Pre Match trial of outside area - observations

I suspect the trial was something to do with planning ahead for the new stadium, if you look at the stadium that Bill built for the golden knights it has lots of catering outlets surrounding the stadium.
 
Just wandering around I thought it seemed to be going OK. The expensive end of the Ted Mac tents had more people in than usual. I wonder why?
 
Jim Frevola said:
Please keep the feedback coming. We’re absolutely looking to add more elements (food, beverage locations, entertainment, etc) next season. As for toilets, off the top of my head you have pre match (before turnstiles open) access in the north stand, bar 1 in the main stand, south stand toilets, portable locations by the marquees. Additional access in DC lounge and Changing places (in addition to accessible locations included in stands above) for disabled supporters.
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Jim Frevola said:
Please keep the feedback coming. We’re absolutely looking to add more elements (food, beverage locations, entertainment, etc) next season. As for toilets, off the top of my head you have pre match (before turnstiles open) access in the north stand, bar 1 in the main stand, south stand toilets, portable locations by the marquees. Additional access in DC lounge and Changing places (in addition to accessible locations included in stands above) for disabled supporters.
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I went to the North Stand to use the toilet. I was told as the gates were now open this was not possible. I had to down the reminder of my pint and go into the ground a lot earlier than I would have wanted. No big deal but disappointing as I would rather have been in the sunshine rather than in the cold under the stand.
 
Jim Frevola said:
Please keep the feedback coming. We’re absolutely looking to add more elements (food, beverage locations, entertainment, etc) next season. As for toilets, off the top of my head you have pre match (before turnstiles open) access in the north stand, bar 1 in the main stand, south stand toilets, portable locations by the marquees. Additional access in DC lounge and Changing places (in addition to accessible locations included in stands above) for disabled supporters.
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I , for one, thought it was great. The weather helped of course but I found with the restrictive bars that were around the Great Escape bar gone there was much more room as people spread out more. I was there about an hour before KO and the queue at the Great Escape was small taking less than 5 mins to get served. The atmosphere was good and enjoyable. Possibly need to signpost somehow which WC's are accessible. More food choice would be good and not just niche pizza offerings. A good old greasy burger and chips perhaps. Otherwise thought it was good using the outside concourse for a purpose rather than just hanging around waiting to go in. The band is sh1t .
 
As Jim'll fix it is looking for feedback the only 2 fans zones I have visited on away trips with food and drink were Everton and West Brom. No resrictions at either with regard to home or away fans and no need to show tickets. Others of course may be different.
 
hba1 said:
As Jim'll fix it is looking for feedback the only 2 fans zones I have visited on away trips with food and drink were Everton and West Brom. No resrictions at either with regard to home or away fans and no need to show tickets. Others of course may be different.
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They don't have the same paranoid androids running stadium security and stewarding.

There's no reason why away fans shouldn't be able to mix but even yesterday they were refusing entry to those in club colours who were meeting others to collect their tickets. How ludicrous is that! I was asked for mine but just ignored the guy and strolled in.

That aside the concept is excellent but the club really do need to chill the fck out.
 
We couldn't get in the DC Lounge due to unforeseen circumstances so mooched around outside, it seemed a much better atmosphere than usual. Can't drink before a match, so it would be good to be able to get hot drinks somewhere. The extra food and beer points looked good, I would definitely purchase chips if available : )

We've been to fan zones and walked /trundled around many a ground, most are "Free roaming rights", a few are "Home fans only" (especially if it's a not a real derby day). Some grounds have tighter security than others but in general we can go around most grounds without segregation or restrictions. Leicester's a good example of "free roaming rights" where as the London Stadium is poop : )

I know it may not go down so well on here but I don't mind the band. Half a dozen people giving it some "welly" playing tunes you recognise eventually. For me it beats a "covers" band and vocalist trying to hard and loud or a local DJ "playing the crowd" by "being entertaining" : )
 
paul49 said:
I have no issues with it as I'm a season ticket holder but observations :-

It does keep away fans away from waiting for the away players coach arriving.

It makes a mockery of the idea for ticket holders only being allowed in the designated area if children and adults collecting autographs of Cherries players arriving 4 hours before kick off can stay in the area without having tickets.Something needs to be sorted out for them if the system is ever introduced otherwise a crush will develop along the small length of barrier along the exit from the player's car park.
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Too many dealers come to afcb games esp for away teams. Good to stop this.

Burnley check tickets before getting in the players areas so no match day ticket then no access. Someone said dealers arrived 7am to get in position for Man Utd.

My overall observation it was really busy with loads of people standing around so hard to walk through busy areas. Think it is a good idea though
 
We were collecting our tickets from the ticket office. The soft check at security was annoying as we got sent back out from behind the Ted Shed to go around the car park way and in there. I did tell that the security guy that this was not what the email said would happen, and he was a bit of a knob about it.

Once we got in, atmosphere was good (weather helps of course). Queue at the bar opposite the shop was very slow and I was surrounded by United fans, but all friendly enough. I quite like the band too and good to hear them play something other than the Great Escape! A qualified success.
 
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red_house said:
They don't have the same paranoid androids running stadium security and stewarding.

There's no reason why away fans shouldn't be able to mix but even yesterday they were refusing entry to those in club colours who were meeting others to collect their tickets. How ludicrous is that! I was asked for mine but just ignored the guy and strolled in.

That aside the concept is excellent but the club really do need to chill the fck out.
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Jim

This is spot on. The stewarding at AFCB compared to every away game is way OTT, Brentford and WHU maybe on a par.

Anyway Fulham away, the 'away end' mixes with what was a neutral end but is now a home end. Not an issue in the slightest. They also have screens up showing live game/scores etc

For the love of God please stop, this pathetic asking 80 year old men to remove their hats to show they dont have an AK47 hidden up there. Taking bottle tops off water bottles bought in the ground, in case they become offensive weapons etc

WBA, Leicester and Swansea were all decent away because there was plenty of food choice and live music/entertainment. WBA isn't actually at the ground though,but part of a bar set up near ground.

Good to see the progression and I know you are working within the parameters you have currently.

Maybe just remember supporters are ultimately customers too.
 
AFCBade said:
Too many dealers come to afcb games esp for away teams. Good to stop this.

Burnley check tickets before getting in the players areas so no match day ticket then no access. Someone said dealers arrived 7am to get in position for Man Utd.

My overall observation it was really busy with loads of people standing around so hard to walk through busy areas. Think it is a good idea though
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When you say dealers, do you mean touts?
If so I didn’t realise it was that common.
Where are they at 7am, just stood around the stadium perimeter?
 
AFCBade said:
Too many dealers come to afcb games esp for away teams. Good to stop this.

Burnley check tickets before getting in the players areas so no match day ticket then no access. Someone said dealers arrived 7am to get in position for Man Utd.

My overall observation it was really busy with loads of people standing around so hard to walk through busy areas. Think it is a good idea though.
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What sort of gear do the dealers sell?

Is it any good?

What sort of selection?
 
One more point. The accessible gates in the car park leading to the ground were shut and blocked by a home fans only sign and a steward. This meant having to go to the central area which is always crowded with people rightly wanting to see the players. It makes things more difficult for disabled people.

Not a showstopper but worth mentioning as feedback.
 
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