If we expanded the stadium, where would the Northam Stand go?

[kwsaint]

Not literally, but since we would have to give 10% (probably around 4000) we would end up with the whole of the Northam stand becoming away support. Where do you think the singing support would go?

[saintrich]

We don't have to give 4000

[Matthew Le God]

It is whatever is the lower of a) 10% of capacity or b) 3,000.

[SaintAmongSkates]

And we won't expand so no need to worry

[Matthew Le God]

And we won't expand so no need to worry

 

Cortese has it very much in his plans. He has delivered a lot so far...

 

- Who would have thought we'd go from League One in 2010 to the Premier League in 2012?

- Who would have thought we'd spend £30m this summer?

- Who would have thought we'd spend £12m on one of the hottest young talents in European football?

- Who would have thought we'd spend £15m on a training ground development?

 

So when we see admittedly very early intital plans for something like this it seems foolish to rule it out completely...

 

[Delboy Dave]

Considering the empty seats vs Wigan I wouldn't have thought an expansion is due anytime soon

[Thedelldays]

Considering the empty seats vs Wigan I wouldn't have thought an expansion is due anytime soon

I doubt whether any stadium expansion is decided on attendances v Wigan and fulham

[S-Clarke]

I think we all know where this thread is going.

[Matthew Le God]

Considering the empty seats vs Wigan I wouldn't have thought an expansion is due anytime soon

 

29,604 during holiday time against the least attractive opponent in the league. If Wigan had actually filled the 3,000 seater away end like the majority of other Premier League sides will this season then the attendance would have been over 31,000.

 

If anything it shows the support is strong, if we can get 29,000 Saints fans for the least attractive game, we should be able to get alot more for the more attractive games.

Edited 1 September, 2012 by Matthew Le God

[The9]

Oh God, who thought THIS thread was a good idea ?

 

Good job Turkish is on holiday.

[CB Fry]

29,604 during holiday time against the least attractive opponent in the league. If Wigan had actually filled the 3,000 seater away end like the majority of other Premier League sides will this season then the attendance would have been over 31,000. Instead they sent back tickets late on.

 

If anything it shows the support is strong, if we can get 29,000 Saints fans for the least attractive game, we should be able to get alot more for the more attractive games.

 

If anything it shows support for Saints is about the same as it was last time we were in the Prem despite all the horsesh it you come out with.

[Matthew Le God]

If anything it shows support for Saints is about the same as it was last time we were in the Prem despite all the horsesh it you come out with.

 

Saints will have a similar number of home fans (29,000) vs Man Utd tomorrow as Man Utd will fill the away end which Wigan didn't.

 

Do you honestly think the same number of Saints fans are interested in going to the Wigan game as they are for the Man Utd game?

 

The 32,000 capacity is restricting us, the Man Utd game sold out a while ago, more would have gone if they could.

Edited 1 September, 2012 by Matthew Le God

[The9]

If anything it shows support for Saints is about the same as it was last time we were in the Prem despite all the horsesh it you come out with.

 

I'd go so far as to suggest it might even have been lower - though it will be interesting to see if there's any Yoshi Effect (or Gaston Effect).

[The9]

As I added...

 

Saints will have a similar number of home fans (29,000) vs Man Utd tomorrow as Man Utd will fill the away end.

 

Do you honestly think the same number of Saints fans are interested in going to the Wigan as they are for the Man Utd game?

 

The 32,000 capacity is restricting us, the Man Utd game sold out a while ago, more would have gone if the could.

 

The question remains "is it worth spending x million on adding seats which will be used for only a few matches a season, provided we stay in the Prem" ? And none of us have access to the figures to support that discussion for or against.

[Matthew Le God]

The question remains "is it worth spending x million on adding seats which will be used for only a few matches a season, provided we stay in the Prem" ? And none of us have access to the figures to support that discussion for or against.

 

Why are so many teams looking to expand capacity or relocate then? Cortese clearly thinks it is a worthwhile avenue to explore given his comments and very early plans for St Mary's. The image of St Mary's show it isn't just about extra seats it is a development of the entire area and that brings in extra revenue. it also increases the profile of the club for sponsorship, merchandising, advertising and corporate revenues.

 

With financial fair play rules it makes sense to provide a seat for those fans that want to come rather than turn them away because you don't have the capacity. The outlay on construction doesn't count in FFP, plus you get the benefit of the additional income to play with in other areas and help build the fanbase.

 

Tomorrow anyone wanting to bring the next generation of Saints fans to watch Saints vs Man Utd can't, as we sold out the 29,000 available home end tickets.

