Seagull on the wing
New member
Could'nt agree more!
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
How connected do you feel to the club's values?
- Thread starter Bozza
- Start date
Beach Hut
Brighton Bhuna Boy
Every game at the Amex is like an event now and so much better than the Withdean experience.
I rarely partake of food / drink at the Amex so not that bothered but do feel concerned at times how the club is slowly cloning into a corporate machine but we are now a viable business with a brand so needs must I suppose.
I rarely partake of food / drink at the Amex so not that bothered but do feel concerned at times how the club is slowly cloning into a corporate machine but we are now a viable business with a brand so needs must I suppose.
There are some naive comments in the thread, it is inevitable that a club with 25k fans at the top end of the championship will be run differently to a club with 7k fans struggling at the arse end of league 1 but generally I think the club are trying to keep connected with fans. I sometimes visit the Amex when there is not a game on and the staff have always gone out of their way to accommodate these are small things but they are what make a difference eg we asked if the wife could see the stadium no problem they took us into the east stand brassiere and let us out into the east stand to have a look around.
If you have worked for a small family company and a large multinational are they run the same - no it is just not possible, I would love to keep a personal touch but we live in the real world also people are comparing to the Withdean days but what about when we were at the Goldstone did you feel in touch then. We do need to remember that the whole Withdean experience was unique and not the norm.
If you have worked for a small family company and a large multinational are they run the same - no it is just not possible, I would love to keep a personal touch but we live in the real world also people are comparing to the Withdean days but what about when we were at the Goldstone did you feel in touch then. We do need to remember that the whole Withdean experience was unique and not the norm.
Johnnyboy
Member
I agree.
D
Deleted member 2719
Guest
Great thread, i have been feeling less connected
It's not you, i totally agree.
I also miss being close to the hardcore fans as they are spread to randomly through out the stadium now and there are too many new breeds in between.
I may well become an away fan again as they are a different breed.
It's not you, i totally agree.
I also miss being close to the hardcore fans as they are spread to randomly through out the stadium now and there are too many new breeds in between.
I may well become an away fan again as they are a different breed.
Worthingite
Sexy Pete... :D
I think the club is doing what it has to do, but just wish that they could do it in a way thats slightly more subtle. You get the feeling that the club are looking at any way possible to either a) streamline and cost cut, while b) maximise existing profits. Understandable, but it seems every time you go to the stadium there is another way of taking money off of you. The latest one that I've noticed (although it's no doubt been running all season) is the "Vote for your man of the match" - £1 plus network charge. To what end does that achieve? MoM is picked by the sponsor, so it's really just throwing a quid away for the sake of it.
As I say though, I understand the logic behind what they're doing, but would rather they did it in a way that isn't so obvious and constant.
As I say though, I understand the logic behind what they're doing, but would rather they did it in a way that isn't so obvious and constant.
D
Deleted member 2719
Guest
To add to my comments above.
We really need our own pub atmosphere bar as Dicks has nothing about it and it is the only part of the stadium i dislike.
Ditch Dicks.
I don't think it's set in stone yet - they are / were trialling several things, but yes, I had heard it explained as you describe. Whilst obviously 3 free places is better than 1 free place, the entire concept of anybody paying to be a mascot is one I find a little distasteful. It's not a massive big deal, but it's a shame.
That text vote is for charity, not for the club. Basically the whole thing is "if you would like to donate £1 to AITC please text this number".
Safeway
M0DERAT0R
And some people still aren't happy.
Cheshire Cat
The most curious thing..
Its a bigger business than it was, and there are more paying customers (supporters), so it will inevitably become less cosy and intimate becasue of the scale. So yes, I am less enfranchised - in so far as I ever was.
Lord Bracknell
On fire
The important thing about "customers" is that it's OK to be treated like a customer if the customers feel that the service provider has found out what they want - ideally from regular face-to-face contact. If the version of "customer care" that is delivered is something that feels like it has been lifted out of a standard management and marketing training manual, then it won't quite deliver, however good the training manual is.
The problem that the Albion (and the fans) have is the growth in the number of paying punters in just a year or so. Some people are bound to feel less connected.
The problem that the Albion (and the fans) have is the growth in the number of paying punters in just a year or so. Some people are bound to feel less connected.
[MENTION=6886]Bozza[/MENTION] back to the question, what are the club's values? Owners come, owners go, managers come, managers go. For 75 years my family have followed the Albion, not because of values but because we're from Sussex and the Albion is in our blood. As others have said there's things that will irritate us 40 something's who long for the days of open air khazis and crumbling terraces, but I get my fix for those delights at Woodside Road. It was the atmosphere, smell and theatre of the Goldstone which hooked me in, and in a very 21st century way the Amex has had the same effect on my kids. All that said, the club need to remember it's a football ground and not Glyndebourne, and if you take away the working mans football experience you kill the atmosphere and the game.
Stumpy Tim
Well-known member
I'm staggered that anyone could suggest Withdean is better than the Amex. Absolutely flabbergasted. I'm sure some of the people who suggest the Albion are too much of a marketing machine are the ones who say we need to splash out on a new striker in January. Let's be honest, Withdean was horrendously depressing. After the novelty of the first 2-3 years, it was horrible. Though I lived abroad, on my return trips I did my best to avoid home games but went to away games. We had to endure shite facilities and, let's face it, shite players. Looking back, McGhee's achievement of keeping us up with a forward line of Adam Virgo and Mark McCammon was nothing short of a miracle. How anyone can suggest this was better than the golden era we're currently experiencing is nothing short of mental.
