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Title: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Mexicano Rojo on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 15:10:28 Yesterday I was asked to go to the Emirates on a freebie with my best mate, his brother has 2 season tickets and was away so we had them. Now I have never been to the emirates before, i have been to Highbury a dozen or so times over the years and yesterday was my first taste of premier division football for a good number of years. I watch it on sky and in the pub and enjoy most of the games as the majority of football fans would generally watch anything, but a few things yesterday really hit home to me and made me pretty depressed to be honest.
The sheer size of the emirates stadium is breathtaking, its a fucking monster. I have been to the nou camp and san siro in the last 2 years but this took the biscuit, the scale and luxury of the place is really in a different class. The infastrucutre around the stadium was immense and as a DRS season ticket holder it made me just see, at first hand, the gulf in size/money, between ourselves and the top teams in the english pyramid. Our ultimate dream as football fans is for swindon to get into the top tier and compete. We reached the top once, surely one day we can do it again. The thing is the game has moved on so much since our last visit it felt yesterday so far from our grasp. I have never experienced that feeling before. It depressed me that the top end of the english game has really become a foreign concept to me. Growing up and going to games there was always a buzz playing a bigger team and going to slightly bigger stadiums but they never felt as alien as yesterday. Arsenal felt like they didnt belong in the same competition as us anymore. 60,000 people there yesterday against wigan. Wigan. Who we are arguably a bigger club than. I wonder how the hardcore wigan fans feel week in week out when they visit places totally alien to themselves. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: trogladite on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 15:20:42 and when the money gurus get their wicked way and the top ten sides play nothing but european football with friendlies in the rest of the world. It truly will be an alien experience. Not that I care, whether town are playing top flight football or oxford, I'll be there, supporting amd moaning in eqaul order.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: juddie on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 15:23:06 if you're telling me the emirates is better than the san siro and the Nou Camp then you're bonkers.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 15:30:52 if you're telling me the emirates is better than the san siro and the Nou Camp then you're bonkers. Call me bonkers then. I've been to The Emirates and it has to be the best stadium in the world. Not the biggest but certainly the best.It made me think up a new Carlsberg advert..'Carlsberg don't do football stadiums, but if they did...' Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Arriba on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 15:31:25 we'd have taken a damn site more fans than wigans dismal turnout yesterday.
clubs like burnley etc will never compete on the same scale as arsenal,but are having an absolute ball in trying to. i want some of it for us Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Mexicano Rojo on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 15:53:43 if you're telling me the emirates is better than the san siro and the Nou Camp then you're bonkers. the san siro is awe inspiring as you approach and is great inside too. but so is the emirates, plus the emirates is proper luxurious too. Nou camp is good but a little disapointing as its semi buried beneath the ground. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Arriba on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 15:59:42 nou camp is a bit drab really, despite it's awesome size.
the emirates is the best stadium i've been in for sure. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Rich Pullen on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:00:11 The Camp Nou looks a little tired nowadays... Outside it's quite ugly but inside it's still very impressive.
It's all subject to opinion really. For all the massive football grounds in the world the Highbury experience was amazing because of the hustle and bustle outside the ground on matchdays etc. Whereas Old Trafford was a big disappointment in my opinion. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: reeves4england on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:06:50 The Camp Nou looks a little tired nowadays... Outside it's quite ugly but inside it's still very impressive. I think that's what's disappearing with modern stadia. I walk past Highbury almost every day and I love how it's just surrounded by residential streets, which used to give you the busy atmosphere. The Emirates is only round the corner, so that still exists to some extent, but I can't help feeling out-of-town stadia and those in business parks are lacking something.It's all subject to opinion really. For all the massive football grounds in the world the Highbury experience was amazing because of the hustle and bustle outside the ground on matchdays etc. Whereas Old Trafford was a big disappointment in my opinion. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Peter Venkman on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:09:36 The gulf between the Premier League now and when we were there is like going from Hunts Copse to the County Ground.
