Stickied League One Away Support Thread 2023/24

[joethegill]

Surely there should be some sort of league standard or at least a warning and price reduction.

If you need a warning to know there's no roof on the away end at Priestfield then you haven't been paying attention for the last 15 years. Anyway, it's only an issue if the weather is shit, same as any other ground with an open end - Bristol Rovers and Accrington in this league and several a level lower. Otherwise it's absolutely fine. Good view, facilities behind the stand are decent enough, and we can give an away side a reasonable allocation.

That end has never had a roof on it even when it was an open terrace, and no-one moaned at that. If you want to stand then you can, our away stewards make very little effort to stop people.

If having a roof made a good away end then Wimbledon would count as decent.

 

[Millerbri]

If you need a warning to know there's no roof on the away end at Priestfield then you haven't been paying attention for the last 15 years. Anyway, it's only an issue if the weather is shit, same as any other ground with an open end - Bristol Rovers and Accrington in this league and several a level lower. Otherwise it's absolutely fine. Good view, facilities behind the stand are decent enough, and we can give an away side a reasonable allocation.

That end has never had a roof on it even when it was an open terrace, and no-one moaned at that. If you want to stand then you can, our away stewards make very little effort to stop people.

If having a roof made a good away end then Wimbledon would count as decent.

As expected a very defensive reply from yourself.

FWIW I like Gillingham's ground, the other 3 sides are very nice.
It's just that I feel that away supporters paying the same or more, in some cases, deserve to be treated at least as well as home supporters.

Maybe stick you lot on it for a few matches to see if you prefer it to your end?

 

[joethegill]

As expected a very defensive reply from yourself.

FWIW I like Gillingham's ground, the other 3 sides are very nice.
It's just that I feel that away supporters paying the same or more, in some cases, deserve to be treated at least as well as home supporters.

Maybe stick you lot on it for a few matches to see if you prefer it to your end?

Defensive? Maybe a bit, but I'm sure you were the same about Millmoor when opposition fans brought up the flaws? The only time I went there the power was out and the toilets swimming in piss, but I'm sure you loved it anyway (understandably).

Our fans shared it for years, only reason we don't anymore is because the club decided it wasn't worth the cost of stewarding/policing it for both sets of fans. Not sure what you really mean be being treated as well as home supporters to be honest - you pay to see a game of football, not for a spa day. You can see the game from a decent vantage point, and for those clubs who bring a couple of thousand we can house them no problem with an allocation bigger than many other clubs in the league.

Plus, if the weathers shit then the club offer a choice of undercover seating in the Gordon Road stand to visiting fans, so you've got the option.

 

[Millerbri]

Defensive? Maybe a bit, but I'm sure you were the same about Millmoor when opposition fans brought up the flaws? The only time I went there the power was out and the toilets swimming in piss, but I'm sure you loved it anyway (understandably).

Our fans shared it for years, only reason we don't anymore is because the club decided it wasn't worth the cost of stewarding/policing it for both sets of fans. Not sure what you really mean be being treated as well as home supporters to be honest - you pay to see a game of football, not for a spa day. You can see the game from a decent vantage point, and for those clubs who bring a couple of thousand we can house them no problem with an allocation bigger than many other clubs in the league.

Plus, if the weathers shit then the club offer a choice of undercover seating in the Gordon Road stand to visiting fans, so you've got the option.

Millmoor (Railway End) was for away fans.
The facilities were no worse than the home ends TBH and at least it was covered.

But I agree it was a shithole, as were a lot of grounds from the same era.

But that was then and is it wrong to expect things to improve?

The post I made was not specifically aimed at Gillingham but I think most away fans that visit will probably think they deserve better.

I may be out of touch but as much as I love going to away games I would at least like to know if it pisses down I have the option to get out of it.

Apolgies about the alternative accommodation you talk about but we have never been offered it..... maybe this season?

The large allocation is a valid point for clubs closer to you I do accept that, but for northern clubs not so much.

