Town have announced that North Stand fans will be allowed to return to the new North as soon as it is complete after all. The allocation of seats in the South Stand has seen many supporters separated from their regular comrades and has led to a large number of frustrated TWTD Message Board postings and letters in the local press.
A vote amongst North Stand supporters prior to the allocation had seen fans vote to stay in the South Stand for the whole season. But it was clear once the nature of the allocation was known that supporters were unhappy.
In some cases fans were a hundred or so seats away from their travelling companions, while TWTD has also heard of a married couple separated by the allocation. TWTD received a large number of emails on this subject and set up a poll asking if North Standers would rather return to the North Stand in light of the less than satisfactory arrangements. Currently 389 fans have voted with 78.9% wanting to make the move back to more familiar territory.
Supporters who want to move back to the North Stand will be allowed to do so once the lower tier is ready. They will also receive a £2 per match discount to make up for the lack of roof and on-going work on the stand. Fans will be placed as near as possible to their old seats in the North Stand.
Town's director of communication, Alesha Gooderham says of the decision: "We tried to adopt an approach which simply did not work as we intended. It is our responsibility to find a solution which the fans will be pleased with. Having listened with a number of supporters
many have appreciated the task we undertook with good intentions, however [they] have asked for an option and I hope the chance to return to the lower tier of the North Stand, once complete, will be welcomed."
She continued: "We will offer supporters a £2 per match discount pro-rata from when they return to compensate for the fact that the upper tier is still being developed throughout the season. Neither our supporters nor the club need this type of frustration at this time but rather focus our energies in supporting the team on the pitch as they begin another vital campaign in the Premiership."
North Stand Season tickets holders wanting to return to the new North once the lower tier is completed are to contact the ticket office between Monday 17th September and Monday 1st October to confirm their move. The new North is expected to be in use for the West Ham match on October 27th, although this could well change.