Newstalk ZB

Newstalk ZB

Listening to that doyen of NZ yacht racing Pete Montgommery on Newstalk ZB about 8.30 yesterday morning (Sunday)  He was rambling on about people who had arrived late for the game on Saturday leaving as the line to get tickets was too long. He intimated that it was the Phoenix's fault that people couldn't get in on time. His comment was "learn from that Phoenix". Surely it wasn't The Phoenix's fault that Auckland couldn't handle the rush. More like if you want a ticket either turn up early or pre purchase.

I heard that and I almost rang up and gave him the full noise. How is it the Phoenix fault, and Eden Park fault, when tickets have been on sale for a while with very enticing deals prior to the game to buy early.

Not entirely true Jeff
If that is the known way that Aucklanders think then you need to be ready to deal with it.

There could have been someone walking along the queues selling tickets for cash. They could have had a section where it was general admission and moved people through faster. They could have done the ticketing part better, I was surprised how long it took us to buy ours at 4pm, and there were no queues then

Eden park couldnt cope with 4000 or so people turning up - slack 

Eden Park CEO was on the radio today saying they had every last person and booth operating so couldn't have added more.  As you say though, someone with a pile of tickets selling for cash would have been a pro-active way to clear it.

But why was it The "Nix's fault is my point? Typical of Mr Yachting though. If it's not yachting it doesn't count!!

I think Jeff's comment really stems from the world cup opening debacle.

Jeff Vader2011-11-21 10:11:48

There was a cash machine there, which dispensed cash quicker than they sold tickets !!

They probably thought that Eden Park had the capacity to sell them a ticket 40 mins out from a game, which I think is a fair expectation

It is an Eden park fail, as much if not more than it is an Auckland casual spectator fail.

Rest of your post is not a good comparison, as you say

Yes, let's blame the people who came out to support  our club and alienate them further. Let's sing 'where were you where we were/are sh*t etc'. That will learn 'em to come out and spend their money.

I'm not blaming them. I'm saying if you choose to turn up last minute, don't whinge about it because of your own stupidity and arogance.

Yes, your post just screams empathy for this subset of potential fans.

Empathy is a very desirable attribute.  But JV has a point - it is very hard to cater for the impulse supporter.  There was a physical constraint on the maximum number of tickets/people that could be processed and this was exceeded on the day.

Hypothesis B: Montgomery and Lose are numpties

I vote for option B, especially Montgomery. One of the rudest sports journo's around- talks over everyone he is interviewing. Drives me nuts to the point I turn the radio off some times when he is parroting on.

Montgomery "IT'S ALL HAPPENING ON THE HAURAKI GULF" is no doubt a numpty.  But Lose is just unacceptable.  Lose talking rugby=  Lose talking women's rugby=  Lose talking triathlon=  Lose talking curling=  Lose talking soccer=

This. There was no plan B.

I was in the line- no complaints. I meant to turn up at 4pm, but didn't so fair enough. No one expected it to be such a success, and it was great that it was.

There seemed to be a lot of advertising.

Fairly sure in Welly you have some cash only lines which pumps things through quicker? Would have been good here.

From the Maddaford article linked on the home page:

Don't be late - anticipate!

My favourite Lose memory is him saying before the Nix v. Boca Juniors that it was a waste of time because 'Boca were only sending over their junior team, not even thir full side'!!

My "favourite" Lose memory was after the Bahrain playoff.  While he had to talk football, his anger about the whole situation was plainly obvious, especially regarding the impact it would have on his "Kiwiness". 

The mans a fool then. Bet you he wasn't at the game to soak up the atmosphere.Pity. Much better atmosphere than a AB game, that's for sure

Brendan Telfer was there, wonder what he said about it on his show today. Looked a bit bored like most until Ifill got us going

Stevo2011-11-21 17:17:43

Listening to the old farts on the radio in the run up to the match was a laugh.

Willie Lose stands out as a bumbling idiot on radio..

  Tonight: "Eden Park: Have some foresight!"

I got to Eden Park at 2:30 for a nosey around as I've never been there before. The booths were open and doing some business. That Aucklanders decide what the weather will do and then show up 30 mins before kick off, serves them right for missing the kick off or missing the game. it is not the fault of the Phoenix, nor Eden Park.

I did take exception to Willie Losei (Spelling?) as I was listening to him from about 1pm and all he did was bag the phoenix, phoenix fans and told people not to bother going as they were expecting a crowd of only 8,000. On Sunday, whilst driving home, he was coppiung a well deserved serving from most people that rang up regarding the game. Even some Aucklanders admitted it was their own fault for leaving it late. One guy with his kids showed up ten mins before KO and missed the first half.

David dome was pretty good when he came on and explained their point of view.

Acknowledging the problems of large walk-ups but just adding my 10c worth.

Am fascinated that in the modern era large NZ venues can't handle ticketing in a FASTER way.I'm from the days of turning at matches, mostly, in England, and joining massive queues and getting in quickly.

In our era - for example: First home match of this season  I went to buy a ticket for a friend. Took TEN minutes to buy a SINGLE ticket. How is that acceptable? (mix of problems behind the window...)

Did they charge you a 'Service' fee for the pleasure?

Is there some reason they couldn't have staff going along the lines selling tickets to people with cash? I saw them do that more than once for cricket down here at AMI Stadium and it worked a treat. They gave two or three staff a roll of tickets, if you had the right cash (it was a whole number so easy to deal with) you had your ticket in about ten seconds.

Although not everyone has cash on them these days, I would have thought there'd be enough to make it worthwhile.

Advertising that gates open at 4pm didn't help, even if it wasn't true.

As was pointed out on the radio since people don't carry cash.
How hard is it to spend a few minutes on ticketek site and get ezyticket emailed to you ON the day of the match.

ZB strike again. Last night at 11 pm on the sports news no mention AT ALL about the game. All they mentioned was Jessie Ryder getting runs in Aussie and four dorks rowing from Aussie to here. The last one is not a sport. Why do they hate the Phoenix SO MUCH!!

Because they're communists. Clearly.

Sack Piney

Chotey providing expert comments, we win.