rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 13:41:17 GMT
Since I’ve took an interest in QPR and joined this forum it’s become apparent that the club is in the process of “modernising” itself, which is necessary to continue to compete with rivals in the Championship and to eventually, at some point push into the Premiership. Now as far as I understand, a new training academy for the first team and youth levels is the first complex that is to be built, afterward a new stadium is the next step in the growth of the club. Loftus Road being an “old school” ground, built in the middle of houses puts a number of constraints on the club. So my query is, if a new stadium is to be built, what kind of capacity should QPR be looking at? What do you think is the potential of the club?
|
|
|
Post by hal9thou on May 27, 2021 13:58:15 GMT
Since I’ve took an interest in QPR and joined this forum it’s become apparent that the club is in the process of “modernising” itself, which is necessary to continue to compete with rivals in the Championship and to eventually, at some point push into the Premiership. Now as far as I understand, a new training academy for the first team and youth levels is the first complex that is to be built, afterward a new stadium is the next step in the growth of the club. Loftus Road being an “old school” ground, built in the middle of houses puts a number of constraints on the club. So my query is, if a new stadium is to be built, what kind of capacity should QPR be looking at? What do you think is the potential of the club?That depends entirely on who happens to be the majority shareholder. Assuming that the present incumbents continue, I'd say things are going to stay pretty much as they are, essentially mid table championship. Two things could change this. One would be the coming to fruition of the property / stadium deal, and the other would be a concerted effort by the current board to get a slice of EPL money, if only for one season. Don't hold your breath though.
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 14:30:46 GMT
Assuming the next few years are successful for the club and a new stadium is to be built. What capacity should QPR build?
|
|
|
Post by Stanley75 on May 27, 2021 14:38:07 GMT
25-30,000 is the number bandied about.
|
|
|
Post by Stanley75 on May 27, 2021 14:41:17 GMT
Like others, the stadium would likely be modular though, relative to the club's size and what division we're in etc. So the above figure would be flexible, both up and down.
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 14:43:40 GMT
Cheers Stan, let’s hope something gets worked out in the next few years.
|
|
|
Post by Corbray on May 27, 2021 14:44:19 GMT
i think 25-30k is the size we ideally need. atm we get anywhere between 12-15k people at a game on average but we do often get 16k+ at bigger games. i love LR, its close to the pitch and the atmosphere can really bounce around due to how packed it is. its also pretty awful at the same time however, not only does it look like a cinder block with a few metal panels pasted on it but its also very uncomfortable especially for anyone 6'2ft+. i'm 6'4 and during my first season ticket i had 2 tall people sitting either side of me so we were packed like sardines. i'd have my knees pressed firmly into the plastic edging of the seat infront of me and could only feel 'comfortable' when my knees became numb lol.
its not an enticing place for any would be fan thats for sure. plus many of our fans seem to be in the 40+ age range which obviously ties into our golden eras of the late 60s-mid 90s. its been relatively downhill since then in terms of success and competing in the league, bar a few great seasons which were still mired by off the field issues like having no money and then having too much money which in the latter's case caused us to lose our clubs identity.
a new stadium is crucial for our future imo. being in london there's like what ... 8 other clubs to choose from for new supporters? most of whom are far more established or successful than us. even brentford could be slotted into that category.
we need a stadium to attract the older fans who don't want to attend matches anymore but also to encourage younger fans to latch onto the club as well.
shepherds bush has a large black/asian immigrant community who don't have familial links to teams like 'native' brits do but they end up supporting other clubs.
