Stadium Updates (All Clubs)

Originally Posted by Longfordian

It was mainly to upset the opposition by making them travel on a Friday as I recall. Ignoring that most of our lot had a similar journey to make.

Correct

Derry City will start the new season at Maginn Park in Buncrana

http://www.derrycityfc.net/2016/12/d...t-maginn-park/

No mention of what the capacity is, which surely will need to be announced before season tickets go on sale, especially with regard to the seated tickets.
Good to see that transport is being looked at though.

It will be a limited number as it is a small ground, wonder where they intend playing after the few games ?

Originally Posted by ForzaHoop

It will be a limited number as it is a small ground, wonder where they intend playing after the few games ?

Not sure what to make of that part of the statement.
Clutching at straws, but maybe it could mean a move to Riverside after Institute's season finishes in May. I won't be holding my breath though.

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

Not sure what to make of that part of the statement.
Clutching at straws, but maybe it could mean a move to Riverside after Institute's season finishes in May. I won't be holding my breath though.

You'd have to guess that's exactly what they're aiming for. From late may - early august in Drumahoe, inclusive of European games, and back to Maginn for the remainder of the season?

Derry might be playing our "home games" on Sunday's.

Originally Posted by Candystripe

Derry might be playing our "home games" on Sunday's.

Unless it was late afternoon, that would be worse than having them on Friday nights.
Remember we tried Sundays years back? Small, hungover crowds with no atmosphere. Dreadful.

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

Unless it was late afternoon, that would be worse than having them on Friday nights.
Remember we tried Sundays years back? Small, hungover crowds with no atmosphere. Dreadful.

Probably thinking more of when the warmer months start though for Sunday games.

For the novelty of playing in Donegal, this might entice a lot more away fans to Derry matches. Will that pose a problem I wonder if the capacity is so small, is it going to be limited to 2k?

Originally Posted by oriel

For the novelty of playing in Donegal, this might entice a lot more away fans to Derry matches. Will that pose a problem I wonder if the capacity is so small, is it going to be limited to 2k?

The novelty might well draw a few more souls.

Balanced against that would be the increased journey time. What would Buncrana add onto a trip - 30mins each way ?

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

The novelty might well draw a few more souls.

Balanced against that would be the increased journey time. What would Buncrana add onto a trip - 30mins each way ?

Depends what way you're going.

If coming from Dublin, you're actually going to be going to Derry and turning off for Buncrana, around a 20 minute journey each way.

If coming from Galway/Sligo direction, there's not going to be any great difference in journey time.

Originally Posted by oriel

For the novelty of playing in Donegal, this might entice a lot more away fans to Derry matches. Will that pose a problem I wonder if the capacity is so small, is it going to be limited to 2k?

It was rare Derry got over 2k when in Derry so it's not really going to be an issue in Donegal. Might get a few more away fans but for some clubs it'll mean 40 instead of 30 so hardly a factor

2k in a smaller ground could lift the atmosphere that has been missing in the Brandywell for a while, It was always a great atmosphere so maybe the time away from the Brandywell and the return in due course will see an increase in attendances as people miss not having the choice not to go, if that makes any sense. When Dundalk were playing in Gortakeegan there was an increase in the average attendance if modest when there was a return to Oriel and then a big jump when promoted as people started to appreciate the club again after missing it during the hiatus from Oriel and obviously top flight football.

Originally Posted by Nesta99

2k in a smaller ground could lift the atmosphere that has been missing in the Brandywell for a while, It was always a great atmosphere so maybe the time away from the Brandywell and the return in due course will see an increase in attendances as people miss not having the choice not to go, if that makes any sense. When Dundalk were playing in Gortakeegan there was an increase in the average attendance if modest when there was a return to Oriel and then a big jump when promoted as people started to appreciate the club again after missing it during the hiatus from Oriel and obviously top flight football.

It's very open the noise will not carry unless you fill that small stand with the clubs most vocal fans.

Originally Posted by outspoken

It's very open the noise will not carry unless you fill that small stand with the clubs most vocal fans.

Considering it'll all be seating, and thus mostly older people, there'll be virtually no singing from it.

