Steve fires some questions at the Chairman
By Steve1888
December 16 2008
After a disappointing matchday experience on Sunday for myself and a fair few others I emailed Dave Thompson this morning with some feedback about Sunday's game and a couple of other things. He kindly took time out to discuss my points on the phone this afternoon so hopefully these responses will help answer a few questions and ease a couple of frustrations during this tricky season.
So here are the points I raised and his responses
No Matchday Programme
At the start of the season the club sell the rights to the matchday programme to a 3rd party and get the funds then for it. The club then supply the articles etc then it is down to the company to sell and make their profits on matchdays and the club gets a certain number of free copies. Going off the estimated attendance and sales for similar games in the past the company decided at the end of last week they would be unable to produce the programme and make a profit so informed the club they wouldn't be producing one. Not ideal but makes sense.
Scoreboard Not Working
DT was extremely annoyed himself about this and they have been onto the relevant folk to get this sorted after already having some parts replaced earlier this season. He said it could well be replaced fully and its certainly being adressed and expressed his apologies for Sunday.
No Food Vans
Again due to estimated attendance the 3rd parties who the matchday catering is tendered out to decided it would probably not be profitable enough with low numbers so stayed away. Normal Service be resumed next home game and this led to next point.
Poor standard of Food
I pointed out that the catering outlets in the stands are regularly complained about for standard and quality of the food they are supplying and as I dont eat there - well have once I think and wasnt over clever. He asked if I could email him the complaints and he will get the Stadium Manager to take it up with the companies who provide and take it from there so if anyone has any could you let me know by wednesday morning so I can send the list - just sensible ones will be included though.
Post Match Entertainment
Again due to the low volume of supporters is was decided that paying the entertainment would take away all the profits from the bar so the decision was made to do without for this game as not financially viable. He is also going to address the fact that the man of the match presentation was done without microphones and speakers as he wasn't aware and apologised as it was most unacceptable.
Bars Closing Early
Again he started by apologising and the decision was made because the bar was very quiet and low volume of purchases. In hindsight he said he should've and will if it happens again allow anyone wanting to stay then move up to the first floor bar area rather than have to leave earlier than planned.
Poor Pitch
They have actually been working very hard behind the scenes on the pitch as there is a problem with a layer of thick black sand which smells sulphurous (i think thats right) which is preventing water from soaking through and causing to poor condition of the pitch. The ground staff have been working with specialised contactors to try and resolve this and working very hard to keep the pitch playable. In the close season they are hoping to install the 4G synthetic pitch the same as Druid Park as that would solve the problems. The club have worked very hard with the RFU and it is acceptable from next season so now they are just waiting for an answer from ERC rugby to see if they will allow.
Value of Season Tickets
DT fully understands the frustrations of season ticket holders after so many offers have come out which makes the saving of a season ticket a lot less for some areas. He added he had no choice as he couldnt stand by and do nothing and wants to get as many bodies in the ground as possible so these offers became necessary and unfortunately it is very difficult to change or try new things during a season. He added that from next season the pricing structure will change and the season ticket policy will make sure this doesnt happen again the new season ticket will be good value. He is hoping to get the new season ticket policy and ticketing procedure information out in the early part of 2009 to ease these concerns. They are treating this with high importance and really working hard to get it right as Season Ticket holders are vital to the club moving forward.
Squad
While very frustrated by the amount of injuries and illness the squad have had this season (4 players played through illness on sunday due to injuries to others) he does see the need to grow and strengthen the squad in the close season this time. He is very confident of survival this season and hopes the return of the likes of Hayman and Wilkinson to the side will see us clear of relegation so they can build the squad they need to compete after maybe a couple of mistakes this season.
That ended the call but he was quite open and honest and gave a fair bit of time rather than just get someone else to email me back and sounds like he really does want to get the club back on track and in my opinion is annoyed and upset at the struggle so far this season which has been far from ideal. He was also very apologetic which came across as very sincere about the above problems especially the easily manageable ones.
I know some will still be highly critical at this but i'd like to thank Dave Thompson for taking the time and effort to speak to me personally about these things and also for doing so as quick.
My thoughts now turn to a good trip to Leicester on Saturday then back to KP on the 27th for hopefully a more enjoyable match day experience.
Steve
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:12:17:18:42:03 by TouchLine.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:12:16:21:35:33 by TouchLine.
We all moan but at least you backed it it and went and did something about it -
About the hog roast?....................
Seriously though. Isn't there a minimum temperature for a workplace? Surely the H&S Police would be on it like a shot if it was below that?
Quote:The temperature in workrooms should provide reasonable comfort without the need for special clothing.
seems inconsistent with
Quote:They have to wrap up well: hats, scarves , gloves - just to serve us.
Quote:TouchLine
Isn't there a minimum temperature for a workplace?
In the Metro the other week someone asked this, and it's apparently 17C unless the job requires heavy labour in which case it's 13C. Our office is pretty normal at the moment I think, though it's been freezing in the past and others think it still is. I had to keep me hat and coat on the other morning, though it was 6am.
The kitchen tends to be either boiling or freezing, depending on how well the air con above the oven is working.
Quote:Falconfan
Re the question of food in the bar. The thin pork slices swimming in watery gravy is a very poor substitute for the previous hog roast - and with no price reduction! Bring back the hog roasts!
Agreed - bring them back - or take down the sign - its false advertising!
He sounded like he was fighting to take the club forward still and also they are putting things in place and obviously are taking on board feedback if not all.
Hog Roast Hog Roast Hog Roast!!!!!!
Such an integral part of a trip to Kingston - please please please can we have it back!!!!!!!
x
Quote:He sounded like he was fighting to take the club forward still
I'd question the "still". We've certainly not gone forward in the last 5 years and if anything have gone backwards compared to most other clubs.
Excuse me for being cyncial but we've had all the fine words and promises before ad nauseam e.g. Remember the new Bar Manager that was going to sort out all the problems there?
I'll beleive it when it happens and he starts putting money into the club not taking it out.
The ticketing is being addressed and announcement will be made early next year.
The fact he has money in to take out would show he has fought at times - Bath lost a fortune and their chairman doesnt want to put in.
Is the normal bar service improved and the quality of the beer better? It's ages since I had a pint there as I refuse to queue to pay inflated prices for nasty beer. Any of that been sorted?
Burgers are lukewarm and bland, likewise the jacket potatoes. The pork sandwiches are frankly revolting - not like the decent hog roast of old. Mrs Doc seems to like her hot chocolate at halftime, but there's little of repute in terms of refreshment in the SS nowadays.
Stop being picky for the sake of it.
Quote:Stop being picky for the sake of it.
Don't be silly.
You said the Chairman was going to fix it. I said we've heard it all before. Clearly, as the Doc has confirmed, the past promises were just that - promises. As I said originally, I'll believe the Chaioman's promises when they actually happen.
And as for bars they have improved - you dont even go you dont see why you bother complaining? Youare being picky as usual and you made the comment before Doc.
Quote:Another silly comment.And as for H&S at workplace then surely some places are different as the stewards and turnstile staff will be chilly too,
If you took the trouble to read the H&S link that westie posted you'd understand why the stewards and turnstile staff are a different kettle of fish to the bar staff.
The smoked salmon and prawn starters, with pastrami and roll mops are a welcome addition as well!
My tip is to ask what fish they have. The usual dinners are cooked en masse so meat can be a bit tough, but they always have a 'hidden' fish option, which seems to be cooked fresh. Sea Bass last time which was lovely (followed up by the leftover Turkey, sausages and Lamb)