Did we exceed our official capacity today?

SuperGordonWatson · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 5:56 pm

The match report on the official site gives todays crowd as 7,784. I can't find a total ground capacity on there but adding the capacity for each stand I calculate a total of 7,630.

Poolstats gives the total as 7,621 and that's the only confirmation of a total capacity I can find!

So have Pools been naughty then? :shock:

Gibsons Beard · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 5:59 pm

it could be that the club cocked up the allocation of tickets for todays game (ie sold too many for the town end) meaning that a couple of hundred fans would have been turned away at the gates today and a potential riot. It could be that the club consulted with the council and it was realised that the capacity could be increased by a couple of hundred indefinitely.

Gibsons Beard · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:17 pm

chip fireball wrote:

well there were at least a dozen empty seats within spitting distance of me in the millhouse. and thats no exaggeration. stpid

in addition there were a fair few empty seats in the cyril ???

There may have been but there were a number more fans in the town end.

SuperGordonWatson · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:29 pm

The Mill House standing area was a bit packed like!

Could be down to that computer malfunction just before Christmas!

parmopooly · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:38 pm

the club will "revise" the official crowd figure if necessary, to avoid any recriminations from authorities.
I remember in the Gibson era a 3rd round cup replay against Ipswich the crowd was given as 9,000-odd, but in the paper the next day it was 6,000-odd (I think the official reason given was something to do with the 6 and the 9 being confused) - but the Rink End was all standing then, and could hold 2,500 easily. I know we had 9,000- odd against both Paslace and Spurs in cup ties at the same time - and the ground was every bit as full against Ipswich, possibly something to do with Gibson's dodgy dealings, but the crowd figure was changed all the same.

townendtimmy · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:00 pm

There was fans who had tickets for the Millhouse etc in the Townend.

Gibsons Beard · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:12 pm

parmopooly wrote:

the club will "revise" the official crowd figure if necessary, to avoid any recriminations from authorities.
I remember in the Gibson era a 3rd round cup replay against Ipswich the crowd was given as 9,000-odd, but in the paper the next day it was 6,000-odd (I think the official reason given was something to do with the 6 and the 9 being confused) - but the Rink End was all standing then, and could hold 2,500 easily. I know we had 9,000- odd against both Paslace and Spurs in cup ties at the same time - and the ground was every bit as full against Ipswich, possibly something to do with Gibson's dodgy dealings, but the crowd figure was changed all the same.

check my earlier reply. There will not be any 'recriminations'.

parmopooly · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:16 pm

either way, I can't imagine the club allowing itself to be put into a compromising position

Gibsons Beard · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:22 pm

parmopooly wrote:

either way, I can't imagine the club allowing itself to be put into a compromising position

The club were going to prevent the 'excess' attendees from entering the ground which as you would expect, would have left many people very unhappy given that they had tickets! The max permitted attendance was increased the other day after consultations with the council/safety etc meaning the excess fans could get into the game. end of

gremmlin · **Joined:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:23 am **Posts:** 3141

some people who had bought tickets for seats prefer to stand

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22635

Must have included the 200 who get in each game by being mates of the stewards or bribing them.

SuperGordonWatson · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:28 pm

Hmm, sounds good, the council working with the club eh!

:grin:

billyisgod · **Joined:** Thu May 17, 2007 3:13 pm **Posts:** 90

they flocked to see Mighty Leeds :laugh:

parmopooly · **Posted:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:12 pm

gremmlin · **Joined:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:23 am **Posts:** 3141

billyisgod wrote:

they flocked to see Mighty Leeds :laugh:

SHAME THEY NEVER TURNED UP :laugh:

Miss Tigga · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:01 am

chip fireball wrote:

well there were at least a dozen empty seats within spitting distance of me in the millhouse. and thats no exaggeration. stpid

in addition there were a fair few empty seats in the cyril ???

Could be that people had tickets to sit, but choose to go in the stands instead. My mate does that. She gets tickets for the seats, but comes and stands with me in the terraces.

tom-pie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:10 am

Miss Tigga wrote:

chip fireball wrote:

well there were at least a dozen empty seats within spitting distance of me in the millhouse. and thats no exaggeration. stpid

in addition there were a fair few empty seats in the cyril ???

Could be that people had tickets to sit, but choose to go in the stands instead. My mate does that. She gets tickets for the seats, but comes and stands with me in the terraces.

waste of money

Miss Tigga · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:11 am

What is Tom?

