Sounds promising

[godlike1]

Although the playing side has gone a little stale of late at least we are going to have something to look to at home games over the next couple of months with some promising developments taking place.

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/keepmoat-stadium-under-doncaster-rovers-what-to-expect-349989.aspx

It's great to be kept informed as well

 

[Rovin Reporter]

It seems only be referring to food pies and the like , this must be where the money is these days .

[DC-]

OK, so Spotless are taking over the catering and partial-funds are going directly to the club. They're also highlighting the fact that they're putting a lot of money into the re-marketing / signage / kiosk structure. Add to that the sourcing and addition of "freshly brewed coffee through Bean and Co, hot and cold savoury food from Eats and Planet Hotdog, grab and go sandwich options from Bites and new fast pour outlets". From my stomach's point of view, it sounds great but I must wonder where they make their profits? I don't want to be negative but doesn't that suggest high pricing to recoup costs?

A special bespoke Doncaster Rovers bitter will also be released this month, exclusively available in the Belle Vue Bar initially.

This sounds interesting though. I wonder the brewer?

[Rovin Reporter]

It assumes we very concerned with the last lot and it needed addressing . It's good that club will get the full benifits of all money raised , I for do not wish to put even more weight  on just to  help buy a new goalie . 

[DC-]

I'm concerned with costs though. I know too many people who eat and drink before they go to the stadium in order to save money. I'd argue that in keeping prices low there will be more people buying food and drink, thus making more money; a business model I wish more companies would consider.

[godlike1]

Are you not more likely to be Prepared to pay for decent food rather than the Shit we have been served over the last few years esp if it's easier to get served and there's more variety to choose from.

The pie n pint for a fiver deal has had me spending my money in the ground compared to not and I thought the new pie was much better than the old crap they sold. It was maybe not ground breaking but I was happy to pay.

I would argue that the easier they make it to buy things the more likely we are to spend our cash as well. It's when you have to que for ages to pay high prices for shit quality that puts people off. Yet people still did it at half time with the old providers so I am hopeful that more people will do this with the new providers and enjoy it. Plus if the money goes back to rovers it can only be good for the club

[Rovin Reporter]

Of all the things for the club to get excited over I would have said easier ticketing access like pay on the gate  rather than a food that  will not deliver a great deal to the coffers  if attendances fall even further.

[godlike1]

Of all the things for the club to get excited over I would have said easier ticketing access like pay on the gate  rather than a food that  will not deliver a great deal to the coffers  if attendances fall even further.

Christ can you not just be pleased that improvements are taking place. Whether its the food or cash turnstiles it's a move in the right direction. I have no doubt that if they had mentioned the cash turnstiles you would have moaned that they had done nothing about the food kiosks.

How will the club ever win with fans like you? You really are a lost cause

[Mr1Croft]

We have already been told pay on the gate is being looked at, and will probably be implemented in future home cup game, it can't be done during the season because it has to be unreserved seating and there are season ticket holders in most areas of the ground...

[Rovin Reporter]

Of all the things for the club to get excited over I would have said easier ticketing access like pay on the gate  rather than a food that  will not deliver a great deal to the coffers  if attendances fall even further.

Christ can you not just be pleased that improvements are taking place. Whether its the food or cash turnstiles it's a move in the right direction. I have no doubt that if they had mentioned the cash turnstiles you would have moaned that they had done nothing about the food kiosks.

How will the club ever win with fans like you? You really are a lost cause

  You are very easy to bite , just like the pies yeeeeesss get it

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Give it time, this is one small but positive step of many. Incremental improvements are the key to success. Given the costs of things outside these days If they sell cider at 3.20 a pint that's going price. Most will pay slightly more for a bit of quality.

[Alan_Rovers]

Rovin Reporter is right though. It is all well and good having really nice food if we can't get fans into the stadium to eat it.

