The Dell Sports Bar

[Saint Malc]

I joined the Dell Sports Bar this season and I quite liked it at first. I joined because I need to get to the ground very early because I go with an elderly disabled gentleman and, in the depths of winter, it seemed like a good idea. For the manure game the atmosphere was great and I thought I'd spent my money wisely. However, for the Vila game, we decided that we would try the hot food. In their wisdom, the management had decided to remove the majority of seating so we had nowhere to sit and eat a plated meal (so we didn't bother). So I decided to write a polite letter to request that the seating be reinstated so we could take advantage of the hot food. YAY, the club management resolved my issue for not being able to sit and eat by, not reinstating the seating, but doing away with the hot food. Not only that, but they have stopped serving tea and coffee as well. It could be that the reason why it has become so poor was that it was an early kick-off so we'll see what the spurs game brings.

[Golden Balls]

Do they still have guests come down to do a bit of speaking/interview?

[LostBoys]

There have been a huge number of emails about the removal of both tables and chairs and also tea and coffee sent to Mr Rob Paddon who has undertaken to take the complaints to the decision maker(s) at the Club. There has been no reply as yet although some members have received a letter saying the Club wants to make it more like a pub - presumably one without table and chairs. A further gripe has been that these changes were not announced in advance and only made after the annual membership fees were paid.

There have been no guests while I have been a member and there are no team announcements either which means at 2 o'clock everyone dives for their smartphones to get the team news if it is not on Sky. The ground announcements are not piped through unless you are in the toilets - and I do not spend my entire club visits there!

The Dell membership comprises mainly long term season ticket supporters who also attend high numbers of away games but the offering has sat uncomfortably with the Club since they stopped the premises being used by Club staff for their lunch during the weekdays. The Club preference would be lower end hospitality such as the Mike Channon Suite which is much more expensive than the Dell membership but I was told the tables and chairs were removed there as well.

This saga will run for a while yet but may result in the facility being closed at some point.

For clarity, the Dell offering is the same beers etc as in the concourses but in real glasses and a cut down menu which is a normally a very good standard but nothing else forms part of the package. It opens three hours before kick off and provided you did not arrive after 2 o'clock you used to be able to sit down

[Twentytwentvision]

I also go there and paid for the privilege. Would I have joined if there was the hot food on offer last week, no I wouldn't....

Anyway I am reliably informed by my sister who manages it currently, that hot food is being re-introduced. I asked about tea and coffee and tables but she had heard nothing on these.

We travel from Newbury and it's great for us to go there rather than freeze our nuts off in our seats.

[Matthew Le Tissier]

When we went for the villa game the doorman apologised as we walked through the door and said don't blame us its orders from Mr Cortese.

It's a disgrace as it was spot on for the elderly folk and always busy.

Another cracking idea from the *****.

Almost as good as sacking the program sellers.

I know most of you eat the **** out of his arse. But I can't stand the weezel.

[SaintBobby]

The Channon suite is a total fiasco too.

Absolute amateur hour.

Almost "so bad, it's good"

[Saint Fan CaM]

I've only attended the place once. I had the pleasure of doing corporate one week and my host and I turned up too early to get into the box, so we walked around to the Dell bar to get a pint. We were told that we were not allowed in because we were not members (something my host was quite upset about given his company had invested a huge amount of money in the box for the season), however as it was early, not busy and after a bit of 'banter' they let us in.

I have to say I was quite taken aback by how poor it was...(I would be really miffed if I had paid for the privelage). Decor wise it reminded me of a cafe - really not much better than the concourse to be honest. When we arrived there was a group of ground attendents having their pre-match brief in there - surely not appropriate.

It's a real shame - if it offered a better alround standard in terms of food, drink and a place to sit down, I might consider paying the extra. At the moment it certainly doesn't reflect the aspired status the club seems to want.

[Didcot Saint]

We are rapidly deteriorating from being a well run friendly homely club into an a marketing sterile pocket liner for that rapidly becoming obnoxious c... Cortese.

[S-Clarke]

We are rapidly deteriorating from being a well run friendly homely club into an a marketing sterile pocket liner for that rapidly becoming obnoxious c... Cortese.

Christ, yeah, tell me about it. The days of being run by Lowe and Wilde are long gone, now that was when we were well run - I miss those days.. They knew what they were doing! Bloody Cortese hasn't got a clue............!!!!!

We clearly need a fan on the board to sort all this out.

