Arena it is

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theoriginalfatcat
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Re: Arena it is

Post by theoriginalfatcat » Mon Sep 07, 2020 10:04 pm

I don't like The Arena, I never did do - but in a strange way I'm looking forward to this temporary change, because for once I will be able to get a bit of height and see the game from a better viewpoint.
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spen666
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Re: Arena it is

Post by spen666 » Mon Sep 07, 2020 10:31 pm

Interesting story in Daily Mail

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... WEEKS.html

Not sure testing is able to cope with numbers though

50 years
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Re: Arena it is

Post by 50 years » Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:43 am

I am so looking forward to the footy starting again, I have so missed it (darlo footy of course, not over keen on this premier league stuff personally) and i don't care where we played i would have gone. A few of my mates would not have the Arena as first choice but just happy to get back to watching Darlo again in a safeish environment.

Feel a little bit sorry for fat Josh if he and his mates are genuine Darlo fans as he clearly does not only have an issue with the Arena but looks like personal issues with individuals running the club, although I did notice he did not put any financially prudent alternatives as this may have helped us understand his view point a bit better and given a balance view, (I personally think the board are doing a fantastic job and the club is in the best position financially and professionally for many a year so trust in their combined judgement to protect the club going forward). Given his language he may have a touch of anger management problems too? Therefore hope he gets his season ticket money back and finds a club better suited for him and his mates to follow. Realise that the club would lose a touch of revenue from those 3 but if the club confirms they have had money back I for one would make a small donation to cover some of it.

Can't see that testing capability highlighted by Spenn being available to our level of clubs this side of Christmas if it works and cost effective to do simply because of volume and organisation required.

All I can say is "Up the Quakers"😁👍

Old Git
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Old Git » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:11 am

Excellent interview with DJ now available to listen to on official website. He explains the reasoning behind the decision and the importance of the move and that he feels it is beneficial not only for us but DRFC and Mowden Park. Sounds like he has struck a good deal for us to use the Arena. Many will have reservations about the move but let’s unite and get behind the club and the team and give it a go to create plenty of vocal support for the lads.

Darlogramps
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Arena it is

Post by Darlogramps » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:23 am

A few things to take away from the Johnston interview:

Two-year licence to use the Arena, which is because of the uncertainty over Covid.

Talking to DRFC about the academy teams playing at Blackwell. Currently the licence there only covers the first team.

And before our first home game, we need to have held two test events at the Arena.

Blocks 1-15 will be in use at the Arena, which has a capacity of 9,000. Accounting for social distancing, he thinks that gives us a capacity of roughly 3,500 (which is seven times the amount we’d have had at Blackwell).
Last edited by Darlogramps on Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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PierremontQuaker03
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Re: Arena it is

Post by PierremontQuaker03 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:53 am

Darlogramps wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:23 am
A few things to take away from the Johnston interview:

Two-year licence to use the Arena, which is because of the uncertainty over Covid.

Talking to DRFC about the academy teams playing at Blackwell. Currently the licence there only covers the first team.

And before our first home game, we need to have held two test events at the Arena.

Blocks 1-15 will be in use at the Arena, which has a capacity of 9,000. Accounting for social distancing, he thinks that gives us a capacity 3,500 (which is seven times the amount we’d have had at Blackwell).
the 3,500 seems sensible - more than enough
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al_quaker
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Re: Arena it is

Post by al_quaker » Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:00 am

Were blocks 1 to 15 the main stand?

alec.g.white7
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Re: Arena it is

Post by alec.g.white7 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:39 am

The Arena may be cold but don’t think BM is much warmer let’s hope for a mild Winter. At least I won’t get wet, will be able to watch all the action and park my car next to the ground. Don’t like BM and would be happy for DFC to stay permanently at the Arena. I believe hospitality will generate more money, so its a win win win.

eddie-rowles
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Re: Arena it is

Post by eddie-rowles » Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:50 am

My thanks go out to DJ, board members, volunteers who have worked very hard to get this on and thanks to both rugby clubs having sensible discussions and outcomes. Possible season ticket holders used for test games, home draw for FA cup would be great .

