This is one hell of a thread! And I feel like adding to it.... [edit - I wrote this coincidentally at the same time as Scutta....]
It is really sad that people left at half time on Saturday, let alone the many people that decided not to attend due to the expectation of a big crowd. This wasn't just regulars leaving, but I saw a number of other people I didn't recognise leave as well. Emotions were also heightened as we all wanted to remember DC appropriately, and it was difficult to do that in such a big crowd.
We do have to perhaps accept that you can't switch ends when it's a full house though, as people may well already be standing there. This is not good for the atmosphere and for friends that may wish to stay together, and I find that frustrating. However, there was plenty of room at the Greendale end in the second half. Personally, I spent a large part of the second half in a loo queue, and at the front of the Toilets Opposite. I managed to find a spot for last 15/20 minutes behind the goal.
The major problem is that despite all the efforts of installing extra bars and toilets, and let's not forget the outside bars and portacabins are still relatively new, they just can't cope with a very thirsty crowd on a Saturday afternoon. For this reason, then crowds should perhaps be capped at 2800, and then review after a couple of months. I have seen others say elsewhere that they should be cut to 2000, and that is perhaps a bit too dramatic to do in one go. IIRC, then our budget is based on an average of around 2100 or 2300, but I might be misremembering that. The international break, the B word and a good start to the season undoubtedly pushed the crowd to higher than usual. I have absolutely no idea how the new ground is going to cope with up to an envisaged 4000 on a smaller footprint. I can't recall there being any serving points / toilets on three sides of the ground, but that may have changed of late, and may need to find out the latest on this, as there were amendments being suggested by Al that could hopefully be incorporated.
Agree with all comments that comms need to be better. I keep forgetting to ask Junior what's up with the lack of interviews, as he's always very personable after matches. I also think it would be beneficial if club Directors scheduled quarterly forums. At Surrey CCC, then the first part of the meeting is chaired by Alec Stewart on playing matters for 30 minutes or so, and then the CEO takes over for the next 30/45 minutes on broader club developments. Members can attend in person, and they are streamed live too. Given the interest in the club, then I think that would help build understanding on club and playing developments. Obviously, the Trust has a critical role on having these ongoing discussions as well. The closest we have to come this of late was the DHST AGM, when much of the discussion was on Crouch and the documentary.
On the future, then it's never going to go back to what it was like 4-7 years back, in a similar vein till it won't get back to what it was like during the old skool Rabble days. There isn't much point harking for that, but we can take elements of it this with us and enjoy what is still great. I was weirdly pleased to have felt really gutted after the women's team lost on pens in the Cup on Sunday. I have enjoyed those games as a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon to date, and to play with a walkie talkie when asked to steward. However, that supporters feeling of despair was there for the first time for those pens for the women's team. This bodes well for enjoying the highs more when they undoubtedly happen this season!
I will email an edited version of this
Scottfield for feedback! I hope others take you up on this. Perhaps a tweet or website article, noting the issues and asking for feedback would encourage more ideas?
#irony
londonnewsonline.co.uk
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