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5888
Aug 30, 2014 20:33:51 GMT 1
Post by mysticsdad on Aug 30, 2014 20:33:51 GMT 1
Including just over 1000 Luton supporters. A woeful turn out considering the exciting squad we have and the results so far?
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Aug 30, 2014 20:41:12 GMT 1
Build it, and they will come...
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 20:43:19 GMT 1
Post by SheffieldShrew on Aug 30, 2014 20:43:19 GMT 1
The club lost a lot of fans last season unfortunately.
Agreed, on the football alone they deserve a lot more.
The match day experience still could be improved vastly though, no parking, ticket office queues etc puts people off that I know from going spur of the moment.
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 20:48:52 GMT 1
Post by weststandshrew on Aug 30, 2014 20:48:52 GMT 1
Yer I thought it would be just over 6,000 but most Town fans were saying 5800 odd was what they were forecasting given previous gates.
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 20:52:00 GMT 1
Post by wimbledonshrew on Aug 30, 2014 20:52:00 GMT 1
:'(It would have been one more but I've got a bad back and couldn't drive.
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 20:54:54 GMT 1
Post by atcham jack on Aug 30, 2014 20:54:54 GMT 1
1034 from Luton and be fair another week of school holidays, I will be disappointed if we cannot retain 5k/5.5k gates if we keep this form up. towns 1st real test will imo be at Preston, interesting to see how many changes are made in preparation for long haul north east. 3 points up there is better than flogging a dead horse in the watch the paint dry cup.
perhaps our reserves can beat Preston.
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Post by essofsteel on Aug 30, 2014 21:34:11 GMT 1
Lost a lot last year which is easy to do. Very difficult to get back, as in any business. Long queues, high prices & a very hit & miss park & ride service do not encourage fans to return. Great football today though. Very high standard.
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 21:34:27 GMT 1
Post by essofsteel on Aug 30, 2014 21:34:27 GMT 1
Lost a lot last year which is easy to do. Very difficult to get back, as in any business. Long queues, high prices & a very hit & miss park & ride service do not encourage fans to return. Great football today though. Very high standard.
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 21:44:38 GMT 1
RBA likes this
Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Aug 30, 2014 21:44:38 GMT 1
Listening to "The Verdict" on Radio Shropshire tonight was basically one hour of positive advertising for STFC.
That's not always been the case.
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 21:49:41 GMT 1
via mobile
calimero likes this
Post by vanner on Aug 30, 2014 21:49:41 GMT 1
Each game will bring back a few more. It 2 years of crap football to lose what, 750-1000 fans? It's gonna take a while for those numbers to return and the fact is we've probably lost a few of those forever.
However... It won't take that long for fans to come back and new fans to become regulars if we continue to play at this standard.
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bradders
Midland League Division One
Posts: 332
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Post by bradders on Aug 30, 2014 22:02:10 GMT 1
I have never had to queue for tickets prior to a game before as I have always had a season ticket, but today I was with a friend who needed to buy a ticket. We arrived at 14:40 and it 23 minutes from entering the queue to get a ticket, resulting in missing the first goal.
Yes we could have got there earlier, but it was very frustrating and I hope Matt Williams can do something to speed the process up as the queue wasn't moving very quickly at all. There was still a large queue behind us after 15:00, so people must have been buying tickets up until approx 15:20, which is a shame, and this must put people off from returning.
Why don't we operate a cash entry system from one turnstile per each stand? I know it was done pre season and seemed to work well.
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 22:08:53 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by jonbond on Aug 30, 2014 22:08:53 GMT 1
Agree with all that queues are shocking , both for accrington and today . They just don't seem to move!
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5888
Aug 30, 2014 22:12:53 GMT 1
Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Aug 30, 2014 22:12:53 GMT 1
It is not good to hear about queuing and missing the start.
There must be a better way. Like after 2.30pm you don't get to choose the seat or whatever. You just get what you're given.
