| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. 19:16 - Apr 5 with 8917 views | Kingstdale |
Arrived at Pearl St turnstiles just after 2...getting in early just like the club asked us to.
Absolute debacle...only 2 out of the 4 turnstiles open...1 queue hardly moving. A decision was made to open the gate and allow people in using a handheld scanner.
Still not in by 2.45...apparently neither of the scanners in the turnstiles were now working. No explanation or announcement from anyone.
Everyone then proceeded to go through the gate with just one poor lass trying..unsuccessfully..to scan tickets.
Another embarrassing situation on what was our biggest game in a few years. [Post edited 5 Apr 19:24]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 11:57 - Apr 7 with 4048 views | EllDale |
There will have to be some form of official comment now as the incident is all over the MEN website with photoa taken on Willbutts Lane showing a traffic cone apparently being thrown.
It says that the club have been approached for comment. |  | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 12:04 - Apr 7 with 4008 views | TalkingSutty |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 11:21 - Apr 7 by Dalenet |
We've been talking about the stewarding issues for about 5 seasons now. The stewarding company is next to useless. Whether that is failing to help older fans who have fallen down the mainstand steps, whether it is helping new fans trying to find their seats, or dealing with pitch encroachment. Is Spotland safe? It certainly wasn't on Saturday. Police desperately calling for reinforcements because the stewards couldn't manage. Police using batons on our own fans - although they deserved it for going on the pitch.
Sadly I have no confidence in the leadership of the club when it comes to safety or commercial nous. To have young families attending what should have been a carnival game and see them frigtened ****less doesn't help the town or the club attract new fans. I do hope lessons will be learned quickly just in case we have another big game in the play-offs. They knew who had booked the seats in the second last block of Pearl Street. They know who caused the problems.
It is 11am on the first business day after the game. Nothing on the club website to acknowledge the problem or to apologise to the 90% of decent fans. Has the club apologised to Spennymoor? [Post edited 7 Apr 12:11]
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Good post. Those running the club knew that the Pearl Street stand was sold out. They also knew that half of the the turnstiles wouldn't be open. It was always going to be a issue but they chose to ignore it, no consideration given to the paying customer, the fans. The people they hope to attract back to the club. Why did nobody at the club mention it? Then we have the official attendance given as 5500. As somebody who spent many years working matchdays at the club that figure looked wrong. Most Dale fans could see that. It would mean that there was only 4500 home fans in all four stands and there appeared to be more than that. I would also like to add that the ladies with the hand held scanners letting fans access through the exit gates at the Pearl St stand did an amazing job. Had it not been for them many hundreds more would have missed the kick off. I'm assuming somebody from the club has thanked them for their hard work and commonsense? There's CCTV on those turnstiles I'd urge those who are interested at the club to go and view the problems from 1400hrs onwards. It would be a great learning tool, let the Trust Director have a look also because it's his supporters who it affected. [Post edited 7 Apr 12:59]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 12:41 - Apr 7 with 3910 views | D_Alien |
Tickets bought online usually specify which turnstile(s) should be used for the section of ground the seats are in, particularly for the Pearl St end
I hadn't looked closely at my ticket until arriving at Pearl St but for some reason this info wasn't included. This would've been especially useful for new fans, unfamiliar with the layout
I joined the queue on the "police box" side, which then became two queues and finally three including the lady on the gate (one of the ticket office staff) who was doing her best to get tickets scanned but having trouble with each one. People were switching queues, then the original one started moving faster (sod's law)
The result? Many people who turned up at 2.50pm got into the ground ahead of some who'd been patiently queueing with young kids for a lot longer, adding to the frustration and eventual anger as the game started whilst they were still outside
Why weren't the turnstiles specified for this particular match? That had to be a conscious decision taken by someone in the club. To say there are questions that need answering is an understatement [Post edited 7 Apr 12:42]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:10 - Apr 7 with 3708 views | dingdangblue |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 12:04 - Apr 7 by TalkingSutty |
Good post. Those running the club knew that the Pearl Street stand was sold out. They also knew that half of the the turnstiles wouldn't be open. It was always going to be a issue but they chose to ignore it, no consideration given to the paying customer, the fans. The people they hope to attract back to the club. Why did nobody at the club mention it? Then we have the official attendance given as 5500. As somebody who spent many years working matchdays at the club that figure looked wrong. Most Dale fans could see that. It would mean that there was only 4500 home fans in all four stands and there appeared to be more than that. I would also like to add that the ladies with the hand held scanners letting fans access through the exit gates at the Pearl St stand did an amazing job. Had it not been for them many hundreds more would have missed the kick off. I'm assuming somebody from the club has thanked them for their hard work and commonsense? There's CCTV on those turnstiles I'd urge those who are interested at the club to go and view the problems from 1400hrs onwards. It would be a great learning tool, let the Trust Director have a look also because it's his supporters who it affected. [Post edited 7 Apr 12:59]
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I get where you are coming from about the ladies with the hand held scanners, but they shouldn't be used at an open gate where hundreds just walked in unscanned because it was minutes before kick off. Those scanners should have been used on a turnstile if the scanning machines on those turnstiles were not working. Also regarding the attendance I would have thought for a fixture like this it would just go off tickets sold or else the attendance figure and the money wouldn't tally up.
