Small Crowds

[dougdeep]

Re: Re: Small Crowds

We are , never, ever, ever, ever, ever, going to improve our "gates" on a regular basis without a F*****g roof over the stands...!!!! How long is it now at the Withdean..?...7 years...?....and at least another 3 to 4 years , even if we get Falmer. If the club had pursued the planning applications for a roof when we first got to Withdean, how much would it have cost...?...a million..? With roughly 4,500 seats in the South Stand that would work out at about an extra £1.40p per game. So, for £1 F*****g forty pence, for seven years, I,ve been soaked, frozen half to death by the wind, and had virtually no atmosphere at the games...........and the "casual" supporter is supposed to be impressed enough to come again....?
No doubt many people will now tell me that for some obscure reason , that we can,t have a roof.....I,m sorry, but our Board,s insistence, that ALL our eggs are put in one basket (Falmer), is in danger now of putting this club,s future in serious jeopardy. Without future fans, Falmer is going to be a rather pointless excercise.

Can I say that is absolute kallobs?

 

[ManxSeagull]

I imagine all of those teams mentioned before, their fans are able to turn up on the day and buy a ticket.

Our biggest problem is the planning restriction that all games have to be all-ticket.

I am sure another thousand or so would turn up if they could buy a ticket at the gate knowing that the weather is good and they are not going to get soaked to the skin.

Fair weather fans is the name for them. Unfortunate description but true !!!

 

[dougdeep]

You wont be able to pay on the gate at Falmer either don't forget.

 

[cjd]

Re: Re: Re: Small Crowds

Can I say that is absolute kallobs?

Please...............feel free to do so

 

[mona]

There is another side to this. Ok we're a division lower , not going for promotion and Scunthorpe and Port Vale are less attractive than Leicester or Derby......but isn't our away support collapsing as much, if not more, than our home support.

We used to take big numbers to places like Carlisle. Our away support in the north has shrunk quite a bit.

I accept we're a small club but a PVale said on saturday that he knew we had potential to be quite big. Are we losing this or will it all come back when the stadium at the uni is built?

 

[Da Man Clay]

It will all come back with interest.

 

[Beach Hut]

We will never generate larger crowds with our crap commercial people at BHAFC.

The club has no idea on getting bums onseats as follows:

1. Move the Family stand to a new area without consultation - loss of several STH

2. Put prices up when product is worse

3. Piss off several STH when they don't get a WHUFC ticket

4. Talk to local Youth football clubs to sell more tickets, club say they have - bollox of the highest order no effort made at all

5. As previously mentioned - shit stadium, very expensive and catering a rip off.

I wonder if the club might think about reduced ST prices next year and the option of a few games for a £5 to fill these seats ?

I really do fear for this club commercially when Falmer is built and how we might fill it.

 

[cjd]

There is another side to this. Ok we're a division lower , not going for promotion and Scunthorpe and Port Vale are less attractive than Leicester or Derby......but isn't our away support collapsing as much, if not more, than our home support.

We used to take big numbers to places like Carlisle. Our away support in the north has shrunk quite a bit.

I accept we're a small club but a PVale said on saturday that he knew we had potential to be quite big. Are we losing this or will it all come back when the stadium at the uni is built?

All joking aside, I really do believe that the lack of investment ( i.e. a roof ) at Withdean is becoming a major issue. When we first went to Withdean, with no guarantee of promotion, or even a good side to watch in League 2, it was practically sold out every week. Despite three promotions since then, our gates are dropping......Why...?....It,s not just the dire football we,ve had from the Albion the last year or so, it,s simply that people are getting fed up each winter ,of sitting in the cold with no protection from the elements. The present argument over the West Ham tickets has highlighted how easy people are prepared to give up their season tickets. I,ve had a seaon ticket for more years than I care to remember.....and to be honest, it,s a good job I do,...there,s been many a time in the last couple of years , when we,ve been playing rubbish,and it,s pouring with rain , or freezing cold that I,ve only gone because I,ve already paid for the ticket. I,m absolutely certain that I,m not alone in thinking like this.If season ticket sales drop again this year, and sadly I think they will....the gates will drop even further in the mid-winter and further again, if we don,t have anything to play for at the tail end of the season. I really hope I,m wrong of course....but the season ticket sales will tell their own story.

