Cricket field stand

[Goliath]

First couple of blocks of the north stand

Crap seats and different layout so would be difficult to put everyone together in the same way. Also have to leave a certain amount of seats available to walk ons.

[Darnhill Claret]

Could both tunnels be used?

[Vegas Claret]

The atmosphere may improve not deteriorate.

The away supporters being next to the home section of the CFS won't change but them now being next to the Longside may see the slumbering giant awoken, finally.

fingers crossed, it would make a big difference imho

[Squazo]

Not enough seats to meet the minimum requirement.

give them a couple blocks in upper as well to meet requirements

[Leisure]

I know, but they wouldn’t be if they were required to move the player tunnel into the opposite corner for health and safety reasons.

But it will be if they also move fans over.

[Leisure]

give them a couple blocks in upper as well to meet requirements

Would cut down capacity in lower and upper and would need segregation in the concourses.

[fidelcastro]

give them a couple blocks in upper as well to meet requirements

You really haven't thought this through, have you?

[Rick_Muller]

You really haven't thought this through, have you?

Neither have the club it would seem.

Most people saying they don’t have a problem with this probably don’t sit in the CFS anyway so it won’t directly affect them.

[NewClaret]

A neighbour is working on this. They’re having to make significant changes to the dressing rooms and like others have said the tunnel is moving. Don’t know about the mirroring of seats but there are definitely more rail seats going in which I don’t think if any secret

When you say significant changes to the changing rooms, do you mean upgrades/refit?

I would imagine if they’re filming in the changing rooms now, they’ll want to bring them up to modern standards because they don’t look great at the moment.

[Bosscat]

Neither have the club it would seem.

Most people saying they don’t have a problem with this probably don’t sit in the CFS anyway so it won’t directly affect them.

Its going to affect a lot of us ... if access for the Home Fans in the Upper & Lower tiers of The North Stand cannot access the ground via Ormerod Yd

[Rileybobs]

But it will be if they also move fans over.

I don’t follow you. My point is that if the club have been advised/instructed to move the tunnel to the BL/CFS corner then they may have wanted to keep Burnley fans either side of the tunnel as they currently are, for the reasons mentioned.

[NewClaret]

Just picking up on the points made further up the thread, I’m not sure how they are going to do it either. It’s going to be very tight…

[Blue Skies]

Leisure as a lot of people suggest the mirroring of seats gives a different view for a start, changes routine and I have been in that seat for years. I can berate the lino from mine for example, pop in the CC afterwards. It's easy for people in three parts of the ground to shrug their shoulders and say change happens but it's the lack of option now the club have our money that is a poor show. What about these supporters groups? I had the option to have seat in JMU and if I had have known this might have taken that up. Shocking by the club. As bad as the Hoos' retainer rubbish.

[Row x]

Leisure as a lot of people suggest the mirroring of seats gives a different view for a start, changes routine and I have been in that seat for years. I can berate the lino from mine for example, pop in the CC afterwards. It's easy for people in three parts of the ground to shrug their shoulders and say change happens but it's the lack of option now the club have our money that is a poor show. What about these supporters groups? I had the option to have seat in JMU and if I had have known this might have taken that up. Shocking by the club. As bad as the Hoos' retainer rubbish.

As someone who is normally pro Burnley football club, I'd find it strange if they started moving fans, without informing them at the point of sale, if they did, they deserve all the flak coming their way

[Rileybobs]

As someone who is normally pro Burnley football club, I'd find it strange if they started moving fans, without informing them at the point of sale, if they did, they deserve all the flak coming their way

If, and it is an if, the club are moving the tunnel due to safety concerns exacerbated by the Sheff Utd game then they wouldn’t have known at the point of sale.

[Loyalclaret]

The proposed image floating about looks like someone at club just found ChatGPT CLARET & BREW

Still trying to decide which looks best... the Cricketfield Bread Bin, the Peace Garden walk or three tiered rooftop bar on Harry Potts way

[Row x]

If, and it is an if, the club are moving the tunnel due to safety concerns exacerbated by the Sheff Utd game then they wouldn’t have known at the point of sale.

Agreed

[FeedTheArf]

When you say significant changes to the changing rooms, do you mean upgrades/refit?

I would imagine if they’re filming in the changing rooms now, they’ll want to bring them up to modern standards because they don’t look great at the moment.

I think it’s more about Premier League regs. Separate facilities for female officials and under 18 players.

[Rick_Muller]

If, and it is an if, the club are moving the tunnel due to safety concerns exacerbated by the Sheff Utd game then they wouldn’t have known at the point of sale.