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 14:52:25 GMT
I’d imagine Loftus Road would be worth a few quid to a potential Real Estate developer? Hopefully that will be able to finance a new stadium. Maybe be looking at getting a bench in the standing section if it’s introduced to Loftus Road, Corbray.
|
|
|
Post by Corbray on May 27, 2021 16:26:56 GMT
I’d imagine Loftus Road would be worth a few quid to a potential Real Estate developer? Hopefully that will be able to finance a new stadium. Maybe be looking at getting a bench in the standing section if it’s introduced to Loftus Road, Corbray. old stadiums are worth a fortune because they tend to have freeholds on the land whereas most properties nowadays are leaseholds. for property developers thats a goldmine as they can convert the freehold into leaseholds to housebuyers and then get the land back in 120 years or whatever, or simply purchase the house back for much less than it was sold for when the lease is running out. plus the hardcore rubble from the stadium demolition itself is likely worth millions in its ownright. LR could easily make the club 30-40 million if not more
|
|
|
Post by Tarbie on May 27, 2021 16:27:01 GMT
Never really got the whole "build it and they will come" mentality with regards to the stadium. Did we even sell out Loftus Road week in, week out in the Prem? Didn't even sell our full allowance for Wembley on Play Off Final day.
|
|
|
Post by gtleighsr3 on May 27, 2021 16:42:59 GMT
We use to be a lot of folk 2nd club. And in the days of walk ins plenty of floaters. Now a lot of youngsters have other things to do and spend on so it's a struggle. Then you got fans whom are now old like bean and Bill and its not really geared up for the infirm and disabled like them. Then you have the lads like me who chase money like tarbie does a deliveroo bike who work a lot so don't go. We never going to be huge.
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 16:53:05 GMT
We use to be a lot of folk 2nd club. And in the days of walk ins plenty of floaters. Now a lot of youngsters have other things to do and spend on so it's a struggle. Then you got fans whom are now old like bean and Bill and its not really geared up for the infirm and disabled like them. Then you have the lads like me who chase money like tarbie does a deliveroo bike who work a lot so don't go. We never going to be huge. You can never tell the future, look at Chelsea or even Man City. If QPR are successful on the pitch for a decent length of time, I’m sure the club will grow.
|
|
|
Post by Corbray on May 27, 2021 16:57:17 GMT
Never really got the whole "build it and they will come" mentality with regards to the stadium. Did we even sell out Loftus Road week in, week out in the Prem? Didn't even sell our full allowance for Wembley on Play Off Final day. i think its coz LR in the grand scheme of things is outdated, uncomfortable and ugly. we understandably look at it with rose tinted glasses, it'd be like if quasimodo was your son. you'd love him and be proud of his churchbell ringing antics but everyone else would think he's ugly and wouldn't go on a date with him
|
|
|
Post by gtleighsr3 on May 27, 2021 16:59:07 GMT
Stonehenge is young in bills eyes!
|
|
|
Post by Tarbie on May 27, 2021 17:04:26 GMT
Never really got the whole "build it and they will come" mentality with regards to the stadium. Did we even sell out Loftus Road week in, week out in the Prem? Didn't even sell our full allowance for Wembley on Play Off Final day. i think its coz LR in the grand scheme of things is outdated, uncomfortable and ugly. we understandably look at it with rose tinted glasses, it'd be like if quasimodo was your son. you'd love him and be proud of his churchbell ringing antics but everyone else would think he's ugly and wouldn't go on a date with him Don't disagree with any of that mate. Doesn't mean that our shiny new 25,000 seater ain't gonna be half empty every game though, does it?
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 17:06:22 GMT
i think its coz LR in the grand scheme of things is outdated, uncomfortable and ugly. we understandably look at it with rose tinted glasses, it'd be like if quasimodo was your son. you'd love him and be proud of his churchbell ringing antics but everyone else would think he's ugly and wouldn't go on a date with him Don't disagree with any of that mate. Doesn't mean that our shiny new 25,000 seater ain't gonna be half empty every game though, does it? It’ll be more full if the team are successful. There’s a lot of clubs in and around London but there’s also 10+ million potential supporters Also I imagine a new stadium will allow the club the expand on revenue streams, Corporate hospitality, boxes, before and after game entertainment / dining / drinks, private functions etc
|
|
|
Post by gtleighsr3 on May 27, 2021 17:09:01 GMT
Do u really want a lot of the type of folk who pop over to foolham,not their hard-core but the others? Or loads of dog eating boy band fans cos we signed a Korean?