 

[Bamber Gashead]

231 Gills at the Mem

 

[Third Team Lucky]

An impressive midweek showing of 3,360 tractor boys at Stadium: MK

 

[Reaper]

1004 millers at Sunderland

 

[Millerbri]

1004 millers at Sunderland

Loud and proud as well tonight.
Why are we so bloody quiet at home?

 

[Gassy]

Not particularly getting a dig in at Gillingham, though that away stand is terrible during the winter but if Bristol Rovers is worse I won't be going.
I did try about 3 years ago and Bristol was consumed by unbelievable rainfall that weekend and it was postponed.

I didn't realise it was such a bad ground for away fans so thanks for the warning.

In this day and age, and at today's prices, isn't it only right to expect decent accommodation for away fans?

Surely there should be some sort of league standard or at least a warning and price reduction.

Lol yeah, good point - let’s give them away fans a better experience than the home fans.

We’re desperate for a new stadium, but that doesn’t stop us redeveloping the away end for Rotherham fans.

I suggest you do your research before you post.

 

[Reaper]

Loud and proud as well tonight.
Why are we so bloody quiet at home?

Didn't go because of work but our fans are way better away than at home, probably same with every club really.

Good turnout though and a shame it wasn't a Saturday because it would have sold out easily.

 

[Bartonyellow]

116 brewers at fratton

 

[Millerbri]

Lol yeah, good point - let’s give them away fans a better experience than the home fans.

We’re desperate for a new stadium, but that doesn’t stop us redeveloping the away end for Rotherham fans.

I suggest you do your research before you post.

Likewise I suggest you read posts properly before replying.
I never asked for better facilities than home fans, I simply suggested it would be nice to treat away fans to equal facilities.

 

[Luke Imp]

451 Lincoln at Rochdale.

 

[RLC]

229 Posh at Prenton Park.

 

[PuB]

Likewise I suggest you read posts properly before replying.
I never asked for better facilities than home fans, I simply suggested it would be nice to treat away fans to equal facilities.

The only thing you’re talking about in terms of us, is the absence of a roof. Away fan tickets are priced in line as the cheapest in the stadium.

The facilities, view of the pitch etc, aren’t bad either (and in line with the home stands).

It’s actually my preferred end to sit/stand in given that’s where I used to watch football from with my dad and grandad. And like joe said, it’s never had a roof.

 

[Millerbri]

The only thing you’re talking about in terms of us, is the absence of a roof. Away fan tickets are priced in line as the cheapest in the stadium.

The facilities, view of the pitch etc, aren’t bad either (and in line with the home stands).

It’s actually my preferred end to sit/stand in given that’s where I used to watch football from with my dad and grandad. And like joe said, it’s never had a roof.

Not arguing with what you've said in the least as I said earlier I think you've got a decent set up. Just that it's not very nice when it's cold and raining and its almost impossible to create any sort of atmosphere in the open air.
I've been twice once in the sun which was ok but the other time it was cold and wet.

Sorry but it's not great sitting on a coach for 3 plus hours in wet gear.

Anyway as I said previously my original post was more aimed at whether clubs should try harder to make more effort to look after away fans.
Especially if they have spare capacity in the stadium

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Full numbers from last night


Lincoln (at Rochdale) 451
Peterborough (ar Tranmere) 229
Burton (at Portsmouth) 116
Ipswich (at MK Dons) 3361
Rotherham (at Sunderland) 1004
Gillingham (at Bristol Rovers) 231
Wimbledon (at Coventry) 330
Southend (at Shrewsbury) 137
Accrington (at Wycombe) 75
Oxford (at Bolton) 364

 

[Gassy]

Likewise I suggest you read posts properly before replying.
I never asked for better facilities than home fans, I simply suggested it would be nice to treat away fans to equal facilities.

Maybe you didn’t understand mine in the first place...

What I’m saying is we can’t give you better because then you’d start having better than the home fans!

 

[Millerbri]

Maybe you didn’t understand mine in the first place...

What I’m saying is we can’t give you better because then you’d start having better than the home fans!

