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4992
Feb 15, 2015 10:21:45 GMT 1
Post by billynomates on Feb 15, 2015 10:21:45 GMT 1
The football club have a very professional company called Radio Shropshire permanently promoting the club the length and breadth of the county and further afield. No one is ever left in any doubt as to the goings on at GM. On that basis there is no reason why the good footballing folk of Shropshire should sit at home oblivious to the successes of watching our team.
What doesn't help the club, are the difficulties in getting to the ground. Every obstacle is put in the path of any prospective supporter, the main one being parking. With a huge car park rarely full, why cant the club make a larger number of spaces free, then having done this offer a concession for four/five adult/child tickets? Hey presto more bums on seats. Until very recently one of the major paths to the ground was largely overgrown making access difficult. Yesterday I am pleased to say, access was hugely improved.
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Deleted
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 10:37:14 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 10:37:14 GMT 1
The football club have a very professional company called Radio Shropshire permanently promoting the club the length and breadth of the county and further afield. No one is ever left in any doubt as to the goings on at GM. On that basis there is no reason why the good footballing folk of Shropshire should sit at home oblivious to the successes of watching our team. What doesn't help the club, are the difficulties in getting to the ground. Every obstacle is put in the path of any prospective supporter, the main one being parking. With a huge car park rarely full, why cant the club make a larger number of spaces free, then having done this offer a concession for four/five adult/child tickets? Hey presto more bums on seats. Until very recently one of the major paths to the ground was largely overgrown making access difficult. Yesterday I am pleased to say, access was hugely improved. Is the new housing estate opposite the garden centre going to have the same parking restrictions as elsewhere on match days?
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Post by clashcityrocker on Feb 15, 2015 10:52:39 GMT 1
What is the point of promo if no bugger turns up to watch. Do hope gates improve soon. Just hope rw, MW and mm are not wasting their time. We're you there AJ? i used to travel very often for home matches from Exmouth. I have stopped going so often because I now have extra work commitments, and to be honest, I don't like the new(ish) stadium. i don't complain about low gates either.
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Post by mattmw on Feb 15, 2015 10:54:17 GMT 1
The football club have a very professional company called Radio Shropshire permanently promoting the club the length and breadth of the county and further afield. No one is ever left in any doubt as to the goings on at GM. On that basis there is no reason why the good footballing folk of Shropshire should sit at home oblivious to the successes of watching our team. What doesn't help the club, are the difficulties in getting to the ground. Every obstacle is put in the path of any prospective supporter, the main one being parking. With a huge car park rarely full, why cant the club make a larger number of spaces free, then having done this offer a concession for four/five adult/child tickets? Hey presto more bums on seats. Until very recently one of the major paths to the ground was largely overgrown making access difficult. Yesterday I am pleased to say, access was hugely improved. Is the new housing estate opposite the garden centre going to have the same parking restrictions as elsewhere on match days? Housing estates and football grounds are subject to different planning laws unfortunately. Policies affecting football grounds are set by national policy on car parking spaces v numbers of seats, and unless the government changes that the club and local councils hands are rather tied by planning laws. It's all rather hypocritical really as shops and housing can get planning with barely a nod to sustainable transport, yet football clubs have to jump through all sorts of hoops. The new M&S food store going up on the Meole Retail park is predicted to increase footfall on that site by 30% yet they have made no attempt to improve access to that site and its road access.
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 11:02:43 GMT 1
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Post by shrewder on Feb 15, 2015 11:02:43 GMT 1
Looking back to times when Town were st the old ground and playing at this level gates today are quite reasonable. Like others have said the damage was done last season. Firmly believe crowds will increase next season if we are in league one and in the top half of the league.
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yorkshrew
Midland League Division One
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 11:30:07 GMT 1
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Post by yorkshrew on Feb 15, 2015 11:30:07 GMT 1
This season I have only attended 3 home games, usually I manage about 8 - 10. This I could put down to numerous things, opposition not as attractive, timing of visits to Shropshire, new pricing structure and parking. When I came to the Southend game, I did however try the Toys r us parking and it was very convenient and well organised. It was cheaper than Sutton Grange which i normally use and if Super blues way had more exit gates , it could potentially speed things up. I now think it is time for Town to announce an offer to get the ground rocking ready for the final run in.