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 0:23:53 GMT 1
Post by thesensationaljt on Aug 31, 2014 0:23:53 GMT 1
Including just over 1000 Luton supporters. A woeful turn out considering the exciting squad we have and the results so far? You're not wrong, Miss Ticks Dad, but you'll know from your time at STFC, the fans views are not treated as a priority. I've done my best to encourage former supporters back, managed to get a few, but it seems hard work at the moment.
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 0:28:39 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by Myddleshrew on Aug 31, 2014 0:28:39 GMT 1
Way I see it at moment it's loyal fans soon the bandwagon jumpers will appear
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 0:31:19 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by vanner on Aug 31, 2014 0:31:19 GMT 1
It is not good to hear about queuing and missing the start. There must be a better way. Like after 2.30pm you don't get to choose the seat or whatever. You just get what you're given. Good idea.
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 0:41:34 GMT 1
Post by atcham jack on Aug 31, 2014 0:41:34 GMT 1
yes we lost money last year with a load of lemon loanees. this year roland is sat on a treasure trove of vastly improving experienced valuable players on 2 year contracts. this coupled with sale of promising sales of youth and tv rights may prove this season to be profitable.
what is needed is regular 6k gates, mw making the most of the stadium throughout the year. I would like to see a professional gymnasium built with all the equipment this would benefit the squad and be available at a cost to the fittest of members of the gymnasium.
our club really needs marketing from a new kit and old badge upwards. we have witnessed 7 years of white elephant but matt Williams is a big enough beast in the jungle and he should encourage ideas to raise money through our parliament. we all have input into that. pip pip AJ Devon
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 0:41:47 GMT 1
Post by champagneprince on Aug 31, 2014 0:41:47 GMT 1
Each game will bring back a few more. It 2 years of cr@p football to lose what, 750-1000 fans? It's gonna take a while for those numbers to return and the fact is we've probably lost a few of those forever. However... It won't take that long for fans to come back and new fans to become regulars if we continue to play at this standard. Very true, smack on.
In addition I would add that 5% of a towns population is more than the going rate for a towns football watching population
Kings Lynn, Wakefield, Warrington, Gloucester, Hastings etc......what do they actually do on a Saturday afternoon ?
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 0:53:42 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by markglasgow on Aug 31, 2014 0:53:42 GMT 1
So how many do we think we should have? Close to 5k home fans which is a decent turnout given the circumstances.
I always considered 5.5k to be around the glass ceiling for a home support for any given regular league match.
We aren't too far off. The word is out. The Town are Back.
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 4:38:56 GMT 1
Post by camdenshrew on Aug 31, 2014 4:38:56 GMT 1
Nobody should underestimate the loss of trust and confidence that many felt towards the club after last season's debacle. Rubbish football, a team that didn't feel our own, no clear plan either on the pitch or off it and clearly some long-running problems om match days. Clearly, very damaging.
It's superb the way we appear to be recovering but I don't blame the absentees for being reticent at the moment. It may take quite a while before we are back to where we were in terms of home support.
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Post by shrewinjapan on Aug 31, 2014 4:57:21 GMT 1
4800+ town fans for a L2 game in August seems perfectly respectable to me.
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Aug 31, 2014 5:31:58 GMT 1
Football is a habit.
People soon get out of that habit and find something else to do.
It's about making it difficult not to go, which a good match experience, and sense of momentum with the team.
Then add in good social connections for people, and a sense of belonging.
We're still sadly absolutely miles off in some of those areas, but making some progress.
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Deleted
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 6:47:11 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 6:47:11 GMT 1
We lost between 1,000 -1.500 in two years. 600 have returned since the Tranmere & Accy games, that's not bad at all
Carry on with the current performances & results and more will return.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 7:04:51 GMT 1
It still believe that the ‘match day experience’ is governed by results.
As an example yesterday I saw an acquaintance who swore blind last season he wasn’t going back until he could pay on the gate and stand up.
