What Next - The close season and Prep for 2022/23....

[FGW]

Looking forward to hearing much more from the Club on plans for the above over the coming days/weeks.

To-date:-

EB Season Ticket + Membership(s) offer very good value, if you can sign-up by the 17 Jun

A new fans fundraiser 'Fans fifty' (aimed at raising £50K) has also been announced today.

Plenty of scope for:

Improvement in the Match Day experience for both HOME & Away fans which could result in significant increase in £££ generation.

Greater engagement with the WFC Junior set-up (i.e. regular attendance at games)

What the WFC Foundation are up to in the Community (beyond visiting local schools)

Refresh and update Comms engagement to provide an inclusive approach for all (not everyone needs/uses SM!!)

[charlie]

Improve the match day experience.

Happened in the Trophy against Hereford but change the home end to "The Peter Marsden Stand" include the sides main stand and give the away fans the Bulla end.

The half-time/full time mass exit caused by the tunnel gates closing for players/officials is an absolute pain.

Plus we get to use more seating. Seems logical to me but hey ho.

[deadly]

Improve the match day experience.

Happened in the Trophy against Hereford but change the home end to "The Peter Marsden Stand" include the sides main stand and give the away fans the Bulla end.

The half-time/full time mass exit caused by the tunnel gates closing for players/officials is an absolute pain.

Plus we get to use more seating. Seems logical to me but hey ho.

I agree with Charlie on this.

A sterile area & permanent gates would need to be fitted at Dead fox corner for it to be implemented, with away fans needing to/ wanting to sit being allowed access to the small 1966 stand in front of the clubhouse.
For clubs with a smaller away fanbase a set of gates across the path between the Bulla and the other covered stand next to it could also be fitted. Away fans would then be allocated the tea bar behind the Bulla for refreshments.... but also some portaloos would need to added of course... unless the away fans area extended around to the clubhouse toilets which would also give them the covered standing area by the corner which is popular with our drinkers.
A difficult one to sort out for the board, but it would as Charlie points out give the home crowd many more seats.
The pinch areas on the tea bar side are of course being sorted this close season with the new pitch side railing being installed nearer the playing area.

[BornundertheElmslie]

Improve the match day experience.

Happened in the Trophy against Hereford but change the home end to "The Peter Marsden Stand" include the sides main stand and give the away fans the Bulla end.

The half-time/full time mass exit caused by the tunnel gates closing for players/officials is an absolute pain.

Plus we get to use more seating. Seems logical to me but hey ho.

I agree with Charlie on this.

A sterile area & permanent gates would need to be fitted at Dead fox corner for it to be implemented, with away fans needing to/ wanting to sit being allowed access to the small 1966 stand in front of the clubhouse.
For clubs with a smaller away fanbase a set of gates across the path between the Bulla and the other covered stand next to it could also be fitted. Away fans would then be allocated the tea bar behind the Bulla for refreshments.... but also some portaloos would need to added of course... unless the away fans area extended around to the clubhouse toilets which would also give them the covered standing area by the corner which is popular with our drinkers.
A difficult one to sort out for the board, but it would as Charlie points out give the home crowd many more seats.
The pinch areas on the tea bar side are of course being sorted this close season with the new pitch side railing being installed nearer the playing area.

Whilst I agree the congestion and delays by the tunnel are a pain, we’d be crazy to give up the best end in the ground to away fans. The vast majority of our fans want to stand, not sit, and the Bulla end is the only end that can generate any atmosphere. We’d also be giving away fans close proximity to our bar which undoubtedly would cause issues even if we were refusing entry. The situation at The Vale isn’t ideal in many respects and there are ambitions to sort things once we have more certainty around the lease.

[charlie]

BUTES views may well be subjective

"Vast majority of fans want to stand he says? "....Do they? Maybe because currently being forced into the Bulla whether you like it or not.

"Bulla End only can create atmosphere he says ?" ..Not true ..Taking that Hereford Trophy match.. just dig out the video ...and hear the noise.. from the Home fans in the Peter Marsden Stand/Couch Corner. Oh!... and the roof had blown off the new stand just prior to match..

We can all agree.... The Vale is far from ideal.... but improving yearly.

Back in your box charlie boy.

[FGW]

On a Match day the priority has to be 'how do you get ALL fans to spend a bit more' than just their admission money....

I would like to see:-

No Cars/coaches parked immediately in front of the RSC with the Beer Garden extended to the left with additional tables and chairs.

Provision of hot food (from 13:00) such as Pies and or Pizza - by the RSC or a concession.

Introduce a separate Match Programme selling point (for both home and away fans) away from the Ticket booth area

Close the on field parking 45 minutes before kick-off - there are just too many 'bodies' by the RSC and turnstiles - someone is going to get hurt one day...

If visiting fans can't use the RSC facilities move the outside (currently mothballed) Bar facility to the top end of the ground plus provide cover (Marque) on a Match Day.

Invite WFC Juniors + other local Junior sides (by age group) to HOME games - Players/Coaches plus one or two adults FREE entry

The catering offering inside the ground for HOME fans was poor last season and needs to be improved - the 3 extant locations need to be open each game offering a much broader choice of fayre than they do at present.

[charlie]

Love FGW common sense response to Stones award winning official programme.

Just how many sales do the club miss out on selling this great publication.

You have a stupid hut at the entrance to the vale.... anyone passing assumes its for entry tickets.

There you go charlie.. shout it out loud ....Fill your boots.... "Programme !!!...official award winning Programme!!"

Arrrh!!!.... but does it happen at the Away End ?.... FGW did tell me he went up to the away end personally and sold 30 copies. ....So maybe NO is your answer.

Volunteers.... charlie.... needed big time in everything....

[61663]

All sound suggestions by FGW but must keep the Bulla for home fans when segregation in place…

Real challenge is getting more through the gate particularly when we play ‘less attractive’ opposition /clubs with smaller away following …. Perhaps allow ST holders to buy ‘bring a mate’ discounted tickets for fair weather / newbies, especially mid week matches….

The reality is that for one adult paying full price @£17, you will probably need four people spending £10 per head on food/ drinks to generate the equivalent net (true profit) income… but still, by all means get better/ more accessible food outlets for everyone and provide an outside pop up bar for away clubs fans who visit GV in good numbers,

[worruz]

BUTES views may well be subjective

"Vast majority of fans want to stand he says? "....Do they? Maybe because currently being forced into the Bulla whether you like it or not.

"Bulla End only can create atmosphere he says ?" ..Not true ..Taking that Hereford Trophy match.. just dig out the video ...and hear the noise.. from the Home fans in the Peter Marsden Stand/Couch Corner. Oh!... and the roof had blown off the new stand just prior to match..

We can all agree.... The Vale is far from ideal.... but improving yearly.

Back in your box charlie boy.

There was no segregation in place for the Kings Lynn game but the majority of our fans chose to stand in the Bulla when we were attacking the top end.

[FGW]

I see the National League have announced that the 2022/23 season will commence on Sat 6 Aug...

The Club appear a little quiet on what is planned/happening to be be ready (other than banging the drum to get the supporters to 'sign-up' and purchase a ST or Membership) or have I missed something....