Players and Duff yesterday

I've mentioned before how good Tedic and Larkeche were with my kids the other week when we bumped into them in town.

It looked like a lot of the players made their own way there yesterday and as we were walking to Coley's about 1:15 a few were walking up from the car park. My son asked for photos with quite a few of the players on their way in and every single one of them had time for him, were pleasant and friendly and were happy to have a photo. It really made his day and if Whitey reads this it would be great if you could pass on our thanks.

No thanks due however to the rude old Gestapo-trained steward on the gate barking orders at everyone on their way in.

 

Great to read they were all good with your lad.

I know what you mean about the guy on the door. Thankfully he didn't spoil a very good experience. Our CEO should have popped in to Coleys to see what can be achieved if you speculate to accumulate. It was at full capacity quite early so on our crowds we'd need one even bigger, ideally two floors.

Granted I found plenty Accrington could have done better with it, but if we had something like that I would probably go in before most home games, when I never have a pre game drink.

 

They’re a good bunch. I’ve sent Michael your message.

 

I popped in. I know a lot of their staff and I also know the operation around Coley’s. Paid for by Andy Holt, at £2,500,000. A new venue added to the stadium he (the club) owns on land he (the club) owns.

It was a superbly impressive venue, and looked rammed when I popped in at 2.15pm.

We have much more capacity in terms of our hospitality settings, which for the record, are full 9/10 times. Built nearly 30 years ago, admittedly. Would be great to refurb and update such venues but I refer back to ownership of stadium etc.

If the club was owned by one person (like Accy) as was the land and stadium, and that person decided to build a Coley’s it would need to be bigger, you’re right. But it would also have a knock on effect in terms of the concourse bars and kiosks. So in theory you’d probably remove all those in the east lower and station a Coley’s in that space instead. But then you hit a problem. Because only those with east tickets can access it. That’s the SAG ruling for Oakwell. Which comes back to relationships with local authorities and council I would wager. Because there was no such issue yesterday in Coley’s. In fact, you were able to not only go into the bar, you could walk out and into the main stand, regardless of ticket. I was able to walk round the entire stadium unopposed, not once asked to show ID or ticket. Which is staggering.

The Accy staff accept what their club is. Fan friendly (for home and opposition). They rely on income from away fans. Their council knows it’s the community hub, the town’s focal point. And they’ve an owner who is happy to fund it. But they get 2,000 fans and have to sell players every window to survive. They’re likely at their peak and thus will probably never surpass the third tier.

I do understand some of the gripes and positive suggestions from our fans regards Oakwell, I really do. And yes, I’d love it if we had brand new venues and facilities. I work on matchday in a 130 year old stand. But you’d have to be living under a rock to not understand why a lot of things are the way they are.

I also reckon our fanbase would prefer our financial focus was towards the stuff on the pitch.

Just my thoughts though.

 

Given that 98% of your historic posts have been aggressively praising Matty Wolfe and abusing anyone who has dared to criticise him, I can only assume that you've taken offence at me saying there was a big drop off in quality yesterday after Luca came off. I assume you're either a mate or a family member, in which case fair enough, I can understand you being passionate about it, and apologies if my opinions have offended you. It's a football message board though, so i have to warn you - you might see some opinions about football on here.

Anyway, I just came on here to give praise where it's due, so I'm not going to get in an argument about it.

 

You haven't offended me with anything you said from yesterday, but you have made several unnecessary personal comments in the past about some of the younger lads and a couple of senior players as well.
Football opinions are fair enough, no problem with that.
I know what a good set of lads they are by the way.

 

We should have bought the school when we had the chance, it was peanuts & would have made a fantastic supporters venue..

 

OK. Apologies if I've caused any offence.

Not someone who asks for shirts, no, just someone who for the last 30 odd years has spent more time and money than i care to remember to support the team home and away, expressing my gratitude for some of the players giving a few minutes of their time for my lad. That's all.

I hope your Matt has every success.