Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:06 am  

Deadcowboys1 wrote:

No need to be rude. I'm quite happy for any AFC fan to post their view on things good or bad. You need some horlicks & off to bed.

Before this season we'd been to two AFC Wimbledon matches since returning to the League ten years ago, and that includes the Wembley Play-Off. But as a family we've been sold on the new stadium, bought merchandise, gone to the Emirates to see the team in front of 57,000 fans, check what food vans are coming to each match and decide what we will eat.

If I was asked my favourite Rugby League team I would say the London Broncos without thinking. My only link to the sport was watching Saturday afternoon matches on Grandstand, so enough to have a casual understanding of the teams and the sport. I also kept a very close eye on the Broncos when they were being founded at Fulham. But I couldn't tell you the name and ground changes since with confidence. Similar to the London Monarchs (except I went to some Wembley matches), but couldn't say where they played afterwards.

So to have an iconic team (and they are in my opinion) playing locally at a stadium I find both relaxing and a great atmosphere is brilliant. I'm especially looking forward to watching matches live rather than on TV, a very different perspective for any sport. The fact it is a summer sport makes it even more enticing.

The new Plough Lane of course replaced the Greyhound stadium. I watched the Speedway, Stock Cars and Greyhounds there at times. But it wasn't a stadium I enjoyed. At the moment the new Plough Lane itself is making it a pleasure to visit and I think it could be a bit like the Theatre. I'd like to go to the Theatre, let's see what's on. I'd like to see some sport, what's on this weekend at Plough Lane, it's the Broncos. I know that reads a bit sickly as a comment, but seriously don't underestimate it as a small positive. Many of us have been exposed to a first visit to a sport (or similar) and become either hooked or at least a partial follower/attendee. Particularly powerful if you take young kids who love the experience.

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:28 am  

jbuzza wrote:

I don't doubt that Plough Lane (as a facility) presents a good opportunity. The question is whether the Broncos who have the lowest crowds and worst squad in their history are in a good postion to take advantage of that (or should see another move as a priority).

Totally agree. Easy for me just to say I'll rock up without the worries of the club failing. So I understand why the move may still not happen. From a selfish perspective I want the Broncos to move in, but if I were an existing fan I be concerned about the viability.

I don't no what has been contractually agreed, but I'd want to see a Broncos team that could thrive rather than one that was desperately trying to pay the tenancy fees. Of course the proposed amount is a very good income stream for AFC Wimbledon, but they have others such as the recently agreed Stadium Naming rights. It's a business first and foremost. The Dons Trust in particular recognises the bigger picture. They agreed to pay Kingstonian 1 million (coincidentally the same as the five year Broncos deal I believe) after selling Kinsmeadow to Chelsea. There was no obligation to pay that much, but it was done in good faith as Kingstonian were becoming homeless.

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:48 am  

Smithers99, now you have played half a dozen home games with as you say decent crowds, how have the residents on what is a densly packed estate taken to the inconvenience?

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 12:10 pm  

As Smithers suggests, it cannot be overstated that use of Plough Lane’s fan-friendly facilities to create an event culture is key.

Making people feel like they’ve had a decent day out regardless of the actual rugby will be very important.

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 12:37 pm  

Deadcowboys1 wrote:

Smithers99, now you have played half a dozen home games with as you say decent crowds, how have the residents on what is a densly packed estate taken to the inconvenience?

Before I respond, as a local resident, I'm going to see if I can take a look at our local nextdoor group to see if there have been any comments. Access to that site isn't my household activity; I get the jobs such as putting the bins out for collection!

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:08 pm  

Mash Tun wrote:

As Smithers suggests, it cannot be overstated that use of Plough Lane’s fan-friendly facilities to create an event culture is key.

Making people feel like they’ve had a decent day out regardless of the actual rugby will be very important.

Your last sentence is so well put (so is the first sentence as well). Three months ago I would have paid no attention to it. My perspective is so changed. I thought we'd go to a football match, now we are going to an event. We get there early to eat and drink having checked which food vans are arriving for the particular game.

Post match there is the (Wimbledon) Man of the Match interview in the Pub Area. Subtle but I promise you it increases the beer sales and also forces you to leave via the Club Shop as more merchandise flows.

Then there is the Kid's Area. The opportunity to take penalties or for the smaller kids drawing type activities. I saw Haydon (the mascot) was goalkeeper yesterday.

The only concern I have is how the Broncos use the Fans Zone. The East and South Stands were closed for the Papa John's match v Portsmouth reducing capacity to around 5,800 with no access to the Fan Zones. I'm not sure how the Broncos will utilise the ground with a presumably smaller crowd.

Here's a story of the Street Food Van's. Nobody (supporters) knew about them before the first match. So most supporters ate and drunk locally arriving late at the ground to see a variety of food options in addition to the stadium concessions. So the six vans did a poor trade. But the fans noticed, so for the midweek match three days later many changed their plans. Only three vans came this time, two doing chips. The queues were massive, even if you could even work out what was a queue.

I spoke to the guy at the local Fish & Chip shop. At the first match they sold very little and only came again as they signed up as a sponsor of the Family Zone section in the East Stand. On the Tuesday they were overwhelmed and ran out of food. The club also listened in their Thursday (for Saturday matches) Stadium Guide articles they now list the names of the vans attending the next match enabling supporters to make an informed choice of whether to eat at the ground.

The food vans, pub and beer stands remain open post match.

The food varieties include Fish & Chips, Pasta, Pizza, Jamaican, Vegan, Toasties, Indian plus some others I forget for now. The club stands sell burgers, hot dogs, pies etc. A variety of Beers and Ciders on tap at Beer only outlets. Basic Wine options (and beer) at the main concession outlets.

