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4992
Feb 16, 2015 13:04:40 GMT 1
Post by SouthStandShrew on Feb 16, 2015 13:04:40 GMT 1
The weather doesn't help.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 13:07:30 GMT 1
Post by The Shropshire Tenor on Feb 16, 2015 13:07:30 GMT 1
The weather doesn't help. Shock revelation, football is a winter sport!
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 13:08:04 GMT 1
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 13:08:04 GMT 1
I have spent the seasons , since our move to the new stadium, watching football as a STH. That is apart from this season, when I decided to watch Shrewsbury play on a week to week basis and purchase my ticket as and when. Funnily enough I have seen most home games and a few away games. The decision not to renew my ST was nothing to do with the footballing side of things, League 1 or League 2 it made no difference. What really got me to change my supporting habit was the gradual realisation that, to the club, my being a supporter was a bit of an imposition.
The Legends Card fiasco, what a complete waste of space. Years on we still have one banner, with another one joining it ...when. Did the supporters who joined up get any answers to their questions, as in what is happening to the money held by the club for future Club Legend banners.
The eventual reinstatement of the Loggerheads badge. Why were we lied to for so long and made to feel like traitors working against the club itself.
The 2 for 1 ticket initiative where you could buy a ticket and one for your mate, only your mate would not be able to sit by you, or something along those lines, anyway it was a complete ****in balls- up.
And I got to think, why should I give them my money early doors and still be treated like a second class idiot.
Looks like this season we have signed possibly one of the clubs best signings in Matt Williams, thank God, but previously we were very poor concerning club and fan liason.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 13:56:19 GMT 1
Once you stop going, returning on a regular basis is not easy.
I've been twice this season. Ludicrous given we're top of the table. Yet, the 2002/3 season, I did a 250 mile trip to watch every home league and cup game. And lots of aways.
Our crowds were slipping for a while, and were propped up by away crowds in league 1, but I think we are doing plenty right to get it back in the right direction.
Still though, for me, getting to the ground is an issue, particularly with kids. You can't buy a family ticket on line. That's a problem. And if on one of your one-offs (for me it was Wycombe) you get a poor atmosphere and a poor game, it reminds you why spending £20 on other things and time doing other stuff is not a bad shout.
Getting it right next season, hopefully in league one, is key.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 13:59:37 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by MartinB on Feb 16, 2015 13:59:37 GMT 1
I to do not get this match day experiences excuse, the day is what you make it. Go with decent company and the right attitude and you can have a great day, especially now when the football is great and we win most of the time. Isn't there buses put on from various points around the town next to plenty of parking that takes you to and from the stadium? so the "I don't want to walk ten minutes" excuse doesn't stand up. Can someone explain the difference between a supporters bar and the powerleague to me? The club allow people that want to goto the power league after the game to pass through the gate I believe the club are trying i.e smoking area at half time. I goto the match with a few mates have a few beers and a laugh and get behind my team. The day is what you make it! I do understand the match day experience thing. With the old ground I could park the car after the 3 or 4 hour drive I have had and not worry about driving again until 5 pm makes having a pint or two and a good meal more relaxing. Now I really have to think about timings of having a pint with my mates from Shropshire and allowing 40 minutes to leave the pub and park near the ground. For night matches this will mean driving straight to the game and straight home again afterwards where as before I could have a meal as well. A bit different for me with having a 400 mile round trip for each home game I suppose
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 14:07:36 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:07:36 GMT 1
I have spent the seasons , since our move to the new stadium, watching football as a STH. That is apart from this season, when I decided to watch Shrewsbury play on a week to week basis and purchase my ticket as and when. Funnily enough I have seen most home games and a few away games. The decision not to renew my ST was nothing to do with the footballing side of things, League 1 or League 2 it made no difference. What really got me to change my supporting habit was the gradual realisation that, to the club, my being a supporter was a bit of an imposition. The Legends Card fiasco, what a complete waste of space. Years on we still have one banner, with another one joining it ...when. Did the supporters who joined up get any answers to their questions, as in what is happening to the money held by the club for future Club Legend banners. The eventual reinstatement of the Loggerheads badge. Why were we lied to for so long and made to feel like traitors working against the club itself. The 2 for 1 ticket initiative where you could buy a ticket and one for your mate, only your mate would not be able to sit by you, or something along those lines, anyway it was a complete ****in balls- up. And I got to think, why should I give them my money early doors and still be treated like a second class idiot. Looks like this season we have signed possibly one of the clubs best signings in Matt Williams, thank God, but previously we were very poor concerning club and fan liason. Good post. I also let me season ticket lapse for the last season in league 1 as I felt let down by the clubs lack of ambition in its first season back in league 1. The result is that I have missed quite a few games last season and this, due in the main to other distractions. As has been said many times, a ST makes you turn up because you have already paid but once lapsed and out of the habit of attending the risk of apathy grows. The key question is will Billy and I and many others renew their ST next season?
