47 replies to this topic

[Count Fooku]

If we're not careful this is going to end up in a duel on Hampstead Heath with David's choice of swords or pistols and your seconds holding your jackets!

Anyway moving on, I think overall this was a really good event, aside from some ups and downs with one guest it seems everyone enjoyed themselves and more or less got what they came for, even if the signatures weren't on their first choice item.

I really hope the event was succsessful enough from a financial point of view for SM/ME to run another one in the future. Even if a standalone event isn't viable maybe it would be possible to have larger scale Sportsmania zones at events like LFACC, CM and EMS. I suspect had it not been for this one falling so soon after what was probably an expensive LFACC for a lot of people this show would have had even more attendees.

[Donkey]

I hope that they persevere with it a bit longer, regardless of if this event was a success or not.

Maybe one suggestion for the future could be combining it with a programme fair. I know Milton Keynes doesn't much of a history (see franchise debate), but through local clubs and those in London and Birmingham, you should have plenty of interest.

[madmonster*]

For those that came along, I'm the frazzled blonde who was on the cash desk.  I'm not going to say much, but I would like to really thank all those who stood and waited for him to arrive patiently, and all those who accepted with good grace that he was not signing shirts or posing for photos and to those left in my queue when he left so suddenly I am really sorry.

I'm posting this mainly to correct peoples misconceptions on Steve's photo.  Hopefully my take on it can end this discussion with no hard feelings on either side.

Steve and Euan came to the desk and asked about posed photos.  When they were told by me that he was not posing for photos but allowing them quite happily whilst he was signing, they went away deciding not to meet him at all.  About half hour later they returned and said that they wanted to meet him anyway and would take a photo whilst he was signing as I had told them they could do.  It was my advice to Steve, (as I know from reading on here, that the photo is normally of Euan meeting the guest), that if he let Euan give Gazza the photo for signing etc and was ready with the camera he could get a photo of the two of them together.

It was not breaking any rules and is something as guest assistants/cash we often suggest to people,  "get  your friend to take the picture whilst you are stood in front of the guest and just remember to look at the camera whilst it's being taken!" It oftens means that one of a pair doesn't meet the guest, this kind of photo taking doesn't take any extra time as the attendee is still moved on the minute the autograph is signed, whether their friend got to take the photo or not.

[steevofromglasgow]

Madmonster - you are an absolute star and thank you for taking the time to write.

We've collected over 200 autos over the years and there are 3 or 4 we have of ewan standing near the guest signing so it's what we were expecting yesterday. I took 3 photos in the space of a few seconds - when I snapped the third time Paul had literally just glanced up. We've been doing this for several years now (Ewan was two when we started) and I was already expecting your suggestion before it was made. If Paul hadn't been allowing any photos then we wouldn't have bought the autograph (which was the reason I decided against Clive Braker at LFACC).

I apologise to all for having this dragged out so long, I was upset by the initial comment which insinuated we were doing something sneaky.

The crew at both LFACC and Sportsmania were brilliant this month and we were delighted to make the journey and attend/support both.

You've no idea how much your last post has meant.

Steve and Ewan

[clloby]

Madmonster is just a bit of a star! But keep it to yourselves we don't want her finding out!  

[sibenn]

agreed she was great, i was in the first few to see him and you told us he was late and then all the other stuff which was fine.

[AJ81]

Steve I love your photo and am with you 110%. you have done absolutely nothing wrong and when paying £35 for an autograph a quick picture is fantastic.

[steevofromglasgow]

Thanks AJ - not one fan has said anything negative about this

I'm delighted we got the chance to meet him, even if it was fleeting