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 11:32:22 GMT 1
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Post by Myddleshrew on Feb 15, 2015 11:32:22 GMT 1
Shocking wonder how many off these hardcore fans this season will struggle to get a ticket near end of season
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Post by davycrockett on Feb 15, 2015 11:48:10 GMT 1
The disappointing thing is that the club has turned around quicker than we could possibly have imagined, after a good few years of poor leadership the appointment of Matt by RW (who finally woke up to the rudderless ship that he almost ran aground!)and also the early appointment of MM has worked wonders.......
But in the 'route and branch review' he must have factored in increasing gates based on success on the pitch, linked with a turn round in commercial income which Matt has admitted isn't as easy as he thought it might be which together must make planning for league 1 difficult!
There needs to be more (much more) buzz around the place. Pre match and half time entertainment is non existent! Why? Same old pre match build up by a dinosaur who refuses to listen or change the music.... What the club rely on is the loyalty of the fans who turn up whatever and make their own entertainment, hence the poor atmosphere... We talk about singing sections, almost get things going in the South Stand in 1 game with a drum but this was immediately scuppered by a couple of moaners..
We need a supporters club that actually does something to attract fans to home game not just away games, organises activities on match days like face painting and fun in the family stand - I can remember at GM when the family stand at times made more noise than the Riverside yet now its silent.... A supporters bar (even a temporary one a la Yeovil) where fans can meet up prior to the game and be trusted to mingle with away supporters, catering vans outside the ground... Activities for kids at every game not just the odd game...
Anyone who visited Exeter will know what I mean with a 'fans park' for pre match socialising (both home and away) rather than choose either of the pubs available (which both have limitations) for a pre match drink then the walk to the ground aiming to arrive as late as possible to avoid the non existing build up.............
The Club could do a lot more than they do to attract and entertain their customers (football aside)
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 12:52:36 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 12:52:36 GMT 1
I know a family who hardly go now based on the fact their young son who was playing in a schools final at the New Meadow broke his leg and was treated appallingly by the club at the time of the incident in which the young lad really suffered. I know the father extremely well who followed STFC every home game and a number of away matches for 35 years. It still leaves a bad taste in his mouth and he just does not go now although his son has been on the rare occasion I am told he is not fussed now. This happened at the end of our first season back in League One!
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 12:53:17 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 12:53:17 GMT 1
find it very amusing that one of the main contributors to this is from AJ who has been to the ground once or twice this season, whilst lambasting others for not attending. Could easily be a labour minister with stats like that. Whilst in the conference season, I lived in Lulworth Cove in Dorset and missed just 1 home game. not wanting a medal for that, but if your gonna slam others for not attending then at least be a shade whiter yourself.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 12:56:04 GMT 1
In fairness to AJ if he did not have to care for his elderly mother I think he would visit more frequently!
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Post by clashcityrocker on Feb 15, 2015 13:11:15 GMT 1
In fairness to AJ if he did not have to care for his elderly mother I think he would visit more frequently! I wasn't critcising AJ for not attending, I was a little confused about how he can whinge about poor attendance. there are many reasons why I don't go very often, some that I have previously mentioned, but a visit to the meadow for me was a family thing, I could sit by my dad, and catch up, chat through the match, etc. now if I want to sit by him, he has to arrange to move his season ticket to a place where I can sit by him, and I have to get the ticket by him. It has to be planned with military precision, gone are the days when I can decide on a Saturday morning to make the 120 mile trip to Shrewsbury for the match. this is progress, apparently...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 13:23:00 GMT 1
In fairness to AJ, if he cant attend for various reasons, don't shout at others for also not attending, they to may have perfectly acceptable reasons for not going. Perhaps a dignified silence on the issue would be a better approach.