Mr Poolz · **Joined:** Sun Aug 20, 2006 6:34 pm **Posts:** 484

The official capacity of Victoria Park is 7,829 (I know that, how come none of you clowns know that?), so no you didn't exceed your capacity.

Jonny · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:44 am

Quakerz wrote:

The official capacity of Victoria Park is 7,829 (I know that, how come none of you clowns know that?), so no you didn't exceed your capacity.

Mr Quakerz - If correct - it is possibly about the only thing that you do know..... :laugh:

tom-pie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:45 am

Miss Tigga wrote:

What is Tom?

costs more money to sit down

tom-pie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:47 am

on the back of hartlepool united v tranmere rovers ticket it says that the cappacity is 7630 so if im right mr quakerz has mate a fool of him self :laugh:

BillinghamPoolie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:00 am

Indeed you are right young Tom. If you add together the official capacities of the various parts of the ground, as detailed on the Official Site, the total is 7630. It's not quite as simple as having a 25,000 seater stadium with a 10,000 limit, but there you go Quakerz.

BillinghamPoolie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:05 am

MadJohn wrote:

By the way, 7784 is our highest league crowd at the Vic since the promotion party against Swansea Town in 1968, and only the seventh time we've topped 7000 in the league since then.

7784 - 2007/08 v Leeds United
7629 - 2006/07 v Bristol Rovers
7458 - 2006/07 v Darlington
7448 - 2003/04 v Sheffield Wednesday
7437 - 2003/04 v Plymouth Argyle
7193 - 1972/73 v Darlington
7156 - 1971/72 v Darlington

11011 - 1967/68 v Swansea Town

I was one of the 11011 at the match against Swansea in '68. Possible one of the few who didn't run on to the pitch, sensible even then aged 13. Just stood there taking it all in, not knowing if it would ever happen again.

Notice as well MJ from your site that we had a lot of 'floating' fans even then, with our crowds varying from 4141, to a peak at the second last home match of 11399.

linighan_sisters · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:30 am

Of course, Mad John's list is confined to League games. I am sure when we played Leeds in the cup it was about twice as many as 7000+.

We had a few big crowds in 67/68. Certainly the Rink End was packed out for weeks up to the end of the season.

PJ_Poolie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:53 pm

Quakerz wrote:

The official capacity of Victoria Park is 7,829 (I know that, how come none of you clowns know that?), so no you didn't exceed your capacity.

You don't know that though you've just made that figure up; http://www.hartlepoolunited.premiumtv.c ... 26,00.html

Cyril Knowles 1,599
Town End 1,622
Mill House seats 1,617
Mill House Terrace 1,832
Rink End 960

The OFFICIAL capacity is 7,630. SEVEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY. The only clowns are the Loids who crowed about you getting a bigger crowd than Pools on boxing day weeks before the event, even after five wins on the bounce to nil and on the back of 4-0 away win you couldn't manage that. Nearly as laughable as being unable to seat less than 7,000 people in a 25,000 capacity stadium in time for three o'clock......

garthwd · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:23 am **Posts:** 792

MadJohn wrote:

The one that really sticks out for me is 8554 for a mid-80s FA Cup tie with York

The two things (or could be three) that stick out in my mind about that game were a woman in a basque and sussies going round the pitch doing one of those money collections they used to do where the crowd chucked money into a blanket, except people purposely chucked it onto the pitch so she would have to bend over to pick it up (which was great to see for a 15 year old schoolboy). The second thing was one of the crush barriers breaking in the Town End (I think it bent rather than broke) and those of us at the front were crushed a bit. I got pulled out by a copper, as did quite a few others and had to watch the rest of the game from the side. Of course Tyne Tees reported it as crowd trouble and showed pictures of people on the perimeter of the pitch.

ptbap · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:24 pm

I'd love to know how many people would have attended the Leeds game if we had a bigger stadium.

I'm sure Leeds would have happily sold 5000 tickets, I wonder how many Hartlepool people would have turned up if for instance it was pay on the gate.

It's a shame that a decent amount of the revenue received from Boxing Day will go to the police who badly over estimated the numbers they needed. There must have been 2 dozen stood in front of the control box between the millhouse stand and the town end, why? What the hell was going to happen there?

They could only arrest two people on the day, I bet those two unlucky buggers got pulled up for next to nothing as well, just to prove that a police presence was needed.

