The Olympic Stadium [new poll]

[Pedant]

the club app have 600,000 registered on their data base, yet only 17,000 members and 21,000 season ticket holders.
you may think s/t holders are a TINY proportion, but we probably supply the most money outside of tv revenue.
how do you get your figure of 150,000 people to have been to U/P in the last 10 years

True. But then there are people like me, who would really like to go but who are utterly priced out at UP.

[Monkey Spanner]

Monkey Spanner .

Please define a fan .

You see , I class myself as one , being a season ticket holder, home and away of many years stading .You , I believe have been a ST holder since 1964 - is that correct ?

So - who are all these hundreds of thousands - and where are they ?

Last time we were in the Championship our gates were around 26,000 .

Our best ever season 85/86 we averaged less than that .

So for me , a fan is somebody who actively supports the club by attending matches - and I don't see hundreds of thousands - I do think the OS will be full though .I have doubts as to by how much revenue will increase .

There are probably thousands of people who can't afford to get a season ticket and just get along when they can. But to answer your question regarding my definition of a fan, a fan is someone who has West Ham at heart. The person who looks out for our results. He might be someone who plays football on Saturdays and gets to the odd game. He might be someone who gets married and buys a house and gets to the odd game because of financial constraints. He might be someone who works and lives abroad who gets over to the odd game. And look at our demography. East enders are all over the place. There are hundreds of thousands of these supporters. I started going when I was 10 and went to as many games as I could. When I went to South Africa for a year in May 1976 (I delayed it because of the ECWC final) did I suddenly stop being a fan? I've been a season ticket holder going back to the 80's but that doesn't make me a better supporter than when I had to listen to the results on a crackly car radio when I lived in Munich in 1978. Wherever I've lived I've met West Ham supporters and every one of them has a common affinity to our club. Its in the heart, not in the fact that you can afford a season ticket. I don't buy this day-tripper crap that many of our holier than thou fans whinge about. As far as I'm concerned people who can make games once in a while are more than welcome.

[gavrosh]

Gauging the overall support for a club is quite a difficult thing to do. I saw a stat about a year ago which said that West Ham had a fanbase of 600k - I cant remember the source (i'll try to find it) but it looked pretty reliable. More recently, people have turned to facebook to get figures on support. If you do that, you'll find that West ham are currently 8th in England with about 150k (compared to, for example, Spurs, at 500k and Man U at 11mil. Now, facebook isnt really that good, i reckon, because the figures will be swollen by 'likes' from people who are only 'liking' a particular club for the sake of it - the sort of muppet who 'likes' it when one of your 'friends' posts something like "feeling ill today LOL". What you have to look at instead is a factor of core demographic support, which is geographical, plus wider support, which is a function of success. I think its pretty clear that we are solid in the former, with vast swathes of East London, Essex and Kent in our base, but on the latter we're badly wanting. It's that that the PornBros want to develop with the move to the OS, and in truth the OS does allow for that to happen. Thing is, you dont just need a big stadium, you need a successful team to go with it. I'm still very unsure that they are prepared to make the investment to ensure the latter. Our best hope is that they cash in when the OS issue is resolved, and let some billionaire take over to inject the funds. Someone, preferably, who hasn't made their fortune from biscuits.

[Pop Robson]

the club app have 600,000 registered on their data base, yet only 17,000 members and 21,000 season ticket holders.
you may think s/t holders are a TINY proportion, but we probably supply the most money outside of tv revenue.
how do you get your figure of 150,000 people to have been to U/P in the last 10 years

True. But then there are people like me, who would really like to go but who are utterly priced out at UP.

Last game of the season v Sunderland £26 for a Band 2 seat (£58 + £2 booking fee), on viagogo exclusive, £34 saving.

[mushy]

I remember the 85/86 season quite well and attended several games at Upton Park, and I recall most games being packed to the rafters. We had a few years where we suffered with a lower capacity due to the building of the new stands and even in the last few seasons I have seen that our capacity is approx 94% which isnt too bad if you ask me for a club that has been lingering in the bottom half dozen teams for the last few years!

