Using the Pick Your Seat Option for Away Games

In the past few months we have introduced a pick-your-seat option for away games, or at least those where the away club can let us have a seat map to work with.

Part of the reasoning behind this feature was to make away games accessible to all fans and allow greater choice for those supporting the team around the country in that it allows supporters who need to sit during the game to pick a seat towards the front of the stand, while those who prefer a livelier atmosphere can congregate together towards the back of the away ground. This is indicated clearly at point of purchase.

Many of the people who have booked seats towards the front of away ends have done so for a reason; it may be that they are unable to stand or that they are unable to see the action when people around them stand.

Following recent away fixtures at Everton and Spurs we have been made aware of a small number of supporters choosing seats at the front of the away end, who have then refused to sit when asked to by their fellow supporters. In one instance, a young supporter and his dad ended up leaving the Spurs match early as they could not see any of the game, which is really sad.

Away games are a great day out and we want everybody to enjoy them and be able to focus on supporting the team. Please respect your fellow Cherries fans and wherever possible pick a seat that reflects the away day experience you are looking for without affecting other supporters. For our part we will try to give as much information around the choices for each away game as possible.

Carabao Cup Game on Tuesday night against Middlesbrough – kick-off 7.45pm

Supporters will probably be aware that nearly every club has now enhanced its searching regimes going into the ground and are advising fans to arrive up to an hour before kick-off.

Clubs are also issuing advice about not bringing bags unless you have to as this adds to the time to search. We know that evening games are challenging in terms of juggling commitments and travelling to the match and we would just reiterate the message to get to Vitality Stadium and start the entry process as early as you are able.

The early bird food and drink offers are continuing and we have Lewis Cook’s signed shirt, in a great presentation box, waiting for a lucky person to win – you just need to be in the ground by 45 minutes prior to kick-off to be in with a chance of winning it.

Tickets have been posted for the clash against Boro and where we have just over 2,000 attending who have not been before, we have included a flyer with their tickets on how to use the automated turnstiles and advice on arriving early. We will also directly email them prior to the game to give them comprehensive advance information to make arrival and entry as smooth as possible.

Where season tickets holders have bought their ticket for the game outside the initial purchase window they have been issued a paper ticket and it is important that in these cases the seat shown on the ticket is the one used to view the game. This will help to avoid delays and confusion inside the ground.

We have just completed the first phase of addressing the puddles issue behind the the Steve Fletcher Vitality Stand, with the second piece of work scheduled for the middle of November. At the moment the weather for Tuesday is forecast as being dry which is good for as much as we would like to test the system, Tuesday night would not be the first choice to do so.

We hope to also have in place for Tuesday night some enhanced lighting behind the Steve Fletcher Vitality and Vitality East Stands which will make things much easier for staff and stewards alike.

Cherry Tree Nursery – Supporters Nominated Charity and Fans’ Champion

The Chelsea game is themed for World Mental Health and it is the featured game for the Cherry Tree Nursery. As a way for Cherries fans to directly assist their charity for this season, Cherries Trust have the Fans’ Champion opportunity to auction.

Go to http://www.cherriestrust.co.uk/cherries-trust-auctions-fans-champion-package/ to see how you can both assist a really worthwhile local charity and potentially secure a great matchday experience for yourself or another supporter you would like to nominate.

Going forward, you still have the chance to nominate fellow supporters for other home matches so just email [email protected] with all the information to help us choose the next Fan’s Champion.

Chelsea Kick-off 5.30pm

Next Saturday’s game is set to be a busy one. As well as being the World Mental Health themed match and featuring the Cherry Tree Nursery as part of that theme, we have Halloween fun and games in the Junior Fanzone and the official launch of the Great Escape bar.

With plans for ex-players on hand to serve early doors drinks to fans and the big screen set up outside the ground to further entertain you, it's another good incentive to arrive early at Vitality Stadium and soak up the atmosphere prior to the big game against the Champions.