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Stadium to be 71k.

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
2,926
8,490
It would be great if we could use our whole squad in a football game. To defend corners bring on every defender we have, maybe with three goalkeepers, and all the tallest players. Have specialists that come on to take corners, free licks, penalties...even take the kick off. Then after a long run the length of the pitch Dembele could come off for a five minute rest etc., etc. I can't remember the stats but I think right now the average time the ball is in play is about 60mins so if we stopped the clock every time the ball was not in play, using these new rules, a game might last about five or six hours

I play lower league football over in Norway, and when the league gets "low" enough (Norwegian 4th division), you are allowed to substitute players in and out as many times as you want. One time we faced a team that put on all their big men for all set pieces, which meant that there was about 20 occasions where our opponents subsituted 5 players, and swapped back after the set piece.
Farcical stuff, and luckily, we won :)
Wankers.
 

jambreck

Well-Known Member
Jul 20, 2013
3,200
5,879
....with 43 a side.
It's like playing football during milk break on the playground

It's different to football certainly.

But it's also one of the hardest sports on the planet.

I certainly wouldn't be brave enough to play it!
 

playboypaul

EverTheOptimist
Jun 22, 2012
1,677
1,865
It's different to football certainly.

But it's also one of the hardest sports on the planet.

I certainly wouldn't be brave enough to play it!


You pansy. I eat NFL players for breakfast!

frabz-COME-AT-ME-BRO-I-WILL-EAT-YOU-a9ae34.jpg
 

Spursidol

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2007
12,636
15,834
Last edited:

SandroClegane

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2012
3,717
13,842
....with 43 a side.
It's like playing football during milk break on the playground
It's 11 on 11 at one time... you don't have to like it. Some of us do. And some of us like this kind of football as well. And if an NFL team playing there helps us land a huge naming rights deal why does it matter to you?
 

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2003
9,188
11,151
It's 11 on 11 at one time... you don't have to like it. Some of us do. And some of us like this kind of football as well. And if an NFL team playing there helps us land a huge naming rights deal why does it matter to you?
I think you misinterpreted my post, but then I didn't make it clear i like the game as wel! If DL pulls something like this out of his arse I'll be one of the first people queuing for tickets!
This would be absolutely massive for us!
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
The pitch at Wembley was badly cut up after just the first NFL game last month. There is no way we could play on a surface that was seeing a whole NFL season.
 

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
The pitch at Wembley was badly cut up after just the first NFL game last month. There is no way we could play on a surface that was seeing a whole NFL season.
Hence all the talk of sliding pitches etc. NFL is usually played on artificial surfaces I believe.
 

Spurs1960

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2011
2,424
1,220
Yes but these are novelty matches that only happen once or twice a season. What would happen when the NFL team isn't doing any good and after 6 of the 16 regular season matches there is no hope in qualifying for the playoffs?

Eric Idle - Always look on the bright side of life.

Nice little ditti.

Do you not think that if the NFL wanted a London based NFL franchise to help globalise the game they would make sure they were competitive. I don't think there would be any problem filling 65,000 seats to watch players American Football fans over here are never going to see otherwise.
 

Spurs1960

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2011
2,424
1,220
It's different to football certainly.

But it's also one of the hardest sports on the planet.

I certainly wouldn't be brave enough to play it!

I wouldn't take all the steroids so I wouldn't get selected!
 

Caco

Village Idiot
Nov 2, 2004
1,584
1,927
Eric Idle - Always look on the bright side of life.

Nice little ditti.

Do you not think that if the NFL wanted a London based NFL franchise to help globalise the game they would make sure they were competitive. I don't think there would be any problem filling 65,000 seats to watch players American Football fans over here are never going to see otherwise.

I'm not an American Football fan, but I know plenty of people who are, they would gladly travel to London for games. Add to that all the american students living in London and surrounding areas. 65K would probably be too small!
 