Jonny · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:20 pm

The police are generally institutiionalised knobheads. Apart from when Darlo are in town are the police ever really needed at Pools?

Spender · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:32 pm

ptbap wrote:

I'd love to know how many people would have attended the Leeds game if we had a bigger stadium.

I'm sure Leeds would have happily sold 5000 tickets, I wonder how many Hartlepool people would have turned up if for instance it was pay on the gate.

It's a shame that a decent amount of the revenue received from Boxing Day will go to the police who badly over estimated the numbers they needed. There must have been 2 dozen stood in front of the control box between the millhouse stand and the town end, why? What the hell was going to happen there?

They could only arrest two people on the day, I bet those two unlucky buggers got pulled up for next to nothing as well, just to prove that a police presence was needed.

Well yeah but who else would justify a bigger stadium?? Only maybe three times a season do we sell 960 tickets to away fans.

The Police are just riding the overtime gravy train. How come we pay big Council Tax, mainly for the Police, and then they charge for their services whilst flexing their muscles on whether or not public events can happen?? The Police are out of control, as demonstrated by that useless bounder SIR Ian Bliar. :evil:

shy tot · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:33 pm **Posts:** 132

MadJohn wrote:

By the way, 7784 is our highest league crowd at the Vic since the promotion party against Swansea Town in 1968, and only the seventh time we've topped 7000 in the league since then.

7784 - 2007/08 v Leeds United
7629 - 2006/07 v Bristol Rovers
7458 - 2006/07 v Darlington
7448 - 2003/04 v Sheffield Wednesday
7437 - 2003/04 v Plymouth Argyle
7193 - 1972/73 v Darlington
7156 - 1971/72 v Darlington

11011 - 1967/68 v Swansea Town

"Your only here to watch the Leeds, Your only here to watch the Leeds!!"

I have to be honest, both teams played shit but I still feel robbed, the goal laid on by flo to beckford after we had equalized was never off side

MOT

PS: great hospitality shown, boxing day football, I love it! thanks poolies

PJ_Poolie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:42 pm

shy tot wrote:

MadJohn wrote:

By the way, 7784 is our highest league crowd at the Vic since the promotion party against Swansea Town in 1968, and only the seventh time we've topped 7000 in the league since then.

7784 - 2007/08 v Leeds United
7629 - 2006/07 v Bristol Rovers
7458 - 2006/07 v Darlington
7448 - 2003/04 v Sheffield Wednesday
7437 - 2003/04 v Plymouth Argyle
7193 - 1972/73 v Darlington
7156 - 1971/72 v Darlington

11011 - 1967/68 v Swansea Town

"Your only here to watch the Leeds, Your only here to watch the Leeds!!"

I have to be honest, both teams played shiit but I still feel robbed, the goal laid on by flo to beckford after we had equalized was never off side

MOT

PS: great hospitality shown, boxing day football, I love it! thanks poolies

I'd have felt robbed had that 'goal' stood. Seen as Beckford missed the fooking target!

shy tot · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:33 pm **Posts:** 132

I'll have to hold my hands up on that one then, I was in the rink end and as your probably aware because of the wall at the front you can't see the touchline and hence the goal line!

from what I have just read your keeper got a hand on to it and brushed it wide or onto the post??

It looked on target from where I was stood and when your keeper took the kick from a central position I had presumed it was for the offside as apposed to a goalkick, hey, its all happened now anyway!

I'm happy to say that any team picking up 1 point away and 3 at home would win the title, as we are all aware Leeds are currently beyond that ratio! good job been as we had a 15 poi................. ok I wont say it!!

I have commented on the "3 best teams thread"

You weren't as good boxing day as you were at elland road but I have to say, when you came to our place I would say that was the second best performance I have seen against leeds all season.

All the best boys and girls.

MOT

shy tot · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:33 pm **Posts:** 132

MadJohn wrote:

shy tot wrote:

from what I have just read your keeper got a hand on to it and brushed it wide or onto the post??

