What next? : Thu Aug 24, 2023 4:28 pm  

I fancy us for the game against Haven as long as we don’t get complacent. But it got me thinking about what size crowd there would be. Hopefully a better crowd than against Halifax but, unfortunately despite a good side, decent weather and a string of home games I am not hopeful gates will be on the up. The huge absence of home games mid May through to end of July, coupled with slightly lacklustre opening home fixture performance and 1st game back after that break means it all feels like after the Lord Mayors Show. I was pleased to see that the mascots visited the local shopping centre recently but that really should have been a basic. My guess we’ve made almost no impact on the local community, spaffed the good will of our move to Plough Lane up the wall with a really poor squad, poor performances and minimal game day efforts in 2022 and PL is now a busted flush. I’d not be massively surprised to hear we were on the move again 2024 or 2025 at the latest. It’s very difficult to see the justification for the additional spend- does corporate look busier than before? Are we inundated with sponsors? It’s definitely a better match day experience than last year but really what is the point of paying for a ground where 3 quarters are closed and are unlikely ever to be needed. I’d think it was a toss up between Ebbsfleet, (outside London and the Oyster card zones but a decent sized stadium) and RP (barely standing and sub-League 1 as is but objectively fix up-able and in RU heartland so some possibilities for getting local interest). If I had to guess I’d say the latter in terms of being a base for training etc as well but money would need to go in to develop at least one stand worthy of 21st century. What do we think? Will we be on the move again?

Re: What next? : Thu Aug 24, 2023 5:16 pm  

Listening to the media put out by the club this year, this season was about being better than last season. From what some of the re-signed players have said, there is a long term vision, it's just not being shared with the supporters yet.

Re: What next? : Thu Aug 24, 2023 5:52 pm  

The Curtism wrote:

Listening to the media put out by the club this year, this season was about being better than last season. From what some of the re-signed players have said, there is a long term vision, it's just not being shared with the supporters yet.

We are definitely better than last year. We now have a good competitive Part time championship side capable of challenging most teams in the league. Off field there have been some improvements - the move to a better sized stand with access to pub and food vans makes more sense but as for growing the club or embedding ourselves in Wimbledon I’m not sure at all. As you point out whilst our day to day comms. Is much improved there has been nothing has been passed on by the club’s hierarchy as to what we are up to.

Re: What next? : Fri Aug 25, 2023 8:58 am  

In my opinion, and this was same at every ground we have been at, the thinking that the local community close to the ground are suddenly going to adopt this new amazing sport to the area is never going to happen. Matters not where we play, mascots in local shopping centres are useful for social media pictures doubt it has any effect on local engagement.
Choice of ground is a challenge, Anything inside m25 now can result in extra £12.50 on top of everything else, that's going to effect the fee own travel away fans.
Pl as a ground I don't mind, location is rubbish for me.
RP is dire and a joke even for the 200 or so that turn up, the only positive is the pitch.
Ebbsfleet! Been once, as a nl1 or championship ground It's fine.
Can I see us staying at PL long term? Doubt it maybe another season.
But until someone steps in with a big wallet and funds a full time squad again we need to accept we are a championship club with a poor following, so PL not really suitable for that level.

Re: What next? : Fri Aug 25, 2023 6:01 pm  

will we even be playing at PL if we get a home game in the playoffs this season

Re: What next? : Fri Aug 25, 2023 7:12 pm  

crashmon wrote:

will we even be playing at PL if we get a home game in the playoffs this season

Can you imagine? Real schoolboy error if not.

Re: What next? : Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:17 pm  

northernbloke wrote:

In my opinion, and this was same at every ground we have been at, the thinking that the local community close to the ground are suddenly going to adopt this new amazing sport to the area is never going to happen. Matters not where we play, mascots in local shopping centres are useful for social media pictures doubt it has any effect on local engagement.
Choice of ground is a challenge, Anything inside m25 now can result in extra £12.50 on top of everything else, that's going to effect the fee own travel away fans.

Last official survey showed that 90% of cars on the road in London are ULEZ compliant ( my neighbour’s 20 year old Corsa is ) so unless all Broncos fans drive 10 year old diesels or vintage/ classic cars the £ 12.50 charge IS NOT going to be an issue.
Even if you have 4 away fans in a clapped out polluting diesel car, split the ULEZ charge 4 ways and it’s a little over 3 quid each.
I know some Northerners have a reputation for being tight but surely ……….

Re: What next? : Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:19 pm  

crashmon wrote:

will we even be playing at PL if we get a home game in the playoffs this season

I’m assuming DH is hoping we don’t finish that high

Re: What next? : Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:20 pm  

My 2015 diesel isn't compliant so no more driving in Greater London for me. Not that there's much parking around PL that I could find. Couple that with the withdrawal of rail travelcards before next season starts and it starts to get complicated travelling into London.

Re: What next? : Sat Aug 26, 2023 8:28 pm  

My car ain't compliant either, so 2 of us so far will not be taking car anymore. I actually think a lot of it will not be the actual cost even if shared but more likely the principle. Ticket price, petrol, food, enough for most without another charge on top, it will discourage
Vintage classic cars don't pay by the way