Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

**fionnsci** · 03/07/2012, 12:28 PM

8,100 would be a HUGE ground for Limerick. It's great to have a big, bew stadium but the swathes of empty seats will just look silly.

**bluewhitearmy** · 03/07/2012, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by fionnsci

8,100 would be a HUGE ground for Limerick. It's great to have a big, bew stadium but the swathes of empty seats will just look silly.

Its going to be used for more then just us. Talk of concerts and that kinda thing.

**sullanefc** · 03/07/2012, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by fionnsci

8,100 would be a HUGE ground for Limerick. It's great to have a big, bew stadium but the swathes of empty seats will just look silly.

Cork City (one of the best supported sides) has an average attendance of just over 3000, but TX holds 7000. Lots of empty seats every second Friday, but for the big cup games, euro games, title deciders and (unfortunately) big cross channel friendlies, all those extra seats get sold and the club makes money. I'd rather have too many seats (to be able to increase revenue) than not enough seats.

It also looks silly when there is no stand on all 4 sides of the pitch IMO. Athlone have a fabulous stand on one side of the pitch and nothing else which doesn't look right I think. Rovers have 2 fabulous stands, but it doesn't look right with nothing at the 2 ends IMO.

If Limerick build 4 decent stands and it comes in at 8000 capacity then that is just about right. What happens if they qualify for Europe and draw a big club? What happens if they get drawn in the FAI cup semi-final at home or if they are in with a shout of winning the Premier on the last day next season? They have to be ambitious in increasing their support too.

**osarusan** · 03/07/2012, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by sullanefc

What happens if they qualify for Europe and draw a big club? What happens if they get drawn in the FAI cup semi-final at home or if they are in with a shout of winning the Premier on the last day next season? They have to be ambitious in increasing their support too.

I think I just came a little bit.

**Dodge** · 03/07/2012, 1:04 PM

Can't believe someone would argue against better facilities? Even the argument about empty seats in Tallaght or Turners Cross is moot as they're the best supported teams in the country. They enhance the argument for facilities, not hinder them

**nigel-harps1954** · 03/07/2012, 1:20 PM

Indeed, a very silly argument. All clubs should look in the same direction if you ask me. If the league is to grow and improve, stadium size as well as quality has to improve. Barstoolers will quicker go see a team in a big shiny new stadium than a small one stand open ground.

**Macy** · 03/07/2012, 1:25 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Barstoolers will quicker go see a team in a big shiny new stadium than a small one stand open ground.

They won't. Well unless it's a friendly against a British team. Standards of grounds is just an excuse - every ground could be the standard of Tallaght, and then it'd be something else.

**Dodge** · 03/07/2012, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

They won't. Well unless it's a friendly against a British team. Standards of grounds is just an excuse - every ground could be the standard of Tallaght, and then it'd be something else.

So give them one less excuse while at the same time making our life more comfortable. Good work all round

**Macy** · 03/07/2012, 2:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

So give them one less excuse while at the same time making our life more comfortable. Good work all round

100% agree with doing it (although I'd still like to see some decent terracing retained rather than the all seater stuff). However, it's delusional to think it will have much impact in terms of support through the gate.

**Dodge** · 03/07/2012, 2:05 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

100% agree with doing it (although I'd still like to see some decent terracing retained rather than the all seater stuff). However, it's delusional to think it will have much impact in terms of support through the gate.

It won't work if its the ONLY thing done to get people in but I don't think its a con-incidence that the 2 best grounds host the 2 biggest crowds.

Needs work of course

**Mr A** · 03/07/2012, 2:12 PM

There's an interesting analysis on this here: http://www.significancemagazine.org/...-flocking.html

It indicates that in England new stadia have increased crowds, but then Ireland may well be different since restriction of crowd by ground capacity simply isn't an issue.

Fully agree about building in terraces by the way. Although they have to be easily convertible in case you make Europe.

**Charlie Darwin** · 03/07/2012, 2:17 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It won't work if its the ONLY thing done to get people in but I don't think its a con-incidence that the 2 best grounds host the 2 biggest crowds.

Needs work of course

No coincidence that Rovers' attendances are 4x what they were a few years ago. Nice reliable facilities don't bring people through the gates but they ensure they return.

**citybone** · 03/07/2012, 7:18 PM

Great to see permanent work done on the Showgrounds, Great to see work continuing on Finn Harps new ground and Limerick plans to move back to Markets Field. Id say one covered terrace which is easily converted to seating and 3 modern seated stands but with small capacities is best, near town/city center if possible. For Limerick, concentrate on getting the Main stand ready for next season, and some covered terrace behind the goal, build the rest when needed, Tallaght does look silly but they cant sell the two sides out most of the time, I would suggest a small covered terrace behind one of the goals, but that it can be easily converted to seats if needed.
I wish Turners Cross still had a terrace, i miss the old shed, not the same since it was knocked. Our crowds went down and haven't recovered since it was knocked. other factors too but some of the old shed end regulars dont come back as often anymore. less atmosphere and too many kids.

**citybone** · 03/07/2012, 7:23 PM

Finn Park is in a good location as far as im concerned, right beside a few bars, but a new ground with 5000? seats will be a unreal improvement. Terrecing is handy for coping with a big crowd but awful facilities inside.

**nigel-harps1954** · 03/07/2012, 8:07 PM

Originally Posted by citybone

Finn Park is in a good location as far as im concerned, right beside a few bars, but a new ground with 5000? seats will be a unreal improvement. Terrecing is handy for coping with a big crowd but awful facilities inside.

The new ground is only just down the road too, but not really a bar within the same walking distance as the current Finn Park. New ground is to have a bar in it far as I know.

**BonnieShels** · 03/07/2012, 8:09 PM

Someone could get ahead of the curve.
Build a bar and they will come. I'll lodge my planning app in 2015ish. :P

**oldfan** · 03/07/2012, 8:39 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

They won't. Well unless it's a friendly against a British team. Standards of grounds is just an excuse - every ground could be the standard of Tallaght, and then it'd be something else.

They could .......if all the local Councils had �14 m each to spare

**DannyInvincible** · 05/07/2012, 2:18 AM

Originally Posted by citybone

Finn Park is in a good location as far as im concerned, right beside a few bars, but a new ground with 5000? seats will be a unreal improvement. Terrecing is handy for coping with a big crowd but awful facilities inside.

Does Finn Park have facilities inside?