But moving the tunnel for safety concerns makes no sense if they are mirroring the fans across too - the same group of fans will be by the tunnel just on the other side.

None of this actually makes any sense at the moment with pure speculation, I guess we’ll have to wait for any official communication on the subject.

It all stinks of being a rush job with zero thought for the fans though

[BleedingClaret]

As someone who is normally pro Burnley football club, I'd find it strange if they started moving fans, without informing them at the point of sale, if they did, they deserve all the flak coming their way

Clever
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink, but usually it will

[Rileybobs]

But moving the tunnel for safety concerns makes no sense if they are mirroring the fans across too - the same group of fans will be by the tunnel just on the other side.

None of this actually makes any sense at the moment with pure speculation, I guess we’ll have to wait for any official communication on the subject.

It all stinks of being a rush job with zero thought for the fans though

With the suggested changes backroom staff won’t be required to cross the pitch (or take a long walk around) to get from the dugout to the tunnel.

[Rick_Muller]

Its going to affect a lot of us ... if access for the Home Fans in the Upper & Lower tiers of The North Stand cannot access the ground via Ormerod Yd

Totally understood, I just noted that those who say “it’s no problem” really mean “it’s no problem for me” so don’t/wont understand the frustration.

[Rick_Muller]

With the suggested changes backroom staff won’t be required to cross the pitch (or take a long walk around) to get from the dugout to the tunnel.

I’d want to see (and pick holes in) the risk assessment that suggests there is a difference based on walking across the pitch versus down the front of the BL stand.

The Chris Wilder incident, whilst not good, could easily be argued that he brought it on himself by being an arrogant person in the weeks prior to the game. I am not for one minute condoning what happened however.

[BleedingClaret]

With the suggested changes backroom staff won’t be required to cross the pitch (or take a long walk around) to get from the dugout to the tunnel.

Away players and staff will cross home fans to get to away fans after games and then cross back across the home fans again to get to the tunnel

[Duffer_]

But moving the tunnel for safety concerns makes no sense if they are mirroring the fans across too - the same group of fans will be by the tunnel just on the other side.

None of this actually makes any sense at the moment with pure speculation, I guess we’ll have to wait for any official communication on the subject.

It all stinks of being a rush job with zero thought for the fans though

IF the tunnel has to be moved, and it's a big if, it doesn't follow that fans have to be moved this season. As you say, it's pure speculation, which is a real shame given the numerous avenues the club has to consult with fans.

[BleedingClaret]

I wonder if there is a desire to get the players lining up before the game facing Pace & Co
Could a camera gantry appear in there.

[Rileybobs]

Away players and staff will cross home fans to get to away fans after games and then cross back across the home fans again to get to the tunnel

I know, but it is a fact that a tunnel in the corner of the BLS and CFS is closer to the dugouts.

[LlandennyClaret]

I’ve no knowledge on this at all, but could the entrance to what was the old temporary directors box in the Cricket Field stand be adapted to become a tunnel? It’s quite low down and does have access to the dressing room area as far as I understand.

[BleedingClaret]

I know, but it is a fact that a tunnel in the corner of the BLS and CFS is closer to the dugouts.

Agreed
I do wonder if there is truth in the danger to visiting staff suggestion, if it is more from the lower tier of the Longside than the CFS
But there’s also a fact that the players families, it seems, are in the boxes above these fans, So would our players cross the away fans to greet their families
All ifs and buts
Communication from the club to confirm a or dispel would be good
That’s will happen probably Friday August 15th

[BradTee93]

I’ve had a season ticket in the CFS since they allowed us to move back in. I love my seat, the folk around are sound and have a laugh, atmosphere can be class on its day and the view is a belter.

If we are being moved across the stand, then it’s extremely poor from the club not to relay the message to us at the earliest opportunity. Whether they don’t want everyone walking across the pitch anymore who knows, but it ain’t just gonna be us in the CFS who’ll be affected by these rumoured changes.

[BleedingClaret]

FAN ADVISORY BOARD & SUPPORTERS GROUPS

Fan Advisory Board

Introduction
Fan Engagement Strategies

Here at Burnley Football Club, we have a strong commitment to engage with our loyal supporters in a healthy and productive manner.

[mybloodisclaret]

As someone who this will have a significant effect on, I am growing increasingly incensed by this.

I have had my season ticket in the same place with my mates for years in the CFS. To receive no information or consultation is shocking tbh.

A mirrored seat for where I have been stood for years, will now likely put me past the touchline in the corner with absolutely no sight of the goal at our end.

