FatboyFatFTS

Tbf, it was a Stenny fan who originally brought up the ground and discussion developed from there.

For point two, thats on the assumption you're driving. Many fans use public transport. If you're coming from the North, Fife or even in the Stirling area, its still easier to get to Meadowbank. Get off at St Andrew's Square/Waverley (even Haymarket) and the options after that are much easier to get to Meadowbank. As I said, that area of the town is also where the core support resides. Ask yourself why you're in a real minority of people unhappy with the move, beyond the fact you live close to AP. Many neutrals and away fans are also pleased and happy for the club to be moving back to Meadowbank. There's fans on this very thread mentioning that going to Meadowbank is easier for them as a day out. There's vastly more about a football club and going to football than coming in, watching the game and going home again. Its not just about going to the pub. The pub is merely a symbol. There's the socio-cultural impact of the football. The way people meet up with friends, before and after games, have a pint or soft drink. Talk about their week, the match, the world in general. Its a way to meet with fans of other clubs and do the same. Stenny's 'Wee Bar; for example, is great for that. For some, its their only contact with the outside world each week and need that experience to keep them going. Thats why Covid has been particularly hard for many football fans. There's economic impact of fans being there, well before kick off, for the pubs, shops and food outlets. Thats why Covid has been particularly hard for many businesses near football grounds. There's the impact a move back to Meadowbank is going to have for the club, which you seem to just simply dismiss because its a bit further for you to travel. The Chairman has already been very clear just how important it is for the club to be moving back. There's more the club can do to attempt to grow the fanbase and make it a community hub for the area. Forget about comparing the view with the new stand at Meadowbank (and obviously we'll disregard the fact there's a stand going to built on the other side). Take AP in isolation. When you sit at certain parts of the ground, you cant see the goal. Its either blocked by a floodlight or blocked by part of the structure, meaning you have to stand. The structure itself is also a bit wobbly, as anyone in amongst the pile on, after Liam Henderson's equaliser against Inverness will tell you. The stadium is also cold. Very cold. Worse than the old Meadowbank, which was on a par with the North Pole. And again, ask yourself why people are desperate to be out of there and why away fans call it the worst in Scotland. And lets not forget the kicker - Spartans dont really want the club there.

Thats absolutely wrong and you know that fine well. Moving back to Meadowbank, as the main tenant, allows us to attempt to grow the club in ways that they're not allowed to do at AP. All our teams are to be based there rather than dotted across the Lothians. There's already been talk of fanzones and increased hospitality not to mention we're getting to develop our own stand. Its much, much easier to get to by public transport, for home and away fans. Its also much, much easier to get for the majority of the core support. And yes, there is vastly more to do near Meadowbank, all of which is needed to attract fans to games. As noted elsewhere, the club have lost a third of their average attendance despite finishing 3rd, 2nd and 2nd in that time. That indicates a problem with the facilities, already described on this very thread as 'the worst away game/ground in Scotland'. Just be honest Tenkay - you're only unhappy with the move because its means you'll need to travel further, thereby being somewhat contradictory in your criticism. What exactly do you like about AP, if its not because its close for you?

Totally get that. What's the usual amount of season ticket holders you'd expect to get? I was number 508, so seems the team has sold a fair few. I wouldnt go on the numbers. Thats all ticket sales through the Fanbase app.

The whole point of moving to the Friday's is to 'grab a few more neutrals'. The concern is the club are able to get enough to cover the losses (long term) of the many fans who've already said they cant go.

Correct. Lets not dress it up any other way. Ainslie Park is absolutely terrible place to watch football. The stadium is poor, the facilities (inside and out), non existent. Its shit to get to, for both sets of fans. I cant wait to be away from it. You'll enjoy the away day to Meadowbank then. Plenty to do round about (and on the way) and easy enough to get to from the station.

They've given Naysmith a three year deal. Whilst there's needs to be 'checks and balances', how far does that go and would the manager accept such questioning of his authority? They could very well have said 'what you doing here?' and Naysmith has managed to talk them round - 'well here's my plan'. If there's one thing we've learned about him is he loves to talk. Certainly a good bit of that is trying to talk a good game. Very easy to hoodwink some and they've perhaps went for it. As for the organisational chart, that is indeed correct. But it'll depend on the remit with the role. SD's arent like General Managers in North American sports. Managers can take or leave recommendations and then choose their own path. From what we've seen so far, I'd say the latter is whats happened for the majority.

The Sporting Director role is a wide remit. From whats been said about James, its primarily to establish an Academy, help get the Women's Team going and helping with overseeing other, related operations. Transfers will be a part of it. Assuming its like other SD's/DoF's, they can advise but final decisions on the squad falls to the manager. You cant be telling anybody that McDonaugh would've been happy with the filleting of the squad he built, whilst absolute diddy's like Chris Kane get re-signed? As for the in game changes, absolutely. But part of that is the squad he's built, hasnt the capability to change games.

Thomson looked well off it last season. Absolutely no question. If you thought Balatoni was, then you have include Thomson as well, especially towards the end of the season. The other losses you mention were/are simply unacceptable, though I think there's a bit more to Blair going than Naysmith simply showing him the door.

I've no issue with bringing lads in on trial. Our greatest ever centre half came via that route. And I think with Brian, part of the issue would be needing international clearance, so its easier to have him on trial before making a full signing. Recommended by Dick Campbell, so lets hope that means he's got something about him.

I've always thought Shanley is better coming in from wide, when I've watched him. Seems much more comfortable doing that than going through the middle. The way its going right now, plenty would take a new variant buggering up the season. Ouzy's always been a confidence player and its showing right now. He's also not much more than a 15 goal a season player either, which makes Naysmith's decisions even more baffling. There's not a huge amount coming from the midfield just now either. He's persisting on Handling cutting in from wide, when he's best in the centre. There's no protection for the back 4, meaning the likes of Jardine and Tapping have to drop deeper than they should be. Absolutely nothing encouraging so far from this season.

No. Against my better judgement, I got the stream in. An absolutely diabolical performance. The first half was as bad as any since promotion, including when got horsed by Cove 5-0. There's no cohesion. No plan.The team has been gutted when all it needed was a couple of extra bodies to get it over the line. It didnt require major surgery but got it anyway. Despite the great start Naysmith made, there is very little optimism at this point in time. He's made the decision to tear the team apart, so its on him. There appears to be no plan at all. If you're getting rid of such players, you should've had as close to ready made replacements to sign. But here we are, relying on teenagers, some in their first proper season of pro football, and injury prone players like Toshney, to get over the line. Got to feel for the likes of McIntyre and Handling. Stayed on, hoping they'd on the way to another promotion challenge. I dont think its hyperbole, at this point, to be really concerned about the direction of the team. Its unquestionably weaker and performances, over the last few weeks, show that as well. Whatever goodwill Naysmith had with the fans is slowly dissipating. There's another thread here about the League 2 Sack Race. I'd say he's favourite right now.

I'm undecided on the home opener. Could shift things around but more games at Ainslie Park really does not excite me, especially on a Friday.

Certainly liking that new strip. Worth the wait I'd say! Great to see it launched with players from both the men's and women's teams too. Think it'll have to be the stream on Saturday if at all. I also note a bit of a test of our Friday nights with Rangers v Dunfermline being on at the same time as our home opener.

In terms of 'lack of seats', there's the same amount as at AP. As for standing around the pitch, I guess thats down to the SPFL. At least there wont be any grass bankings for them to go in a huff over.

November. As per the Friday night PR, Meadowbank is due to be handed over at the start of October. No. As I understand, the change would only be allowed, by the league, for an entire season. I think the PR said that the stand opposite would need to be designed and go through planning permission. As for staying another season, the club might not (as in didnt) have many options as 'tenants' - 'you've have a home, now beat it'. As I said, there's a bit more to it. Add in all the issues that the vast majority have with AP and there you have why staying at AP, for another season, would be risky.

Staying another full season would be as risky as the Friday nights. The attendance has dropped considerably (I read elsewhere down by a third!) despite performances on the park being considerably better. That indicates a problem with where you're watching games rather than much else. Thats a huge reason why there's little buzz about things - we're still going to be at AP for a good bit of the season. Add in that the club are unable to do anything at AP, such as a fanzone, because they're 'not allowed' and you can see further difficulties. Not to mention (if the strong rumours are true) as soon as Meadowbank became an option, they were told there'd be a small delay and could to play away for the first few games. I think there's a bit more to it than a rush to leave and the spot getting taken.

The late release of the ST's was a poor strategy. They should've been released at the same time as the Friday night announcement, before people decided they didnt fancy it (lets be honest, it hasnt been overly well received at all). 'Cash-in' while there was some interest and use that to try and boost sales. They bizarrely released them 5 weeks later. Still no sign of the new kit, shirt sponsorship or new signings. Not exactly the way to get folk to buy a season ticket or get on board with the price increase, either for that or the walk-up. Add in more games at Ainslie Park, a dire place to watch football, and its not a recipe to get fans excited. EDIT - obviously hope it all works out. But from seeing comments and discussions with the 'core support', I'm concerned.

Rightly hasnt gone down well. From the cheapest ST in UK league football to the most expensive in L2. No Early Bird/Renewal discount, the only club not do so (it seems). Some thank you to fans who stuck by the club and put their money in, throughout the pandemic. ST holders werent even offered a refund due to the shortened season. All of this has put people off. Between Friday night football, these prices and the ridiculous walk up price (though thats not just City), there seems to be quite a lot deciding to be more careful with their money. At a time when the club are going back to Meadowbank and there was a bit of buzz about going back, the club havent thought their pricing, or PR strategy, through.