Aaron Doran Testimonial v Ross County

[CaleyCiuin]

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.

[Robert]

36 minutes ago, CaleyCiuin said:

over priced bar 94

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. 

[CaleyCiuin]

9 hours ago, Robert said:

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. 

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.

[highlandexile]

1 hour ago, CaleyCiuin said:

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.

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. 

 

[STFU]

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.

[PullMyFinger]

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.

[CaleyCiuin]

3 hours ago, highlandexile said:

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. 

 

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.

[CaleyCiuin]

2 hours ago, PullMyFinger said:

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.

Ojo wasn’t playing yesterday. 

[+Stu160284]

Anyone know who the 2 trialists were yesterday?

And any word on official attendance 

[+L_G]

On 6/19/2025 at 12:16 PM, STFU said:

Any hospitality options?

 

33 minutes ago, CaleyCiuin said:

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.

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

[CaleyCiuin]

16 minutes ago, L_G said:

 

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

As in the Trust don’t pay for those things…… the Club does !!!!!  I agree it’s much improved and the Trust have definitely benefited from the profit. The kiosks are run by the Club and any profit from that goes to the Club. Not the same thing !

[STFU]

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

[Scotty]

1 hour ago, CaleyCiuin said:

As in the Trust don’t pay for those things…… the Club does !!!!!  I agree it’s much improved and the Trust have definitely benefited from the profit. The kiosks are run by the Club and any profit from that goes to the Club. Not the same thing !

Costs may be reduced due to volunteers. However, the club (or someone) still have to pay for the heat, light and other stuff as well as the actual stock to sell ... if they don't then eventually, they may go into administration after running out of money! 

Comparing a keg of beer and the cost for that to a can of beer in the supermarket is also a bit apples and oranges. Different metrics and cost structures. I do agree however that pub prices compared to supermarket prices have a large difference that is hard for us as consumer to get our heads around.

As another example ... I cringe and actively do not buy beer when I go to Toronto games ... at $23 (£12.40) for a Stella or other 'premium' beer it is well and truly over-priced, warm and unenjoyable. Instead, my friends and I will either go to a pub nearby before the game (and after) to get 'normal' priced beer, which it has to be said is still well over a fiver a pint, or, if I am driving, I simply go to/from the game and grab a can at home once I get back which I have bought in the shop for about $3 (£1.60). They sell popcorn at TFC as well and I try not to buy my son those either ... $12 (£6.50) for a small bag that i could pop in the microwave for 59c (31p) is the definition of stadium rip-offs!  

If Bar94 is selling beer at the same or less cost than local bars then that's a win as far as I am concerned. Not only do you get it below the market rate but any profit the club derive due to lower staffing costs provided by the volunteers goes back into getting the club back on it's feet. 

[big cherly]

21 minutes ago, Scotty said:

actively do not buy beer when I go to Toronto games ... at $23 (£12.40) for a Stella or other 'premium' beer it is well and truly over-priced, warm and unenjoyable

Literally liquid gold. Temperance application in the post! 
bc

Edited 4 hours ago by big cherly

[ICT Supporters Trust]

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:

 

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by ICT Supporters Trust

[+L_G]

1 hour ago, CaleyCiuin said:

As in the Trust don’t pay for those things…… the Club does !!!!!  I agree it’s much improved and the Trust have definitely benefited from the profit. The kiosks are run by the Club and any profit from that goes to the Club. Not the same thing !

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. 

[CaleyCiuin]

I am a single parent with 2 kids that works for the NHS. If my kids didn’t attend some of the community football events ( big thanks to them), I would have no interest in going , but my kids love the football. I however find a home matchday not very entertaining and quite expensive. I do appreciate things have improved with Trust volunteers etc, but to claim they gain nothing from this is not case nor believable. After giving the voting rights away ( the deal would have happened regardless), they now seem to take a view that fans will pay over the odds for an average matchday experience. I appreciate also I may be in the minority that thinks this but others may have more money than me. You are not doing as good a job as you think you are, please take this as my last comment on this matter and if you dare……. Listen to some match day feedback and comments more often ! 

[+Hiro]

28 minutes ago, CaleyCiuin said:

I am a single parent with 2 kids that works for the NHS. If my kids didn’t attend some of the community football events ( big thanks to them), I would have no interest in going , but my kids love the football. I however find a home matchday not very entertaining and quite expensive. I do appreciate things have improved with Trust volunteers etc, but to claim they gain nothing from this is not case nor believable. After giving the voting rights away ( the deal would have happened regardless), they now seem to take a view that fans will pay over the odds for an average matchday experience. I appreciate also I may be in the minority that thinks this but others may have more money than me. You are not doing as good a job as you think you are, please take this as my last comment on this matter and if you dare……. Listen to some match day feedback and comments more often ! 

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.

[CaleyCiuin]

6 minutes ago, Hiro said:

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.

Likewise!

[+DoofersDad]

Just out of interest, I Googled what the price of a pint is at the bar at Ross County.  The AI generated summary is as follows!

 

"While the exact, up-to-the-minute bar prices at Ross County FC's stadium, Victoria Park, aren't readily available online, it's possible to find some general information. For example, one recent testimonial event mentioned that a pint of Dog Falls beer was priced at £5 according to CaleyThistleOnline, and Bar 94 would be open with the "usual range of products". The MacLean Suite is also mentioned as a hospitality option with access to a bar." 

 

 

[big cherly]

2 hours ago, CaleyCiuin said:

Likewise!

Correct, How dare he complain’ 

bc