Another "matchday experience" thread

Now that Flicker has cottoned on to the fact that the "matchday experience" needs to be sorted out a bit at Oakwell I hope that action is going to be taken this Summer.

Particularly for those who pay on the gate now and again as I can't imagine coming to Oakwell feels like the event it should do when you are parting with this kind of money. A few of my own ideas/stuff others have said that I agree with (in no particular order):

The Concourses
Something needs to be done to brighten these up and make them a bit more welcoming - some new larger pictures from our history. Why not a wall of legends or something?
The TV's are an absolute joke, rarely turned on but even when they are it's a really grainy picture. The TV's themselves must be getting on for 20 years old - you can pick up 50" plasma's for £300 meaning you could kit the entire ground out for about £5000 including sorting out the cabling to improve the picture quality.

Catering
Still an absolute joke, and down to Lindley's not the club I know but they shouldn't have the contract if they are failing to sort it out. My main gripe with them is that they run out of stuff before the game even starts so when you've queued for the whole of half-time you never walk away from the counter with the things you wanted to buy. Prices are a bit steep but I've paid a lot more at other grounds to be fair.

The Big Screen
The traditionalists don't like the idea of this and ten years ago I don't think I'd have been too keen either but most clubs in the Championship have them now, proper ones as well not these matrix displays with the graphical capability of a calculator. The possibilities with a proper one of these are endless, whether it's increasing revenue through advertising or playing some videos of classic games/goals before the game to try and build the atmosphere. We were told this was going to be installed about eight months ago now, just like we were told the West Stand was going to be rebuilt a couple of years ago and that solar panels were going to be put on the top of the stands - why do they keep doing this? Dave Jones was right, we do a lot of talking but never take any action.

Turn the music up
It could be me going deaf but I'm sure the music at Oakwell used to really bang out, not so much that you couldn't talk to the person next to you but certainly a lot louder than it is now. The mumble of the crowd before the game drowns the music out which if louder I think really adds to the atmosphere. Surely it costs nowt to turn the speakers up a bit - or given the age of most of them are these on their last legs?

 

The haif time entertainment needs improving and sited on the pitch for all to be able to see it and not just for the East Stand and exec boxes.

Include us all like or are we just part of it when it suits.

 

Personally I'd like the music turned down if owt. And no music when we score a goal. Both destroy the atmosphere imho.

 

I have offered to organise and make murals for the concourses, some involving local art students and kids. Also an exhibition area for kids/grown ups drawings and paintings created in other activities I have also proposed to run. Projects directed at getting families more involved buying more tickets.

The club have had this proposal for 2 months now, aside from an requested email acknowledging receipt, I have yet to hear anything back. I'm going to enquire about it this week, then if there is no progress within 2 weeks, it gets withdrawn. I'll then publish it on here.

 

Am wi thee Jay..in the old farts club...

 

I agree with most of this, 1 other thing is to get shut of the DJ who plays all the ***** tunes, it's like he's playing at an 80's wedding. Let's get the tempo and base levels up, my mate plays deep house at venues all over the world lets get him involved, c'omon let's feel the rhythm Barnsley fans..........

 

Problem with a DJ playing anything like deep house is that it is a niche music that only appeals to a small selection of the crowd. The entertainment has to target everyone from 5-95, so should probably be something fairly generic and crowd pleasing.

 

Get a new pitch-side commentator/announcer

The one we have doesn't get involved enough and all he does is come out with the same two comments week in week out.

1) "The boys are in the tunnel - they can hear you" (Doubt it mate)
2) "We are Barnsley, we are stronger together, so get behind them and make some noise, cum on"

I've been to grounds where the pitch-side announcer has been absolutely fantastic and really got the crowd revved up by trying new chants one Stand against another e.g East Stand v Ponte.

 

The goal music needs dropping. It's embarrassing. I know they think little of us, but I'm quite able to celebrate a goal without the Fratelli's, thanks.

The half time thing with the kids and the net near the East Stand - I'm never there to see it personally, I'm busy fraternising etc. But I've seen it once or twice and can't make head nor tail of it. I preferred the old penalty shootout thing they used to do. But if it was me, I'd have fit birds in skimpy uniforms showing lots of flesh dancing and stuff. I'd probably watch that.

The best thing in terms of music/audio is the chap who reports a car blocking other cars. Not a clue what he says, but it's amusing and I'd give him the proper PA job announcing the goalscorers and team lineups. It would be fun.

 

The bloke that gives out IMPORTANT PUBLIC MESSAGES at a low volume whilst mumbling is rediculous.
I have not once heard a full message, a full name or a full registration.
Absolutely shoddy and quite embarassing.
However this has never been pointed out to the club by anyone whatsoever especially club employees is shocking!

 

It's all balls, here's how it goes

Pre match - pub
Half time - piss / *** (both in some cases)

Best way to enhance match day experience?

Win

 

I'd like to see big pics on the concourse walls of past BIG goals. KO vs Chelsea, Foster at Liverpool, Clint vs Bradford, Redders opening day of Prem & Play-Off final stuff etc etc - Mixed in with local one's of last season!!! The big one's of really famous goals in the 90s/00's could stay for years to come!! Have the sign #MakingMemory 's against them!!!

I emailed the club this season saying the music was to low, it did seem to go up a bit but still not as loud as years ago. I love to hear the music cranked up 2.52 on wards leading up to the teams coming out. Any of the best grounds have entrance music turned up loud, adds to the feeling and atmosphere!

The Big Screen and new tv's are a must to move on with the times, and the tv's need to be on soccer saturday with goal updates and NOT of the east stand!! Surely a local tv company would be happy to supply new tv's in exchange for some good advertising!

 

'Matchday Experience' - is this some ****y buzzword of "modern football"..?? I don't go as much as I used to but when I do I go to watch a game of football. If I want to drink I'll go to a pub beforehand, if I want to eat I'll go to a cafe beforehand. I don't require to be 'entertained' at half time as it's only 15 minutes long and I can usually keep myself 'entertained' by reading the program or just by enjoying the atmosphere of being at a football match.

However, there is one thing that would enhance my enjoyment of attending a match at Oakwell. The teams should enter the pitch from the tunnel on the half way line with none of this walking side by side *****. I want my team to run out on to the pitch and line up in the center circle before waving to the crowd like they did in the old days.

And exhale. Rant over

 

The music and announcements are way too loud, I think it kills the atmosphere not creates it. It's typical of the time we libe in, a crash bang society. I'm getting old I know.