Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Town Topic: What Could Improve Matchdays at Portman Road?
Town Topic: What Could Improve Matchdays at Portman Road?
Thursday, 24th May 2012 07:48

Town are looking for ways of improving the Portman Road matchday experience ahead of next season and want to hear fans’ ideas.

What do you want to see before the game? What sights or sounds as the players take to the field? And what about at half-time entertainment?

What’s impressed you elsewhere at other clubs in the UK or abroad, or even at other sports? Add anything you’d like to see introduced at Portman Road below and we’ll pass them on. And yes, they know about winning more matches.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



cooper442 added 12:12 - Apr 26
Why not have terraces in the north stand,and have the place buzzing at 2'oclock..TWTD
0

Superfrans added 12:13 - Apr 26
Better sound system so we can hear the announcements, my girls liked the cheer-leaders a season or so ago, and they like the music when we score. Obviously, hardcore fans won't care about this, but kids do and we need to encourage them.

I would reduce kids tickets dramatically, peg cheapest adult tickets at £20-£25 in the North Stand (depending on the opposition) and offer loyalty cards for the catering stalls - buy nine beers/pies, get one free. Some kind of activities in the concourse in the North Stand between 2pm and 2.45pm, or between 7 and 7.30 in midweek might get people in the ground earlier.

But, long term, I reckon they should find some way of creating a bar which can be accessed by anyone from outside the ground (maybe convert the Centre Spot) so that rather than having the choice between the Station Hotel, Rileys or Drum & Monkey (which are all totally grim), or going into the ground, you could have a pint with mates outside the ground before and after the match. Basically, a Legends Bar but which isn't barred to anyone other than Sir Alf ticket holders before the match.
0

IpsRich added 12:16 - Apr 26
Ironically I've literally just blogged about this (amongst other more pressing topics):

> Consult an acoustic expert to improve noise retention and distribution around Portman Road.

> Move away supporters to opposite end of Cobbold Stand for matches not considered high risk by the police.

> Select proper pre-match build-up music (no 80s movie or Euro 96 mega-mixes), and proper half-time entertainment.

I've also written to the club directly about the last one a year or two ago and then again this season and on both occasions got acknowledgement but no response to my actual feedback or recommendations.

Its one thing for the club to ask for supporters input, its another for them to actually do anything about it (i.e. don't hold your breath!).
0

Morgan added 12:24 - Apr 26
Everyone wants things cheaper of even free! Join reality folks.

Standing in the lower North. There are legal challenges with this but do t see why it couldn't be done with designated zones

Move away fans to the other end of the Cobbold

I dont know if section 6 still exist but if the do rehouse them in the Churchmans to try an build some atmosphere there!

Smoking cages putside the North, when we went to West Brom we could stroll out with a beer, it was totally relaxed and there were no problems.

Don't really care about entertainment but would rather let the kiddies play on the pitch than anything as it means more to them.

Before the game get some atmosphere with the music.
0

JammyDodgerrr added 12:24 - Apr 26
How about doing a Fan Penalty Shootout(in the full size goals) or a crossbar challenge? be a nice way to get the supporters involved!
0

DJMason added 12:26 - Apr 26
Buy some cannons to shoot out goodies at half time
0

hmitch added 12:26 - Apr 26
A few games ago we had a disabitly team play at half time. This got the whole crowd involved. Kids games at half time will make some kids dreams which will bring more future fans. Give all the children who take part free tickets for them and there family and start to fill up Portman road.
0

bluecreations added 12:29 - Apr 26
simple, we don't do enough on the pitch to get the fans going. there are no players at the moment who lift the crowd. when we had pablo running at the goal the crown use to chant his name. Cant remember the last time the crown chanted a players name like that. the north stand always led the way but all they sing now is the silly song about "Norwich running away" we are not even the same league anymore. I've only been a season ticket holder for 7 years havin more to the area. surley there must be other songs sung over the years. maybe we should have song sheets, so when the north stand starts singing others could follow and know what to sing.
0

martin12120137 added 12:29 - Apr 26
1. cheaper tickets its a rip off really i went to see a spurs game the other day £35 an adult and i actually got entertained!!

2. move away fans closer to the sir bobby robson stand at least try to create an atmosphere

3. change the crappy music back to right here right now or something a beat more upbeat get the fans ecited and ready for kick off!

4. drop the booking fees on the day for tickets what the hell is all that about if anything it should be cheaper on the day!!