There he was enjoying the game, just like he did during our promotion season.
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 7:36:14 GMT 1
Post by stuttgartershrew on Aug 31, 2014 7:36:14 GMT 1
I think that's a pretty decent attendance.
Are the poor performances and results from last season really a factor on attendances this time around? Surely if that were the case they would have stopped going last season and returned this time around when we're back in a division we know we can compete at (and early signs suggest we're going to do just that). If its performances and results that swing it then folk would be back already. And is the 3rd that much more of a pull than the 4th division? I know we played one or two 'big' clubs last season but for the most part, for me, the 3rd division is much of a muchness. Just like the 4th division.
When we say we have lost support, how are we gauging that? Is this based on the number of Town fans in attendance at games at the same time of the season to this? As I think 4800 Town fans is decent enough. This time last season (or the season before) there was 5800 Town fans attending games?
Biggest factor for me will always be the cost. I think to pop down and see a game for 20 quid will result in plenty of people thinking twice about doing so and folk looking to pick and choose games.
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Aug 31, 2014 8:27:20 GMT 1
It still believe that the ‘match day experience’ is governed by results. To a degree. But if results are rubbish, then a 15 minute walk down a muddy dark track in the dark in the rain to get to the stadium is another reason not to go. Of course good football makes a big difference, but there are plenty of reasons why a local neutral who wants to watch a bit of football would not bother with us. Yesterday I had the privilege of borrowing a parking permit. The experience of going to the game was so, so much better. That's why some senior people at the club struggle to empathise with some of our concerns. I had to pop back to the stadium afterwards and there were still people at 5.20 huddled under the doorways out of the rain waiting for the last bus out. There must be a better way than that surely? Leaving the concourse open until the last bus has gone? A small covered area? None of these little things matter - but when you add them up it just makes people feel unappreciated. But, and it is a big but, I have a great deal of confidence that there are people involved now who do get some of that. I might invite Matt Williams to come to a game with me sometime. We'll go to the Darwin - pre match pint on a Tuesday night in November - walk down in the dark down Oteley Road. Watching the cars and pedestrians mix down by the houses. Then after the game we will go and collect our car from the park and ride, down Superblues way in the dark. Hopefully it will be cold and raining. That is why people can't be bothered with if the results are terrible, or if they are disabled, or old, or ill, or whatever. I missed several games last season because I could not physically walk from the drop off point by the mini roundabout to the stadium. I was later told by a staff member that i should have asked to be given a lift right up to the stadium. But I didn't know you're allowed to ask to do that, and frankly if I don't know that I am not sure many others do either. But back to results on the pitch - of course they are the deciding factor. Yesterday and Tuesday were so, so good that I am on cloud nine and would shuffle on my bum from Sainsburys if I had to!
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Deleted
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 8:40:21 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 8:40:21 GMT 1
I thought it was a good turn out.
If town can go top, then will see them through the months of November-February, where excluding Christmas, you tend to get lower crowds, ready to be topped up with bigger crowds for a promotion run in.
Any average off over 5,000 would be excellent in my view given last season and the cumulative drop in away fans we will see (played two of the biggest away followings already).
On a personal level, I can't wait to get down there to see the team, and I haven't thought that since the first season of GT. I'm sure there are many more like me.
