Why it’s time to move to the GH Display Stand for good
- Harry Anders
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
On Saturday against Wycombe Wanderers, the crowd in the GH display showed the absolute best of the Posh faithful, fans singing with passion, the drum keeping time as Posh lashed balls across the goal in front of us.
It was a fantastic experience for families and ‘ultras’ alike, often sat right next to each other.
It was the best advert so far for the clear and obvious conclusion that should be reached: Posh should open the GH Display permanently for home fans from next season.
Here’s the key reasons why.
Home fans deserve access to our best stand
It is not surprising that our most recently built stand is the best in the ground: a modern concourse, good facilities, and a high roof that allows noise from the stand to fill the ground.
While it is of course a great advert to other clubs when we put opposition fans in there, surely, it is more important that our best stand goes to loyal Posh supporters.
Moving creates the opportunity for the club to improve revenues
With a move to the GH Display for some season ticket holders, a number of (sometimes overlapping) scenarios become available to the club to maximise income:
To start with, the E4 and E5 blocks could be the only ones where season tickets are offered. This would be sensible in the first full year as demand would be uncertain.
Additionally, season tickets should no longer be offered in the London Road End.
When only a small number of away fans are expected, they can be housed in E1 and E2, with spillover to A and B block if necessary. Tickets in the London Road End would be available for home fans.
When a large number of away fans are expected, they can be placed in the London Road End. In this situation, the remainder of the GH Display can be opened up for home fans.
This additional flexibility will lead to higher gates: non-season ticket holders will get the novelty of the GH for big games, a feeling that has still not worn off for many, even years after the stand has opened.
Likewise, away fans who have been to PE2 before and may feel it is ‘ticked’ as ground could return knowing there is an opportunity to go in the terrace.
Season ticket holders in the London Road End love the club more than they hate change
One of the key arguments against this change is the London Road End supporters, who no doubt represent some of the most loyal in the entire fanbase, will be upset by being forced to change.
They therefore may not renew their season tickets, and possibly even refuse to turn up to games in protest.
This is unconvincing. It is far more likely to transpire that they love the club more than they hate change.
No doubt there is a strong attachment where fans are standing in the same space their relatives have stood but Everton’s move proves that it’s OK to leave the past and make a new legacy.
There may be concerns, but the vast majority will become accustomed to a new part of the ground almost immediately.
The club could smooth this transition by offering a discount season ticket in the GH specifically for those moving from the London Road End.
The sad reality is that ever since the club was forced to shoe-horn railing into a stand that is totally unsuitable for it, the terrace has lost all of its charm.
The memories of falling over each other in glee at a last minute winner are just that - memories.
But new memories are already being made in the GH Display.
From the two Cambridge derby wins, to Josh Knight’s goal against Oxford in the playoffs, there is something special about the GH that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the ground.
It was great knowing you, London Road End, but it is time to move on.
Verdict
Darragh MacAnthony indicated on his first UpThePoshcast interview that he was personally undecided on the topic.
At UpThePoshcast, we are almost all convinced that a move is the best thing for the fans, and for the club.
We would love to hear your thoughts - would you support a permanent move to the GH Display Stand?
Take me home, LONDON ROAD
Harry Anders / Edited by Becky ;-)
On Saturday against Wycombe Wanderers, the crowd in the GH display, boosted by free school tickets, showed the absolute best of the Posh faithful, fans singing with passion, the drum keeping time as Posh lashed balls across the goal.
On Saturday against Wycombe Wanderers, the crowd in London Road also showed their loyalty to a team on a poor run of form, and were also singing with passion and also had a drum!
Posh have resisted utilising their best (by best you mean most modern) stand properly for years. (Some would argue the best stand is the family stand, better view from higher up, Peters Burrow etc)
It…
The London Road Terrace is Safe Standing, the GH Stand is seated. How do you reconcile the difference?
I think it’s a brilliant idea because it’s clearly obvious we ain’t getting a new stadium so let’s award home fans with the best stand & facilities it’s a no brainer