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Just to clarify, the Supporters Trust offered to take on the running of the bar early last season, following a period when the those previously in charge of the club had run it down to the extent that very few fans used it and there were even thoughts of closing it completely. We rebranded it as Bar 94, improved the appearance, enlisted volunteers to staff it, extended the opening hours, introduced new products (particularly draught beers supplied by Dog Falls) and worked with Stagecoach to introduce additional matchday journeys timed to allow fans to spend time in the bar. However, the club pays for all the stock that is sold, and all revenue taken in Bar 94 is retained by the club, who also incur all the overhead costs, rates etc for the area, despite only being able to take income on 20-25 days each year. We have tried to keep prices affordable, but fully appreciate that football can be an expensive pastime, but we do need to ensure that the club profits from the prices charged. The Supporters Trust is not involved in the running of the servery that is in the bar area (or any of the other serveries around the ground), although we are very conscious that the queues to get served can be very long, particularly at half time. We have fed this back to the club, and know that the serveries are one of a large number of issues that the club has thoughts about. Where we run activities in the bar, such as raffles or football cards (and this season we have a new time of the first goal competition), the proceeds are retained by the Supporters Trust, and we look to use any income we have to improve the matchday experience (obviously the revenue from such events yesterday was going to Aaron's Testimonial Fund). As bar users are aware, we have carried out a lot of improvements, some purely from the work of our volunteers, but others that came with quite substantial costs, particularly the new ladies toilets, replacing those that were removed at Covid. We have seen usage grow substantially, which we and the club are very grateful for, as the bar users are helping the club to generate much needed income. We have only been able to achieve this through the work of our volunteers, to whom we extend our sincere thanks. Thank you also to everyone who has used Bar 94 since we reopened it last Autumn, and you can keep up to date on bar and bus times in the dedicated thread here:

Just a word of praise to those that undertook some ground general tidying-up. I noticed that the place looked a lot smarter with simple but clear improvements at the small detail. The perimeter of the pitch and ‘path’ had been cleared of weeds and growth for the first time in I-don’t-know how many years. I’m past such activities, but for me it is evidence of a club trying to get back some pride in its self and for the fans attending. Well done. Achieved its goal for me! bc

An enjoyable occasion, and if someone had been able to capitalise on the two great scoring opportunities in the first 5 minutes, the score would have been more to my liking. Suicidal passing in front of our goal presented County with their two goals, there are times when you need to just blooter the ball up the park rather than smarta**e tippy-tappy. Just a bit too casual sometimes. However, it was all about Aaron Doran and today's attendance was better than many of the league games last season - a mark of the esteem in which the man is held. An afternoon well spent!

I'm not sure this is the correct thread for this. This one is about Aaron Doran and his testimonial. There are many things that can still be improved in the matchday experience, no one is daft or arrogant enough to think otherwise. I'm also sure both the Trust and Club would welcome constructive thoughts on where they can do better. However, it's also pretty clear that you're not listening to the posts of other contributors to this thread.

I take it back. It appears I haven't a clue where CaleyCiuin is coming from.

County were in the top tier last season and other than the 2 goals there wasn't that much in it. We're missing a reliable confident striker and that was the difference. Maybe Oho will slot in if he's done enough to impress Kel but watching at Nairn and yesterday I can't say he impressed me.

That is a shame you have come away from Bar94 with the opinion that it's overpriced. As Robert said, like for like, it's substantially cheaper than bars in the town. Not just the beer. This has been achieved by it being run exclusively by volunteers. But that's just life, you can't please everybody.

Great that Aaron got the send off he deserved. A decent crowd and a couple of good goals from County, especially the second. They didn’t look that good ( other than Hale), but we were not at it at all. I know it’s still pre season, but that was not a team that looked anywhere near good enough to be competitive at the top of league 1. The weather was good and overall I enjoyed the game, but same old poor matchday experience, long queues at the kiosks, over priced bar 94 and poor stewarding!!!! Some things will never change. ☹️

Great write up Don! Aaron has given us so much over the years, Also Some nice words by Ryan Esson and George in Bar94 after the match. The game was not much to shout about from our perspective, Lots of tippy tappy stuff, with county being a lot more direct and the score shows it. The striker up front Ojo? did not do much to impress, Strachan at LB was guilty of a few poor passes but seemed to sort himslf out in the second half, However at times it was like watching Duncball as we seemed to have a nosebleed when we got near their box. County keeper had an easy day for sure as i think our striker issue has not been resolved. However as Don says it was all about a legend that is Aaron Doran!

