"THE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE"

[lythamblue]

Reading and partaking in the 'Fans Protest' thread, I have come to think that maybe some of us have a different experience and expectations of what we wish this to be and I am starting to believe that our owners are maybe not as 'aware' of this as they think they are. Or maybe, I am unique in what I enjoy and please use this thread to tell me so if you think that way.

Yes, OK I will admit to being a 47 year old Level 2 East Stand season ticket holder along with my wife and 2 kids who face being eventually evicted because 'evidently' my seats should now be made available to those who want to further enjoy the Matchday Experience and are prepared to spend more cash to do so.

To me, my Matchday experience goes far beyond more comfy seats, a better furnished concourse and better food etc. To be honest it is not about money either, because if i wanted to, I could go corporate every match and let the company pick up the bill ..... but that IS NOT WHAT I WANT from my Matchday Experience.

My matchday experience is not just about watching a game with faceless strangers, it is also about habit and watching the game with like minded people. CITY FANS .... that like me have turned up every week for years to watch different levels of inconsistant crap but keep returning because it has become part of their lifestlyle and almost a form of identity.

Over the years I have met peolple (like Saulman) who sit around me. OK, I dont know them well, but part of the experience and habit is stopping for a few minutes now and again, saying hello and shooting the breeze. I can probably do that with 40 to 50 people in and around my block and to me, it is all part of the 'Matchday Experience'. Over the years, City and our seats have brought us all together and I really do value the camaraderie and occassional acquaintancy that has been developed. Added to this, I bump into these people at some away matches, and again it gives you that feeling of camaraderie, common interest and even a strange sense of belonging.

Over the years I have even got to know and like the bloody Stewards that monitor the aisle I use to enter the stadium. We always have a laugh and joke and take the piss out of each other every game. If my missus goes in without me they often come out with something like "I hope you've left the old bastard at home". Again, this is all part of the scenario that makes me feel that "This is MY Club and this is where I belong".

Now to the future, what would be better than to carry on doing this for years ..... AND actually watch a successful team on the pitch. After years of watching crap and sitting with these 40/50 people having a moan and whinge and being disappointed, sharing success with these same people in coming years .... would be even more enjoyable and perhaps the icing on the cake!

Surely, all this is part and parcel of the "history, soul and fabric of the Club" that we were told was always going to be protected.

Finally, I appreciate what our owners have done for our Club, and don't actually believe that this is purely a money making excercise because the extra cash developed would mean diddly squat within the overall scheme of their investment. I do believe that they have incorrectly assessed what we want from our 'Matchday Experience' ..... and perhaps got this one wrong, along with the planned relocation of North Standers to create a larger family stand.

Matchday Experience ..... is more than just a game. Or is it me who has got it wrong?

[dikdik]

Ah nostalgia... it's not what it used to be... :)

I still miss the standing up in the Kippax, being bitten by a police alsation, having my car keyed in levenshulme, watching terrible football... but things change mon ami... things change...

[King Kev]

I just typed out a long post in reply but it vanished :o(

Basically, I want;

To sit with the same people I have sat with since Maine Road. We understand/tolerate each other and I miss this in cup games when they aren't always there.

A decent view. Can't go wrong there.

To be able to get a pie and a pint in less than 20 minutes. I have come to realise that this is not a reasonable request and it will never happen.


That is really all I want from my 'Matchday Experience' - not too much to ask really.

[Beefymcfc]

Mine is similar to yours KK, a few beers, a pie, a decent game, and hopefully walking away feeling fulfilled. However, I am willing to sit anywhere and everywhere, which I do. I am willing to talk to anyone and everyone, which I do. I am willing to scream, shout, swear and laugh, which I do. I don't actually need City to sort out my experience as I can sort that out myself, all's they need to provide is a stadium and a team for me to keep supporting, just like my dad and his dad before him.

I suppose I don't need too much I know, but let's face it, they haven't really give us too much before...............it's all been down to ourselves!

