New Layout of Cricket Field

[jdrobbo]

It’ll take some doing to pull the away fans in from the cricket club.

[NewClaret]

That has happened but that isn't the reason.

Do you know what the actual reason is?

[ClaretTony]

Do you know what the actual reason is?

Yes, it was something the chairman wanted and he was backed.

[NewClaret]

I saw some figures not long ago on the average spend per spectator above the cost of the ticket and it is much higher per away fan than it is per home fan. That's not a surprise given they have, on average, travelled further.

Does you mean ‘in ground’ spend? I would imagine that’s true and also our prices to Londoners will seem positively cheap (not that I’d condone this, but they could probably hike them and still keep them happy).

So I’d have given that bar area to the away fans and kept it as is.

[NewClaret]

Yes, it was something the chairman wanted and he was backed.

Sorry, I meant do you know why he wanted it? I’ve not heard one logical explanation yet!

[wilks_bfc]

My first instinct was money. Having a bar area for home fans will presumably lead to more sales on match day.

But when you consider there are more away fans, and they’re probably more likely to get in early and spend money on overpriced pints, it’d probably make more money leaving it to away fans.

So I’m back to being baffled.

If the away fans have any sense, they’ll visit the cricket club before hand and now they don’t have “as far to travel” to the turnstiles may have an extra one there rather than inside the ground so the football club won’t see any benefit

[Barlickclaret]

That has happened but that isn't the reason.

Well one post you don't know why, then that isn't the reason. So why is it??

[NewClaret]

If the away fans have any sense, they’ll visit the cricket club before hand and now they don’t have “as far to travel” to the turnstiles may have an extra one there rather than inside the ground so the football club won’t see any benefit

That’s if they even know about it. On away days I typically go straight in to the ground.

[wilks_bfc]

That’s if they even know about it. On away days I typically go straight in to the ground.

Well considering they will now be now walking past it, they are more likely to know about it than previous seasons

That and most away fans that want a pre match drink will research and find the away friendly places

[ClaretTony]

Sorry, I meant do you know why he wanted it? I’ve not heard one logical explanation yet!

Wasn’t it said he wants home fans on the coach route down Harry Potts Way?

It baffles me but I’m someone in their 70s who is going to be majorly affected by this at the end of games. I’m sure it must be a benefit to younger fans.

[alwaysaclaret]

Does you mean ‘in ground’ spend? I would imagine that’s true and also our prices to Londoners will seem positively cheap (not that I’d condone this, but they could probably hike them and still keep them happy).

So I’d have given that bar area to the away fans and kept it as is.

That's what I thought the motive was, which would have given some explanation, but giving the said bar to the away fan's would have taken quite a lot of revenue from the cricket club, so long term would have been a move to force them out in order to redevelop the whole thing at some point, so would perhaps have made some sense, as it is makes no sense whatsoever imo.

[claretdj]

Just shite communication from the club, Pace should of done a piece on the reasons on why he has done this & the thinking behind it.

[Elizabeth]

There used to be away coaches blocking the pathway to and from the ground along Harry Potts Way. I'm assuming there will be easier access and departure for home fans along this route now

[Jimmymaccer]

There used to be away coaches blocking the pathway to and from the ground along Harry Potts Way. I'm assuming there will be easier access and departure for home fans along this route now

I guess it’ll also ensure away coaches will be parked up Belvedere Rd rather than HP way to a degree reducing any clashes between fans exiting the ground.

Looking at the CF stand on Saturday tho, looks like away fans will be more behind the goal and just in general have a better view - home fans shifted to the side. Bearing in mind most clubs do their merry best to accommodate away fans as far away from being able to create an atmosphere (Newcastle anyone) or provide seats nearer the corner rather than behind the goal for obvious reasons and that our great leaders seem dissatisfied with our vocal support, this seems a backward step to me.

[quoonbeatz]

IMG_1676.jpeg (71.2 KiB) Viewed 2640 times

[vinrogue]

What I can't quite understand is that the away games last year I went to for instance QPR, Derby and Coventry etc, we walked out of the grounds and were amongst home supporters and not once did it really bother us. In the current system fans not on the organised buses have to walk to cars and trains, taking the same route as many of us. If it is so difficult, maybe keep the away support in for 10 minutes to allow home fans to leg it to their cars, buses and trains down the cricket field side.

[Targetman]

I thought that keeping away fans behind after full time had been outlawed by the authorities?

Maybe allowed for games with potential flashpoints?

[Walton]

So has it been 100% confirmed that home fans can't pass down by the cricket club, or is it all conjecture?

[CrosspoolClarets]

Agree with the poster who said this enhances match-day experience for the away fan, implying it degrades it for home fans. I think this is right for these reasons for me (there are more reasons for the infirm).

