What on earth? That has got to be crap, they averaged about 14,000 last season - boosted by plenty of local derbies and big games against Leeds etc. - how are they ever going to need 24,000?
When the play the big teams (like us) they are unable to sell tickets in the blocks near the way fans, so filling in the corners is a bit daft, not as daft as the Surrey Canal station though. God knows how Lewisham council are going to be able to afford that.
Strange because the current planning application doesn't make it clear about the ground being expanded, just that there is an opportunity for the corners to be filled in with commercial units/conferencing rooms.
As for the Surrey Canal Station @Friend or Defoe, with 2500 homes potentially meaning about 5000+ people and multiple sporting facilities etc, don't you think that a station on the ELL would be much needed?
Strange because the current planning application doesn't make it clear about the ground being expanded, just that there is an opportunity for the corners to be filled in with commercial units/conferencing rooms.
As for the Surrey Canal Station @Friend or Defoe, with 2500 homes potentially meaning about 5000+ people and multiple sporting facilities etc, don't you think that a station on the ELL would be much needed?
Not really, they could walk to New Cross/Gate in ten to fifteen minutes. It helps out millwall more than anyone.
Strange because the current planning application doesn't make it clear about the ground being expanded, just that there is an opportunity for the corners to be filled in with commercial units/conferencing rooms.
As for the Surrey Canal Station @Friend or Defoe, with 2500 homes potentially meaning about 5000+ people and multiple sporting facilities etc, don't you think that a station on the ELL would be much needed?
Not really, they could walk to New Cross/Gate in ten to fifteen minutes. It helps out millwall more than anyone.
Yeah of course. A regneration company want to flog 2500 homes and numerous sporting facilities and you want everyone to have to trek from New Cross or Nrew Cross Gate or head to London Bridge & travel back to a woeful South Bermondsey station?
Considering the tracks are already laid and the extension heads to Clapham, is it not worth putting a station in by one of London's biggest redevelopment projects as well as opening that area up to travel to east & west?
I'd say it helps those kids who want access to sporting facilities and those who are going to live there reach Clapham & Shoreditch etc.
How will it benefit Millwall more for 23+ games a season? For those who drink in Surrey Docks & Peckham beforehand, it's handy, for the vast majority of us it makes no difference.
It's a no brainer for me. The extra station will ease congestion at South Bermondsey and make life easier for those that live in the area. There are also a lot of companies on Ilderton Road that use South Bermondsey and their staff would benefit from a shorter walk from Surrey Canal Road.
Progress follows long-running negotiations with Millwall FC to bring forward a scheme that accommodates its own ambitions for expansion and for the club to eventually be a Premiership team.
Ah ....... it sounds like the day is coming when there will be 40 teams in the Prem......or at least 20 teams in the Champs with a Prem capacity stadium, more like.
they'll soon be selling prawn sandwiches and magnums of Bollinger .. a 'roots' alternative to Arsenal or Chelsea for the aspiring rich
You may be saying that in jest, but no doubt that's the type of vision the club have...maybe not to that extent!
All the kiosks have been refurbished and re-branded over the summer, whole new range of food etc available. Long term it's all going to be about attracting a different type of fan, those that get into the ground earlier, spend money, sit on their hands & don't say boo to a goose, whilst us lot are marginalised. Increase matchday revenue whilst minimising the risk from us grotty lot who cause problems!
Fair play to them, I'm guessing that if the corners get filled in, increacing the capacity to 24000 they will need to use the corners for segregation purposes (well at least the two at the away end) that then would give them a capacity of around 22000 and they could then increase the away support to around 4000, making it a bit easier to get a ticket.
"Oh, I say ...... Come on you Lions. That was a rather good kick at the ball, don't you think, Geoffrey, old chap?" Takes a sip of champers and reaches out for prawn sandwiches.
Can't really imagine it myself - but then I didn't reckon on Pink Lions, either.
they'll soon be selling prawn sandwiches and magnums of Bollinger .. a 'roots' alternative to Arsenal or Chelsea for the aspiring rich
You may be saying that in jest, but no doubt that's the type of vision the club have...maybe not to that extent!
All the kiosks have been refurbished and re-branded over the summer, whole new range of food etc available. Long term it's all going to be about attracting a different type of fan, those that get into the ground earlier, spend money, sit on their hands & don't say boo to a goose, whilst us lot are marginalised. Increase matchday revenue whilst minimising the risk from us grotty lot who cause problems!
Reminds me of a variation on the old ice-hockey joke .. 'I went to a function darling, and a football match broke out' .. This is gonna be the way forward for many clubs. I have no idea what the Valley function rooms etc take during a season but it must be a few hundred grand in profit, possibly more per head/investment pound than the actual football. The advantage of a newer lego type stadium (comparatively) like the new den is that there is space and scope for development. Let's hope that the owners don't go the whole hog and pull down the stadium and lay down a car park.