I would love us to be able to get back to the top division and have a stadium that can at least compete with Wigan/Burnley/Wolves but I doubt we can ever have or support a stadium of the magnitude of the big clubs which is a shame. But the thought of going to visit these grounds week in week out is something we can aspire to and with Fitton and Co in charge I think it is feasible to aspire to get there again, maybe not in 4 or 5 year but certain in the next 10 years. Swindon and its surrounding areas CAN support a side in the Premiership and CAN draw on a huge potential fan base of 25k+. I wish we could have another stab at the top league, we didnt do ourselves justice. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Mexicano Rojo on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:11:50 lets hope so jj.
the hustle and bustle is still there after an arsenal game. It took me just as long to get home to brighton from arsenal as it does from swindon. 60 minutes stop start walk to finsbury park tube crowd controlled by the police. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: jonny72 on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:19:17 Plenty of smaller clubs have made it to the Premier League in recent years (Stoke, Burnley, Reading, Hull, Bolton) who aren't that much bigger as a club than us, so it can be done. There are also plenty of big clubs falling on hard times and dropping down the divisions (Southampton, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield Weds).
You don't even need to spend a fortune to get in to the Premier League, just the right manager and right players - and we just need to get back to the Championship and stay there and then we at least have a chance. The only thing beyond most clubs is the Premier League title and the Champions League, which would require a team outside the top 4 to spend in the region of £200m to achieve - which ain't likely to happen at most clubs. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:19:54 We're not competing for the Prem though....the CCC is the 4th best supported league in Europe, there are a clutch of clubs in there, who easily average 20-25,000. This is where we need to try and establish ourselves...and it won't be easy. I've seen us promoted from Div 3, 4 times, each time we hang about for a few years, then have a disastrous season, due to finances and get relegated.
We're still way off being able to compete at this level...what is currently being achieved, is getting back to some sort of stability whereby we're able to be around the top ten of Div 3. This is good and credit to Wilson for doing what has been asked so far, but pushing on is going to be mighty difficult. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Bogus Dave on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:23:18 Plenty of smaller clubs have made it to the Premier League in recent years (Stoke, Burnley, Reading, Hull, Bolton) who aren't that much bigger as a club than us, so it can be done. Stoke, burnley, Bolton and debatedly reading are all much bigger clubs than we are Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Iffy's Onion Bhaji on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:24:48 I can't believe some people think we're bigger than the likes of Hull, Bolton and Reading. Seriously get a grip people. Maybe once upon a time those teams were smaller than us but not now. They get 5 figure crowds week in week out and have better stadiums by a mile. As Reg was basically saying we're a league one club and that's only going to change if we can get fans to come on a regular basis and find the right financial footing to cut in the CCC.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Arriba on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:28:43 potentially we're bigger than a few.
wigan,bolton,burnley and reading for sure Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Bogus Dave on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:33:33 Potentially any club can be as big as those 4. Were accrington stanley to undergo a massive turnaround in fortunes, get a rich benefactor, a shiny new stadium and become a mid table premiership team by 2020 people will consider them a 'big club'.
The fact of the matter is we are a 3rd division club, ccasionaly flirting with the level above. We get crowds around the 6,500 mark. We have won one trophy of any note in our whole history. Even at this level, our ground is little more than average. But we've had one spell of relative success (almost 20 years ago may i add), and it would appear people have ideas of this club above its station. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:35:21 I can't believe some people think we're bigger than the likes of Hull, Bolton and Reading. Seriously get a grip people. Maybe once upon a time those teams were smaller than us but not now. They get 5 figure crowds week in week out and have better stadiums by a mile. As Reg was basically saying we're a league one club and that's only going to change if we can get fans to come on a regular basis and find the right financial footing to cut in the CCC. And as has been for a while the key to this is some sort of upgrade of the CG. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Batch on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:36:20 I think the point was we are as big as Reading and Hull were. But they have put millions transitioning between what they were and what they are.
