Ground enlargement

[shortagain]

Just read a comment that the ground enlargement was discussed after the Spurs game. No details except up to 60k by extra tiers at both ends. Anyone any more info ?

[Goaters 103]

Considering we struggle to fill 47.5k at the moment for some games, especially Cup games, barring cheap tkts Im not sure how we are going to fill 60k on a regular basis, barring the derby and elite CL games.

[Chinners]

Considering we struggle to fill 47.5k at the moment for some games, especially Cup games, barring cheap tkts Im not sure how we are going to fill 60k on a regular basis, barring the derby and elite CL games.

THIS

[Ted Hughes]

We don't struggle to fill 47k. We keep selling out weeks in advance.

We don't have to fill a 60k or even 80k stadium. Barca hardly ever fill theirs but it doesn't seem to do them any harm.

60k is too small imo, as once it's built they are likely to start work on building all the stuff around it & then it's unlikely any further work can be done to elarge the stadium again in the future.

We will end up in ten years like Arsenal with a 60k stadium charging £100 minimum a ticket.

Inter averaged 59, 484 last season. AC Milan averaged 53.916. The San Siro holds 80,018. Nobody gives a fuck that they don't fill it every week but the space is available if the demand is there.

We can pull much bigger crowds if we match the kind of success those teams have had.

60k is not big enough.

[BlueinBosnia]

Just read a comment that the ground enlargement was discussed after the Spurs game. No details except up to 60k by extra tiers at both ends. Anyone any more info ?

In what way was it 'discussed'? By the owners, or by the media/fans? In all honesty, I think the owners will have been looking at expansion potential from Day One.

On the 60k v 80k conundrum, as far as I'm aware, the stadium can only be increased to something like 62-64k without being entirely rebuilt, due to foundation depths, health and safety with fire exits, etc. The only way it can be increased beyond this is through the introduction of safe standing.

If the capacity is increased, does anyone know what capacity it will be reduced to during construction works? I'm not sure what would happen to the stability of the roof during an ongoing expansion, so there could be a pretty hefty reduction, if not a forced relocation.

[Ted Hughes]

Just read a comment that the ground enlargement was discussed after the Spurs game. No details except up to 60k by extra tiers at both ends. Anyone any more info ?

In what way was it 'discussed'? By the owners, or by the media/fans? In all honesty, I think the owners will have been looking at expansion potential from Day One.

On the 60k v 80k conundrum, as far as I'm aware, the stadium can only be increased to something like 62-64k without being entirely rebuilt, due to foundation depths, health and safety with fire exits, etc. The only way it can be increased beyond this is through the introduction of safe standing.

If the capacity is increased, does anyone know what capacity it will be reduced to during construction works? I'm not sure what would happen to the stability of the roof during an ongoing expansion, so there could be a pretty hefty reduction, if not a forced relocation.

Nobody knows anything apart from a few people involved in the project (who say the plans are fantastic) who have been warned off about discussing it.

The club are clearly leaking snippets of info about expansion though.

[AG7]

Everybody is guessing ... no one knows what was 'discussed' or what the actual plans are ...

Stop speculating people, here ... I attended that Focus Group and this is what actually happened:

The Club sent out an email to a few members, I am not sure what the criteria was, probably to those attending the Spurs game, probably random, probably some demographic they picked up ... but anyway, this is what I got on Monday 5th Nov:

Exclusive invitation to discuss the development of Etihad Stadium

Dear Axxxx

Manchester City Football Club is committed to offering the best possible experience for our fans, constantly improving our matchday offer. We're currently undertaking some research on potential enhancements at the Etihad Stadium, and would like to hear what you think.

We would like to invite you to participate in an exclusive focus group with fellow City fans. The focus group is taking place in the stadium on Sunday 11th at 16:00 and will finish at 17:30.

As a token of our appreciation you will receive £40 in cash for your participation. This will be paid at the end of the focus group on Sunday.

There is very limited space for participation in this event. As such, reservations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, no additional guests may be invited to attend with you should you choose to participate in the focus group. This invitation is not transferrable.