We were getting over 2K at a fair amount of games last season, but I doubt we'll get anything like that next year. The lack of seating will exclude people, but the biggest issue will be the weather. With such a small covered area (220 people approximately), any bad weather and people just won't go. With a miserable day in April/October, you'll be lucky to get 500.
Stating the obvious, but the two Harps matches are going to be mental to organise. Officially Harps will get 200-odd tickets, of which 22 will be seated. Will they put the rest, minus season tickets, on general sale? There'll be some scramble for those.

Regarding travel time, I'd add a bit more time than suggested. Driving standards on that road (R238) are shocking, frequently there are tailbacks caused by drivers doing 20-30kmph under the limit (limit is mostly 80kmph). Traffic will take a while to filter through Buncrana too.
I'd say add 35 minutes extra each way from the A5/N2 direction, 25 from the A6, 10 from the N13. If we're playing Friday evening matches, traffic from A5/N2 would be handier using the Foyle Bridge, further north from the double-decked Craigavon Bridge they'd normally use. You'd avoid the city centre traffic that way.

Parking will be an issue too. It's small residential streets immediately around Maginn Park. There's some parking on the main street and the library has 100 or so spaces beside it. If the club were to politely ask Lidl if their car park can be used, it'd be handy, though I doubt they'd agree.
There'll have to be a designated area for buses too, they wouldn't really fit outside the ground. Drop-off/pick-up points wouldn't be at the ground, but a few minutes walk away. The bus station, or behind the old fire station on the Cockhill Road maybe.

There's mention of subsidised buses being put on, though no real information on those yet. You'd presume away fans will be sorted on those too.

On the plus side though, Buncrana is lovely a town, great for a day out. The shore front is nice, Swan Park is a lovely walk, and there's a few coastal paths about too. Malin Head is only up the road from it, there's some great beaches and golf courses around, and a decent supply for pubs and restaurants. And if we were to play Sundays, you could have the Saturday night in Derry, without having to take a day off work.

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

Considering it'll all be seating, and thus mostly older people, there'll be virtually no singing from it.

We were getting over 2K at a fair amount of games last season, but I doubt we'll get anything like that next year. The lack of seating will exclude people, but the biggest issue will be the weather. With such a small covered area (220 people approximately), any bad weather and people just won't go. With a miserable day in April/October, you'll be lucky to get 500.
Stating the obvious, but the two Harps matches are going to be mental to organise. Officially Harps will get 200-odd tickets, of which 22 will be seated. Will they put the rest, minus season tickets, on general sale? There'll be some scramble for those.

Regarding travel time, I'd add a bit more time than suggested. Driving standards on that road (R238) are shocking, frequently there are tailbacks caused by drivers doing 20-30kmph under the limit (limit is mostly 80kmph). Traffic will take a while to filter through Buncrana too.
I'd say add 35 minutes extra each way from the A5/N2 direction, 25 from the A6, 10 from the N13. If we're playing Friday evening matches, traffic from A5/N2 would be handier using the Foyle Bridge, further north from the double-decked Craigavon Bridge they'd normally use. You'd avoid the city centre traffic that way.

Parking will be an issue too. It's small residential streets immediately around Maginn Park. There's some parking on the main street and the library has 100 or so spaces beside it. If the club were to politely ask Lidl if their car park can be used, it'd be handy, though I doubt they'd agree.
There'll have be a designated area for buses too, they wouldn't really fit outside the ground. Drop-off/pick-up points wouldn't be at the ground, but a few minutes walk away. The bus station, or behind the old fire station on the Cockhill Road maybe.

There's mention of subsidised buses being put on, though no real information on those yet. You'd presume away fans will be sorted on those too.

On the plus side though, Buncrana is lovely a town, great for a day out. The shore front is nice, Swan Park is a lovely walk, and there's a few coastal paths about too. Malin Head is only up the road from it, there's some great beaches and golf courses around, and a decent supply for pubs and restaurants. And if we were to play Sundays, you could have the Saturday night in Derry, without having to take a day off work.

Will these buses for away fans be windowless on the way home?

Originally Posted by dundalkfc10

Will these buses for away fans be windowless on the way home?

Only for Dundalk fans.

There is a very large area opposite Lidl that may be available for parking- if so that would make a big difference. The car park near the library is close enough too and even the Oratory isn't that far away. Parking should be grand once people get used to it or if the club makes a good effort to highlight arrangements to fans.

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

Only for Dundalk fans.

Excellent, was so use to coming home from Derry freezing cold that I didnt want that to change just because you are moving to the free state to play your games