I didn't renew this year and I'm glad. When you are 'in' the environment of a football club you don't notice it, you're part of a collective, but the match day experience at Oakwell is dour, soulless and amateur. I know it is mainly about what happens on the pitch but the windswept grey concourse of the east stand lower does not encourage attendance. I have stood on dreadful terraces in the past but I was paying a couple of quid. If I'm being asked to pay £20 more than a trip to the local multiplex I think I'm entitled to expect more. A decent bar selling reasonable drinks and quality food at non rip of prices. I also expect an organisation that treats fans as consumers because much as I hate it that is what we are. Corporate football made the rules, but at Oakwell they expect blind loyalty without any payback. I can't comment on Keith Hill as I haven't been this season, but the change in the club needs to be well above the team management level. Let Don carry on with the admin but please let there be the appointment of a good football chairman. I await the 'not a proper fan' abuse Dave
Tha might not be a "proper fan" , but tha reight!!! By the way I dont agree that you are not a proper fan in anyway , shape or form!!
I agree totally, I've been to no more than 2 or 3 games all season, but each time I have felt under valued and ripped off as a customer/fan, sorry Barnsley FC but I don't work 6 days a week to throw my money at overpriced 'entertainment' just so average footballers can be paid in a week what some would be happy for over months. My first match cost me 11 pence (juvenile price), to stand on wooden terracing in the John Smith stand, at the same time a packet of twenty fags cost around 50 pence(I used to smoke). It's laughable that we complain at how fast and how much fags have risen in price if you compare the two.
In the late seventies it was about 40p a p;int, about 50p in at tha pictures and about 50p in at oakwell. Now £3 a pint, £7 at the flicks and £28 at oakwell....feckin rip off.
You're right Dave It's too expensive, too amateurish and too ****. The comparison with beer prices is a good one. I'm on the inside still (literally, I sit in the Legends) and the impression is of an organisation without a leader. Alienation of customers (or fans, supporters whatever) is occuring slowly but surely and they are losing interest. I won't renew next season - that's a grand less for the club. I would hope to attend the odd match but (probably like you) once the habit has gone it's gone forever. Lost all interest. No idea what it will take to get it back.
Re: What IS a proper fan? I think its what some people like to think they are and therefore can try and use the term to belittle others that they see as not reaching "THEIR" standard. Usually used by fans that want others to believe they are better than they really are and are mostly big headed ****s of the highest order. Well thats my take on anyway, So to all you underlings down there in peasant land, bring me the head of Keith Hill !! Yours a Real Fan !!
Re: You're right Dave The biscuits are the highlight of my trips to Oakwell. When there are some left. They run out after the first 20 or so people in the tea/coffee queue. The rest go without. That's how bad it is, not even enough biscuits.
Re: What IS a proper fan? <img src="http://www.getprice.com.au/images/uploadimg/1279/Retro-Desk-fan.jpg"> PROPELLER FAN
Re: You're right Dave My son is the manager at a local farm shop/ bistro. When I shop or eat there the staff make me feel welcome and try their best to ensure that things are 'just so'. The owner told me that it is so important to care about the customer as they are selling a premium product. Well if £28 isn't a premium product then I'm shocked. It's not just Barnsley but football in general but it seems that BFC have taken it to a new level.
Re: You're right Dave Spare seats all over mate. Try the Burnley game, £25 + VAT without snap. At least I think it is, can't be arsed to stumble around the official site. Bring plenty of custard creams.
Yes I'm going, the first round is included in the ticket. What a bizarre bit of the thread - started off having a moan but ended up selling another ticket!