3rd round. Who do we want? We get Reading

[koro]

It's probably just a matter of filling the away terrace - simple. In any case where have an extra 2000 plus Harriers "fans" suddenly emerged from ?

[Sheffield Harrier]

I would be curious as to the reasoning. Not calling it a disgrace. I don't know all the factors in the decision making process. We've certainly had half the south end for home fans before. I'd be quite bitter if I missed out on a ticket. Some will have waited until after Xmas and have missed out. Ok, they could have acted sooner but frustrating when you realise 25% tickets have gone to away fans.

Luke has attempted some reasoning on Twitter - kudos for that but a loss of 1000+ off capacity seems like an awful lot to me. But I'm not the security expert ....

Would be good to have a New Year's address from the chairman, with a bit of a rallying cry and clearing up a few issues. It will never please everyone but if done well it usually generates positivity.

[PIRATE OF ZARAGOZA]

Ground capacities are decided by the Safety Advisory Group, the football club will have to adhere to what they say.

[Murphy]

Ground capacities are decided by the Safety Advisory Group, the football club will have to adhere to what they say.

So Reading should still have only been allocated 15% of the revised capacity.

[Phil]

Reading have to play 4 games in 12 days too. Including home to Fulham a few days after our game.

Can see them 'resting' a few.


https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-fc-fulham-new-date-22610672

[Sheffield Harrier]

Ground capacities are decided by the Safety Advisory Group, the football club will have to adhere to what they say.

Who are they? Police? Council?

[PIRATE OF ZARAGOZA]

Ground capacities are decided by the Safety Advisory Group, the football club will have to adhere to what they say.

Who are they? Police? Council?

Both.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/event-safety/safety-advisory-groups.htm

[Medieval]

We get less than 2k home fans per game, so plenty of ticket availability for the regulars. If they delayed, club can`t be held responsible.

[harry211]

We get less than 2k home fans per game, so plenty of ticket availability for the regulars. If they delayed, club can`t be held responsible.

They can around Christmas.

Very odd to give Reading such a big allocation. Perhaps they weren't expecting us to definitely sell out in the face of potential Covid restrictions but knew the opposition would snap them up?

[Medieval]

How can the club be held responsible?

I agree with your second para .

[harry211]

How can the club be held responsible?

I agree with your second para .

They'll know money is tight for many people. They'll know some will be waiting for money to shift in and around Christmas. Could we have been savvy and held some back for a post Christmas tranche? Then again, big capacity for it to go wrong. Basic issue is we've given too many tickets to the opposition.

[Medieval]

How can the club be held responsible?

I agree with your second para .

They'll know money is tight for many people. They'll know some will be waiting for money to shift in and around Christmas. Could we have been savvy and held some back for a post Christmas tranche? Then again, big capacity for it to go wrong. Basic issue is we've given too many tickets to the opposition.

I'm sure the core supporters would have been savvy enough to work around it.
It would be difficult enough to estimate home demand for this fixture in normal times, covid has made it a whole lot worse. Holding some back would be an additional complication.
The club have done their best to balance maxing income & home support tickets imo.

[Harry Err]

We get less than 2k home fans per game, so plenty of ticket availability for the regulars. If they delayed, club can`t be held responsible.

They can around Christmas.

Very odd to give Reading such a big allocation. Perhaps they weren't expecting us to definitely sell out in the face of potential Covid restrictions but knew the opposition would snap them up?

I find it hard to believe the club ever thought we wouldn't sell out considering our allocation isn't hugely more than attended vs Halifax. I can't speak for others however I don't know of anyone who is in the slightest bit bothered about Covid so I doubt that is a significant factor.

What I do find strange is why they didn't split the South terrace. They could even have left the normally unused half unsold until the rest of the ground sold out and then in the unlikely event of there being insufficient home demand they could have given the additional 600 or so to Reading.

[andrewb]

Reading playing Derby on Sky at the moment - and coincidentally BT Sports are showing Grimsby v Halifax

[Sheffield Harrier]

Two all after being two up with five minutes to go. Won't be good for their confidence. Wonder whether they'll play their strongest side against us (with the idea of putting a few past us and gaining confidence) or give fringe players a go.
Southwood (keeper) certainly looked a little suspect on crosses!