Edited 1 September, 2012 by Matthew Le God

[Glasgow_Saint]

We should bid for the new Wembley lease

[CB Fry]

Saints will have a similar number of home fans (29,000) vs Man Utd tomorrow as Man Utd will fill the away end which Wigan didn't.

 

Do you honestly think the same number of Saints fans are interested in going to the Wigan game as they are for the Man Utd game?

 

The 32,000 capacity is restricting us, the Man Utd game sold out a while ago, more would have gone if they could.

 

 

 

This is a futile argument and pretty much all you've got left. You're railing against something you have decided people think even though no one does.

 

Of course we could sell more tickets for Man United at home. So can Yeovil. So fu cking what?

[Matthew Le God]

Of course we could sell more tickets for Man United at home. So can Yeovil. So fu cking what?

 

Well if Yeovil were in the Premier League, they would also need a stadium bigger than their current ground which holds under 10,000. They'd have to give a large number of tickets to away fans and have not many left for Yeovil fans for all 19 home games.

 

And you call my argument futile...

Edited 1 September, 2012 by Matthew Le God

[ecuk268]

I did a tour of SMS given by the builders just before it was completed.

 

They said that expansion would cost approx £1000 per seat (2001 prices), so it's presumably a bit more now.

 

I assume that NC would need to confident that we were firmly established in the PL before considering expansion.

[CB Fry]

Well if Yeovil were in the Premier League, they would also need a stadium bigger than their current ground which holds under 10,000. They'd have to give a large number of tickets to away fans and have not many left for Yeovil fans for all 19 home games.

 

And you call my argument futile...

 

What are you on about now?

 

We have a new stadium. It's called St Mary's. It's plenty big enough for us this season and no current evidence we need to invest heavily to expand it. Man United at home is one game.

[Griffo]

I would hate for SMS to be expanded. 35k+ for big games and then thousands upon thousands of empty seats for the smaller games.

Edited 1 September, 2012 by Griffo

[Saintandy666]

I think 32k is about right for a team of our size. Big, but not a Manchester Utd or Newcastle etc I could see us stretch to 40k on a regular basis but not much more.

[CB Fry]

I would hate for SMS to be expanded. 30k+ for big games and then thousands upon thousands of empty seats for the smaller games.

 

I think 32k is about right for a team of our size. Big, but not a Manchester Utd or Newcastle etc I could see us stretch to 40k on a regular basis but not much more.

 

Some people won't listen to this kind of sense. Luckily Cortese is no fool.

[Thedelldays]

IMO..if we were to remain in the prem...I would say 38-40k would be just about right in terms of expansion

[Matthew Le God]

What are you on about now?

 

We have a new stadium. It's called St Mary's. It's plenty big enough for us this season and no current evidence we need to invest heavily to expand it. Man United at home is one game.

 

One game? What about when Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Newcastle, Liverpool, Everton, Man City etc etc roll into town?

[Golden Balls]

Can't we just lock this now? It's been done to death and the op question has been answered. Thank god Turkish isn't on this yet

[suewhistle]

Some people won't listen to this kind of sense. Luckily Cortese is no fool.

 

So he had no say in the issue of a DVD with initial ideas for expansion? But you're right, if there is any fool around here it certainly isn't Cortese.

[Matthew Le God]

I would hate for SMS to be expanded. 35k+ for big games and then thousands upon thousands of empty seats for the smaller games.

 

I think 32k is about right for a team of our size. Big, but not a Manchester Utd or Newcastle etc I could see us stretch to 40k on a regular basis but not much more.

 

Some people won't listen to this kind of sense. Luckily Cortese is no fool.

 

Cortese has plans for 50,000 seats, so he isn't on the same hymn sheet as you.

[DJ_TOAST]

We are the Northam/Block 42, we will not be moved.

[Griffo]

Cortese has plans for 50,000 seats, so he isn't on the same hymn sheet as you.

 

So we'd have to put up with more **** taking from other fans/the media when we have thousands of empty seats every week. Fantastic.

[CB Fry]

Cortese has plans for 50,000 seats, so he isn't on the same hymn sheet as you.

 

 

 

No he doesn't. Cortese thinks you are a mentalist. Just like the rest of us.

[Avenue Saint]

Haven't read the thread completely but

can imagine arguments from both camps.

 

Anyway, this isn't a sit on the fence post, the stadium WILL BE EXPANDED, not a question of if but when. I reckon, if we stay up we'll see proactive movement in that.

 

What I can't see is us expanding for the sake of 5-8k seats. I reckon Cortese will look to take it to 50k!

 

Will we fill it? Who knows...

Will it happen? Not merely possible, it is PROBABLE.