Oakwell Fan Park BBC

Thing is they asked for feedback when the plans were drawn up, several groups relayed fans concerns, just looks like they've ignored concerns and are pressing on rushing it through.
It's nothing to do with not trying to improve, but things need doing correctly or why not just hold off and do it properly? We've now got a situation where safe Standing is blocking off the views of seats in the access area because someone didn't pay attention to detail.

 

Yes you're right, it looks pathetic. (Sarcasm) They could have done a better job inside the Stand by sealing the wind gaps, putting heating in, putting tables in, and reducing beer prices.
It would have cost a lot less.
Now how many times are you going to use it?? 2 or 3 times until bad weather arrives.

 

To quote a well known film, “if you build it they will come” .

Could it be better, yes, BUT it is built to a similar design to other clubs and they have been deemed successful.

Ultimately it will come down to what the club put into the area to create an atmosphere and how the fans use it.
If the club put some effort in to it and we go with an open mind it will work.

let’s just give it a try and if it becomes a soulless pointless exercise then criticise the club.

 

From a business perspective its purpose is to increase turnover for the club by drawing fans to the ground earlier and away from the competition in town.
There's 2 key objections to overcome to deliver a scenario where you attract fans early, Pricing and environment.
As yet none of us know what next season's pricing will look like and the offering, but as it stands currently 81% of fans surveyed don't agree that pricing is fair, so if they don't align that part then it won't get off the ground.
The Environment won't entice some fans, the thought of sitting in a cold stadium for 2 hours for the match can be daunting at times, adding additional time to that probably doesn't do it for some fans.
I know this isn't funded by the club but getting the breweries involved in a deal would have provided additional funds to perhaps have it enclosed, I mean as it stands you could have put up a giant Marquee and provided better shelter.

 

And yet other clubs have made it work, like I said why not wait and try it, if it’s not right then criticise.

 

Because looking at the design it doesn't look like it will provide a warm comfortable environment, these are some of the questions raised when feedback was asked for.

 

I get that but at the same time why have the club, yet again, completely ignored all feedback and just plowed ahead with what fans have said they don't want? Sure we can sit back and wait till they lose money but isn't it better to raise concerns and actually end up with something that's wanted?

 

Agree, it needs to be enclosed and comfortable or else will only get used a couple of times a season. There are too many comfortable/affordable pubs only a 10 minute walk in town that will attract the supporters instead of standing out in cold.

 

Just because they haven’t done what you want doesn’t mean you was ignored, You would have thought they would have spoke to others, factored in many other things too.
I am though in agreement with raising concerns before hand for feedback but again decisions been made why not try first.

 

They didn't listen to the fab group apparently. Didn't listen to the overwhelming general consensus when the plans were released.

"Decisions have been made why not try first". Is that wiser than trying to stop them wasting money before they spend any on materials?

 

Correct, there's little incentive to leave a dry warm pub.

 

Again how have other clubs made it work?
You’ve said yourself ‘you don’t know’ & ‘doesn’t look like’.

 

So you’ve contacted them then to raise concerns and viable options?

 

Many months ago yes.

 

Do these “other clubs”, you mention have a thriving town centre within 10 minutes walk that is full of pubs/eateries that are more attractive indoors?.....I guess not mate tbh.

 

Yeah actually they do.
Lincoln is one, much more open to the elements and more basic that this yet many on here were complimentary of it at the time of playing them.
Granted it was a nice sunny day but it works for them.

 

What was your viable options out of interest?
Presuming you sourced & costed those options and spoke with local authorities too?

 

What clubs are we talking about?

 

There are clubs in the this division also with indoor fanzones that work.
Can you see how it looks when people take time to provide feedback and there's no response to it?
In a couple of months the owners will be wanting feedback on the latest survey and asking how to improve fan relations.

 

Sounds like a positive idea. Get behind it.