Who ate all the pies?
 

I'm very disappointed with the new burger van in the Clayton end not selling pies. :( It's fair to say pies are the traditional choice of football supporters up and down the land. Potato, meat, steak even curry. I'm sure that I'm not the only person to feel let down by the current situation and wonder if ever this issue can be addressed. What makes things worse is having to witness potato pies being hand delivered to a couple of supporters every home game by a member of the club staff, which really does add salt to the wound.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I only occasionally buy grub from the ground, but now due to the fact NO pies, i don't, cos pies were all i ever bought, wouldn't mind betting it the only ground in the country that yeh can't get one? ridiculous state of affairs, but whats new?:rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Not keen on the new catering Arrangements the old one you was greated by a nice looking lass n a smile, this one you get some morbid old codger who charges more and doesn't sell pies n foot long hotdog bloody hell made me feel inadequate that

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Have to agree, the old one was far better, also the lasses were.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

They do sell pies . Only Hollands Meat and Potato . I had one before the game on Saturday .


Perhaps they had just sold out because we all love pies ?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Thing is, i can recall in the 50s, used to love going to Halifax, even though the ground was a real tip, behind the goal,not steps but a kinda slag heap to stand on,:eek: but i wouldn't have missed, cos they had what i regarded as the best pies in the owd 3rd Div North,

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I've got to agree, this guy has a face like a gorilla sucking a wasp, a real Mr. Charisma

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Take your requests to the morbid wasp chewers. Same as any business, if there is a demand they'd probably offer it?

As far as I know the catering is still tendered out and is nowt to do with the club

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

As far as i know rob, its been asked.though it should really be summat to do wi the club, its good if its a top rate thing, all positive that way.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Who does the tendering? The landlord?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

The last steak pie I had wasn't tendered out ..........

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

The club who agree the particulars of the contract, and you would think also monitor it, so it is everything to do with the club.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Can't imagine the club will have checked the menu :). If an outside caterer has stumped up money to sort out the catering then they need to make sure they sell what the customer wants. The club can pass the complaints on if somebody tells them I guess.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

An outside caterer stumps up money, to make money, seems to me they aint a patch on the previous uns. people used to enjoy going to the owd uns.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I obviously have less idea than you what goes on, and I appreciate the club probably won't have time to get involved in details like agreeing menus, but other clubs do set them.

I was impressed by Morcambe having that Cross Bay ale in plastic bottles, I'm not sure if any local breweries do the same? :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I'm guessing Stanley are one of the exceptions who don't do their own catering on the ground.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

No idea if they are as good as t'others, I don't use em :) You would hope they have some knowledge of what football fans want as opposed to any other outside venture they may have done, otherwise why would you pay to do it. Is a foot long hot dog normal football food ? :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

It's more like fairground food than traditional football ground food!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Pies I can get by without but no Bovril is taking it too far :mad: .

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

You can always take your own like i do. Two pies and a full tin of mushy peas on Saturday cost me £1.10 :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Pie I had at the end of last season was harder than a dogs head, so opted for a foot long hot dog for the Northampton game last month - it was awful.

Still, it speaks volumes for John, Jimmy and the lads if all we're moaning about is the catering. :D

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

The set up we had previous to this season was ideal. We don't want foot long hot dogs or any other fairground fare served up by some miserable old sod who wouldn't give you time of day. The club should take some time to monitor what's going on regarding satisfactory supporters facilities as this contributes to a happy match day experience. The whole idea is to impress any first time supporters or visitors from other clubs who hopefully might want to return. As for the regulars, why should we put up with having to "make do" with what's on offer like it or lump it?
By the way, how do I arrange hand delivered pies? that looks like the best solution.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

There can be no complaints about the meat pies or hot dogs at Forest Green Rovers.:rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Go on, I'll probably regret asking but how'd you keep 'em warm till half time??