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 9:14:41 GMT 1
Post by davycrockett on Aug 31, 2014 9:14:41 GMT 1
Why don't we operate a cash entry system from one turnstile per each stand? I know it was done pre season and seemed to work well. Because the whole ground is reserved seating so a cash turnstile would sell unreserved seats which would cause chaos... The problem is charging the same up to kick off which doesn't incentify fans to buy early
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Deleted
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 9:18:26 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 9:18:26 GMT 1
It still believe that the ‘match day experience’ is governed by results. To a degree. But if results are rubbish, then a 15 minute walk down a muddy dark track in the dark in the rain to get to the stadium is another reason not to go. Of course good football makes a big difference, but there are plenty of reasons why a local neutral who wants to watch a bit of football would not bother with us. Yesterday I had the privilege of borrowing a parking permit. The experience of going to the game was so, so much better. That's why some senior people at the club struggle to empathise with some of our concerns. I had to pop back to the stadium afterwards and there were still people at 5.20 huddled under the doorways out of the rain waiting for the last bus out. There must be a better way than that surely? Leaving the concourse open until the last bus has gone? A small covered area? None of these little things matter - but when you add them up it just makes people feel unappreciated. But, and it is a big but, I have a great deal of confidence that there are people involved now who do get some of that. I might invite Matt Williams to come to a game with me sometime. We'll go to the Darwin - pre match pint on a Tuesday night in November - walk down in the dark down Oteley Road. Watching the cars and pedestrians mix down by the houses. Then after the game we will go and collect our car from the park and ride, down Superblues way in the dark. Hopefully it will be cold and raining. That is why people can't be bothered with if the results are terrible, or if they are disabled, or old, or ill, or whatever. I missed several games last season because I could not physically walk from the drop off point by the mini roundabout to the stadium. I was later told by a staff member that i should have asked to be given a lift right up to the stadium. But I didn't know you're allowed to ask to do that, and frankly if I don't know that I am not sure many others do either. But back to results on the pitch - of course they are the deciding factor. Yesterday and Tuesday were so, so good that I am on cloud nine and would shuffle on my bum from Sainsburys if I had to! You make valid points Dave and I’m lucky in where I live so I have no issues in getting to the Darwin and going home via the golf course. However the point I’m making is that people appear happy to forget their gripes when Salop are playing like they are now. The problems you highlight and others remain whether we get promoted or relegated. I have only come across two people who will not watch football at the new GM regardless of what is happening on the pitch. This is after years of watching down at the old GM. They cite many reasons. I agree with Welshshrew. Once the season settles down and we are in a top 7 position then I fully expect a few more on the gate, particularly if we play the way we have been.
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Deleted
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5888
Aug 31, 2014 10:06:56 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 10:06:56 GMT 1
5,000 + for a L2 Club in a Town the size of Shrewsbury is OK. This time last season we may have got 800-1,000 more but we were playing Coventry, MK Dons and Swindon as opposed too Accrington Stanley, Luton and Tranmere. Also there would of been a few supporters collecting bonus points for the Wolves match. Although the Football or results may not have been as good, playing against League One teams will always be more attractive than League Two. How damaging was the odd original Ticket pricing structure? Plenty here were confused and annoyed - bad news spreads and is remembered far more than good - Has this stuck in the mind of more casual supporters who don't bother visiting B&A or the Club Website, have they realised it's been rectified a bit since? Increasing the price and passing the £20 mark for a Club that was relegated to many was seen an insult and a ''final straw'' if they get out of the habit it will take a lot to convince them back especially if they lose the habit. The Club might have realised this so reacted with big recruitment drive to counter act it.(Could this have been the issue of the overheard conversation? Has the Club spent to gain promotion at the expense of long term sustainability and hope to reclaim it back through the increased revenue higher up?) One thing that I would change is for the Supporters Bus to leave at 17:00 - 17:05 full or not and go directly too the Train Station allowing passengers to make their Train instead of presently going to the Council Offices Park and Ride first. It can then go through Town and the Council Offices on it's way to do a a guaranteed second pick up for late stragglers. Currently those hoping to catch a 17:20 ish Train have to either leave early and attempt to walk it or pay the added expense of a Taxi (which has failed to turn up a number of times).
Edit: There is in fact very little difference in Attendances.
Just looked 2013:- 3rd August V MK Dons att 5,114. 2014: 16th August V Tranmere att 5,249
17th August V Swindon att 4,943 19th Augus V Accrington att 4,298
31st August V Coventry att 6,541 30th August V Luton att 5,888
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