Ok Gassy I take your point that you have a crap ground for everybody, that's down to historical problems beyond your control.
I don't expect to be treated better than home fans, just asking if clubs could do more that's basically it.

 

[Gassy]

Ok Gassy I take your point that you have a crap ground for everybody, that's down to historical problems beyond your control.
I don't expect to be treated better than home fans, just asking if clubs could do more that's basically it.

No worries

What defines having equal as the home fans though? I assume Rotherham put away fans behind the goal? Isn't that in fact worse than what most home fans get? I understand the point you're making, but the problem is that it just isn't possible unless you're fortunate enough (like yourselves) to be in a new stadium.

Ultimately a club has to look after the home fans first, without them there is no club. That's not to say to treat away fans like crap, but the is a priority list IMO

 

[SeasideKurt]

Away fans will go irrespective of the facilities. Home fans are the ones you need to entice.

 

[GFCSludge]

Away fans will go irrespective of the facilities. Home fans are the ones you need to entice.

Exactly, it's never even crossed my mind not to go to an away game because of the stand/facilities on offer. Price yes, facilities no.

 

[Millerbri]

No worries

What defines having equal as the home fans though? I assume Rotherham put away fans behind the goal? Isn't that in fact worse than what most home fans get? I understand the point you're making, but the problem is that it just isn't possible unless you're fortunate enough (like yourselves) to be in a new stadium.

Ultimately a club has to look after the home fans first, without them there is no club. That's not to say to treat away fans like crap, but the is a priority list IMO

Yes you're right, if teams have more than a few hundred they get the South stand behind the goal.
Teams likely to bring just 200 to 300 will get allocated the last couple of blocks of the East stand.
I suppose it depends on your perspective, I personally prefer to watch from the side so my season ticket is for the Main West stand quite high up around the half way line.

TBF though, I have sat in every block all around the ground on open days and there really isn't a bad seat in the house.

As you say, we were very lucky that Mr Stewart built us such a fantastic stadium in the middle of town instead of stuck out on an industrial estate like so many are these days.
We deserved it though after 4 years at Don Valley.

 

[Millerbri]

Exactly, it's never even crossed my mind not to go to an away game because of the stand/facilities on offer. Price yes, facilities no.

Prices mmm don't get me going there.
Why can't the EFL sort out maximum prices for each league.
Next couple of games -
Blackpool £19 which is brilliant but then Ipswich £27.
Ours are bad enough at £23.
It needs sorting.

 

[GTFCfish]

Talking of shit away facilities has anyone here been to Bloomfield Road before it was redeveloped?
Even after spending six years in non league visiting some absolute shit tips nothing has ever topped Blackpool’s old away end.

 

[Third Team Lucky]

Talking of shit away facilities has anyone here been to Bloomfield Road before it was redeveloped?
Even after spending six years in non league visiting some absolute shit tips nothing has ever topped Blackpool’s old away end.

Bloomfield Road? Luxury....

Try Saltergate away end back in the late 70's / early 80's.

 

[CFC91]

Bloomfield Road? Luxury....

Try Saltergate away end back in the late 70's / early 80's.

Saltergate didn't change so was probably still the same when we left in 2010. I miss that place...a ridiculous amount.

 

[PuB]

I quite liked Saltergate to be honest, mansfield’s old away end was proper shit though. The gents toilet was an open air courtyard with a slight slope towards an open drain to take the piss away.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

How many more ? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49755240

I quite liked Saltergate to be honest, mansfield’s old away end was proper shit though. The gents toilet was an open air courtyard with a slight slope towards an open drain to take the piss away.

It didn’t work it’s still in Mansfield

 

[GTFCfish]

Bloomfield Road? Luxury....

Try Saltergate away end back in the late 70's / early 80's.

My first ever away game was at Saltergate last game of 1990 I think, we were already up so we took thousands there and the only segregation was a wire fence which the Chesterfield fans were spitting at us through the scruffy twats.
I can remember a couple of our fans climbed up the floodlights and the coppers were waiting at the bottom to arrest them so they wouldn’t come down.