Thetownend.com

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18623239.town-players-back-pre-season-first-game-next-weekend/

First game at the weekend.

For those who know the players better than I, who’s that at the back.

That looks like Diagouraga?!

Edit: The useless cunts at the adver using a photo from last season:

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17744639.richie-wellens-has-missed-out-on-signing-proven-goalscorers-nicky-maynard-and-danny-mayor-swindon-towns-striker-search-continues/

Adver stock photo! Bah!

Tbf, the adver are not going to be allowed anywhere near training due to Covid restrictions, plus they released the piece based on Wellens interviews last week, early morning - I doubt the training started pre 9am.

The adver can be ridiculed for coverage, but not this..

...that's if they have a Sports Desk again.

They recruited a replacement for Shaun Reynolds (along with Johnny Leighfield) and that person never started.

They are is a dire situation.

Maybe we've resigned him!

Just watching the news this morning and there’s a report of a circus opening in Portsmouth.

The seating restrictions are 2 seats either side and an empty row behind. Entering exiting use a one way system, no food sold.

So why couldn’t this be the blueprint for a return of fans to football?

And I presume a family group could sit together

I’d expect when fans are allowed back in it will end up looking something like that - I’m not sure that would equate to 50% capacity, but don’t have a good enough maths knowledge to work out what that would do to capacity

From a club perspective, I assume there is a certain level of attendance that's required to cover the costs of having supporters in the ground. Would that model get enough people in, particularly given that you won't have the additional income pies and pasties etc?

From a supporter perspective, I suppose there will be many who won't be that fussed about returning given the possible risks and the fact that games will be available on the internet

Can’t be 50%. Just taking every other row out makes it 50%. Then 2 seats either side. I’d imagine a group of mates would get 1 person to buy, say, 5 tickets which would equate to 9 seats taken up.

God knows what they do with those clubs that still use terracing.

If we could get somewhere between 4-5000 in the ground plus a decent take up on iFollow we’d be OK I reckon.

Maybe they just ban people over the age of say 50 from going.

Then at least fans will get a rest from having to listen to people aimlessly shouting 'GEEEEEEERT AAAAAAAAAAT FAAAAAAAAAARWARD' every 30 seconds.

Ageist!

You'd imagine iFollow will be more open whereby all games will be watchable for a fee. Whether that is per game or in 'season ticket' format.

The governemnt are considering locking down people over 50, depending certain conditions, so not that far fetched.

I pay €130 for an iFollow ST. I’d imagine home based fans wouldn’t want to commit to an entire season if there’s a chance they can attend in person later in the season.

From what I understand the individual clubs receive 70% of iFollow sales. That’d only be £7 per game for the club but better than jack, I suppose.

Anyone any idea on the number of ST sales so far?

How would they police that? They’ve already scared shitless a good number of ‘oldies’ from even leaving their house.

Maybe they want them all in care homes so they can fade away out of public view.

sound good to me 46 year and 3/4 old ears :)

You're not allowing for family groups. I have a family season ticket with my two lads, so that's 3 that could sit together on just 3 seats, rather than 7 in your model.

But there would have to be 2 seats empty at both ends of whatever ‘group’ sit together - whether it’s 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.

Yes, but it's still not the case that every person results in two seats either side left empty. We don't yet know what the likely seating arrangement will be but I think you're right some form of empty rows and an empty seat either side of each household group would probably make sense. We've seen estimates ranging from 25% of normal capacity to 40%, I guess in practice that will vary from ground to ground, depending on layout, family groups etc

It’s definitely in the club’s interest to have as big a ‘group’ as possible sitting together. Would they inquire much into the validity of such a group?

A group of 10 would only take up 14 seats, whereas a couple would take up 6.

This is how they are managing cinemas also (my company helped develop the booking system in the US).

Every other row populated - one way system - one seat spare either side of a single/double/family group booking - I am guessing 2 spare seats in a ground because the seats are narrower than a cinema.

