Sponsorship Function - Absolute Crap

[GrumpyOne]

It seems that The Saints do not want player sponsors by the way the sponsors were looked after.

We went in the prescribed gate and up to the prescribed level. Than we were directed by three separate Etihad Staffers all the way round to the Robert Harvey Room where we were promptly refused admittance.

We were then sent back all the way to another room located behind the goals for the sponsorship event. I reckoned we walked farther than Roo runs for his pregame warmup.

Despite the Club being advised of the names of our attendees, only the sponsor's name was on the nametag.

We were then shown to a table, where the only contact we had were the waiters delivering weird and unknown finger food to the table. God help any vegetarians there, as they were all meat based.

Lenny spoke, and as usual was the perfect gentleman, taking time out to pose for photographs and sign autographs. But he was the only player there prior to the match.

At the start of the match we moved to our allocated seats, only to find other people in them. This was possibly due to the fact that no Etihad staff were on duty to check the tickets.

Worst still, the seats were directly behind the goals. I could have got better seats on the wing just by using my membership card. Had no hope of seeing what was going on up the other end of the ground.

At half time, party pies were on the table. Despite being advised directly by email by Scott at the club that all players would be in attendance, only about eight players were there. I was up at the room just before the half-time siren to see Jason Gram shoot out of the room faster than I have seen him move all season, not to return. Of the players that were left, only two had played senior games. Players not playing, Clarke, McAvoy, McQualter, Baker et al were not seen.

To summarise, lousy organisation, no mementos of the day for the kids, a lot of very average food, soft drink was at exhorbitant prices, shithouse seats, and only a small bunch of inexperienced and largely disinterested players to mingle with. For an investment of $1,500 - $2,000 per year, very very poor state of affairs.

We won, but otherwise the day was crap and an embarrasment.

[Enrico_Misso]

Well I was directed straight up to the right room.
No problems with name tags.
The food was fine (obviously Cranbourne is a gourmet food only region), though I admit the menu gave very pretentious names and descriptions to some quite ordinary food. The first wafer thing was pretty horrible but everything else was OK.
Met some nice people.
(But didn't ask or confess to the Sainsational question).

And as someone who normally sits on Level 3 the seats offered a stunning view.

My only complaint is the lack of opportunity to meet your sponsored player. Mine was there but always busy talking with other fans.
It would have been good to have your sponsored player on your table to get to know them, rather than them all sitting together on a table near the entrance.

[GrumpyOne]

My only complaint is the lack of opportunity to meet your sponsored player. Mine was there but always busy talking with other fans.
It would have been good to have your sponsored player on your table to get to know them, rather than them all sitting together on a table near the entrance.

Agreed, and before the game too.

Mine was playing anyway.

[matrix]

shesh
not good grumps

[oh when]

After beating Brisbane heaps of fans headed for the official after match function - no players in attendance - Mike Nettlefold attended and spoke - but for the supporters we wanted a player not the CEO - the Club seems to miss the point of these functions especially for the interstate supporters who get only one or two chances to see the Saints each year.

[The Fireman]

Someone sounds a bit Grumpy.

[saintspremiers]

Gee this is a worry considering our likely massive drop in membership revenue next season. We need these functions and sponsor money desperately.

Maybe the club needs a new manager of corporate events?

[saintbrat]

We went in the prescribed gate and up to the prescribed level. Than we were directed by three separate Etihad Staffers all the way round to the Robert Harvey Room where we were promptly refused admittance.
(correct gate and directions here)
Despite the Club being advised of the names of our attendees, only the sponsor's name was on the nametag.
( I had reconfirmed ours during the week and apart from spelling mistake all fine)

We were then shown to a table, where the only contact we had were the waiters delivering weird and unknown finger food to the table. God help any vegetarians there, as they were all meat based.(attendees were asked to confirm dietary requirements)

Lenny spoke, and as usual was the perfect gentleman, taking time out to pose for photographs and sign autographs. But he was the only player there prior to the match.

At the start of the match we moved to our allocated seats, only to find other people in them. This was possibly due to the fact that no Etihad staff were on duty to check the tickets.
( not a problem here and plenty of seats available if you did miss)
Worst still, the seats were directly behind the goals. I could have got better seats on the wing just by using my membership card. Had no hope of seeing what was going on up the other end of the ground.
( I actually didn"t mind the view and unlike usual during a function stayed in those seats to the end)

At half time, party pies were on the table. Despite being advised directly by email by Scott at the club that all players would be in attendance, only about eight players were there. I was up at the room just before the half-time siren to see Jason Gram shoot out of the room faster than I have seen him move all season, not to return. Of the players that were left, only two had played senior games. Players not playing, Clarke, McAvoy, McQualter, Baker et al were not seen.
(saw and spoke to Bakes and Gardi and yes an opportunity to say Hi to some of the young guys- get a photo and ask who had slammed Sam, although yes several of the senior players moved out quickly.)

To summarise, lousy organisation, no mementos of the day for the kids, a lot of very average food, soft drink was at exhorbitant prices, shithouse seats, and only a small bunch of inexperienced and largely disinterested players to mingle with. For an investment of $1,500 - $2,000 per year, very very poor state of affairs. ( not a day prescribed for children although no restrictions - some functions do actually say you must be 18 and over so - but the aim is to Sponosrs not children...- auskick clinic today at Frankston would be were attention was directed at children. I'm not saying they shouldn't attend )

We won, but otherwise the day was crap and an embarrasment.

perhaps you could put a polite suggestion list to the club personnel G O-
having attended now for several years it is getting better every year- and Player attendance always a struggle due to football department.

My only down side was the inexperienced nature of the serving staff- who couldn't seem to keep track of just which tables had been served and which hadn't.


