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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2023 10:17:55 GMT
I don’t know what the situation is like in other parts of the ground but it’s more often than not incredibly difficult to get served at half time. I went down on 40mins on Friday and it was already 4/5 rows deep. I’ve gone down at half time before and only just got served as the teams were coming out again. So you have to neck your drink (easier said than done as the quality of beer is awful) and if you were a smoker/vaper, wouldn’t have time to enjoy a smoke/vape with your beer as the stewards insist on closing the smoking area right on the stroke of kickoff.
I’m not having a go at the bar staff. They’re almost always understaffed but that’s no criticism of the ones there of course.
If this is a familiar story in other parts of the ground then it would be good if the club looked into this and improved these aspects of the match day experience. This is the sort of stuff that can be invested into without impacting FFP? I appreciate the efforts the ownership seem to be making off the field of late. This is another area that should be looked into.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2023 10:21:16 GMT
Genuine question....
Why do you queue up for so long and put yourself through the mither for a shit beer?
Are you a pisspot like me? 👍
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2023 10:25:03 GMT
Genuine question.... Why do you queue up for so long and put yourself through the mither for a shit beer? Are you a pisspot like me? 👍 Drinking makes stoke tolerable.
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Post by newsteadst3 on Apr 9, 2023 10:32:55 GMT
The Security/Steward are a nightmare aswell around block 37 and 38. Always block the aisles , fans are getting more and more fed up of it to I noticed on Friday.
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Post by nott1 on Apr 9, 2023 11:43:19 GMT
Can you pre order ala The London Palladium?
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Post by Veritas on Apr 9, 2023 11:54:22 GMT
Can you pre order ala The London Palladium? No
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Post by mickstupp on Apr 9, 2023 11:57:46 GMT
Can you pre order ala The London Palladium? It’s a good idea. In this day and age why can’t you go into an app and pre order a few bottles of beer for half time? It just takes a bit of thought and vision.
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Post by bridgnorthstokie on Apr 9, 2023 13:33:42 GMT
Can you pre order ala The London Palladium? It’s a good idea. In this day and age why can’t you go into an app and pre order a few bottles of beer for half time? It just takes a bit of thought and vision. Had a few days in London with the family last week, took in a stadium tour of Chelsea and there on the walls in the concourses were keypads where you could pre order your halftime drinks....different world down south...
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Post by danceswithclams on Apr 9, 2023 15:21:53 GMT
The Security/Steward are a nightmare aswell around block 37 and 38. Always block the aisles , fans are getting more and more fed up of it to I noticed on Friday. The stewards in the South Stand are a bunch of fucking weapons who seemingly comprise of surly Asian youths who stand in the most inconvenient positions available. There's one particular berk who stands at the end of my row (I sit three seats in from the aisle) but won't budge to let people into said row to get to their seat, forcing you to arkwardly manoeuvre around him. I've nearly lost my tether a couple of times at his refusal to move out of the way to let people past, as have others. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone finally having enough of his insouciance and hoiking him down the steps.
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Post by newsteadst3 on Apr 9, 2023 15:46:16 GMT
The Security/Steward are a nightmare aswell around block 37 and 38. Always block the aisles , fans are getting more and more fed up of it to I noticed on Friday. The stewards in the South Stand are a bunch of fucking weapons who seemingly comprise of surly Asian youths who stand in the most inconvenient positions available. There's one particular berk who stands at the end of my row (I sit three seats in from the aisle) but won't budge to let people into said row to get to their seat, forcing you to arkwardly manoeuvre around him. I've nearly lost my tether a couple of times at his refusal to move out of the way to let people past, as have others. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone finally having enough of his insouciance and hoiking him down the steps. Yeah the patience of people is running out now so won't be long before there's a kick off here.
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Post by xchpotter on Apr 9, 2023 16:10:50 GMT
It's always been a chore to get any sort of refreshment at half time. It's just so poorly organised with a different bunch of kids serving each week. It often seems like it's their first day on the job every time you go. Been to plenty of large crowded venues with pump filling beer systems and Disney queue barriers... just so much less trouble and much more efficient. Obviously not high on the list of club priorities.