To read full details of the event and to confirm your place in the focus group please click here and complete the form.

Kind regards,
Manchester City Football Club

Since I was attending the game, and am always stuck in traffic getting out all the way to M6 right after the game, I thought I'd rather attend this than waste those two hours stuck in traffic as usual so I filled out the form which was linked to this email straight away ... and this is the email I got a few hours later:

Axxxx, this is a confirmation that your RSVP was successfully received.
No further action is required on your part.

Event Planner Comments:
Thank you for electing to participate in this focus group session. Please arrive at the City@Home reception, opposite the Colin Bell Stand of Etihad Stadium at 15:45 hrs. on Sunday, November 11th . The session is expected to last one and one half hour, ending at approximately 17:30 hrs. Light refreshments will be provided, as well as a £40 cash gift for your participation. Thanks again, we look forward to gaining from your insight.

Manchester City Focus Group - RSVP ID: 24989
You have confirmed 1 person(s) will be attending this event.

When:
Sunday, November 11, 2012
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM

Where:
Etihad Stadium
Etihad Campus
Manchester, UK. M11 3FF

• Click here to get directions to the event
• Click here to send the Event Planner a Secure Message
• Click to add this to your Outlook Calendar

RSVP Me Now
http://www.rsvpmenow.com

I went over to the City@Home reception (the offices block opposite Colin Bell main entrance, across the car park) and someone names Andy from club administration checked my name in his list and guided me to a large meeting room. There were about 35-40 people in total and 3 people from the club who were present during the focus group. A fourth lady kept coming in and out and did participate in the discussion for a little while as well. One was completely silent and taking notes all along, and there was a camera recording everything throughout, unmanned, just sitting on a tripod on top of a table in the corner.

Everything under the sun was discussed ... but mainly I thought the purpose from the club's point of view was to look at bar offerings, adding an outlet or two outside in the city square, some other permanent additions around the other sides of the ground, cementing the carpark on east side, what type of food offering to be changed/introduced at bars ... as that's where most of the questions coming from their guys were focused on. As for the fans, yes, one guy even proposed taking down the whole stadium and building a 100k plus stadia, another said he has reliable inside info that this whole new academy grounds is a cover and a new 120k stadium is starting up on that side and once that is completed, that will be unveiled and we'll move across there and this stadium brought down and eventually be converted to training area ... of course club people laughed all this off and were amused at where the fans are getting these inside infos from. A discussion lasted around 10-15 minutes about increasing capacity but again the club guys were more interested in when and if such is added e.g.a third tier on top of south and north stands, what other extras would the supporters like to have, not just the no. of seats increased but what the club can do to enhance their experience while we are there on the matchday. A suggestion that was backed by almost everyone from our end (supporters) and also taken rather well by the club was to create new areas around the four corners that are pretty much like current hallways across bars and food counters but put glass behind them so supporters gone to grab a drink or late in coming back out to their seat can still enjoy the game while standing in those corridors and so even if some people wanted to just go for a drink during the game can just enjoy that while standing well off the ground but still have views of the game going on. Another suggestion was to put monitors in hallways and broadcast the game in there ... not something that is not already done, each box, and all other hospitality venues, the bars, restaurants and the clubs where you pay significantly more and get seated nicely already enjoy this. So kind of having a poor man's box. Suggestion debated was to have four in four corners when the two tiers get added ... again assumption by the fans that being the next logical expansion step.

Other questions asked by the club were all relating to pricing of the food and beverages. All fans saying they are all expensive, the clubs replying with actual costs of such in Liverpool, Arsenal and scumland and us being the cheapest etc etc. An all halal outlet is coming soon for muslim supporters. One fan who I guess was one, was happy and said he had expected this long ago when the Abu Dhabi owners took over. I think that is going to be outside the stadium with one or two items available inside marked halal. Rest some was just banter, jokes and what not. A few times discussion got diverted to our performances this season and the club guys had to drag us back to the topics they wanted to cover.