Dick Knight certainly had his fans representative - but it was plainly obvious to most of us that he used them to get his story out. Nothing at the Amex has left me feeling more disenfranchised to the club than the decision to sack Dean Wilkins. That was the most disgraceful thing that's happened at this club since Archer left... not the club asking for £1 a text for charity under the guide of voting for MotM
Bloom and Barber's attempts to extract money from the fans is what I want - we need to be a professional outfit looking to progress.
Dick Knight certainly had his fans representative - but it was plainly obvious to most of us that he used them to get his story out. Nothing at the Amex has left me feeling more disenfranchised to the club than the decision to sack Dean Wilkins. That was the most disgraceful thing that's happened at this club since Archer left... not the club asking for £1 a text for charity under the guide of voting for MotM
Bloom and Barber's attempts to extract money from the fans is what I want - we need to be a professional outfit looking to progress.
- Thread starter
- #115
Good question. Unlike mine, I think, which I bashed out without too much thought.
There are probably two questions really...
1. How do people feel connected to the club, and is that changing?
2. How to people feel connected to the club's values?
I asked the latter one without giving people a chance to know what they are, and I suspect many people have actually answered the first question.
Anyway, the best guide as to the club's values probably comes from the club's Mission Statement...
Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club (“The Club”) aims to be a source of civic pride in the City of Brighton and Hove (“The City”). It will enhance the image and increase national awareness of the “City by the Sea” by:
Playing professional football at the highest possible level
Managing the Club professionally so as to ensure a sustainable future for top class sport within the City.
Representing and caring for the interests of its supporters and the vibrant and diverse community of Brighton and Hove encouraging involvement through liaison and consultation groups.
Participating in the Football League campaign “Enjoy the Match” by eradicating anti-social behaviour specifically in the family area of the ground, making the experience more appealing to all supporters and especially families.
Developing the potential of young people seeking to achieve sporting excellence
Expanding the important work of our Albion in the Community programme, creating opportunities for young people who are disadvantaged or who have special needs to learn and to take part in sport
Providing a facility which will attract visitors to the City and create education, training and employment opportunities
Developing opportunities that recognise and reflect the needs of different community groups in the City, providing additional places to play and opportunities to improve standards from grass roots to specialised coaching
Promoting an understanding of the value to the wider community of sport with accessible and affordable community spectator facilities creating top level spectator and participator experience
Enhancing and promoting the place of football in our City’s heritage and culture, and in the pursuit of sporting and civic values through partnerships across the commercial, public and education sectors
I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "connected to the club's values". Most people seem to just be answering about feeling connected to the club.
I don't know how connected I've ever felt, to know if it's changed. I don't feel like I've lost the club, nor feel any less valued by them, even if it is more as a customer.
I actually like receiving the emails from the club, I think it's a nice touch.
I don't know how connected I've ever felt, to know if it's changed. I don't feel like I've lost the club, nor feel any less valued by them, even if it is more as a customer.
I actually like receiving the emails from the club, I think it's a nice touch.
I don't think anyone's suggested that Withdean was 'better' than the Amex. The feeling of being needed was greater. People felt more 'involved' in the club - there were things to do away from games to assist the Albion. The Falmer For All campaign was one of the most important things fans of any club have done. Everyone could be involved in some capacity. Now, we aren't needed to the same extent. We're 'normal' football fans for the first time in many fans' adult lives with nothing to fight for anymore. It isn't surprising that people feel a bit lost. We're now able to let go a bit, as the club is safe - it will always be there in some capacity. Although this is ultimately a good thing for the future of the club we should never forget what we went through to get there (here).
Northstandite
New member
- Jun 6, 2011
- 1,260
The Board are doing a good job.
Regarding the high drinks/food prices, I just hope the club are keeping most of the large profits, and not Azure/the new caterers.
We know the prices are way above high street levels, but we are consciously subsidising the playing side we hope.
The Community and Schools efforts are still fantastic. Every couple of months, 2 first team players visit each local school, where they are treated like gods. Maintaining grass roots support and creating new local fans for the future ahead of Chelski, ManUre etc.
Regarding the high drinks/food prices, I just hope the club are keeping most of the large profits, and not Azure/the new caterers.
We know the prices are way above high street levels, but we are consciously subsidising the playing side we hope.
The Community and Schools efforts are still fantastic. Every couple of months, 2 first team players visit each local school, where they are treated like gods. Maintaining grass roots support and creating new local fans for the future ahead of Chelski, ManUre etc.
- Thread starter
- #119
Agreed. As I just tried to explain, knocking this thread out in about 30 seconds with little thought for my specific wording has not helped.
Regardless, I think it's sparked some interesting discussion on our relationship with the Albion, so it's not all bad.
I don't think connected is particularly the right way to describe it. Do I agree with...
Would be nice, but isn't important to whether or not I'm a fan
Yup
I like the idea, not sure I'd want to be part of a consultation group myself.
Yup.
Sure.
Yup
I suppose so, thinking about trade shows and such at the stadium, not sure how else the club aims to do this.
Yes.
Yes, but, this seems very subjective. What defines a top level spectator and participator experience? For some that seems to be safe standing (not that I really have a position regarding that)
Not sure I really understand what they mean with this.