Mr Andersonn
I am afraid your memory is playing tricks with you.In our most successful season ever, the 85/86 season mentioned above, we were packed to the rafters just the once, and that was the last game of the season.
We played Man Utd at home and got just over 20,000 . This was at a time when the Boleyn was meant to be a great and cheap place to watch football.
Where were all these part time floating fans then?

[mushy]

No I don't. I know at least 1 West Ham supporter who lives abroad.

I will sleep easy tonight.

[Ironworx]

When we go to the Olympic Stadium it wont be lets just open the gates and see who turns up, there will be marketing.

It'll probably begin with corporate, look at our shiny new boxes, this will be your ease of attending, suck it and see for a few games then decide....

Then there'll likely be a pre season opening against the biggest name that will play game, at the knock down ticket price that's got Barry Hearn turning somersaults....

Punters will come and see for themselves because it'll be cheap and easy and something new, it won't be for some but it will for others who will come back...

A number of things make people watch or not watch football, price, difficulty of attending, amenities, ability to just turn up, their experience of the match, it's an overall package of things....

That overall package is different at the Boleyn to at the Olympic Stadium, and there will be those who prefer the OS package and those that don't - Some won't even know what the Boleyn package has been like in recent years so they won't draw any comparisons...

And the 35'304th arse on a seat will have a much better view than they get at the Boleyn

[the pink palermo]

And the 35'304th arse on a seat will have a much better view than they get at the Boleyn

Tosh .Complete and utter .

[the pink palermo]

There are probably thousands of people who can't afford to get a season ticket and just get along when they can. . I don't buy this day-tripper crap that many of our holier than thou fans whinge about. As far as I'm concerned people who can make games once in a while are more than welcome.

Yep , all are welcome as far as I am concerned as well .The point is regardless os the attendence it's the revenue that matters .

Filling Stratford with 60,000 at £10 a head is worse for the club than 34,000 at the Boleyn at £30 a head .

I've never had any doubt for season1 the new stadium will be full - even if they have to give tickets away they'll fill it .

To keep them coming back will require a successful team - and that means investment - real investment .

Where's that money coming from ?

[mushy]

Yep , all are welcome as far as I am concerned as well .The point is regardless os the attendence it's the revenue that matters .

Filling Stratford with 60,000 at £10 a head is worse for the club than 34,000 at the Boleyn at £30 a head .

I've never had any doubt for season1 the new stadium will be full - even if they have to give tickets away they'll fill it .

To keep them coming back will require a successful team - and that means investment - real investment .

Where's that money coming from ?

Its at this point that I suspect the Gullivans will take the money and run.
They will market the club with an olympic stadium and point to the 60,000 crowds and sell off to the highest Asian bidder.
A nice little earner for them.
Its what happens next that makes it interesting.

[Mr_Andersonn]

Mr Andersonn
I am afraid your memory is playing tricks with you.In our most successful season ever, the 85/86 season mentioned above, we were packed to the rafters just the once, and that was the last game of the season.
We played Man Utd at home and got just over 20,000 . This was at a time when the Boleyn was meant to be a great and cheap place to watch football.
Where were all these part time floating fans then?

You're right, there were only 20,000 odd v Man Utd at home in the league, this game was live on ITV but then games toward the end of the season v Coventry 27,251 Man City 27,153 and Ipswich 31,121.

Anything over 25,000 back then was a pretty packed house as I recall. When we were promoted against Cambridge back in 1993 and had an attendance of over 27,000, I recall several thousand fans being locked out.

The fan base is there, no doubt about it.

[Ironworx]

Tosh .Complete and utter .

The 35'304th arse hasn't got a seat to sit in at the Boleyn, therefore their view would be from outside the ground in Green Street where they weren't able to get in - So any view that they have inside the Olympic Stadium cannot be anything else other than better.

All views above 35'303 at the Olympic Stadium are better than at the Boleyn.

[JonG86]

Tosh .Complete and utter .

