Posted by: @calvertskans

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The absolute number 1 priority at Meadowbank is to do something with that dugout side. 

If the dugouts moved to the Stonegate Stand side, then you could do amazing things with the north side. 

You could put the dugouts miles apart, either side of the Stonegate Stand, like at Hornchurch, and just have the 4th official standing in the middle taking flak from the managers on both sides 🤣 

Another quick win would be yellow hatching the entire bit behind the goal in front of the Bank stand.

They've barriered off directly behind the goal in the gap between the two stands but that needs to expand to at least a third of the way to the corner flag as you can only see about 60% of that goal from the Bank stand due to people standing there...

@calvertskans Now that's a big one for me.

We need to stop any standing across the fence and gangway if there is to be a decent view from the Bank terraces.

Not sure though if this affects capacity however.

But it would make a big difference as the only other way to get a good view is shifting the pitch towards the away end, or the Bank back a couple of metres. At the moment, you can't see the goal line.

@calvertskans This is what I think would have the biggest impact. The ability to have a big standing terrace all the way along that end of the ground by extending The Bank stand would be massive for the club and for the atmosphere eventually.

@ethant Exactly this. A proper, dedicated home end is something not all clubs have. And we have it, but it could be even better - think Aldershot's East Bank and the impact that has...

@adeb It doesn't even need to be that big of an area that is yellow hatched. Only 4 or 5 metres on from the post (roughly where the 3 OLBG boards behind that goal end) would make such a big difference to the view of that goal from the Bank.

I imagine it would reduce the capacity by 50 or so max which isn't really a big deal for this level or the level above.

@calvertskans I've just mentioned it to Kris and he's going to look into it asap

Ground capacity was 4125 when we had completed the away end.

That figure actually dropped by 3 when we put in the Lampard stand, so 4122

Hatching the area in front of The Bank would reduce capacity as that front standing is included in the calculations. We would still have the 4000 needed for stap 1 though.

Are people going to get the hump if they have always stood there though? (not me personally I sit in the seats)

If a massive (and I mean radical) overhaul of the ground is ever considered in the future though, then moving the pitch towards the away end is a must - the allowed height of the steps at the away end (due to houses behind) means in reality it should only have 3 'normal height and depth' steps at that end. 

Killer of a job though as it's all poured concrete, and was part grant-funded too. You could literally have a traditional cosy covered small terrace at that away end, like the sort of thing you see at the small end at Leatherhead - maybe just 2 steps. A couple of extra metres would then go a long way at the home end.

The big challenge with the home end though is that there is a fire exit from the soft play cafe (straight into the ground, behind the family stand). That still has to be integrated into any altered stand or replacement terracing. Alternatively a different fire exit would have to be provided from the soft play, maybe towards the side of that building?

I suspect most of this 'fantasy stadium footprint' stuff is all a dream though, the quick cheap wins are the priority.

Should probably add that the away end also has the same problem with not being able to see the goal line particularly well due to the people standing against the barrier but probably less of a priority as less people stand there.

The away end just has issues to be honest, it's best as an away end!

As long as the small number who like to see us kick that way have space to view from along the front rail, I guess it is low down the priorities!