Your Matchday Experience v Peterborough

[GoGoGreen]

It certainly is.

My opinion counts as well though, and my opinion is that there's enough people who want to moan, but it's not the norm to praise what the club are doing. Perhaps balance can be restored if the people that are pleased with what is happening also chip in.

I really appreciate that Argyle Official comes on this thread to listen to feedback and respond on the club's behalf where necessary - it really does feel part of an all-round more thoughtful and forward thinking culture at the club rather than the 'same old Argo'.

I completely get how frustrating it must be to read what appear to be critical comments when everyone put in such a massive effort on Saturday but the very nature of individual 'feedback' is that you're usually going to comment on something outside of the norm ie tap water not being universally available at all outlets on Saturday. No matter how well planned and briefed everybody is, it should be useful to understand if/when this doesn't at the point of delivery and why.

You don't have to look very hard on this site to find a lot of positivity about our club, our football and the general direction of travel - please don't be disheartened CK!

Love my club, love Home Park and the whole shebang - COYG

 

[Pilgrims Progress]

I do share the concern. For the majority of the stadium entry and exit is very good. But blocks 6 to 9 are the exception. They take roughly twice as long to clear, than anywhere else in the stadium, and the steps down get very compacted and crowded, a fair number of elderly and kids, it would only take one person to lose their balance and we've got a serious incident on our hands. Just for context, I used to be a H&S officer and maybe I see things from that perspective more acutely. I haven't been on this forum very long so first opportunity to raise it here really, and it's good to have this facility to feedback to the Club. Good job.

I do feel it's an accident waiting to happen, particularly now as we're approaching full capacity at many home games. I've almost stumbled plenty of times with the shuffling and jostling of a tightly packed crowd struggling to move forwards. I'm near the top and by the time I'm half way down, practically all the other blocks are already clear. I'd be surprised if a safety risk assessment didn't pick it up, if not done yet, could one be done? Opening the main exit barrier at block 5 for 10 mins max. after the final whistle, would aleviate the bottleneck straight away. There might be unknown issues for the Club in doing that? but it could be a practical solution, if it can be done (trialed)?

I agree this is an accident waiting to happen I now sit in my seat until everyone's gone a central handrail would
help the problem I'm sure.

 

[rongreenblood]

I agree this is an accident waiting to happen I now sit in my seat until everyone's gone a central handrail would
help the problem I'm sure.

Exactly what i was going to propose, a single handrail fitted centrally, almost everyone would know where their seat is, so it would be easy to get onto the correct side of the rail to get to their seat.
Also from the back of block11, i see people stuck on the steps it seems for ten minutes after the final whistle, they cannot get down due to crowds filling the concourse from it seems, everywhere.
I always wait until it is clear and safe to leave, gives me time to reflect on the game.

 

[HC Green]

Exactly what i was going to propose, a single handrail fitted centrally, almost everyone would know where their seat is, so it would be easy to get onto the correct side of the rail to get to their seat.
Also from the back of block11, i see people stuck on the steps it seems for ten minutes after the final whistle, they cannot get down due to crowds filling the concourse from it seems, everywhere.
I always wait until it is clear and safe to leave, gives me time to reflect on the game.

The question of having handrails was put to both the Owner and the CEO at the last two Senior Green meetings in May and July.
The CEO was more aware of the issue and indicated that the steps were too narrow to have a central handrail and an alternative of putting handrails I think he called them P rails attached to the seats was quite expensive so would be in the list of potential works. Although the impression I got it’s not likely to happen very soon if at all.

 

[rongreenblood]

The question of having handrails was put to both the Owner and the CEO at the last two Senior Green meetings in May and July.
The CEO was more aware of the issue and indicated that the steps were too narrow to have a central handrail and an alternative of putting handrails I think he called them P rails attached to the seats was quite expensive so would be in the list of potential works. Although the impression I got it’s not likely to happen very soon if at all.

OK, It is not feasible, so be it, we all have to take extra care, no problem. Thanks for the update.

 

[Daz]

It’s always taken an age to get down from your seat towards the back of the Lyndhurst. It’s been there for 20 years how many people have fallen down the stairs? With respect to Jannerz I am certain the club have undertaken their obligations of a risk assessment. The fact that no one has fallen down probably indicates it’s safe enough. Talk of spending money on railings? 🤷‍♂️

 

[HC Green]

It’s always taken an age to get down from your seat towards the back of the Lyndhurst. It’s been there for 20 years how many people have fallen down the stairs? With respect to Jannerz I am certain the club have undertaken their obligations of a risk assessment. The fact that no one has fallen down probably indicates it’s safe enough. Talk of spending money on railings? 🤷‍♂️

It must be a concern for some supporters because the question was asked at the last two Senior Greens meetings.
You reply seems quite dismissive of a genuine concern and a way to enhance the matchday experience.

