Ron Greener Update

[divas]

Some clarification on the Ron Greener suite which was such a hot topic at the recent fans forum......

As most will probably know, entrance to the Ron Greener suite will this season be restricted to members and those booking a meal at the carvery.

Membership costs £50 for the season which includes all league and cup games and will allow you to drink and socialise in the bar, as well as enjoy the carvery for only £7.95.

For those of us that enjoy a carvery before the game, this option will still be open to non-members, and will be priced at £9.95.

The lounge will have a smart casual dress code (smart jeans ok) and players will often be around post match with presentations split between here and the platinum suite depending on sponsors.

Whilst this will upset a few fans who have previously enjoyed this privilege for free, its worth noting that no other club in the league offer a service like this for free and we need to try and make every penny count if we are to have a sustainable football club.

Any fans who have already applied for membership can pick their passes up before Saturday if possible.

[micra3]

I have not got a problem with this arrangement 2 questions!
Can u just pay £2 and only go in for a drink and if so can you go in again after the match?

[divas]

Non members will only be admitted on the proviso that a meal is bought, there are no plans to have a per match door fee at this time.

I'm awaiting clarification if eating pre-match means you can again gain entry to the suite after the match.

[wylam_rangers]

Some clarification on the Ron Greener suite which was such a hot topic at the recent fans forum......

As most will probably know, entrance to the Ron Greener suite will this season be restricted to members and those booking a meal at the carvery.

Membership costs £50 for the season which includes all league and cup games and will allow you to drink and socialise in the bar, as well as enjoy the carvery for only £7.95.

For those of us that enjoy a carvery before the game, this option will still be open to non-members, and will be priced at £9.95.

The lounge will have a smart casual dress code (smart jeans ok) and players will often be around post match with presentations split between here and the platinum suite depending on sponsors.

Whilst this will upset a few fans who have previously enjoyed this privilege for free, its worth noting that no other club in the league offer a service like this for free and we need to try and make every penny count if we are to have a sustainable football club.

Any fans who have already applied for membership can pick their passes up before Saturday if possible.

Thanks for this Divas

It's also worth mentioning that there are very few - if any - L2 Clubs that can boast facilities like the Carling/Sports Bar & Corner Bar for free and also where away supporters can mingle in comfort and safety.

[TeessideQuaker]

I'm suprised the club haven't charged for access before now anyway. There'll always be some that moan though, there always is.

[shawry]

We missed a trick by not charging for this from the onset, this is what caused the upset in the first place, asking why they should pay for something that used to be free.

[Darlo Cockney]

I think that the equivalent of £2 a game is great value, given the surroundings, facilities and the fact that the players come in.

Dean and Lumsdon were in last night.

DC

[divas]

definitely worth a couple of quid a game over the course of the season - just for that little bit of exclusivity and the chance to meet players etc - its less than the cost of a pint per match, if i sat in the south stand i'd get it just so i could go and have a warm at half time!

[Longshanks]

Dean and Lumsdon were in last night.

James Bennett and Matty Plummer were in there as well last night!

[wylam_rangers]

definitely worth a couple of quid a game over the course of the season - just for that little bit of exclusivity and the chance to meet players etc - its less than the cost of a pint per match, if i sat in the south stand i'd get it just so i could go and have a warm at half time!

Looking forward to seeing if I can get an FBP at half-time!

[TeessideQuaker]

Dean and Lumsdon were in last night.

James Bennett and Matty Plummer were in there as well last night!

Clyde Wijnhard was often in bars when he was here....

[Spyman]

It's also worth mentioning that there are very few - if any - L2 Clubs that can boast facilities like the Carling/Sports Bar & Corner Bar for free and also where away supporters can mingle in comfort and safety.

Yep, I've been to a few away grounds that charge eveyone for entry to their only bar pre-match. Dagenham charge 50p to go into what is little more than a hall with a few plastic chairs around the outside.

[darlotoon]

It's also worth mentioning that there are very few - if any - L2 Clubs that can boast facilities like the Carling/Sports Bar & Corner Bar for free and also where away supporters can mingle in comfort and safety.

