Responses here and in other quarters suggest that The Ravens Lounge is actually a sponsors' bar in disguise. Where was that little nugget in the club's promotional gumpf? "Come and lounge with our sponsors in our exclusive lounge..." They missed a trick by not mentioning it, it'd be a great networking opportunity (if you're into that kind of thing).
More importantly, it's great to read all of the different views down here in the comments section. Valid points all round. Thanks for getting involved.
Feeling creative? Or just got something to get off your chest? Write an article and submit it to Machel. Even if you've never done anything like it before, back yourself. It might just be the start of something.
I’m a Bromley football fan first and foremost. To compete with the best the chairman needs to generate revenue and if that means that one bar is used for our primary income stream, sponsors, and some extra income from those desperate for a quiet after match drink, so be it.
If the income generated gave the club the funds to increase Michael Cheek’s contract to keep him at the club, would anyone be complaining then, I doubt it.
There is a moan culture that has engulfed the club recently, let the chairman do his best to make Bromley FC a sustainable business, go the football, have a good time and accept we are in the National League with the ambition of success.
Sorry, Peter, I can't feign sympathy. I sometimes drive, so can't imbibe. I look forward to my pre-match cuppa (and another at half-time, maybe). Have a drink with friends after the game? Well, there are a multitude of pubs within walking distance. I couldn't really give a 4x.
So from my perspective the club is widening its appeal. It has already provided bigger facilities at Broomfields, located at the largest stand. What was the club bar is still a temporary structure in a narrow area. Why have two of the same? I will agree the fee is a bit hefty, though. But I am also aware it was RSG's announced intention to continue developing the ground and so I am sure the enhancements are not yet complete.
If there are 2,800 season ticket holders there will be no problem filling the bars on match days. So they Don't need a members lounge. Filling the bars on a non-match day will be difficult. Will Broomfields become a White Elephant?
The official rational for the members lounge was for the sponsors to have somewhere and by extension any fans who also want a more salubrious experience.
What I would say is having been to Broomfields in the evening it does often have the football overspill from all the after school activities going on.
I think live music will be the next step as Peter correctly points out.
There are a few issues with Broomfields. There is too much of an echo in there. The food is far too expensive for what you are getting and to make matters worse it's bland. No seasoning at all. In addition, the chips aren’t even cooked fresh they are frozen chips. If they seriously want to run Broomfields like a restaurant/bar the quality of the food has to improve massively. If Gordon Ramsay tried the food he’d asked for his money back as it is simply not good enough.
Excellent piece Mach! You echo the thoughts of many…. the “ Bromley Hardcore” ages range from 25-55 have always congregated in the Ravens bar over the years as their “go to” place pre and post match. They found Broomfields too much at times early doors and were looking forward to a quieter cosy pint; instead they are herded into the bigger louder venue. Feeling amongst these supporters is not good and damaging.
I personally think that the lounge was needed as an ‘overflow’ for the sponsors that don’t actually want a table for the hospitality but want to hang around at the bar.
Similar to the supporters coach.
A second bus was needed to fit the peripheral staff on, so if you can fill the rest of the space with supporters, then great.. it pays a little towards the extra cost.
I don’t know anyone who’s bought a lounge pass yet and I have no immediate plans. Bear Grills for me
Not my Dave. He gets on the 61 at the duck pond at Carlton Parade and sits above the driver on the top deck. Rides that bad boy all the way to the stop opposite Halfords. Does he pretend he's the driver? You bet he does! #NotMyDave
Good read with lots of business sense that appears to be a little lacking at Bromley FC. I guess till such time as they realise an empty space is one that makes no money - i will continue to queue for my drinks and my sons bag of chips
I will try and grab a beer at the ground this Saturday. If it is mobbed, I will go to the Brickies or Spoons in future. The hip flask comes in handy in the winter. Vamos Bromley!
Hi everyone! Thanks for reading.
Responses here and in other quarters suggest that The Ravens Lounge is actually a sponsors' bar in disguise. Where was that little nugget in the club's promotional gumpf? "Come and lounge with our sponsors in our exclusive lounge..." They missed a trick by not mentioning it, it'd be a great networking opportunity (if you're into that kind of thing).
More importantly, it's great to read all of the different views down here in the comments section. Valid points all round. Thanks for getting involved.
Feeling creative? Or just got something to get off your chest? Write an article and submit it to Machel. Even if you've never done anything like it before, back yourself. It might just be the start of something.
I concur with Peter - submit something and generate healthy discussion. This post from Peter has sparked good discourse
I have become a little more cautious of late regarding criticism of the Chairman,though it is always good sport with fans.
When he has taken something away (Ravens bar) he has given something back (Bear island).
Broomsticks I suggest you wouldn’t find that at many PL grounds and the prices aren't that bad.
He’s running away coaches and generally improving the ground.
I always make the effort to get to the ground early for my pint which is enough as i’m driving so bars aren't an issue really.