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 14:18:10 GMT 1
vanner likes this
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:18:10 GMT 1
On line bar coded tickets which you can print off at home and access the ground via unmanned turnstile is the way forward (Leicester City use unmanned turnstiles for barcoded tickets).
It would be good if the option of cash turnstiles for one or two sections of the ground was available as well for selected matches!
Welshrew raises a valid point that family tickets cannot be bought on line and that must be resolved by the start of next season, I think we lose quite a number because of this problem!
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Post by atcham jack on Feb 16, 2015 14:28:02 GMT 1
Basically, we are all, including me making excuses for why we do not/cannot attend, I will do my best to get up in April, enjoy the hospitality including free car park space, and explore the club shop.
I want to find the princeof wales pub, not been in there, just spoken to Sib in the club shop and ordered a new loggerheads scarf, not a fan of the new teddy bear, prefer my lucky 2 bears Roland and graham. So what will be the attendance for the Northampton game? AJ goes for 5009! FS
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 14:28:14 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:28:14 GMT 1
The 5 game flexi ticket came into effect from the home game vs Southend. Based on the attendance Saturday I would say that the take up for this initiative has been poor to average at best?
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 14:32:32 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:32:32 GMT 1
14/15:5018 13/14:5581 12/13:5736 11/12:5770 10/11:5876 09/10:5482
The comparisons should with the last promotion season where we have lost roughly 700. As the last two seasons were where the away attendances were far higher than our L2 seasons. So has anyone got the home supporters only figures? And is it the away fans that are not turning up?
Also the club do not charge an extra £1 to buy on the day and you can pay cash on the turnstile.
They have though increased the price for playing at a lower level, 1 Adult + 2 kids was £21 it is now £31(it could have been more but thankfully the Club backed down) as they have dropped kids for a £1 this not only puts off home supporters but can make the difference to who the away fan will pick to go and watch especially as we are not really local to any opponents this season. Other deterrents that have existed since the move and have not been addressed enough are the path, car parking and the supporter bus. If it went straight to the Station from the ground it would mean a lot of supporters would be able to catch a more convenient train. rather having to hang around for an hour or two for the next one. Add these all up and it can make a difference to whether some will bother with the hassle of coming as often.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 14:40:29 GMT 1
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Post by lenny on Feb 16, 2015 14:40:29 GMT 1
I do wonder if this sort of time might be ideal for the club to do an offer. Something like one ticket for all remaining home games at a sizeable discount, market it as getting behind the promotion push. Would give lapsed STHs an incentive to return (and also those who buy it a sunk cost to deter non-attendance). Yes, it might also just be taken up by some of those who already go every week but don't have season tickets (in which case it could be viewed as a 'thank you' for staying loyal) but I suspect that number is fairly low, and more people are picking and choosing games. Strikes me as a chance to attract fans back before season ticket sales start for next season, without their continued attendance just being reliant on one game being a good one, and with the added bonus of giving the players a lift for the run in.
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Feb 16, 2015 14:41:21 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:41:21 GMT 1
The 5 game flexi ticket came into effect from the home game vs Southend. Based on the attendance Saturday I would say that the take up for this initiative has been poor to average at best? They may be holding on to the latter part of the season IF we need the last game then who would use their last ticket before?
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Post by vanner on Feb 16, 2015 14:48:50 GMT 1
Too early to do comparisons with the last promo season. Also that season we had a few extra big away followings such as Hereford and Port Fail. Plus we'll have a a 7500 and a 9500 crowd to add to our figures for the last 2 games I imagine so the average will be closer to 5400.
Be interesting to see the figures for home fans only. Although I would expect us to still be down by a few hundred.
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Feb 16, 2015 14:51:07 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 14:51:07 GMT 1
The 5 game flexi ticket came into effect from the home game vs Southend. Based on the attendance Saturday I would say that the take up for this initiative has been poor to average at best? They may be holding on to the latter part of the season IF we need the last game then who would use their last ticket before? I think I've misunderstood how the 5 game flexi ticket works, the article on the official website threw me!
