The Holte Suite

[Chris Smith]

Again - playing devil's advocate as I think how we are going about things is very wrong - but is there another "big" club that has a facility like the Holte Suite that is free for fans?

I am sure it wasn’t your intention but you make it sound as if being exceptional is a bad thing. That providing a reasonable facility when what is available inside the ground is sub-standard is something that ordinary fans should not have unless they’re willing to pay stupid prices.

It just grates with me that those with deeper pockets are being prioritised over normal fans.

[astonvilla82]

Just talking to someone on the phone concerning both the Terrace view and Holte suite,who is a staff member, got the impression they didn't want to talk about it when asking about number of people in attendance

[London Villan]

It's more trying to see it from the club's perspective. It's clear we don't make enough money on match days, we need to up our game massively. We've seen it with the motorbike thing in the summer, the US tours. the social events... it's Heck's brief to bring in more cash, so we can compete. That means everything is on the table.

Exceptional isn't a bad thing - I'd love to be able to have a free Holte Suite, give season ticket holders a free ticket and a 10% discount in the shop. But those days are long gone if we are going to compete on the biggest stage.

I'm not happy either - I'll be turfed out of my seat in the Trinity at the end of this season, but we all wanted to compete at the top of the league - this is now the reality of it.

[Des Little]

It does seem quite sad that, after a fair few years of obscurity - when we’ve paid our money and sat through some absolutely turgid football - many of us will be shunted from our seats to make way for newcomers with deeper pockets.

[algy]

Just been reading about Lower Grounds and found myself thinking, if the food is really decent quality, and it really is inclusive of booze, and it really is open 3 hours before and an hour and a half after, then it might not be such a bad deal.

I know.

If I'm honest, was half thinking the same. Potentially going with rarely seen relatives later in the year, and on honesty £120 for entertainment, food and booze from midday to 6pm isn't that awful, at least as long as the food & beer are of vaguely acceptable quality.

Know that makes me a prick.

[Nev]

It doesn't make you a prick. If you can afford it and think it's good value then crack on, and I hope you enjoy it but that's not really the point.
 

One day we'll all look back and wonder why the atmosphere at Villa Park is not quite the same, that it seems quieter, less partisan and it won't be down to people wanting better facilities, service and quality. It will be  down to the thirst for revenue at the expense of those who made the club what's it is.

That will never be the fault of the fans. Ever.

[The Moose]

 

One day we'll all look back and wonder why the atmosphere at Villa Park is not quite the same, that it seems quieter, less partisan and it won't be down to people wanting better facilities, service and quality. It will be  down to the thirst for revenue at the expense of those who made the club what's it is.

That will never be the fault of the fans. Ever.
[/quote]

This.

[Lastfootstamper]

I think it's a good offering in itself. I see the appeal of being able to upgrade your day for yourself and some family or friends at pretty short notice without having to stump up for full-blown hospitality. What's not sitting right is taking away existing facilities to enable it. And I'd place a sizeable bet that whatever happens in the new Witton end, said facilities won't be returning from whence they came.

[astonvilla82]

When people were asked to answer the fan's questionaire no way I imagine did we think they meant we would be charged for it

[London Villan]

It was another survey to justify the changes - this was on the cards well before the survey landed.

[Pete3206]

A mate of mine who could easily afford Terrace View/Lower Grounds and he could do hospitality if he wanted told me on Saturday, that Villa can go fuck themselves with these new facilities. Just because there are those that can match those prices, doesn't mean that they'll necessarily part with their cash for a lanyard and a few 'complimentary' pints. All Villa have succeeded in doing so far, is create banks of empty seats and a lot of bad will amongst supporters.   

[gpbarr]

But in this regard, Villa are simply following the playbook set by their peers - am not saying that’s right but go to Chelsea, Utd, City etc - I have a close mate who is a Spurs fan and the sentiment they express is similar to that on here - the game is moving away from the average fan and it’s been happening for years now.

Wages, costs, have been spiralling for over a decade - someone has to pay if we want the club to compete as I think we all do - so where do we draw the line? When is enough, enough?

While I hear a lot of frustration and anger, I don’t see a lot of alternate solutions being proffered. If the argument is that this is a loss maker, we will know soon enough because they won’t persist with it. If it is seen to boost revenue, it will continue regardless fan sentiment. That sucks but welcome to the Premier League.

And where is it headed? Try buying tickets to a regular Yankees game. For me and my two boys, good luck getting change out of £400 which is insane. And the stadium is rarely at capacity. That tells you all you need to know.

[Pete3206]

£400 for Rounders? Fuck me.

[Lastfootstamper]

I've just been on to see if I can get my lad a ticket for West Ham. It's saying my block A3 is "locked". Is that where the Lower Grounds gets you a seat? I did try almost buying one to find out, but it didn't say. What it did say was there's only 9 available.

[AV84]

The Yanks are trying to make us go full blown American by having fans cooking sausages on the backs of their cars in the carpark, BYOB.