[Albion] 1901 Club - what's it like and is it good value for money?

[Herr Tubthumper]

I'm in the Harveys lounge and sit W2B about half way between the south goal and half way.

Lounge is very nice and even better since the make over last season. As @Bozza says though when it's busy it's impossible to find a seat but there are plenty of places to perch and you are never more than a few feet away from a TV to watch whatever game is on or the scores at half time (when they aren't showing that bloody please take your seat graphic). It has more of a bar feel that most of a lounges I've been in which I like. Has a slightly smaller drinks selection than say MWB but you can get most things I think. There was a time where you couldn't get cider but I think that has changed since they moved to Inches.

Seat is cracking and a brilliant view. Only issue around me is a lot of the seats are used by the hospitality packages so they are either empty or new faces each week and quite often visiting fans. Before Saturday everyone (near enough - one Chelsea fan did get a bit vocal last season but then we stuffed them) has been really respectful to the fact they are in the wrong end. Luton took over the place on Saturday and they didn't hide it either. I had two behind me, four in front and another two just along the row. The chap behind me had a bright orange Luton polo shirt with a Luton pin badge on the collar. So the club were crap at implementing their no colours rule for away fans on Saturday.

I also have access a few times a season to seats on top of the tunnel just behind what was the press box as a mate has 4 seats and if he has a spare I sit down with him. That was the best view in the house IMO. Not sure that is the case now thanks to the Tunnel Club as he was moaning about it on Saturday.

Those seats are in MWB which I probably spend more time in than I do my own lounge as I meet up with them post game and we usually hang around for a couple of hours most games. MWB has always struck me like an airport lounge and not a good one. It's a bit impersonal with lots of big round tables. The service has gone drastically down hill in MWB since they've added Bruno's (another restaurant), as it's free booze there are constant drinks orders coming from the tables and it doesn't take much to distract the staff. The other thing that pissed me off last season was they would shut the bar on one side about 20 minutes after the end of the game meaning the remaining open bar is busy throughout. They didn't do that on Saturday though.

Whilst on the subject of restaurants I've done HBs which was very good but expensive and the aforementioned Bruno's which was quite frankly an awful experience for the cost.

In summary it's good, I like the comfort of the lounges, I like drinking out of a glass and it's nice to get a free programme. Is that worth the extra money? Probably not. It's massively let down by trying to be something it's not. It presents itself as silver service but what it delivers is a million miles from that. I appreciate it must be difficult to staff but I do despair most week at the lack of common sense from the people they employ and not just those at the coal face. The senior members of staff seem to take little responsibility. The two staff (and it was only two for the whole lounge) they had working on Saturday in the Harvey Lounge looked like they'd never seen a glass let alone served a drink or worked a till. Throw into the mix nearly everyone moaning about the removal of food it was chaos pre game. The service has got noticeably worse over the last few years. I never used to order a drink for half time but I do most games now as the staff are so slow.

Location plays a big part and thankfully all the seats in my block are (still) taken by long term Albion fans and none by hospitality.

 

[keaton]

If you have a decent seat elsewhere, all you are exchanging is terrace atmosphere for a warm lounge in the winter and a free programme.

Better drinks in a glass, seats before and after the game

 

[Arthur]

seats were no better than my ST.

Bruno's was even worse. I was in seat 1 so basically in the south stand and Bruno's is in MWB so a good five minute walk each way. Not great for half time.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Well, yes, but I didn't know about that at the time, and why would I?

Still utterly farcical that two staff standing round with nothing to do were unable to take cash from me and serve me a tea. Or even just having some modicum of customer service sense and giving me a freebie with a "you'll know next time." We're taking about a tea bag and some hot water here, not a bottle of vintage Bordeaux.

The knobber who gave you the tickets should have pre-warned you about the tea-getting procedure. I'd have a pop at him if I were you.

Your second para is bang on.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

If you have a decent seat elsewhere, all you are exchanging is terrace atmosphere for a warm lounge in the winter and a free programme.

and an awful lot of money!

 

[Bozza]

Fair enough. I was thinking European BA flights and whatever they call the front few seats ahead of the curtain these days. This is definitely “a small number of minor improvements in the offering.”

I think we're in agreement then. As you say short-haul business is minor uplifts on various elements of the service offering, much as PE is on long-haul flights.

And having just read @Arthur's post and this comment "Is that worth the extra money? Probably not." - that also extends to many comments I see from some people on travel/holiday planning discussions when it comes to upgrading from economy.

There's one group of people who always say "Premium Economy isn't worth it - I'd rather save the money to spend when I get to my destination", whereas there's another group who fully appreciate that the improvements in service offerings are probably not worth the extra cost if dissected, but they are happy to pay the extra nonetheless, and they're not sacrificing elsewhere to do so.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I think we're in agreement then. As you say short-haul business is minor uplifts on various elements of the service offering, much as PE is on long-haul flights.

And having just read @Arthur's post and this comment "Is that worth the extra money? Probably not." - that also extends to many comments I see from some people on travel/holiday planning discussions when it comes to upgrading from economy.

