Need a better field that isn't located in one of Edmonton's most dangerous neighborhoods. They put a field in South Edmonton and this thing gets twice as many people IMO.
That photo is the culmination of 10 years of ####ty game day experiences, poor performance on the pitch, supporter group drama, and now an owner who has stopped caring. Plus the year off between NASL and CPL didn't help.
Also COVID, but this is way more than just COVID.
__________________
Last edited by shermanator; 08-13-2021 at 12:50 PM.
Need a better field that isn't located in one of Edmonton's most dangerous neighborhoods. They put a field in South Edmonton and this thing gets twice as many people IMO.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe they used to play out of Foote Field on the University of Alberta South Campus didn’t they?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe they used to play out of Foote Field on the University of Alberta South Campus didn’t they?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I am not sure, but Foote Field would have been way more appropriate given location, parking, and access. That said, I think it's not totally ideal for a fan experience given it's also a track facility, but that's not a big deal. Getting the U of A treatment would have been the best thing for them.
Clarke Stadium is one of the least inspiring stadiums around. I mean it's basically been used as a practice facility for so many years, including when I was a youth doing summer soccer camps.
I am not sure, but Foote Field would have been way more appropriate given location, parking, and access. That said, I think it's not totally ideal for a fan experience given it's also a track facility, but that's not a big deal. Getting the U of A treatment would have been the best thing for them.
Clarke Stadium is one of the least inspiring stadiums around. I mean it's basically been used as a practice facility for so many years, including when I was a youth doing summer soccer camps.
When I used to work up there doing summer day camps, I remember seeing FC Edmonton banners and ticket info plastered all over Foote Field, so I’m just assuming. I don’t believe it holds many fans, but clearly, that isn’t really an issue at this point.
That photo is the culmination of 10 years of ####ty game day experiences, poor performance on the pitch, supporter group drama, and now an owner who has stopped caring. Plus the year off between NASL and CPL didn't help.
Also COVID, but this is way more than just COVID.
That's one of the major things that the Cavalry has going for them; the gameday experience is great. It's funny because I brought some new guys out to a game this year and one guy said something like "I expected this to be like a school field kind of thing, but this is a fully legitimate event!"
Spruce Meadows just does a fantastic job hosting these things. Everything is run properly, the pitch and stadium are nice and they've made improvements from the first game in May 2019. I'd say that it's a better experience than going to McMahon Stadium, and I really don't think that's far from the truth in terms of the offering for fans.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Slava For This Useful Post:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe they used to play out of Foote Field on the University of Alberta South Campus didn’t they?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They did, in 2011. Football lines and bright yellow end zones, with stands 20 yards away from the pitch. Clarke was an upgrade on that experience if you can believe it.
Clarke Stadium sucks (at least until the renos go ahead). Fill Jasper Place Bowl Stadium up first, then add additional seating once more fans show up. New home, new location, new attitude, new chapter!
The Following User Says Thank You to Muta For This Useful Post:
They did, in 2011. Football lines and bright yellow end zones, with stands 20 yards away from the pitch. Clarke was an upgrade on that experience if you can believe it.
I’m assuming the zoom of the camera makes the view not look so bad, but yeah, the gridiron lines and yellow endzones make that tough to watch.
I used to live a couple blocks from Clark, it’s super sketchy at night, but no worse than Victoria Park during the day.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've found it's fine for game day, including parking or taking the train. Not sure I would be hanging around there when the sun sets. Coliseum and Clareview are even worse.
I've found it's fine for game day, including parking or taking the train. Not sure I would be hanging around there when the sun sets. Coliseum and Clareview are even worse.
The people who live inside the sketchy apartment buildings are scarier than the ones on the street.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM; 08-13-2021 at 04:13 PM.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe they used to play out of Foote Field on the University of Alberta South Campus didn’t they?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think they moved to the track side of Foote Field when the CPL made it's resurgence a couple of years ago. It is in such a better location: close to the University, an LRT Station, and Whyte Ave. It would be an ideal field except for the stands and track.
I was a season ticket holder for the Eddies when I lived there from 2013-2015.
The problem for the Eddies is that they botched the launch of the club in the most spectacular way possible, and have never been able to recover. There was animosity with the local soccer community, local popular players like Shaun Saiko were forced out by their ######bag coach - Colin Miller, there was little to no promotion in the earlier years, the team has never won a title and let's be honest, the stadium situation isnt good. All those things together are a killer. It doesnt help that many in the soccer community in Edmonton have almost a disdain for the club.
You only get one chance to launch a club. It needs to become an "event" with buzz. That attracts the average spectator that isnt a diehard soccer fan. Even the way the foot soldiers pre-game and then all bus out to the game is the sort of culture the Eddies have never had. The Wanderers games in Halifax, close to downtown is "an event" there.
I go to Valour games in Winnipeg. There is a lack of culture, perhaps, but IG stadium is nice, and the soccer community here isnt fractured and supports the club. Many people I know that arent necessary soccer fans are still pretty open to catching a match.
I said years ago that FC Edmonton will never recover, I stand by that. I was shocked they joined the CPL.
