Saturday's game

[davef]

As I explained, the rules apply to designated stadia; not all football.

[paz]

Aug 15, 2024 22:47:44 GMT davef said:

As I explained, the rules apply to designated stadia; not all football.

Do we know what causes our stadium to require such rules? compared to other non league stadiums which have barriers around the pitch, but may not have such rules applied?

[davef]

Becoming an EFL club requires, by law, a stadium to be designated. It’s not just a word it’s an official status. You don’t lose that designation simply because you are relegated.

[baboonfish]

Aug 15, 2024 23:14:15 GMT davef said:

Becoming an EFL club requires, by law, a stadium to be designated. It’s not just a word it’s an official status. You don’t lose that designation simply because you are relegated.

One does not simply walk into Mordor...

[Andy K]

For those of you who didn't see it

www.suttonunited.net/stadium-update-2024-25/

[garethl]

Aug 15, 2024 21:11:07 GMT sufc1898 said:

No point whining about it
Like it or lump it - it’s simple

Interesting attitude. Nothing would ever change for the better with that approach. The club already changed one thing (at least) based on feedback for this season’s home games.

Whilst perhaps nothing can be done about this I’m pretty disappointed that I’ve bought a standing season ticket and now am a bit stuck as to how my kids will see the game. Sitting behind the goal or in the stand aren’t great viewing options and costs more. I don’t recall seeing any comms on the issue prior to purchase options but perhaps I missed something.

Just because something doesn’t impact you doesn’t mean concerns aren’t valid. I’ve mainly watched from the barriers for decades and not seen a single safety issue so it’s complete nonsense and should be looked at. Clubs in the same league should not have different rules imo and seems a simple enough change to the law to remove designated ground status on dropping to NL, that can be reversed again in the event of promotion.

[brian54]

It is a small point but might help our new media/office staff improve their attention to detail. I notice on the Altrincham preview that it appears they have cut and pasted our websites instructions to away fans. These do not appear to have been updated. Means any independently travelling away supporter is directed to what now is a home fan entrance.

[timall]

There appears to be, quite understandably, some confusion around the process for what we are allowed to do, what is decided by who, and why things are different at different grounds even in the same league.

The general considerations are as below, but happy for any specific questions.

All stadia are operated under the auspices of the "Green Guide". As you might imagine the interpretation of that second word may be different to different people and authorities. However this is produced and updated by the Sports Ground Safety Authority and serves as the start point. Within that Green Guide not only are the rules different depending on the capacity of the stadium but also the level at which the club in that stadium plays. Within it also are different sets of rules for the age of the stadium, and for different parts within it depending on their age. So, for example, at our own stadium the seats and capacity in the main grandstand are different to the one at the Collingwood Road end. The new Tardis Terrace has different calculations and capacity density to other standing areas. Indeed many parts of our stadium wouldn't be allowed now but can operate under "grandfathering".

In addition the stadium operating licence is issued by local government licensing department(s). It won't be a surprise to most that LBS, indeed Surrey, hadn't had an EFL team until our promotion 3 season's ago. Other areas of the country, did, and still do, multiple times over.

Further complicating the picture is that different leagues also have different rules, that require different certifications, or insurances, than others. As Dave has said when we transitioned to the EFL the designation of our stadium was necessary and literally become a piece of Government legislation. To undo that process requires the same. Complicating that even further were 2 political events, both impacting that process. The calling of a general election stopped the time available for such legislation (and designation) but also killed the Football Bill and the White Paper that was expected to bring about a whole raft of football rule changes. The new government hasn't been in place long enough to either restart the process, and our queue in it, and the likely reintroduction of the Football Bill (which had cross party support), and which will likely lead to a "wait and see" approach to our de-designation. Finally (I hope) simultaneously there is a thorough review of the Women's Football legislation in the country. This is likely to mean our stadium, as home to CPWFC, will have a requirement to be designated for WSL concurrent with the same requirement for de-designation from the EFL requirement to the "simpler" NL one.

So over the summer we have had to work to meet the requirements of both remaining a designated stadium, and becoming a de-designated one. The latter requires each individual terrace with a capacity above 500 to get a new licence as well as the rules covering the entire stadium. We have however managed to agree with the EFL and football bodies we don't (yet) need to satisfy the rules requiring us to have 2,000 seats.

To be clear I want our fans to be able to stand and sit, within reason, where they would like, in as comfortable a place as possible, with views befitting a professional and modern football club, such that as many supporters as we can are here and backing our team, and having the best day possible. The better we do on the pitch, and the more £s that come through the door, makes that easier. I would genuinely love the challenge of having to grow the stadium's capacity beyond its current 5,001 - that would be a great problem to have.

But in the meantime we are doing the best we can with the situation we find ourselves in, but can I reassure everyone that (again) the door is open, and I am willing to listen. If we haven't been able to get to where we want to be as quickly as we would have hoped, and disappointments such as no home fans standing on parkside currently, I have to apologise. Incremental improvements will occur and evolution will take place I am sure.

[davethegrave]

Aug 15, 2024 23:14:15 GMT davef said:

Becoming an EFL club requires, by law, a stadium to be designated. It’s not just a word it’s an official status. You don’t lose that designation simply because you are relegated.

So why aren't we playing in the Football League Cup then?

[sufc1898]

I’m sure when the team start performing in the pitch on a regular basis, fans won’t really care where they stand/sit.

Getting 3 points is much more important

[davef]

I just found this, might help for tomorrow.

[sufc1898]

davethegrave
Silly comment

Quite simply, it’s about the stadium.
Not the team and league they are in 🙄

[kpinwp]

Aug 16, 2024 18:13:08 GMT sufc1898 said:

I’m sure when the team start performing in the pitch on a regular basis, fans won’t really care where they stand/sit.

Getting 3 points is much more important

It is possible for more than one thing to be important at the same time.

It is also possible for more that one thing to be important at the same time, even when one of those two things is more important than the other.

It is probably a good thing not to be reductive when it comes to what other people may or may not consider to be important. Especially when a number of different matters are being considered.

[davethegrave]

I'm looking to see what today's "Match Day experience" is like. I hope I'm not too disappointed.

[brian54]

Following my post it is good to see the media team have up dated the websites advice to away fans and that Altrincham have issued a revision to their supporters including notice that the gates now open at 12 30pm