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 17:17:41 GMT
Do u really want a lot of the type of folk who pop over to foolham,not their hard-core but the others? Or loads of dog eating boy band fans cos we signed a Korean? Not necessarily but you’ve got to try and attract new (young) supporters to the club and being successful and visible (ie on Match of the Day) is probably the best way I know of. When I was young Aberdeen and Dundee Utd were pretty successful here in Scotland. Because of this there were a few Aberdeen and Dundee Utd supporters in my town, which is 100’s of miles away from Aberdeen or Dundee. And to be fair to a few of them they stuck by the teams as they grew up and went to the games.
|
|
|
Post by gtleighsr3 on May 27, 2021 17:22:56 GMT
Rscot,have u seen the local youth,they all postcode gangs and getting home alive is more of a priority than football.lol
|
|
|
Post by Tarbie on May 27, 2021 17:25:10 GMT
Don't disagree with any of that mate. Doesn't mean that our shiny new 25,000 seater ain't gonna be half empty every game though, does it? It’ll be more full if the team are successful. There’s a lot of clubs in and around London but there’s also 10+ million potential supporters Also I imagine a new stadium will allow the club the expand on revenue streams, Corporate hospitality, boxes, before and after game entertainment / dining / drinks, private functions etc I'm not sure there is that much demand for matchday hospitality mate. It's not like there is a waiting list for the W12, C Club or boxes at Loftus Road. The one area that I think there is potential is hosting concerts and other sporting events.
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 17:31:45 GMT
I always thought that with the beginning of the professional woman’s game, Clubs should make a day of it, get the stadium open early, get the woman’s team playing about noon, maybe earlier, then open the bars, restaurants etc, between then and the main game. Your season ticket would let you see both games.
|
|
rscot
Bronze Seat
Posts: 970
|
Post by rscot on May 27, 2021 17:39:30 GMT
I remember watching a program about “American Soccer” and how the fans had took elements of European football culture and also added elements from “American Football”, so the fans were arriving in the car pack of the stadium a couple of hours early, setting up grills and having a few beers and barbecue before the game. A wet dream for Tarbie.
|
|
|
Post by Stanley75 on May 27, 2021 17:42:10 GMT
Promotion to EPL would obviously make a difference to attendances (especially in a new stadium). Staying there, even more. That's seeing the bigger picture of course. Of all the London clubs, we're the most central which is another USP factor. As Hal says at the top, it's all predicated on the long term ambition and vision of the owners. Any steps to grow the fanbase ITR would be a no brainer too, which naturally shouldn't equate to the club losing touch with its roots and identity.
|
|
|
Post by West Acton on May 27, 2021 19:56:53 GMT
I’m sure we did sell out play off and secured extra tickets. Also was that not the biggest following at new stadium by any team?? I might be imaging that but I’m sure club said that
|
|
|
Post by Tarbie on May 27, 2021 19:59:42 GMT
I’m sure we did sell out play off and secured extra tickets. Also was that not the biggest following at new stadium by any team?? I might be imaging that but I’m sure club said that Yeah, we sold the initial allocation mate. But not the 2nd one. Even on one of the biggest games in our history we only just managed to muster 30k on our doorstep. I don't see why we'd expect to get anything like that on a week to week basis.
|
|
|
Post by acricketer on May 27, 2021 21:09:29 GMT
It seemed like more being there. Didn't notice big empty spaces around us.
|
|
|
Post by 1qprdk on May 27, 2021 21:10:01 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Tarbie on May 27, 2021 21:13:09 GMT
Not sure we sold all of those though mate. I have a feeling it was in the low 30's. I might be wrong though.
|
|
72bus
Silver Seat
Posts: 1,070
|
Post by 72bus on May 27, 2021 21:27:29 GMT
We sold out Wembley , derby sent some back . But we all know they were not all rangers fans
|
|
|
Post by West Acton on May 27, 2021 21:37:21 GMT
We sold out Tarbs from memory and I thought it was just under 40k
|
|