There's one group of people who always say "Premium Economy isn't worth it - I'd rather save the money to spend when I get to my destination", whereas there's another group who fully appreciate that the improvements in service offerings are probably not worth the extra cost if dissected, but they are happy to pay the extra nonetheless, and they're not sacrificing elsewhere to do so.

To continue the airline analogy the Tunnel Club looks very much Virgin Upper.

 

[Giraffe]

I pay the extra for premium for the leg room. But I’m not doing it every other week and I only pay it when it’s not a lot more. Therefore not sure the comparison is right. More like paying for a lightning lane at Disney. It’s the same core experience but less time with the plebs?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I pay the extra for premium for the leg room. But I’m not doing it every other week and I only pay it when it’s not a lot more. Therefore not sure the comparison is right. More like paying for a lightning lane at Disney. It’s the same core experience but less time with the plebs?

Unless you sit next to me that is.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Ah well - since others are chipping in, here's my tuppence worth...

It a very different experience from what was sold and even what it was a few seasons ago - many lounges are smaller (space given over to restaurants/Director's guests overspill area etc); at least one lounge has disappeared entirely meaning that some lounges have more occupants than previously; food quality in the restaurants is poor for the money, but has improved over the years and has now reached the quality where, if I ate it in a restaurant, I'd mark it a 3/10 (I do understand the difficulties - they're serving only c20 times a year and nearly all at the same time - it's sporadic mass catering rather than dining); many perks have been removed: some big (inclusion of European home games) and some small (free tea), some correctly (extra LP for 1901ers, ability to give away tix to whoever you wanted whenever you wanted) - far more benefit has been eroded than has been added.

However, for my mother, continued attendance at games absolutely relies on being in 1901 - parking in Bennett's Field (disabled), step free access to her seat (she uses her buggy from the car to her seat), people she knows that she can chat to, and 8 games a season hospitality in HB's where the likes of Mullers, Gary Chivers, Andy Rollings, Glenn, Bobby etc will stop by the table to chat to her and she beams back to them saying very little (partly because she won't have heard a word they've said).

In three years times, when the current contract expires, I'll have to think very carefully about whether she renews for a further 5-year term (I suspect not, as she'd be 97 at the end of contract, which is older than Milner). If I don't renew for her, I'm currently uncertain whether I'll renew for me. I do like some aspects - in particular the parking (though I'd be shunted to the Uni if I don't take Mum, which would be fine), getting a seat in the lounge (I'm always early enough to do so), getting a cup of Bovril at HT quickly, being warm, having a great view (though I agree that front rows WSU are pretty similar), and remaining with (some of ) my football friends and neighbours. On the other hand, the big downside is cost. We'll see.

One thing I've seen in this thread that I do disagree with is the statement that the management don't care. The middle and senior management I've seen in 1901 (and they are always there) absolutely do care. I do think they're trying to achieve the impossible: maximise the profit (which will come through corporate customers), while at the same time not pissing off a whole swathe of long-term individual fans who wanted a bit of a 'nicer' experience and are members. So, on the one hand they're trying to give an experience that is 'worth' £500 (+VAT) per game (where's my personal hostess?) and allow the normal fan to have a 'concourse pie' out of a bag - yes, there are different lounges, which helps the differentiation, but there's far more variety in members' expectations than there are lounges/restaurants/seating areas available.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

A lot of the perks have been squeezed out over the seasons. When 1901 first opened we had hostesses opening the doors. We had free tea/coffee, team sheets and guest speakers each game. The hostesses were first to go, then slowly over the season the rest went.

I joke about the coat rail but when the AMEX first opened they had dining tables in our lounge (Talk). Im winter it was crap if you wore a long coat as the only place to put it was on the back of a chair and therefore partially on the floor to be trodden on by the waiting staff. We were promised a coat rail.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Ah well - since others are chipping in, here's my tuppence worth...

It a very different experience from what was sold and even what it was a few seasons ago - many lounges are smaller (space given over to restaurants/Director's guests overspill area etc); at least one lounge has disappeared entirely meaning that some lounges have more occupants than previously; food quality in the restaurants is poor for the money, but has improved over the years and has now reached the quality where, if I ate it in a restaurant, I'd mark it a 3/10 (I do understand the difficulties - they're serving only c20 times a year and nearly all at the same time - it's sporadic mass catering rather than dining); many perks have been removed: some big (inclusion of European home games) and some small (free tea), some correctly (extra LP for 1901ers, ability to give away tix to whoever you wanted whenever you wanted) - far more benefit has been eroded than has been added.

However, for my mother, continued attendance at games absolutely relies on being in 1901 - parking in Bennett's Field (disabled), step free access to her seat (she uses her buggy from the car to her seat), people she knows that she can chat to, and 8 games a season hospitality in HB's where the likes of Mullers, Gary Chivers, Andy Rollings, Glenn, Bobby etc will stop by the table to chat to her and she beams back to them saying very little (partly because she won't have heard a word they've said).