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Post by Robo10 on Apr 9, 2023 16:32:52 GMT
I stopped having a HT beer a long time back, I see people going down on 30-35 to queue, and miss a good chunk of the game - madness!
(Boothen End btw)
It would be easier if they had those 8 pint machines they have at the cricket ready to go, or bottle vendors with rucksacks for those not wanting a Guiness/Real Ale, or even bottle vending machines!
If they do extend the concourse I really hope its a 360 degree bar and lots of servers given they pay them minimum wage so doesnt cost a lot
And dont expect the poor kids/students to stand there freezing to death in a corporate jumper and no coat/heaters...
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Post by Silkystoke on Apr 9, 2023 17:00:07 GMT
The Security/Steward are a nightmare aswell around block 37 and 38. Always block the aisles , fans are getting more and more fed up of it to I noticed on Friday. The stewards in the South Stand are a bunch of fucking weapons who seemingly comprise of surly Asian youths who stand in the most inconvenient positions available. There's one particular berk who stands at the end of my row (I sit three seats in from the aisle) but won't budge to let people into said row to get to their seat, forcing you to arkwardly manoeuvre around him. I've nearly lost my tether a couple of times at his refusal to move out of the way to let people past, as have others. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone finally having enough of his insouciance and hoiking him down the steps. Put ya size 12 shoes 👠 straight on is foot, the twat will move.. or photograph him and put on here..or pm me and I’ll fuckin twat him .!!! Hate people like this
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Post by banksy1art on Apr 9, 2023 17:14:02 GMT
Just walk round to Ricardo’s at half time, always quick and it’s warm in there. It’s just like your in a pub
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Post by Rt Hon Reverend Luvpump on Apr 9, 2023 20:34:54 GMT
Just walk round to Ricardo’s at half time, always quick and it’s warm in there. It’s just like your in a pub SSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH🤷♂️
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Post by suck_the_mop. on Apr 9, 2023 21:08:30 GMT
Stewards are a pain in the arse always wanting to see your tickets or season card before they will let you pass, i sit block 36 but my seat is actually closer to 37 but they simply will not let me in the block 37 gangway meaning i have to disturb nearly the whole row to get to my seat.. i lost it with one of them o Friday when he asked to see my season card told him i knew where my fookin seat was just meant i ended up with 2 of them in my way😕😕😕 can anyone in 38 walk round to the bigger bar by 36? Or do they stop you like they were doing earlier in the season?
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Post by potter25 on Apr 9, 2023 21:27:35 GMT
Swansea away had a post office like system at half time The queue snaked around and there was a bloke at the end who would tell you which of the 8 tills go to. Was queuing for about 5 mins and kept moving Would a system like this work?
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Post by banksy1art on Apr 9, 2023 22:16:06 GMT
Just walk round to Ricardo’s at half time, always quick and it’s warm in there. It’s just like your in a pub SSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH🤷♂️ I didn’t even know it was open at half time till a few games ago.. definitely a hidden gem 🤫
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Post by Northy on Apr 9, 2023 23:51:37 GMT
Can you pre order ala The London Palladium? At a cinema in Witcheta, Kansas, you can buzz for more food and it's brought to you by someone basically crawling along the floor as to not block the views Would go down well crawling up the steps to the back of black 38
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Post by doctortheopolis on Apr 10, 2023 7:42:20 GMT
The Security/Steward are a nightmare aswell around block 37 and 38. Always block the aisles , fans are getting more and more fed up of it to I noticed on Friday. The stewards in the South Stand are a bunch of fucking weapons who seemingly comprise of surly Asian youths who stand in the most inconvenient positions available. There's one particular berk who stands at the end of my row (I sit three seats in from the aisle) but won't budge to let people into said row to get to their seat, forcing you to arkwardly manoeuvre around him. I've nearly lost my tether a couple of times at his refusal to move out of the way to let people past, as have others. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone finally having enough of his insouciance and hoiking him down the steps. The whole situation down there is ridiculous. There was a game this season where they plonked themselves in a line on the concourse by the food bit and wouldn't let anyone go past them, effectively segregating home supporters from each other! Quite a lot of people lost their shit over this. I asked the head steward why and he said it was because there were people from block 19 getting into the south stand with their season tickets. Shouldn't the turnstile operators be stopping this?! Leaving the concourse to get into the stand is a piss take as well. The stewards stopping people walking through the "tunnels" to check their tickets is just pissing people off. Their attitude is confrontational as well, to the point where folk are responding in like kind. I got stopped a couple of home games ago and ended up snapping back that I know where the fuck I sit in the ground. On Friday I refused to stop for them. It's probably the wrong way to respond but it's been like this all season so there's only so many times they can do it. Don't even get me started on trying to get a pint at half time! The bar in the "new" corner at least has a rail queuing system but you can only get bottles and have to come down 5 mins before half time to stand any chance of getting served.