Nope, just a bad miss. Whoever said the keeper saved it must have been watching through wobbly eyes :wink:

'twas offside anyway. :razz:

Fair enough, did you enjoy the boxing day spectacle then? the football could of been much better from both sides don't you think?

good day out anyway, I love away days!

as for stuff we were discussing pre match, what about the attendance, highest for nearly 40 years in the league! higher than you promotion year!! were they there to watch hartlepool or leeds, come on lets be honest now

MOT

gremmlin · **Joined:** Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:23 am **Posts:** 3141

no this game should have been a friday night game
as we customarily have a good gate on a boxing day

shy tot · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:33 pm **Posts:** 132

gremmlin wrote:

no this game should have been a friday night game
as we customarily have a good gate on a boxing day

You were trying to pull that excuse before the game, come on, lets pull the other one,

last boxing day (06/07) grimsby at home 5,200
05/06 away
04/05 oldham 6,500
03/04 barnsley 6,500
02/03 away
01/02 no boxing day game (29/12/01 leyton orient at home 3,800)

none of the above were even your highest attendance for that particular season let alone one of your 7 7000+ attendances since the late 60's

will you hold your hands up now and admit that it was leeds rolling into town that meant an increase in your capacity and still selling out?

MOT

shy tot · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:33 pm **Posts:** 132

MadJohn wrote:

shy tot wrote:

Fair enough, did you enjoy the boxing day spectacle then? the football could of been much better from both sides don't you think?

good day out anyway, I love away days!

as for stuff we were discussing pre match, what about the attendance, highest for nearly 40 years in the league! higher than you promotion year!! were they there to watch hartlepool or leeds, come on lets be honest now

MOT

Yes, the football could have been better which was frustrating as there were three points there for the taking for us. Also, a good performance might encourage some of the once-a-season merchants not to be strangers. But if we can see off Leyton Orient tomorrow I will not be unhappy with our Xmas takings.

There to see Leeds? yawn1

I can only speak for myself mate and, as I have said before, I would happily go through life without ever seeing Leeds play. I don't like the club, but they're in our division so watching two of their games became a necessity. Most people were there on Wednesday to watch Hartlepool, obviously. As for the others, I'm sure there will have been a few non-footballing types in Hartlepool who will have popped along because they recognised the name of the opposition and had sepia-tinged memories of watching the great 70s side. There will have been others who turned up because it's their once a season fix. Heck, Grimsby Town put a couple of thousand on the gate a couple of Boxing Days ago. The motives of the paying punters don't matter to me; I just hope a few stick around. confised

Great call mate, I'm glad you enjoyed it and yes we would both of loved to of walked away with 3 points but similar to your comments, if we can bring 3 points bad from swansea tomorrow ( beat them 2-0 at er) I would be happy with our xmas takings, I think expecting 6 points would of been optimistic.

I hope you manage to keep hold of some of the "daytrippers" every club needs cash and we have our fair share of the one in a while fans.

enjoy your new year, commendable for your passion and pride.

MOT

stupoolie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:41 pm

shy tot wrote:

MadJohn wrote:

shy tot wrote:

Fair enough, did you enjoy the boxing day spectacle then? the football could of been much better from both sides don't you think?

good day out anyway, I love away days!

as for stuff we were discussing pre match, what about the attendance, highest for nearly 40 years in the league! higher than you promotion year!! were they there to watch hartlepool or leeds, come on lets be honest now

MOT

Yes, the football could have been better which was frustrating as there were three points there for the taking for us. Also, a good performance might encourage some of the once-a-season merchants not to be strangers. But if we can see off Leyton Orient tomorrow I will not be unhappy with our Xmas takings.

There to see Leeds? yawn1

I can only speak for myself mate and, as I have said before, I would happily go through life without ever seeing Leeds play. I don't like the club, but they're in our division so watching two of their games became a necessity. Most people were there on Wednesday to watch Hartlepool, obviously. As for the others, I'm sure there will have been a few non-footballing types in Hartlepool who will have popped along because they recognised the name of the opposition and had sepia-tinged memories of watching the great 70s side. There will have been others who turned up because it's their once a season fix. Heck, Grimsby Town put a couple of thousand on the gate a couple of Boxing Days ago. The motives of the paying punters don't matter to me; I just hope a few stick around. confised

Great call mate, I'm glad you enjoyed it and yes we would both of loved to of walked away with 3 points but similar to your comments, if we can bring 3 points bad from swansea tomorrow ( beat them 2-0 at er) I would be happy with our xmas takings, I think expecting 6 points would of been optimistic.

I hope you manage to keep hold of some of the "daytrippers" every club needs cash and we have our fair share of the one in a while fans.

enjoy your new year, commendable for your passion and pride.

MOT

Good post there Mr Tot
I think most had you down as a bit of a tw@ but, From that comment you might have turned a few heads!
Swansea will be a very tough game for you, But what will work in your favour is that Swansea have not scored that many at home this season!

Did we exceed our official capacity today?

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