Sesson ticket prices must be the cheapest across all the leagues around us and enable me to miss games to follow proper Non league local teams.
So much as I preferred the Isthmian league I have to let it go.
Also the recent events on his holiday must be hard at the moment.
All very fair and balanced comments
I’m a Bromley football fan first and foremost. To compete with the best the chairman needs to generate revenue and if that means that one bar is used for our primary income stream, sponsors, and some extra income from those desperate for a quiet after match drink, so be it.
If the income generated gave the club the funds to increase Michael Cheek’s contract to keep him at the club, would anyone be complaining then, I doubt it.
There is a moan culture that has engulfed the club recently, let the chairman do his best to make Bromley FC a sustainable business, go the football, have a good time and accept we are in the National League with the ambition of success.
I've got an article coming on the moan culture. I am currently convinced that some people hated us winning the FA Trophy
Sorry, Peter, I can't feign sympathy. I sometimes drive, so can't imbibe. I look forward to my pre-match cuppa (and another at half-time, maybe). Have a drink with friends after the game? Well, there are a multitude of pubs within walking distance. I couldn't really give a 4x.
So from my perspective the club is widening its appeal. It has already provided bigger facilities at Broomfields, located at the largest stand. What was the club bar is still a temporary structure in a narrow area. Why have two of the same? I will agree the fee is a bit hefty, though. But I am also aware it was RSG's announced intention to continue developing the ground and so I am sure the enhancements are not yet complete.
A fair retort
If there are 2,800 season ticket holders there will be no problem filling the bars on match days. So they Don't need a members lounge. Filling the bars on a non-match day will be difficult. Will Broomfields become a White Elephant?
The official rational for the members lounge was for the sponsors to have somewhere and by extension any fans who also want a more salubrious experience.
What I would say is having been to Broomfields in the evening it does often have the football overspill from all the after school activities going on.
I think live music will be the next step as Peter correctly points out.
Of 2800 season tickets how many are the free childs?
Agree with you on the lounge 👍
I will be shocked if we regularly get over 2k season ticket holders in for each game.
I think you have a point, it’s certainly got worse.
😜👍🏼
There are a few issues with Broomfields. There is too much of an echo in there. The food is far too expensive for what you are getting and to make matters worse it's bland. No seasoning at all. In addition, the chips aren’t even cooked fresh they are frozen chips. If they seriously want to run Broomfields like a restaurant/bar the quality of the food has to improve massively. If Gordon Ramsay tried the food he’d asked for his money back as it is simply not good enough.
Please submit via supporters form on the official website and we can put that to the club
Will do.
Excellent piece Mach! You echo the thoughts of many…. the “ Bromley Hardcore” ages range from 25-55 have always congregated in the Ravens bar over the years as their “go to” place pre and post match. They found Broomfields too much at times early doors and were looking forward to a quieter cosy pint; instead they are herded into the bigger louder venue. Feeling amongst these supporters is not good and damaging.
Hi Ian. Credit must go to Peter Etherington - he wrote the piece.
Well written Mash.
I personally think that the lounge was needed as an ‘overflow’ for the sponsors that don’t actually want a table for the hospitality but want to hang around at the bar.
Similar to the supporters coach.
A second bus was needed to fit the peripheral staff on, so if you can fill the rest of the space with supporters, then great.. it pays a little towards the extra cost.
I don’t know anyone who’s bought a lounge pass yet and I have no immediate plans. Bear Grills for me
I do think think is the part people have missed.
The bar is primarily for sponsors first and foremost. I think some think supporters were the primary aim for the bar.
Pete Etherington wrote it btw not me!
You would have known that Dave from Orpington would get the 358 not the 61 🤣
Not my Dave. He gets on the 61 at the duck pond at Carlton Parade and sits above the driver on the top deck. Rides that bad boy all the way to the stop opposite Halfords. Does he pretend he's the driver? You bet he does! #NotMyDave
Good read with lots of business sense that appears to be a little lacking at Bromley FC. I guess till such time as they realise an empty space is one that makes no money - i will continue to queue for my drinks and my sons bag of chips
Will defo be interesting to see how this pans out.
I will try and grab a beer at the ground this Saturday. If it is mobbed, I will go to the Brickies or Spoons in future. The hip flask comes in handy in the winter. Vamos Bromley!
A pragmatic stance
Last I heard there were plenty of memberships available.
I suspect at some point he’ll either back track or rename it the ‘Sponsors’ lounge to disconnect it from disgruntled ordinary fans.
I do like bear island and think they have outside heaters installed on the walls and will obviously get out some more when required.
Doesn’t help if the rains ever return.
Quite enjoyed the angry rant keep it up 👍
Ultimately as with all things fans have free will on the situation.
Robin will have a decision to make if and when it becomes clear fans don't buy into it.
Thay said I am sure he will have factored in a plan for that.
I believe there is a plan to put some kind of cover over bear island