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

To those who say nowt to do wi the club, suggest yeh read that n reconsider.;)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I've just found out that the club have mentioned the lack of pies to the vendors already. The next question to the vendors will be if the pies were on sale and sold out or nothing was done :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I like to have a pie but not necessarily every match. It depends if I have missed my lunch becuase I have had to go out with Mrs Choirboy and hold the multiple bags of clothes that she has bought! In winter i occasionally enjoy a cup of Bovril too. :eek:
At the start of the season the new caterers did not have ANY PIES on sale at all.:dflam:
I mentioned this to one of our fna directors and the next home match they had a few for sale. So speaking to the board does work. However, the caterers only seem to have about a dozen pies for sale at The Clayton End and these get 'Gobbled' up before the match starts! I wouldn't touch any sausage,:130: regardless of length, not made by Mrs Choirboy or by my trusty local butcher!
Please can someone therefore get the traditional fayre back on the menu but in sufficient numbers for us to at least have a chance of buying at half time!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Mushy peas and gravy too for those who might want it!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Do they sell pre/post match pies in The Crown?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

The only redeeming feature regarding the current food purveyors situated behind the Clubhouse is that there is not one Chicken Balti Pie in sight !....Pukka that !.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

on the clayton end theres no fecking pies at all on sight at half time, nor bovril at any time, its what i call "How to win friends @ influence people":rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

As has been pointed out ....no one seems to care about this parlous situation....as for wining friends, in particular any new ones who are paying their first visit to the Wham, the provision of adequate refreshments at any time during the game is imperative !.
It is however true to say old friend that you would not be that impressed with the quality of the pies currently masquerading as ' Meat and Pot ', even if you were able to purchase one !..
The pastry is carelessly baked I fear, and as for the fillings...there is certainly something mysterious about the concoction's flavour and consistency !...Now you know that I am not given to making flippant complaints.....but I do know my pies, if I say so myself !...So take care !.:eek:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I heat the lot up in the microwave and wrap the plastic tupperware type container in a sheet of tin foil before i set off about 2.15. Come half time the pie and peas are still warm enough,though in winter they're better off being eaten about 3.30.;)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Very resourceful - if you got a bigger tupperware box you could supply half the Clayton End with their longed for pies & make a bit of cash at the same time :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Ian Craney?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

How they justify the prices they charge, A small plastic cup of coffee £1.50. pies when available £2.50 surely anybody in catering can do pie and peas for £2.oo and a bovril for 75p. we do need to get a grip of the catering situation. The best way is to come to the supporters club meeting and discuss the issue and perhaps even make viable suggestions the club could follow.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Unfortunately it's just business at the end of the day - supply and demand. They'll know that being the only caterers they can charge what they want as they have no competition. Whilst they have customers paying those prices they'll see no reason to reduce them. They're not here to do the fans a favour, just earn money.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

The prices whilst high, on "All" grounds are high, that aint the issue, the issue is what is not available on our ground, yet is elsewhere.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I think I'll be making alternative arrangements regarding half time refreshments for the foreseeable future. As I've already stated, all that most people want is a decent pie a cup of Bovril, tea or coffee served at a reasonable price together with a bit of common curtesy. At present with the exception of the tea and coffee you don't get owt' else. He can shove his miserable attitude and one foot sausages where the sun doesn't shine!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

When is the contract up for tender again ?

Maybe the Supporters Club can get involved with running it, therefore OUR money will be coming back into OUR club.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

But!...Would not any supporter worth his or her salt be much happier watching the REDS play than selling foot-long sausages ( which seem to be the in-thing amongst peckish Soccer fans at the moment!)..to the hungry masses on The Clayton End ?.
I , for one, cannot envisage a more soul-destroying job than this, and can see why the lads in the Vans have such a miserable and grudging demeanour !....
So for myself, who has never shown any talent for fast-food retailing, I will be watching not selling.
Sorry if this sounds a trifle selfish, perhaps one or two of the ladies of our forum might take up this challenge...after all 'a woman's place is in the .....'.
As I feel that I am somehow skating on thin ice, I'll just say...Come on you REDS and thump
the creepy Crawley's tomorrow !