The 35'304th arse hasn't got a seat to sit in at the Boleyn, therefore their view would be from outside the ground in Green Street where they weren't able to get in - So any view that they have inside the Olympic Stadium cannot be anything else other than better.

All views above 35'303 at the Olympic Stadium are better than at the Boleyn.

He's got you there Pink (cue arguing about capacity etc...)

[the pink palermo]

Can't be arsed .

Shall retain my told you so powder - keep it dry - for another 3 and a bit years .

I expect most of those supporting themove to be on here either saying it's not too bad , or what do you expect for 50p or we thought they would redseign the seats......and then swallow the big lie again as they convince themselves the track will go in a season or two .

[Monkey Spanner]

When we go to the Olympic Stadium it wont be lets just open the gates and see who turns up, there will be marketing.

It'll probably begin with corporate, look at our shiny new boxes, this will be your ease of attending, suck it and see for a few games then decide....

Then there'll likely be a pre season opening against the biggest name that will play game, at the knock down ticket price that's got Barry Hearn turning somersaults....

Punters will come and see for themselves because it'll be cheap and easy and something new, it won't be for some but it will for others who will come back...

A number of things make people watch or not watch football, price, difficulty of attending, amenities, ability to just turn up, their experience of the match, it's an overall package of things....

That overall package is different at the Boleyn to at the Olympic Stadium, and there will be those who prefer the OS package and those that don't - Some won't even know what the Boleyn package has been like in recent years so they won't draw any comparisons...

And the 35'304th arse on a seat will have a much better view than they get at the Boleyn

Absolutely spot bollock. And I wish I had thought of the last point.

[Mr_Andersonn]

Just to lighten the mood on the subject here are some amusing extracts I found on a Spurs Olympic Stadium forum:

Spurs lose Olympic Stadium bid!

February 9, 2011: Jerard
Bad news I think, Levy will be forced to put our club in massive debt which could be detrimental to our success on the pitch

February 9, 2011: Paul French
Well done to all the anti Stratford protesters.. this decision could set us back years!

February 9, 2011: SpursForce
I Really do believe this too, we needed that stadium to compete, i wouldnt be surprised if west ham over take us in the next 10 years, in that time the Harry affect goes into full swing, he leaves the club half our players leave, were in masses of debt.
Hopefully im just panicking!

February 9, 2011: Vic
I''m shocked how gutted I feel. I was just starting to buy into the vision. A bad decision for London, both football clubs, Newham Council ratepayers and athletics born out of fear of egg on face.

February 9, 2011: Barry
Great news. I hope we can look at other options in Tottenham or the north of London. Doesnt necessarily mean we have to spend £450 million if its not the NDP

February 9, 2011: EssexYiddo
you're an idiot, there are no other options you dick

February 9, 2011: Lukaaaaa
berba, carrick left because we cant compete with man u, and without a bigger stadium those 3 guys at the top of this webpage wont hang around either. Levy said it was stratford or nothing. We wont get a bigger stadium, this will set us back years, although all you No to stratford dont kid yourselves into thinking you had any influence at all.

February 10, 2011: Say What!
Barry you and all these anti-Stratford ****wits need to go and support wet spam, how can you ppl not see that this is a major disappointment for the club!!!???? You dont need half a brain to realise we wouldve saved hundreds of millions, money which could've been invested in serious players;who btw will only come if we can afford to pay the wages, WAKE UP YOU FUCKIN FOOLS

February 9, 2011: noone
I dont think Levy was lying when he said Stratford is the only choice. Maybe there are other options but he is not willing to take them. Right now in these conditions the potential of big players like Bale wanting to leave becomes more threatening for the club. I would say that if Levys dreams and hopes are dead in the water than he would probably sell the club in the next couple of years. When I thought of the move to Stratford I was thinking big changes, bigger wages, bigger plaers, Champions League, Premier League title and all that stuff but now other potential big changes are starting to worry me.

[Ironworx]

Just to lighten the mood on the subject here are some amusing extracts I found on a Spurs Olympic Stadium forum:

Spurs lose Olympic Stadium bid!

