Hamlet v Eastbourne Borough - Boxing Day Wednesday 26 December 2018

[iamwithnail]

When we rocked up at ~2:15 there seemed to be people being turned away from at least one of the turnstiles, the conversation we caught was along the lines of "Well, how do we get tickets then?" "Really sorry, i don't think you can, there aren't any."

 

[Matt The Cab]

Didn't attempt the bar or can bar as I remembered what it used to be like, grabbed my usual spot by the 12th man stand and enjoyed the day.

Good to know for next time...

 

[Matt The Cab]

When we rocked up at ~2:15 there seemed to be people being turned away from at least one of the turnstiles, the conversation we caught was along the lines of "Well, how do we get tickets then?" "Really sorry, i don't think you can, there aren't any."

Not being funny but you can't legislate for idiots.. Still amazed that people continually turn up at 2.50 only to dumbfounded when greeted by a huge queue

 

[StephenMac]

I had to buy a ticket as I couldn't find my season ticket in time, I've filed it somewhere safe.

I'd like to add - kudos to the can bar staff - the service was way faster than it used to be, really efficient and effective, and the queues were never that bad despite it being a sellout - having the card option at that bar made it much easier/faster, too.

Do you know your season ticket number? That would probably see you in, maybe with some ID to be on the safe side.

 

[iamwithnail]

Oh, interesting. Didn't know that, helpful if I can't find it. I'm sure it's around, I just can't lay hands on it....

 

[StephenMac]

Oh, interesting. Didn't know that, helpful if I can't find it. I'm sure it's around, I just can't lay hands on it....

I'm sure it's not the official line but they let me in one game at Tooting when I'd mislaid mine.

 

[Blitzwalker]

When we rocked up at ~2:15 there seemed to be people being turned away from at least one of the turnstiles, the conversation we caught was along the lines of "Well, how do we get tickets then?" "Really sorry, i don't think you can, there aren't any."

That was around the time when we genuinely thought we’d sold out. Fair play to Shaun who was running around like a nutter doing a recalculation to see how many s/t holders had arrived and on that basis, how many more cash punters could be admitted. There was a massive effort made to get as many, if not everybody that wanted to, into the ground.

 

[Blitzwalker]

Didn't attempt the bar or can bar as I remembered what it used to be like, grabbed my usual spot by the 12th man stand and enjoyed the day.

Good to know for next time...

Didn’t use the clubhouse bar during the game as I preferred to drink Southey’s excellent beers. I think I had a maximum wait of at least 2.74 moments.

I used the clubhouse bar in the evening and it was very efficient. It does make a huge difference that the club is able to run it now.

 

[iamwithnail]

That was around the time when we genuinely thought we’d sold out. Fair play to Shaun who was running around like a nutter doing a recalculation to see how many s/t holders had arrived and on that basis, how many more cash punters could be admitted. There was a massive effort made to get as many, if not everybody that wanted to, into the ground.

Oh, for sure, it wasn't a criticism, more just an observation of how busy it was. Must be a nightmare trying to reconcile cash tickets with no-shows on pre bought tickets, etc.

 

[Blitzwalker]

Oh, for sure, it wasn't a criticism, more just an observation of how busy it was. Must be a nightmare trying to reconcile cash tickets with no-shows on pre bought tickets, etc.

It was my first time on turnstiles and like all of these jobs that we usually take for granted, I just hadn’t appreciated exactly what calculations had to be made and the variables involved. Shaun handles it all in masterful style.

 

[Lucy Fur]

If a minute early kick off and a slight stutter on remaining tickets is the only problems, then I think everyone involved can give them selves a hearty pat on the back for making our first game back at champion hill such a success. Thanks to all involved.

 

[Pink Panther]

If a minute early kick off and a slight stutter on remaining tickets is the only problems, then I think everyone involved can give them selves a hearty pat on the back for making our first game back at champion hill such a success. Thanks to all involved.

I hasten to add that kicking off a minute early was beyond the Club's control and entirely down to the referee, who was otherwise well above average for the norm we've seen in this League so far. If nobody takes issue with that sort of thing it becomes accepted, and I find that unacceptable!

 

[chris gil]

The bar worked really well , hats off to Dave , brilliant job

 

[Pink Panther]

The bar worked really well , hats off to Dave , brilliant job

And Phil Baker got agitated because it wasn't tailored to his exclusive requirements, so not only "Hat's off to Dave" but "Hats tossed high into the air like a pre-war cup final"!

 

[GregDHFC]

The bar worked really well , hats off to Dave , brilliant job

I agree, everything ran really smoothly. My only very minor quibble was that when I tried to buy a couple of cans to save for the second half (to avoid the historic queues), I was told they had to be opened and poured out "in case they were used as missiles". I appreciate it was probably a new member of staff and these things happen, but it was a bit frustrating as people all around me were clearly being served unopened cans!