5. progroammes are to exspensive as well i think £3 to read a load of adverts? not great

6.would a few screens around the ground be a good idea show the goals replays etc?

as i stated above i really think the main thing has to be ticket prices lets try and fil the ground up! even if we dropped it down to £20/£25 an adult we would fill up the ground and make the money back and more on food,the shop, progroammes etc so lets fill up the ground and bring the atmosphere back to portmand road!!
0

AlanMahon2011 added 12:32 - Apr 26
Ball boys who sit motionless and stare into space
0

portmanroadblue added 12:35 - Apr 26
Cheaper tickets
Cheaper food and drink
Maybe put a quiz on before the game
Bring back standing area
have a screens in the centre circle showing our away games or historic games against whoever we are playing.
0

StowTractorBoy added 12:35 - Apr 26
I would suggest the powers that be get in touch with Brighton & Hove Albion as their pre match build up was excellent. They have large screens showing highlights of previous matches a reporter on the pitch giving football news and interviews with players. They also have dancing girls and a compare who actually gets the crowd going. Chandler used to be good and I know on the field performances do not help but our build up is limp to say the least.
0

pitseablue added 12:37 - Apr 26
I know it has already been said many times but.....cheaper tickets PLEASE. A lot of Town fans travel to home games. I know the club cannot do much about the cost of petrol, but it cost me £50 per game at least, so, PLEASE GIVE US CHEAPER TICKETS !!!!
0

MathieandMarshall added 12:40 - Apr 26
Cant believe it took two pages before someone said "dancing girls" lol.

Actually i think the main problem is the acustics. Sound just does not travel at PR! I went on a Wembley stadium tour and they take a group of around 12 people up to the 2nd tier in an empty stadium and make you chant something. The sound bounces off all four corners and comes back and hits you in the face! so impressive. It was designed with atmosphere in mind. The old North stand was much better than the new one!

Agree with moving the away fans to the SBR Stand end (which is always empty anyway) You can see them trying to banter with the Sir Alf but they never get anything back.

And also agree with big screen showing highlights at half time.


0

Lukeybluey added 12:40 - Apr 26
what sibelius8 said...but how about this? this would pump up the crowd just before the teams come out! And make Portman road VERY intimidating!

0

Lukeybluey added 12:43 - Apr 26
but perhaps not that music! haha
0

canveyblue added 12:49 - Apr 26
Cheaper tickets and move the away fans to the Sir Bobby Robson end of the Cobbold stand. It aint rocket science. Oh yes i nearly forgot A DECENT TEAM!
0

Taricco_Fan added 12:49 - Apr 26
Cheaper tickets first and foremost.

25,000 people through the door paying less could still make the club the same revenue as 18,000 paying more. Then you have the additional revenue of programme sales and catering inside the ground.

More importantly the atmosphere should improve and more fans will be able to take their kids along (the fans of the future).

It's obvious to me, why can't the club see it?
0

ParisBlue added 12:52 - Apr 26
Better pre-match entertainment, particularly the music (should be louder), but also something to get people in their seats 5 minutes earlier so there's a proper build-up.

Half-time entertainment is dross. Kids 5-a-sides or penalty shoot outs used to be good - barracking any team in yellow. Hold in front of the SBR and SAR stands, not in the centre circle.

I'd like to see more ex-players introduced at half-time and play a participating role in the entertainment. Not just on the sidelines making lottery draws, how about heading contests with John Wark, or penalty shoot-outs againt James Pullen. Many of the ex-players who guest on Lifes a Pitch clearly have an affection for the club and would like to see (and hear) them from time to time. Penalty shoot-outs with supporters and ex-players spring to mind.

We should call out the Norwich score when they lose, ignore when they win.

Sort out the acoustics so the ground is noisier, and hopefully more intimidating (not so nice).

Oh....and players and managers appreciating the crowd and the club more, and not like they are being forced to. The highpoint of the season for me was the team going across to applaud the 1961/62 championship team - for a brief 10 seconds we had our club back again.
0

AlanMahon2011 added 12:53 - Apr 26
I somewhat think this entry music would be more fitting for us!

0

Cakeman added 12:54 - Apr 26
Bring back zombie Nation music just before teams enter the pitch. Change goal celebration music. Introduce a Drummer into the ground. No disrespect to rob chandler but replace him with someone else who sounds more enthusiastic but the main thing I would like to see is for a Suffolk Punch horse to walk around the pitch before the matches commence. This is something unique to our fine club
0

truebluedan added 12:56 - Apr 26
i agree with all the comments regarding Moving the away fans to the Sir Bobby Robson end of the Cobbold, its a common thing you hear the Sir Bobby Robson stand sing and get behind the team in the 2nd half, how we get the other stands to improve there support i dont no, FREE Scarfs to wave and get people on there feet i have not got a clue but another thing what about more promotions before the game to get people into the stadium i.e cheaper beer and refreshment prices look at a norwich game prior to kick of the Sir Bobby Lower was absolutely rammed
0

WeirdFishes added 12:58 - Apr 26
Strippers
0

Mark added 12:59 - Apr 26
Clearly price is a big issue for supporters. The recent promotions have been welcome, even though I have been disappointed with the results (ST holders could buy 4 additional tickets for £7.50/£5.00/£2.50 for the Barnsley game and we still got only for 20,000-odd). Still, I think a proper permanent pricing structure next season which makes it more affordable and doesn't penalise people with booking fees or on-the-day surcharges is needed. I pay £21 a game as a ST holder but to buy a seat next to me costs £33 to £35 which is far too much.

I also agree the music is poor. Second half the players have usually been out for a few seconds or up to two minutes before the entrance music is played.

0

shoopdelang added 12:59 - Apr 26
BRIGHT BLUE - having my way sung pre-match as our club chant is a great idea I love it... It would sound immense it is perfect I think
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024