| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. 19:16 - Apr 5 with 4109 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 20:00 - Apr 5 with 3075 views | 100notout |
so the attendance was maybe more than 5527? |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 20:06 - Apr 5 with 3032 views | Kingstdale |
Definitely. The lass had no chance to scan tickets..she got maybe 10% of the people that went though the gate once it was opened to all. We got in around 2.50 and there was still many more coming in after. [Post edited 5 Apr 20:10]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 20:33 - Apr 5 with 2899 views | dingdangblue |
Absolute shambles! We have digital ticketing and 1 turnstile able to scan, the 2nd turnstile was paper tickets only. The woman was stood inside the ground and people were expected to wait at a large open gate in an orderly manner! Nearly as pathetic as that 1st half showing. |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:49 - Apr 5 with 2704 views | Sandyman |
On the Sandy...
A mate of mine, of pensionable age, an occasional "walk up" fan.
Had a drink in Ratcliffe's, as requested.
Wore Dale insignia as requested.
Bought a burger from the BBQ outside Ratcliffe's, as requested.
He was stopped from entering a Sandy Lane turnstile for having said burger in his possession by stadium security. Had to stand outside and eat it before being allowed to enter the ground, and missed kick off.
Joined up thinking / customer service. No. |  | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:54 - Apr 5 with 2670 views | James1980 |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:49 - Apr 5 by Sandyman |
On the Sandy...
A mate of mine, of pensionable age, an occasional "walk up" fan.
Had a drink in Ratcliffe's, as requested.
Wore Dale insignia as requested.
Bought a burger from the BBQ outside Ratcliffe's, as requested.
He was stopped from entering a Sandy Lane turnstile for having said burger in his possession by stadium security. Had to stand outside and eat it before being allowed to enter the ground, and missed kick off.
Joined up thinking / customer service. No. |
Had the same re the grub. Went and spoke to the lady running the food stand outside the Ratcliffe she marched over and told them to let me in, the staff on the turnstiles were being a tad too stringent with the rules | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 22:13 - Apr 5 with 2591 views | Kingstdale |
At least your turnstiles were working! Shambolic is the only word to describe what happened at Pearl St. Getting there at 2...we had planned to buy food and drinks inside the ground but due to the complete ineptitude of the ticket scanning system we and many others didn't even have time to do that so thats even more cash lost to the coffers due to an I.T. issue that was supposed to be being sorted out.
Yes,,,I know things can and do go wrong and sometimes it's unavoidable but the club had rightly been pushing this as a big event so back-up plans should have been in place. They clearly weren't. No-one came forward with any explanations or re-assurances when I asked what the hold up was. We had been queuing for 45 mins. There were many first time visitors around us..clearly unimpressed. It was very poor. [Post edited 5 Apr 22:14]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 08:33 - Apr 6 with 2193 views | Kingstdale |
Just to pre-empt any 'couldn't you have spent the same money at HT' comments.
No..I don't want to go and queue and miss 10 minutes. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:54 - Apr 6 with 2056 views | howy10 |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 08:33 - Apr 6 by Kingstdale |
Just to pre-empt any 'couldn't you have spent the same money at HT' comments.
No..I don't want to go and queue and miss 10 minutes. |
The game should have been unreserved seating and not reserved. After queing for ages my wife and I eventually got in and made our way to our reserved seats. I was prevented from reaching my seat by a steward who said that the block was full.
I asked him to remove the persons sat in our seats and he said to me to look for other seating.
We duly found other seating but I knew that I would then I would find myself in a confrontational situation with the people who had booked these seats.
Yes, true to form, said people turned up with ugly scenes ensuing. I felt very uncomfortable for the rest of the game.
Why reserved seating? The Mrs now doesn't want to attend any more ticket games. |  | | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:02 - Apr 6 with 2017 views | 442Dale |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:54 - Apr 6 by howy10 |
The game should have been unreserved seating and not reserved. After queing for ages my wife and I eventually got in and made our way to our reserved seats. I was prevented from reaching my seat by a steward who said that the block was full.
I asked him to remove the persons sat in our seats and he said to me to look for other seating.