SandroClegane

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2012
3,717
13,842
I'm not an American Football fan, but I know plenty of people who are, they would gladly travel to London for games. Add to that all the american students living in London and surrounding areas. 65K would probably be too small!
The issue in my opinion, is if the team sucks, will the fans still come out? I feel like they would but you never know. Worst thing would be playing in a half empty stadium.
 

beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
29,551
The issue in my opinion, is if the team sucks, will the fans still come out? I feel like they would but you never know. Worst thing would be playing in a half empty stadium.
Yes, to watch the winning team

I dont think a english team will be adopted straight away, depending on who they sign
 

PG Spurs

Active Member
Aug 16, 2013
156
164
I think one of the issues with Wembley, is that's it's always going to be perceived as a "neutral" stadium by most people. From watching a few of the NFL Wembley games (when they don't clash with Spurs), it looks like a neutral atmosphere with a sea of shirts from different teams, and everyone turns up just for the experience. I suppose there's nothing wrong with that, but I don't think it would help a franchise team if they played at Wembley.

Maybe introducing a franchise team at a new stadium at Tottenham, with facilities more suited to the NFL, may encourage some different fans to turn up, who don't already have their team affiliation. I would go to a few games. We might get behind the franchise team, and create more of a football atmosphere! Or we could introduce the regular Tottenham atmosphere, sit in silence and moan. :playful:

Understand the US fans reservations. But maybe the way forward for NFL is to make it more global long-term, and London is the first step to a few teams from different countries taking part. It might benefit US sports fans to have a bit of cross-country rivalry. International sport is fun! It must all make sense for fans, increasing participation, as well as financially though.

And the financial implications for Spurs could be massive, with more scope for a huge naming deal and the second biggest club stadium in the country, behind ManUre! I'm drooling at the prospect. :woot:
 

Vulcan10

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
844
1,020
For our games it all comes down to cost, we have the fan base to sell out 60k plus but perhaps not at £70 a ticket. I'm also hoping concessions are available in all sections once the new stadium is built.
 

phil

Well-Known Member
Oct 25, 2004
2,038
1,239
Hence all the talk of sliding pitches etc. NFL is usually played on artificial surfaces I believe.

Most NFL teams play on grass. There was a move to artificial surfaces a few years ago but they became unpopular because they contribute to more serious injuries. I think that 8 teams still play on artificial surfaces (Jets, Giants, Cowboys, Dolphins, Saints, Rams and Vikings) whilst 24 play on grass.
 

SandroClegane

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2012
3,717
13,842
Most NFL teams play on grass. There was a move to artificial surfaces a few years ago but they became unpopular because they contribute to more serious injuries. I think that 8 teams still play on artificial surfaces (Jets, Giants, Cowboys, Dolphins, Saints, Rams and Vikings) whilst 24 play on grass.
It's half and half if not more turf than grass.
 

JonnySpurs

SC Veteran
Jun 4, 2004
5,345
12,398
NFL is so boring!

This kind of deal seems to fit the bill with the way sport franchises are going between the two countries

Well hey, nobody says you have to like it. Personally I adore the NFL and have done since 2006 when I learnt all about the game, the history and the level of skill and athleticism involved to play it.

Trust me, have a crack at flag football one day if u get the chance and play as a wide receiver. Spend an hour running routes and you'll quickly discover how hard it is and that is just one facet of the game.

Granted, it's way too start/stop but that is largely driven by America and it's need for advertising within sport and how they've adapted it to fit in with that requirement. The reality is that it doesn't need to be like this but it works for their television networks so wont be changing.

In terms of what it brings to Spurs if we do link up. Make no mistake, UFC aside, American Football is the fastest growing spectator sport in the UK and the popularity has grown alarmingly well over the past few years. A London franchise is something I still find a little weird and I'm not sure that I agree but if it happens then it opens up the chance for us to have a bigger, better more impressive stadium that could maybe one day even host the Super Bowl - that would be nothing short of remarkable.

I will openly embrace this situation if it turns out this way cos I can think of nothing better than a combo of my two most favourite sports under one roof.
 

SlunkSoma

Like dogs bright
Oct 5, 2004
3,941
3,490
I think its a good idea personally, as long as the extra capacity doesn't affect our atmosphere. Can't see us getting 71k every week.

Only concern I have is that the pitch gets rucked up due to more games. Don't think having an NFL team sharing would cause that much disruption other wise.
 

SlunkSoma

Like dogs bright
Oct 5, 2004
3,941
3,490
It's half and half if not more turf than grass.
I actually think that is the case for most sport pitches. Grass is woven with some synthetic material - might not be the case in every stadium but I know its a popular technology.
 
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