SUFC: The Future Tom Lawrence update on ground and facilities

[Target man]

“Due to complicated flow rate calculations, we will be keeping the away fans in the North East corner“

Nice bit of plain English or not!

Will they be allowed out at the end of the game?

Do we need a Flux capacitor?

 

[North Banker]

I can only assume that what they're saying is that the entrances/exits in the NW corner (and/or the gangways leading up to them) are not big enough to ensure a safe throughflow of a full away allocation.

Feels a little hard to believe that the entrances themselves are not big enough, because it's not like the single exit at the NE end has a huge capacity. Perhaps it's about the space behind the stand? The gap shown here is actually quite narrow, for example. Could take a long time to filter >1k away fans through there after the match whereas there's plenty of space behind the other end.



Either way it sounds like they know what they're talking about. If this is the reason then it doesn't seem insurmountable with a bit of effort but they've presumably concluded it's not worth that effort.

 

[WhiteNoise]

seems strange they've prioritised air conditioning as we move into autumn/winter, and are not immediately sorting the floodlights.

 

[cerbera45]

The lamps in the floodlights are currently gas, very cool. I wonder how old those are.

 

[Richard Hearn]

The lamps in the floodlights are currently gas, very cool. I wonder how old those are.

Haven't you seen the old bloke with the bike and very long ladder who comes round before each night fixture and lights them all individually with a long taper?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

seems strange they've prioritised air conditioning as we move into autumn/winter, and are not immediately sorting the floodlights.

I’m not sure it’s prioritising. Tom said they’ve made an application so it sounds like they’ve applied for some sort of sustainability grant for matched funding and are awaiting the outcome of that.

 

[PIERS]

seems strange they've prioritised air conditioning as we move into autumn/winter, and are not immediately sorting the floodlights.

They are effcient heaters as well, and dehumidifiers . Plus 400 odd shrimpers on the pop generate enough heat to power the matrix, especially if we are losing at half time

 

[Shr1mperBlue]

Anyone able to ask the club whether they would be willing to auction the old bulbs? @Cricko

Might pay for a few bottles of hand sanitizer/ soap?

 

[Supershrimper]

No the nights are starting to draw in and the temperatures start to reduce I wonder if they will splash out on some protective ground covers. Seems like the ones in the past haven't cut the mustard

 

[cerbera45]

Haven't you seen the old bloke with the bike and very long ladder who comes round before each night fixture and lights them all individually with a long taper?

I presumed he was using Calcium Carbide

 

[Richard Hearn]

I presumed he was using Calcium Carbide

No, Gibbs SR if I remember correctly, but he still had a cracking smile.

 

[Richard Hearn]

Oh, sorry. I thought you meant carborundum

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

what do the guys do then ?

I was referring to the guys.

 

[SeaSideDoughnut]

So there's another thread asking whether fans would move to the north stand and one or maybe two posters in there (I haven't read all comments yet) have said it'll create a better atmosphere.

As some that hasn't ever sat in the north stand, what about it makes the atmosphere/acoustics better, and is it something (structurally) that can be recreated as Roots Hall is redeveloped?

 

[Smiffy]

So there's another thread asking whether fans would move to the north stand and one or maybe two posters in there (I haven't read all comments yet) have said it'll create a better atmosphere.

As some that hasn't ever sat in the north stand, what about it makes the atmosphere/acoustics better, and is it something (structurally) that can be recreated as Roots Hall is redeveloped?

It only has the one barrel roof, rather than the two the west stand has. It also has a small flat roof at the front which I guess must help to project the noise outwards. Not really sure what other reason there could be for it.

 

[PIERS]

So there's another thread asking whether fans would move to the north stand and one or maybe two posters in there (I haven't read all comments yet) have said it'll create a better atmosphere.

As some that hasn't ever sat in the north stand, what about it makes the atmosphere/acoustics better, and is it something (structurally) that can be recreated as Roots Hall is redeveloped?

The view is ****e.to be fair not much worse than the current west stand yob section The seats are far too close together as it’s an old terrace with seats bolted on. It’s a crap hole..

But having said that 500 fans in there singing make 3 times the noise than the current north west stand .
It has a historic importance than younger fans can buy into. And it’s behind a goal. The goal we should kick towards in the second half.
Get the away fans into the NW corner. Make it pay on the day 15 quid, unallocated seating (if allowed)
And it would be rather good,

 

[BlueBore]

The lamps in the floodlights are currently gas, very cool. I wonder how old those are.

Southend have been gaslighting us for years

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

Southend have been gaslighting us for years

I am pleased to say that I have no idea what that means. [smiley face]

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

And it is a pleasure to read a thread with so much positivity ........... for I fear I may be about to add a "yes but ...."

Overall, it's great that the club is making these improvements & looking to increase the club's income - steps forward all the time but general knowledge seems to suggest that the club is running at a loss of over £1m per season.

And bear in mind that I do like to take an interest in this sort of thing & do some "back of the envelope" calculations.

The biggest single earner would seem to be the increase in capacity assuming that this means extra bums on seats for home games but .............

............ even if I make some generous allowances for attendances and other spending the club is not, at the moment, demonstrating how it will close that £1m+ gap & be "sustainable" and ............

.......... if you follow that argument through, then that means C.O.S.U. have to continue to stump up more money and/or budgets need to be reduced.

Of course there will be other actions in the wing/being planned.

I am not criticising the club - these are far better times than we have seen for the last few seasons - merely undertaking some basic financial calculations & wondering what the future will bring.

I can't help feeling that a good cup run is what the club needs this season to provide a really good financial tonic.

 

[BoyWonder2]

And it is a pleasure to read a thread with so much positivity ........... for I fear I may be about to add a "yes but ...."

Overall, it's great that the club is making these improvements & looking to increase the club's income - steps forward all the time but general knowledge seems to suggest that the club is running at a loss of over £1m per season.

And bear in mind that I do like to take an interest in this sort of thing & do some "back of the envelope" calculations.

The biggest single earner would seem to be the increase in capacity assuming that this means extra bums on seats for home games but .............

............ even if I make some generous allowances for attendances and other spending the club is not, at the moment, demonstrating how it will close that £1m+ gap & be "sustainable" and ............

.......... if you follow that argument through, then that means C.O.S.U. have to continue to stump up more money and/or budgets need to be reduced.

Of course there will be other actions in the wing/being planned.

I am not criticising the club - these are far better times than we have seen for the last few seasons - merely undertaking some basic financial calculations & wondering what the future will bring.

I can't help feeling that a good cup run is what the club needs this season to provide a really good financial tonic.

A good cup run is definitely needed.

The biggest thing is turning Roots Hall into a money making operation 365 days a year, not just our 23 home matches.

Things like a gym open to the public, conference spaces, the ability for people to “hot desk” at Roots Hall, hosting events, concerts, England youth matches, a bar/restaurant that is open at other times than just match days, the fan zone, more corporate hospitality etc.