TheGuv

This is what you’re dealing with man ^

@Big Riveryou are right like. We’re an echo chamber on here, but my god plenty of posters know their stuff about the club. I do get surprised how little people know about the club. Especially for those who’ve been going since 19XX. I had to give a bit of a history lesson to some of them why the Strawberry Corner became the de facto singing section. It was because we all got booted out of the L7 singing section and that’s where people moved to! I also made the point, and I know @Herondid on his table, that none of us were compensated and we actually had to pay more money to move out of there. I believe another table made a point about the Milburn Paddock/Platinum Club. So people wanting loyalty points for being moved does seem mental. It’s not some whimsical fantasy that the Starwberry Corner was always magnificent (pre Gallowgate roof it was of course but I’m talking modern history), but it’s clearly going to be easiest for the club to put safe standing there. Bear in mind however, a large proportion do not stand in there - but I bet they won’t move seats…Imagine after all of this, you see people sitting in the safe standing section and the Strawberry Corner is exactly the same as it is now except with rail seating?

It felt like it was a starting point… But imagine the upheaval of increasing it every year? Especially if you start it in the Stawberry Corner. Where do you expand to? Unless they did get rid of the middle Gallowgate - but I just can’t see that ever happening.

I manipulated (or should I say gently persuaded) my table to say this . They were bang into that opinion by the end mind you. Hmm where to begin. Thomas from the FSA did a brief presentation and then Sarah Medcalf from the club presented. She showed the above figures I posted previously along with a few other slides. There were around 10 tables, and each table had a representative from the club. We were given two questions: Do you think safe standing would be a positive change at SJP? Why? What do the club need to consider in relation to fans if safe standing was introduced? As @Heronhas said the vast majority were overwhelmingly in support. My table was unanimously in support of it for example. Most tables seemed to indicate it would be positive for atmosphere, not ruining the experience for those sitting down etc etc. I’m pretty sure the club want to do it anyway so this all just backed up the majority backing in the survey. The second question is where some of my concern comes in. The main reason being ‘where?’ I heard a lot of chat about the Strawberry Corner, particularly on my table. But as I mentioned, the vast majority of atmosphere comes from there already, so you’d effectively just be replacing one with the other (current de facto singing corner with a standing section). I know of one woman on another table who specifically wanted it known that not everyone in the Strawberry Corner currently stands - which is correct. I’d suggest it’s currently less than half. The vast majority in attendance would not want to move seats to accommodate standing but if they did have to move some form of compensation was mentioned on every table (reduced ST price, loyalty points!, an extra seat!, free cup games etc). There were some canny people on my table, but the room was overwhelmingly middle aged and (much) older. I was rather happy when I saw @Heronand a few other lads my age spread around other tables, as all of the table notes will be reviewed by Eales and Co. However, the amount of people who had no idea about safe standing was staggering. Their general knowledge of SJP and the club was poor and it didn’t fill me with confidence of what the club will inevitably implement. I think the club already know what they want to do, and unfortunately it isn’t going to be what some of us on here want. E.g. a large safe standing area of 5,000+ or even two separate safe standing areas at opposite ends of the ground. My heart sank when they mentioned 1500-3000. They then mentioned that timings are tight and if they don’t implement for next season it’ll be the season after. A bit of a disaster if that’s the case imo. If they just plonk it in the Strawberry Corner, I think it’s a massively missed opportunity. I can’t see many from that corner moving to accommodate the singers/standers and will just want to be ‘part of it’ and keep their view. This will in turn not improve the atmosphere (the biggest positive mentioned by all of the tables) at all, as we already have it… Those who really want it would move to where it goes. Again Leazes Level 4 would really put the cat amongst the pigeons. If they build it, they will come springs to mind… I get the feeling the majority in attendance would never want to move their seat, so I can’t imagine that many wanting to move to the Leazes to sing and stand (just my opinion). I even said I’d pay more money to stand - much to the confusion of the rest of my table! However, one comment from a lady on my table was spot on - the club need to know how many want to stand - before implementing it. If 6,000 want to stand - there’s your answer (for the timing being). Otherwise, using that example you’re going to have 3000-4500 pissed off that they can’t stand. Will you then have to re-perform this rigmarole the season after and continue moving people around??? I also drilled home (as did another table fortunately) that there would need to be access to safe standing for general sale/membership. Fingers crossed that is listened to as well.

