The Holte Suite

[Nev]

Ever had the feeling that you're not wanted?

[Clampy]

Not necessarily. Fans like to get there early, have a sit down, watch the early game, have a bite to eat, meet up with friends etc. Having better facilities in the ground would not necessarily put people off using the Holte Suite.

No, but the point I'm making is you don't necessarily expect a private lounge with a standard match ticket and if facilities elsewhere were up to scratch the loss may not be so keenly felt. 

It's been open for season ticket holders for years. People like its convenience on a match day and for all the reasons I listed earlier. They can make the inground facilities better without kicking people out the Holte Suite.

[artvandelay]

Precisely zero Terrace View tickets were sold for Crystal Palace on a game by game basis.

Whilst I absolutely agree with your overall point I'm not sure this is right.  There were about 90 left on Friday I seem to recall, so I assume that means they must have sold approx 200 on the game by game basis? 

I imagine the numbers will drop when people realise they're paying £114 for a seat in the wings or right at the back.  My big fear is the club will realise that to truly make this work they're going to have to have dedicated seating and take the best 1,000 seats in the upper Holte (or maybe some in the lower too)

When they went on sale on 29 August I took a screenshot and there were 91 remaining then, there may have been one or two gone. There were more available for Hibernian but that was due to the 'season ticket' purchasers not taking up their offer of an extortionately overpriced ticket

[VillaTim]

After having a ST for over 40 years, I think I'm nearing the end of my time going down every week.  They're targeting a new breed of fanbase, and I think I'll be leaving them to it.  There are many other ways of watching the matches these days, without burning all your money.

very much the way i feel too. This will be my last season (though i said that last season). But this time it feels different. The pricing , the KO times and just the overall treatment and "customer service". I used to enjoy doing 3 or 4 away's a season now that's a closed shop with the inner circle controlling tickets and i especially dislike those who treat away games as an excuse to go on a 12 hour bender and post a picture of every fucking pint or can they've drunk on social media - go to the pub FFS and let someone who wants to watch the match go.

[LeeB]

Ever had the feeling that you're not wanted?

In a way I'm fine with it, because I like being a stubborn bastard about things this and steadfastly refusing to engage with them on any other level than simply watching the football will nourish me spiritually.

The industry of football and it's excess goes against everything I stand for morally and my engagement with it feels much more comfortable if I'm bitter and spiteful to those in power than grateful.

[Nev]

There were a couple of blokes, well kids really, next to me. Looks like the ST holder hasn't renewed. Anyway they had TV wrist bands on and were Villa fans although weren't particularly engaged or vocal. My seat is in the lowest band so depending on how much they paid (or their Dad, one had a heavy tan that one would only pick up having spent the summer anywhere but Britain) it might not have been the best value for money.

[kippaxvilla2]

We are not far away from the bars and food facilities being renamed ‘concession stands.’

[chrisw1]

Not necessarily. Fans like to get there early, have a sit down, watch the early game, have a bite to eat, meet up with friends etc. Having better facilities in the ground would not necessarily put people off using the Holte Suite.

No, but the point I'm making is you don't necessarily expect a private lounge with a standard match ticket and if facilities elsewhere were up to scratch the loss may not be so keenly felt. 

It's been open for season ticket holders for years. People like its convenience on a match day and for all the reasons I listed earlier. They can make the inground facilities better without kicking people out the Holte Suite.

ok, well we kind of disagree on this one.  I think it's one of the more reasonable spaces for the club to make use of.  Even so, I think we probably would agree that the concourse facilities are generally sub-standard.

[AV82EC]

Not necessarily. Fans like to get there early, have a sit down, watch the early game, have a bite to eat, meet up with friends etc. Having better facilities in the ground would not necessarily put people off using the Holte Suite.

No, but the point I'm making is you don't necessarily expect a private lounge with a standard match ticket and if facilities elsewhere were up to scratch the loss may not be so keenly felt. 

It's been open for season ticket holders for years. People like its convenience on a match day and for all the reasons I listed earlier. They can make the inground facilities better without kicking people out the Holte Suite.

ok, well we kind of disagree on this one.  I think it's one of the more reasonable spaces for the club to make use of.  Even so, I think we probably would agree that the concourse facilities are generally sub-standard.

It would have made more sense to convert the Holte Suite into the Terrace View and leave the Upper Holte as was and at least improve concourse facilities where they can.