More like most football fans are more lard arsed

How would it work though if you have to get up every 30 mins for the old boys 2 seats away to have a p!$$ and pass you, surely it is about people having to pass others in the narrow rows as well ?

Then there is ensuring not to many people are going in / out together, how would a 1 way system, work in the DR or TE  in the Arkells it may be easier as there are probably more exits.

Its going to be an awkward one you would imagine.

Again, that must be the same for a cinema and they’re open on that basis. Not forgetting football is outside, too.

There must be loads of places/occasions that people are in closer contact than at a football match.

Exactly. The point is not that any reopening has to be absolutely 100% perfect, but it is about reducing instances of close contact and so reducing risk. You can always come up with a "Ah, but what if?"

Yeah, if you are going to look it that closely and have a rule for every instance that could occur then the answer is there can be no crowds..

Simple answer is as with everything, they set the rules, if you are not comfortable with it, use common sense - don't go - sign up to Ifollow.  That is what I will be doing next season.

Even what might appear to be a small reduction in infection rates can make a significant impact on the overall number of infections.

Only a matter of time before there’s a full scale rebellion against social distancing IMO as there’s a rapidly decreasing number of people willing to put up with this indefinitely. With the threat of pubs being closed again to allow schools to reopen and rumours of above 50’s being told to shield (aka prisoners in their home) there will be a breaking point and people will will force a return to normality including things like attending football. I think in October we’ll have at least 50% capacity as the government are going to do everything they can to try and prevent mass unrest so there will be many compromises made. The balance needs to shift to people making their own decisions on whether they want to risk it.

r under 1 is the key, anything above still means exponential growth.

bit worried about swindon. Heard the next door neighbour in the phone say his son is a awaiting a test as the b&q team he works in had a positive.. assume he was talking to his boss

Oi  >:(

Bloody hell BO, I just about spat out my haslet and dripping sandwich.  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

There was an expert on Radio 5 yesterday morning talking about infection rates and he said their methods had picked up the spikes in all the areas that have been identified which all happened to be in the north except one which was Swindon!

I used to work on the Deli in a small tesco in Dunbar up in Scotland and Haslet was always the cheapest sliced meat that we sold. Usually eaten by the older generation or the shoppers that would hover around the yellow sticker section to reflect the discounted products. I've not got a clue what it really is and suspect its quite highly processed but its quite tasty!!

Old Wembley had a solution, just roll up your program and piss through it, no need to move.

Or, even better...piss through someone elses programme!

Interesting.  Haslet is one of those traditional things which are disappearing.  If you are of the older generation then chances are eating offal based dishes was common as nowt could be wasted..... however it's been a while since that was the case. Things like tongue for sandwiches were common when I was a nipper.

I am a big fan of offal and am not elderly.

You won’t get to be elderly eating offal!

Yes, tongue was the other cheaper meat now you come to mention it. We had 'lunch tongue' which was the cheaper version, or Ox Tongue, which was your more luxurious sliced meat. Not had it in years, but I did like it as well.

I quite liked ox-tongue soup. 'Liked' as in past tense being the operative word.

I once bought some out here, and it had a whole fucking tongue in it. Hairs and all. Not been able to go close to the stuff ever since.

What’s wrong with you people!

That must have been a big tin.

In the 70s I would drive to Norwich for the best dripping, thick slice of bread with thick jelly dripping covered in salt. Lovely.

Classic TEF thread derailment by the way :)

And you’re alive to tell the tale?

There’s only one thing I like dripping.

haven't heard Haslet as a thing for years. I mean I'm sure it's in supermarkets still, just totally disappeared off my radar

Sounds like your radar is pretty good. Well, at least its not offal.

Kidneys are lovely

Agreed. A much maligned treat.

As long as cooked so they are still pink in the middle, like liver...mmmmm.

Jerel?

Result of Wigan’s appeal due any time now. Rumours say it’s failed. In with us next season.

Wigan have lost their points penalty appeal. Relegated. (Alan Nixon)

Good stuff, another localish day out if fans allowed in.