Correct, How dare he complain’ bc

Ok I am confused as to how you think it runs without electricity and rates etc. The Supporters Trust run the bar with volunteers and it has been a huge success. It has provided much needed cashflow over last season in administration. I am not sure there are many places where you will get a pint for less than £5

I get where CaleyCiuin is coming from and just because prices are comparable or even cheaper than elsewhere does not mean they are not overpriced. I personally think £5 for a pint is overpriced especially when I can get 15 cans of Tennents for £10 from the Supermarket. That's not a criticism of Bar94 or pubs who charge more. There's lots of overheads, better quality offerings and a need to make money. For me a pint in a pub is a luxury and I don't feel entitled to a cheap price. If I want that I'll get cheaper drink from a cheaper source like the supermarket. I'll still buy a pint in Bar94 when I can and it's as much in support of the club as it is a refreshment. It's not grudged and those who volunteer their time to help ensure maximum return are appreciated.

As I posted, it’s overpriced. I had my two kids with me. It’s not just the beer, it’s all products. My opinion, my comment.

What’s your issue with the bar? Prices have been frozen at last season’s prices with a pint £5 which is a lot less than you will pay for the same beer elsewhere in the area.

Someone in the bar after the game said that Ross County only agreed to the game on the basis it was played as a competitive friendly so I think they played it very differently than we did. I agree with Robert's assessment and as painful as it is I try to keep in mind that we're currently a league 1 club that's rebuilding on and iff the park. As others have said the online ticketing system is painful to use and I also resorted to phone. A stark contrast to the simplicity of buying tickets for Clach and others during pre season. All in all it was still an enjoyable few hours in honour of a great player who still looks like he'd be worth having on the books.

Aaron Doran was a substitute for the Caley Jags in his testimonial game against local rivals Ross County, who aired their new strip for season 25/26 Both sides fielded strong line-ups with the hosts benching Doran and fielding two trialists on from the start. Doran was in good company with Billy Mckay, Luis Longstaff and new signing Jordan Alonge on the bench beside him. A bright and breezy afternoon for this 2:00pm kick off with County getting the game underway, kicking towards the North Stand. Ronan Hale bagged the opener in the seventh minute with a great finish, Cornelius with the assist. Ross Laidlaw in the County goal saved from Wotherspoon ten minutes before the break, but right on the interval Hale scored from a thumping free kick to double the visitors advantage. HALF TIME: 0-2 Changes were made at the interval by County with Inverness waiting until the hour before McKay, Longstaff, Robbie Thompson and new signing Jordan Alonge were introduced. Billy Mckay brought Laidlaw into action with twenty minutes remaining. The main man came on to an appreciative round of applause from a decent support, replacing Wotherspoon on 70 minutes to say his farewells. More subs followed by both as everyone got involved in the play. Sub keeper Logan Ross denied Eamonn Brophy near the end. FULL TIME: 0-2 Decent workout for both sides. Ronan Hale showing his class with two great strikes, but today was not about the result, it was to show our gratitude for a great servant to the club. Thank you Aaron Doran

They were there at the door threshold and couldn’t pass without noticing the RC colours and kids. Why donate - just habit. Do it for all kids. Cheerleaders trip to Miami, Local schools, Balloan boys. Umpteen other buckets. Can’t take it with me. bc

Thing is, at least from what the supporters trust are providing you're not paying over the odds by any comparable metric. If you can't afford a pint then that's a shame but that doesn't mean that it's overpriced. I don't understand what your employer has to do with it 🤷‍♂️

Likewise!

Just to clarify that the trust do not retain any profit from the bar. The takings go directly to the club. So just enjoy your pint knowing you are helping the club with each one.

It’s not a pub in town though, is it? It’s a supporters bar at the stadium. It’s great the volunteers provide the service, but unlike pubs in town, bar 94 has no overheads ( staff costs, lease, lighting, electricity, rates etc)….. so still expensive in my eyes given what it is. My opinion, which won’t change just because others are happy to pay ( or have the funds to pay), the prices at bar 94.