never bothered me either in the SS bar but its obviously put some peoples noses out

I’ve not really bothered with the South Stand Bar for years but that was down to the fact it wasn’t going in the clubs pockets. In comparison I’ve been in the new fan bar before all three home games this season and I’m enjoying it. There’s little improvements here and there to make but it’s coming together and it feels nice to have something that feels like it belongs to the club.

get a few tv's up with old games on a bit more food and bingo

And how did they do it in the south stand? Oh yeah, by selling raffle tickets

They had what looked like a screen on at the far end near Lockers Horsebox on the top floor through the window. But it looked like a projector screen which looked a bit faint to me, couldn't tell what game was on.

Whether they can put TVs on wall brackets around the hall remains to be seen but that would be a better option I think. Obviously things like this need paying for and the money from the fanzone no doubt goes back into funding further improvements as we go along.

We’ve been all 3 home games and on Sunday we went back after the game as well
I think that with the right drive and planning there is still lots of room for improvement and when summer does eventually get here we could have a little gem

I’m not sure who “owns” the project but he or she for me should get a formal team together including supporters to develop new ideas and use the website to formally update supporters of developments every week.
No disrespect to the Riversiders but we need new ideas and new faces to really drive this.

So far I’ve really enjoyed it but to keep interest going for me they will have to offer new ideas and initiatives on a regular basis to keep things fresh and to encourage more people to visit

bucket collections also, memberships that they sell all year round from their tables

Bucket collection can be done at the door

so they can bucket collect on the door and do raffles at the door, just so you can park your and have a drink?



give over...

There was no need for reserved tables in the south stand (there are even two offices in there) theres no need in the new bar. They love to float the "i'm a better fan than you" idea though. Always have done.

For the record, I stand up

i know a few and they arent like that at all, just passionate fans who give up a lot for the club and at their own expense, the south stand when I used to attend was rammed so the tables were needed

Why could they not use the two purpose built offices?

Yes I’m not bagging the Riversiders, I have and do contribute to them but Itchy has nailed it though in that it needs to attract a younger crowd and needs fresh ideas (already has it with the music and the whole conception but can go so much further).

I regularly went in the SS bar but it was very stale and good for families/kids/older generation and that can still stay as it is. There is no point in dragging across similar stuff which cannibalises both business - I’m aware the club doesn’t profit much from the SS bar though.

they are in effect make the south stand bar this as they made nothing from it

because thats not how collecting works, if your out of sight your out of mind, were the offices built for collections?

Out of sight? They would have been the first thing you saw when you walked in the room. Then again, if it wasn't mentioned every 5 minutes people might have forgotten.

So far the only complaints are prices and that its still like a Riversiders meeting.

a riversiders meeting or the south stand bar as they are 2 different things?

Anyone go in post game Sunday? How was the atmosphere ? Seen the whole squad went in, looked packed on some social media posts.

Good to see the squad engaging with supporters we need more of them. Enjoying a post game beer with the fans.

Can’t do it every game but Sunday games after a decent win would be good.

My grandson loved it.
Had his photo taken with French and Manfredi.
Made his day.
We just had a pint but to atmosphere was fine.
The bar staff were also very engaging
The fan zone could be a brilliant addition to Sunday afternoons if delivered properly

Exactly. Thay are two different things so get rid of the riversiders at the fanzone and have it ran by someone else. If I want to know the players favourite foods and listen to cringeworthy interviews i'll attend a riversiders meeting.

Get rid of the clubs official fan club in the fanzone?

This.

Didn't take long did it. Reserved tables and the worlds most cringe worthy woman with an abysmal knowledge of RL interviewing players and Andy Greg. Used to almost feel the players cringing from the back of the south stand bar as she asked them ridiculously embarrassing questions. Give it a few months and it will be back to square one.

Nailed it here. Bang on.

I went in for the first time pre-match on Sunday. I like the concept but something about it just isn't quite right.

The Riversiders should have stayed in the South Stand Bar and this "Fan Zone" (I'd change the name to the Leagues Club or something) should be aimed at a different target audience. I'm sure the Riversiders would be happier with that anyway.

If you are a group of mates in your 20s or 30s, the game day experience has always been pretty terrible, location of the ground is the main reason for this to be fair. I was hoping this Fan Zone would improve things and provide a decent option for a few beers. It just seems to be a rebirth of the SS Bar with a band on. The idea of live music is a good one but it was much too loud for the room and didn't really work.

Hopefully the club will take people's feedback on board and the bar will evolve as time goes on.

The girls and I ended up not going on Sunday after reading this thread and hearing other anecdotes through our friends. Which is a real shame because we were throwing drinks down our necks like they were going out of fashion from midday, which could have been pocketed by the club if they offered something we wanted.

I mean, what 18-36yo wants to spend time in a creche for kids and hexagenarian boomers? Let's have a few scoops surrounded by kids, selfies with the players types and Ellgren tracksuit clad super fans, said no one ever.