February 9, 2011: Jerard
Bad news I think, Levy will be forced to put our club in massive debt which could be detrimental to our success on the pitch

February 9, 2011: Paul French
Well done to all the anti Stratford protesters.. this decision could set us back years!

February 9, 2011: SpursForce
I Really do believe this too, we needed that stadium to compete, i wouldnt be surprised if west ham over take us in the next 10 years, in that time the Harry affect goes into full swing, he leaves the club half our players leave, were in masses of debt.
Hopefully im just panicking!

February 9, 2011: Vic
I''m shocked how gutted I feel. I was just starting to buy into the vision. A bad decision for London, both football clubs, Newham Council ratepayers and athletics born out of fear of egg on face.

February 9, 2011: Barry
Great news. I hope we can look at other options in Tottenham or the north of London. Doesnt necessarily mean we have to spend £450 million if its not the NDP

February 9, 2011: EssexYiddo
you're an idiot, there are no other options you dick

February 9, 2011: Lukaaaaa
berba, carrick left because we cant compete with man u, and without a bigger stadium those 3 guys at the top of this webpage wont hang around either. Levy said it was stratford or nothing. We wont get a bigger stadium, this will set us back years, although all you No to stratford dont kid yourselves into thinking you had any influence at all.

February 10, 2011: Say What!
Barry you and all these anti-Stratford ****wits need to go and support wet spam, how can you ppl not see that this is a major disappointment for the club!!!???? You dont need half a brain to realise we wouldve saved hundreds of millions, money which could've been invested in serious players;who btw will only come if we can afford to pay the wages, WAKE UP YOU FUCKIN FOOLS

February 9, 2011: noone
I dont think Levy was lying when he said Stratford is the only choice. Maybe there are other options but he is not willing to take them. Right now in these conditions the potential of big players like Bale wanting to leave becomes more threatening for the club. I would say that if Levys dreams and hopes are dead in the water than he would probably sell the club in the next couple of years. When I thought of the move to Stratford I was thinking big changes, bigger wages, bigger plaers, Champions League, Premier League title and all that stuff but now other potential big changes are starting to worry me.

Cost em 200M smackers

They planned to spend 250M at Stratford, last estimate I heard for redeveloping WHL - 450M

Also sets them back timewise, it could be years and years before they're able to relocate, maybe never what with costs inflating all the time that they're twiddling their thumbs.

It may or may not turn out to be a good thing for us, for us there was risk in whatever we did, but for them it was a surefire disaster

[gavrosh]

What a crying shame for them. And that bloke was right - regardless of whether and where they build another stadium around Tottenham, the OS (and some half decent management of the club) will swing fortunes directly in this club's favour. I think they will be a non-issue as far as were concerned in ten years. Our sights should be set on being the biggest club in London. Our sights should be set on Arsenal.

[Ironworx]

February 9, 2011: SpursForce
I Really do believe this too, we needed that stadium to compete, i wouldnt be surprised if west ham over take us in the next 10 years, in that time the Harry affect goes into full swing, he leaves the club half our players leave, were in masses of debt.
Hopefully im just panicking!

So they're not totally delusional, they are aware of the Harry effect :lol:

Jails a possibility, if he's acquitted maybe the England job, failing that he's 64 now and I can well imagine him wanting to retire at some point not too far off........

[hadleighhammer]

The 35'304th arse hasn't got a seat to sit in at the Boleyn, therefore their view would be from outside the ground in Green Street where they weren't able to get in - So any view that they have inside the Olympic Stadium cannot be anything else other than better.

All views above 35'303 at the Olympic Stadium are better than at the Boleyn.

I think the 35,303 seat is down the pub watching it for free on some dodgy satellite probably with plenty of others who've got pissed off with the running track and numerous tourists and day trippers the OS will cater for with clappy sticks and flags, will be a better view. Still have the away games to fulfill the habit.

Also 35,302 are worse in the OS even accounting for your 'logic'. Near enough 60% of the 60k capacity. Personally they're nearly all worse as they're all further than pretty much any seat in the Boleyn as per Barlimanrob's good little shot. How many occasions this season have we needed a 35,303 seat?