Could Saints learn from Middlesbrough?

[Wurzel]

Not on the pitch obviously but off it. Could collusion like this between fans and club improve the atmosphere at SMS?

 

http://fsf.org.uk/blog/view/boro-let-fans-enjoy-the-match-their-way

 

Anthony Emmerson is Head of Supporter Services/Supporter Liaison Officer at Middlesbrough. Here he explains how the club have given fans the chance to enjoy the match “their way” by catering to different needs, in different areas of the ground...

 

The reconfiguration of the Riverside Stadium was a key movement from Middlesbrough FC for 2013-14. The aim was to create a different offering across various concourses, areas and stands allowing supporters of different ages and interests to enjoy the match “their way”.

 

We had already announced the introduction of a free drink for every adult season card holder at each league game and free Under-11 Season Cards, but we wanted to go even further. Here's how we did it:

 

North Stand

 

Our North Stand is our Kop-style area and home to a predominantly middle-aged, core supporter. It also houses our supporters’ group the Twe12th Man. We consulted with the Twel12th Man and other supporters in the area around ideas for enhancing matchdays.

 

The result was the creation of a post-match concourse space named the Twe12th Man Fans’ Bar, which has food and drink offers, DJ and disco, live games on screen and prize giveaways. Fans from other stadium areas can come around after the game to get involved and the place has been packed out after each and every game. It’s a space that is very much “for the fans, by the fans” and it's an absolute winner.

 

Generation Red Family Zone

 

Free under-11 season cards and heavily discounted matchday tickets in a wonderful, colourful space in our East Stand, with dedicated MFC staff on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly. Child-friendly food, toilets and activities support one of the most welcoming family stands in football. The feedback has been incredibly positive and match tickets and season cards continue to be purchased at a rate exceeding sales for any other stadium area.

 

South Stand (Red Faction)

 

Our South Stand is now home to our Red Faction supporters’ group. They are a youthful, energetic and positive bunch of fans who we work with to harness ideas for innovative, colourful and proud backing of the team. We had faced occasional challenges in the past as club staff members tried to fit the group’s ideas within the regulated framework to which we must adhere, but we have established a successful, open and honest relationship in recent months.

 

Regular face-to-face meets are key, with senior staff members from the club (Safety Officer included) spending many hours working with the group to bring their ideas to life. We have developed a growing respect and the majority of the group’s actions are trusted to be self-managed and self-policed.

 

This year we have worked together on large scale flag and banner activity, drumming, and confetti displays. Our partnership is perhaps best explained through the fact that Red Faction members are invited to use our concourse with little supervision on non-matchdays to paint banners and the group also sweeps up every bit of confetti post-match following their impressive matchday displays.

 

The future

 

Our consultation is, of course, ongoing, and as we take feedback game-by-game we continue to give supporters more of what they are asking for. In recent weeks we have introduced rosé wine, green tea and gluten-free meals to the club's menu board - all as result of supporters’ requests!

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Awful idea. Sounds like the sort of rubbish a club does when they can't even fill their stadium to 33% capacity. A bit like Middlesbrough.

[100%Red&White]

Yes - as should every other club in this country because stadium atmospheres are just getting worse and live football is losing a big part of its culture.

 

I've always been one for 'good old' English support but it just doesn't exist anymore, times have changed. Look around Europe, even some of the smaller, unfashionable club sides have fervent support. Look at St Gallen at Swansea recently and just about any set of European away fans in English grounds. It's loud, animated and constant. Over here every club seem to just sing the same few tunes, badly, and there's long spells of quiet throughout many matches.

 

The Ayresome Park support in the 70/80s was cracking (tbh like most northern grounds). Raw, loud and passionate, so different from the Riverside has been. Good luck to them.

[farawaysaint]

Awful idea. Sounds like the sort of rubbish a club does when they can't even fill their stadium to 33% capacity. A bit like Middlesbrough.

 

I think incentives to attract potential fans that could support the club for years to come are a brilliant idea. The club should make every effort to attract supporters and retain them as stagnation and isolation are all too common in football where fans can get shafted by their clubs on a regular basis.

[Appy]

If anyone is looking at Middlesbrough to improve atmoshphere, something is very wrong.

 

I think the Riverside is up there with the most souless stadiums in the country.

[100%Red&White]

If anyone is looking at Middlesbrough to improve atmoshphere, something is very wrong.

 

I think the Riverside is up there with the most souless stadiums in the country.

 

That's why they are doing something about it.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

I think incentives to attract potential fans that could support the club for years to come are a brilliant idea. The club should make every effort to attract supporters and retain them as stagnation and isolation are all too common in football where fans can get shafted by their clubs on a regular basis.

