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Post by hantslondoner on Dec 13, 2017 22:08:58 GMT
I don't think I'll ever lose touch with the "real grass roots". I live in a very modest council house in Swaythling (rented), and I walk up Stoneham Lane to every game rain or shine, and will continue to do so as long as my body allows me. I also go to Loftus Road to watch Championship football, and I watch a fair bit of Premier league and Spanish Football on TV. I love all of it. I think the Premiership gets a bad press, the football is fantastic, of course the ticket prices are high and of course your ordinary working person can't go to many games, given that they earn £8, £9 or £10 an hour. That's the system we live in, most ordinary folk can't drive a Bentley, or shop at Harrods either. I'm a little luckier than some in that I run a fairly successful business. This enables me to spend a little money on things I love, and one of those is Eastleigh. I actually purchase 3 Executive club tickets a year, and 1 or 2 of those is often unused. Feel free to see me and you can join me. We need to not make this into a them and us thing. We all want Eastleigh to do well and there are lots of ways we can do that. Just do what you can and I'll carry on doing what I can, and who knows what the future may bring. 25 years ago I started following Eastleigh on a journey which has seen attendances increase 30 fold, and they have gained 3 promotions. Do the same again in the next 25 years and we'll be playing in the championship in front of 50,000 people. Who knows, but I will be Eastleigh until I die, and I hope you will be too. I liked this post too. What I didn't like in your earlier post was the apparent belittling of leagues like the Hampshire League.
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Post by fw on Dec 13, 2017 22:20:35 GMT
I bet a lot of the blokes on here moaning about the facilities before the team probably don’t ride the wife as well as they used to but I bet it doesn’t stop them getting a nice new HD telly and a big comfy chair.
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Post by michaelefc on Dec 14, 2017 8:31:16 GMT
My point wasn't to belittle local football at all, just to point out that if some of the swish new facilities at Eastleigh bother people (and they clearly do bother some people), then go to lower levels of football, where things like the executive club, or brand new stands, or other impressive structures won't feature; and the example of disgusting facilities, that I gave was from Sutton, a club residing in the Conference set up. Now that may have changed, I was there many seasons ago. In fact in general facilities at professional clubs were appalling back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. You should have seen the toilet facilities at the Old Dell. Dreadful. Its that which I am keen to move away from, and some here, seeming to have a longing for. Well good luck to them, but it isn't for me.
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Post by hantslondoner on Dec 14, 2017 8:59:15 GMT
Well I agree with that, but maybe you didn't express that very well, (especially when it began 'as an Executive club member....' - after you explained the context later, it made more sense).
As I said, I think Hampshire League (and I've been to a few) facilities at most clubs are absolutely fine for the level they are playing at, and the audience they have.
I think EFC's facilities are also absolutely fine for the level they are playing at, and the audience they have. Already better than a lot of teams in this league.
Some clubs prioritise things differently. I'd be interested to know if Sutton's antiquated toilets were in the away end? FL clubs were (some still are) notorious for giving away fans poorer facilities. I've not been recently so don't know if they're any better in the home end.
I agree that the game is moving towards providing different ('better') facilities for a new market, and as I said, I applaud SD's efforts to provide those facilities, which at the same time enables the club to gain revenue to help pay their way more. My opinion is that he's already done enough for the moment, and could shift his focus back to the playing said, but I appreciate that others might disagree.
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Post by granmist on Dec 14, 2017 9:18:37 GMT
Just one small thing to point out, last season when we only had the Hanger to have a drink in before the game, often I could not get in there, was stopped at the door as no more could get in as it was full, had to wait untill someone came out to get in. There is not that problem nowadays, now we have new facilities. So for me the changes are most welcome
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Post by loudnproud on Dec 14, 2017 9:37:48 GMT
Can confirm Suttons away toilets are a little antiquated and smelly. But will have to say their ground is looking nice with the work they have done to it.
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Post by willk on Dec 14, 2017 15:34:09 GMT
Every opinion is valid, like any opinion there is no right or wrong but the huge swathes of empty seats around the ground would indicate we should be trying to fill them first surely? That's not going to happen this season, as no one in their right mind wants to start supporting a team that's really dull to watch, which we are at the moment. I'm sure Coventry City love their 35,000 stadium in League 2. The matchday experience must be brilliant...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2017 17:00:50 GMT
Michael talks a lot of sense on this thread...really shows how much he loves Eastleigh FC...superb.
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Post by tenacres on Dec 14, 2017 21:31:44 GMT
Whilst there are a lot of empty seats behind the goal there was a shortage of seats on the side of the pitch (blue stand) was identified pre season I believe, so hopefully the new stand will recify that.
Its also been mentioned that there will be some sort of new gym/fitness/physio facilities under the new stand as well which I think could be quite important on the playing side.
For many years we had a very basic conf South ground with the team on the pitch ahead of our ground off it. IMO its been good to see this balance redressed somewhat.
I think when this new stand is complete our ground will probably be about average for the Conference national (there are some very decent bigger/better stadiums in this league lets not forget).
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Post by unknownquantity on Dec 14, 2017 22:56:35 GMT
I agree with the issue relating to the blue seats. When I attended the Sheffield United pre-season friendly I noted that nearly all the blue seats had names on the back indicating that they had been taken and it therefore became my concern that if I did not purchase my season ticket soon then all the blue seats would be allocated to season ticket holders.
Therefore I purchased a season ticket, but did not personally like the seat had been allocated and have never actually sat in it. I have usually waited to just before kick off and have sat in a seat that happens to be free, and in recent games there have been enough for me to be accommodated, although if there were more blue seats I expect that I could more easily change the number of my season ticket.
Interestingly enough in half of our home league matches have seen both teams score at least two goals, so although people might be disappointed with the results and the performances at least they have witnessed 19 goals scored by us and 19 by the opposition (the total of 38 from being 12 being above average for the division)then .
Based on the fact that the Hangar was becoming overcrowded we certainly needed to offer alternative facilities and indeed this venue was filled to the rafters for the Carol Service as I expect it would be for many other community events. I think that whatever your views on other aspects of the club I do not think you can argue that the club has worked hard at engaging with the local community.
I think the issue of clubs playing in half empty stadiums is a difficult one and each case needs to be treated on its' own merits. I believe at the time they were relegated Southampton lost a lot of fans when they felt they were being treated as mere customers and if a club has endured relegation with an unsuccessful takeover thrown in then the patience of the fans will be seriously tested.
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Post by tony on Dec 16, 2017 19:50:10 GMT
Sorry to pull the thread back to the original subject, but has the club announced when the main stand extension will be open? Are all the seats already allocated to corporates or can a regular season ticket be upgraded to sit there?
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hey55
Semi-Pro
Posts: 133
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Post by hey55 on Dec 17, 2017 12:27:56 GMT
Boxing day
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Post by willk on Dec 17, 2017 14:08:24 GMT
New seats...something to look forward to...
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Post by blackie on Dec 17, 2017 16:12:51 GMT
Yes, there will be plenty of spaces available with the prospect of looking forward to a relegation battle.
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Post by willk on Dec 17, 2017 16:21:45 GMT
We can’t be selling many matchday tickets at £18 each to watch this cra.p surely?
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