I agree with this.

I used to take clients to Palace matches, but had such a terrible experience that I tend to take corporate hospitality at Palace Away matches now. It hurts me that I “support” other clubs to the tune of about a grand per match, when I would rather be giving that money to Palace, but the chance that my clients will have such a poor corporate experience that they would not want to work with me is just too high at Palace.

It is these off field experiences that we need to sort out. Right from the scouting, through the youth team, academy, corporate etc. This is where we do not presently compete.

All these “nothings” add up to something.

'Not much has changed' - when are you comparing it to?

Since 2010 took over, at Selhurst we've upgraded the floodlights, the pitch (a couple of times) and drainage/heating, the TV/broadcasting/media facilities, the hospitality in the main stand (Speroni's/lounges etc) have all been updated, as have the exec boxes in the Whitehorse, we've got rid of all the old wooden seats and I think the dressing rooms etc have been sorted as well?

We've brought in electronic turnstiles which (despite much moaning on day one) seem to work well, and we have tried new catering options (in the upper tier at least) even if people aren't still that happy with them.

We've just acquired a long-term lease for the academy site, and while the main stand development is still in limbo, we have at least put together and submitted proper plans?

I agree there are still major issues with things like scouting in particular, but I imagine this is where we've been a bit hamstrung by not having a settled manager and DoF for a proper period of time. Hopefully that is changing, but it can't help when Pardew comes in and says he wants to change everything and then we have to get rid of him, Allardyce comes in and then leaves within six months etc.

I do think it's very, very unfair to say that nothing has changed though.

Anfield an interesting comparison given a) some people's experiences of it: [Link]

and b) the years (decades?) of planning a new stadium that then didn't happen before building the new main stand there.

These things don't just happen overnight, and I do think Palace have definitely been ticking things off where we can.

Hello Steve

'Not much has changed' - when are you comparing it to?

Since 2010 took over, at Selhurst we've upgraded the floodlights, the pitch (a couple of times) and drainage/heating, the TV/broadcasting/media facilities, the hospitality in the main stand (Speroni's/lounges etc) have all been updated, as have the exec boxes in the Whitehorse, we've got rid of all the old wooden seats and I think the dressing rooms etc have been sorted as well?

We've brought in electronic turnstiles which (despite much moaning on day one) seem to work well, and we have tried new catering options (in the upper tier at least) even if people aren't still that happy with them.

We've just acquired a long-term lease for the academy site, and while the main stand development is still in limbo, we have at least put together and submitted proper plans?

I agree there are still major issues with things like scouting in particular, but I imagine this is where we've been a bit hamstrung by not having a settled manager and DoF for a proper period of time. Hopefully that is changing, but it can't help when Pardew comes in and says he wants to change everything and then we have to get rid of him, Allardyce comes in and then leaves within six months etc.

I do think it's very, very unfair to say that nothing has changed though.

Anfield an interesting comparison given a) some people's experiences of it: [Link]

and b) the years (decades?) of planning a new stadium that then didn't happen before building the new main stand there.

These things don't just happen overnight, and I do think Palace have definitely been ticking things off where we can.

I am glad that your experience is wholly positive.

The comparative cost angle may be a good point, but I don’t really look at the expense when I am taking clients to football matches. I have an annual budget and first and foremost, I look at whether my clients are going to be looked after and have a nice experience, and whether I have to worry about “mother henning” them the whole time.

From my personal experience, there would be an issue on 2 of every 10 visits. 1 was so bad that my relationship with my client was lost. Nothing to do with cost, free drink, quality of food. Just things that should not happen at corporate events.

You are right that I pay more to watch Palace elsewhere, but I am always sure that the experience will be good, and if it is not then the right things will be done.

So we will have to agree to disagree.