Fan Experience

[Foxy]

Plenty is said about things like the big screen showing the words to Greasy Chip Butty before kick off, playing goal celebration music, being on hold to the ticket office and how long it takes you to get a beer on the Kop, so what do you suggest the club could do in 2011 to improve the experience?

I'm not talking about the team lineup, playing squad etc, we have plenty of threads discussing those on a daily basis, I mean purely from an operational point of view.

Have you seen something at another ground you thought was a good idea? seen something at the Lane that you'd like to change? Have an idea you think would be great to see?

Have your say here and we'll also make sure that the club gets to hear your opinions.

 

[Casper]

not sure im allowed to post now that im a part-time supporter. But please see my thread re part-time supporters. I am now very confused, i feel like me and the wife have both been playing away a bit but stayed together for the kids. Now the kids are grown up, we have realised there is more to life than being together..........what was i drinking last night lol, thats a reight load of cobblers right!

Anyway if the club had done a little more to get my 12 quid (plenty of suggestions in my thread) - I would still be with the wife and not part-time scum :'(

 

[Linz]

1. Better system for online ticket sales.

You shouldn't have to request a customer number and password from the ticket office before you're allowed to purchase tickets. What's the point in having an online system where you're required to phone up, go down in person or email first?

I know they say this is for security reasons but surely a script could be written to cross-reference the details entered in the ticket sale to the database of people that we hold. We need to make it as easy as possible for people to pay to come and watch United and if this means having a handful of undesirables slip through the net, then so be it. If they start kicking off in the ground, make the stewards earn their money.

2. The big screen

Instead of bombarding us with adverts, use it to show useful stuff at half time. A few clips from Bladesworld (with subtitles because the speaker system is shite in places).

3. The ticket office

Extend the opening hours to 17:30 every day and publicise further the fact that the ticket office is open until 7pm on the Friday (and Thursday?) before home matches. The 17:30 closing time would allow people who finish work at 17:00 the chance to nip down and get tickets.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

I think the online ticketing is a huge problem and the club know this, there was a problem with them being able to apply the discount for season ticket holders when they first went on sale and so were not available at all (don't know if this was sorted), I remember they had a similar problem the other year for the play off semi, where they could offer season ticket holders their seats but couldn't do the same for members. From a personal point of view it would be nice to be able to transfer our season tickets on line rather than having to phone or go down to the ground.

I usually sit in the Westfield corner, and have to say the queues at half time to get a coffee are horrendous, and that's with not that many people in there. On occasions I have queued all half time so have now given up getting anything.

Can we sort out the volume levels on the sound system as I am fed up of having to shout to my daughter sat next to me.

.

 

[Wards]

The online ticket system is indeed an absolute joke. Having used the one in Madrid only a few weeks back it puts us into the dark ages. Pay for your ticket online then you can either pick it up at a cash machine or by one of their ticket machines outside the ground, a bit like the cinema really. Cuts down waiting times and hassle of queuing at the ticket office.

Oh and cheaper tickets would be greatly appreciated. It's getting far too expensive for some. Maybe more flexible ticketing arrangements - such as a 10 match ticket.

Turn the PA system down - can't even have a conversation in the John Street without resorting to shouting.

More music before and at half time, i.e stop Gary Sinclair prattling on.

 

[Casper]

1. Better system for online ticket sales.

You shouldn't have to request a customer number and password from the ticket office before you're allowed to purchase tickets. What's the point in having an online system where you're required to phone up, go down in person or email first?

I know they say this is for security reasons but surely a script could be written to cross-reference the details entered in the ticket sale to the database of people that we hold. We need to make it as easy as possible for people to pay to come and watch United and if this means having a handful of undesirables slip through the net, then so be it. If they start kicking off in the ground, make the stewards earn their money.

2. The big screen

Instead of bombarding us with adverts, use it to show useful stuff at half time. A few clips from Bladesworld (with subtitles because the speaker system is shite in places).

3. The ticket office

Extend the opening hours to 17:30 every day and publicise further the fact that the ticket office is open until 7pm on the Friday (and Thursday?) before home matches. The 17:30 closing time would allow people who finish work at 17:00 the chance to nip down and get tickets.

Agree about the big screen. It should be much more like in American Baseball games - you know, fan interaction (espcially kids and families) before the game \ half time - not sure about full time though lol!

You should be able to send a very simple text at normal text rate - ie no quid added on or whatever. It should say (in computer text speak of course) "yep alreight then ill have my usual seat on Saturday, for payment use the card details you have on my records. Now enable this intelligent credit type card thingy i have in my pocket to get me through the turnstiles. Ta muchly"

 

[WhiteHawk]

Completely agree about the online ticket sales, I work till 5.30 so it can be a struggle for to get to the ticket office.

Also agree about the big screen. Great to see they've got rid of the GCB lyrics, now get rid of the constant adverts.

Goal celebration music and Annies Song at kick off. Please get rid.

 

[KPO]

Can we sort out the volume levels on the sound system as I am fed up of having to shout to my daughter sat next to me.

.