For me my second pint in the New Brew’m will have to be ceased now I have to allow time to walk all the way around the ground, and it is only rubbish served in the fan-zone so I won’t be drinking that instead, I shall also have to leave right on the whistle so I don’t get caught up in traffic. The away fans will now have more impact being right in the goalkeeper’s ear in a noisy stand. The many decades of managers and substitutes crossing the pitch and being applauded on are over, people enjoy greeting the manager, now he will creep in unnoticed.

I can’t think of a single way my experience has been enhanced by recent decisions, many of which seem crackers and make so sense whatsoever, which is a microcosm of how I feel about the whole country, “progress” is debatable nowadays in many things.

For those in the BLS and JMS probably no real impact, but it feels major for others and should have had proper consultation before we coughed up our ticket money.

[Elizabeth]

So has it been 100% confirmed that home fans can't pass down by the cricket club, or is it all conjecture?

The club don't appear to feel ready yet to present their plans to supporters for the first home fixture. I would be quite surprised if this was going to be the case and the pressure is now on as crosspool's second pint rests on it.
Seriously though Burnley fans make their way down this lane in their own time before games and many of the away fans will go down well before the game when they get of their coaches. I just cannot see a problem before the game.
I think more thought will be given as to how to get home fans using this route safely home after the game. Hopefully when it's presented by the club many of the anticipated issues will be solved.

[ChrisG]

What I can't quite understand is that the away games last year I went to for instance QPR, Derby and Coventry etc, we walked out of the grounds and were amongst home supporters and not once did it really bother us. In the current system fans not on the organised buses have to walk to cars and trains, taking the same route as many of us. If it is so difficult, maybe keep the away support in for 10 minutes to allow home fans to leg it to their cars, buses and trains down the cricket field side.

Exactly the same at Old Trafford, Elland Road, you name it. Not sure why it needs to be segregated, or if it indeed will be.

[Loyalclaret]

Other than the Newcastle away, with the paths/road under the stand which is heavily policed, struggling to think of a tight, full exit like Omerod Yard where away fans and home fams walk together. Possibly my memory is failing.

Maybe those who are suggesting they do exist havent walked up after the final whistle for a while?

[Goliath]

Wasn’t it said he wants home fans on the coach route down Harry Potts Way?

It baffles me but I’m someone in their 70s who is going to be majorly affected by this at the end of games. I’m sure it must be a benefit to younger fans.

Having seen the Bimrjngham documentary it seems like they've done something similar in terms of having people around the entrance

[Goliath]

Agree with the poster who said this enhances match-day experience for the away fan, implying it degrades it for home fans. I think this is right for these reasons for me (there are more reasons for the infirm).

For me my second pint in the New Brew’m will have to be ceased now I have to allow time to walk all the way around the ground, and it is only rubbish served in the fan-zone so I won’t be drinking that instead, I shall also have to leave right on the whistle so I don’t get caught up in traffic. The away fans will now have more impact being right in the goalkeeper’s ear in a noisy stand. The many decades of managers and substitutes crossing the pitch and being applauded on are over, people enjoy greeting the manager, now he will creep in unnoticed.

I can’t think of a single way my experience has been enhanced by recent decisions, many of which seem crackers and make so sense whatsoever, which is a microcosm of how I feel about the whole country, “progress” is debatable nowadays in many things.

For those in the BLS and JMS probably no real impact, but it feels major for others and should have had proper consultation before we coughed up our ticket money.

Agree about the manager walking across the pitch. I enjoyed the uniqueness of that. We always tend to have a good connection with our managers and that is one of the big reasons.

[Jimmymaccer]

There's a path all round the ground they could use

Which will be excellent on a January Tuesday windy rainy night for the poor chaps…..

[CrosspoolClarets]

The club don't appear to feel ready yet to present their plans to supporters for the first home fixture. I would be quite surprised if this was going to be the case and the pressure is now on as crosspool's second pint rests on it.
Seriously though Burnley fans make their way down this lane in their own time before games and many of the away fans will go down well before the game when they get of their coaches. I just cannot see a problem before the game.
I think more thought will be given as to how to get home fans using this route safely home after the game. Hopefully when it's presented by the club many of the anticipated issues will be solved.

Haha, yes, ok, I made a lighthearted comment about the prematch beers but in reality our days at the Turf are made from some seemingly superficial moments all joined together into a good day out. If too many of those are taken away, we simply won’t bother. Particularly if coming from far away.

One thing is for sure - if Liverpool get a controversial last minute leveller I would bet my life that both sets of fans won’t be walking together up Ormerod Yard. It simply won’t happen. That will mean a dangerous extra half a mile walk through packed bottleneck crowds if one is infirm, wobbly, and finds walking difficult.

