Fans not invited to 49ers’ party

There’s no point in trying to stop it now.

Shovels — possibly golden — will fracture the earth in Santa Clara two weeks from Thursday, marking the long-awaited start to construction of the new 49ers stadium.

At least, that’s what everyone involved wants you to believe.

If you’ve been following along, you know that work has already begun on the area where the future stadium will reside. The work, which started in February, is prep work, including clearing the site and installing sewer lines. You know, underground.

The April 19 “official groundbreaking ceremony” is little more than a photo-op where team officials and civic leaders to scoop some dirt and smile for the cameras.

Need further proof?

The 49ers website makes it pretty clear:

“Due to make-ready construction work underway at the site and limited accessibility, the event will be limited to invited guests only.”

In other words, you are not invited.

With the absurd prices for seat licenses at the new stadium, this event symbolizes the beginning of the “invite-only” era in 49ers history.

Been a season ticket holder for decades? Doesn’t matter. If you don’t have money to waste or are a powerful person, you’re not welcome.

The stadium is alongside an enormous parking lot, so the public could have been involved without too much trouble. Sure, it would have cost the 49ers a few of their pennies. But instead, the backbone of the franchise — the long-time season ticket holders, the three-generation 49ers fans — are left on the outside looking in.

For all the success of the 49ers in the ’80s and ’90s — and so far, a single winning season under Jim Harbaugh — many loyal fans soldiered through abject embarrassment fielded by the club throughout the last decade.

Let’s hope the 49ers don’t forget that. Because we haven’t.