In the second of our articles drilling deeper into the results of our recent big survey on stadium atmosphere, unreserved seating and the like, what we examine this time is:
Were the results unduly skewed by the influence of any one group of supporters, as defined by the stand(s) they usually occupy (for a look at any differences by age, see this previous article)?
Whenever any survey is carried out, even one with as many respondents as this one (over 3,000!), there is always a tendency for those who don’t see their own views wholly reflected in the results to wonder if a group of respondents with views at odds with their own had taken part in unduly large numbers and thus produced a result unrepresentative of the wider survey target as a whole. In the case of Bristol City fans this might, for instance, be supporters who normally sit in the Williams or Dolman wondering if the views of former East Enders had unduly influenced the results or it could be the latter wondering if their wishes had been swamped by opinions from respondents from the other three stands.
In order to see if either set of fans had anything to worry about or whether, in fact, the overall results were pretty representative of fans’ views, regardless of which stand they used to call home, we did a bit of number-crunching.
To satisfy ourselves that the results had not been unduly influenced by either fans who said they used to be regulars in the East End (537) or by the views of those who said they usually watched from one of the other three stands (1,901), we looked at the responses given by the respective groups to a number of key survey questions:
Hope East End’s informal atmosphere can be recreated in at least part of the ground
| Full sample | East End only | Other |
| 82% | 98% | 79% |
As was to be expected, almost all former ‘East Enders’ would like the informal atmosphere of that stand recreated. However, so would 79% of fans from the other three stands.
Think one specific area in the ground should be identified as an area for more vocal fans next year
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Yes | 79% | 96% | 76% |
Again, as was to be expected it is the East End regulars who feel most strongly about the need for a specific area to be designated for more vocal support. However, 76% of fans from the Williams / Dolman /Atyeo feel the same way.
Preferred location for ‘singing section’ next season
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Back of South Stand | 40% | 58% | 36% |
| Front of South Stand | 14% | 11% | 14% |
| Dolman A | 7% | 9% | 7% |
While slightly more East Enders than fans from other areas cast a ‘vote’ for Dolman Block A, the areas attracting most support both from East Enders and fans from other stands were in the South Stand, with the back of that stand coming out on top across the board.
Preferred location for ‘singing section’ from 2016/17
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Back of South Stand | 45% | 58% | 36% |
| Front of South Stand | 16% | 12% | 17% |
| Dolman A | 12% | 13% | 12% |
The same pattern can be seen here as for season 2015/16 (above).
Yes to a pragmatic approach to standing in a designated ‘singing section’
| Full sample | East End only | Other |
| 84% | 95% | 82% |
Over 80% of all fans would like the club to take a pragmatic approach to standing. Unsurprisingly, the figure is even higher among former East Enders.
Preferred location for unreserved seating next season*
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Back of South Stand | 44% | 69% | 38% |
| Front of South Stand | 29% | 39% | 27% |
| Dolman A | 19% | 24% | 18% |
As for preferred locations for a ‘singing section’, the ‘votes’ cast by fans from all four stands followed much the same pattern, there merely being a few more among former East Enders making a case for Dolman Block A. Despite that, however, 69% of former East Enders matched fans from other areas in choosing the back of the South Stand as a good location for unreserved seating.
* Multiple responses were allowed. Percentages can therefore total more than 100.
Preferred location for unreserved seating from 2016/17*
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Back of South Stand | 47% | 67% | 42% |
| Front of South Stand | 31% | 43% | 28% |
| Dolman A | 22% | 27% | 21% |
No huge difference here to the numbers for the 2015/16 season (above). 47% of the full sample, 67% of fans who used to go in the East End and 42% of supporters from other stands picked the back of the South Stand as a good location for unreserved seating.
* Multiple responses were allowed. Percentages can therefore total more than 100.
Singing section will play a key role in generating a good overall atmosphere
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Completely agree | 73% | 90% | 69% |
Unsurprisingly, 90% of former East Enders agree that a ‘singing section’ will play a key role in generating a good overall atmosphere in the redeveloped ground. As do over two thirds of supporters from the Dolman / Williams / Atyeo.
View of songs like “Darrell Clarke’s mother is a …” and “My old man said be a Rovers fan …”
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Join in / unbothered | 83% | 94% | 79% |
While songs like these find most favour among former East Enders, they are far from alone in liking them. 79% of supporters from other stands either actively join in or are not bothered by them.
Would want to stand in any future standing area fitted with rail seats
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Yes | 50% | 88% | 39% |
| Undecided | 22% | 9% | 25% |
As would be expected, a lot more former East Enders than fans from other stands would want to stand in any future safe standing area fitted with rail seats. Notably, however, 39% of fans from the other stands (64% if you count those who are undecided) would in that scenario also like to leave their seats behind and move to a formal standing area.
View if there were no singing section, no unreserved seating and zero tolerance of standing
| Full sample | East End only | Other | |
| Poorer experience | 38% | 43% | 37% |
| Go to fewer games | 15% | 32% | 10% |
| Stop going | 7% | 16% | 4% |
| Combined | 60% | 91% | 51% |
Nor was it just former East Enders who said that any lack of a singing section, unreserved seating and a pragmatic approach to standing would have a negative effect on their enjoyment of and attendance at City matches. While what must for the club be a concerning 16% of East Enders said that in that event they would stop going altogether, over half of fans from other stands also said that they would attend fewer games or would enjoy their matchday experience less.
Conclusion
While there was stronger support from former East Enders than fans from other stands for matters such as a singing section, unreserved seating and a pragmatic approach to standing, this was very much in line with expectations.
Perhaps a little surprising for some readers was the level of support on these points from supporters in the Williams, Dolman and Atyeo, who also made it abundantly clear that they want a stadium with an easy-going, vibrant atmosphere that can accommodate the preferences of fans who like to stand, wave flags and even sing the odd off-colour song, as well as accommodating those who prefer to sit and watch in comfort.
There is thus no evidence from drilling deeper into the survey data that either the preferences of the former East Enders or of fans from other stands have unduly influenced the results, which must therefore be seen as largely representative of Bristol City supporters as a whole. It is thus to be hoped that the views expressed will be taken on board by Bristol Sport over the coming weeks and months.