 

[IJN]

I must admit I saw some near misses when I was stuck in the middle the old girl was being refurbished.

It's quite steep for the some of a certain age group to negotiate IF they go down with the initial rush to get out.

But imagine having to get down from the back of the Ricoh for example, which is a real steep bugger.

 

[Sherford Green]

The aisles are definitely too narrow for hand rails in the middle. I think if anyone is a bit frail then they should surely stay in their seats until the stand has largely cleared, it’s only 5 minutes or so.

 

[Daz]

It must be a concern for some supporters because the question was asked at the last two Senior Greens meetings.
You reply seems quite dismissive of a genuine concern and a way to enhance the matchday experience.

I am dismissive of something that hasn’t been a problem for 20 years. If you are worried about it you should use the Mayflower where they aren’t as steep. They’re not even close to being as steep as Chelsea’s away end.

 

[demportdave]

To some extent at least, Argyle have done a pretty good job of improving the match day experience for this season.

The additional Bars and the new signage, etc. and I really like the Club name and crest along the front of the Grandstand. But what a shame that we cover the classic footballing architecture of an Archibald Leitch designed stand with advertising boards. Might just as well have another characterless concrete stand like the other 3 sides. At least it would go into both corners.

On the safety issue of emptying the ground, it's ridiculous that the big gate isn't opened in the corner of the Demport End/Lyndhurst. It takes at least 15 minutes to clear that corner at full time. I have got out quicker in 50,000 crowds. All those people having to funnel through the one exit on the concourse. Very Covid aware!

Why is the space in front of the gate cluttered up with goalposts and other items. It's so Non-League and it's a safety hazard. You would not be able to do that in your workplace.

Unfortunately, despite a lot of hard work to improve their image, Argyle are still a bit Mickey Mouse.

 

[Sherford Green]

Unfortunately, despite a lot of hard work to improve their image, Argyle are still a bit Mickey Mouse.

This is the kind of comment that is completely offensive and unacceptable. You use two examples for calling Argyle ‘Mickey Mouse’. One is covering up the Leitch facade. I’m sure Argyle would love to leave it uncovered but it would result in a significant loss in revenue. Your other example is not opening a gate to exit the stadium- that may be right or wrong, but to say the club are Mickey Mouse for not opening a gate at the end of the game is embarrassing.

I’m someone who works in a job where I have to analyse public responses. I find it utterly depressing to just read moan after moan without any balance at all. Christian Kent is good enough to come on here and provide responses but there will come a time when he won’t bother.

 

[PinkertonGreen]

It does take a while to exit the Lyndhurst at the end of a home game. I guess the emergency exit needs to remain clear in case of emergency…..one day it may save someone’s life.

The few extra minutes wait is solely due to the size of the crowd which is linked to good performances and a winning team!

I’m happy to take a few more minutes to get out if it means we are getting big crowds and winning loads!

I was part of a crowd of about 4000 that watched Kemp’s Argyle play Wimbledon in the league cup in the 80s/90s. The ball was screaming in pain as it was whacked from end to end as we all got neck ache trying to pretend we were interested. Took seconds for me to get out of the ground then and I hope I never experience that again….

 

[ArgyleOfficial]

This is the kind of comment that is completely offensive and unacceptable. You use two examples for calling Argyle ‘Mickey Mouse’. One is covering up the Leitch facade. I’m sure Argyle would love to leave it uncovered but it would result in a significant loss in revenue. Your other example is not opening a gate to exit the stadium- that may be right or wrong, but to say the club are Mickey Mouse for not opening a gate at the end of the game is embarrassing.

I’m someone who works in a job where I have to analyse public responses. I find it utterly depressing to just read moan after moan without any balance at all. Christian Kent is good enough to come on here and provide responses but there will come a time when he won’t bother.

And is I’ve previously explained on here, the emergency vehicle gate is exactly that. On Saturday we had a supporter who required urgent medical attention and as a result needed to be transported to hospital immediately. I’m sure we’ll all agree that allowing access for an ambulance to drive right up to the gate is always the priority.

I’ve read some of the other comments on here around egress and will pick up with the safety team on ways we could all work together to assist reducing egress time, but it’ll obviously need supporters in other blocks to be understanding of any changes.

Finally, I reviewed the queues on the lower mayflower fan zone and agree they are excessive - apologies. One we’ll pick up with the vendor this week to see how we can reduce wait times.

CK

 

[santos73]

Just sit in your seats until it is clear to leave. That would alleviate any worries of falling. Its just another 5 minutes to wait.
Perhaps Argyle could provide some dancing girls to keep us entertained as we wait to leave.