Lenziejag Posted August 22, 2020 Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 7 hours ago, Woodstock Jag said: It makes perfect sense to start with larger venues, where the prospects of social distancing for access routes is likely to be orders of magnitude easier than for smaller ones. I am cautiously optimistic that, for stadiums like Firhill, Scotland will have crowds in excess of 500, and possibly in excess of 1000, before the end of October. Your 1st paragraphs highlights exactly why having a test event at Celtic Park is not relevant to other grounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodstock Jag Posted August 22, 2020 Report Share Posted August 22, 2020 1 hour ago, Lenziejag said: Your 1st paragraphs highlights exactly why having a test event at Celtic Park is not relevant to other grounds No it is relevant. The ground that is most likely to be safe is the one with the largest normal capacity, the most spaced out access routes and the most spacing between facilities within the ground. If Celtic Park isn’t safe, none of the other grounds are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenziejag Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 8 hours ago, Woodstock Jag said: No it is relevant. The ground that is most likely to be safe is the one with the largest normal capacity, the most spaced out access routes and the most spacing between facilities within the ground. If Celtic Park isn’t safe, none of the other grounds are. At the moment every ground is deemed to be unsafe. Does Celtic park have the most spaced out access ? They had an issue a season or two ago with a crush when the crowd had to funnel through a narrow area ? How do you know it has more spacing between facilities ? Presumably, they have more toilets ? They might be closer together than at other grounds. Letting Celtic be first doesn’t help other clubs as they will all need to carry out their own test event anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 Surely a ground with sufficient standing room would be the safest? Limit the stands to elderly and fans with young kids. As I said before socially distancing fans in a grandstand is near impossible. I know from experience in the JHS just how often I've to stand up to allow folk to go to the loo etc. OK that would be reduced in proportion to the reduction in the crowd and folk might hold out till half time as the queuing will be lighter but coming into direct contact with other non bubble fans will still be considerable. Anyway problems will recur going back to your seat and towards the end of the match when many fans have to (or choose to) leave before the final whistle. I'd be fairly confident that I could go to the likes of Station Park or Somerset Park and hardly break social distancing at all. Further we know that you're less likely to catch the virus outdoors. Most grandstands have an unavoidable element of the "indoors"about them in terms of access and concourse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaggy Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 The problem with Somerset is that there is a single gate to exit the terracing at the away end of the ground so that will prove difficult to maintain social distancing. I can't remember the layout at Forfar to be honest, but I think from our fans point of view we use a single exit at the corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodstock Jag Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Lenziejag said: At the moment every ground is deemed to be unsafe. Does Celtic park have the most spaced out access ? For a crowd the same size, yes. It is categorically easier to space out (say) 100 or 1000, or even 10000 fans at Celtic Park than it is to do so at Firhill, Station Park or even Easter Road. Quote They had an issue a season or two ago with a crush when the crowd had to funnel through a narrow area ? When there are 50000 plus fans in a stadium maybe. Quote How do you know it has more spacing between facilities ? Presumably, they have more toilets ? They might be closer together than at other grounds. They have much more toilets and catering facilities and they are spread out over a much bigger area. Therefore they are better placed to admit, say, 10000 fans across four stands and four corners and multiple tiers than Thistle are to accommodate, say, 2000 fans with three stands. Quote Letting Celtic be first doesn’t help other clubs as they will all need to carry out their own test event anyway. But it can tell us whether it is pointless trying to carry out our own test event if the Celtic one is a massive failure in terms of containing the virus. Edited August 23, 2020 by Woodstock Jag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a f kincaid Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 I'm not sure "testing" this at the likes of Murrayfield or Celtic Park will tell the authorities anything other than the obvious, ie, it's possible and safe with a minuscule crowd in a huge venue with umpteen exits and "space" around the grounds. It would be better to test from the other end of the spectrum as well - same percentage in crowd reduction in a far smaller stadium. As others have said, it's not the actual seating so much as crowding of people for entrance, toilets, food, exit etc. Firhill is a good example because of the congregation at the gate at North Drive or the narrow exit from the front of the JLS. The point above by Jaggy about Somerset Park with its narrow 90-degree turn out of the shed is an excellent example. The away gate at Hamilton is another good example. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenziejag Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 33 minutes ago, Woodstock Jag said: For a crowd the same size, yes. It is categorically easier to space out (say) 100 or 1000, or even 10000 fans at Celtic Park than it is to do so at Firhill, Station Park or even Easter Road. When there are 50000 plus fans in a stadium maybe. They have much more toilets and catering facilities and they are spread out over a much bigger area. Therefore they are better placed to admit, say, 10000 fans across four stands and four corners and multiple tiers than Thistle are to accommodate, say, 2000 fans with three stands. But it can tell us whether it is pointless trying to carry out our own test event if the Celtic one is a massive failure in terms of containing the virus. I understand what you are saying, but I don’t agree that if they can’t manage it it means no other ground can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Jag Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 1 hour ago, jaggy said: The problem with Somerset is that there is a single gate to exit the terracing at the away end of the ground so that will prove difficult to maintain social distancing. I can't remember the layout at Forfar to be honest, but I think from our fans point of view we use a single exit at the corner. I don't think away fans will be allowed in most grounds. By the time the social distancing measures are put into practice most grounds will only have room for their own fans. Heard on sportsound that St.Johnstone v St.Mirren next Saturday is also in line for a limited crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 After all the soul searching re attending away games, It would be kinda ironic if away fans aren't allowed anyway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partickthedog Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 1 hour ago, a f kincaid said: I'm not sure "testing" this at the likes of Murrayfield or Celtic Park will tell the authorities anything other than the obvious, ie, it's possible and safe with a minuscule crowd in a huge venue with umpteen exits and "space" around the grounds. It would be better to test from the other end of the spectrum as well - same percentage in crowd reduction in a far smaller stadium. As others have said, it's not the actual seating so much as crowding of people for entrance, toilets, food, exit etc. Firhill is a good example because of the congregation at the gate at North Drive or the narrow exit from the front of the JLS. The point above by Jaggy about Somerset Park with its narrow 90-degree turn out of the shed is an excellent example. The away gate at Hamilton is another good example. Hamilton has two exits at either side of the away stand. That should certainly help to ease crowding on the way out. On the downside, Hamilton has the slowest turnstile/ticket operators in the history of the world. Even if both entrance turnstiles are open, I can see the socially distanced queue stretching right back to Blantyre. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodstock Jag Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 1 hour ago, Lenziejag said: I understand what you are saying, but I don’t agree that if they can’t manage it it means no other ground can. It is, at the very least, a good rule of thumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlsarmy Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 1 hour ago, Auld Jag said: I don't think away fans will be allowed in most grounds. By the time the social distancing measures are put into practice most grounds will only have room for their own fans. Heard on sportsound that St.Johnstone v St.Mirren next Saturday is also in line for a limited crowd. That’ll be a shame for the 15 Clyde fans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partickthedog Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 2 hours ago, jlsarmy said: That’ll be a shame for the 15 Clyde fans Could they come down the canal by barge, narrow boat, canoe, coracle or raft, with online payment and ticketing in advance, and an exclusive poly-tunnel all the way from waterside to inside of stadium to avoid contact with any other human beings? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garscube Road End Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 1 hour ago, partickthedog said: Could they come down the canal by barge, narrow boat, canoe, coracle or raft, with online payment and ticketing in advance, and an exclusive poly-tunnel all the way from waterside to inside of stadium to avoid contact with any other human beings? Excellent idea! While we are at it attach bells around their necks as they enter the stadium to confirm their diseased status. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 1 hour ago, partickthedog said: Could they come down the canal by barge, narrow boat, canoe, coracle or raft, with online payment and ticketing in advance, and an exclusive poly-tunnel all the way from waterside to inside of stadium to avoid contact with any other human beings? Does the NGE have a U-Boat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Kent Jag II Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 2 hours ago, Norgethistle said: Does the NGE have a U-Boat? Meybe a fleet of four or five of these RN mini subs would suffice. They say that submariners do have a certain biscuity smell.....Not that youwould notice with Clype fans 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy McD Posted August 23, 2020 Report Share Posted August 23, 2020 4 hours ago, partickthedog said: Could they come down the canal by barge, narrow boat, canoe, coracle or raft, with online payment and ticketing in advance, and an exclusive poly-tunnel all the way from waterside to inside of stadium to avoid contact with any other human beings? Is my memory playing tricks on me or did something like this not happen a few years back fans arriving by boat or barge.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniesland Jag Posted August 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2020 (edited) 23 hours ago, jlsarmy said: That’ll be a shame for the 15 Clyde fans They are also all related, look the same and only social distance the length of a banjo which compounds things further Edited August 24, 2020 by Anniesland Jag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exiledjag Posted August 25, 2020 Report Share Posted August 25, 2020 On 8/22/2020 at 2:58 PM, Lenziejag said: Again I am unsure. Those test venues will learn things, but how will that be helpful for PTFC. Our access routes are different, our stadium is laid out differently. I think every ground needs to have tests and I don’t know why big grounds should get 1st shot. Agree with this in terms of every ground being different which makes the argument for individual risk assessments a strong one. However it also makes it sensible to 'pilot' the bigger grounds assuming these grounds are built in a manner which enables very large crowds to disperse quickly. Therefore it is reasonable to assume spectators can enter and exit such Stadia without congestion occurring. In the case of Firhill with the old main stand closed together with the South end of the ground being un-developed we are a bit limited as we have, generally speaking, only two entrance and exit areas - the back of the JHS and the West Side of the North Stand! Could we in the short term reopen the old Stand? If it's still fit for purpose it would give us a few more options! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted August 25, 2020 Report Share Posted August 25, 2020 17 minutes ago, exiledjag said: Agree with this in terms of every ground being different which makes the argument for individual risk assessments a strong one. However it also makes it sensible to 'pilot' the bigger grounds assuming these grounds are built in a manner which enables very large crowds to disperse quickly. Therefore it is reasonable to assume spectators can enter and exit such Stadia without congestion occurring. In the case of Firhill with the old main stand closed together with the South end of the ground being un-developed we are a bit limited as we have, generally speaking, only two entrance and exit areas - the back of the JHS and the West Side of the North Stand! Could we in the short term reopen the old Stand? If it's still fit for purpose it would give us a few more options! Whilst there are plenty of exits in the JHS, the south drive is a pinch point, this I think would be the limiting factor for that stand. JLS has one exit, somehow stewards would need to limit when folk get up and leave. One aisle down front next via back of stand? But again they meet at one double gate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted August 25, 2020 Report Share Posted August 25, 2020 I wouldn't be surprised to see this developing into a situation in which PTFC is identified as having the only stadium in Scotland that cannot be opened to the public, on health grounds. Remember who we are dealing with here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javeajag Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 UEFA have confirmed that the European Super Cup on the 24th September will have fans at 30% stadium capacity So 30% at firhill maybe ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGJags Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 Just now, javeajag said: So 30% at firhill maybe ..... That would probably be doable, I imagine only ST holders first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenziejag Posted August 26, 2020 Report Share Posted August 26, 2020 3 hours ago, javeajag said: UEFA have confirmed that the European Super Cup on the 24th September will have fans at 30% stadium capacity So 30% at firhill maybe ..... 30% of capacity is probably more than the attendance we would likely get in League 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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