From the Mayor's Office.

[StanCollymore]

Hi everyone, just keeping you up to date. I know the club provided an update yesterday, this just gives some granular detail from the Mayor's Office.

Personally I think it's nothing short of a disgrace that a major sporting event with a venue capacity of 90,000 but effectively halved was chosen ahead of any number of great stadia we now have that would have been available with enough capacity to accommodate both clubs.

I'd go further on record and point direct blame at the National League for the booking and its subsequent messaging, which beggared belief.

Many people at both clubs, supporters groups and individuals have bombarded stakeholders with positive information to get as many supporters as possible but bar a last minute change of heart it looks as though Wembley's and the National League's get out are the coach packages which has lead to the club having to put extraordinary amounts of effort onto sourcing coaches along with supporters who just wanted a ticket(s) now having to do geographical gymnastics just to ensure they get one.

Unfair, unnecessary and to be brutally honest, a ****show by Wembley and the National League.

The 48,000 is better than 34 is better than 40 though so genuinely hope everyone who wants a ticket, gets one.

Stan

 

[* ORM *]

But hang on, isn’t that exactly where we are at right now??? Apols if I am wrong on this -

Should add, as always a useful update thanks Stan.

 

[EnglandShrimper]

yes and by the sounds of things thats the end of the tickets. what an awful ****show from start to finish.

 

[euroshrimper]

Pathetic response from the Mayor's office.
To be honest 6 trains an hour on the Bakerloo Line doesn't sound great to me if I have read that correctly?
Still a bloody disgrace........

 

[RHB]

And I think we have now reached a point where the wrong end of a very large pineapple has finally been ceremonially shoved up the collective arse of Southend United without a shred of remorse from any of the pineapple shovers. Shame on the lot of them.

 

[dusterman]

And I think we have now reached a point where the wrong end of a very large pineapple has finally been ceremonially shoved up the collecting arse of Southend United without a shred of remorse from any of the pineapple shovers. Shame on the lot of them.

I enjoy this analogy a lot.

 

[Target man]

The whole thing just stinks of incompetence and going into hiding. Absolutely shocking from the National League who don't want to take any responsibility, killing the build up of this playoff final, revenue for both clubs, and the possibility of attending for many.

Thanks for the update Stan and for your time.

 

[Linda Loan Shark]

Thanks Stan

 

[BigCol]

Thanks for the updates Stan. Worst possible outcome but what can we do. outcome Smash Oldham And sue the national league!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Thanks for your efforts Stanley. It’s much appreciated and great to know a legend has our back.

It seems the authorities have made barely any effort to increase capacity despite all Tom Lawrence’s heroic efforts to procure coaches and all your prodding.

The original figure I believe was actually 40,000 (17,5000 for each club and 5000 for advanced sales, neutrals, dignitaries and incompetent NL directors). That means all the extra coaches have only yielded a further 8000 seats (and some of those have probably been from the unused advanced allocation). That’s better than nothing and will be hugely appreciated by those who have secured tickets since they initially sold out but it is a pathetic response IMO from the authorities, one designed to cover their arses (or elbows as they can’t tell their arses from their elbows?) as they’ve deliberately made it as difficult as possible to buy tickets to artificially dampen demand.

Without restrictions I’d have purchased a further 6 tickets and I doubt I’m alone.

This isn’t just about Sunday it is about the future Shrimpers we weren’t able to convert because of the NL’s incompetence.

 

[fredheim_holm]

Thanks for your efforts Stanley. It’s much appreciated and great to know a legend has our back.

It seems the authorities have made barely any effort to increase capacity despite all Tom Lawrence’s heroic efforts to procure coaches and all your prodding.

The original figure I believe was actually 40,000 (17,5000 for each club and 5000 for advanced sales, neutrals, dignitaries and incompetent NL directors). That means all the extra coaches have only yielded a further 8000 seats (and some of those have probably been from the unused advanced allocation). That’s better than nothing and will be hugely appreciated by those who have secured tickets since they initially sold out but it is a pathetic response IMO from the authorities, one designed to cover their arses (or elbows as they can’t tell their arses from their elbows?) as they’ve deliberately made it as difficult as possible to buy tickets to artificially dampen demand.

Without restrictions I’d have purchased a further 6 tickets and I doubt I’m alone.

This isn’t just about Sunday it is about the future Shrimpers we weren’t able to convert because of the NL’s incompetence.

Would have brought another 4 myself too, would easily add 5-10k at a minimum.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Top job Stan

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Any update on the unsold Oldham tickets being “donated “, many thanks to our end of the stadium ?

 

[TrevorFitzpatrickHattrick]

Thank you for lobbying on ours and Oldham's behalf Stan.

The National League have put on an absolute clinic when it comes to ineptitude, incompetence and intransigence. An opportunity to showcase the league, make a case for additional promotion places and absolutely smash the record for an attendance for a non-league playoff final completely wasted, with a number of our fans now either unwilling or unable to secure tickets.

I pray that we win on Sunday to get out of this league, that Oldham make their way up next season and that we forensically examine the fallout from this debacle and sue the National League for a blatant loss of earnings.

 

[Holy Joe]

So Bakerloo and Chiltern have upped from 4 trains per hour to 6 - is that the maximum possible? Or could that have been increased further still?

 

[in the know]

In sir sadique cant's response I seem to have missed the bit where he says.. 'I've instructed more general tickets to be made available'.
'I've instructed Brent council to increase H&S limits'.
'I've requested the NL to reconsider capacity for general sales'.
'I've instructed the lioness line to do more than a normal sunday'.
All I read is 'I've been provided with info'!.
Sir sadique can't seems be qualified for a top job at at the NL.

 

[mattytheshrimper]

So national league are blaming TFL and TFL are saying its not their fault, so who's fault is it then? Someone's made the decision, Wembley or the FA perhaps? It's a total mess regardless and tarnished the excitement which is what we should be focusing on. I just hope the loyal faithful manage to get to the game. I know having to book a coach space is annoying but better that than miss it completely.

 

[Supershrimper]

It's a shame we came sell tickets with "Coach Travel" included and the cost of the coach is free but reading between the lines its just a ticket and a ride on a "Phantom coach" and instead you make your own way there.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Pathetic.
The National League have not tried on our behalf have they, too much work involved so they've washed their hands of us. We dont want coaches clogging up transport links. And half the fans dont want to travel there by coach. I certainly dont. I work up the big smoke everyday for the last 30yrs, i certainly dont get excited about the place. But i do want a day to spend in the company of thousands of Shrimpers enjoying the social side before the ball is kicked.
I Never take a coach to football either, always choose to drive or train. I, like tons of others, have no interest in a coach to this game or any. To be FORCED to buy a coach ticket to get a match ticket, perposterous.

West Ham have 62k in their London Stadium, they must think this is hilarious, theyve only got 1 train station ! What on earth are these Event Safety Advisory Group thinking, have they lost their tiny elf and safety minds? A sunday in London, it couldnt be any quieter during school holidays.

 

[Bazza the dog]

Given the National League previous, I had no doubt that the majority (if not all of the blame) falls squarely at their rotten feet and their reaction of completely shifting any blame for probable fear of a lawsuit say's it all.

The quicker we move on from their joke of an organisation and Sunday league standard officials the better because these charlatans are clearly stuck in a non league conference mindset, when the league is made us of mostly pro clubs, with proper history in the game.