In three years times, when the current contract expires, I'll have to think very carefully about whether she renews for a further 5-year term (I suspect not, as she'd be 97 at the end of contract, which is older than Milner). If I don't renew for her, I'm currently uncertain whether I'll renew for me. I do like some aspects - in particular the parking (though I'd be shunted to the Uni if I don't take Mum, which would be fine), getting a seat in the lounge (I'm always early enough to do so), getting a cup of Bovril at HT quickly, being warm, having a great view (though I agree that front rows WSU are pretty similar), and remaining with (some of ) my football friends and neighbours. On the other hand, the big downside is cost. We'll see.

One thing I've seen in this thread that I do disagree with is the statement that the management don't care. The middle and senior management I've seen in 1901 (and they are always there) absolutely do care. I do think they're trying to achieve the impossible: maximise the profit (which will come through corporate customers), while at the same time not pissing off a whole swathe of long-term individual fans who wanted a bit of a 'nicer' experience and are members. So, on the one hand they're trying to give an experience that is 'worth' £500 (+VAT) per game (where's my personal hostess?) and allow the normal fan to have a 'concourse pie' out of a bag - yes, there are different lounges, which helps the differentiation, but there's far more variety in members' expectations than there are lounges/restaurants/seating areas available.

Probably embarassing myself but was is 'extra LP'?

 

[Goldstone1976]

I joke about the coat rail but when the AMEX first opened they had dining tables in our lounge (Talk). Im winter it was crap if you wore a long coat as the only place to put it was on the back of a chair and therefore partially on the floor to be trodden on by the waiting staff. We were promised a coat rail.

That doesn't sound like much of a joke to me...

 

[Goldstone1976]

Probably embarassing myself but was is 'extra LP'?

Extra Loyalty Points. We used to get 50 (-ish?) more, just for being a member. Got taken away (I'm going to say) 5-6 seasons ago - quite correctly, of course

 

[Bozza]

Can I ask about the different lounges?

My understanding was that each seat has a level (gold / platinum etc) which is allocated a lounge.

However @Arthur has mentioned both on here, and to me in a separate conversation, about moving to another lounge on matchdays to meet up with others.

Are 1901ers free to go to any lounge they want? Or, perhaps, can you only go to those of an equal or lower level than your own?

I'm trying to understand what the point of having "your lounge" is, if you can visit others.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

The free programme sounds worth it.

I haven't bought one in 20 years so might give up my seat close to halfway in the WSU to pay over double and sit somewhere near the corner flag.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Extra Loyalty Points. We used to get 50 (-ish?) more, just for being a member. Got taken away (I'm going to say) 5-6 seasons ago - quite correctly, of course

I see. And I agree. I'd forgotten about this.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Can I ask about the different lounges?

My understanding was that each seat has a level (gold / platinum etc) which is allocated a lounge.

However @Arthur has mentioned both on here, and to me in a separate conversation, about moving to another lounge on matchdays to meet up with others.

Are 1901ers free to go to any lounge they want? Or, perhaps, can you only go to those of an equal or lower level than your own?

I'm trying to understand what the point of having "your lounge" is, if you can visit others.

Couple of things:

3 levels of general membership: Gold, Platinum, Platinum+.

The difference between Gold and Platinum are: size/quality of lounge + centrality of seats (plus a tweak to parking rights). Platinum to Platinum+ is just centrality of seats (plus again a tweak to parking rights).

Then there are the one-off 'special' membership things: Dugout and, now, Tunnel Club. These get their own lounge/restaurant and separate seating (&parking??). Can't talk to either of them - not been.

On freedom of movement between lounges: any 1901er is allowed in any lounge after the game. You have to be in your own lounge before. Not dissimilar to how it is in non-1901...

 

[southstandandy]

With all this new found income I wonder whether the West stand corporate areas could be developed and extended back towards the Uni. If this area at about 1st floor level could be built back towards the hill, then the road infront of the main West entrance could still be used creating like a tunnel effect with the extension to the back of the stand only occurring at first floor level up. Could create significant extra corporate/office space although obviously would be costly. Just a thought.

 

[Arthur]

Can I ask about the different lounges?

My understanding was that each seat has a level (gold / platinum etc) which is allocated a lounge.

However @Arthur has mentioned both on here, and to me in a separate conversation, about moving to another lounge on matchdays to meet up with others.

Are 1901ers free to go to any lounge they want? Or, perhaps, can you only go to those of an equal or lower level than your own?

I'm trying to understand what the point of having "your lounge" is, if you can visit others.

My understanding is you are meant to go in "your lounge" before and at half time. After the game you can go in any lounge you like.

It isn't really enforced though. If I don't order a drink at half time I quite often go in the lounge (which seems to have a new sponsor every season) directly behind my seat to save me walking up and down two flights of stairs.

I think the gold/platinum/plus tiers are to do with the location of the seat and not the quality of the lounge (with the exception of dugout and now tunnel club).