We duly found other seating but I knew that I would then I would find myself in a confrontational situation with the people who had booked these seats.
Yes, true to form, said people turned up with ugly scenes ensuing. I felt very uncomfortable for the rest of the game.
Why reserved seating? The Mrs now doesn't want to attend any more ticket games. |
Were you in the Pearl St? If so, looking on from the Sandy, that was always going to be a problem with the singing contingent gathered together. They were moving into the aisles and the covered seats at various stages. They might like that end, but if they want to stand together, that’s what the Sandy is for.
Back to the club’s organisation of yesterday, this is the first test of the CAB. The various issues need addressing quickly and with good communication. |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:11 - Apr 6 with 1970 views | Dalenet |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:54 - Apr 6 by howy10 |
The game should have been unreserved seating and not reserved. After queing for ages my wife and I eventually got in and made our way to our reserved seats. I was prevented from reaching my seat by a steward who said that the block was full.
I asked him to remove the persons sat in our seats and he said to me to look for other seating.
We duly found other seating but I knew that I would then I would find myself in a confrontational situation with the people who had booked these seats.
Yes, true to form, said people turned up with ugly scenes ensuing. I felt very uncomfortable for the rest of the game.
Why reserved seating? The Mrs now doesn't want to attend any more ticket games. |
But every game is reserved seating now with our ticket system. If you sit where you want you risk being moved by others that respect the seat number they have booked. Given all the stands were full yesterday the stewards were out of order telling you to just sit in somebody else's seat | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:27 - Apr 6 with 1896 views | Diespone |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 20:06 - Apr 5 by Kingstdale |
Definitely. The lass had no chance to scan tickets..she got maybe 10% of the people that went though the gate once it was opened to all. We got in around 2.50 and there was still many more coming in after. [Post edited 5 Apr 20:10]
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"She clearly had no chance to scan the tickets... She probably managed to scan about 10% of the people who went through the gate once it was fully opened. We got in around 2:50, and there were still many more coming in afterward.
By the way, if you're looking for a fun game to relax with, try out Monkey Mart https://monkeymart.one/ at monkeymart.one! It's a super fun store simulation game that's perfect for unwinding after chaotic events like this! | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:28 - Apr 6 with 1886 views | judd |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:02 - Apr 6 by 442Dale |
Were you in the Pearl St? If so, looking on from the Sandy, that was always going to be a problem with the singing contingent gathered together. They were moving into the aisles and the covered seats at various stages. They might like that end, but if they want to stand together, that’s what the Sandy is for.
Back to the club’s organisation of yesterday, this is the first test of the CAB. The various issues need addressing quickly and with good communication. |
I'm sure that CAB members will pick up on this but please remember that there is a Trust representative still on the main board who really should be the point of contact with regards issues raised on this thread, and who should make public the club findings. |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:31 - Apr 6 with 1856 views | 442Dale |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:28 - Apr 6 by judd |
I'm sure that CAB members will pick up on this but please remember that there is a Trust representative still on the main board who really should be the point of contact with regards issues raised on this thread, and who should make public the club findings. |
Fair point. Would be hopeful both he and the Trust are onto this today. | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:35 - Apr 6 with 1836 views | Dale_4_Life |
It really was a shambles..
The club are miles off sadly (Project 5000).
Yesterday aside from abject football was a disaster. Every turnstile needs to be open ideally by 1.30 with fully briefed staff on hand with a simple mission of helping fans, new, lapsed and existing get into the stadium quickly and safely with the minimum of fuss.
Yesterday was badly organised and not thought through at all for one stand holding a shade over 1500 people. Goodness knows where we go from here. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:42 - Apr 6 with 1796 views | dawlishdale |
I have visited many places where you have to scan your ticket to gain entry, and can honestly say that the system at Dale seems to be the most primitive I have ever encountered. It just looks like it was put together as part of a junior school science project.
If we are to progress and be able to cope with a ground that is only just over half full (ok...it looked closer to 75% full but I guess we will never know) we need a much better entry system. Yet another Bottomley project that hasn't been value for money. | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:59 - Apr 6 with 1289 views | diplodocus |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:35 - Apr 6 by Dale_4_Life |
It really was a shambles..
