I have more of a problem with many southsiders coming late...especially considering we show up from the march fairly early.

MattBinYYC said:

cixceven said: Depending on the capabilities of the ticket scanning system, they could do a draw for some sort of prize using only the tickets that have entered by a certain time. Make the cutoff 30 minutes prior to kickoff, and while some will still be in a beer line, it would at least get people in the door a little earlier, and so hopefully to their seats.

Not possible. All the thing can do is tell you when the person scanned in, on what scanner and what seat that barcode belongs to.

What else would they need? All you'd need to do is a quick sort on the list of check-in's, but it off at a certain time, then draw from that pool. To avoid double-scans, I presume the system has a live connection to some sort of central database. Might not be able to do the draw itself at 30 minutes prior, but you'd have a proper list to draw from.

FootyMonster said: The FO fails to grasp the football fan culture or potential football fan culture in North America because they simply don't know what that is. They have yet IMHO to get the right people to do the job, even they're marketing has suffered greatly since Ryan left. Most of what you see now including the lame pre game ceremony begs of a lack of ideas. They're just recycling stuff from last season.

Until they start to get folks that are truly and honestly "football people" and not just there for a paycheque they will, IMHO, continue to miss the mark.

I don't think what is being asked for is really fair. To say we don't have football people is saying, in essence, "we should be doing it how they do it other places." I don't see anything wrong with how things are done elsewhere, but I think this is saying that we can't do our own thing. Same thing with the "potential football fan culture." We aren't trying to redevelop English, or Spanish, or Italian, or any other culture. We are growing our own, and it will look different. I think we hold ourselves back by looking so much to other places for "the best" direction for our culture to grow.

piltdownman said: I have to agree that the same intro over and over counter produtive. If they were to strip it down I don't think anyone would complain. Save the big production to 'big games'. 80% of the people there are ST holders so imo no point showing us the flag girls over and over. I do however really like the intro video, and how they keep reworking it.

I'm going to say something that could be unpopular, but I think pre-match is a perfect time to teach fans how to sing along to the songs. If they played 'music' videos with lyrics of some of the basic chants their would be a much bigger chance that people pick them up. Again pre-match. ... Not durring the match.

This. Completely agree.

piltdownman said: I have to agree that the same intro over and over counter produtive. If they were to strip it down I don't think anyone would complain. Save the big production to 'big games'. 80% of the people there are ST holders so imo no point showing us the flag girls over and over. I do however really like the intro video, and how they keep reworking it.

I'm going to say something that could be unpopular, but I think pre-match is a perfect time to teach fans how to sing along to the songs. If they played 'music' videos with lyrics of some of the basic chants their would be a much bigger chance that people pick them up. Again pre-match. ... Not durring the match.

My personal opinion taken from personal experience of what works.

The pre-game should be as little as possible. The SS (or Curva or RCB) should have control over the system at this point. Either chanting, organizing stadium chants or playing pre-recorded music. Let the organic stadium atmosphere build.

ie. I like your idea but I wouldn't let the FO handle it. From what I can tell, they are inept.

They can flick the lights on and off in the concourse.

DannyBoy said:

bili said: They can flick the lights on and off in the concourse.

Like at the theatre? Not gonna help. Maybe they should have the loud music blaring on the concourse instead or the drum cafe there.

Yes! Send in the Drum Cafe to disperse the waiverers - let them put in some work instead lounging about drowning out chants with ill syncopated beats.

The_Real_Deal said: Perfect solution have the drum cafe walking round the concourse, that will push people into the stands.

We've just killed two birds with one stone

or have the pigeons fly around the concourse, that will push the people into the stands, and kill the drum cafe with two stones.

:D

bili said: They can flick the lights on and off in the concourse.

Or do the little "bing-bong" like they do at the Orpheum or QE Theatre!

Remember though - less beer sales means less revenues for BC Place.

Would be too logical.

jello24 said:

I really wish I could sit with the SS next season instead of up in the top where all the casuals who don't even bother to clap along with the songs are.

Why don't you? Or get your tickets in a more supporter friendly section?

jello24 said:

Bad_Gones said:

jello24 said:

I really wish I could sit with the SS next season instead of up in the top where all the casuals who don't even bother to clap along with the songs are.

Why don't you? Or get your tickets in a more supporter friendly section?

Because my season ticket agent said the last two aisle seats in section 251 was in row FF so I said sure... and I thought there were enough of us to saturate the whole of that section.

But it's ok... I've learnt to drown out all the bullshit conversations by just chanting louder. Maybe I'll even borrow one of the flags and start waving it... get the pride going and such.

I feel your pain. My season tickets are 252 BB and usually (apart from the Drum Cafe) the atmosphere is okayish there. Last game it was so dead (half empty and folks seemingly disinterested) that at half time we went and joined the Curva Collective. The second half proved way more enjoyable!

jello24 said: This issue annoys me big time. Especially after what happened during the Sounders-Caps game, where people would rather watch a different match on TVs out in the concourse than support their home team. Sure, the CL game that day featured higher quality players, but you standing in front of the TV will have no bearing on what happens half a world away. Whereas the two teams on the pitch right in front of you, though of lower quality, can definitely use your support as motivation. Pissed me off.

As much as it pains me to say, some of the people that file in to BC Place on a Sat afternoon don't really care about the Caps and are only there to shoot the shit and drink with their buddies. Of course, the Caps owners don't care as long as they get those seats bought and paid for, but then those same buddies don't care for watching the game, or have the pre-conceived notion from last season that this year's team sucks and therefore not worth watching. Who stands around looking and pointing out the fucking girders across the roof of BC Place to their buddy while Chiumiento makes a run? WTF is that?

