luton game

[Bob's Bitch]

It also has to be said that come the last game everything could be wrapped up. I fully expect us to be confirmed as in the play-offs and Stevenage to have won the league and in that case there will be little to play for. Maybe the Club should've given Luton the initial 2,374 Airwair tickets and then given them C5 and C2 if they want them. North Standers will still be able to sit where they usually do and if Luton don't want the tickets there will be natural segregation.

[Pigman]

I'm really trying to understand this, Dukes, why exactly are you so upset? I don't like the idea of so many Luton fans being there, but I can understand why its being done - what is it that is so bad about the South Stand? I'm not having a dig at you, I'm just trying to understand your objection - if it were me in the same position I'd move in a heartbeat if I thought it meant extra revenue for the club.

[Dukes]

[quote="PigmanRDFC"]I personally think its a great idea and will maximise income for the club, I don't get why NS fans are so upset, is the view so greatly inferior in the South Stand then?? :roll:
quote]

What I don't get is why people don't understand what ST holders are like. They build up a comradeship, a togetherness by being with each other every home game, every season. They are there together on those freezing January nights in the lowest crowd of the season, seeing their team putting in dreadful performances but yet stumping up the cash in advance in the hope it will get better.
AND when it does get better AND the biggest game in YEARS, that they have been hoping for - for YEARS comes along. They are told to move, break from their passionate fellow fanatics and relocate for the very match they have been praying for in their collective conscience to celebrate together.
That may seem right load of tosh to some of you out there but it really does mean something to me and my comrades in the N Stand.

[Pigman]

Not really, I can understand that !! But perhaps with some planning you can sit with your NS buddies in the SS??? Looking at the way the seats have been empty for half the season I'm sure that could be sorted with a bit of help from the club.

Its a shame in a way, the club want to get as much money as they can, and have to plan for the match as though it'll be a sell-out, but in reality it may be a bit of a wash-out, if we've both qualified for the play-offs Luton fans may save their cash for the semi's and not turn up in the numbers hoped for !!

[Dukes]

agree this is out of order not only for upsetting our own loyal fans but also for the fact that the ground will be half full of luton fans.
it looks as though its gonna be a massive game for both clubs and they will make some noise.
we got out sung by oxford tonight, with all those seats it will be a big disadvantage for our players.
but if 40k is right we HAVE to do this for the stabillity of the club.

also with table positions as things stand we would play them in the semis so a week later thats another 40 grand.....thats 80,000 quid for away fans only, in just 2 home games!

i dont think keith would have done this unless it was needed.

And we lose the games and don't the financial benefit of the Football League - we are being prostituted, selling ourselves to the 'Big' club for 80 grand who are trying to buy themselves a place in League 2...shameful.

[Bob's Bitch]

Not really, I can understand that !! But perhaps with some planning you can sit with your NS buddies in the SS??? Looking at the way the seats have been empty for half the season I'm sure that could be sorted with a bit of help from the club.

Its a shame in a way, the club want to get as much money as they can, and have to plan for the match as though it'll be a sell-out, but in reality it may be a bit of a wash-out, if we've both qualified for the play-offs Luton fans may save their cash for the semi's and not turn up in the numbers hoped for !!

Why should the fans be forced to plan?! Unlike in previous season with the Airwair STHs the North Standers were never expected to have to move for away fans. This is out of order and I feel for them. Here's a question for you Pigman, if we get Luton in the play-offs would you let them do the same again and give up home advantage?

[scot]

I'm really trying to understand this, Dukes, why exactly are you so upset? I don't like the idea of so many Luton fans being there, but I can understand why its being done - what is it that is so bad about the South Stand? I'm not having a dig at you, I'm just trying to understand your objection - if it were me in the same position I'd move in a heartbeat if I thought it meant extra revenue for the club.

I understand why it is being done as an ex-Airwair viewer being moved many times.I also understand why Dukes is upset you attend all season with people that you get too know and can enjoy it together.
I now am also Northstander and not particularly pleased, but my may concern not being a season ticket holder but attending all home games barring one or two due to shiftwork will i get a tickets for the Southstand? because my wife will not stand.

[Pigman]

Probably, yes !! Mainly because I fully understand the financial predicament facing our club these days - money means survival. Supporters don't win games anyway, players do, we beat them at their place with 5000 odd of them there, I'm sure we can do the same at NP in front of 3500 of them !!

Its the harsh realities of life - if we had more fans through the gate it wouldn't be so much of a problem, but does ANYONE honestly think we'll get 3000 home fans at NP for this one?

If it mean the future survival of my club was aided in some way, sure Ild do the same in the play-offs.

[diamond82]

To be honest whilst I value the extra revenue that will be generated by accommodating more Luton fans I also would have thought that the logical thing to do would be to give them the end blocks of the North and South stands as we wouldn't be upsetting any of the current inhabitants! The fact that access is relatively easy to gain from the North Stand to the De Banke is also a concern but I guess it is no worse than away fans sitting in a modern bowl style stadium so the police should be on top of it.

The only reason that i can think of for the club not going for the horseshoe idea is that I presume that we will not need to bring in as many police to steward two stands of away fans instead of three. I stand on the De Banke but I can see where Dukes is coming fro m with regards to not being able to enjoy the game with his mates. Hopefully the club will consult supporters so that they can sit with their pals for this game. Yes the views from the North and South stands are similar but I presume that the Northstanders will be moved up to the vacant far end of the South Stand next to the Airwair. Having watched games from each of the different stands i would have to say that if I were to purchase a seat I would rather be in the end of the ground towards the De Banke.

Overall though the club obviously needs the money so it appears that upsetting some of the season ticket holders is a neccesssary evil. I'm sure they wouldn't do it unless they had to and I have no doubt that people like Dukes support is valued especially considering the gates we have been getting over the past couple of years.

[Dukes]

To be honest whilst I value the extra revenue that will be generated by accommodating more Luton fans I also would have thought that the logical thing to do would be to give them the end blocks of the North and South stands as we wouldn't be upsetting any of the current inhabitants! The fact that access is relatively easy to gain from the North Stand to the De Banke is also a concern but I guess it is no worse than away fans sitting in a modern bowl style stadium so the police should be on top of it.

The only reason that i can think of for the club not going for the horseshoe idea is that I presume that we will not need to bring in as many police to steward two stands of away fans instead of three. I stand on the De Banke but I can see where Dukes is coming fro m with regards to not being able to enjoy the game with his mates. Hopefully the club will consult supporters so that they can sit with their pals for this game. Yes the views from the North and South stands are similar but I presume that the Northstanders will be moved up to the vacant far end of the South Stand next to the Airwair. Having watched games from each of the different stands i would have to say that if I were to purchase a seat I would rather be in the end of the ground towards the De Banke.

Thanks for your understanding mate.

Overall though the club obviously needs the money so it appears that upsetting some of the season ticket holders is a neccesssary evil. I'm sure they wouldn't do it unless they had to and I have no doubt that people like Dukes support is valued especially considering the gates we have been getting over the past couple of years.