Paid £50 for the Spurs game, got £40 back in an envelope on my way out, had a few cold sandwiches, a couple of cookies and a coffee inside, waited out the traffic, no issues getting out at around 6ish ... so an evening well spent. Oh, and met and exchanged contacts with a few great fellow Blues.

Now everything else you read about expansion is all heresay and most of it speculation. I can only guess but one of the guys attending probably told this to a friend, who told another friend, who told his wife, who told her cousin whose best friend is dating a guy who's brother works in Mail or Sun or wherever and whose colleague thought to come up with a story about expansion as us being the Champions now and with Abu Dhabi's money surely there must be some truth to this expansion plan somewhere ...

So if I who actually was part of that 'discussion after the Spurs game' can't tell you anything affirmative about expansion, I don't know where these stories are coming from ...

[spiny]

Nice to see that City is engaging with the fans and soliciting views from all quarters. There will be stadium enlargement but as AG7 says, it is all speculation at present.

[Wonderwall]

Thanks for that AG7. Very informative

[Pretty Boy Lee]

More seats the better. Means I might get in when I come over.

[Beefymcfc]

120K you say?

[BlueinBosnia]

Thanks a lot for that AG7. Interesting to know how the club chooses its direction. Are you a ST holder, Blue Member, or something else? Anyone else from here get an invite?

[mr_nool]

All I know is that if I got a mail with "enlargement" in the title, it would go straight into my junk mail ...

Edit: with junk mail, I do not need a folder with emails about my or anyone else's junk.

[Blue Since 76]

Interesting and thanks for sharing.

I was playing football at Platt Lane one night when City were considering moving from Maine Rd and got vox popped by a couple of staff, one with a camera, asking what I thought of the models of the stadium and would I be unhappy if we moved etc. Nice to see the club is still interested in the fans point of view. I've also received several email questionnaires, usually about food and match day experiences.

One thing that had changed on Sunday was the food in the family stand - there was a new kids menu with things like smaller burgers and pies and a bowl of fruit on the counter top. That seemed weird at a match, but I presume is taking on fans views.

Size wise, I'm with Ted. Let's try and get 80000 seats in it and worry about filling it afterwards. The rags were only getting 30 odd thousand pre premier league, so it's amazing what a few trophies does. If there's 20,000 empty seats for a night game against Real Fishermen, so what. The key is the 80000 in there against the top teams.

One thing I'm sure of is that whatever happens, ours will be the best ground in the country. May or may not be the biggest, but it will be the best.

[TheGOAT]

Considering we struggle to fill 47.5k at the moment for some games, especially Cup games, barring cheap tkts Im not sure how we are going to fill 60k on a regular basis, barring the derby and elite CL games.

We could lower prices

[BlueMoonAwoken]

We could lower prices

I think if they enlarge the ground they should drop season ticket prices, and matchday prices id rather have some money coming in rather then none at all.

[Beefymcfc]

I reckon we'll just build a new one.

[Rag_hater]

We don't struggle to fill 47k. We keep selling out weeks in advance.

We don't have to fill a 60k or even 80k stadium. Barca hardly ever fill theirs but it doesn't seem to do them any harm.

60k is too small imo, as once it's built they are likely to start work on building all the stuff around it & then it's unlikely any further work can be done to elarge the stadium again in the future.

We will end up in ten years like Arsenal with a 60k stadium charging £100 minimum a ticket.

Inter averaged 59, 484 last season. AC Milan averaged 53.916. The San Siro holds 80,018. Nobody gives a fuck that they don't fill it every week but the space is available if the demand is there.

We can pull much bigger crowds if we match the kind of success those teams have had.

60k is not big enough.

Think this is the way to look at it.

[Crossie]

If we expand the corners, with the way we do things now I'm pretty sure it could be done over a summer. It was designed with expansion in mind. We wouldn't be seeing a 2 year Kippax style development!

[Mase]

As long as I can still sneak back in when I've left early and we've won a trophy I'm not too arsed.