Adver News: 'Town-sized club will not grace Premier League again'

[red sheldon]

but for every Reading and Brighton there is a Coventry or Darlington

It is not a given that a new stadium equals success.

It is very much chicken and egg. Does the stadium come first or does the team have to achieve success first?

Personally, I reckon a piecemeal approach to revamping our existing stadium is the way to go

the big difference is that Coventry and Darlo don't own their stadiums so don't get the revenue streams though which negates that argument

[Reg Smeeton]

Personally, I reckon a piecemeal approach to revamping our existing stadium is the way to go

It fits with the template of our history.....just that the pieces are a bit tardy in execution....so the TE was built in the 30's and is essentially unchanged, and the Bank had a major tart up which I recall watching excitedly as a kid in the early 60's. Then new fences at the back...new bogs...and clock and flag poles were added, along with new turnstile blocks.  They're either still there or have fallen into disuse or disrepair.

Would be nice to see something happening here, to be included in Jed's "business" plan, but not holding my breath.

[Bukkake Regiment]

Why do you keep quoting people without adding anything?

Can't be bothered to write 'this'.

[4D]

A lot of clubs who grace the prem had grounds that had a limited capacity, when we were there it was 18,250 ish. The dell wasn't big, neither was the baseball ground or Craven Cottage (before the development). When Charlton were on their travels they used to get crowds of 5-6k. We could achieve what Reading have in terms of success and crowd increase.

[Ardiles]

The advantage that Reading have over us in terms of catchment etc. is that it's a slightly bigger town with a more densely populated hinterland.  Plenty of medium sized towns surrounding Reading - Wokingham, Henley, Bracknell, Maidenhead etc. - where as Swindon is surrounded mostly by fields.  So they do have a bigger natural catchment than us - and a more affluent one at that - but agree with your basic point that there is plenty of scope to increase our crowds when we step up a level.  Maybe not averaging in the high teens as Reading do, but mid teens - should be possible with the right management.

[4D]

Most of those towns are boating strongholds, not football  . A catchment area that is also not far from London. Swindon's catchment area is quite large, albeit mostly smaller towns and villages.  

[mystical_goat]

Can't be bothered to write 'this'.

Don't bother with either.

[Red Frog]

Don't bother with either.

[Bob's Orange]

Don't bother with either.

Couldn't agree more.