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 2:46 pm  

Smithers99 wrote:

Your last sentence is so well put (so is the first sentence as well). Three months ago I would have paid no attention to it. My perspective is so changed. I thought we'd go to a football match, now we are going to an event. We get there early to eat and drink having checked which food vans are arriving for the particular game.

Post match there is the (Wimbledon) Man of the Match interview in the Pub Area. Subtle but I promise you it increases the beer sales and also forces you to leave via the Club Shop as more merchandise flows.

Then there is the Kid's Area. The opportunity to take penalties or for the smaller kids drawing type activities. I saw Haydon (the mascot) was goalkeeper yesterday.

The only concern I have is how the Broncos use the Fans Zone. The East and South Stands were closed for the Papa John's match v Portsmouth reducing capacity to around 5,800 with no access to the Fan Zones. I'm not sure how the Broncos will utilise the ground with a presumably smaller crowd.

Here's a story of the Street Food Van's. Nobody (supporters) knew about them before the first match. So most supporters ate and drunk locally arriving late at the ground to see a variety of food options in addition to the stadium concessions. So the six vans did a poor trade. But the fans noticed, so for the midweek match three days later many changed their plans. Only three vans came this time, two doing chips. The queues were massive, even if you could even work out what was a queue.

I spoke to the guy at the local Fish & Chip shop. At the first match they sold very little and only came again as they signed up as a sponsor of the Family Zone section in the East Stand. On the Tuesday they were overwhelmed and ran out of food. The club also listened in their Thursday (for Saturday matches) Stadium Guide articles they now list the names of the vans attending the next match enabling supporters to make an informed choice of whether to eat at the ground.

The food vans, pub and beer stands remain open post match.

The food varieties include Fish & Chips, Pasta, Pizza, Jamaican, Vegan, Toasties, Indian plus some others I forget for now. The club stands sell burgers, hot dogs, pies etc. A variety of Beers and Ciders on tap at Beer only outlets. Basic Wine options (and beer) at the main concession outlets.

I hope the Jamaican food van is there when we turn up there next season!

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 2:50 pm  

RfE wrote:

I hope the Jamaican food van is there when we turn up there next season!

I think we've had two different companies so far. I had a kind of Jerk Chicken Kebab at the first game which was very nice. I think your response has pointed me at what I might be eating at the next match!

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 2:51 pm  

Smithers99 wrote:

Before I respond, as a local resident, I'm going to see if I can take a look at our local nextdoor group to see if there have been any comments. Access to that site isn't my household activity; I get the jobs such as putting the bins out for collection!

My reply was going to be that I'd heard nothing negative, including from neighbours, some who have no interest in football but were supportive of the return.

Having read next.door the feedback is even stronger towards my initial thoughts. A couple of comments got blown out of the water, including by those with no interest.

Traffic was one, which to me looked fine. So somebody even posted a photo of the supporters walking down the road and the traffic. The responses were how nice it was and if anything the roads looked quieter. Comments about how nice it was to see families walking together etc. Residents mentioned good business for restaurants/pubs on match days.

Everybody leaving the stadium at the end creates busy crossings for at most 30 minutes. Only issue I heard about (from Wimbledon fans) was some small altercations walking back to Earlsfield station.

Comments about how snarled the roads got on a Sunday Stock car racing day. And it was as all the competing vehicles and spectators drove and parked in the huge car park. Sunday markets were also a traffic overload. That's all gone as there is no parking on Plough Lane.

Crowds can't get much bigger. More in Hospitality (early arrivals) and Away Fans are where numbers can expand. General AFC Wimbledon sections a few hundred more at most when the Ticketing issues are fully resolved. There will always be empty seats that have been sold.

And here's a freebie for the Broncos that some of you will be aware of. The Dons Local Action Group (DLAG). An incredibly successful charity set-up by the Dons Trust to feed those is need during the Pandemic, as well as providing furniture and appliances, It's ongoing and is as simple as handing over a few cans leaving your supermarket. They also collect at each entrance to the stadium on Match Days. Behind the scenes it's a complex operation.

Multiple residents referred to what DLAG has done for the community. Wimbledon Tennis offers nothing. Road closures, excessive traffic, Junior parkrun cancelled etc. AFC Wimbledon give back to the community. Players joining the club need to understand the story of the club and why the community is important. The manager says if they don't he's not interested in having them. Not saying he'd stick to his guns, but I suspect he will. From interviews it is apparent the players understand.

The Broncos need to be their own club. But DLAG is the one area to join forces with AFC Wimbledon. Advertise it, have players spending a couple of hours manning a table outside the supermarket as Broncos players (free advertising). DLAG is far more than AFC Wimbledon, it's ingrained in the community. In yesterday's match programme there is a DLAG page. Two paragraphs to explain the aim of DLAG and the award they received. The remaining 90% of the article describing other clubs community work from Burton to Liverpool. For example a joint Liverpool/Everton scheme won the Premier League award (DLAG won the non Premier League award).

The Plough Lane ground itself isn't in a particularly Residential area beyond the new flats it's part of. Surrounded by the Wandle, an Industrial Area and Card Showrooms/out of town large shops. There is only limited use of the flats currently. It's very cleverly built and residents know what they are moving into. Have Google maps to hand as you will struggle to spot the stadium from any direction and there's an element of the Tardis when you realise what is behind the flats. The front (Plough Lane) of the Stadium is more flats than stadium; it is hard to envisage what is behind it.

Re: 7,700? Have we been mugged? : Sun Oct 03, 2021 2:53 pm  

The only negativity the Broncos may get (if think it got mentioned in the Planning Permission) is more matches when the assumption are 23 football matches. But based on what I hear/read that's going to be principle rather than it's causing residents issues.