God help us if we somehow finished 4th or 5th and have a home play off game. |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:11 - Apr 7 with 3705 views | Thacks_Rabbits |
Club has been an absolute shambles for years, it takes no common sense or intelligence at all to know that, so many incredibly simple things that could have made this a special day for all concerned especially occasional fans, but as usual those in charge utterly cocked it up!
Everyone knew this was a big match and high profile so have all turnstiles open from 1, offer 25% off all food and beverages for those in before 2, put on a kids game of 5 a side or a penalty competition (or both) vs Spennymoor or even a supporters game of say 20 minutes each way (could even charge for it and include sponsors and a couple of legends from each club) Have all turnstiles fully up to speed tech wise.
There is absolutely no marketing ability or brains at this club and there seems not to have been since Richard, Franny, Les etc left. This should have raised the profile of the club and dragged in hundreds of new fans (admittedly having Jim Southgate in charge doesn’t help) but there are so many missed opportunities.
The whole club needs a shake up, get rid of the numerous dead weights that do absolutely nothing or use the clubs name and pay nothing for the privilege and get some proper professionals in that know what to do. It won’t happen obviously but it bloody should! |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:18 - Apr 7 with 3686 views | TalkingSutty |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:10 - Apr 7 by dingdangblue |
I get where you are coming from about the ladies with the hand held scanners, but they shouldn't be used at an open gate where hundreds just walked in unscanned because it was minutes before kick off. Those scanners should have been used on a turnstile if the scanning machines on those turnstiles were not working. Also regarding the attendance I would have thought for a fixture like this it would just go off tickets sold or else the attendance figure and the money wouldn't tally up.
God help us if we somehow finished 4th or 5th and have a home play off game. |
If the lady had been in the turnstiles it would have taken even longer to get through by the time the turnstiles had revolved and each person had cleared. Either way, as you rightly point out it was very poor organisation. You can't blame people for walking in if the club don't have the facilities available to process their ticket on time. They paid for a event that started at 3pm , arrived on time and would have missed some of the game. It wasn't their fault. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:48 - Apr 7 with 3598 views | dingdangblue |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:18 - Apr 7 by TalkingSutty |
If the lady had been in the turnstiles it would have taken even longer to get through by the time the turnstiles had revolved and each person had cleared. Either way, as you rightly point out it was very poor organisation. You can't blame people for walking in if the club don't have the facilities available to process their ticket on time. They paid for a event that started at 3pm , arrived on time and would have missed some of the game. It wasn't their fault. |
Yes I was lucky it was around 2.45 when I got in the ground so I waited to get scanned. If it had been nearer 3.00 I wouldn't have waited. How the club thought 50% turnstiles open was acceptable beggars belief when the Pearl St end was sold out.
Amateur organisation to go with our non league status. | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 15:34 - Apr 7 with 3491 views | TalkingSutty |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:48 - Apr 7 by dingdangblue |
Yes I was lucky it was around 2.45 when I got in the ground so I waited to get scanned. If it had been nearer 3.00 I wouldn't have waited. How the club thought 50% turnstiles open was acceptable beggars belief when the Pearl St end was sold out.
Amateur organisation to go with our non league status. |
Similar to when we tried to increase the crowd against Fylde the time we played them on Boxing day. In the middle of winter and there was no stock in the club shop on the run up to Xmas, no scarfs for sale in the depth of winter and they sold out of pies and drinks before half time. Makes you wonder why fans bother with promoting the game and what happened on Saturday shows nothing much has improved. Who is the Stadium manager and shouldn't he be responsible for the turnstiles situation and not envisaging the problem at a sold out end of the stadium? The Stadium Safety Officer also needs to step up to the plate on this.