The club are miles off sadly (Project 5000).
Yesterday aside from abject football was a disaster. Every turnstile needs to be open ideally by 1.30 with fully briefed staff on hand with a simple mission of helping fans, new, lapsed and existing get into the stadium quickly and safely with the minimum of fuss.
Yesterday was badly organised and not thought through at all for one stand holding a shade over 1500 people. Goodness knows where we go from here. |
JUDGING BY THE DISGRACEFUL SCENES ON THE PITCH AND OUTSIDE THE GROUND, I WOULDN'T BE IN THE LEAST BIT SURPRISED IF THE OGDEN FAMILY CHANGD THE 5 YEARS TO 0 YEARS, AS THERE DOESN'T SEEM A LOT TO BE SAVED REGARDING THE FOOTBALL CLUB. AS FOR ME, I'VE SEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH TO LAST ME THE REST OF MY LIFETIME. I'M OFF.  | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 22:17 - Apr 6 with 1246 views | kel |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 21:59 - Apr 6 by diplodocus |
JUDGING BY THE DISGRACEFUL SCENES ON THE PITCH AND OUTSIDE THE GROUND, I WOULDN'T BE IN THE LEAST BIT SURPRISED IF THE OGDEN FAMILY CHANGD THE 5 YEARS TO 0 YEARS, AS THERE DOESN'T SEEM A LOT TO BE SAVED REGARDING THE FOOTBALL CLUB. AS FOR ME, I'VE SEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH TO LAST ME THE REST OF MY LIFETIME. I'M OFF. |
Thanks for letting us know. I’m not sure how we’ll cope now we have that ground breaking news. |  |
| “He was deliberately misleading the EFL” |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 23:17 - Apr 6 with 1124 views | dingdangblue |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 10:42 - Apr 6 by dawlishdale |
I have visited many places where you have to scan your ticket to gain entry, and can honestly say that the system at Dale seems to be the most primitive I have ever encountered. It just looks like it was put together as part of a junior school science project.
If we are to progress and be able to cope with a ground that is only just over half full (ok...it looked closer to 75% full but I guess we will never know) we need a much better entry system. Yet another Bottomley project that hasn't been value for money. |
Im sorry but you can't blame Bottomley for having 2 turnstiles working (and 1 would only scan paper tickets). The lady with the extra scanner should have been at one of the turnstiles instead of stood inside the gate (a disaster waiting to happen had anyone started to push forward). The club knew the Pearl St was sold out so why wasn't every turnstile open? It beggars belief really. | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 08:48 - Apr 7 with 868 views | EllDale |
I’m not over sure that the police or the ground licensing authority would be best pleased to learn that apparently the club didn’t know how many exactly were in the ground at any one time.
It sounds like people without tickets could have gained entry this way without being recorded? Serious repercussions if it had been a sellout crowd and extra people had got in.
Do we believe a figure of 5527? | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 08:59 - Apr 7 with 828 views | dingdangblue |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 08:48 - Apr 7 by EllDale |
I’m not over sure that the police or the ground licensing authority would be best pleased to learn that apparently the club didn’t know how many exactly were in the ground at any one time.
It sounds like people without tickets could have gained entry this way without being recorded? Serious repercussions if it had been a sellout crowd and extra people had got in.
Do we believe a figure of 5527? |
Theres no way it was 5527. I did a rough count from the ticket plan online and main stand is just short of 2000, same pearl st with the end block empty so thats 4000. Spennymoor had 1000. Reckon the Sandy was 1500? Then the 2 blocks of Wilbutts Dale fans which were half full so around another 500? Thats roughly 7000. | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:01 - Apr 7 with 815 views | Daleaholic |
Once again, we have the opportunity to show the casual fans and those who have never stepped foot in the ground what is on offer and we bottle it. Both on and off the pitch.
Sadly, I'm sure there's many regular fans the same as I am and completely unsurprised at the inability to cope with a crowd significantly larger than usual.
