening in and out.

[Zlatan]

There was 2 sets of toilets but the sign at the gangway only points to one so everyone goes to that one. There was one in the left hand "room" also.

You’re sh!tting me... I even asked if there was another one and I was told by a steward that the one to your right (as you come out from the seats in the stand) was the only one.

[alboclaret]

Defo two sets. I went to the right just before half time. And to the left after match. (Weak bladder after few scoops)

[Leisure]

Sick of Harping on...But away fans are treated shabbily at most grounds and posters on here are happy for away fans to be stuck out of the way in a corner at turf moor.so fair do's

So where do you think we should put away fans at the Turf? James Hargeaves Upper???

[tim_noone]

So where do you think we should put away fans at the Turf? James Hargeaves Upper???

Yes....

[Leisure]

Yes....

Why am I not surprised!

[Dark Cloud]

You’re sh!tting me... I even asked if there was another one and I was told by a steward that the one to your right (as you come out from the seats in the stand) was the only one.

Absolutely Zlatan! That's made me rather annoyed tbh. At half time I asked 2 policemen standing in the entrance to the other area if there were toilets through there (because there was no "toilets" sign) and they said no and they told me to go to the ONE set everyone was using down the far end. Or in fact NOT using as most people couldn't get anywhere near! I quickly gave up and then went during the second half, but STILL had to queue.

[tim_noone]

Why am I not surprised!

Why am I not surprised...you're not surprised

[Zlatan]

Absolutely Zlatan! That's made me rather annoyed tbh. At half time I asked 2 policemen standing in the entrance to the other area if there were toilets through there (because there was no "toilets" sign) and they said no and they told me to go to the ONE set everyone was using down the far end. Or in fact NOT using as most people couldn't get anywhere near! I quickly gave up and then went during the second half, but STILL had to queue.

Not quite Duckenfield levels of incompetency, but terrible none the less

[2 Bee Holed]

And another reason why we should have taken the final block of seats available to us! We seemed to have 1 set of toilets for 2200 fans but would have had a 2nd one if we'd have taken the final block of seats and had 3000 there.

I assume you don't sit in the CFS then Leisure?
We have 1 set of toilets for 2200 fans every match, but we quietly put up with it
and don't say a word.

[nil_desperandum]

I assume you don't sit in the CFS then Leisure?
We have 1 set of toilets for 2200 fans every match, but we quietly put up with it
and don't say a word.

But that's the home end and potentially we can do something about that, (at the simplest level as an individual sit in another part of the ground, though I'm not suggesting that. The club should sort it).
This thread is about facilities for AWAY fans where you usually have no alternative but to sit where allocated.

[2 Bee Holed]

But that's the home end and potentially we can do something about that, (at the simplest level as an individual sit in another part of the ground, though I'm not suggesting that. The club should sort it).
This thread is about facilities for AWAY fans where you usually have no alternative but to sit where allocated.

erm......I was thinking along the lines of:

"People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

[Zlatan]

I assume you don't sit in the CFS then Leisure?
We have 1 set of toilets for 2200 fans every match, but we quietly put up with it
and don't say a word.

I’m in CFS and the problems in there are nothing compared to what I experienced at SJP