Something There is That Doesn't Love a Tyke
Nearest alehouse
By Mr Misery
February 1 2011
It is not much fun being a Leeds Carnegie fan just at the moment. Most people have the long hard winter and the recession to cope with which is bad enough but we have a whole host of adversities over and above the aforementioned that conspire to ensure that the “rugby experience” at Headingley is absolutely garbage and has been for some time.…..
For any rugby fan the one great imponderable is what sort of display is my team going to put on today? Everything else is a given. Well at least it is for most clubs. Last weekend getting into the ground was a lottery at Headingley , with the gates at the north side of the ground closed leading to a 400 yard trek to the gates at the south end of the stadium. Well that would have worked up a bit of a thirst – any excuse for a nice glass of beer. Hmm – not at Headingley. Since the demise of the supporters club the standard of the ales and lager available at the ground has plummeted faster than our league form. It is not much to expect. I would even pay an inflated price for a decent pint of cask conditioned ale if it was available in the ground. Are we the only club in the land who fail to provide this basic but necessary ingredient of the “experience”?
But the food on offer within the ground is of reasonable quality and price – erm no! The smell emanating from the fast food stalls behind the western terrace is quite revolting. My arteries harden even as I am walking past! A starving man would think twice before partaking. Oh well there is always the shop to help lighten our wallets with some tasty but overpriced merchandise….
So we arrive at our seats/ appointed standing pitch having endured the Headingley experience, hoping for some decent rugby but fearing the worst for the coming eighty minutes. We are not usually surprised only disappointed at the predictability of the outcome and the manner in which the victory is handed to the visitors.
What is going to change? Not the beer, nor the food and the shop will never have a decent selection of stuff for union fans. No the only thing that will change is our fortune on the pitch. Seemingly the most difficult of all the variables but the one which, I think, will turn around over the next six weeks leaving us happy despite the conspiracy against us.
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Personally I have never expected decent food, or beer, at a reasonable price, at any sporting event or stadium gig or similar event. Quite the opposite. I try to get organised so they cannot extort money from me for sh* t product.
Couple of points though - if decent food and drink at a decent price was on offer, I probably would spend my money on it and enjoy my day out more because of it.
How does a club that promotes health the way it has done in conjunction with Leeds Met, justify the the dog burger stands they have in the ground. It is evil food and a long way from being healthy.
The club can learn huge lessons from Exeter who were brilliantly organised food and drink wise, and Ulster who provided exellent facilities and both made a terrific match day experience
Headingley has the space to erect small marquee's to provide good local ales and good (healthy) food and there are dozens of catering companies that would be very happy to have the opportunity to be of sevice.
What appears to be missing is the will to do it....
"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)
The Headingley Experience - E-numbers, e-coli,
and E-xpensive
Miserati - and Proud to be!
I accept the Sports Bar probably needed a refurb, but there are two other bars in the cricket stand but these were both closed. The Legends bar could have been made available too.
A scrappy notice on a door advising people to go to the Cafe Bar for a beer with no clues as to where it actually is doesn't help. Having only two people serving in there merely winds fans up even more - half time is 15 minutes, not an hour.
"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)
"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)
Poetry and Rugby - Rather like Science and Art
Very lyrical......
Maybe a bit beyond the Headingley Managemen...?
Up the Carnegie TYKES !