Project 5000 is a complete fantasy and until wholesale changes are made on and off the pitch/sideline, we'll be stuck with the usual hardcore of fans and nothing else. |  |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:17 - Apr 7 with 780 views | rickyprickles |
Me & my friend got to the pearl st turnstiles at just before two. I thought they would open early for an increased crowd. However not to be. Anyways, two turnstiles opened (I thought any time now the other two will open) . Sure enough they didn’t, the chap in front of me had four tickets on his phone, took a few minutes to process them all, the last one would just not scan. Almost as embarrassing as the football & don’t get me started on the fulll time disgusting scenes! | | | |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:17 - Apr 7 with 780 views | TalkingSutty |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:01 - Apr 7 by Daleaholic |
Once again, we have the opportunity to show the casual fans and those who have never stepped foot in the ground what is on offer and we bottle it. Both on and off the pitch.
Sadly, I'm sure there's many regular fans the same as I am and completely unsurprised at the inability to cope with a crowd significantly larger than usual.
Project 5000 is a complete fantasy and until wholesale changes are made on and off the pitch/sideline, we'll be stuck with the usual hardcore of fans and nothing else. |
There's no excuse now neither with the extra staff employed at the club. We supposedly have a Trust supporters representative on the board also, would it not have been commonsense for him to show his presence around the ground before kick off..mingle with the fans and take note of any problem they might be having, maybe anticipate that there could be a few issues. Instead fans are left to fend for themselves, probably hundreds with young children who might have appreciated a bit of help. I along with my son and cousin assisted a large Asian family who were struggling to know which queue to join, it was obviously their first game and it was great to see them at the game. The stewards are pretty useless so it would have been nice to see club staff outside to monitor what was happening. The club would have known that some of the turnstiles wouldn't have been manned, why didnt they inform supporters before the game? There's no excuse for it when there is a supporters representative in the Boardroom. [Post edited 7 Apr 9:28]
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 11:19 - Apr 7 with 566 views | 100notout |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:17 - Apr 7 by TalkingSutty |
There's no excuse now neither with the extra staff employed at the club. We supposedly have a Trust supporters representative on the board also, would it not have been commonsense for him to show his presence around the ground before kick off..mingle with the fans and take note of any problem they might be having, maybe anticipate that there could be a few issues. Instead fans are left to fend for themselves, probably hundreds with young children who might have appreciated a bit of help. I along with my son and cousin assisted a large Asian family who were struggling to know which queue to join, it was obviously their first game and it was great to see them at the game. The stewards are pretty useless so it would have been nice to see club staff outside to monitor what was happening. The club would have known that some of the turnstiles wouldn't have been manned, why didnt they inform supporters before the game? There's no excuse for it when there is a supporters representative in the Boardroom. [Post edited 7 Apr 9:28]
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Too busy having their pre match meal I guess.
It beggars belief. Of all days, this was the day when they should have their ears to the ground, walk the shop floor, see whats happening on the front line. See what's working well. see what's not working well, note problems, resolve issues, nip things in the bud.
We knew there was going to be a big crowd. We knew there would be a lot of first time attendees. Where was the detailed plan? Contingencies? Why weren't the Directors feet on the ground instead of in their ivory tower?
God help us IF we get in the play offs and end up hosting Oldham or York. | |
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| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 11:21 - Apr 7 with 558 views | Dalenet |
| Pearl St. Turnstile Debacle. on 09:17 - Apr 7 by TalkingSutty |
There's no excuse now neither with the extra staff employed at the club. We supposedly have a Trust supporters representative on the board also, would it not have been commonsense for him to show his presence around the ground before kick off..mingle with the fans and take note of any problem they might be having, maybe anticipate that there could be a few issues. Instead fans are left to fend for themselves, probably hundreds with young children who might have appreciated a bit of help. I along with my son and cousin assisted a large Asian family who were struggling to know which queue to join, it was obviously their first game and it was great to see them at the game. The stewards are pretty useless so it would have been nice to see club staff outside to monitor what was happening. The club would have known that some of the turnstiles wouldn't have been manned, why didnt they inform supporters before the game? There's no excuse for it when there is a supporters representative in the Boardroom. [Post edited 7 Apr 9:28]
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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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