rossie wrote: Its an absolute necessity IMO that Connacht rugby find a way to fund permanent covered seating and facilities . They need at least 1000 seats IMO not including the enclosed stand. They need to do a deal with bord name gcon to use the enclosed stand for hospitality. Its ideal and just needs a few mikes in terrace outside to pipe in the atmosphere through the sound system.
The Plans for the upper tier on clan terracer look very expensive so IMO the cheaper option is two small stands either side of the main stand terrace with 350 - 400 seats in each. Phase 2 can be the upper tier.

I was talking to one of the engineers who does a lot of the planning work for Connacht (conversation was last september). He said the next development would be a terrace between main stand and bohermore end) i.e. where the temporary covered stand is at the moment. Apparently there is a water storage tank under this area which would have to be moved first which is causing some planning difficulty. He didnt say if this would be covered or not. I see the planning for the second tier on clan stand expires expires on 17th August this year under the 5 year rule. Connacht would have to apply for an extension of planning before this date if this is still on their agenda.

Its an absolute necessity IMO that Connacht rugby find a way to fund permanent covered seating and facilities . They need at least 1000 seats IMO not including the enclosed stand. They need to do a deal with bord name gcon to use the enclosed stand for hospitality. Its ideal and just needs a few mikes in terrace outside to pipe in the atmosphere through the sound system.
The Plans for the upper tier on clan terracer look very expensive so IMO the cheaper option is two small stands either side of the main stand terrace with 350 - 400 seats in each. Phase 2 can be the upper tier.

Speaking of hips and such, one thing the ground is seriously lacking is any outdoor seats. So if you're not able or not willing to stand for two hours, the enclosed stand is your only option.
You'd imagine it would be straighforward enough to make one part of the main stand terrace seated, just using the same type folding seats they have scattered about it at the moment.

You know what lads, this topic has been great helping me make up my mind about my ST for next year.
Now that I have the new hip, I was thinking of moving over to the Clan Tec but with all the comments about annoying and disruptive kids,

S4P (major problem in the area of the clan I stand in, few i know would agree, kids are running amok, from running in and out of tunnel, knocking over pints, shouting when kickers are kicking etc etc. last game was a disaster. when tv cameras are present, you clearly hear them and brings bad name to all the fans. parents bringing kids, tell them to show respect. kids should be in the kids area if more then one.)

I think I will pay the extra and stay where I am in the Enclosed Stand

rossie wrote: Introduce a cheaper season ticket for behind posts also to take into consideration the elements.

Agreed. Also cheaper match tickets for behind posts too.
I agree with cheaper advance purchase tickets, but it should be transparent, rather than a hidden charge. Implementing it as a surcharge was a massive own-goal.

Yes. To clarify - free for under 12s!

rossie wrote: I've no prob with charging for premium space but empty areas should be free. AND GET RID OF SURCHARGE. Its a tax on supporters.

Should only be free for under 12s or so (I think that's what you're getting at anyway).

Surcharge has proved massively unpopular, wonder what chunk of this years drop in attendances can be put down to this?

The IMF wrote: One suggestion which may potentially aide season ticket sales for next season would be to introduce a finance scheme.

Saracens this year set up a format where you put down an initial 10% deposit before the season starts and then spread the rest of the cost of the ST over the 9 months of the season interest free.

Munster have this. The season ticket discount reduces from 20% to 15% for installment payment but is spread over 6 monthly payments. I avail of it and its a major reason why I still have one.

Swifty makes a point about kids in clan terrace. IMO they should have to pay a 5er to go into clan and main terrace but should be free behind posts. Let it be up to discretion of stewards on quiet days as to whether they are let into either stand. Introduce a cheaper season ticket for behind posts also to take into consideration the elements. As I said previously I've no prob with charging for premium space but empty areas should be free. AND GET RID OF SURCHARGE. Its a tax on supporters.

Fourdogs wrote: Wash your mouth out with soap young man. Myself and More Miles (probably the best overall attender at all games by a country mile) are in the enclosed stand and where as there are advantages to having the bar beside you inside a warm and dry room. The game is always the most important element.