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

want Bovril then bring a flask problem solved

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

It's a lot of investment for club or supporters club to get the equipment in for doing the job.

I doubt it generates that much profit to warrant the investment. There are probably more pressing matters that need investment. A simplified setup of pies, drinks, crisps & chocolates may work, somebody would then complain there's no burgers, chips or foot long hot dogs :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

It would be relatively simple to give the fans at the turnstile a slip of paper with 2 preferences on, not expensive, not rocket science.:rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

What 2 preferences ?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Sorry if this sounds a trifle selfish, perhaps one or two of the ladies of our forum might take up this challenge...after all 'a woman's place is in the .....'.
As I feel that I am somehow skating on thin ice, I'll just say...Come on you REDS and thump
the creepy Crawley's tomorrow ![/QUOTE]

Whoa Yonmon!!!!!!...
Do I detect secret messages here?????......
......a 'Soft spot' for TRIFLE seems to be apparent?........:eat_arrow
.............In the kitchen is the place where I presume you suggest that Women are able to put together our Trifles?????......
........................and the ICE could be in the Vodka that could be the perfectly ridiculous Digestive to finish off the Trifle!!:eat:
.........My mouth is watering at these suggestions and also at the prospect of treading underfoot those Creepy Crawlies tomorrow!!:mosher:
ON STANLEY ON:theband:
ps Mrs Choirboymakes the perfect trifle!!!!!:mosher:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

A simplified set up. like what you mentioned, or the crap there selling now.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Thank goodness for the explanation - was thinking the preferences you referred to were for foot long ones or the more usual 6 inches??? :rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Not rising to the bait Yonmon :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Failed again !!:cool:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Lets keep on thread and stick to the hot dogs please :D

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Yep, when you start jazzing up it up you move away from what Stanley is all about, proper football not prawn sandwich football :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I was - I can assure you the only thing on my mind was the size of said hotdog that our fans find appropriate to be sold within the ground :confused::D

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

cannot understand all these comments about food at Stanley. if you cant go a couple of hours without something to eat god help you. if you want a drink bring a flask or a plastic bottle with water or pop. food and drink at all football grounds have one thing in common its well overpriced and in nearly 60 years of watching football I can count on one hand when ive used food outlets at grounds even away grounds and Wembley you,ll have to use a pay day loan company before you visit.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

One of the starngest things about that is that you can take a full flask in to a football ground, but if you take a plastic bottle of pop you have to have the top taken off :confused:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

The other year one of our overzealous stewards stopped me from taking my flask into the ground as "It might be used as a missile":rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Some of em are seriously brain dead.:rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Perhaps what we need is something like they have in the US or what we used to have in the local picture house, vendors going around at half time with hot pies, chocolate etc packed into baskets standing at the front of the stands and passing the food back to the terraces. Although there may be a problem these days with the Health and Safety lot.

Must admit I have also heard comments from supporters bemoaning the current lack of pies of any description.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I'm currently in the sports bar at Crawley and it's beer in plastic glasses and the nearest to food is roast ox crisps. Hopefully it improves inside!!!!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Plenty of pies and bovril. They weren't too keen on the Scottish pounds but took them eventually :-D

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

You were lucky! Refusing them at Accy shops recently - too many forgeries. :(

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I've tried bringing a bottle of pop in before, got it took off me at turnstiles by a steward

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

What we need is vending machines, probably cheaper, takes up less space, gives more of a variety, you can bye crabs in Japanese vending machines so why not hot dogs in ours

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Thats a daft comment,some people come straight from work, especially night games.:rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Crawley's pies weren't up to much !!!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Bet you didn't leave any whether or not !....I was going to ask how long their Sausages were, and do they match up to those at 'The Wham'.... but I didn't like to !!.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Everyone knows sausages are bigger up north