Yep, I've been to a few away grounds that charge eveyone for entry to their only bar pre-match. Dagenham charge 50p to go into what is little more than a hall with a few plastic chairs around the outside.

Chester charge for the bar , can't remember how much it was but think it was £2-3.

[OHDFC]

A dress code? What next? Prawn sandwiches on the menu.

I don't have a problem with the membership fee or paying a cover charge to have a meal in the Ron Greener, but why have a dress code? It's a football match, not the opera!.

[divas]

A dress code? What next? Prawn sandwiches on the menu.

I don't have a problem with the membership fee or paying a cover charge to have a meal in the Ron Greener, but why have a dress code? It's a football match, not the opera!.

whats the problem? its not as if its black tie or anything, they are just asking patrons to be well presented, afterall it is an exec lounge - would you go out in shorts/sportswear for a carvery at a restaurant?

the sports bar sounds more your type of venue.

[robsraiders]

I think that the club will not make as much money on this scheme as they may anticipate, the lounge has been used by a fair number of people at half time, many buying a sandwich and a drink.The sandwiches are using up the carvery meat etc, those who have had their meals are not going to buy after eating only a short while before.

They won't sell as many drinks as I expect the take up on the £50 will be not very high, and won't offset the drinks sales normally got at half time and full time.

[divas]

I think that the club will not make as much money on this scheme as they may anticipate, the lounge has been used by a fair number of people at half time, many buying a sandwich and a drink.The sandwiches are using up the carvery meat etc, those who have had their meals are not going to buy after eating only a short while before.

They won't sell as many drinks as I expect the take up on the £50 will be not very high, and won't offset the drinks sales normally got at half time and full time.

i guess they'll find out soon enough - for fucks sake people have moaned that the commercial team have done nowt, and noe they try to make the club some much needed funds they get moaned at.

the club will know how much was made in those rooms last season, if there isnt as much made this season then im sure they'll look to change the offer slightly next season, its called business sense.....

what people need to remember is that if they want a successful club, revenue streams such as this are vital

[real_darlo_85]

what people need to remember is that if they want a successful club, revenue streams such as this are vital

Exactly right Divas. This is all about the club trying to make a bit more money out of a facility that has never been tapped properly and is part of the long process that will hopefully make the club more self-sustainable which it needs to be.

The previous owners have opted to try and put the money into on-pitch success, without in my opinion, properly maximising the commercial potential the Arena has to offer off-pitch.

[OHDFC]

whats the problem? its not as if its black tie or anything, they are just asking patrons to be well presented, afterall it is an exec lounge - would you go out in shorts/sportswear for a carvery at a restaurant?

This is a sports venue and I am there to watch a sporting event take place. I want to dress appropriately for that - which in my case means wearing my shirt and scarf - and while I am there I want to use the facilities for which I have paid. The problem is that the dress code means I am not allowed to wear my shirt - the one I got for sponsoring a player - in the lounge for which I have bought membership. Why not?

I often go to restaurants in shorts in summer, but living in quite a touristy place it would be commercial suicide for most of those restaurants to impose dress codes. I also regularly use executive lounges (and probably will on Friday and Wednesday) and often see patrons wearing shorts and sports wear.


the sports bar sounds more your type of venue.[/quote]

If this comment was intended to make you come over as an elitist snob, you succeeded. I could reply by saying that this is traditionally a 4th tier football club, and that those in the corporate dominated Premiership sound more your type of club, but that would be disparaging both to the majority fans of premiership clubs and indeed yourself, judging by previous post of yours that I have read.

[Darlo Cockney]

I have been going into the Ron Greener lounge after the last few games and have worn my Darlo shirt and nothing has been said to me.

I certainly hope that shirts will be allowed as i have paid my £50 for this season.

Please can someone clarify.

