the pitch was up to its old tricks yesterday. no matter how often the drainage is tweaked the water still wants to collect in the same areas. two distinct brown streaks appearing two thirds of the way across to the pop side, the sodden area by the touch line, and by the goal line/corner at the golf road end. the pitch needs building up higher and with more camber so surface water runs off. it appears there is very little camber at all on the pitch. i watched some video of stockport's match yesterday and their pitch appeared to be in very good condition despite the same weather.

 ..........and probably twenty decent ideas to get the very hardcore of that movement back (if they want to and don't have other things they'd rather be doing).
Surely, if they were that hardcore they wouldn't have 'other things they'd rather be doing'.

I realise that the reasons for staying away will seem entirely valid to those who have chosen this option; it is up to them and I am not in a position to criticise.  What I can say is that during my professional life I have, at times, experienced issues that have vexed me deeply and toward which I have objected in the strongest terms.  What I have learnt is that after all the debate, disagreement, rage etc. it is the system/company that wins.  By that I mean that it (in this case Alty, will continue to exist regardless of the support of the 'stay-aways').  It may be a bitter pill to swallow but I suspect the Board and its Chairman are giving very little thought to what is now (as far as they are concerned) in the past.  As I said earlier, the football is the best I've seen played in a long time, the team spirit is second to none.  It's a good time to be watching the team in red and white.

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Why give them any of the popside..........the away end is big enough for what they will bring

I must add, the experience at their ground when we visited them in the FA Cup was far from great........albeit under cover there was not enough room, poor access to facilities etc. Let's wait and see how we are treated on Boxing Day

Excellent posts Bob and Leon

First game I've seen this season (due to work and living a miles away in Shropshire) and been a fan since 1990. What heart the players have, great team spirit and bags of talent. Very proud to be an Alty fan and the buzz is still there.

Great to see the next generation of fans coming through too with such enthusiasm.

Happy bunny today   

Yeah, I’ve noticed a few tweets but had no info from the club. I’d imagine we’ve sent them tickets to get a gauge of how many are likely to attend, helps us to prepare.

The pitch is going to play a massive part in our home form. In an ideal world only the the first team would be using it

I’d be surprised if it was, though people will need to be told to get in early. Biggest crowd I’ve seen in the recent past here was the 4600 for Guiseley in the CN Play Off final in 2014 and that was pay on the day, albeit with only about 600-700 away fans.

Guesstimate 3000-3500 depending on how we both do in the league in the next few weeks. Give Stockport half the pop side and the away end so they have a roof plus obviously some will elect to sit down. No need for any OTT GMP activity either, other than being local we have no rivalry with them and I’ve never seen a hint of trouble at any of our games with them. Should be a good days football for all-no rain please over Xmas too!

Some of their fans have been asking if this is likely to be all ticket ?

the most interesting thing about this other journalist view:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=CWWj2q3Nkk8

is that if you look bottom right you can see the connor hampson interview taking place