I've raised this before. In the John Street Stand, I think one of the speakers has either broken or been switched off. It now means its not quite as loud, but we can't actually decipher anything that is being said as it is so distorted. I have no idea who the ex players were being introduced to the crowd yesterday and not a clue who was being substituted or coming on for Villa.

I agree about the online ticketing system as well. I don't think you can buy any tickets online for JSS, at least there have never been any available when I have tried, and you certainly can't pick actual seats.

 

[Linz]

Cheers chaps... keep them coming.

 

[super_pig]

the ticket system definitely wants sorting out.. here are two typical scenarios from the last two home games
been busy this week and couldn't be arsed to sort a ticket out for villa game (didn't go).. saturday morning got usual guilt trip and figured i'd better go after all.. so i have to trail all the way to the ticket office to get a ticket.. wrote it off.. (felt guilty all day and spent most of my time checking score)
last week.. on way to match.. met a mate in town.. 'haven't been to the lane for years.. can i tag along?' (potential to bring fan back into fold).. sorry mate.. you have to have a ticket and you will have to sit on your own..
so .. i reckon the ticket system should be more flexible so that you can decide right at the last minute.. i know you hate this linz but there should be an unregulated section so you can sit where you like
oh yeah.. get rid of the 'ice hockey' isms.. we'll be having the weird piano music next

 

[Zinedine]

PA system is OK on BLUT, on Laver around A/B block it varies through the match an on the Kop it's non existent...
Sounds daft, but outside the ground where all weeds and shrubs are can they PLEASE be tidied up as it makes the place look scruffy.
Ticket issues have already been addressed but I don't buy online as I tried to once and well.... It didn't work. You can't even buy away tickets online!!
Get rid of Tom Hark and Star Wars, but Annies song is fine as it is, with no music you'd had one part of the Kop at one bit and another at i different one. Sinclair does a good enough job but more emphasis on United; Upcoming away matches, any notices like the sale at the shop, fan news and all that. Not some kids having a penalty shoot out...

 

[Chapel Allerton]

Please get rid of the goal celebration music!

Annie's Song is fine. As someone else pointed out it makes sure everyone starts at the same time.

Also, it might be just me that's bothered but can someone ask Gary Sinclair to stop saying "years young" instead of "years old"!! It gets right on my tits!

 

[shorehamview]

Clean the ground. Properly. The seat directly in front of where I sit had bird shit on it at the start of the season. It's still there.

Half arsed bodge jobs around the Kop need sorting out properly - where the sauce stations were, the women's toilet that was a food kiosk could do with some render and a lick of paint on the outside. The gents bogs at the bottom of the ramp on the Kop need smartening up, and i suspect the ones on the John Street side of the kop are the same.

Customer Care - the catering staff seem to have been on a Couldn't Give A Fuck course.

Sort the uneven ground on the approach to the Kop out. How hard can it be to get Del Geary's tarmacing firm on the job? (Other pikey tarmacers are available.)

Ditch the embarrassing GCB song subtitles, Tom Bloody Hark, and the often terrible half-time "entertainment".

Stop renewing all kits every bloody five minutes.

 

[raul]

Half time crossbar challenge. Stick £1000 in and pick a random to try and win it (text entry if the club want some of the cost back, but not a premium rate one, as a way of opening up another means of communication) and roll it over if they miss. The suspense will rise along with the prize money as the season goes on.

Given the large numbers of empty boxes either a) Set one aside to be won by STH's on a match by match half time draw basis (might just be incentive enough for some to consdier renewing/buying) or b) Auction it off by text on a lowest unique bid basis a la talkSport.

 

[bartman]

stop ripping fans off by making them phone 0871 numbers.....either get a free phone number or an 0845 local rate number.

stop ripping off fans by reducing replica shirts prices by 50% within months of going on sale

stop ripping off fans and alternate the shirt changes. new home shirt one season,new away one the following season,new home one the season after and so on.

Improve quality of clothing in superstore instead of having material that is out of shape and thread bare after a few wears

Put items on the online superstore that are actually in stock instead of finding out a couple of days that non in stock and not getting any more in.

As above,an online ticketing system tha tis simple to use and customer friendly. In addtion ticketing outlets outside the ground where you can collect you tickets or indeed purchase them if you will to sit in an unreserved section(could easily be done for the end wing of the KOP,Kop Corner,end wings of the John Street.

On online system that can trace your customer number via name,postcode and date of birth.

Be able to select your seats online.

Discounts on tickets(eg the cup match yesterday) available until kick off

Why does the ticket office open at 9am.? Get the opening hours 11am-7pm at least on a Thursday and Friday

A flat pricing structure for all games e.g KOP £15 adults,£5 kids etc,JSS and South Stand £20adults,£10 kids etc.

Offer Season ticket prices at 80% of total cost if purchased up to the end of July

pay for a season ticket over 12 months(eg Jan 2011 to Dec 2011 to pay for a 2011/2012 season ticket)

why half time scores on the big screen ?

 

[Superblades]

We don't need music when we score and don't need Annies Song playing to us. Away from home we manage to celebrate and create a better atmosphere IMO so we don't need it at home, simple.
As for the beer on the kop, then open more than one till for the beer only. It's stupid to just have one till open. Also drop the prices on food and beer, it's ridiculous.