Suggestion G o- next year book your self into the Angels On the Couch evening. not a lot of players but great chats with those who do attend at invitation of the Angels- ( see other thread)

[matrix]

After beating Brisbane heaps of fans headed for the official after match function - no players in attendance - Mike Nettlefold attended and spoke - but for the supporters we wanted a player not the CEO - the Club seems to miss the point of these functions especially for the interstate supporters who get only one or two chances to see the Saints each year.

nice
we got nothing
but the sa organizers were great!!
as where the peeps in attendance

[saint66au]

Ive posted my review in the raffle thread so wont repeat it here.but I could not disagree more with GO's review.

Its the first time Ive attended a function of this type no perhaps I set my sights quite low. Who knows..but I wasnt expecting to mingle with players, the finger food was perfectly acceptable to me, my seats werent taken by others and I found the waiting staff and hostess perfectly professional, ditto the ES staff member on the door.

I didnt hear or see one word of complaint by anyone else.

Maybe Im just easily pleased I dunno, but I reckon (and im not having a go at you here GO) that some people go to these events with a mindset of "OK lets see what holes I can pick in it"

My only very tiny complaint would be that the lifts at ES are far too small to cater for the amount of corporate guests. Yes you can use the stairs (as we did after waiting for ages) but the instructions for the day offer you the use of the lift. Thats not the Clubs fault though

[saintbrat]

Its the first time Ive attended a function of this type no perhaps I set my sights quite low. Who knows..but I wasnt expecting to mingle with players, the finger food was perfectly acceptable to me, my seats werent taken by others and I found the waiting staff and hostess perfectly professional, ditto the ES staff member on the door.

but your table was 3 plates in front of ours....

[matrix]

so a few didnt show?

[stkildathunda]

I've gotta agree with GO on this one. I didn't know what to expect but i left feeling very short changed. To start with our our group of 9 was split up onto two different tables. I personally had 7 tickets through my sponsorship and our 2 TrueSainters tickets, yet 4 of us were put onto a seperate table (2 TS & 2 of mine). Even after being told on numerous times that all 9 of us would be on 1 table. Needless to say I was unable to really chat with my own guests to the function.

Then the finger food was just plain terrible, you got 1 bit off each plate by time it goes around the table. I reckon the MC & Lenny, Geary, Walsh were only talking for 10mins total in the entire function.

Definantly wasn't worth the $130 ticket price the classed it as.

But was great to meet you Saint66au.

[St Michele]

After beating Brisbane heaps of fans headed for the official after match function - no players in attendance - Mike Nettlefold attended and spoke - but for the supporters we wanted a player not the CEO - the Club seems to miss the point of these functions especially for the interstate supporters who get only one or two chances to see the Saints each year.

I agree totally as an interstate supprter the club are losing the chance to capture the next generation of fans by not organising players to come to interstate functions. Last year Roo was not playing and could easily have popped in for a few minutes but didn't bother for the Westenr Saints.

I have never attended a Sponsorship function but did win a prize last year and to date have still not receieved it after contacting them numerous times and getting my sister to go into the club... where she was offered everyone else's to take but refused...oh well I still like the idea of being part of the sponsorship team so joined the fun again.

[saintdooley]

agree with Grumpy.

i went to last years one vs Essendon and that was much better.

no free drinks, unlike last year where you were given 2 drink cards with your tickets.

food was very average.

[plugger66]

I take it none of you have never been to another clubs function or the cricket or any other type of function like that. Sorry but no club or function gives you your exact monies worth. That is how it is in the commercial world.

[matrix]

yes plug
the only complaints were about the food

[stkildathunda]

yes plug
the only complaints were about the food

Food dont think you could class it as food.

[Dr Spaceman]

yes plug
the only complaints were about the food

Food dont think you could class it as food.

From all reports the SF Team enjoyed their day.

You guys are just big sooks!

[HSVKing]

yes plug
the only complaints were about the food

Food dont think you could class it as food.

From all reports the SF Team enjoyed their day.

You guys are just big sooks!

I think a pass mark for a good day to the almighty leader would be as little as being spat on by Josh Kitchen.

[Animal Enclosure]

I would suggest that issues with the catering have more to do with the stadium's catering suppliers (it was Delaware North a few years back) than the club.

With your other issues, It's disappointing that sponsors are still not being serviced competently... that is why we lost the Vodaphone sponsorship 3-4 years ago.

[St Lenny]

I take it none of you have never been to another clubs function or the cricket or any other type of function like that. Sorry but no club or function gives you your exact monies worth. That is how it is in the commercial world.

You couldnt be more wrong. Living interstate I have been to other clubs functions and the whole team has been there. From talking around to fans who follow other clubs, we seem to be the only one that doesnt allow the players to interstate functions, its a disgrace.

[stinger]

yes plug
the only complaints were about the food

Food dont think you could class it as food.

From all reports the SF Team enjoyed their day.

You guys are just big sooks!

i had a great time.....would have loved to have tucked into a four an twenty at half time though...party pies just don't taste the same....

[plugger66]

yes plug
the only complaints were about the food

Food dont think you could class it as food.

From all reports the SF Team enjoyed their day.

You guys are just big sooks!

i had a great time.....would have loved to have tucked into a four an twenty at half time though...party pies just don't taste the same....

I heard you didnt even go to the lunch or if you did you didnt bother to say hello to anyone.

[SENsei]

yes plug
the only complaints were about the food

Food dont think you could class it as food.

From all reports the SF Team enjoyed their day.

You guys are just big sooks!

i had a great time.....would have loved to have tucked into a four an twenty at half time though...party pies just don't taste the same....

I heard you didnt even go to the lunch or if you did you didnt bother to say hello to anyone.

I'm tipping it was the latter!! Not sure I'd blame him either!!