Has Fernandes lost the plot....

[Stanley]

Has Fernandes lost the plot? I think this could be a huge mistake.

TF's quote:

"Some fans are saying: 'We don't have a fan base bigger than 20,000.' My gut feel is 40,000-45,000. That's double where we are right now, but we're in London and there's a strong catchment area.

"Of course, there is nothing worse than a half-empty stadium, but I'm the king of sizing. If you start an airline with two planes, and then you buy 150 planes, the same question can be asked.

"As I say, it's just a gut feel but we'll do some studies first. We can find the space, although it's not easy, and there are lots of things that have to be put into place."


In answer to your question, no I don't think he's lost the plot in the slightest.

[loftlag]

You could have 30,000 stadium with the ability to extend to by 15,000 if and when required
But when people ask do we need 45,000 stadium just remember it wont come for 5 years at least by then who knows what our paying fan base could be ,15 years ago the **** couldn't fill the bridge

[DouDou_87]

I doubt anyone on this board is in a position to question his ideas, I for one am loving it and can't remember an owner that seemed so genuinely passionate, professional and above all else committed to making us a force again.

[LoftusRoadLad]

Tony...you do what you think is best for QPR FC and we will back you to the hilt.

[QPR Brisbane]

Build it and they will come

Yes your right there, totally agree!

[Bigears]

Tony...you do what you think is best for QPR FC and we will back you to the hilt.

[vblockranger]

Tony...you do what you think is best for QPR FC and we will back you to the hilt.

agree with this

[stanistheman]

Personally, I think we need to applaude and support TF's long-term vision for our Club.

If we had another 5-10k seats available in Loftus Road - do you think we would be able to sell them this year? Of course we would !!

To become sustainable in the medium to long-term, we desperately need a stadium that can attract 35k+ and which incorporates the volume of hospitality options that will bost our matchday revenues nearer to our peers.

If we get the right mix of high-grossing hospitality areas in the new stadium - I would guess that we would then be able to reduce 'normal' ticket prices when we have the capacity to cater for larger crowds. IMHO, we have as much chance of attracting 35k fans @ £20-£30 a ticket rather than the current 18k @ £40-£50.

Let's get behind TF - Come on You Rrrss !!

I agree, TF is showing that he has the vision to take this club forward.

There is a huge fan base in the area.

Many young kids will change 'their' team to whichever one is winning or doing well.

Also many fans don't go to Loftus Road because of the discomfort, poor views, facilities and high prices. These could be rectified in a new stadium with a 40,000 capacity. Perhaps QPR will settle for a 35,000 with capacity to expand.

Yes, the ground wont always be full, maybe hardly ever full, but 30,000 is not beyond QPR's possibility. 30,000 fans buying programmes, food, drink, merchandise etc, would also increase revenue.

And QPR in the right circumstances would be able to sell out some big games.

Not to mention hosting some international fixtures and getting a larger slice of the gate money.

My main concern is the cost and who will bear the brunt of it, rather than whether the ground will be full on matchdays.

[The Merry Ploughboy]

Brand spanking new stadium plus decent players and we will nick 15000 tourists off fulham.
Hopefully have their sort of pricing structure( good value season tickets) and its happy days.
2 things must happen though, one of the stands must be called The JCL stand and anyone not on the database from now should be made to sit in there.
Cookes Pie and mash shop must. be allowed to have pitches in 2 stands(not the JCL or away end)
That is all

[Westbyfleetr]

Long term vision and ambition is needed rather than thinking about the now. Got to look over a decade and beyond. Fulhanm struggled by on gates of 3-4k throughout the 80's and early 90's. Now they often sell out a ground with capacity of 26k.

Chelsea used to get 15k at the Bridge, redeveloped their ground to 42k and now it's too small. It's a pertinent question to ask where all their fans came out the woodwork were when they were sh*t: the fact is most didn't go, they only started going when the clubs were successful, respectable (in Chelsea's case compared to the 80's) established and the facilities were family and neutral friendly. I used to watch Reading as a student at Elm Park and it seemed absurd that a club that only ever pulled in four figures, even in the Championship, would need the Madjeski but they filled it every game in the Prem.

A prolonged period in the Premiership will see us grow our fan base, especially as London is a city, particularly with the transformation of our part of West London, that is continuing to grow with new residents from here and abroad. Places like Wigan have a problem because they have a tiny catchment area (with migration to cities like London and Manchester by those who can command well paid jobs and afford to go to Prem football week in week out) and isn't even a football town. Go for a stadium of 30k and it could be obsolete in ten to fifteen years time.