I was chatting about this with some mates this evening further to it being noticed by one of the group that this looked likely. Surely they have left themselves opened up to misale of goods or similar, if they knew when I bought my ST and paid for it in full that I wouldn't even be able to sit (stand) in the seat space next year.

Wonder what the FAB make of all this?!?!? Surely they will have been consulted?

NB. This is coming from someone who is generally extremely pro BFC. Not happy at all.

[wilks_bfc]

I wonder if there is a desire to get the players lining up before the game facing Pace & Co
Could a camera gantry appear in there.

Doubt it. All the media trucks will still need to be parked behind the Longside and you wouldn’t be able to move the press box

[Leisure]

As someone who this will have a significant effect on, I am growing increasingly incensed by this.

I have had my season ticket in the same place with my mates for years in the CFS. To receive no information or consultation is shocking tbh.

A mirrored seat for where I have been stood for years, will now likely put me past the touchline in the corner with absolutely no sight of the goal at our end.

I was chatting about this with some mates this evening further to it being noticed by one of the group that this looked likely. Surely they have left themselves opened up to misale of goods or similar, if they knew when I bought my ST and paid for it in full that I wouldn't even be able to sit (stand) in the seat space next year.

Wonder what the FAB make of all this?!?!? Surely they will have been consulted?

NB. This is coming from someone who is generally extremely pro BFC. Not happy at all.

Not sure how you won't have sight of the goal? Surely away fans have up to now!

[mybloodisclaret]

FAN ADVISORY BOARD & SUPPORTERS GROUPS

Fan Advisory Board

Introduction
Fan Engagement Strategies

Here at Burnley Football Club, we have a strong commitment to engage with our loyal supporters in a healthy and productive manner.

Just beat me to it.
Ah the FAB. Looking forwards to hearing from them again.

[BleedingClaret]

As someone who this will have a significant effect on, I am growing increasingly incensed by this.

I have had my season ticket in the same place with my mates for years in the CFS. To receive no information or consultation is shocking tbh.

A mirrored seat for where I have been stood for years, will now likely put me past the touchline in the corner with absolutely no sight of the goal at our end.

I was chatting about this with some mates this evening further to it being noticed by one of the group that this looked likely. Surely they have left themselves opened up to misale of goods or similar, if they knew when I bought my ST and paid for it in full that I wouldn't even be able to sit (stand) in the seat space next year.

Wonder what the FAB make of all this?!?!? Surely they will have been consulted?

NB. This is coming from someone who is generally extremely pro BFC. Not happy at all.

I’m on your side with this
But just enquiring
Is your seat currently by the touchline between the CFS and Longside
If so why will it be different over the other side?

[mybloodisclaret]

Not sure how you won't have sight of the goal? Surely away fans have up to now!

No Peter, with everyone stood up, it makes it a challenge, from where we are now, where you often have to scramble on to your seat to see a key moment, but you can manage.

As the stand is off centre and runs well past the touchline, there will now be more people between our mirrored seats and the goal.

Not being funny, but as away fans you are only ever in the same seat / spot once. Hardly going to kick off about it. I'll be in the same spot probably all season, and probably not thereafter if the views are terrible.

[wilks_bfc]

I’m on your side with this
But just enquiring
Is your seat currently by the touchline between the CFS and Longside
If so why will it be different over the other side?

I’m assuming because stand isn’t central to the pitch.

Eg the 5th seat in from the Longside side is in line with the touchline but the 5 seat in from the BLS is outside of the touchline

[BleedingClaret]

I’m assuming because stand isn’t central to the pitch.

Eg the 5th seat in from the Longside side is in line with the touchline but the 5 seat in from the BLS is outside of the touchline

Yeah, I saw mybloodisclaret reply to Leisure and get it now, Thanks anyway

[mybloodisclaret]

Our current seats are just about inline with the 18 yard box in the CFS. Looking at a picture of the ground as the pitch or stand aren't squarely lined up we will now be on the touchline if we are lucky.

The view towards goal will have a lot more people between us and the net. Looking at a full picture of the stand, we are about 1 block and 8 seats from goal.
Next season, in our magic mirror seats, we will be 3.5 blocks from goal.

[BleedingClaret]

Our current seats are just about inline with the 18 yard box in the CFS. Looking at a picture of the ground as the pitch or stand aren't squarely lined up we will now be on the touchline if we are lucky.

The view towards goal will have a lot more people between us and the net. Looking at a full picture of the stand, we are about 1 block and 8 seats from goal.
Next season, in our magic mirror seats, we will be 3.5 blocks from goal.

