The 'Match Day Experience'

[Greg Bobkin]

The match itself was hardly worth a mention.
The ticket queue at 2.20 was ridiculous. There was a portacabin labelled Direct Debit only which was obviously there to sort out direct debit problems. This had a fairly lengthy queue but the queue into the ticket office was massive.
The club admitted there had been a problem with it's data base as I know of several pensioners who were reclassed as adults, despite having been pensioners for several years. The wrong direct debits had been taken and new smart cards sent out which had to be replaced again.
The ticketing system has been in place for two years now so should be improving but is getting worse.

My point being that the reason for going to the Amex is for the football. Most of the OP's gripes are down to choice, and not leaving enough time. First home game of the season, and people expect everything handed to them on a plate, on their terms, and within their timeframe? Strikes me as a little selfish, to be honest.

What is it they say in bad weather? "Please allow extra time for your journey." A similar approach should be adopted for those without tickets, or planning to pick them up at the stadium.

 

[Durlston]

And the amount of people they had to deal with is?

Nowhere near! It was a bit unfair to compare the two as a poster said the attendance was only 10% of the Amex. Considering both Barnet and Chester fans didn't know the layout of the ground, things ran smoothly though and was surprised that the 3pm ko time was met.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

What is it they say in bad weather? "Please allow extra time for your journey." A similar approach should be adopted for those without tickets, or planning to pick them up at the stadium.

I'm pretty sure the club will introduce Print at Home tickets sometime soon, the technology is well established, used by everyone from Easyjet to the Duke of York's.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Surely you can walk from Woodingdean to Falmer...?

I did. It took me 28 minutes and the walk was lovely. No hardship at all. Park in Woodindean and walk. That is my plan from now.

 

[samtheseagull]

Why do people expect to be wet nursed into their seat is beyond me.

Bang on!

 

[Driver8]

I'm pretty sure the club will introduce Print at Home tickets sometime soon, the technology is well established, used by everyone from Easyjet to the Duke of York's.

They already have.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

They already have.

They have? Never knew that. Nice one!

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Wow - bit unfair laying the blame on Barber when really you should have checked about buses, rather than assume.

Rubbish - the change in buses was very last minute and the special buses have been running for the last two seasons. Add in that STH's had to renew before the change and that the club currently have the worst record for providing information since Archer and I understand why the OP is pissed off.

As a casual attendee the lack of special buses will certainly limit my attendance this season. I have have better things to do than spend an hour and a half each way on the standard buses to attend a match. Bad fan maybe but Barber will drive people like me away.

 

[sagaman]

Charging for the special buses on top of increasing season tickets to cover transport was a very poor move. Most people do not want to spend another 60 min on transport. There is more to life than football!

 

[Thunder Bolt]

My point being that the reason for going to the Amex is for the football. Most of the OP's gripes are down to choice, and not leaving enough time. First home game of the season, and people expect everything handed to them on a plate, on their terms, and within their timeframe? Strikes me as a little selfish, to be honest.

What is it they say in bad weather? "Please allow extra time for your journey." A similar approach should be adopted for those without tickets, or planning to pick them up at the stadium.

The OP said he didn't realise the special buses had been removed. The communications by the club have been abysmal this summer. If I didn't read Nsc, I wouldn't have known a lot of the changes that have taken place.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I did. It took me 28 minutes and the walk was lovely. No hardship at all. Park in Woodindean and walk. That is my plan from now.

even when its chucking it down and blowing a gale?

 

[portslade seagull]

Sent the new seagull special bus service an e-mail 6-days ago got no reply with ref to the bus they now run, sent BH buses a e-mail at the same time and got a reply within 3-hours, seems they do not want my business

 

[bennibenj]

Rubbish - the change in buses was very last minute and the special buses have been running for the last two seasons. Add in that STH's had to renew before the change and that the club currently have the worst record for providing information since Archer and I understand why the OP is pissed off.

As a casual attendee the lack of special buses will certainly limit my attendance this season. I have have better things to do than spend an hour and a half each way on the standard buses to attend a match. Bad fan maybe but Barber will drive people like me away.

Rubbish?

I plan my journey, have a back up if needed. Have to as have young children with me so need to know. Involves looking at time tables etc.

End of the day, its down to me to check the details for my journey.

I understand what your saying, the communication wasn't great and yes - I used the S bus pretty much 80% of to and from matches, but seriously, I would check to ensure it was operational (internet B&H buses) or come on here - the hive for ALL information. Normally on here quicker then officially announced.

Personal accountability.

 

[martyn20]

Sent the new seagull special bus service an e-mail 6-days ago got no reply with ref to the bus they now run, sent BH buses a e-mail at the same time and got a reply within 3-hours, seems they do not want my business

Seagulls travel are usually very good what address did you use?

 

[Grassman]

As usual I got on the coach in Tun Wells just before 1pm and was in the WSU by 2pm. Thank you Mr Barber.

 

[Grassman]

I did. It took me 28 minutes and the walk was lovely. No hardship at all. Park in Woodindean and walk. That is my plan from now.

Saw the footpath being improved on the Falmer Road (from Woodingdean) over the summer. Has it been finished?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Sent the new seagull special bus service an e-mail 6-days ago got no reply with ref to the bus they now run, sent BH buses a e-mail at the same time and got a reply within 3-hours, seems they do not want my business

Use the phone. Called twice on Friday, and they were brilliant.

 

[Box of Frogs]

The bloke next to me called a few hours before kick off and said he wasn't going to make it today!
Called a mate who had never been before and said he could use my mates ticket at a cost of £5 for the printing of the ticket only.
At this point imagine the excitement of my mate!
He drove to Woodingdean and parked up and we waited almost 30 mins for a bus before phoning a cab at 2:40 and only then...finally a bus turned up for the driver to start on about the fact buses were no longer free..... Despite the increase in ticket prices last season to cover bus travel...allegedly....and that we couldn't get a bus home as we had to pre-book and only 2 buses booked!
"What??"
We arrived at 2:45 to find the queue for the ticket office off the scale and made it into the ground at 3:25...just great! Queue full of other season ticket holders whose new tickets didn't work!
Then having to explain that we had to go to the bars at around 10 mins before the end of the first half in order to get a drink as if we didn't we may not get a beer!!!
Then having to book a cab back to Woodingdean as per the Drivers instructions we couldn't get a bus back to Woodingdean after the game in order to get home!!

'Match Day Experience'............it's a fv#*ing shit experience.
No chance of my mate coming again now!

Thanks for nothing Barber!

Really?

How dare Mr Barber not send a chauffer driven limo for you and arrange for kick off to be delayed until you arrived, got your ticket and beer and were safely in your seat.

If only you had checked reagrding the buses beforehand and not left it so late......

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Really?

How dare Mr Barber not send a chauffer driven limo for you and arrange for kick off to be delayed until you arrived, got your ticket and beer and were safely in your seat.

If only you had checked reagrding the buses beforehand and not left it so late......

Please provide the link from the club website within 5 minutes where it says the buses have been cancelled. Most people found out by reading the B&H buses website or Nsc.

 

[Stuart Munday]

I did. It took me 28 minutes and the walk was lovely. No hardship at all. Park in Woodindean and walk. That is my plan from now.

I like this idea and will give it a go once the path is finished, might see what that pub on the corner is like (The Downs?) think they could get some extra trade, does anyone know what its like?

On a down side I bet within 2 years the controlled parking will be extended to Woodingdean as I can see this being a unofficial park and ride/walk site for some and I can see the residents complaining.