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 15:01:45 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 15:01:45 GMT 1
They may be holding on to the latter part of the season IF we need the last game then who would use their last ticket before? I think I've misunderstood how the 5 game flexi ticket works, the article on the official website threw me! The attendance though is who has turned up and not how many tickets have been purchased. The last game is Plymouth which would be a game many will have identified as one to watch regardless of the season.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 15:05:36 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 15:05:36 GMT 1
Revised Ticketing Policy and save money with Flexi Tickets Following discussions internally and with the members of the Supporters Parliament Shrewsbury Town can confirm they have revised the clubs ticketing policy for the forthcoming season. Town Chief Executive Matt Williams explains: “We have had several discussions with members of the Supporters Parliament in respect of our ticketing policy for the forthcoming season. “It is important that we listen to our customers and act accordingly and as a result, we have decided to extend the final discount period for season tickets until the start of the season. Equally it is vital for the club that we do not alienate our season ticket holders by adopting match day ticket prices that are cheaper than the average cost of a season ticket. “As a result we have been able to review our match day admission prices for the new season and have decided not to proceed with the membership scheme and our match day prices will be cheaper than they were for the 2013/14 season. “We have also introduced a five game flexi ticket for supporters and we can confirm supporters who purchase tickets after they have completed their flexi ticket will be able to purchase additional tickets at the reduced rate.
“As a club we are able to run eight ticket promotions in a season, four exclusively to home supporters and four to both home and away supporters. We are currently discussing which games we should target and further announcements will be made throughout the season.”
Read more at www.shrewsburytown.com/tickets/ticket-prices/index.aspx#Cqyuu27IcXcOsT3j.99Didn't realise this myself and how many ticket promotions have they got left?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 15:11:34 GMT 1
Foxie's idea of print at home tickets is a good one.
An added 'pain in the backside' of attending the Meadow is having to pick up a pre-ordered ticket (as not wanting to pay extra for postage or for only deciding on going at last minute) and the fact it has taken up to 25/30 mins to pick up that ticket once at the ground.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 15:21:11 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 15:21:11 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) I can't say that I agree with your comments about the family stands past and present. When my sons were old enough to come with me I sampled the family stand at Gay Meadow. Situated right next to the away fans I can't say I particularly enjoyed the experience and the only noise I can remember is the high pitched chants from small children which could be heard above the generally quiet atmosphere at many Gay Meadow games. The family stand at the new ground is ideally situated IMO and you generally feel more a part of the home fans. The two blocks are often nearly full for most matches and it's interesting that there are fans across all the age groups choosing to sit there. You're not going to get many songs started from that section but people often join in and there is plenty of appropriate banter and support for the team. Of course things can always improve but IMO the family stand at Greenhaus Meadow has been a success.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 16:13:47 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 16:13:47 GMT 1
Foxie's idea of print at home tickets is a good one. An added 'pain in the backside' of attending the Meadow is having to pick up a pre-ordered ticket (as not wanting to pay extra for postage or for only deciding on going at last minute) and the fact it has taken up to 25/30 mins to pick up that ticket once at the ground. I cannot understand why you have to wait so long to pick up a pre-ordered ticket. I have ALWAYS managed it almost instantaneously.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 16:36:20 GMT 1
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Post by kuffdam72 on Feb 16, 2015 16:36:20 GMT 1
Foxie's idea of print at home tickets is a good one. An added 'pain in the backside' of attending the Meadow is having to pick up a pre-ordered ticket (as not wanting to pay extra for postage or for only deciding on going at last minute) and the fact it has taken up to 25/30 mins to pick up that ticket once at the ground. I cannot understand why you have to wait so long to pick up a pre-ordered ticket. I have ALWAYS managed it almost instantaneously. Maybe people have work commitments during opening hours or have transport issues.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 17:08:14 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 17:08:14 GMT 1
I cannot understand why you have to wait so long to pick up a pre-ordered ticket. I have ALWAYS managed it almost instantaneously. Maybe people have work commitments during opening hours or have transport issues. Nothing to do with work commitments etc. Having preordered a ticket you simply go to the kiosk (not the ticket office) and pick it up on the matchday. Never had to queue there before
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 17:08:40 GMT 1
Post by blazey on Feb 16, 2015 17:08:40 GMT 1
I've been keeping a close track of our average attendance through the season, and the general trend has been of a slow yet steady increase albeit from a fairly low base at the start. Aside from the usual gripes with ticketing, parking etc I think the main reason for low gates is the lack of attractive fixtures as others have alluded to.
The gate for the Wycombe Xmas match was nearly 1000 up on the comparable Xmas home fixture (Preston) last season and 600 up from the season before (Brentford). A couple more big gates should be expected towards the end of the season if we are pushing for automatic promotion/championship which will bring the average closer to 5500 imo.