I’d imagine the commercial bods have been told that match day income targets have to be improved so are looking for every opportunity to squeeze the extra money. What irks is the haphazard nature of how they’re doing it, there doesn’t seem to be a well thought through plan about how to accommodate improved commercial performance, just that’ll do to squeeze some new high paying punter. It reminds me of so many industries whom offer better deals to new customers and forget their existing ones.

[Chris Smith]

Not necessarily. Fans like to get there early, have a sit down, watch the early game, have a bite to eat, meet up with friends etc. Having better facilities in the ground would not necessarily put people off using the Holte Suite.

No, but the point I'm making is you don't necessarily expect a private lounge with a standard match ticket and if facilities elsewhere were up to scratch the loss may not be so keenly felt. 

It's been open for season ticket holders for years. People like its convenience on a match day and for all the reasons I listed earlier. They can make the inground facilities better without kicking people out the Holte Suite.

ok, well we kind of disagree on this one.  I think it's one of the more reasonable spaces for the club to make use of.  Even so, I think we probably would agree that the concourse facilities are generally sub-standard.

It’s been something season ticket holders have been able to use for years and there are usually hundreds in there every game paying their money to the club. This is now being taken away and you might not care but those that do are losing something that has been integral to their match day for a long time.

[astonvilla82]

Not necessarily. Fans like to get there early, have a sit down, watch the early game, have a bite to eat, meet up with friends etc. Having better facilities in the ground would not necessarily put people off using the Holte Suite.

No, but the point I'm making is you don't necessarily expect a private lounge with a standard match ticket and if facilities elsewhere were up to scratch the loss may not be so keenly felt. 

It's been open for season ticket holders for years. People like its convenience on a match day and for all the reasons I listed earlier. They can make the inground facilities better without kicking people out the Holte Suite.

ok, well we kind of disagree on this one.  I think it's one of the more reasonable spaces for the club to make use of.  Even so, I think we probably would agree that the concourse facilities are generally sub-standard.

It would have made more sense to convert the Holte Suite into the Terrace View and leave the Upper Holte as was and at least improve concourse facilities where they can.

I’d imagine the commercial bods have been told that match day income targets have to be improved so are looking for every opportunity to squeeze the extra money. What irks is the haphazard nature of how they’re doing it, there doesn’t seem to be a well thought through plan about how to accommodate improved commercial performance, just that’ll do to squeeze some new high paying punter. It reminds me of so many industries whom offer better deals to new customers and forget their existing ones.

You are right,it seems that it that no real planning has gone into the process, but doesn't that sum up modern day management, but no one got the balls to say ere I think we need to look at this again, can't blame them really because in this country you put your head about the parapet you get it shot off and upset some senior dick head of a manager and you are finished

[chrisw1]

Not necessarily. Fans like to get there early, have a sit down, watch the early game, have a bite to eat, meet up with friends etc. Having better facilities in the ground would not necessarily put people off using the Holte Suite.

No, but the point I'm making is you don't necessarily expect a private lounge with a standard match ticket and if facilities elsewhere were up to scratch the loss may not be so keenly felt. 

It's been open for season ticket holders for years. People like its convenience on a match day and for all the reasons I listed earlier. They can make the inground facilities better without kicking people out the Holte Suite.

ok, well we kind of disagree on this one.  I think it's one of the more reasonable spaces for the club to make use of.  Even so, I think we probably would agree that the concourse facilities are generally sub-standard.

It’s been something season ticket holders have been able to use for years and there are usually hundreds in there every game paying their money to the club. This is now being taken away and you might not care but those that do are losing something that has been integral to their match day for a long time.

I'm not saying I think it's a good idea - far from it I think it will flop if the plans are as leaked.  I'm just saying I wouldn't necessarily expect a private lounge to be included with a season ticket.  Hopefully the Villa Live space will provide an alternative in due course. 

[Des Little]

All this does make me wonder who these people are that can afford to keep paying these ever increasing prices, because i can't - or won't, which I guess all goes to make walking away that bit easier. 

[Clampy]

You don't think it's a good idea but you are defending it? As for Villa live venue, thats a couple of years down the line yet.

[chrisw1]

You don't think it's a good idea but you are defending it? As for Villa live venue, thats a couple of years down the line yet.

Yes, pretty much.  I think as part of a package of measures the club using that space would have been reasonable. The problem is the measures I have in mind aren't happening and probably can't happen in the Witton Lane upper due to space.  I also think what they have planned is ridiculously priced and will fail.