en passant
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Re: Arena it is

Post by en passant » Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:59 am

The two trial events mentioned in the interview. These involve 300 persons for one then 600 for the other. Do I suppose that these will be hastily arranged pre-season friendlies that a few supporters will be allowed to attend to test the arrangements for social distancing?

bigdavethemaddog
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Re: Arena it is

Post by bigdavethemaddog » Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:16 am

en passant wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:59 am
The two trial events mentioned in the interview. These involve 300 persons for one then 600 for the other. Do I suppose that these will be hastily arranged pre-season friendlies that a few supporters will be allowed to attend to test the arrangements for social distancing?
will depend on the government as nothing has being announced for step 2 yet.

Footifanreturns
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Footifanreturns » Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:52 am

Good interview with DJ.
It all makes sense, now subject to the prevailing Coronavirus restrictions we can all get behind the team & support them.
Hopefully people with 'Arenaphobia' can put that aside for the temporary move. Support the efforts done by the board & supporters group.
For those that have bad memories or opinions of the Arena, put them hold.
If you felt cold in the Arena put on an extra layer.
For the occasional fan that were put off by the restricted views when there was a bigger than usual crowd at BM, no excuse not to go now.
I understand people with health issues will have concerns about attending, but it is a much safer location at the Arena than BM.
We could be in a better position than most clubs in this league with the potential to at least maintain our income in these weird times.
Strangely enough this season could have the potential to be a good one for the club but only if we as Darlington Football Club fans back the club to make it all viable.
Let's turn all the negatives into positives.

spen666
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Re: Arena it is

Post by spen666 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:12 pm

bigdavethemaddog wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:16 am
en passant wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:59 am
The two trial events mentioned in the interview. These involve 300 persons for one then 600 for the other. Do I suppose that these will be hastily arranged pre-season friendlies that a few supporters will be allowed to attend to test the arrangements for social distancing?
will depend on the government as nothing has being announced for step 2 yet.

Am I right in thinking that at the minute steps and above clubs cannot play games at home with fans in, so cannot at present host the 2 test events?

Needs sorting v soon so can have fans back for start of season

StevieMardenboro
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Re: Arena it is

Post by StevieMardenboro » Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:20 pm

I wonder whether people will be keen to ever go back to BM once we have watched a football match from above ground level again.

bigdavethemaddog
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Re: Arena it is

Post by bigdavethemaddog » Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:34 pm

spen666 wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:12 pm
bigdavethemaddog wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:16 am
en passant wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:59 am
The two trial events mentioned in the interview. These involve 300 persons for one then 600 for the other. Do I suppose that these will be hastily arranged pre-season friendlies that a few supporters will be allowed to attend to test the arrangements for social distancing?
will depend on the government as nothing has being announced for step 2 yet.

Am I right in thinking that at the minute steps and above clubs cannot play games at home with fans in, so cannot at present host the 2 test events?

Needs sorting v soon so can have fans back for start of season
yeah only step 3 and below allowed fans in as it stands now.

Ghost_Of_1883
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Ghost_Of_1883 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:39 pm

al_quaker wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:00 am
Were blocks 1 to 15 the main stand?
It's the main stand, corner, and the first couple of blocks after the corner. If I remember correctly, blocks 17,18 and 19 were behind the goal.

Ghost_Of_1883
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Ghost_Of_1883 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:40 pm

Kin ell, I've suddenly got excited, I can't wait to go back!

quakersfan
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Re: Arena it is

Post by quakersfan » Tue Sep 08, 2020 5:04 pm

Ghost_Of_1883 wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:39 pm
al_quaker wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:00 am
Were blocks 1 to 15 the main stand?
It's the main stand, corner, and the first couple of blocks after the corner. If I remember correctly, blocks 17,18 and 19 were behind the goal.
Thought it was 18 immediately behind the goal, strange they haven’t allowed that by using 18&19.

Mister e
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Mister e » Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:15 pm

eddie-rowles wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:50 am
My thanks go out to DJ, board members, volunteers who have worked very hard to get this on and thanks to both rugby clubs having sensible discussions and outcomes. Possible season ticket holders used for test games, home draw for FA cup would be great .
No it wouldn't we've never won a single cup tie at the arena if my memory serves me right.

