Matchday Experience : Suggestions

Got to echo the issues around getting served at the bars in the Ponty End. Arrived at 14:25 on Saturday and joined the queue hoping to get a quick pint in before taking our seats. The queue barely moved in 15 minutes despite there being three people behind the till (one pulling the drinks, one using the till and one getting food - at least I think that's what she was supposed to be doing). Finally got to the front of the queue with 10 minutes to go and just opted for a bottle of pop each to take to our seats (at least we got to keep the tops on them, once upon a time the bottles used to get opened and the lids thrown meaning your drink got spilled or went flat).

I'd love some kind of small social club at the ground. Somewhere to meet family and mates for a drink before/after the match. Couple of screens showing the dinner time and evening kick off games. Possibly more than the supporters trust can handle but might interest one of the micro pub businesses? Not much risk for them if they only have to supply product and the club handles the decor and facilities?

Half time entertainment is awkward. It's all been done before and most people don't bother with it. The kids small sided matches sound good but would be an issue given the sprinklers usually come on and the subs spend 10 minutes belting balls across the pitch. As long as we get the half time scores from other games I'm not too fussed. In fact, if the internet connection can be improved in the ground I don't even need that.

Is there no way to try and encourage the next generation of fans to the ground? When my son was younger we used to get his season ticket for free (or a nominal fee line £10 - I forget the exact details but it worked as he's in his early 20s and we both have tickets). Once upon a time they used to give schools free tickets. I'm sure someone with more brains and ideas than me can come up with something that gets kids more interested in Barnsley than Man City or Liverpool - if only because they get to see the game in the flesh and for free. As a bonus they're likely to purchase drinks and snacks (if the queue can be sorted ). Actually, what about offering schools or local kids teams use of the academy facility between 1pm and 2pm? They can get their drinks and snacks over there and then entry into the West Stand Lower to watch the match.

Special offers on match tickets. Similar to the try before you buy scheme they did for season tickets. How about you buy three tickets and get the fourth for free? Might have to have some clause about buying all the tickets at the same time or that they have to be for consecutive matches.

 

In my considered opinion, the perfect matchday experience was on tuesday night against the massives....

 

The service at the bars in the Ponty has been much quicker at the last couple of matches. Not sure if they've streamlined the processes or hired more staff but despite a lot more people attending the wait to be served is almost nonexistent

 

Bar scarves handed out to fans on scarf day like they did at Leeds.

 

Absolutely this. In the past we had it, and it was good entertainment with the crowd getting involved. Watching a show of folks trying to hit a crossbar doesn't entertain me. It's the way to generate future supporters too; free tickets to the schools competing on the day. Two knockout competitions per season feasible?

 

Is it down to the new pumos?

 

No, the new pumps weren't there in April. Aren't they East Stand only anyway?