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Post by stokest5 on Apr 10, 2023 7:53:41 GMT
Most parts of the ground I’ve been to are the same. It’s completely disorganised it’s like they don’t expect the onslaught of fans at half time .
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Post by nott1 on Apr 10, 2023 7:55:24 GMT
The Security/Steward are a nightmare aswell around block 37 and 38. Always block the aisles , fans are getting more and more fed up of it to I noticed on Friday. The stewards in the South Stand are a bunch of fucking weapons who seemingly comprise of surly Asian youths who stand in the most inconvenient positions available. There's one particular berk who stands at the end of my row (I sit three seats in from the aisle) but won't budge to let people into said row to get to their seat, forcing you to arkwardly manoeuvre around him. I've nearly lost my tether a couple of times at his refusal to move out of the way to let people past, as have others. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone finally having enough of his insouciance and hoiking him down the steps. Spill your hot tea on him "accidently" next time!
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Post by scfc75 on Apr 10, 2023 8:05:35 GMT
Each to their own and all that, but I don’t get why people would want to queue to pay the extortionate prices for the absolute piss they serve. The only thing more baffling is when people complain that it’s difficult to get a drink. See it as a blessing!
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Post by sticky on Apr 10, 2023 8:50:04 GMT
Only option as I see it is, go down on 40mins or go without.. it’s not good enough is it really. And the kids behind the bar are so slow it’s unreal..all it takes is some big horrible fat bloke shout at them and they get served first🤦🏻♂️ Pop up areas outside serving bottles only would surely help
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Post by questionable on Apr 10, 2023 8:59:00 GMT
Everyone’s choice of course but I flatly refuse to pay the prices plus it’s like bottling from the urinals and selling it back to you.
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Post by neckender78 on Apr 10, 2023 9:17:30 GMT
Just walk round to Ricardo’s at half time, always quick and it’s warm in there. It’s just like your in a pub SSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH🤷♂️ Its just as bad in Ricardo's now people have clicked in and go in there. Gave up on Friday after waiting 10 minutes, only 5 or 6 bar staff on while they have 4 or 5 kids serving the food outlet or collecting glasses. Made a real nice job in Ricardo's can't be that difficult for the club to get on another 3 or 4 bar staff for half time from their matchday staff.
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Post by suck_the_mop. on Apr 10, 2023 9:32:00 GMT
The stewards in the South Stand are a bunch of fucking weapons who seemingly comprise of surly Asian youths who stand in the most inconvenient positions available. There's one particular berk who stands at the end of my row (I sit three seats in from the aisle) but won't budge to let people into said row to get to their seat, forcing you to arkwardly manoeuvre around him. I've nearly lost my tether a couple of times at his refusal to move out of the way to let people past, as have others. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone finally having enough of his insouciance and hoiking him down the steps. The whole situation down there is ridiculous. There was a game this season where they plonked themselves in a line on the concourse by the food bit and wouldn't let anyone go past them, effectively segregating home supporters from each other! Quite a lot of people lost their shit over this. I asked the head steward why and he said it was because there were people from block 19 getting into the south stand with their season tickets. Shouldn't the turnstile operators be stopping this?! Leaving the concourse to get into the stand is a piss take as well. The stewards stopping people walking through the "tunnels" to check their tickets is just pissing people off. Their attitude is confrontational as well, to the point where folk are responding in like kind. I got stopped a couple of home games ago and ended up snapping back that I know where the fuck I sit in the ground. On Friday I refused to stop for them. It's probably the wrong way to respond but it's been like this all season so there's only so many times they can do it. Don't even get me started on trying to get a pint at half time! The bar in the "new" corner at least has a rail queuing system but you can only get bottles and have to come down 5 mins before half time to stand any chance of getting served. So on that premise then i could get in the main stand upper tier with my st? Surely the machines on the turnstiles can tell the barcode unless they are all the same and just have your seat location written on the card... it just wouldn't surprise you would it? Or just a piss poor excuse the steward came out with regarding people from block 19 getting in..