Also - only got the hip done in Aug so up till then i could not stand for more than about 20 mins

Consider it washed. As I say it's been a few seasons since I was in there.
But if you look at it from the point of view of someone who only has a casual interest in the game, it has everything they need.

first of all, ill be getting a season ticket, price for 14 games is great.
like everyone said, there is space to improve. if were in the amlin, price should stay the same.

first of, children tickets should be €2!! €5 is to much and €2 is enough, dont agree they should be free. major problem in the area of the clan i stand in, few i know would agree, kids are running amok, from running in and out of tunnel, knocking over pints, shouting when kickers are kicking etc etc. last game was a disaster. when tv cameras are present, you clearly hear them and brings bad name to all the fans. parents bringing kids, tell them to show respect. kids should be in the kids area if more then one. i see kids with parents and there quiet and actually watchin the game.

5pm kick off is not working and wont work. you can hear a needle drop. compare us to the first season of the clan, most games late friday, worked wonders. look at ulster, 7pm friday kickoff and the best crowd in the league, is it luck? no. friday night, few beers, weekend and people are happy. saturday night, wouldnt be too bad.
5pm on saturday, your rushing your day even if your from galway. people working till 5 or 6 cant go. god help people from mayo etc, leaving home at 3, yes theyll be back early but its a wasted day. how can farmers end work at 1 to get ready and drive?

clan bar needs to have more selection of drink, i cant drink either they have on tap, same goes to the tent. im not much of a wine drinker at all. when i used to be able to drink heineken i never saw the problem, guys ive met on away trips i see around the ground, but the women are harder to catch up with, i asked how come they dont hang around after and basically is was the little choice of drink. if connacht want more women to come alone, they need to find out what they want!

they should send out questions to fans, its not hard.

_nobody_ wrote: Although I love the Clan bar it is not the most Glamorous. Have a nice bar in the tent with a greater selection of drinks that may attract people other than just the pint drinkers! I know it sounds terrible, and is a different clientele, but look at the RDS and the champagne bar. Full of women who are pushing to go to a game more than the husbands! We do not need a champagne bar, just somewhere with a bit more comfort for people who would not be the hardcore fans.

I'm still a bit confused. How does that differ to what's there now?
Aside from the TVs being off.

I think the Pavilion Club's biggest problem is the location. It's just that little bit out of the way so you don't pass it and get tempted in on the way out.
If there was a similar setup at the Clan Bar, I reckon they'd pull a few in.

Back to the timing of the games - add my name to the list of people who prefer Friday evenings (or later on Saturday evenings) to the saturday afternoon slot. With the game starting at 5, it has too much of an impact on the whole day, which makes it a tougher sell at home (as a father of two young kids).

One suggestion which may potentially aide season ticket sales for next season would be to introduce a finance scheme.

Saracens this year set up a format where you put down an initial 10% deposit before the season starts and then spread the rest of the cost of the ST over the 9 months of the season interest free.

Although I love the Clan bar it is not the most Glamorous. Have a nice bar in the tent with a greater selection of drinks that may attract people other than just the pint drinkers! I know it sounds terrible, and is a different clientele, but look at the RDS and the champagne bar. Full of women who are pushing to go to a game more than the husbands! We do not need a champagne bar, just somewhere with a bit more comfort for people who would not be the hardcore fans.

Agree about the Clan Bar. If there was more tables etc people would stay longer and spend more cash. I've walked into the Clan Bar a few times, seen the crowd at the bar and gone f*ck it I'll head into town.

salmson wrote: why not go the whole hog and have a Buckfast Bar?

You get my vote!

It was just a thought all in all and may not work at all! But we have an average attendance of circa 4k and of mostly males. If we could get some of them bringing the other halves it could help.

Couple (half serious) thoughts here:

Given the choice of the enclosed stand or the Clan, I'd urge everyone to go for the Clan as their beer money goes to the branch (caveat: I have been in the enclosed stand when accompanied by someone with a duff knee, there are always exceptions).

Every match is recorded for highlights/video analysis. How hard would it be to pipe it to the Pavilion?

The Pavilion bar with live feed would appeal to families - give the kids a sit down for a few minutes without missing the game. I can't see the appeal for our (fabulously hardcore) female following to be honest.

Lastly, it has to be said that a Champagne bar strikes me as, well, Not-Very-West-of-Ireland. How about a selection of more rustic cocktails (Black Velvet, Black-and-Tan, Centre-Half-Back etc.), or why not go the whole hog and have a Buckfast Bar?