Besides, because the food prices are going up, sales won't increase that much anyway. Nobody will think 'Oooooh I must go to the Keepmoat because they do a nice chicken balti at half-time.'

[scuzzer]

We have already been told pay on the gate is being looked at, and will probably be implemented in future home cup game, it can't be done during the season because it has to be unreserved seating and there are season ticket holders in most areas of the ground...

Cant this be done fairly easily in the bit of the East Stand they've now got sectioned off or the West half of the North Stand which likewise seems out of use?

[adamtherover]

Rovin Reporter is right though. It is all well and good having really nice food if we can't get fans into the stadium to eat it.

Besides, because the food prices are going up, sales won't increase that much anyway. Nobody will think 'Oooooh I must go to the Keepmoat because they do a nice chicken balti at half-time.'

thats just it, they dont, the chicken balti from last year was v nice, none of this years offering appeal to me so my regualar custom sadly has gone elsewhere.. :-(

[silent majority]

Rovin Reporter is right though. It is all well and good having really nice food if we can't get fans into the stadium to eat it.

Besides, because the food prices are going up, sales won't increase that much anyway. Nobody will think 'Oooooh I must go to the Keepmoat because they do a nice chicken balti at half-time.'

He's not right at all, and neither are you.

The normal business plan at most football clubs is two fold. Success on the pitch and low prices, either of those will see you OK. But football is more complex than that. There is a third option which has proven to be successful at numerous clubs around the country, and that is the phrase 'fan engagement'. Its about listening to supporters and providing them with the match day experience they want to enjoy. If that's comfy seats, great atmosphere, good food and beer, a sense of family and belonging, safety and a pleasant and enjoyable day then lets do it.

Its what 'In Rovers We Trust' is all about.

[DC-]

Are you not more likely to be Prepared to pay for decent food rather than the Shit we have been served over the last few years esp if it's easier to get served and there's more variety to choose from.

Not really. I can cook something just as nice, if not nicer before or after the game and save myself a fortune. Food at a stadium, for me, is like the kebab at the end of a night out. Let's face it, they're nasty but do I care at the time?

I honestly think these fancy menus will only appeal to a small percentage of the crowd. I'd rather a cheap sausage roll over a gourmet pie to go with my beer.

[Mr1Croft]

We have already been told pay on the gate is being looked at, and will probably be implemented in future home cup game, it can't be done during the season because it has to be unreserved seating and there are season ticket holders in most areas of the ground...

Cant this be done fairly easily in the bit of the East Stand they've now got sectioned off or the West half of the North Stand which likewise seems out of use?

There are numerous problems with this, and the same problem that would arise from moving the away fans there as well:


Firstly there is the corporate boxes above and the hospitality section to the side: Pay on the gate has to be unreserved and generally speaking away fans are also unreserved. That means that this section would generally be used as a "singing section" for whoever goes in there home or away fans which means that if you are paying the top price for the Hospitality box do you really want a bunch of fans singing (and possibly standing) just below you? Be it home or away fans.


There is also the problem of Season Ticket Holders; because this section will be unreserved and be ideal to relaunch a singing section a number of season ticket holders will want to move there seat, which means the club will have to decide whether to allow season ticket holders to move to an unreserved area, and then what happens if most of the unreserved section is taken up by Season Ticket Holders allowing only a 100 or so to pay on the gate before it reaches capacity.


Thats why it is easier to do it at a cup game because an ideal location in the stadium can be used, and no one will have a season ticket for that game. It will however (if the trial is a success) be much easier to implement next season so that they can reserve one area of the stadium where reserved seats season tickets will not be sold (in other words the season ticket allows you to sit anywhere in that area.)


Also I'm pretty sure that the East Stand is closed off to cut costs because there is a wall (built for the Leeds games) which allows them to close the kiosks and save on toilets being cleaned, stewards in that area, catering staff etc., I'm pretty sure the North Stand is also built into three separate concourses to save on costs as well.