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Post by atcham jack on Feb 15, 2015 13:23:04 GMT 1
AJ is 200 miles away in Devon caring for a 100 year old mother,, I would love to be there, and will be on April 11th, in the meantime when will the club shop be advertising their new loggerheads wares online, like scarves in stock
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Post by atcham jack on Feb 15, 2015 13:35:38 GMT 1
An wishes to say sorry, as well as caring, I cannot afford a 400 milereturn journey but admire those who can. At 74 my days of gallivanting around the country are curtailed..I will say no more except when I do come up I will have the club hospitality. Every way I can support the club, I promise I will
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Post by billynomates on Feb 15, 2015 13:36:54 GMT 1
Judging by the amount of time that you spend on here talking about teddy bears, the club shop, Roland Wycherley, I'm surprised you have any time to care for your Mother AJ. You have far more posts on here than most of the other contributors, who write on here and, quite frankly, I find your incessant and mundane contributions a pain. No doubt other people feel the same. Perhaps Exeter, Plymouth or Torquay are looking for writers?
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Post by poetsmoon on Feb 15, 2015 13:50:54 GMT 1
My son and I have attended the meadow far less than the last couple of seasons for mainly financial reasons. I know that the country is supposed to be on somewhat of a phoenix-esque surge into profitability and economic success when it comes to big business. However the poorer folks in this great land have far less disposable income than in previous years, and have to make a conscious decision as to their priorities in life. Nothing gives me more pleasure than cheering on town from the stands. Even last year I could feasibly take my son to the game for around £20, often £19, for the two of us, and just a couple more quid to take my other two, (albeit two less interested parties I should add!). The argument could be made "what can you do for twenty pounds these days?", and was my oft used excuse for going to the football! But an increase in ticket costs and the removal of the dynamic ticket pricing has put the kybosh on that for us. Even a small increase in ticket pricing can remove the choice of many fans to be a able to quantify what is essentially a luxury. (Even though it often feels like a necessity!). Add to that the travel/parking costs the price soon becomes beyond the reach of the less well off. So these fans have to listen to the excellent radio commentary, and spend ninety minutes dearly wishing they were there.
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Drew
Midland League Division One
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 13:57:47 GMT 1
Post by Drew on Feb 15, 2015 13:57:47 GMT 1
I am a 'casual fan'.
Most Saturdays I would like to go to the game but I can't just drive to the stadium watch the game and then drive back so I don't go.
Call me lazy if you like but it's not easy to watch a game at that stadium.
The car park should be 3 times as big as it is, £5, first come first served. None of this phone up 10 weeks in advance rubbish to get a permit.
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 14:01:28 GMT 1
Post by atcham jack on Feb 15, 2015 14:01:28 GMT 1
I will swap with you shrewder' it may improve your ever pessimistic predictions!
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 14:22:17 GMT 1
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Post by shrewder on Feb 15, 2015 14:22:17 GMT 1
I will swap with you shrewder' it may improve your ever pessimistic predictions! Not pessimistic just have my feet on the ground and not have my head in the clouds.
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Deleted
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 14:32:12 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 14:32:12 GMT 1
I found this site (linked below) a couple of weeks ago and found it quite interesting to look at our attendances over the years. Some of the trends may apply now, some may not. Our initial "new ground" jump in average attendances had held up pretty well, a result of a couple of decent play-off seasons, the excellent 20011/2 promotion season and the increase of away followings and more local games in L1. With the new ground effect well behind us, it's not surprising that last season's relegation has caused a slump, but it is surprising (with this season's performances) that things haven't started to improve again. It's probably something we have to ride out financially for the time being, as if we gain promotion, I can see no reason why we couldn't quickly get back up to the 5.6/5.7k mark again, when back in L1 STFC Attendances
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 14:45:51 GMT 1
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Post by calimero on Feb 15, 2015 14:45:51 GMT 1
Are there coaches put on by the club to transport people in from the north of the town? Not park and ride but just transport to make it easy for fans who live in that area.
