RickC

Waiting for contract renewal news, but did read an article online from the Hamilton Spectator about Bob Young feeling Forge outperformed his expectations off the field. He gives credit to the TiCats organization which would have been able to access their fan base and putting on excellent game-day experiences. Sorry, can't remember which article nor have a link, but it was in the past week. Forge showed off the North Star Shield at half-time of the CFL Eastern Final this past Sunday. I missed it as I was buying more beer to fill my just-emptied bladder.

According to The Weather Network, the rain won't start until after the match, and their Bug Report shows mosquitoes, deer flies and black flies are not in season anymore. Now, if only gulls weren't in season too. Really looking forward to this game. We have 8 going and are bringing our own yellow and red cards. As a nice touch, the big screen will be showing the TiCats game starting at 1 pm until close to kickoff of the CPL game. Reminds me of being in Rome to see a Lazio-Parma match and seeing the start of the US Formula One race on the Olympic Stadium's big screen. I'm not sure, but I think they were backing Ferrari.

Thank you to Shermanator for showing how next year's season's ticket prices compare to this season. With all due respect though, I think he's missed the proper analysis. I believe Cavalry's motivation is to lower the prices so they can lock in as many SSH's before they lose the home-and-away championship matches vs. Forge.

People were still coming in at the 28th minute, blocking views of the play. I suppose I should just be happy they bought tickets. Lots of excitement here whenever Davies is on the attack.

Well, that was a rather uninspired / uninspiring match for Forge. Happy about the win, and last play penalty miss. But, not the most entertaining match. Mohsen did not have a good game so was happy he was subbed for Nanco. One thing I noticed about Mohsen was every time he made a bad pass or lost the ball he'd put his head down. He needs to learn to just keep working and not get down on himself. York really does seem like a bunch of whiners. Great work by the BSB yet again, but if it's one of you with the whistle, please ditch it for the remaining matches. I don't know if the league can fine a club for whistles in the stands and I don't want to find out. Also, really hope Edgar is not hurt badly. Seemed like a groin strain but was able to continue on the pitch (Forge already made 3 subs).

TSN mentioned CPL last night! Well, almost. During the TiCats game they showed Bob Young, the owner, and mentioned that the TiCats and "his soccer team" were both undefeated at home. Forge have lost two home games, but at least TSN mentioned that there is in fact a soccer team in Hamilton.

Forge FC SSH renewal information is out now. I'm putting this in CPL General as part of the details are regarding 7 Spring Season and 7 Fall Season games. So, we now know about that structure for next year. Lots of other goodies too for renewals!

I do want to respond to one of UT's previous comments about a waiter placing the knife on the wrong side of the spoon. I don't think Forge's seating plan for next year is quite that bad. That would make me question dining at the restaurant whereas I will continue to support Forge. Seriously though, having been on the east side for a nation's league match, the one downside not yet mentioned of not being on the west is I felt somewhat cut off from the BSB supporters group. On the west, we had a great view of them and could hear them clearly. On the east side, not only couldn't we see them but we couldn't hear them as clearly either ( we were approximately at mid-field). For the TiCats labour day game we were on the east but any hot, sunny summer days we always choose the west for CFL. As for sightlines, they are the same. But, I like being close to the players bench to see more closely the interactions amongst players and to see the coach's antics. Sure, all first world problems. My last point: I do think Forge is handling this very well. Email to season seat holders. Allowing us to "test drive" alternate seats in the remaining matches this year. Upgrades to seats at no extra cost. They are doing a professional job of this.

I've received the email regarding Forge's change of seating next year, so it's true. Part of the rationale is that fans who were surveyed after the Antigua and CD Olympia matches indicated they thought there was a better atmosphere when we were all on the east side (other than club seats on the west). I selected our seasons seats on the west for several reasons so although I understand this decision am not happy about it. But I don't like change. Does this also mean Forge doesn't think they'll get more than 7,000 or so to games next year? This is a bit disheartening.

We called our Forge rep to get two tickets to a game for which TicketMaster had almost no seats available, and we got two seats right beside ours. Were they seasons seats held by a corporate holder who couldn't move the tickets so made them available through the club? I don't know, but I do know what it's like to give away tickets held corporately, and it's far more difficult than you may think. It's not just about demand, it's also about did you reach out to the right person at the right time. If I was not a seasons ticket holder and wanted to go to the game I'd head to TM to purchase. Seeing none available, I wouldn't think of contacting the club, so I'd end up not going to the match. Is this suppressing actual paid attendance? Probably not much, but for the recent visit by Calgary it may have.

For those in Winnipeg, you may find it interesting that THF has more seats between the goal lines (in CFL terms) than does IGF. I think this also means for CFL that Hamilton has higher average ticket prices. The capacity for Forge matches is about 10,600 including club seats, where one can go inside to get out of the elements. I think the announced attendance for the Cavalry match was reasonable for how many people were actually there. Now as for Ticketmaster, it showed almost no tickets for sale for the match, meaning tickets "distributed" were over 10,000 unless someone else knows better how the whole ticket racket really works. Hence, the announced attendance of 6,800 is not tickets distributed. As for the above screenshot, I'm pretty sure I was in the concourse on the west side at that time, waiting for the rain to stop. Maybe I should buy tickets on the east side next year so attendance will look closer to announced.

I don't want to be too picky, but this is not confirmation. It is the Forbes writer's opinion. Yes, based likely on the interview with Friend, but it's not a quote of Friend. I do think expansion is not likely until 2021 as we've not heard any announcements of teams yet for 2020 and it's getting closer to that having to happen. Ottawa? Who knows what's happening out of the public's view.

Note to Premier Ford, anyone in Ontario needing a heart stress test should have been given a ticket to that game. While Forge certainly had their chances, I don't know how many times a ball went sailing through our goal area and we expected an Olimpia player to be there and just tap it in. Funny to see the highlights and not see the Olimpia shot that dribbled just outside the post. It was NOT a relaxing game to be at. I thought Frano was an early player of the match for Forge, until he gave up the penalty. He was breaking up so many plays through midfield. And about that penalty, so happy the ref didn't have it replayed for Henry's movement from the line. Nowak (I've decided to spell it with a "w" even though I pronounce it as"v") did look gassed as the game went on but you can't expect a centre forward to be the only one pressing and not run out of steam. I recorded the game on TSN but only watched a little bit when we got home. Not impressed with having a US feed. Nice temperature of 78 at kickoff, but I thought being at the game a while back when it was 37 was oppressive. And, did you know, Forge's gk Henry is from Ontario. And the half-time show is about rivalry between Toronto FC and Montreal Impact with no Forge-Olimpia match discussion. Maybe I should just be happy that the match was televised.

^^Paul, is that you? (Stanley)

According to Ticketmaster this morning, the east side stand (lower part) and club seats on the west (the only two areas opened for this match) are sold out? That would make it about 5,000 tickets sold, sorry that should be distributed;) We have our seats in 115 instead of our usual 104. Bob Young, TiCats/Forge owner, sent out a video about the match, how historic it is. Can't help but feel excited and really looking forward to this match.