The comfort of the concourse

[ayjaydee]

I always nip out to have a wee with about 3 minutes of normal time to go in the first half - it's much easier to get into the loo without having to queue, not so many people milling around the concourse - then I go and have a cig. In previous seasons I've missed all number of goals and in the last 2 games alone I've missed 2 sending offs.

Jeez, you must take a long pee. My half time ritual is always 2 cigs followed by a pee and never miss any of the game. But I'm an unsociable bastard and don't talk to anyone while smoking (or peeing)

[RoyalBlue]

The concourses have not been created with the comfort of the customer in mind. Not once has anything been done to remove the prison like look of the breeze blocks. The concourses reflect the overall approach and attitude towards its visitors ie everything on the cheap.

What would you rather your money went on? The team, or plaster and a lick of paint once or twice a year?
.

It now becomes clear. McDermott's transfer budget is set according to the price of a few cans of Dulux! No wonder we can't find anyone better than we already have!

In the past I can recall high match prices being justified by comparisons with trips to the theatre, cinema etc. Can't recall to many bare breezeblock walls in those venues although The Hexagon does have some bare concrete!

[under the tin]

Speculate to accumulate. Provide better facilities, open the turnstiles earlier and hey presto, more money into the coffers.

I quite agree.
Ever since the stadium first opened, I've looked upwards at that big triangular void (particularly in the North stand) above all of our heads, and thought..... Trick, missed.
A mezz floor, a few marley tiles, another bar or two, fruit machines, video games, a few chairs up there.
You could even have the upstairs bar as a members bar, a kind of halfway house bar 1871, say an extra £5 a season membership.

We can all moan as much as we want about overpriced stuff, but the truth is that a captive marketplace makes proper money.
If it didn't, you would be able to watch the tumbleweed drifting through motorway service areas, airports, and theme parks.
The fact is they don't have a problem attracting punters who will pay over the odds for very average fare. Anyone who has taken their kids to Legoland, paid about eleven quid for a pot of tea and two sticky buns at Leigh Delamere, or had a couple of pre-holiday beers at Gatwick will attest to this. Be honest, there are few who haven't done it.

[Magnus]

Speculate to accumulate. Provide better facilities, open the turnstiles earlier and hey presto, more money into the coffers.

I quite agree.
Ever since the stadium first opened, I've looked upwards at that big triangular void (particularly in the North stand) above all of our heads, and thought..... Trick, missed.
A mezz floor, a few marley tiles, another bar or two, fruit machines, video games, a few chairs up there.
You could even have the upstairs bar as a members bar, a kind of halfway house bar 1871, say an extra £5 a season membership.

We can all moan as much as we want about overpriced stuff, but the truth is that a captive marketplace makes proper money.
If it didn't, you would be able to watch the tumbleweed drifting through motorway service areas, airports, and theme parks.
The fact is they don't have a problem attracting punters who will pay over the odds for very average fare. Anyone who has taken their kids to Legoland, paid about eleven quid for a pot of tea and two sticky buns at Leigh Delamere, or had a couple of pre-holiday beers at Gatwick will attest to this. Be honest, there are few who haven't done it.

I'm practically a local at the Flying Horse at the South Terminal in Gatwick. Normally not too keen on Wetherspoons but I've really embraced that one. The pints are really reasonable though the food is much more expensive than you'd see at a high street wetherspoons.

But I digress massively and agree with your point certainly.

[Nick Shorey my Lord!]

And remember the immortal words of Mr Boss, especially if you're inclined to a beverage or three; "Two nil down, back into town"

[Magnus]

And remember the immortal words of Mr Boss, especially if you're inclined to a beverage or three; "Two nil down, back into town"

TBF these days I'd even take that I step further, I only regret it's taken me several years to realise I could meet up with people going to the match before and after the game, and just stay in the pub and miss out the rather tedious 90 minute dry spell in the middle.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

We played Oldham about 10 years ago during the fuel strike.