[carl_feedthegoat]

Mine is similar to yours KK, a few beers, a pie, a decent game, and hopefully walking away feeling fulfilled. However, I am willing to sit anywhere and everywhere, which I do. I am willing to talk to anyone and everyone, which I do. I am willing to scream, shout, swear and laugh, which I do. I don't actually need City to sort out my experience as I can sort that out myself, all's they need to provide is a stadium and a team for me to keep supporting, just like my dad and his dad before him.

I suppose I don't need too much I know, but let's face it, they haven't really give us too much before...............it's all been down to ourselves!

Not knocking the disgruntled fans..........GREAT ATTITUDE Beefy !

[CITYSTEVEDON]

as long as im there at the game, watching the match, that is my matchday experience. and some times im sat in other seats,but i still talk to anyone who will listen, thats my matchday experience.

[Wonderwall]

3 points, nothing more nothing less

[saulman]

I'm with Lytham on this as I'm in the same boat (block 207). My match day experience is much more than just a decent view from the front of the stand. I'm surrounded by a bunch of great, like-minded people where everyone gets on with each other and enjoys each others company. This is brought into sharp focus on cup games when the regular folks are not there and we seem to get surrounded by dickheads who hurl a torrent of negative abuse at the team from the first whistle. This isn't always the case but it happens often enough for me to consider watching cup games at home on the box.

I don't want to move. I like my matchday experience just as it is. To me it already is a 'premium match day experience' and it's made so by everyone around me as much as it is by the team, stadium and the facilities. If they really are considering moving us on for the sake of a few extra corporate quids, I hope they fully understand what they're breaking up in order to get what they want.

[Beefymcfc]

May I just ask, as these threads can never be inclusive:

What would those of you who can't make it to the games due to travel, work, money etc, expect from a matchday and do you feel the new changes benefit the club as a whole?

[brite blu sky]

May I just ask, as these threads can never be inclusive:

What would those of you who can't make it to the games due to travel, work, money etc, expect from a matchday and do you feel the new changes benefit the club as a whole?

good of you to ask that question and it is one i would like to answer in detail.. perhaps off topic. But there is matchday experience at the stadium and there is matchday experience on TV. i think the TV one can also be improved immensely.
I am an UX designer by trade (UX is user experience) and i am a specialist in it. From my perspective there is a massive amount that can be done in and around football in terms of that matchday experience. I have also found that businesses and organisations dont really understand UX very well.. most dont seem to have the tools to understand what it means.

[Beefymcfc]

May I just ask, as these threads can never be inclusive:

What would those of you who can't make it to the games due to travel, work, money etc, expect from a matchday and do you feel the new changes benefit the club as a whole?

good of you to ask that question and it is one i would like to answer in detail.. perhaps off topic. But there is matchday experience at the stadium and there is matchday experience on TV. i think the TV one can also be improved immensely.
I am an UX designer by trade (UX is user experience) and i am a specialist in it. From my perspective there is a massive amount that can be done in and around football in terms of that matchday experience. I have also found that businesses and organisations dont really understand UX very well.. most dont seem to have the tools to understand what it means.

Is this like the 3D that is being rolled out, or like one of those chairs that pours your beer for you ;-)

[brite blu sky]

May I just ask, as these threads can never be inclusive:

What would those of you who can't make it to the games due to travel, work, money etc, expect from a matchday and do you feel the new changes benefit the club as a whole?

good of you to ask that question and it is one i would like to answer in detail.. perhaps off topic. But there is matchday experience at the stadium and there is matchday experience on TV. i think the TV one can also be improved immensely.
I am an UX designer by trade (UX is user experience) and i am a specialist in it. From my perspective there is a massive amount that can be done in and around football in terms of that matchday experience. I have also found that businesses and organisations dont really understand UX very well.. most dont seem to have the tools to understand what it means.

Is this like the 3D that is being rolled out, or like one of those chairs that pours your beer for you ;-)

;-) dont get me started..

the 3D thing is just a 'WOW Factor' thing.. it is a bit of what business likes to call buzz words.. it has a place but it wont deliver what they like to imagine it will.
Now the beer service chair on the other hand..