As Reg said,it is a massive challenge to get to the Championship and stay there. The CC stats are pretty frightening. Only 3 clubs have averages below 10K this season: 22 Peterborough United (18) 9123 23 Blackpool (7) 8410 24 Scunthorpe United (13) 6720 And the top 10 supported teams average 20K+. The gap between where we are now and sustainable CCC footy is considerable. To joint the Elite seems almost impossible. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: jonny72 on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:37:44 I can't believe some people think we're bigger than the likes of Hull, Bolton and Reading. Seriously get a grip people. Maybe once upon a time those teams were smaller than us but not now. They get 5 figure crowds week in week out and have better stadiums by a mile. As Reg was basically saying we're a league one club and that's only going to change if we can get fans to come on a regular basis and find the right financial footing to cut in the CCC. I'm not saying we're bigger than them at the moment as obviously they get bigger crowds, play in a higher league and have a far higher income. But if they were to drop down to our division or we made it up to theirs, we would be on a similar footing - so historically and deep down they aren't any bigger than us. Those clubs didn't get bigger due to a bigger fan base - their additional support is solely as a result of them being in a higher league. If we had the stadium and were in the Premier League I could see us averaging 30k a game, albeit as a result of the people that would be coming along to see the big teams play - but they all count. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:41:55 I think the point was we are as big as Reading and Hull were. But they have put millions transitioning between what they were and what they are. As Reg said,it is a massive challenge to get to the Championship and stay there. The CC stats are pretty frightening. Only 3 clubs have averages below 10K this season: 22 Peterborough United (18) 9123 23 Blackpool (7) 8410 24 Scunthorpe United (13) 6720 And the top 10 supported teams average 20K+. The gap between where we are now and sustainable CCC footy is considerable. To joint the Elite seems almost impossible. This has been the case for a while though, the season following our last promotion we were the 15th best supported club in the league, of those lower, only Reading and Pompey are still competitive the likes of Oldham Port Vale O*frod Grimsby and Tranny have fallen away. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Rich Pullen on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:43:40 In the early 80's we were a shite 4th division club. Lou Macari arrives and all of a sudden we're a tidy Championship outfit by the 90's.
We've gone full circle, what's to say we can't do it again? It's not about club history or how the fans regard the club. If the money comes in then success is usually forthcoming. Wigan, Reading and Hull were nothing clubs teams until funding arrived. Burnley, Portsmouth, Bolton, Fulham were successful clubs many moons ago who enjoyed success again with funding. With big funding or a sensible business plan I believe any football club can make the top flight. When we win games constantly, crowd sizes will increase. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: jonny72 on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:44:57 As Reg said,it is a massive challenge to get to the Championship and stay there. The CC stats are pretty frightening. And the top 10 supported teams average 20K+. The gap between where we are now and sustainable CCC footy is considerable. To joint the Elite seems almost impossible. If we get in to the Championship and stay there the CG capacity is going to be a problem - the average attendance last season was over 20k. We'll get a lot more away fans with the bigger clubs and there will be plenty more home fans wanting to watch the bigger clubs. Our ground isn't that shit though, the main stands are fine - its just behind the goals and the corners that need sorting out which could take the capacity up to say 25k which would be acceptable. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Spencer_White on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:46:02 I thought Highbury was one of the three best grounds in the country. Along with Anfield and Wembley. The place just oozed charm, class and history.