We scored twice in the 1st 5 mins, i missed both finishing my pint. Then needed a piss just before half time and we promptly scored again. 3 up and i missed the lot.

[Hugo Boss]

And remember the immortal words of Mr Boss, especially if you're inclined to a beverage or three; "Two nil down, back into town"

It's the Team Burbs way.

I've watched many a 2nd half in the concourse cos I can't be a*sed to go back up to the seats. The booze is dire at Reading though.

Watched the whole game at Coventry away in the concourse last year. To be fair, the barman agreed to keep the bar open and the TV showing the game on. As they had a decent selection of drinks (i.e. Gaymers etc.) a few of us decided it was a much better bet to stay down there.

[East Stand Ste]

PNE at home a few years ago, i forget which season, we were 2-0 down at half time. I pretty much watched the whole second half on the concourse with beers in hand....until we scored a late goal, then I was in the stand for a matter of minutes.

[RG30]

And remember the immortal words of Mr Boss, especially if you're inclined to a beverage or three; "Two nil down, back into town"

It's the Team Burbs way.

I've watched many a 2nd half in the concourse cos I can't be a*sed to go back up to the seats. The booze is dire at Reading though.

Watched the whole game at Coventry away in the concourse last year. To be fair, the barman agreed to keep the bar open and the TV showing the game on. As they had a decent selection of drinks (i.e. Gaymers etc.) a few of us decided it was a much better bet to stay down there.

That was a good concourse session tbf. My personal favourites were Bolton away when we won 3-1 although you wouldn't remember that Hugo as you were on on the M6 and also West Ham away on Boxing Day who were doing us 2 for 1 deals on pints.

[Big Foot]

I watched most of the 3-2 game away at United in Dec 06 from the concourse for the lolz

[Hugo Boss]

My personal favourites were Bolton away when we won 3-1 although you wouldn't remember that Hugo as you were on on the M6...

One of the few times i've regretted leaving a game early.

[Bucks Dave]

This whole thread makes me think of the concourses/away fan areas I've been to as an away fan.

The most disappointing was at Old Trafford. There I was expecting gilded marble and gold taps and I got ..... what we have.
The most spectacular was at Newcastle where the view was outstanding and oxygen was needed.
Fulham's was the most attractive by the river. Dagenham and Redbridge was exactly what you'd expect.

I can't actually think which championship club has a significantly better concourse than ours. Any offers?

[Svlad Cjelli]

This whole thread makes me think of the concourses/away fan areas I've been to as an away fan.

The most disappointing was at Old Trafford. There I was expecting gilded marble and gold taps and I got ..... what we have.
The most spectacular was at Newcastle where the view was outstanding and oxygen was needed.
Fulham's was the most attractive by the river. Dagenham and Redbridge was exactly what you'd expect.

I can't actually think which championship club has a significantly better concourse than ours. Any offers?

Cardiff. Larger, stewards who welcome you and have a chat and a laugh, and I think there are x-boxes for the kids.

[No Fixed Abode]

I always find these days that the football always gets in the way of a good p1ss up. Perhaps go to the town or city you're playing in, but stay in the pub.

[Bandini]

I quite liked the cramped confines of the Loftus Road concourse, and their very efficient lager distribution system. Normally a great atmosphere, even if it's utter shit on the pitch.

[Red]

Went to Stamford Bridge recently and was shocked that they don't show the game after 3 minutes into the second half (and presumably first half too)

The bar also shuts

[Stuka]

Much as I love beer because I am a bloody bloke, the swill they serve up inside the Madj is such over-priced sh*t that I am more than happy to go three hours without a beer in order to avoid it.

I'm with Floyd on this one. The bus to and from the Nag's Head is efficient so I'm without beer for the minimum possible time yet salvaging some dignity by not buying into the swill.

[Gordons Cumming]

I've see guys just chat/beer for 20- 25 minutes after half time and they're not watching the TV.

[Maguire]

I've see guys just chat/beer for 20- 25 minutes after half time and they're not watching the TV.