Yep, whenever I’ve seen FB links on here they’ve been in German.
It’s all Dutch to me.
Would have thought it wouldn’t be a problem for you given your affinity with that part of the world😁
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If the likes of Merson Samways plus legends like Jimmy, Jorge, Wracky and Co. Not forgetting solid championship players like Emblem etc didn’t fill Bescot.
Is there are scenario in generations where it could, maybe. But it would be on the whim of hoping for good away followings.
During and after that era Bonser got less interested in the club he owned, and the people in charge were lackeys with little in the way of ideas to modernise the club and take it forward.
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Instead of the fantasies of ground redevelopment and increasing capacity… i just want to watch the game and leave after the final whistle and it not cost me 45 mins stuck in a car park.
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Here’s a list of reasons why attendances could increase compared to 20 years ago
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Uk population has increased so all else being equal would expect some growth in attendance just from this
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There’s been a clear effort to broaden the game further from its traditional white male working class demographic base to other groups in society. Most obviously women, which potentially could double crowds just in itself, but also ethnic groups too.
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an increase to leisure time which allows more folk to attend
Walsall FC specific reasons
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a board who need to grow the club if they are to achieve their stated aim of making a return on their investment
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An effort to improve the matchday experience as a whole so people come for more than just the football (e.g. the Locker)
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Appointing a CEO with a record of increasing attendances at his previous teams Harrogate and Morecambe. On another thread there is talk of players giving tickets to certain groups
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as has been pointed out on other threads other football clubs have already achieved growth in their fanbase so Walsall fc are probably behind the curve anyway
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hopefully some overspill fans from the likes of Villa and Wolves who have season ticket waiting lists.
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hopefully some benefit from the improved public transport in the offing, (though I wouldn’t hold my breath on this)
For balance I will say there is a greater choice of football available than 20 years ago, so this would work against increase in attendances
A bit like how you couldn’t see Sadler was developing the team last season. All the dots for increasing attendances are there. You just have to join them up.
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Any idea how much redeveloping the home end cost?
I don’t know sorry.
Didn’t Bonser have a loan from the football authorities regarding ground redevelopment? Sure i read/heard it somewhere
I think the Purple Stand cost £3million.
We definitely got a grant from the Football Foundation towards the cost.
We didn’t qualify for a grant for the original stadium because it was already being built by the time the FF was set up, post-Taylor Report.
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Quite correct Lockster.
Good post. For me the club need to consider charging a little less on match day.
I’m sure some people stay away due to cost and I don’t think match day is our main source of income anyway.
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If anything groundwise were to happen it should be a location move - town centre based for the club, but for a similar or slightly larger capacity. I think we are at 47% for an average this year on a stat I saw.
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Yes, a town centre stadium would be good, but don’t think that will happen.
A town centre stadium would be ridiculous in my view. Its bad enough trying to travel by car going the short distance from the ground to M6 let alone routing away fans up Pleck Road, Wednesbury Road or Sutton Road into town.
I dont think the trains are particularly reliable either!
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Which was the last Club to build a new stadium in a town centre? Does anyone know?
Do Brentford or Wimbledon count?
Where could you possibly build a stadium in the town center?
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No.