Unfortunately for millwall supporters their club is located in prime yuppie estate. Whilst their traditional support does still exist to a degree in the immediate area it's probably not in the same numbers as years gone by and Id hazard a guess a lot of regulars now come from other areas of SE London and Kent and the more they gentrify and yuppify the area the more this will be the case. Clubs in dives like Burnley will probably always maintain their identity to a stronger degree as the demographics dont really change to the same extent as they do in cities like ours.
Doubt their American chairman grew up following Millwall or has anymore loyalty to history and tradition than most foreign owners so unless they reach the premiership (which would not probably not appeal to most of their core support in it's happy clappy nature anyway) he'll probably want to change the dynamics of the club to see a return. Loads of yuppie types living in Bermondsey and Surrey Docks area now and no doubt with the Elephant regen it will end up south London's Islington and wouldnt be surprised to see if they go down a route of attracting them. Tarquins and Jemimas decked out in Victimwall replica kits and gears and waxing lyrical at dinner parties bragging how edgy they are for holding £2k Season tickets at the New Den.
Could end up like a modern Chelsea but without any of the success they bought.
Unfortunately for millwall supporters their club is located in prime yuppie estate. Whilst their traditional support does still exist to a degree in the immediate area it's probably not in the same numbers as years gone by and Id hazard a guess a lot of regulars now come from other areas of SE London and Kent and the more they gentrify and yuppify the area the more this will be the case. Clubs in dives like Burnley will probably always maintain their identity to a stronger degree as the demographics dont really change to the same extent as they do in cities like ours.
Doubt their American chairman grew up following Millwall or has anymore loyalty to history and tradition than most foreign owners so unless they reach the premiership (which would not probably not appeal to most of their core support in it's happy clappy nature anyway) he'll probably want to change the dynamics of the club to see a return. Loads of yuppie types living in Bermondsey and Surrey Docks area now and no doubt with the Elephant regen it will end up south London's Islington and wouldnt be surprised to see if they go down a route of attracting them. Tarquins and Jemimas decked out in Victimwall replica kits and gears and waxing lyrical at dinner parties bragging how edgy they are for holding £2k Season tickets at the New Den.
Could end up like a modern Chelsea but without any of the success they bought.
as is usual, a very perceptive, insightful and realistic post. The days of the Doc Marten shod, Fred Perry clothed, skinhead 'soccer goer' are numbered .. if they have not already gone, at least in London. The 'we're all in the Viking longship together' northern attitude still lingers on, despite the fact that the 'Burnleys' of the north have ever increasing asian populations, people who have no or little interest in football.
Rodney's on the right vibe, but I doubt very much the club could ever reach those aspirations. A gentle rise in attendances and a much more diluted fanbase at home is achieveable though which will suit them.
You never know though, the regen plans may attract another investors eye and see a big opportunity then that'll be the death of 'us' until the inevitable fall, crash & burn when us normal folk can go to home games again.
Comments
Only when they play us, as it's their cup final.
As for the Surrey Canal Station @Friend or Defoe, with 2500 homes potentially meaning about 5000+ people and multiple sporting facilities etc, don't you think that a station on the ELL would be much needed?
Considering the tracks are already laid and the extension heads to Clapham, is it not worth putting a station in by one of London's biggest redevelopment projects as well as opening that area up to travel to east & west?
I'd say it helps those kids who want access to sporting facilities and those who are going to live there reach Clapham & Shoreditch etc.
How will it benefit Millwall more for 23+ games a season? For those who drink in Surrey Docks & Peckham beforehand, it's handy, for the vast majority of us it makes no difference.
And half empty.
(the list goes on)... ;~)
All the kiosks have been refurbished and re-branded over the summer, whole new range of food etc available. Long term it's all going to be about attracting a different type of fan, those that get into the ground earlier, spend money, sit on their hands & don't say boo to a goose, whilst us lot are marginalised. Increase matchday revenue whilst minimising the risk from us grotty lot who cause problems!
"Oh, I say ...... Come on you Lions. That was a rather good kick at the ball, don't you think, Geoffrey, old chap?" Takes a sip of champers and reaches out for prawn sandwiches.
Can't really imagine it myself - but then I didn't reckon on Pink Lions, either.
Doubt their American chairman grew up following Millwall or has anymore loyalty to history and tradition than most foreign owners so unless they reach the premiership (which would not probably not appeal to most of their core support in it's happy clappy nature anyway) he'll probably want to change the dynamics of the club to see a return. Loads of yuppie types living in Bermondsey and Surrey Docks area now and no doubt with the Elephant regen it will end up south London's Islington and wouldnt be surprised to see if they go down a route of attracting them. Tarquins and Jemimas decked out in Victimwall replica kits and gears and waxing lyrical at dinner parties bragging how edgy they are for holding £2k Season tickets at the New Den.
Could end up like a modern Chelsea but without any of the success they bought.
You never know though, the regen plans may attract another investors eye and see a big opportunity then that'll be the death of 'us' until the inevitable fall, crash & burn when us normal folk can go to home games again.