 

[Kev Gee]

No Goal celebration music. No GCB lyrics (though this has been sorted i think?) moer catering kiosks on the KOP as the queues are hrrendous at half time. And could we give the KOP a lick of paint? its looking fairly knackered in places.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

and not a clue who was being substituted or coming on for Villa.

thats ok, neither did Gary Sinclair...what a shambles

Suggestions for improvements:

Ditch the intro to Annies Song..we used to sing it before without being 'prompted', its embarrassing and unnecessary
Ditch the post goal music...or at least consider changing it
Review the PA system..too loud on Kop
Never, ever announce 'text in your man of the match' during the match. Announcements during the match should be reserved for substitutions and safety reasons
If possible, have turnstiles open to pay on the day, the queues at the ticket office at the Doncaster match were unbelievable
Half time entertainment...continue to showcase local talent

 

[Tickhillblade]

Ticket prices.

Ticket prices, if you have kids over 16 the it becomes very expensive.

Shirts - Change on alternate years. I will not buy a shirt at christmas knowing it will be changed for the next season.

The online ticketing system needs to be simplified as mentioned above.

 

[beightonblade]

For next season do a free bus ! ...............
yer know like the supermarkets and the politicians when they want yer business ! .......if Micky keeps us up this year it will be a job well done....if he keeps us up next season we shud all be prepared to kiss his ass !

 

[TAMUS]

Dont read the scores out at H/T F/T , as lots of people like to watch MOTD etc without knowing the score , they could put them on the scoreboard instead for those that want to know , PIgs , Millers , Dony , Spireites , Dingles excluded .

 

[alcoblade]

Bin 0871 numbers. Charge a bigger admin fee if it's about money. Many people hate them, and the feeling that the supplier is actually benefiting from their inefficiency in answring the phone is really annoying.

Charge a reasonable pice for beer. Lots of money is spent around the ground that could be spent in it. I don't want to pay £3.50 for a bottle of piss that I know they've paid 25p for. I'm sure they'd make more profit with lower prices.

UTB

---------- Post added at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:36 PM ----------

Ticket prices.

Ticket prices, if you have kids over 16 the it becomes very expensive.

Shirts - Change on alternate years. I will not buy a shirt at christmas knowing it will be changed for the next season.

The online ticketing system needs to be simplified as mentioned above.

Come off it. Surely you can spare a days interest for your season ticket?



UTB

 

[Wapping Blade]

Definitely sort the online ticketing out. There is a random selection of availablity of sections of the ground for each game, with most sections being completely unavailable. Also, why is there an admin fee for web bookings?

Turn the tannoy down in the New South Stand, we want to be able to talk to each other, not be drowned out by the pre-match and half-time rubbish.

Sort the catering in the South Stand. I do not spend any money there as I want to watch the whole of the first half and then don't want to queue all half-time and still not get served.

Try this new fangled thing called email for any offers and/or ST renewals, maybe look into something called "Twotter" or something like that...

Sort the stewards at the away end, they don't have to provoke a mass brawl because someone encroaches 1mm.

 

[JohnDenver]

Not much additional from me, but completely agree with online tickets and the plastic ice hockey style bobbins we have to endure.

How much does it cost to show our goals from yesteryear on the screen?

 

[WhiteHawk]

Dont read the scores out at H/T F/T , as lots of people like to watch MOTD etc without knowing the score , they could put them on the scoreboard instead for those that want to know , PIgs , Millers , Dony , Spireites , Dingles excluded .

I've often thought this. It doesn't bother me but I know a lot of people like to wait and watch MOTD. Besides, with the mobile phones people have got now, if anyone wants to know the scores then they can easily check.

 

[Jostein Flo]

Not much to add that hasn't already been covered really. Charge a reasonable price for food and drink in the ground, it may be in line with other clubs but that doesn't really help the fans much. Like the ideas of the halftime crossbar challenge, box givaway. But if I could have one wish granted please, please, please ditch the bloody goal celebration music. It's pathetic and actually just reminds me of Wednesday and their bloody band.

 

[kelham blade]

Out of interest, did we ever follow through with that 'singing section' trial towards the end of last season?

I remember a game was set aside to see how it worked but I can't remember it ever happening.

 

[WorkingtonBlade]

A lot's been said about online ticket sales. For me, all of the below should be easily achievable:

- Buy/renew the season ticket online

- Have an option when you do so to have all away game tickets charged to your card and sent to you automatically without you having to do anything. You can cancel these up to x days before the game if you wish.

- As above for home cup tickets and play off game tickets.

- The ability to go online and sell games off your season ticket.

- The ability to choose your seat when buying tickets online.

I have a friend who's a Villa ST holder, and they can do all of the above. If they can do it, why can't we?

People have mentioned the 0871 number and I agree with them, but more importantly there is absolutely no reason in this day and age why anyone should ever have to ring or go to the ticket office. Virtually everything you might want to do should be easily possible online.

 

[Wards]

In terms of ticketing we are years behind a lot of clubs

 

[JohnDenver]

I renewed my ST online this season. Worked a treat.