Mex, Im sure you have seen first hand what effect the internet has had on the music industry. I think the internet could start to have an affect with football soon. Just like single and album sales have declined I think TV rights will also decline in comming years. People like Murdoch are very worried at the moment because they dont know what the future holds for them. Im pretty sure they cant hold off Pay per view for much longer. The big fear though, is that clubs off set the drop off of TV money with massive hikes in ticket prices (a bit like a gig nowadays is 3 times more expensive than an album). That really could be the death of football. Could make going to top flight football just for the elite. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Arriba on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:47:02 In the early 80's we were a shite 4th division club. Lou Macari arrives and all of a sudden we're a tidy Championship outfit by the 90's. We've gone full circle, what's to say we can't do it again? It's not about club history or how the fans regard the club. If the money comes in then success is usually forthcoming. Wigan, Reading and Hull were nothing clubs teams until funding arrived. Burnley, Portsmouth, Bolton, Fulham were successful clubs many moons ago who enjoyed success again with funding. With big funding or a sensible business plan I believe any football club can make the top flight. When we win games constantly, crowd sizes will increase. well said that man Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Reg Smeeton on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:52:10 If we get in to the Championship and stay there the CG capacity is going to be a problem - the average attendance last season was over 20k. We'll get a lot more away fans with the bigger clubs and there will be plenty more home fans wanting to watch the bigger clubs. Our ground isn't that shit though, the main stands are fine - its just behind the goals and the corners that need sorting out which could take the capacity up to say 25k which would be acceptable. The ground needs sorting, not so much from the point of view of capacity, but for income streams out of game times...also the prawn sandwich brigade and corporates need catering for...there is no evidence that gates significantly increase for more than maybe the odd couple thousand for very big clubs, and plenty to suggest it makes little difference for fairly big clubs. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Spencer_White on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 16:52:46 If we get in to the Championship and stay there the CG capacity is going to be a problem - the average attendance last season was over 20k. We'll get a lot more away fans with the bigger clubs and there will be plenty more home fans wanting to watch the bigger clubs. Our ground isn't that shit though, the main stands are fine - its just behind the goals and the corners that need sorting out which could take the capacity up to say 25k which would be acceptable. That is dream land territory. Our biggest hope is that attendances start decreasing again so we can compete like we did in the late 80's and early 90's. Families wont ever come en mass to the County Ground. And good, because this is who we are, we are Swindon. These are our fans that weve had for years. We get 7,000 fans at home and can take 3,000 away. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Ardiles on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 17:08:59 I don't really see Premiership football as a realistic aspiration any more, where as once I did. Now, I would like to see us become an established Championship side with big games every other week. I would like to see crowds rise to maybe double their current level and the return of a big match feel around town when we played. I'd like to see Swindon kids routinely wearing Swindon Town shirts again. That, a good day out once in a while, a couple of pints with my friends before the game...and a promise that we'll never relocate to a plastic bowl in a field on the edge of town, is pretty much the extent of my ambition.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: alanmayes on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 17:21:18 I don't really see Premiership football as a realistic aspiration any more, where as once I did. Now, I would like to see us become an established Championship side with big games every other week. I would like to see crowds rise to maybe double their current level and the return of a big match feel around town when we played. I'd like to see Swindon kids routinely wearing Swindon Town shirts again. That, a good day out once in a while, a couple of pints with my friends before the game...and a promise that we'll never relocate to a plastic bowl in a field on the edge of town, is pretty much the extent of my ambition. I've had very much the same thoughts for sometime.I'd be very happy to see us back in the Championship,with an increased fanbase and a redeveloped CG,which upholds our traditions,but with a modern feel.A template for us could be a club like Preston,who have a nicely developed ground,decent fanbase and a good team on the pitch. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Spy on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 17:23:34 Swindon and its surrounding areas CAN support a side in the Premiership and CAN draw on a huge potential fan base of 25k+. But would the experience actually be better than going to the current county ground when we're doing well or would it be expensive with a sanitised atmosphere and see us as getting regularly beaten at home cos we'd be underdogs in practically every game? Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Rich Pullen on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 17:25:34 The Championship should be our only target short term, the board have outlined this.
However, in my opinion, too many not-so-illustrious clubs have entered the Premier League in recent years to completely dismiss the notion that a team like Swindon could get promoted into the top flight for a 2nd time. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Spencer_White on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 17:38:52 To be fair it took us 70 odd years of league football to get there the first time. Its not exactly suprising that we are a long way off is it?
