Our first hospitality experience was a gift for my 40^th birthday. I decide to take Tony with me, who although is a Dundee united fan, has accompanied me to a few Raith games in the past and generally he just likes football and socialising. I also like football, however not a fan of socialising with strangers so Tony will be good company.

We arrive at Starks Park main entrance slightly unsure of where to go. Dress code is ‘smart’ with ‘preferably no denim’ so we opt for trousers, shirt, and tie. Pretty much my work clothes! Being a Rovers fan, I have a slight bit of excitement for the experience and I’m not easily excited. We meet Graeme, our host for the evening, who seems excited to see us, greeting us like pals he’s not seen in ages, shaking our hands and welcoming us to the stadium. The ‘Captains Lounge’ is our venue for the evening. To get there, we walk through the stadium, up the steps of the tunnel and along pitch side. My ‘bit of excitement’ has gone up a level. Although the ‘lounge’ is pretty much a pitch side portacabin, it has a nice wee terrace to sit or stand and watch the warmup. Alcohol is not allowed on the terrace though, so you can watch with an Irn Bru. Graeme shows us to our table inside, one of four in the lounge. Each with a bucket of beer in the middle and bottles of wine. Social Tony does the introductions and asks the questions to the others at the table while I flick through the match programme that’s provided. We’re sat with a couple and their young son along with a man from Cambridge and his mate. The couple are Hibernian fans that only ever go to games in hospitality, frequent visitors of the Emerald Lounge and friends of Ian Murray. Pretty sure the guy from Cambridge sold hockey equipment. Other tables are occupied by businesses and sponsors.

Graeme appears again, still as excited as when we first met him, telling us how the evening will look and what to expect. A visit from a former player, our meal, then up to the main stand to watch the game, back to the lounge for half time refreshments, back up for the second half, then return to the lounge for final drinks and a visit from man of the match and the captain. Sounds good.

Former player and club legend Gordon Dalziel appears after the starter. He tells a few stories of his time at the club and talks about his hopes for the play offs. Dalziel, clearly an old hand at the dinner speeches and delivers his lines like a seasoned comic. Graeme asks him questions, with his consistent enthusiastic mood. Drinks are flowing and the staff are attentive and friendly. Main course is Steak Pie. Standard pub grub supplied by the Dean Park Hotel. Contrary to Tony’s understanding, who thought the food was brought directly from the hotel, we can confirm the food is made on the premises and not delivered by Just Eat from the hotel which is a 15-minute drive away. Graeme arrives after the main meal with exciting news. The Team Sheet. Sharing the starting eleven as if we are the first to hear it after the team itself. Paper literally hot off the press, he reads out the players. An hour till kick off and his excitement is still unwavering. Dessert was a pleasure and we put our money in the envelop for the half time 50/50 draw. Beers and wine have been flowing but not being a beer drinker, Tony tests them with a Havana and Coke. Not an issue and I feel even if they didn’t have the drink, staff would have run to the Spar and fetched it.

15 minutes until Kick off and we’re directed up to the main stand. Plastic seats on a wooden bench, sat behind the director’s box. In front there are two suited men, with long black coats, struggling to crack a smile. In between them, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, die hard Rover’s fan, chanting ‘Come on you Raith’ and starting renditions of Geordie Munro throughout the first half. 45 minutes ends and we’re back to the Captains Lounge. Tea, coffee and a selection of pies and biscuits are waiting for us. The disappointment of not winning the 50/50 draw was made up for by a decent half time pie and a Raith Rovers empire biscuit. 15 minutes of polite chat and we’re back up to the main stand, sat behind Mr Brown again, Rover’s scarf tied around his head with blue flair in hand!

After the final whistle we return to the lounge, beers, wines, and drinks still available. We take a seat and captain Scott Brown and MOTM Lewis Vaughan arrive for a question and answer with Duracell bunny Graeme who even after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties is till bouncing around like when we first met him 4 hours ago! They pose for photos with the sponsors. Tony pushes me forward for a picture saying, ‘It’s his birthday’ like a proud mum excited for his wee boy to be meeting his heroes. Players oblige but look slightly unsure of the request for a 40-year-old man getting his picture taken for his birthday. The evening ends with us taking a bottle of wine home. Due to the match going to extra time and penalties we didn’t get as much time as normal in the lounge but one of the ladies offers the wine as it only had a glass out of it, and she said it would be wasted otherwise. Tony hates waste so gladly takes it. A quick nip on to the pitch for some final pictures and we leave the ground out the back door. Ushered out the back entrance like the end of a night in Fatties, lights switched on and the bouncers sweeping up.  

Overall, a great evening. Memories may be slightly rose tinted due to the result, but the experience was a memorable one.

Ratings

Entertainment 3/5

A good pre match chat from Gordon Dalziel and a post-match Q&A with the captain and man of the match but other than the 50/50 draw no other entertainment.

Hosting 5/5

Excellent hosting from Graeme. From his emails beforehand, to greeting us at the stadium, regular check ins and constant enthusiasm, he was a top host. Staff in the lounge also very friendly and chatty. 

Seating 3/5

Not much you can say about a plastic seat. No back on it but at least it wasn’t the wooden bench like some of the stand has. Descent enough view.

Meal 4/5

A 3 course from The Dean Park, possibly soup, a good portion of steak pie and a nice dessert.

Half Time refreshments 4/5

A choice of macaroni or steak pie as well as several Raith Rovers empire biscuits. Choice of coffee or tea.

Drinks 3/5

A few bottles of beer in the middle of the table as well as wine. Spirits and other beers on request.

Value for money 5

Great hosting, free flowing drink and quality of food was good. A ‘hot of the press’ team sheet and programme also provided.

Total 26

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