[Row x]

Haha, yes, ok, I made a lighthearted comment about the prematch beers but in reality our days at the Turf are made from some seemingly superficial moments all joined together into a good day out. If too many of those are taken away, we simply won’t bother. Particularly if coming from far away.

One thing is for sure - if Liverpool get a controversial last minute leveller I would bet my life that both sets of fans won’t be walking together up Ormerod Yard. It simply won’t happen. That will mean a dangerous extra half a mile walk through packed bottleneck crowds if one is infirm, wobbly, and finds walking difficult.

How many infirm, wobbly fans do you think there are in the stand concerned.
Obviously Not in the upper tiers
The fans nearest the bee hole end probably don't use Ormerod yard anyway, which leaves half the lower tier.
There are many arguments why it should have been left as it was that affect more people than your example.

[Stanbill05]

Understand why people are grumpy, but it looks miles better.

[NewClaret]

Understand why people are grumpy, but it looks miles better.

Agree on this point, it does look a lot better.

Have new LED boards been added? Don’t remember those double-stacked boards being there before?

I would personally have preferred an extra couple of rows to be added at the bottom though. Would’ve given more leeway to move fans around that are split up and got some more fans in our noisiest stand.

[Rainhamclaret]

The whole thing feels like another phase of patching up and trying to squeeze a little more out of the fan base. In building a hospitality section between the BL and CF stands it hinders the replacement of the actual stand which has come to the end of its commercial life, restricted access points, poor toilet facilities, poor circulation, no corporate hospitality areas, poor and small changing facilities inflexible segregation and out of line with J Mac and Longside stands. It seems to me the owners have no intention of improving facilities for the long term, just patch up for the short term maximising of beer and pie sales. Once built this will restrict the ability to do any major replacement of the stands. It would be better to build 2 new corner stands to which the existing CF supporters and away supporters could be relocated, remove the existing CF stand and rebuild, incorporating more retail/ hospitality areas possibly like the Headingly stand with a cricket pavilion in the other side. When the Americans took over, part of what they brought with them was supposed expertise in Stadium development, both in soccer and at Madison Square Gardens. We seem to have got no benefit of this expertise perhaps because when they have analysed the potential they see no return for any investment. The purchase of Espanol and their prospects for growth/success also indicates they will look to concentrate on them and eventually sell up when the ground needs a full rebuild.

[NickBFC]

I wonder if it would have been feasible (IF) we could have purchased a small strip of land behind the CF stand to build a new back/roof as Liverpool and City have done whilst not having the shut the stand. Once finished we'd have a new roof, larger concourse below (giving room for larger changing rooms too) and a thousand or so extra seats. It does seem we are really kicking the can down the road in terms of properly upgrading and modernising the facilities that matter. Maybe The Turf could be named the Max Power Halfords stadium as it's looking a bit like a boy racer's car with all the stick on tat.

[dougcollins]

Understand why people are grumpy, but it looks miles better.

One mans grumpy is another man's game changing experience.

[ClaretTony]

One thing is for sure - if Liverpool get a controversial last minute leveller I would bet my life that both sets of fans won’t be walking together up Ormerod Yard. It simply won’t happen. That will mean a dangerous extra half a mile walk through packed bottleneck crowds if one is infirm, wobbly, and finds walking difficult.

Both sets of fans won't be walking up Ormerod Yard for all games I believe, whether we win, lose or draw.

[Steddyman]

They aren't expecting all of the Longside fans to exit via the side nearest the club shop are they, used by the Jimmy Mac fans?

There is already a massive bottleneck as you approach the club shop after the match. If you add in all of the Longside fans that would normally have exited via the Cricketfield, and that is going to be dangerous and somebody is going to get crushed, especially if there is an emergency.

[wilks_bfc]

They aren't expecting all of the Longside fans to exit via the side nearest the club shop are they, used by the Jimmy Mac fans?

There is already a massive bottleneck as you approach the club shop after the match. If you add in all of the Longside fans that would normally have exited via the Cricketfield, and that is going to be dangerous and somebody is going to get crushed, especially if there is an emergency.

This is the issue, they’ve not said what we will/wont be able to do

We’re in the JMU and usually park at the Cricket Club so my dad doesn’t have to walk as far and as yet we don’t know if that is still possible

[jrgbfc]

They aren't expecting all of the Longside fans to exit via the side nearest the club shop are they, used by the Jimmy Mac fans?

There is already a massive bottleneck as you approach the club shop after the match. If you add in all of the Longside fans that would normally have exited via the Cricketfield, and that is going to be dangerous and somebody is going to get crushed, especially if there is an emergency.

I can't believe anybody responsible for Health and Safety would give that the all clear. If they have it either looks negligent, or they're getting pressured from above and aren't strong enough to do their job properly.

[Alan Young]

Mixed messages from the club as is becoming the norm nowadays.