Not good if true
And if true without communications is really really poor from the Club

[CrosspoolClarets]

Forgive me, just catching up on this, so it seems there are pros and cons to this latest brainwave:

PROS:
1. Less distance for players and coaches to the dugout (though we are almost unique currently and it is famous for being so, like the old Wembley was)
2. A chance of improving the atmosphere by squeezing in away fans between the Longside and the CFS ultras.
3. More separation of home and away fans post match

CONS:
1. The home dressing room will now be right under the away fans, affecting team mentality and confidence cos they’ll be deafening
2. With seat numbers switching from right to left, to left to right, it means more Clarets aren’t next to the pitch because of the overhang, and away fans will be behind the goal, which is genius, lets be fair
3. About 10,000 fans will no longer be able to exit via Ormerod Yard and now may have to all shoehorn together into what will feel an unsafe bottleneck next to the JMS in double the numbers than before, for many that means missing buses, a longer walk home or crippling traffic may have built up - every game
4. Burnley Cricket Club may now be not letting in home fans. Affecting pre-match for hundreds (which includes watching cricket in spring and late summer so not sure how that can work if a game is on.
5. About 15,000 fans may no longer be looking at the team when they line up pre game, which will go down like a cup of cold sick. Not gonna walk across the pitch, surely?
6. Pubs in town will suffer, that “last pint” may have to be deferred given the longer walk to get in. Will probably cost these pubs about a grand a game.

When I weigh up the above, it feels like a total shambles. I could see the argument to give away fans half of the JHL, to get them up Ormerod Yard and give us the full CFS like before, but the exit gate structure likely prevents that unless we gave them some JHU too. So the club probably feel they have no option, but I would bet my last pound that the above ‘cons’ haven’t been fully considered and the fans haven’t been fully (if at all) consulted.

What a way to ruin the excitement of pre-season for many. I can see many being furious for the reasons above.

[Somethingfishy]

I have a feeling a lot of this will be police driven and the club will have little option. It smacks of them wanting proper segregation outside the ground and wanting the cricket club as away fans only only adds to this "bubble" the away fans will be in.
Issues with fans walking past the coaches on Harry Potts Way and Belvedere Rd will have been a thought in this. This way no home fans will be walking down Belvedere Rd only up it and its much easier for them to police with less home fans mixing with the away fans. Away coaches and cars (parked at the cricket club) all handy from the exit gate from the CFS that side with no home fans in the mix. A big fence and a gate roughly where the TV compound is. It also negates any concerns with fans leaving the ground around the ever expanding TV compound. Anyone leaving that way will know the passage was getting narrower and narrower around it.

It looks like a long walk around the ground and the entire JHS leaving via the narrow entrance at the end of the JM which is already bad enough after a match. Fans the last thought in all this as usual.

[Goliath]

Forgive me, just catching up on this, so it seems there are pros and cons to this latest brainwave:

PROS:
1. Less distance for players and coaches to the dugout (though we are almost unique currently and it is famous for being so, like the old Wembley was)
2. A chance of improving the atmosphere by squeezing in away fans between the Longside and the CFS ultras.
3. More separation of home and away fans post match

CONS:
1. The home dressing room will now be right under the away fans, affecting team mentality and confidence cos they’ll be deafening
2. With seat numbers switching from right to left, to left to right, it means more Clarets aren’t next to the pitch because of the overhang, and away fans will be behind the goal, which is genius, lets be fair
3. About 10,000 fans will no longer be able to exit via Ormerod Yard and now may have to all shoehorn together into what will feel an unsafe bottleneck next to the JMS in double the numbers than before, for many that means missing buses, a longer walk home or crippling traffic may have built up - every game
4. Burnley Cricket Club may now be not letting in home fans. Affecting pre-match for hundreds (which includes watching cricket in spring and late summer so not sure how that can work if a game is on.
5. About 15,000 fans may no longer be looking at the team when they line up pre game, which will go down like a cup of cold sick. Not gonna walk across the pitch, surely?
6. Pubs in town will suffer, that “last pint” may have to be deferred given the longer walk to get in. Will probably cost these pubs about a grand a game.

When I weigh up the above, it feels like a total shambles. I could see the argument to give away fans half of the JHL, to get them up Ormerod Yard and give us the full CFS like before, but the exit gate structure likely prevents that unless we gave them some JHU too. So the club probably feel they have no option, but I would bet my last pound that the above ‘cons’ haven’t been fully considered and the fans haven’t been fully (if at all) consulted.