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Feb 15, 2015 15:03:33 GMT 1
I know a family who hardly go now based on the fact their young son who was playing in a schools final at the New Meadow broke his leg and was treated appallingly by the club at the time of the incident in which the young lad really suffered. I know the father extremely well who followed STFC every home game and a number of away matches for 35 years. It still leaves a bad taste in his mouth and he just does not go now although his son has been on the rare occasion I am told he is not fussed now. This happened at the end of our first season back in League One!
I know a former season ticket holder who went for season after season with his dad. When his dad passed away they did a memorial fund and asked local businesses he was involved with to support it. The only one to refuse was Shrewsbury Town. In fairness, they did say that if he bought something they'd get it signed for him. His dad had been a season ticket holder for many, many years. The son has not been in the stadium since. So refusing to give away a cheap football has probably cost the club at least £500 and a huge amount of goodwill. Ultimately I think it boils down to the club acting like a charity when they want something, but acting like a business when you want something. People's bond and family ties with a club run deep, so when that trust is broken it can take years to repair.
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Feb 15, 2015 15:05:18 GMT 1
I should add that I've got nothing but praise for, and have heard nothing but praise for Matt Williams.
Everything I've mentioned is historical.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 15:17:00 GMT 1
Judging by the amount of time that you spend on here talking about teddy bears, the club shop, Roland Wycherley, I'm surprised you have any time to care for your Mother AJ. You have far more posts on here than most of the other contributors, who write on here and, quite frankly, I find your incessant and mundane contributions a pain. No doubt other people feel the same. Perhaps Exeter, Plymouth or Torquay are looking for writers? No wonder you have no mates with comments like that...
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Post by stuttgartershrew on Feb 15, 2015 15:28:46 GMT 1
With the new ground effect well behind us, it's not surprising that last season's relegation has caused a slump, but it is surprising (with this season's performances) that things haven't started to improve again. I'm not so sure. I honestly don't think the last two seasons are having an impact on attendances as some would have us believe. For the most part, football fans are creatures of habit and will turn up come what may. More so supporters of a club that have had pretty much nowt to cheer for the last 20 years or so. I don't believe one poor season would all of a sudden see people give the club a wide berth. If Town fans were to desert the club because of a poor season or two they would have done so years ago. They've had more than one to suffer. The football is great at the moment. One thing that has changed is the pricing. I don't think its a coincidence that with the change in pricing we've seen a drop in attendances from the last promotion season.
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 16:02:39 GMT 1
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Post by MartinB on Feb 15, 2015 16:02:39 GMT 1
AJ is 200 miles away in Devon caring for a 100 year old mother,, I would love to be there, and will be on April 11th, in the meantime when will the club shop be advertising their new loggerheads wares online, like scarves in stock New logo scarves already online
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Deleted
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 16:14:08 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 16:14:08 GMT 1
Blimey I never thought I'd ever see the day when Salop fans would be concerned about sub 5k gates.
We used to dream of anything over 3500 at the old GM.
There is plenty of parking within 10 -15 minutes of the ground for those fit enough. If people choose not to attend a game because of the distance involved from free parking then this says more about lifestyles which has nothing to do with the Club or the council.
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Deleted
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 16:23:45 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 16:23:45 GMT 1
find it very amusing that one of the main contributors to this is from AJ who has been to the ground once or twice this season, whilst lambasting others for not attending. Could easily be a labour minister with stats like that. Whilst in the conference season, I lived in Lulworth Cove in Dorset and missed just 1 home game. not wanting a medal for that, but if your gonna slam others for not attending then at least be a shade whiter yourself. I think you deserve one img1.etsystatic.com/022/0/7797229/il_340x270.578538587_b68j.jpg
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4992
Feb 15, 2015 17:00:35 GMT 1
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Post by vanner on Feb 15, 2015 17:00:35 GMT 1
Question: is there a guide to attending the ground on the site? Something like the football league ground guide but for home fans and advertising transportation in place, how to get tickets, where to sit depending on what you want from the game (family stand etc)?
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