 

Whilst I don't disagree with you, the single biggest thing that attracts new fans is success and a good team on the pitch. Saints appear to be going at it that way.

[Hatch]

The result was the creation of a post-match concourse space named the Twe12th Man Fans’ Bar, which has food and drink offers, DJ and disco, live games on screen and prize giveaways.

 

Could you imagine anything worse than a post match disco in the Northam concourse after a match?

 

The very thought frightens me. I think I am going to be sick.

[buctootim]

Could you imagine anything worse than a post match disco in the Northam concourse after a match?

 

The very thought frightens me. I think I am going to be sick.

 

Whats wrong with dancing to 'So You Win Again' with the spotty back board beaters?

[Saint_clark]

Nothing wrong with that idea other than the disco one. People complain about the quality of food, drink, service etc...well it sounds like the way Middlesbrough are doing it is the right one.

[westofshannonsaint]

Could you imagine anything worse than a post match disco in the Northam concourse after a match?

 

you could always "sweep up every bit of confetti post-match" - confetti @ football #WTF

[Minty]

The specifics of what Middlesbrough have done aren't really the point here... the point is that the club have worked *with* supporters to come up with ideas that *both* parties are happy with. If we have different ideas, so be it, but the key is working together to come up with those ideas in the first place.

[Bearsy]

Could you imagine anything worse than a post match disco in the Northam concourse after a match?

 

The very thought frightens me. I think I am going to be sick.

 

i will dance with u at the post match disco Hatch. I will do the twerk on u.

[JN9]

i will dance with u at the post match disco Hatch. I will do the twerk on u.

 

I'm not sure that you 'do' the twerk on someone.

 

I thought you simply twerked someone... I may be wrong, but I doubt it.

[rooney]

The club are trying to make visiting the Stadium a better experience for the customers and they cannot be knocked for that. Compare for example a visit to a Football ground to a visit to the theatre. Some difference and not much cost variation. I remember those dark days visiting St James Park Exeter with no cover and those terrible toilets.

[Prince Jazzbo]

Bring back the Albion Band and the RAF Guard Dog Display Team

[Bearsy]

I'm not sure that you 'do' the twerk on someone.

 

I thought you simply twerked someone... I may be wrong, but I doubt it.

 

But I ain't done it yet! I am definitely going to tho. I'm gonna twerk the shit out of him.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

But I ain't done it yet! I am definitely going to tho. I'm gonna twerk the shit out of him.

 

Get SuperMickey involved, he loves twerking on peoples.

[Hatch]

Does seem more appealing now I've thought about it a bit more.

[Scummer]

Didn't we already try something vaguely similar to the post-match pub idea? They used to keep one of the concourses open for drinking and watching Sky didn't they, maybe they even still do?

[sotonjoe]

Didn't we already try something vaguely similar to the post-match pub idea? They used to keep one of the concourses open for drinking and watching Sky didn't they, maybe they even still do?

 

Got rid of it after Championship.

[sotonjoe]

Didn't we already try something vaguely similar to the post-match pub idea? They used to keep one of the concourses open for drinking and watching Sky didn't they, maybe they even still do?

 

Got rid of it after Championship.

[Turkish]

Ridiculous really, over zealous policing and stewarding together with all seater stsdiums and high prices have killed atmosphere t football, now they are spending fortunes and planning all these things, desperately trying to get back something that was already there for free.

[Saint in Paradise]

Well at least they are trying something and actually asking fans what they want not

just moaning like some on here.

[View From The Top]

Yorkshire CCC have done something similar at Leeds for international cricket.

 

Divided the ground up, including the Western Terrace, so people can pick and choose how to watch the game and support their team.

 

Personally I think it's a great idea & better than doing nowt.

[Batman]

Fans make their own atmosphere. The club open up the ground entirely. Why is it the club's fault that suits fans sing too fast, have a very poor variety of songs and not all parts of the ground join in

[Barry the Badger]

I hate it when people compare going to the football with going to the theatre. Horrible.

[Dalek2003]

Bring back terracing behind the goal. That will help.

[Daren W]

I hate it when people compare going to the football with going to the theatre. Horrible.

 

Cost wise, what's the difference? You should never pay the same to watch a football match as you would a theatre show...

But you do...

[DaveyR]

Lower the price of tickets, get football back to the working mans game, not the prawn sandwich brigade

[cellone]

Fans make their own atmosphere. The club open up the ground entirely. Why is it the club's fault that suits fans sing too fast, have a very poor variety of songs and not all parts of the ground join in

 

Bang on Batman. Why do fans need freebies and gimmick to raise an atmosphere? We could lower ticket prices which would lower the clubs income, standard of football and division we play in.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Confetti FFS?