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Depends who's quoting the size, I think it's a "Bloke" thing. ;) :D

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Hate to admit this but sausage rolls at Crawley were excellent. Weighed as much as a half Nori, but a bit more edible.
Lady at the 'refreshment' (!) bar was a bit miffed as Crawley didn't tell her that there wouldn't be a coach load of ravenous northerners until 2pm and she over- stocked on pies, etc.
who'd be a pie-seller in League 2?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

You could've asked her to put her left overs in a doggy bag & brought 'em back for Tuesday's game ;)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

don't get upset cashy this is my take on this issue . ive come straight from work to games and always found something to eat outside grounds even in Doncaster which is hardly town centre. next thing will be the reason night games are poorly supported is lack of pies.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

"Don't get upset Cashy !".... Here speaketh a brave man !.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Not upset at all just common sense, one of reasons night games get people missing is no buses running around hyndburn from quite a few areas, i know a few folk that aint got transport n are pensioners n taxis aint n option fer em.so many night games they stay home,

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Great transport facilities at Crawley,bus stop outside Gregg's !!!,they know their way to a Wigan lads heart :)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

my matchday experience is from the kick off to the final whistle. a good experience is a win, an average one is a draw, and a bad one is a defeat.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

If a Wigan lad'll eat Gregg's pies he'll eat 'owt.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I thought the chippy is now open on all matchdays even though they are normally closed on Saturdays since it had new ownership ?

There's also the Crown pub who do food.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Thats fine,but not much use if yeh traveling a good distance n encounter traffic probs, the point is yeh should be able to obtain decent stuff on the ground.;)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

got to agree but my main gripe is the cost. some of the prices at football league grounds are ridiculous and if they were in town centres you,de avoid them like the plague. non league grounds seem to have a more sensible price structure but they seem to do their own catering. this could be where the answer lies. will still bring my flask tomorrow night but each to there own, we still are all Stanley fans at the end of the day.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I used to take a flask to away games, but not much use on a cold day, lugging it to Exeter or Wycombe n the like.;)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Ah !!...The memories of kindly ladies at 'Great 'arrod' and Clitheroe serving ' Looas an' Peyz' from big enamel bowls and sticking a lump of suet crust on top !!...AND a decent brew from a steaming boiler to top it all off !!.
The dream fades as one realises that H & S rules, and Public Health restrictions results in Alfred.E. and myself searching endlessly for the Holy Grail which is an edible and sensibly priced Pie of any flavour whatsoever... Except Chicken Balti ! ( Pukka Ltd have a lot to answer for I'll tell you !).
As far as t'Wham ( God how I hate that expression !) Is concerned, I'll wager that whilst the REDS are serving up a dish of delight on the pitch every home game of this season..the same old dross will make up the fare available in the fast food outlets week in week out !....
Because nobody really cares as long as the revenue continues to flow !.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

yonmon they still have a big pan and boiler at the nelson canteen

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Thanks Lemur for that welcome news !..but do they contain anything mouth-watering which
might possibly cure the 'Wham' Pie Blues'which seem to be so sadly prevalent in our fellow contributors to this thread ?.....
We haven't begun to discuss the liquid which masquerades as Coffee yet !..can't wait for the opinions on this to arrive !.
Of more importance is the result of tomorrow night's game against a team which so far this season have turner out to be aa right load of Cobblers,but will be attempting to get their usual points off the REDS...and of course a 1500 gate at the very least !!.
Get the gloves off lads...

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

All this talk about Bovril has made me buy some. It'll be beef tea instead of coffee in my flask from now on until the clocks go forward in March!:coffeecup

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Cobblers?? Their usual points off the Reds??? You do know we're playing Yeovil not Northampton :confused::rolleyes:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

these do still exist in the non league scene. my son who supports stockport county has left his flask at home and eats at places like Solihull moors and Nuneaton due to the fact of quality and price which you don't get at league grounds. on the whole I don't like the non league scene but we can learn from them as far as catering is concerned with clubs with gates even less than half of ours.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Thanks for the info Dave. I haven't been to The Wham on a Saturday this season - only the Hull game. I know that last season, the chippy had less activity than the Marie Celeste on the days that I took notice.