The inadequate stewarding needs flagging up, they aren't fit for purpose and if the youth are to be positioned in the Pearl Street then the end block of the Willbutts Lane needs blocking off and adequate stewarding putting in place. The overwhelming majority of the youth section are kids, we aren't talking hardened hooligans here. Proper stewarding, proper rules in place and ban the ones who take things too far. They get exuberant and excited, to be honest i think they create a great atmosphere but what some did on Saturday isn't what the club needs. I did see some older fans trying to calm things down and one in particular trying to get fans off the pitch..most of the stewards did diddly squat. For non criminal matters i think the club should adopt a two strikes and you're out policy. Warn individuals and keep a record and then next time issue a ban. Maybe CAB could set up a process for something like this. It's needed because we are actively trying to attract youngsters and let's face it, being stupid does come with the territory when they are that age. I think there's better ways of dealing with it than just throwing bans around to young fans who might have just got caught up in the atmosphere of it all. I know some won't agree with that though.
On a positive note, the flag displays were great to see and the large flag which was passed around the Pearl Street just before kick off really enhanced the atmosphere. Thanks to the fans who sorted that out and I'd like to make a financial contribution next Saturday if somebody can point me in the right direction. [Post edited 7 Apr 16:19]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 18:50 - Apr 7 with 3173 views | EllDale |
No-one I’m sure has an issue with a singing section in the Pearl Street.
But if that also introduces certain kinds of antisocial behaviour then the club do right to consider the request appropriately. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 18:52 - Apr 7 with 3162 views | Clivert |
Which will be a shame as the atmosphere in TSMFS was fantastic on Saturday up until the missed penalty.
Positive news there about the change of ticketing system for next season. |  | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 19:05 - Apr 7 with 3085 views | 442Dale |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 18:50 - Apr 7 by EllDale |
No-one I’m sure has an issue with a singing section in the Pearl Street.
But if that also introduces certain kinds of antisocial behaviour then the club do right to consider the request appropriately. |
It’s allocated seating too. That couldn’t be clearer. There will be season ticket holders already who may want to keep their seats.
Also, and I know it’s not stuck to often, but standing in seated areas brings its own issues with safety groups even if we might not see an issue. That’s why clubs like Shrewsbury brought in rail seats. |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 19:09 - Apr 7 with 3062 views | isitme |
A very good response and hopefully a better ticketing system and working turnstyles will help to speed up the process of getting people into the ground. Have Taurus had their day? |  | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 19:25 - Apr 7 with 2995 views | dingdangblue |
Im sorry but the turnstile apology doesn't cut it with me. If they knew there were problems they should have made alternative ticket entry options.
Whats wrong with just handing over your ticket to a turnstile operator (thats worked for years) at the turnstiles that aren't working - not just have them shut! There were 3 times as many fans there as normal on Saturday and absolutely no planning for it. Amateur. | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:22 - Apr 7 with 2703 views | TalkingSutty |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 19:09 - Apr 7 by isitme |
A very good response and hopefully a better ticketing system and working turnstyles will help to speed up the process of getting people into the ground. Have Taurus had their day? |
Yes, agree, a very good response from Andy Duff. Let's try to find a positive out of Saturdays disappointment and own the negatives but strive to make them better for the next big game. I'm confident we will have plenty of big games going forward with the Ogden family as owners, we are starting the journey so the off field problems identified maybe shouldn't have come as a surprise. Next season will see improvements and the season after that. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:26 - Apr 7 with 2693 views | D_Alien |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:22 - Apr 7 by TalkingSutty |
Yes, agree, a very good response from Andy Duff. Let's try to find a positive out of Saturdays disappointment and own the negatives but strive to make them better for the next big game. I'm confident we will have plenty of big games going forward with the Ogden family as owners, we are starting the journey so the off field problems identified maybe shouldn't have come as a surprise. Next season will see improvements and the season after that. |
That's a "silver lining" point i can agree with
The key to all this is learning from it - since those new to the club, or to football even, can be forgiven for not getting it spot on first time round
It can't continue though | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:12 - Apr 8 with 2106 views | Dalenet |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:22 - Apr 7 by TalkingSutty |
Yes, agree, a very good response from Andy Duff. Let's try to find a positive out of Saturdays disappointment and own the negatives but strive to make them better for the next big game. I'm confident we will have plenty of big games going forward with the Ogden family as owners, we are starting the journey so the off field problems identified maybe shouldn't have come as a surprise. Next season will see improvements and the season after that. |
I too agree that the Andy Duff response brings a number of outstanding issues to a head. The ticketing system hasn't delivered what it set out to do. Despite being promised fixes to it, the system hasn't worked properly all season. So its a big plus for me that they will replace it. Hopefully it will have an intergrated CRM system so the club can start to commercialise attendance etc. And hopefully all season tickets will be sold using the new system
Moving the away fans back to Wilbutts is a positive. Saving a few stewards when we were cash strapped was the right thing to do, but it has caused a lot of grief.