What a way to ruin the excitement of pre-season for many. I can see many being furious for the reasons above.

I see your 1st point as one of the biggest cons tbh. I love that unique walk across the pitch. It's great for allowing the fans to build a rapport with the players and it's also great for giving stick to away ayers as they trudge off..Especially if someone's been sent off or we want to give Blackburn a nice send off...

[Cardclaret]

Am I missing something, if you move the away fans you will need more seats in that half of CFS. Doable if you rep!ace all the wooden seats with plastic ones but they would need to be sharpish. But that leaves you with a big H&S issue, more fans going through the single exit and onto that concourse which is already too small/poorly laid out. You would need to relocate the shop or toilets or widen the concourse which would mean moving the changing rooms.

[claretonthecoast1882]

If this goes ahead it is really poor from the club to be moving fans without being told first.

The next time we play Blackburn will be interesting to see the levels of panic from the police with them being so close to the Longside lower.

This should also highlight the issue when we repeatedly see on here people basically saying we should force the cricket club to relocate as a whole and be perfectly fine in saying so.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Forgive me, just catching up on this, so it seems there are pros and cons to this latest brainwave:

PROS:
1. Less distance for players and coaches to the dugout (though we are almost unique currently and it is famous for being so, like the old Wembley was)
2. A chance of improving the atmosphere by squeezing in away fans between the Longside and the CFS ultras.
3. More separation of home and away fans post match

CONS:
1. The home dressing room will now be right under the away fans, affecting team mentality and confidence cos they’ll be deafening
2. With seat numbers switching from right to left, to left to right, it means more Clarets aren’t next to the pitch because of the overhang, and away fans will be behind the goal, which is genius, lets be fair
3. About 10,000 fans will no longer be able to exit via Ormerod Yard and now may have to all shoehorn together into what will feel an unsafe bottleneck next to the JMS in double the numbers than before, for many that means missing buses, a longer walk home or crippling traffic may have built up - every game
4. Burnley Cricket Club may now be not letting in home fans. Affecting pre-match for hundreds (which includes watching cricket in spring and late summer so not sure how that can work if a game is on.
5. About 15,000 fans may no longer be looking at the team when they line up pre game, which will go down like a cup of cold sick. Not gonna walk across the pitch, surely?
6. Pubs in town will suffer, that “last pint” may have to be deferred given the longer walk to get in. Will probably cost these pubs about a grand a game.

When I weigh up the above, it feels like a total shambles. I could see the argument to give away fans half of the JHL, to get them up Ormerod Yard and give us the full CFS like before, but the exit gate structure likely prevents that unless we gave them some JHU too. So the club probably feel they have no option, but I would bet my last pound that the above ‘cons’ haven’t been fully considered and the fans haven’t been fully (if at all) consulted.

What a way to ruin the excitement of pre-season for many. I can see many being furious for the reasons above.

Point 5 though.

[Tricky Trevor]

Just a few points from comments above.
“In terms of switching home and away fans, this could be due to wanting home fans either side of the tunnel.” They are currently either side of the tunnel.

“Just thinking out loud but could this be a consequence of the incidents after the Sheffield Utd game. Not heard anything about any FA reprimands.” Just extend the tunnel out onto the pitch and advise opposition personnel to go directly to the tunnel.

Couldn’t the away fans be held back 20minutes to allow Claret fans access to Belvedere Rd or has that been stopped?

[BigAlClaret]

After all the anticipation of a new season in the Premier League and looking forward to seeing our new players this feels like it has put a dampener on everything. The first game of a season usually feels a special occasion but now I have no idea what to expect. BFC has never filled us with confidence but this could be a whole new level..

[Leisure]

I have a feeling a lot of this will be police driven and the club will have little option. It smacks of them wanting proper segregation outside the ground and wanting the cricket club as away fans only only adds to this "bubble" the away fans will be in.
Issues with fans walking past the coaches on Harry Potts Way and Belvedere Rd will have been a thought in this. This way no home fans will be walking down Belvedere Rd only up it and its much easier for them to police with less home fans mixing with the away fans. Away coaches and cars (parked at the cricket club) all handy from the exit gate from the CFS that side with no home fans in the mix. A big fence and a gate roughly where the TV compound is. It also negates any concerns with fans leaving the ground around the ever expanding TV compound. Anyone leaving that way will know the passage was getting narrower and narrower around it.

It looks like a long walk around the ground and the entire JHS leaving via the narrow entrance at the end of the JM which is already bad enough after a match. Fans the last thought in all this as usual.

My understanding is that the cricket club isn't going to be away fans only.