Have any of you guys involved in redfearns been asked your opinions regarding the new offer that’s in the pipeline? Asked what has worked well for you for example?
I'm not asking this to be controversial because I'm a lass but as a genuine question - does it make sense to just try and attract the people you are already attracting or to try and attract the half of the population that currently has no interest?
I never buy a drink for this reason. I realise I am in a minority but I cannot hold a cold drink for more than say 5 seconds before needing to switch to my other hand as my circulation is so bad. I have to put it down or get someone to hold it for me after a few minutes even after hand swapping continually. I did once buy a burger and pint without thinking through the practicality of consuming both and had to put the pint on the floor.
To be honest I wasn't really thinking of in it terms of attracting new supporters. I was thinking of getting existing supporters into the ground for longer.
Travel in by car from Wakefield with my son and grandson. Due to a health condition, my son opts not to drink alcohol. We get to the ground for around 2pm and have a look in the Club shop and then make our way to the East Stand and usually buy a drink before kick off. At the end of the match, we stay behind to applaud the lads and listen for the scores from other games to be read out. We might go back to the shop and buy something we saw earlier. It's then back to the car and a lengthy wait to get out of the Car Park. That time could be spent enjoying some sort of hospitality in the ground or the surrounding concourse. I've been at Elland Road on hospitality in the past when they played Arsenal. Pre- match speakers were Eddie Gray and Allan Clarke. I recall the event was in a large marquee in concourse. Credit where it's due, it was very good. As for getting pi55ed. Last time I did that, was around six years ago at a family do. A month later I had a sore throat and was referred by my GP to Pinderfields Hospital . A couple of weeks later, I was called back and was sitting on a couch when after a previous scan and a biopsy, I was told that I had developed a large malignant tumour at the base of my tongue. I was told it was probably as a result of my previous lifestyle choices re- years of excessive smoking and the drinking of alcohol. Thanks to the staff at St James Leeds, I had the treatment and got the all clear. I was told I can still have a drink, but not like I used to do previously, so the prospects of me getting "sideways" in the future are likely to be extremely remote.
Oakwell is not unused 13 days out of 14. It’s open every day as a workplace. 7 days a week. The indoor arena, the pitches etc, they’re used almost every evening, always something going on. The exec spaces are used daily for a variety of reasons, from funerals to weddings, business meetings to the many events put on during evenings such as party nights, Sunday carverys, and themed discos etc. Things will improve over time. That’s the plan. I’m sure most folk understand that it was never going to turn into gold overnight. There are many people involved at the club who are striving all the time to make things better and better. There’s been so much improvement in the last year alone. Focus first and foremost has to be on the playing squad and I’m sure folk are satisfied that the club got that right this year. Hang in there. It’s going to take a long time to get it right. The scope is huge. It won’t be for lack of effort.
You’re referring to hospitality areas. We regularly have ex players in Legends, speaking pre and post match. We had a four hour hall of fame event this season which had around 30 legends in attendance.
Yet Barnsley’s hospitality is behind three out the four league one clubs I had the pleasure of attending.
They aren't even pint pots. You ought to see the size of the half pint pot as well. It reminded me of the mouthwash cup at the dentist.
That's great. Saw the game where the legends attended. Never been in the hospitality area on a matchday.. Used to get an invite to go in a box, when Chris Harrison was a Director at the Club and also was invited by John Dennis to go in the Chairmans " lounge", which was a Portakabin behind the West Stand. Be good if we had an additional draw to offer two places in the hospitality area. I'd certainly buy some tickets.
Often thought that a voluntary questionnaire asking for fans opinions could be useful. That way, the Board would at least know with some certainty the types of food, drink , events or facilities some fans would buy or support.For example , some most probably could well have food intolerances. I don't know who provides the catering now, but if it comes back in house, that's something the Club might wish to consider, if as they hope fans remain at the ground after the game, to enjoy whatever entertainment/food is available.
Well time is running out to make my idea work http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/threads/o-t-the-club-superstore.271554/page-2#post-2182596 We will see how much the board change compared to the old days. Lets see if the new home shirt is out for fathers day, next season we can sell every seat in the ground no restrictions if we so wish, if catering improves etc. Accrington in their fanzone has Zakcoustic keeping everyone entertained for over a hour. They sold their Stanley real ale at two quid a pint and when they win a game they have quid a pint in there at full time. They were selling cheese burgers and hot dogs for two quid too. A parent can take a child in there for a beer, soft drink and something to eat each and have good change from a tenner and enjoy the live music. Those are the sort of prices that will get people to Oakwell for longer and keep them out of town. The Accrington owner tweeted the income figures from our game and even at those prices they made thousands. What would be good is if the club allow fans to leave the ground for a drink in the fanzone and can come back in for the second half.
Why not just buy some tickets in hospitality? We have had numerous opportunities to win hospitality tickets though. And last season we had folk who won a match in the actual directors box and lounge.
Fill in the gaps at the rear of the East Stand Lower concourse. At least folk won’t freeze from a late November frosty breeze.
Two strategies; either sell more to the same people or sell the same to more people. Which way you go depends on how you view your current customers and how you view the ‘half of the population’