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Post by neilsalop on Feb 16, 2015 17:13:49 GMT 1
Just catching up with this thread and I have to say that some comments such as those from Downie and Billynomates are more than a little rude. AJ (to be fair) can be a little annoying at times, but lets get things into perspective here; he is 70 odd years old and living in deepest Devon looking after his 100 year old mother, maybe you two would be happy to just dump your parents into the nearest residential home as soon as you can, but obviously Jack doesn't see life like that. His choice is family first, STFC somewhere further down and I for one agree with him. This board is no doubt his main connection with the club and if he has spare time during his care considerations and wants to comment on here I applaud him for wanting to be involved.
At least he isn't repeating pretty much the same bloody sentence over and over again (In my opinion ..................) (Good luck ...............). Ring any bells?
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 17:25:21 GMT 1
Post by SouthStandShrew on Feb 16, 2015 17:25:21 GMT 1
Surely the ones missing are also season ticket holders who didn't renew?
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Post by venceremos on Feb 16, 2015 17:34:12 GMT 1
Neilsalop - I'm with you. Bit shocked at some of the comments directed at AJ, which seemed quite unnecessary.
What he actually said was: "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."
That's not a criticism of anyone for not attending but some seem to have interpreted it that way. It's as valid a question as anyone else has raised on the subject and doesn't require a minimum attendance qualification for AJ or anyone else to ask it.
And billynomates was just rude.
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 17:37:15 GMT 1
Post by vanner on Feb 16, 2015 17:37:15 GMT 1
Neilsalop - I'm with you. Bit shocked at some of the comments directed at AJ, which seemed quite unnecessary. What he actually said was: "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." That's not a criticism of anyone for not attending but some seem to have interpreted it that way. It's as valid a question as anyone else has raised on the subject and doesn't require a minimum attendance qualification for AJ or anyone else to ask it. And billynomates was just rude. Good post. Okay sorry, I ****ing detest those muppets spouting their recycled drivel every single day. Where's the banhammer!? AJ is a massive town fan and does his best to support the club anyway he can. Yes he's unique, yes sometimes his posts can come across the wrong way but he means well.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 18:09:11 GMT 1
AJ is a legend on this board and deserves some respect
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Post by venceremos on Feb 16, 2015 18:27:09 GMT 1
It was a disappointing attendance (would have been a bit closer to 5,000 if I hadn't been attending a wedding and so missed my first home game this season).
There's a bigger picture to consider as well as local STFC issues though. On Saturday, 5 of the 7 clubs with the highest average attendances in L2 were at home. All attracted crowds below their season average. We were 0.5% down, Luton 2%, Portsmouth 7%, Southend 8% and Plymouth 13%. Ours was the 5th highest crowd in L2 and higher than 4 of the 10 games in L1 (and within 200 of 2 more).
It's disappointing we don't get more but I suspect most clubs will be saying similar. I know that doesn't get us off the hook but it's a wider problem and there may not be a local solution.
Football's pricing itself out of the reach of many fans. The Premier League has the TV cash to address this, if they have the will to do anything - if they don't, it's surely only a matter of time before attendances fall. Lower league clubs don't have a fair share of TV money, so are more dependent on gate money.
I'd like to see a standing section and cash admission in the South Stand but I'm not convinced it would make a big difference to our attendances, though it should improve the atmosphere.
Given that we're always most likely to play in leagues 1 and 2, I'm puzzled why more spectators aren't coming to watch a successful team with a fabulous home record and some exceptional young talent. Lord knows it won't always be like this - starting next season in all probability. The investment in the team this season could go to waste if our finances don't improve and it becomes unsustainable, although perhaps there'll be one or two chunky transfer fees coming in this summer to tide us over.
We should be enjoying this now because we know it can't last (for any club, not just us).
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pkd
Midland League Division One
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 18:43:55 GMT 1
Post by pkd on Feb 16, 2015 18:43:55 GMT 1
Sadly, the lack of attendees makes it far more likely we will sell one or more of our most valuable assets over the Summer. These are: 1) Ryan Woods 2) Connor Goldson 3) Jayson Leutwiler 4) Roland's Bentley Bet you it won't be 4).
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4992
Feb 16, 2015 19:03:55 GMT 1
Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 19:03:55 GMT 1
Sadly, the lack of attendees makes it far more likely we will sell one or more of our most valuable assets over the Summer. These are: 1) Ryan Woods 2) Connor Goldson 3) Jayson Leutwiler 4) Roland's Bentley Bet you it won't be 4). I haven't seen no.4 play yet... is he related to David?
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