It always seems to be crowded by the time that I arrive on a Saturday.

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Just what are you implying young lady ?....I thought that "get the gloves off " was enough of a
subtle reference to Yeovil Town's nickname for folks to chew upon !.
But, knowing that I am now one of them there Octogenarians, I'm sure that if I caused any confusion by an unintentional allusion to Northampton Town, that you will look kindly on the ramblings of a struggling OAP !.
( But the medication is helping a little...I think !).;)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I apologise if i misread your post Alan, think it was the reference to them taking their usual points off us that confused me - as far as I can remember I didn't think we'd ever played Yeovil in a league encounter? Of course I could be wrong & I haven't (yet) got my advancing years to blame although sometimes I think they're not very far away:)

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

And now I am confused !!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Following all the activity and comments made on this thread throughout the week, last night I decided to give it another go at the Clayton end refreshment van. This was at half time. Myself and my mate who is a season ticket holder at another local club and on only his second ever visit to Stanley, joined a massive queue which stretched from the van to the gates of the smoking area near the Whinney Hill terrace entrance. It took the entire fifteen minutes of the half time break to be served.
We purchased two meat and potato pies which were just about warm enough to pass off as "warm" at £2.50 each. It was pretty clear to us the oven, from which they were taken was either not switched on or set at an incorrect temperature. Overall not a very pleasant experience.

As there was only two people serving, it was blatantly obvious to everyone in the long queue that there wasn't enough staff behind the counter to cope with the demand of the half time rush, and having to serve up some of the more exotic fayre on offer plus taking payment takes up a considerably longer period of time. It was to say the least a very frustrating experience.They definitely need two more staff members/helpers.

The question I would like to ask is, following all the comments made on this thread has the club taken any steps to bring to the attention of the refreshment van owners the concerns of the supporters?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

I had quite a late tea before going on to watch last nights match but I checked on the way in if there were any pies available. So immediately on the half time whistle I rushed down behind the Clayton End to get in the queue for a pie.However I also found the queue going right back to the 'Fumare' gates.:stop: I made the judgement that by the time I got to the front of the queue that all the pies would have been sold and that I would miss the kick off for the second half! Therefore I didn't bother to wait!:niet:
I just dread the thought that I could have missed an early goal as good as Crooksies last night! :eek:

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

A possible answer is that it will be dealt with next week !...but that's just me being cynical again. A more likely answer is that given several times in this thread which is, that as this element of' Fan-comforts' is so obviously low in priority at the Club, then little or nothing will be done about it !.
As there can't be anything more disturbing both physically and emotionally in the whole world of Soccer than a tepid Meat and Potato Pie, I really do commiserate with your friend and yourself, and sharing your obvious affection for these delicacies I now feel that i must give the Fast food outlets a wide berth.
Which is so Sad !!....Incidentally, I spotted a gent taking a mouthful of something from a paper beaker last night, then pulling a wry face placing the same under his seat .YES the drinks ARE as bad as the Pies !.....
Don't despair, at least the football was great !

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

If fans do want to ask the club anything or indeed complain about anything then the best way to do this is by email: [email protected]
I will make sure that any questions/ complaints are passed on to the relevant people.
There are also officials from the club present at Supporters Club meetings.
Robert
Supporter Liaison Officer
Accrington Stanley

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

So whats the difference between an e-mail and reading this Rob?:rolleyes: Keep the Faith dont live in accy, plus he brought another clubs fan, surely that merits attention?

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

That's just what I was thinking Cashy!

Re: Who ate all the pies?
 

Yeh well i hope the Supporter Liaison officer can understand "English":rolleyes: