Does leave me questioning at times whether The Valley is still fully fit for purpose for big crowds since the automated turnstiles were put in.
At 7.30 the queue for the East Stand was 10-15 mins, managed to get in just before KO. From what others have said we were lucky, and they had to open gates in the end to get people in. For a full house I can understand it, but from looking at the seat plans in the afternoon I knew the stand was around a fifth full at best
All other stands had I assume similar problems?. Reading the Brighton site it seems they had queues for tickets etc for over 2hrs And a nightmare outside the ground.
At the end of the game, many in the East climbed the steps to the Bartram Gate as usual only to find the gate was locked and with no stewarding. It’s open every game so no logical reason it wasn’t other than the organisation behind the scenes is a shambles. At the minimum there should have been an announcement given. Really felt for some old people who’d got to the top and we’re now having to walk all the way back down to the Harvey Gardens exit to then turn right to walk all the way back up the hill to effectively where they were.
When we get anything approaching a half full stand then the East and West Lower concourses are practically immovable due to the blockage for the refreshment outlets and not big enough areas etc
I honestly don’t know how the ground used to function with 27k every week when it copes so difficulty at less than two thirds that
Comments
And Mick was sick at home poor fella.
So the fact that there wasn’t any serious issues? We got away with one I think,
That side of the club needs addressing asap imho.
And crucially hold the thing still
Do Not move it about above the scanner
Give the scanner a couple of seconds to register the image
Allowing at least 15 minutes to get to your seat before kick off always a good idea Half an hour even better
You don’t even need to open the wallet.
No sure more stewards would have helped. Never noticed them showing anyone how it should be scanned.
Asked to show ticket going to my seat in the east stand which is a first.
Bartram exit closed at full time with no indication why.
Didn't notice lack of stewards & even got asked for my ticket before taking my seat. I think some people don't think there is going to be a difference when there are twice as many people in attendance. Who knew ???
Cup games are always an issue
Mobile tickets do slow things down, especially when one person has several tickets on their phone, and has to let people through one at a time, each with a separate QR code. And then you have people not sitting where they usually do, which then slows down getting everyone sat down.
With flat pricing, people tend (as per the photo) to bunch in the centre blocks, meaning that the centre refreshment areas are extra busy, thus blocking up the concourse.
Not opening the Curbs Stand as soon as tickets went on sale was crazy. Indeed with the number of parents and young children there, they maybe should have opened the family stand as well.
Was in 1905 lounge and Peroni on tap was lovely 6 pints of that and feel utter shit now
Edit: Mrs drove home
If you don’t like it stay at home.
regards
Burger Boy