Post by Creepy Crawley on Apr 19, 2022 12:27:34 GMT
I'd like to share some points from my matchday experience yesterday ( Easter Monday v Walsall )
1 : I enter and leave by the layby - the gate between the layby and ground was padlocked ( as it regularly is on matchdays ) Question : Why ?
2 : I queued up in Redz bar for 20 minutes only to be told when I reached the bar that there was no draft beer. Question : Why ?
3 : I went to buy a coffee at half time, only to see a queue of approximately 50 people, and it was clear that I would not be served during half time. Question : Why ?
If the new owners want to attract more fans, they need to ensure that the matchday experience improves.
Is anyone at the club listening ?
PS: I think the bar staff in Redz are excellent, I've always said that over the years.
Totally agree on the matchday experience...the food option is dire. We use the downsman for instance and walk up before kick off....the club are missing out on revenue here by not offering more options in my humble opinion
My son fancies a burger at half-time and as we just had a quick chat to some friends behind the goal, decides to queue for one with about 5 minutes of HT gone in the queue near Redz. 10 mins in the queue we eventually figure out that part of the ground doesn't do burgers. Why? It has more space than others? But any way perhaps we should have checked before joining the queue so partly our fault. He goes to queue in the West Stand outlets with a couple of minutes to the restart and I say to him see you back in the seats in a few minutes. He eventually finally gets back to his seat with the scoreboard reading 62 MINUTES
Agree with all of the above. I haven't been to many matches in the last couple of years (for some reason), but prior to that was a season ticket holder and plan to buy one again for next season. When I do attend, since I live some way away, I travel before I've had lunch.
Because the food's availability and choice at the ground is either so unreliable, or such poor quality/value for money, I normally eat at the Peas Pottage services before arriving at the ground, so the club loses my money. I bought a tea on arrival at the Barrow match from the West Stand, but they didn't have any lids for the cups.
I used to buy a drink and a snack at half time, but now don't bother because of the queues and likelihood I'll miss part of the second half.
The new owners need to get the basics right for the benefit of not just the fans, but also for maximising the club's revenue.
Having lobbed a brickbat here I must add a bouquet, Redz is still a vital place for me and a greatly enjoyable one. Tom Nichols was in the bar after the game and stuff like that is a big deal for fans like us I think
Post by Creepy Crawley on Apr 19, 2022 17:00:26 GMT
Some good stuff on here, I hope the new owners are reading this.
The current management which were in place under the Turkish ownership need to take some resposnsibility. To me it stinks of a could n't care a less attitude from the management of the stadium and club.
Perhaps its time to get someone new in who knows how to run a football club, because at present the matchday experience ( off the pitch ) is dire.
Totally agree on the matchday experience...the food option is dire. We use the downsman for instance and walk up before kick off....the club are missing out on revenue here by not offering more options in my humble opinion
How far is the Downsman Trevor? I've not been in there before .
5-10 mins walk?
I certainly won't be rushing back into Redz bar anytime soon.
Totally agree on the matchday experience...the food option is dire. We use the downsman for instance and walk up before kick off....the club are missing out on revenue here by not offering more options in my humble opinion
How far is the Downsman Trevor? I've not been in there before .
5-10 mins walk?
I certainly won't be rushing back into Redz bar anytime soon.
It's a 10 minute walk...primarily Indian food but some other things on the menu for those that don't like that sort of thing.
The new owners need to get the basics right for the benefit of not just the fans, but also for maximising the club's revenue.
IMHO, If there is a single aspect of live sporting events across the pond, that they are truly world-class at, it is getting decent food & drink to their customers in an efficient timely fashion.
The new owners need to get the basics right for the benefit of not just the fans, but also for maximising the club's revenue.
IMHO, If there is a single aspect of live sporting events across the pond, that they are truly world-class at, it is getting decent food & drink to their customers in an efficient timely fashion.
That should be the easiest thing for the new owners to sort out. Plenty of opportunities to improve match day experience. When they next come to a game they need to meet supporters inside and outside Redz bar before the game. Maybe take in a few away games with the supporters as well. After listening to Preston his you tube interview i have confidence this will happen. With only one home game left it will be difficult for them to gather all information necessary but we need to start the new season with a noticeable improvement to the fans match day experience.
With the food I reckon a good thing to do would be to maybe partner up with a local restaurant and have the bar selling food at lunchtime before games and the evening afterwards for dinner? As doing that I think could help make more of a day of going to the games as well as being able to offer top quality food.
A similar arrangement could be done in place for the in-ground outlets, would be a Nice thing to legitimately be able to claim we have the best pies and burgers in the league haha
Some good stuff on here, I hope the new owners are reading this.
The current management which were in place under the Turkish ownership need to take some resposnsibility. To me it stinks of a could n't care a less attitude from the management of the stadium and club.
Perhaps its time to get someone new in who knows how to run a football club, because at present the matchday experience ( off the pitch ) is dire.
Personally, I don’t think it is a couldn’t care less attitude of the day-to-day staff at the club, but likely more a case of not enough staff. The impression I have is that over the last few years, the staff numbers have reduced and those remaining have so much work keeping everything going that they don’t have time to take in the ‘big picture’ and sort out the fundamental things that need fixing (and I don’t just mean the hand drier).
The new people seem enthusiastic and switched on. Hopefully they will put the resources in to ensure the staff have time to make the changes that are needed.
The new owners need to get the basics right for the benefit of not just the fans, but also for maximising the club's revenue.
IMHO, If there is a single aspect of live sporting events across the pond, that they are truly world-class at, it is getting decent food & drink to their customers in an efficient timely fashion.
Agreed - having been to American football, baseball and ice hockey games over there, what passes for catering at most football grounds in the UK is shockingly bad.
I was in Redz before the main event Easter Monday watching the Boro v Huddersfield game. 1 TV out of action but I believe a couple of others have been added. I was dissapointed there was no egg hunt (joke), nearer you got to KO many seemed dissapointed with the queues (no joke). There used to be a 'quick' service (sorta oop up table bar) of basic bottle of beer or water and for some that must've helped. As for the food it's so bad I avoid if I can. If I havent eaten at home before making my way to the ground I have either eaten in town or Easter Monday opted for fish and chips in Broadfield (not the stadium). FFS sort the food and drink out. Ok its huge money but ideally expand or knock Redz down and make it 2 level. Tables and food available with say 50% tables bookable would be great. Ideally move Redz the opposite side of stadium but essentially needs far more room I cant stress that enough its so small.
IMHO, If there is a single aspect of live sporting events across the pond, that they are truly world-class at, it is getting decent food & drink to their customers in an efficient timely fashion.
Agreed - having been to American football, baseball and ice hockey games over there, what passes for catering at most football grounds in the UK is shockingly bad.
Lets hope we see an improvement from our new owners. This season the tea bars / catering facilities have all been much poorer than the previous season when Tilgate Bakeries were there. I assume it was a financial decision to come inhouse but wonder if it made more money - be interesting to know as I have also used it far less this season.
Queues far too long service poor as staff don't seem to have been trained in how to manage queues even if individuals are pleasant Quality of drinks poor (haven't eaten this year) If offer improves there needs to be facilities in place to deliver the service promised.