Championship would be nice. We would get swamped by away fans again. But I'd enjoy that. It's all too cosy for Swindon fans in league 1. You either have shit northern team bringing 200 fans or big southern team filling the Stratton bank and being given massive escorts everywhere. There's nothing like really getting the piss ripped out of you by a team like Sunderland or Pompey for providing a bit of backbone. A few gritted teeth. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Spy on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 17:44:16 I actually met Fitton the other day and said to him "thanks for all you've done for the club" and he said "we haven't started yet"!!! Which implys the man has high hopes.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: pauld on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 18:35:14 I actually met Fitton the other day and said to him "thanks for all you've done for the club" and he said "we haven't started yet"!!! Which implys the man has high hopes. Or that he's a slow starter :)Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: yeo on Sunday, September 20, 2009, 19:10:41 If we were to go up to the Championship we'd get an extra 2000 glory hunting fans and up again we'd get the same again plus.Promotion comes with as many negatives as it does positives.I think we have have to face the fact that Fittons vision for Swindon is more "Reading" than "Stoke" and if the clubs to grow I suppose its the way forward.I dont know but to me it seems theres a sort of glory to being the shit club in the Prem that there wasnt the last time we were there.
Not that I went during the Premiership season , I couldnt afford it and I had more fun things to waste my money on.I went to most of the games before and after though and I regret that massivly in retrospect. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: strooood on Monday, September 21, 2009, 22:55:17 Seems like you were not the only one feeling that way Mex. The intro of Ivan Speck's piece in the Mail on Monday reads as follows...
"Any first-time visitors to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday would have spilled out on to the Holloway Road fuelled by a curious cocktail of emotions. "Thrilled by the spectacle of the Barclays Premier League match, certainly. In awe of Arsenal in full attacking flow and the glamour, the glitz and the majesty of the arena, yet somehow feeling evert so slightly unfulfilled." Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Mexicano Rojo on Monday, September 21, 2009, 23:11:49 sssh that my pseydonum.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: pumbaa on Monday, September 21, 2009, 23:17:51 I'd actually quite like us to re-establish ourselves as a solid, mid-table Championship club. Mix that with a well planned and executed ground redevelopment on the CG footprint, with the board taking full account of supporters wishes in the design, will do nicely for me TVM.
I quite like being the underdog. Most of my friends and associates support established Premier League teams and find it quite interesting that I disassociate myself from that machine and support an unfashionable club. Provides a talking point during the 9 to 5...... Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: 4D on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 06:18:07 I quite like being the underdog. Most of my friends and associates support established Premier League teams and find it quite interesting that I disassociate myself from that machine and support an unfashionable club. Provides a talking point during the 9 to 5...... Most people I know support other teams (mostly the top ones :)), a lot "look out" for the Town's result but that's as far as their interest goes. It is good to be the underdog Pumbaa, I enjoy that feeling of watching a match that you are not expected to win but do. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: lambourn red on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 07:02:58 If we had the stadium and were in the Premier League I could see us averaging 30k a game, albeit as a result of the people that would be coming along to see the big teams play - but they all count. We had 11k for our first ever Premiership game!!!! We would not fill the CG as it is now for a prem game vs Burnley or Hull let alone a 30k souless bowl on the edge of town. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: THE FLASH on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 08:32:17 Mid table championship and revamp the CG......sounds good to me...
A season of getting whipped in the Prem would be good too......but a bonus! Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: tans on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 08:47:28 We had 11k for our first ever Premiership game!!!! We would not fill the CG as it is now for a prem game vs Burnley or Hull let alone a 30k souless bowl on the edge of town. i think we would now because you get all the glory hunting cunt fucks reappear again Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Peter Venkman on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 09:00:52 i think we would now because you get all the glory hunting cunt fucks reappear again Nicely worded Tans :D , and also true, the pull of the Premiership is 2 or 3 times as much as it was when we flaunted there 16 years ago. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Don Rogers Shop on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 09:20:58 We had 11k for our first ever Premiership game!!!! We would not fill the CG as it is now for a prem game vs Burnley or Hull let alone a 30k souless bowl on the edge of town. Football is a totally different sport now than it was then.We would sell out every game in the premier league now. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Ardiles on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 09:47:52 Football is a totally different sport now than it was then.We would sell out every game in the premier league now. Unfortunately, it's differently priced as well. I paid £156 for my season ticket on the Stratton Bank the last time we were there (or £237 in today's money). I would be surprised if the equivalent ticket these days would go for much less than £600...which would certainly act as a brake on attendances. All hypothetical anyway. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: stfctownenda on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 12:27:30 Unfortunately, it's differently priced as well. I paid £156 for my season ticket on the Stratton Bank the last time we were there (or £237 in today's money). I would be surprised if the equivalent ticket these days would go for much less than £600...which would certainly act as a brake on attendances. All hypothetical anyway. Every club in the premier league aside from Arsenal and Spurs have there cheapest season ticket valued under £600. A table of these is enclosed below, of course each clubs highest season ticket is a pretty crazy amount. Information taken from May this year: Club Cheapest season ticket Most expensive season ticket Blackburn Rovers Cheapest season ticket £199 Most expensive season ticket £349 Wigan Athletic Cheapest season ticket £250 Most expensive season ticket £299 Bolton Wanderers Cheapest season ticket £285 Most expensive season ticket £475 Fulham Cheapest season ticket £285 Most expensive season ticket £799 Birmingham City Cheapest season ticket £338.50 Most expensive season ticket £632 Sunderland Cheapest season ticket £350 Most expensive season ticket £795 Aston Villa Cheapest season ticket £360 Most expensive season ticket £520 Burnley Cheapest season ticket £378 Most expensive season ticket £462 Hull City Cheapest season ticket £385 Most expensive season ticket £450 Stoke City Cheapest season ticket £399 Most expensive season ticket £599 Manchester City Cheapest season ticket £419 Most expensive season ticket £576 Everton Cheapest season ticket £443 Most expensive season ticket £586 Portsmouth Cheapest season ticket £500 Most expensive season ticket £650 Manchester United Cheapest season ticket £513 Most expensive season ticket £931 Chelsea Cheapest season ticket £520 Most expensive season ticket £1125 Wolves Cheapest season ticket £522 Most expensive season ticket £630 West Ham Cheapest season ticket £570 Most expensive season ticket £810 Tottenham Cheapest season ticket £622 Most expensive season ticket £1640 Arsenal Cheapest season ticket £855 Most expensive season ticket £1825 Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Ardiles on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 12:30:32 I was way out, then. (You can tell I don't have much interest in Prem football these days.) I stand corrected!
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Gelbfüßler on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 13:10:52 I'm either blind or Liverpool aren't on that list. Haven't they got some crazy length waiting list for season tickets?
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: jonny72 on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 13:32:19 We had 11k for our first ever Premiership game!!!! We would not fill the CG as it is now for a prem game vs Burnley or Hull let alone a 30k souless bowl on the edge of town. As others have pointed out, things have changed a lot in the Premier League over the last 15 years and it is now far bigger than it was back then. Today, we'd sell out on season tickets alone albeit due to people wanting to watch the big clubs play. But what does that matter, it all counts at the end of the day. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: flammableBen on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 13:34:53 I think it's ok to dream about the premiership, but expecting to get there is probably a step towards being a bad fairy.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Arriba on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 13:36:23 unless mega bucks get thrown at the team, we aint going anywhere for the forseable future.
i still dream though.... Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Doore on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 13:47:51 Definitely a dream at present and for the foreseeable future. I would be over the moon if we could get promoted in the next 2/3 years and consolidate in the championship - even that feels like a bit of a dream.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: thepeoplesgame on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 14:10:25 Definitely a dream at present and for the foreseeable future. I would be over the moon if we could get promoted in the next 2/3 years and consolidate in the championship - even that feels like a bit of a dream. As others have said, if we could manage that while remaining at the County Ground I'd be one happy peoplesgame. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: adje on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 19:23:18 Call me bonkers then. I've been to The Emirates and it has to be the best stadium in the world. Not the biggest but certainly the best. It made me think up a new Carlsberg advert..'Carlsberg don't do football stadiums, but if they did...' I love that gap between 1968 and 1970 on their trophy display around the top tier! Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: adje on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 19:27:28 Thing is though for me I have a sort of inverted snobbery about not supporting a Premier league team
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: alanmayes on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 17:53:14 Arsene Wenger, today opened the redeveloped Highbury Stadium site, now known as Highbury Square.
http://www.highburysquare.com/ Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: michael on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 17:56:47 I purchased my 3 year season ticket in expectation of us being in the EPL within that period.