I really wish I could sit with the SS next season instead of up in the top where all the casuals who don't even bother to clap along with the songs are.

Sitting in Purple section (yes I know I shouldn't complain if I sit in this section right between the 2 benches :P ) - there are a lot of regulars in this section who join in with the SS chants - we raise our scarves as teams come out (getting more participation on that one) we stand and clap as the players are subbed off the field. However, there are a LOT of corporate seats (for obvious reasons) with some wacky people filling the seats - hey look at that pigeon, why do they keep yelling BOOM, y'know we have these seats for the Lions (honest the one guy says this whenever he brings his corporate buddies) - I am sick of hearing about how this guys company manufactures it's widgets - save it for work people.... Every game I bet there are about 15 people that walk in late and then have to stand in middle of the aisle blocking the view while staring at their ticket aimlessly till they either find their seat or realize that row EE is WAAAY back there somewhere.... Last game about 30 people missed the first goal - and a couple unbelievably staggered in at 38 minutes. Last season a couple arrived for the Man City game at the 75th minute (must have thought it was Greenwich Time on the ticket LOL) Also could someone tell these casual fans that it's a 10 minute break and blocking the 2nd half view is ok for a couple of minutes but, again, lots of folks get back in their seats at minute 55 YIKES - these tix are expensive - I don't need to see your fat ass blocking my view LOL. :))

1-Promotional activities should go on inside stadium not outside. Not wise to entertain people outside. Get them indoors and spending. 2-More vendors in the stands especially pregame. Why would anyone go to seats if there is no access to refreshments. 3- HAPPY HOUR!!! If game starts at 7 cheep vendor food up until 15 minutes prior to game time. 4-Just have advertising(or surgery channel) on tv's in concourse. Put decent stuff on big screen like highlites etc.

Everything you talk about is spot on ... and will never happen. You're dealing with PacvCo at BC Place. Unions are involved with anything inside the station so common sense is out the window.

You cannot use discounted alcohol as a promotion. Discounted food is fine. That and moving activities inside the stadium would require they be "staffed" by PavCo employees unless special arrangements are made.

Will do my best to get the noise over to 254. Yes, communal flags are being passed out at the bottom of 251 before the game. If you want one, come on down and borrow one for the match. Just make sure to bring it back to the bottom of the section before you leave the stadium.

SoccerSue said:

The_Real_Deal said:

theneutralswiss said: why don't they trick everyone and just print the kickoff time early on the tickets

That would only work once...we're pretty smart here in Vancouver unlike those south of the border

Was that really necessary?

=((

Okay we're much smarter than those a 2 hour drive south of us. Is that better? ;)

cixceven said:

MattBinYYC said:

cixceven said: Depending on the capabilities of the ticket scanning system, they could do a draw for some sort of prize using only the tickets that have entered by a certain time. Make the cutoff 30 minutes prior to kickoff, and while some will still be in a beer line, it would at least get people in the door a little earlier, and so hopefully to their seats.

Not possible. All the thing can do is tell you when the person scanned in, on what scanner and what seat that barcode belongs to.

What else would they need? All you'd need to do is a quick sort on the list of check-in's, but it off at a certain time, then draw from that pool. To avoid double-scans, I presume the system has a live connection to some sort of central database. Might not be able to do the draw itself at 30 minutes prior, but you'd have a proper list to draw from.

Because the game is loaded into the system as one event. Example: ECAP0620. This activates all the barcodes for that event, you set an end time on it, but the way the system is built if you make the stop too early all the scanners start scanning in wrong ti,e.

^ Yeah, if they're asked by Liquor Control, it'll be the food that's discounted in the "combo" and not the booze.

There are many ways around the no happy hour laws. The law says the price can not be altered in a day, but it doesnt say you can't sell an item for a period of time. So if a bar really wanted to they could sell say bottles of coors light for $4, only between 4-5pm, and have them not available any other time of day at any price. That said there are other laws that prevent Establishments from even using the words 'happy hour'.

Yeah there are many ways around happy hour laws. Many bars have specials or promotions for certain product.

I'm not a southsider but a season ticket holder for five years the reason I intentionally show a few minutes late is to avoid the cheesy and embarrassing pre game show that includes the over played anthems that in my opinion should only be used for national team games. I speak for the 20 or so in my group who all practice this. Would rather here you guys singing than all the hoopla.

207 said: I'm not a southsider but a season ticket holder for five years the reason I intentionally show a few minutes late is to avoid the cheesy and embarrassing pre game show that includes the over played anthems that in my opinion should only be used for national team games. I speak for the 20 or so in my group who all practice this. Would rather here you guys singing than all the hoopla.

That's a pretty poor, and kinda pathetic, excuse. I think a million soldiers who died for you so you can watch your football in peace just turned in their graves.

Show some respect for your country, man, or at least the country you currently call home.

Miss the pre-game flag girls? Sure, you can make your own entertainment by chanting to yourself. But boycotting the anthems is pretty pathetic.

But i guess you're entitled to state your opinion by the freedom you were granted.

Not to be a kill joy or stifle debate, but this tradition will not go away in MLS. I'll go out on a limb and use the N word here.. anthems in MLS will NEVER go away.

So long as you have American teams involved, the national anthems will be a mandatory part of the pregame ceremony at MLS matches.