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2023 10:22:50 GMT
The fact the beer is awful and overpriced isn’t the point here.
The point is that, if you want a beer at half time in spite of all that, it’s a major chore to achieve that simple aim; to the point that it almost feels ballachingly difficult by design.
It’s something that makes you feel like a pig in a pen rather than an integral and valued component of this football club. And it’s an aspect of the match day experience that could be rectified I’m sure.
We’re almost certainly going to be staying at this ground for the rest of all our lifetimes (sadly) so let’s fix all these annoyances and at least make customers feel valued.
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Post by doctortheopolis on Apr 10, 2023 11:14:16 GMT
The whole situation down there is ridiculous. There was a game this season where they plonked themselves in a line on the concourse by the food bit and wouldn't let anyone go past them, effectively segregating home supporters from each other! Quite a lot of people lost their shit over this. I asked the head steward why and he said it was because there were people from block 19 getting into the south stand with their season tickets. Shouldn't the turnstile operators be stopping this?! Leaving the concourse to get into the stand is a piss take as well. The stewards stopping people walking through the "tunnels" to check their tickets is just pissing people off. Their attitude is confrontational as well, to the point where folk are responding in like kind. I got stopped a couple of home games ago and ended up snapping back that I know where the fuck I sit in the ground. On Friday I refused to stop for them. It's probably the wrong way to respond but it's been like this all season so there's only so many times they can do it. Don't even get me started on trying to get a pint at half time! The bar in the "new" corner at least has a rail queuing system but you can only get bottles and have to come down 5 mins before half time to stand any chance of getting served. So on that premise then i could get in the main stand upper tier with my st? Surely the machines on the turnstiles can tell the barcode unless they are all the same and just have your seat location written on the card... it just wouldn't surprise you would it? Or just a piss poor excuse the steward came out with regarding people from block 19 getting in.. You would think the tech would recognise it mate! However, a lot of it is down to human error. As a test, my lad and I have swopped season tickets at a couple of matches to see if they notice the difference. My lad is 17 so has an ST which clearly says Under 18 and when you scan the barcode reader, the screen says the same as well. My lad used my adult one to get in (fair enough, he could probably pass for 18) but when I scanned his and it came up with "junior", both times the operator just looked at me - it was obvious they were confused but after a couple of seconds pause, they just let me in!! The issue is more human than technology.
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Post by fraybentos on Apr 10, 2023 12:37:11 GMT
I don’t know what the situation is like in other parts of the ground but it’s more often than not incredibly difficult to get served at half time. I went down on 40mins on Friday and it was already 4/5 rows deep. I’ve gone down at half time before and only just got served as the teams were coming out again. So you have to neck your drink (easier said than done as the quality of beer is awful) and if you were a smoker/vaper, wouldn’t have time to enjoy a smoke/vape with your beer as the stewards insist on closing the smoking area right on the stroke of kickoff. I’m not having a go at the bar staff. They’re almost always understaffed but that’s no criticism of the ones there of course. If this is a familiar story in other parts of the ground then it would be good if the club looked into this and improved these aspects of the match day experience. This is the sort of stuff that can be invested into without impacting FFP? I appreciate the efforts the ownership seem to be making off the field of late. This is another area that should be looked into. It’s been poor all season, not enough staff on the tils, from a business point of view it’s terrible. We use the one outside and no disrespect to the young girl serving all by herself, she can only serve one at a time. stoke must not need the money
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