Reviewing the stewarding has to be a priority. It hasn't been good for a long time since we outsourced it. Nice to hear that the club acknowledge a change is needed. Still don't know why we didn't have enough stewards on Saturday that could control our lot in block V (?)
Anyhow, we might be back to sub 2000 crowds next Saturday so feel free to bring the dog for a walk like the old days. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 17:33 - Apr 8 with 1885 views | Dale_4_Life |
With only 3 home games left it would be a real disappointment to not have 2200 home fans on Saturday.
Especially if we can win tonight at Sutton!. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:42 - Apr 8 with 1680 views | Dalenet |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 17:33 - Apr 8 by Dale_4_Life |
With only 3 home games left it would be a real disappointment to not have 2200 home fans on Saturday.
Especially if we can win tonight at Sutton!. |
I'd do some praying before Saturday if I was you. Eastleigh have sold one seat so far. And we don't look like we can be bothered. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:48 - Apr 8 with 1640 views | pioneer |
conceding after 80 minute mark again. We should switch to rugby.
No tired legs for Spennymoor though.We could be playing them in the league next season. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:20 - Apr 12 with 998 views | Statzdale |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 19:09 - Apr 7 by isitme |
A very good response and hopefully a better ticketing system and working turnstyles will help to speed up the process of getting people into the ground. Have Taurus had their day? |
As far as Taurus are concerned, I worked as a steward from 1996 until Taurus got rid of me and a lot of my colleagues in 2021, all who did a fantastic job. From what I read on here the current incumbents seem ti be worse. Havent been in the ground for 4 seasons. A supporter whom I know wishes we were all there as we worked with the fans, not against them. Wiould love my job back, but at 60 I fear that ship has sadly now sailed [Post edited 12 Apr 18:03]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 14:18 - Apr 12 with 771 views | isitme |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:20 - Apr 12 by Statzdale |
As far as Taurus are concerned, I worked as a steward from 1996 until Taurus got rid of me and a lot of my colleagues in 2021, all who did a fantastic job. From what I read on here the current incumbents seem ti be worse. Havent been in the ground for 4 seasons. A supporter whom I know wishes we were all there as we worked with the fans, not against them. Wiould love my job back, but at 60 I fear that ship has sadly now sailed [Post edited 12 Apr 18:03]
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Unfortunately they are just cheap staff who do not actually do anything apart from randomly wanting to search people on a Tuesday night game when there is nobody there.
They have no affiliation to the club and have an even worse relationship with the supporters. Even the guy in charge of the Smiths Metals stand told me to not bother coming again when I queried the actions of one of the staff a few games ago. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 16:44 - Apr 12 with 600 views | windowsbug2002 |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:20 - Apr 12 by Statzdale |
As far as Taurus are concerned, I worked as a steward from 1996 until Taurus got rid of me and a lot of my colleagues in 2021, all who did a fantastic job. From what I read on here the current incumbents seem ti be worse. Havent been in the ground for 4 seasons. A supporter whom I know wishes we were all there as we worked with the fans, not against them. Wiould love my job back, but at 60 I fear that ship has sadly now sailed [Post edited 12 Apr 18:03]
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I stopped going since I was searched every time I turned up. My wife however was never searched, just me. Complain to the guy that runs Taurus only to be called a racist due to the guy searching being black.
It's been 3 seasons now, and to be honest I don't miss it. Too many idiots turning up in the Sandy to actually enjoy the game. [Post edited 12 Apr 16:48]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 17:54 - Apr 12 with 467 views | EllDale |
Gossip on X suggests that some of the yoof boycotted today’s game as some of their mates have been banned following incidents last week? | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 18:57 - Apr 12 with 344 views | TalkingSutty |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 17:54 - Apr 12 by EllDale |
Gossip on X suggests that some of the yoof boycotted today’s game as some of their mates have been banned following incidents last week? |
It seems nearly 500 season card holders boycotted today's game also, today's attendance was 1,770. When supporters voice their concerns it's important that those in the Boardroom don't dismiss them as irrelevant, not when youre trying to increase attendances. We are in a play off spot and 500 season tickets didn't attend today, there has to be a reason for that. [Post edited 12 Apr 19:16]
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