If we don't go up this season then I will go mental. Don't worry about that. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Ardiles on Friday, October 2, 2009, 11:05:27 The numbers discussed in the link below make for very uncomfortable reading (geddit?).
http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2058229_reading_fc_reveal_heavy_losses Looks that, like us, Reading are paying a heavy price for their short spell in the sun. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Summerof69 on Friday, October 2, 2009, 11:40:54 Some of the comments on there are a bit stupid, considering that without Madejski, they would probably still be at Elm Park, in a crap ground playing League Two football.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: DerbyRed on Friday, October 2, 2009, 11:47:42 Some Reading fans really have it in for Madejski it seems - I dread to think how much of his own money he has pumped into that club giving them their best spell ever!
The sad thing is - I can see the same thing happening with some Town fans about Fitton. As we become more and more successful under Fitton (fingers crossed!), people will expect him and the board to spend more and more money - and eventually a similar article could be written about Swindon! Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Ardiles on Friday, October 2, 2009, 12:09:17 Good point. I hope it doesn't come to that. But you have to remember that these comments from Reading fans are coming off the back of a decade of almost unbroken growth and success. Most of their fans have known nothing else and, now that they are returning to earth, they don't like it.
Most of them probably wouldn't even know where Elm Park was, let alone what it was like supporting RFC in those days. Without Madejski, they would now be battling away with Aldershot for local bragging rights...and, ironically, neither would they be making an annual loss of £6 million. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Dazzza on Friday, October 2, 2009, 12:37:31 I think I’d rather we’re a bit shit, keep our soul and then every now and again we get that glimmer of light it makes it that bit sweeter.
Reading worries me. I don’t think you can paint them all in the same light but there is that real deluded element about a lot of them, which as other have said is probably attributed to a lot of their fans being “born” with Madejski’s silver spoon in their mouth. They also seem to be the least knowledgeable bunch of supports I have ever come across. Every time I speak to one of them I expect some banter but they’re switched off and half the time couldn’t even name their first team. Oh and if I ever get like Norman here remove the pencils from my nostrils, burn my topless pictures of Macauley Culkin (Home Alone 1 era) and bury me live in my knitted cardigan. Quote Don't forget this is a club statement so they can announce whatever they want us to believe. It does open my eyes a little bit however I still firmly believe money has been syphoned off somewhere along the line, I can't believe our wages were that high surely? We were the lowest payers in the prem and if that is the state of our finances can you imagine where Newcastle will be if they don't get back up this year?. I remain doubtful and think a lot of it is propoganda as per usual. Northstand Norman, Earley Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: herthab on Friday, October 2, 2009, 12:44:44 I fucking hate football fans, even a lot of our own.
Memory of a goldfish......... Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: RobertT on Friday, October 2, 2009, 12:45:57 Umm, our own losses (in relation to earnings) make those numbers seem positively desirable.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Ardiles on Friday, October 2, 2009, 13:32:42 A £6 million loss is a £6 million loss.
The figure that really spooked me, though, was the £59 million annual wage bill. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: jayohaitchenn on Friday, October 2, 2009, 14:16:59 That's only £1.1 million a week. At Man City that would pay for what? 6 players?
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: herthab on Friday, October 2, 2009, 14:18:42 I remember when £59 million was a lot of money........
