FORZA EASTEND and the future
Thanks to Jorvik Reds [York City] and Matty of the Holmesdale Fanatics [Crystal Palace] for their observations and suggestions.
As a fan group, FORZA EASTEND has completed its first season within the East End. In an effort to boost positive support within the stand for the team still further a number of ideas have been discussed amongst Eastenders in readiness for next season. We feel that the East End has had a positive impact on the atmosphere at Ashton Gate and improved for hundreds their enjoyment of watching the team. For this to continue but also grow further we would like BCFC to consider the following suggestions:
Pay on the day
We recommend the return of fans "paying on the day" to gain access to the East End; if space is available. The East End has never in its eighty plus year history required the prerequisite of a season ticket to gain admittance until the 2007 -2008 season. The stand has always been used by those on lower incomes and current arrangements see fans separated from friends, family members and visitors of other clubs such as our Dutch compatriots Willem II. This situation does not paint a positive image of BCFC.
Permanent safety in the Eastend
Currently a palisade fence is being used to prevent City fans from getting into the East End via the Dolman stand; so why not reintroduce the previously used fence between City fans and away fans in the away end? This fence would cut down on the amount of police and stewards needed and free up valuable seating currently used as segregation. Alternatively a new vastly improved measure could be adopted. The hugely successful and widely used polycarbonate fence is considered the way forward in Europe. It would be far less unsightly and unobtrusive. The polycarbonate fence is considered bullet proof and would offer far increased protection for fans at significantly reduced long-term costs for the club.
There are now 1200 season ticket holders in the East End and approaching 14200 throughout the entire ground. In order to accommodate pay on the day fans the East End will have to be utilised regularly. Many regular East Enders have concerns that segregation measures have proved to be inadequate v QPR and Cardiff. This needs to be improved hence the suggestion of a fence. Risk assessment using the East Ends recent history would identify "trouble" as being "possible" and a fence being used as a control measure would reduce the risk to "unlikely".
Allied to a fence the following could also be considered:
1. The possibility of non season ticket holders/bring a friends [if still in use?] using block H **
2. Fencing also to have netting placed alongside as an additional security measure ***
3. Fans being invited by BCFC to cover the segregation netting with flags and creating a focal point within the East End
** The East End being used as overspill has had a pronounced effect on the stands atmosphere and this could provide a remedy to BCFC's concerns over pay on the day access.
*** This could significantly cut down on the huge amount of segregation in the form of seating currently used within the East End .
One Eastend - One Bristol City - One voice
Eastenders seek the clubs permission to hand out one thousand flyers within the East End on the first home game for the season. The flyer above has been designed by a fellow fan, in advance a printing has kindly offered to print them free of charge and supporters have voluteered to give them out within the East End. The purpose of this flyer is a further attempt by Eastenders to develop the potetial the East End has into becoiming the most fun , noisy, vibrant, colourful and enjoyable stand in the Championship
Flag storage
A secure area such as a shed or other storage facilities within the East End to store the giant forty foot George the St George and the now numerous Eastenders flags appearing in the East End along with the East End Mabel the drum something which is provided at York City for their supporters group the Jorvik Reds
Megaphones
Bristol City to remove its ban on the use of megaphones within the East End. Fans of other clubs such as Aldershot allow their use within their grounds. It is difficult to believe that any fan within the East End would not be in favour of fans using a megaphone to orchestrate or conduct chants in attempt to add to the carnival feel of the stand and vocal support of the team. FORZA EASTEND are willing to work with the club in terms of practicalities for the megaphone use.
The intention is not to take over the East End or be self indulgent by droning on and on with the thing so after a trial period of four games the following would be carried out:
1. The use of the megaphone would be reviewed by BCFC and if the club had an objection its use would obviously cease
2. A on line poll of East Enders via Ziderheads [1600 members +] would be held concerning the use of the megaphone and if a majority ora significant minority were against its use then again it would cease.
Merchandising Opportunities
The club and Eastenders to explore the possibilities of promoting BCFC and the East End by the sale of goods. There is a market here although not vast but in the last season nearly £1000 worth of FORZA EASTEND badges have been sold with all profits going towards the purchase of new flags and flag repair to the giant George the St George. This is something for instance that happens at Aldershot where the Fan group the Red and Blue Army have scarves sold within the Recreation grounds shop. We want an outlet in the Eastend selling city/FORZA EASTEND.
Flags on poles
Flags on poles or sticks are currently banned from Ashton Gate; we feel this is an unnecessary rule and should be lifted. This ban runs contrary to what is seen at a great many other clubs such as Aberdeen, Accrington Stanley Aldershot, BRISTOL ROVERS, Celtic Chelsea, Colchester Utd Crystal Palace, ……the list seems to be endless and even the National stadium Wembley allows this. Bristol City FC often use between 500-1000 seats as segregation at Ashton Gate along with CCTV, Stewards and Police it is hard to fully understand why flags are banned by BCFC when the rules of other clubs are so different. Flags being allowed into the East End would help to add a sense of spectacle and sit with Eastenders ideas of creating a vibrant matchday.
We recognise that there are concerns about safety but these could be easily addressed. Any flag used would only be supported with a light weight plastic tubular flexible pole like the one pictured at Selhurst Park. To prevent inappropriate use inside and outside the stadium the following could be done :
1. The flags could be stored within Ashton Gate pre and post match
2. The flags would be solely used by a supporters each week by a named fans who are identified by their season tickets.
Themed days/Events/Displays
BCFC to proactively promote Eastenders initutives around the other stands so that all fans can take part if they so wish.
Eastenders and BCFC to jointly promote a BRING BACK THE INFLATABLES DAY [Bananas, Sheep, Sharks, Joes teeth ….].
A ONE OFF ticker tape/Confetti/ streamer/till roll display complete with flags similar to the one picture at Pittordrie financed by fans to take place in the East End to greet the players onto the pitch. If Bristol City worked in unsion with Eastenders to make this happen it could prove to be visually spectacular if a success. There is also a added on benefit of club of using the pictures of the display to promote a very vibrant looking BCFC. **
Eastenders will promote any event via Forza East End and the Ziderheads website, their fanzine, face book, e mail and by using flyers as they have done in the past and around the ground which has proved to be a very successful method for the 3 Lions flag/Eastenders flag day.
** The Red Ultras group of Aberdeen simply removed the plastic or cardboard innard section of some 3200 till rolls to eliminate the risk of injury from being hit by a still rolled up till roll when thrown within their Richard Donald stand. This display costing £600 was coordinated by fans with megaphones to maximise the effect.
Lets push this forward
Eastenders this season have earned praise from fans of other clubs and our own manager but we wish to push our support on still further. In order for this to happen we need BCFC to work in unison with its support and then we really shall see within the East End support that is overwhelmingly positive, noisy, colourful, fun and meeting what the manager has called for.
"We've said all along that positive support gets through to the players. It's unbelievable and makes you feel ten inches taller, two yards quicker and work even harder" GARY JOHNSON
"Don't settle for second best, we are the pride of the West".
FORZA EASTEND