 

[dougdeep]

There will never be a roof! Get over it. The outlay wouldn't be worth the limited amount of time that we will be there, it isn't our stadium.

 

[Beach Hut]

There will never be a roof! Get over it. The outlay wouldn't be worth the limited amount of time that we will be there, it isn't our stadium.

I thought planning permission had been sought and refused once already for this.

The answer lies in attractive ticketing prices for a mediocre product - commercial acuman which is bereft at this club.

Besides I believe the Commercial Manager was once an Estate Agent so that sums it up.

 

[dougdeep]

So let's say that they reduced the prices by 10% next season and the attendance didn't alter. What would you do then?

 

[cjd]

There will never be a roof! Get over it. The outlay wouldn't be worth the limited amount of time that we will be there, it isn't our stadium.

I agree..... that with our present Board, there never will be a roof.If it,s not there.....how can i get over it..??... Do we REALLY know that we have limited time at Withdean...??. Just looked at your birthdate.....think we,re the ones with limited time...!!

 

[El Presidente]

You wont be able to pay on the gate at Falmer either don't forget.

Can't do it at Old Trafford or Anfield either. How do they survive?

 

[Beach Hut]

So let's say that they reduced the prices by 10% next season and the attendance didn't alter. What would you do then?

You can reduce the ST price and include three games with reduced pricing to get more people in with the hope that they will then come along on a regular basis.

The club has to gamble at some point otherwise they will just leak STHs and people will then pick and chose games.

Also don't forget if the club do not get the STH renewal it causes a major financial issue on the viability of the club overall.

At the end of the day Doug it is up to the club but this blinkered vision will cost them with STH renewals.

 

[Simster]

Can't do it at Old Trafford or Anfield either. How do they survive?

Oooh I expect Premiership TV money, Champions League entry, and enormous commercial spin offs from being the biggest clubs with the best football teams in the country probably sees them alright.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

By the time we get to Falmer, although there will be no pay on the gate, people that decide to go on the day will have the option of booking online and printing their e-ticket or with mobile technology send an SMS which bills their debit card for a seat (you get back a text with the seat details and a barcode which is scanned at the turnstile and on public transport as Oyster card readers will be operational in 2007)

 

[surrey jim]

too many jonny come latleys

 

[Row Z Creased Shirt]

Given the running costs of the club, the Albion's hands seem to be tied with regards to ticket prices. Any reduction is a gamble on people turning up. As was proved at the FA Cup games a large reduction in price didn't exactly fill the place to the rafters.

And I sat in the family stand for the FA Cup game v Stafford and thought the view was fine. That area seems to be one of the few successes of this season as it seems to be fuller more often than not, with kids generating their own atmosphere and the pricing for this section seems pretty reasonable to me.

The only thing that is going to fill Withdean is a successful team, if we are challenging for promotion later on this season then expect the sold out signs to go up and the home ticket moaning to begin.We may even sell out an away allocation for a league match!

IMO it's too easy to blame the club, we are playing decent stuff at the moment, if you can afford to come then do as the boys are deserving of your support. If people are staying away just because of the facilities then I doubt that you are as big a fan of this club as you think you are.

 

[Bry Nylon]

By the time we get to Falmer, although there will be no pay on the gate, people that decide to go on the day will have the option of booking online and printing their e-ticket or with mobile technology send an SMS which bills their debit card for a seat (you get back a text with the seat details and a barcode which is scanned at the turnstile and on public transport as Oyster card readers will be operational in 2007)

By the time we get to Falmer, I'll probably be able to go on my HOVER BOARD

 

[seagull1971]

cold food , no beer