Quakers83
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Quakers83 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:18 pm

Mister e wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:15 pm
eddie-rowles wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:50 am
My thanks go out to DJ, board members, volunteers who have worked very hard to get this on and thanks to both rugby clubs having sensible discussions and outcomes. Possible season ticket holders used for test games, home draw for FA cup would be great .
No it wouldn't we've never won a single cup tie at the arena if my memory serves me right.
We beat Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup at the Arena in 2010.

Darlogramps
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Darlogramps » Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:18 pm

Mister e wrote:
eddie-rowles wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:50 am
My thanks go out to DJ, board members, volunteers who have worked very hard to get this on and thanks to both rugby clubs having sensible discussions and outcomes. Possible season ticket holders used for test games, home draw for FA cup would be great .
No it wouldn't we've never won a single cup tie at the arena if my memory serves me right.
Beat Bristol Rovers there in 2010 I think.
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DL5
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Re: Arena it is

Post by DL5 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:26 pm

Good news, common sense and vital to the club getting through this shitstorm
.

Mister e
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Mister e » Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:36 pm

Quakers83 wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:18 pm
Mister e wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:15 pm
eddie-rowles wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:50 am
My thanks go out to DJ, board members, volunteers who have worked very hard to get this on and thanks to both rugby clubs having sensible discussions and outcomes. Possible season ticket holders used for test games, home draw for FA cup would be great .
No it wouldn't we've never won a single cup tie at the arena if my memory serves me right.
We beat Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup at the Arena in 2010.
My apologies forgot all about that one but even then we were so cursed up there we ended up playing York city in the next round on an ice rink. Raj wanting the game played at any cost as he was struggling to pay the wages I think we lost out on a third round trip to Everton because of this.

tdk1
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Re: Arena it is

Post by tdk1 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:38 pm

Think it was Bolton rather than Everton. It was bloody freezing the day of that York game. And a bird hit my car radiator on the a66 and got wedged in. I only found it when I pulled up at sainsburys in darlo. Useful detail for you there.

Mister e
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Mister e » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:03 pm

tdk1 wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:38 pm
Think it was Bolton rather than Everton. It was bloody freezing the day of that York game. And a bird hit my car radiator on the a66 and got wedged in. I only found it when I pulled up at sainsburys in darlo. Useful detail for you there.
It was freezing that day hope it wasn't a penguin you hit lol😁

Quakers83
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Quakers83 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:39 pm

Personally, I wouldn’t be against a permanent move to the Arena if this temporary switch went well.

All hypothetical, of course.

Vokuhila
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Re: Arena it is

Post by Vokuhila » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:56 pm

tdk1 wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:38 pm
Think it was Bolton rather than Everton. It was bloody freezing the day of that York game. And a bird hit my car radiator on the a66 and got wedged in. I only found it when I pulled up at sainsburys in darlo. Useful detail for you there.
Was it still alive?

Shades of the Farnborough game back in 2003 when we may well have ended up going through if we'd just put a little less effort into getting the match on.

tdk1
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Re: Arena it is

Post by tdk1 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:15 pm

Vokuhila wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:56 pm
tdk1 wrote:
Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:38 pm
Think it was Bolton rather than Everton. It was bloody freezing the day of that York game. And a bird hit my car radiator on the a66 and got wedged in. I only found it when I pulled up at sainsburys in darlo. Useful detail for you there.
Was it still alive?

Shades of the Farnborough game back in 2003 when we may well have ended up going through if we'd just put a little less effort into getting the match on.
It most definitely was not. I had to prise it out with a stick. It was rank.

jjljks
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Re: Arena it is

Post by jjljks » Wed Sep 09, 2020 4:21 am

Is Boris a mate of Fat Josh? His decree of no more than 6 people may have just killed the new season and our plans to get the trial events in, let alone full games. Why did this news get released at 22:30 last night?

lo36789
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Re: Arena it is

Post by lo36789 » Wed Sep 09, 2020 6:04 am

Just seen latest Echo article with a photo of the seats at the arena - they seem to be heading towards white now.

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