 

[Pink Panther]

I agree, everything ran really smoothly. My only very minor quibble was that when I tried to buy a couple of cans to save for the second half (to avoid the historic queues), I was told they had to be opened and poured out "in case they were used as missiles". I appreciate it was probably a new member of staff and these things happen, but it was a bit frustrating as people all around me were clearly being served unopened cans!

I recall being in the away terrace at Luton with Palace in 1981 and locals chucking 2p pieces at us. Wish I could afford to spend £4 on a can of beer to chuck at a random away supporter and probably miss the target anyway!

 

[Matt The Cab]

I recall being in the away terrace at Luton with Palace in 1981 and locals chucking 2p pieces at us. Wish I could afford to spend £4 on a can of beer to chuck at a random away supporter and probably miss the target anyway!

Miss the target... just copy the fella at the recent Arsenal v Spurs game... some aim he had

 

[Pink Panther]

Miss the target... just copy the fella at the recent Arsenal v Spurs game... some aim he had

Unlike your manager who hit the target at Brighton a few days ago!

 

[cg__]

I agree with others, was very impressed with the service out of the drinks hut. What was getting a drink at the main bar like? Didn't have time to grab a drink from there at any point on Wednesday. Was it a speedier service there too?

 

[Pink Panther]

I agree with others, was very impressed with the service out of the drinks hut. What was getting a drink at the main bar like? Didn't have time to grab a drink from there at any point on Wednesday. Was it a speedier service there too?

Yes. More basic range of drinks but quicker service.

 

[Nivag]

I agree with others, was very impressed with the service out of the drinks hut. What was getting a drink at the main bar like? Didn't have time to grab a drink from there at any point on Wednesday. Was it a speedier service there too?

Easy getting drinks before kickoff and straight after too.

 

[pompeydunc]

Easy getting drinks before kickoff and straight after too.

I got a beer at half-time without queuing at the bar - incredible, when you consider the scrum at the bar under previous management. Getting in and out of the bar was a challenge though, with lots of people queuing for the toilet. Hopefully the addition of portaloos will help with this. And the gents was not flooded!

The whole matchday management from a supporters' point of view was seamless. Fantastic achievement - given that that this was the first game that the club was self-managing and it was fill to capacity. Massive kudos to Dave, Shaun and many others who have put hours into prepping for Boxing Day.

I liked the fact that the range of drinks in the bar was minimised during the game (to speed things up), and the real ale bar at the car wash end compensated for that. My only (predictable) grumble is that Southey bitter was not sold in the bar after the game, and it's a view that I heard from several others in the bar after. It would also be good to get a 2nd ale on that pump (golden or pale ale), as I expect it would sell better than the real cider on offer. I would also like my beer in a glass after the game. There is no need to serve in plastic after the match has finished. Far better environmentally, and beer tastes better from a glass!

 

[Pink Panther]

I liked the fact that the range of drinks in the bar was minimised during the game (to speed things up), and the real ale bar at the car wash end compensated for that.

Our ground does not have a "car wash end", it's THE DOG KENNEL HILL END.

 

[pompeydunc]

Our ground does not have a "car wash end", it's THE DOG KENNEL HILL END.

Yep, that's the important thing here...!

 

[B.I.G]

Yep, that's the important thing here...!

Kadi calls it Car Wash end in his interview

 

[iamwithnail]

I agree, everything ran really smoothly. My only very minor quibble was that when I tried to buy a couple of cans to save for the second half (to avoid the historic queues), I was told they had to be opened and poured out "in case they were used as missiles". I appreciate it was probably a new member of staff and these things happen, but it was a bit frustrating as people all around me were clearly being served unopened cans!

Really? Both me and my mate doubled up our rounds to minimise queuing and they were fine with it. 10 cans and 8 cans respectively. That'd be around 35 minutes in.

 

[Pink Panther]

Kadi calls it Car Wash end in his interview

So what? Just shows he's another bloody nouveaux hipster the same as Pompeydunc.

I shall look forward to standing at "The Spinnaker End" next time I go to Fratton Park.

 

[GregDHFC]

Really? Both me and my mate doubled up our rounds to minimise queuing and they were fine with it. 10 cans and 8 cans respectively. That'd be around 35 minutes in.

Yes, other people clearly were, which is why it was so frustrating. No amount of explaining why I wanted cans or how this wasn't Arsenal v Tottenham convinced the guy though.

It sounds like there is less need to buy in bulk now anyway, but hopefully I get served by someone else next time!

 

[Cyclodunc]

he was not evening facing the free kick when it was taken.

He was.

 

[PartisanDulwich]

Great photo Duncan