Wasn’t it originally suggested Ormerod Yard would continue to be accessible for all fans apart from Category A games?

Understand an application has gone in to close Belvedere Road from the Fire Station to the junction with Harry Potts Way for all matches too now.

[BleedingClaret]

Mixed messages from the club as is becoming the norm nowadays.

Wasn’t it originally suggested Ormerod Yard would continue to be accessible for all fans apart from Category A games?

Understand an application has gone in to close Belvedere Road from the Fire Station to the junction with Harry Potts Way for all matches too now.

They’re off their trolleys

[wilks_bfc]

Mixed messages from the club as is becoming the norm nowadays.

Wasn’t it originally suggested Ormerod Yard would continue to be accessible for all fans apart from Category A games?

Understand an application has gone in to close Belvedere Road from the Fire Station to the junction with Harry Potts Way for all matches too now.

They have had the stretch of road closed to traffic for the last few premier league seasons

[Squazo]

i think eventually moving the away fans to the longside, maybe a couple blocks upper n lower and Burnley fans having the whole cricket end would be the best outcome

[sjb]

Mixed messages from the club as is becoming the norm nowadays.

Wasn’t it originally suggested Ormerod Yard would continue to be accessible for all fans apart from Category A games?

Understand an application has gone in to close Belvedere Road from the Fire Station to the junction with Harry Potts Way for all matches too now.

How would that work for people who live on Belvedere Road & the side streets off it?

[Cardclaret]

Belvedere Rd is usually open all the way to the traffic lights. Every game you have traffic weaving between departing fans. There are regular near misses and it was only a matter of time till there was a serious incident so good news if they are closing it even if a few years late.

[Alan Young]

How would that work for people who live on Belvedere Road & the side streets off it?

Good question

[jos]

It’s a shame all football supporters can’t walk down the same path.

Blame the knuckledraggers!

This change will adversely impact me too, very unhappy if this happens.

[CrosspoolClarets]

How many infirm, wobbly fans do you think there are in the stand concerned.
Obviously Not in the upper tiers
The fans nearest the bee hole end probably don't use Ormerod yard anyway, which leaves half the lower tier.
There are many arguments why it should have been left as it was that affect more people than your example.

Taken me a week to see this and reply so apologies.

But in the Longside Upper near me there are about 4 guys within talking distance who are EXTREMELY wobbly, walk with a stick, and shuffle about slowly when they walk.

I don’t know what their route on is, but if it is from Belvedere Road they will now have a distance that, simply, they will not be able to do, from what I witness. So it isn’t just the lower tiers.

I shall make a prediction that the bottleneck near the club shop will lead to tragedy. There are several ways it could happen, particularly to very old people. The young and middle aged struggle to imagine life when old, and I suspect this has happened here, a misjudgement due to not consulting with that demographic.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Taken me a week to see this and reply so apologies.

But in the Longside Upper near me there are about 4 guys within talking distance who are EXTREMELY wobbly, walk with a stick, and shuffle about slowly when they walk.

I don’t know what their route on is, but if it is from Belvedere Road they will now have a distance that, simply, they will not be able to do, from what I witness. So it isn’t just the lower tiers.

I shall make a prediction that the bottleneck near the club shop will lead to tragedy. There are several ways it could happen, particularly to very old people. The young and middle aged struggle to imagine life when old, and I suspect this has happened here, a misjudgement due to not consulting with that demographic.

Bit dramatic. The use of the word bottleneck has not been used enough on this thread.

[JR1882]

Taken me a week to see this and reply so apologies.

But in the Longside Upper near me there are about 4 guys within talking distance who are EXTREMELY wobbly, walk with a stick, and shuffle about slowly when they walk.

I don’t know what their route on is, but if it is from Belvedere Road they will now have a distance that, simply, they will not be able to do, from what I witness. So it isn’t just the lower tiers.

I shall make a prediction that the bottleneck near the club shop will lead to tragedy. There are several ways it could happen, particularly to very old people. The young and middle aged struggle to imagine life when old, and I suspect this has happened here, a misjudgement due to not consulting with that demographic.

That bottleneck isn’t helped by there always being a stationary car in the way that everyone has to walk round.

[claret wizard]

Is there a lift to the Longside Upper now?

Also, “potential death trap” is much better than bottleneck.

[jos]

I live miles away’ getting onto the motorway quickly is my aim. This will add 10 minutes to get to my car, I guess I’ll just have to leave a lot earlier as will many others no doubt.

[Den_Perry]

Maybe they could look at adding exit only gates through the wall leading to the path through the housing estate (back end of the fanzone)? That would give people the chance to get out towards the fire station area yet keep the Burnley fans separate from the current path down the side of the cricket club? Would need planning permission mind…although I can’t see that anything has been submitted to the council as yet for the works they have already announced?