DC

[divas]

If this comment was intended to make you come over as an elitist snob, you succeeded. I could reply by saying that this is traditionally a 4th tier football club, and that those in the corporate dominated Premiership sound more your type of club, but that would be disparaging both to the majority fans of premiership clubs and indeed yourself, judging by previous post of yours that I have read.

we're a 4th tier club with a stadium that is of premiership standard, which is the cause of many of our problems, which do we cater for? just because we're a lower tier club its lunacy to suggest that some of our fans may not want this option - you support a team, not a stadium.

what people dont tend to realise is the cost of the upkeep of rooms like this in the stadium - we need to make them pay for themselves - we have all heard that the running costs of the stadium have crippled the club in the past, this is hopefully a solution - corporate hospitality and exec lounges arent to everyone's taste (me included for the record), but there is a revenue stream there that has to be capitalised on if the club is going to survive and hopefully prosper.

the ron greener membership allows those that want something extra from the matchday experience an option for a small fee, those that dont want this have 2 fine facilities in the corner and sports bars and also the concourse - a pipedream 10 years ago while queuing for bovril on a cold and wet tuesday night.

[divas]

Non members will only be admitted on the proviso that a meal is bought, there are no plans to have a per match door fee at this time.

I'm awaiting clarification if eating pre-match means you can again gain entry to the suite after the match.

if you eat at the carvery pre-match you will be given a day pass that will allow access to the RG suite for the rest of the day.

[micra3]

Thanks for that Divas-i often have a meal and just wondered if i could access the RG after the game!

[OHDFC]

we're a 4th tier club with a stadium that is of premiership standard, which is the cause of many of our problems, which do we cater for? just because we're a lower tier club its lunacy to suggest that some of our fans may not want this option - you support a team, not a stadium.

what people dont tend to realise is the cost of the upkeep of rooms like this in the stadium - we need to make them pay for themselves - we have all heard that the running costs of the stadium have crippled the club in the past, this is hopefully a solution - corporate hospitality and exec lounges arent to everyone's taste (me included for the record), but there is a revenue stream there that has to be capitalised on if the club is going to survive and hopefully prosper.

the ron greener membership allows those that want something extra from the matchday experience an option for a small fee, those that dont want this have 2 fine facilities in the corner and sports bars and also the concourse - a pipedream 10 years ago while queuing for bovril on a cold and wet tuesday night.

Indeed and I'm not objecting to paying for membership or a cover charge - as you rightly point out, there are 2 other free entry bars, plus the concourse, in which to get refershments. I am objecting only to the, in my opinion unneccessary, dress code. I fail to understand how it (the dress code) will increase revenue.

[divas]

we're a 4th tier club with a stadium that is of premiership standard, which is the cause of many of our problems, which do we cater for? just because we're a lower tier club its lunacy to suggest that some of our fans may not want this option - you support a team, not a stadium.

what people dont tend to realise is the cost of the upkeep of rooms like this in the stadium - we need to make them pay for themselves - we have all heard that the running costs of the stadium have crippled the club in the past, this is hopefully a solution - corporate hospitality and exec lounges arent to everyone's taste (me included for the record), but there is a revenue stream there that has to be capitalised on if the club is going to survive and hopefully prosper.

the ron greener membership allows those that want something extra from the matchday experience an option for a small fee, those that dont want this have 2 fine facilities in the corner and sports bars and also the concourse - a pipedream 10 years ago while queuing for bovril on a cold and wet tuesday night.

Indeed and I'm not objecting to paying for membership or a cover charge - as you rightly point out, there are 2 other free entry bars, plus the concourse, in which to get refershments. I am objecting only to the, in my opinion unneccessary, dress code. I fail to understand how it (the dress code) will increase revenue.

update on dress code - ive spoken to the club this afternoon and its been agreed that darlo shirts will be permitted in the RG as the dress code wasn't stipulated when memberships we're taken out, so good news on that front, and shows again that the new regime at the club are willing to listen to fans....can you imagine something like this in the reynolds era, you'd have probably got a dawn visit

[quakerste]

I personally disagree with this new scheme of paying the extra £50 per person to use the Greener lounge. I will not pay an extra £150 on top of my £650 to use the lounge

I sit in the South stand with my daughter and father, all of us season ticket holders and have used the lounge on a regular basis for the past few seasons. At half time for every game we bought three sandwiches and drinks spending £15, over the season this amounts to £350 revenue for the club.

I know a few people who sit in the same area as myself and also purchased food and drinks and have also rejected this idea. If 100 dont buy into this who previously used the lounge like myself and spend roughly the saame over the season this could lose the club roughly in the region of £35,000.

I am going to email the club and voice my concerns as i feel this could cost the club in the long run.

[quakersam]

So I guess you want it for free like it always has been then Come on grow up, the club has facilities like this that have been given on a plate since the ground opened, this led to the downfall of what just happened over the summer. We can't continue this if you want the club to be successful. No other club has facilities like this which are offered for free. We've had it too easy for too long, it's time things are changed.

[divas]

I personally disagree with this new scheme of paying the extra £50 per person to use the Greener lounge. I will not pay an extra £150 on top of my £650 to use the lounge

I sit in the South stand with my daughter and father, all of us season ticket holders and have used the lounge on a regular basis for the past few seasons. At half time for every game we bought three sandwiches and drinks spending £15, over the season this amounts to £350 revenue for the club.

I know a few people who sit in the same area as myself and also purchased food and drinks and have also rejected this idea. If 100 dont buy into this who previously used the lounge like myself and spend roughly the saame over the season this could lose the club roughly in the region of £35,000.

I am going to email the club and voice my concerns as i feel this could cost the club in the long run.

by all means email the club but this has been done to death and the charge will be here to stay for the season as people have already forked out for the privilege.

so now the club have slapped the charge on, these "100" people wont buy any drink or food from the club at all is that what you are saying?? why is this? because you (they) dont like to use the concourse like the other 1000+ season ticket holders have to?

when doing your sums, dont forget that is turnover you are quoting not revenue - the club doesnt get the food and drink for free, even tho they wish they did!!

if i were the club id be saying you've enjoyed that privilege for free for 2/3 seasons and have actually saved yourself in excess of £1000, well done.

the problem isnt the charge, the problem is that people have been allowed there for free in the first place, like the old saying goes, you dont know what youve got til its gone!!

[quakerste]

You dont get it do you, football clubs are overcharging supporters as it is and they are trying to screw every pound out of the loyal supporters who do turn up. I could understand it if were in the Championship or the Premier League but were not we're watching Accrington and the likes

If you have'nt noticed there's a recession going on around us and people are losing their jobs. I'm a working family man who has to find £700 pounds every year to support my team. It's' now got to the point where people say do I take the family on holiday or do I get a season ticket. Lets not forget whats gone on at the club and we still give them our hard earned money for not much entertainment.

This season we will be lucky to average 2700 and the club needs people to spend money in the bars including the lounge. In my opion the club have made a huge gaff by trying to charge the extra £50

If you have not got a family you wont understand where a lot of the towns fiolk are coming from by not attending games as they have far more important things to worry about.

[wylam_rangers]

You dont get it do you, football clubs are overcharging supporters as it is and they are trying to screw every pound out of the loyal supporters who do turn up. I could understand it if were in the Championship or the Premier League but were not we're watching Accrington and the likes

If you have'nt noticed there's a recession going on around us and people are losing their jobs. I'm a working family man who has to find £700 pounds every year to support my team. It's' now got to the point where people say do I take the family on holiday or do I get a season ticket. Lets not forget whats gone on at the club and we still give them our hard earned money for not much entertainment.

This season we will be lucky to average 2700 and the club needs people to spend money in the bars including the lounge. In my opion the club have made a huge gaff by trying to charge the extra £50

If you have not got a family you wont understand where a lot of the towns fiolk are coming from by not attending games as they have far more important things to worry about.

You can't possibly accuse Darlo of overcharging. All that has happened is the Club has started to look at where we are bleeding money.

If you don't believe me take a look at some other L2 sides who charge up to £650 for similar memberships. In fact I'm getting so annoyed by all this that I am going to produce a comparison document so that you can see exactly what value for money a Darlo ST and Ron Greener membership really is.

I don't know who you are but if you found my wallet in the street I probably wouldn't get it back.