Will do a proper post tomorrow, or will answer any questions people have. Some key takeaways: 75% said they would like to see safe standing at SJP via online survey 70% preferred not to move seats 78% respondents were over 35 years of age Over 70% of survey wanted Gallowgate/Strawberry Corner Overwhelming majority in favour of safe standing introduction across those in attendance tonight. Club looking to implement safe standing between 1500 and 3000

100 here. 3000 applied. I’m probably the youngest here by a canny chunk… (I’m 29)

Judging by my tweet I’m massively in the minority on where it should go (Leazes Level 4 as a first choice). However, I’ll certainly be making it clear that Gallowgate Upper is also in a minority…I believe the club are trying to push this as their desired choice. Imo, that would be the worst of all worlds tbh.

There’s been a drop out so I can now attend. Can people come back with any views/thoughts on where and why they think the safe standing should be?!

Just said this: View this email online Newcastle United supporters were recently invited to share their views on the prospect of safe standing at St James’ Park via an online survey. This survey has provided us with important data to help us understand how much of a priority the implementation of safe standing is for Newcastle United fans. We would now like to invite you to participate in a Fan Working Group to discuss licensed standing in designated seated areas for home fans as we look to provide facilities most reflective of our fans’ needs. The format will be smaller discussion groups and is an opportunity for you to put forward your ideas and give feedback on this area. Thank you. Location: Four Corners, Level 2, St James’ Park, NE1 4ST When: Wednesday 8th March 2023. Arrival is 5.30pm, discussion groups start 6pm for 60 minutes followed by feedback. Finish time is 8pm Refreshments: Tea and Coffee is provided No of Attendees: Limited spaces available We will allocate places via a ballot and you will be notified by Tuesday 7th March at 12pm by email. Please regsiter your attendance via the link below. REGISTER HERE SHARE THIS EMAIL Unsubscribe from these emails

I didn’t get in on the ballot

26 Points man

You need the singers together tbf. How many people bought safe standing at Wembley and just stood there…? Pretty sure @LFEEmentioned something similar?

Good post. Man City is my biggest fear of what our support will turn into if we were to build a 80,000 seater at the Arena. The young Liverpool fan who kicks off about their own support from a few years back is also a warning to heed. It’s going to be a fine juggling act - that’s for sure. I hope I do get to go to the club’s working group on safe standing. As someone mentioned about City fans the other day - safe standing doesn’t = atmosphere. Nor was that the case at Wembley.

The money we got him for him is insane btw

Agree with that

Be bold. Be different. Football is cyclical and the way teams play changes all the time. Murphy created two fantastic crosses with a first time cross on the right. If someone got on the end of it, we’d be waxing lyrical about a right footed winger. Almiron cutting back in is now too obvious and teams have woken up to it.

Quite simply need to shake the team up. Isaak, ASM, Willock, Gordon, Targett to start? Murphy has actually been playing pretty well off the bench as well.

All of the subs played well today. They should be banging on Howe’s door asking for a start next week.

Because they aren’t used to a cross coming in first time from a non inverted winger? (I’m not even joking either )

Great cameo by Murphy. Two good crosses

Frustrating. We were in the ascendancy there as well.

Our corners man

Made them earlier than I thought. Good subs on! Felt sorry for Gordon… Miggy surely?

I said at the start of half time - I bet we don’t make a substitute until 65-70mins I do think Eddie can be overly cautious with substitutes. Hopefully we make a change soon.