(this is a sarcastic post incase it gets lost on the internet)

[The Kraken]

Unfortunately its just another case of the club entirely misunderstanding the needs and wants of its demographic, and providing them with what they think they should have rather than what they actually want. And it seems like they're too stubborn to take on board constructive criticism about it all; its a take it or leave it approach (and a lot of people are indeed choosing to just leave it).

[bug187]

When we went for the villa game the doorman apologised as we walked through the door and said don't blame us its orders from Mr Cortese.

It's a disgrace as it was spot on for the elderly folk and always busy.

Another cracking idea from the *****.

Almost as good as sacking the program sellers.

I know most of you eat the **** out of his arse. But I can't stand the weezel.

Agreed.

[Junction 9]

I can't see why anyone would go there when the Northam social club is a five minute walk away. It's a complete joke the fact they charge a membership fee for the place.

[Saint Malc]

The Northam Social is too far to walk for my disabled friend plus they, the Northam Social management, are a bunch of ***ts IMO.

[LostBoys]

Its easy

1. I want to arrive early to avoid the Ikea saddos blocking West Quay Road
2. I want beer in a glass not a plastic one or a bottle
3. I want some reasonable food at a reasonable price
4. I want to follow the footie news and the early game on Sky
5. I want a table and chair so I can sit down and achieve points 2 to 4

The Dell Cafe Bar used to provide this at a modest annual fee which I have paid for this year.

[Turkish]

There have been a huge number of emails about the removal of both tables and chairs and also tea and coffee sent to Mr Rob Paddon who has undertaken to take the complaints to the decision maker(s) at the Club. There has been no reply as yet although some members have received a letter saying the Club wants to make it more like a pub - presumably one without table and chairs. A further gripe has been that these changes were not announced in advance and only made after the annual membership fees were paid.

There have been no guests while I have been a member and there are no team announcements either which means at 2 o'clock everyone dives for their smartphones to get the team news if it is not on Sky. The ground announcements are not piped through unless you are in the toilets - and I do not spend my entire club visits there!

The Dell membership comprises mainly long term season ticket supporters who also attend high numbers of away games but the offering has sat uncomfortably with the Club since they stopped the premises being used by Club staff for their lunch during the weekdays. The Club preference would be lower end hospitality such as the Mike Channon Suite which is much more expensive than the Dell membership but I was told the tables and chairs were removed there as well.

This saga will run for a while yet but may result in the facility being closed at some point.

For clarity, the Dell offering is the same beers etc as in the concourses but in real glasses and a cut down menu which is a normally a very good standard but nothing else forms part of the package. It opens three hours before kick off and provided you did not arrive after 2 o'clock you used to be able to sit down

And don't expect one. It's club policy not to respond to complaints. It's the Southampton way Apparantly.

[LostBoys]

And don't expect one. It's club policy not to respond to complaints. It's the Southampton way Apparantly.

Mr Paddon actually not only took the trouble to call me but also sent an email. He advised that he was waiting to hear back from his line managers. I will keep everyone posted.

[KK the 2nd]

And don't expect one. It's club policy not to respond to complaints. It's the Southampton way Apparantly.

I also had a reply for what's its worth ...


Thank you for taking the time to express your dissatisfaction with the changes that have been made in The Dell Sports Bar. Changes have been made to facilitate a more pub environment in The Dell Sports Bar and we recognise that this has received mixed feedback. On-going changes will be made which we hope will improve the experience. Please be assured that your feedback will be communicated to Senior Management.

Thank you for your on-going support, and we look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that we will not be opening The Dell Sports Bar after Full Time.

Kind regards

[Junction 9]

So it's not open post match at all now?

[dronskisaint]

Mr Paddon actually not only took the trouble to call me but also sent an email. He advised that he was waiting to hear back from his line managers. I will keep everyone posted.

Please don't confuse the Turkish agenda by introducing facts....

Tongue in cheek smiley thing

[Golden Balls]

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that we will not be opening The Dell Sports Bar after Full Time.

Kind regards

Jesus! Unless this is a one off for a good reason, this is terrible.

[The Kraken]

Jesus! Unless this is a one off for a good reason, this is terrible.

Indeed. Still listed on the OS:

The Sports Bar will open three hours prior to each home league match and close a minimum of one hour after full time.

So what's the deal; is that final hour after full time being rescinded completely? Or just for the Tottenham game (being played on a Sunday, is that a factor??)