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Doore on Friday, October 2, 2009, 14:22:03 I remember when £59 million was a lot of money........ Grandad. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Samdy Gray on Friday, October 2, 2009, 14:24:07 Christ, you can't even buy a pint of milk and loaf of bread for £59,000,000 these days.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, October 2, 2009, 15:44:51 The numbers discussed in the link below make for very uncomfortable reading (geddit?). http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2058229_reading_fc_reveal_heavy_losses Looks that, like us, Reading are paying a heavy price for their short spell in the sun. It wasn't being in the Prem, which screwed us, we turned a profit, in 93/94. It was rather the then Board's profligacy in funding firstly John Gorman and then McMahon in trying to get back, without building. Both wasted decent sums of money on shit. I used to go over the MadStad a fair bit connected to work, so got a bit of a low down on the operation....for the first number of years, Madejski insisted everything must be run on a more or less break even base, then after maybe 8 or 9 years, he started putting in 2 mill a season of his own, as success seemed imminent. His aim to sell the club on and so recoup his losses...this remains the case. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Ardiles on Friday, October 2, 2009, 15:50:43 It wasn't being in the Prem, which screwed us, we turned a profit, in 93/94. It was rather the then Board's profligacy in funding firstly John Gorman and then McMahon in trying to get back, without building. Both wasted decent sums of money on shit. I seem to recall we had a number of players who, understandably, renegotiated their contracts in the summer of 1993 following our promotion. I forget the names, but I am sure that we were still playing 'Premiership' wages as late as 1995/96, despite the fact we were playing in the 3rd tier by that point. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Reg Smeeton on Friday, October 2, 2009, 16:20:46 Of the classic Wembley side...only Digby, Taylor, Bodin and Ling, hung about until 95.
Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: donkey on Friday, October 2, 2009, 16:32:12 The sad thing is - I can see the same thing happening with some Town fans about Fitton. As we become more and more successful under Fitton (fingers crossed!), people will expect him and the board to spend more and more money - and eventually a similar article could be written about Swindon! Despite what he's said about not spending unless us lot turn up. Some of our fans are being fucking idiots about this already. I am very happy with the work Fitton and co are doing, and I am thankful for their involvement (and the lack of Cypriot and Wills involvemnet). Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: jonny72 on Friday, October 2, 2009, 20:41:45 From the Reading article....
Quote Last summer the board again made a concerted attempt to ensure promotion, and every aspect of the club was run at a Premier League level - for example our wage bill was double that of the last time we were in the Championship. Even taking into account a parachute payment of £11,500,000 we made a loss of £6,265,000 last season. I find it amazing that clubs are still ready to gamble everything in the hope of promotion and even more amazing that their owner then brags about it. I know they covered it by selling some players but that's not the point, it was a stupid risk to take which back fired. Deducting points from clubs for entering administration isn't working. They need to do something to stop clubs getting in to massive debt in the first place - maybe a financial health check before the season starts with immediate and drastic action if they fail to pass it. Its just an arms race at the moment and everyone is pissing money down the drain, the sooner it stops, the better it will be for everyone. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, October 2, 2009, 21:30:58 Definitely a dream too far.
I am happy where we are to be honest. A provincial club with a 7k attendance heading for break even. I love the CGH as it is. The Town End is where I want to be. Or the Bank if it is ever opened again to home supporters on a sunny day. Subbuteo floodlights. Just the right level of shitness combined with ambitions of smartening the place up (well done Fitton & Co, at least the seats in the Arkell's match now). Redevelopment? Nah, it can wait. Sure, I understand ambition - it's a natural drive for all things in society but I would rather support my local club whose natural vertical position is the third division, occasionally flirting with the second division and trying to stay away from the fourth. Why on earth would we want to be in the Prem? Only if we all want to get swamped by the idiots who didn't give a damn 'when we were shit'. Sure, let's get in the playoffs and hopefully get up for a season or two. But you know in your heart of hearts we'll be back in League 1 (or the Fanta Second Tier or whatever it is called by then) eventually. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: Talk Talk on Friday, October 2, 2009, 21:33:32 PS I forgot to mention the pitch. Ahhh...the pitch. You could play snooker on the thing. Go and dig some pockets in the corners and the half way line Marcus...
I really am content with our lot. Title: Re: Premiership- a dream too far? Post by: wiggy on Friday, October 2, 2009, 23:42:44 Kind of agree with Talk Talk's sentiments, except the bit about not wanting success to generate new fans because they didn't come when we were struggling. Clubs need new fans to survive, and some that jump on any bandwagon will stay around for a long time. I jumped on the bandwagon when Macari was taking us up through the leagues and have stuck ever since - that was a generation ago and we desparately need a new bandwagon to jump on to generate the next generation of fans.
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