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Post by South Stand Salopian on Jan 30, 2023 14:01:48 GMT 1
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Post by Valerioch on Jan 30, 2023 14:03:50 GMT 1
83% over 35’s, 17% under 35’s
Think we all knew we have an aging fanbase, but that number is stark in my opinion
Maybe older people are more likely to complete a survey?
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Post by martinshrew on Jan 30, 2023 14:07:22 GMT 1
Shocking results in areas, but not surprising.
At least we're asking opinion, it's what we implement now which is key.
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Post by frankwellshrews on Jan 30, 2023 14:51:28 GMT 1
93% have never attended Smithys after a game. That's crying out to be rectified. I was in there after Saturday's game whilst waiting for my kids to be picked up; aside from our group of 4 and another group of 2 or 3 it was empty.
After a dramatic win like that to keep a run going that place should be packed to the rafters with fans looking to celebrate. I've said for a while now the club needs to look at doing events there after the game.
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Post by FloreatShrew on Jan 30, 2023 15:14:32 GMT 1
Ten percent off your drinks if you've a ST maybe? Advertise it with more options than the concourse with bacon baps too as well to make you go there pre match. Hold SP meetings there too?
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Post by scooter on Jan 30, 2023 15:20:13 GMT 1
93% have never attended Smithys after a game. That's crying out to be rectified. I was in there after Saturday's game whilst waiting for my kids to be picked up; aside from our group of 4 and another group of 2 or 3 it was empty. After a dramatic win like that to keep a run going that place should be packed to the rafters with fans looking to celebrate. I've said for a while now the club needs to look at doing events there after the game. Always in there before hand, but get off straight after game with a full car, which I can then park up and we can go to the pub. We will also then be closer to town. That’s been a our routine since moving to the ground
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Post by secretshrew on Jan 30, 2023 15:21:29 GMT 1
It’s a difficult marketing ploy as the game IS the event for most. The car park is like the start of an F1 race with people wanting to get out of there so bloody quickly!! Something quirky might work - what about free warm foot baths in the winter months!!?? 🤣
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Post by block12massive on Jan 30, 2023 15:27:02 GMT 1
The findings don't really tell us a great deal do they but good I suppose to see it in black and white.
A lot of it seems rooted in commercial opportunism. Essentially what can we do to entice fans to spend more money at the club?
It acknowledges the poor public transport options around the ground but doesn't offer anything in the way of solutions moving forward - probably because this would come at substantial cost to the club, at least in the short-term
And where it does offer improvements, i.e opening Smithy's earlier and later, it doesn't acknowledge the issue of capacity - the queues both here and in the fanzone, and the instances we've seen where the bar has closed early before kickoff or not opened at all.
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Post by staffordshrew on Jan 30, 2023 15:31:12 GMT 1
93% have never attended Smithys after a game. That's crying out to be rectified. I was in there after Saturday's game whilst waiting for my kids to be picked up; aside from our group of 4 and another group of 2 or 3 it was empty. After a dramatic win like that to keep a run going that place should be packed to the rafters with fans looking to celebrate. I've said for a while now the club needs to look at doing events there after the game. Send a couple of the players down there for an after match chat.
Isn't the demographic spread merely a reflection of the local population?
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Post by frankwellshrews on Jan 30, 2023 15:34:24 GMT 1
93% have never attended Smithys after a game. That's crying out to be rectified. I was in there after Saturday's game whilst waiting for my kids to be picked up; aside from our group of 4 and another group of 2 or 3 it was empty. After a dramatic win like that to keep a run going that place should be packed to the rafters with fans looking to celebrate. I've said for a while now the club needs to look at doing events there after the game. Always in there before hand, but get off straight after game with a full car, which I can then park up and we can go to the pub. We will also then be closer to town. That’s been a our routine since moving to the ground Makes sense if you're planning to drive and want to ditch the car before an evening in town. I think the transport situation doesn't help. On Saturday we had one in Smithy's, walked over to Rad Beer for another then got a 27 bus into town from Hereford Road. We probably would quite happily have stayed in Smithy's though if it was a bit livelier and if getting into town wasn't a choice between poor public transport or a lengthy walk, given the patchy nature of taxis of late. The reinstatement of the bus back to town is very welcome but it does seem a bit nuts to me that the club are seemingly so keen to whisk customers away after the match. Seems bizarre to me that the last public transport option requires a ten minute walk from the ground and leaves at about half 6. Surely it can't be beyond the wit of the club to have a word with Arriva about sorting something for match days? Would make it a lot easier for people to spend time at the ground after and might reduce some of the traffic out of the ground and the retail park.
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Post by davycrockett on Jan 30, 2023 15:35:42 GMT 1
Pricing is Smithy’s and other fan zone bars. For some reason the club think it’s acceptable to charge the same as they charge in The Sovereign Suit. I bought this up at the fans meeting and was told it would be discriminatory to charge more in the Sovereign suit than an outside bar just because it had a roof. ! Surely you pay a premium for the level if service and comfort and surroundings? There’s still pubs in town that charge more in the The Lounge than The Bar……Oh and it’s actually cheaper in the concourses than fan zone?
So happy hour from 12.30 to 1.30 before and 5 to 6 after games, not private functions on Saturday PMs so you don’t plan to go and find it closed .
At least we know what Brian’s been doing all year and IF they want to improve it improve, quality, ease of service, competitive pricing and customer satisfaction so we should see some massive improvements now Rolands got the figures.
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Post by Pilch on Jan 30, 2023 15:38:24 GMT 1
Pricing is Smithy’s and other fan zone bars. For some reason the club think it’s acceptable to charge the same as they charge in The Sovereign Suit. I bought this up at the fans meeting and was told it would be discriminatory to charge more in the Sovereign suit than an outside bar just because it had a roof. ! Surely you pay a premium for the level if service and comfort and surroundings? There’s still pubs in town that charge more in the The Lounge than The Bar……Oh and it’s actually cheaper in the concourses than fan zone? So happy hour from 12.30 to 1.30 before and 5 to 6 after games, not private functions on Saturday PMs so you don’t plan to go and find it closed . At least we know what Brian’s been doing all year and IF they want to improve it improve, quality, ease of service, competitive pricing and customer satisfaction so we should see some massive improvements now Rolands got the figures. ask him if I can have a seat in the executive suite for the same price as block 1
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Post by frankwellshrews on Jan 30, 2023 15:41:53 GMT 1
Pricing is Smithy’s and other fan zone bars. For some reason the club think it’s acceptable to charge the same as they charge in The Sovereign Suit. I bought this up at the fans meeting and was told it would be discriminatory to charge more in the Sovereign suit than an outside bar just because it had a roof. ! Surely you pay a premium for the level if service and comfort and surroundings? There’s still pubs in town that charge more in the The Lounge than The Bar……Oh and it’s actually cheaper in the concourses than fan zone? So happy hour from 12.30 to 1.30 before and 5 to 6 after games, not private functions on Saturday PMs so you don’t plan to go and find it closed . At least we know what Brian’s been doing all year and IF they want to improve it improve, quality, ease of service, competitive pricing and customer satisfaction so we should see some massive improvements now Rolands got the figures. Must admit the price doesn't massively bother me (not cheap but not unusual either) but those are some very sensible suggestions, particularly the bit about ensuring it's reliably open on a Saturday after the game as I think past experience of finding it closed at the last minute does put a few off.
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Post by FloreatShrew on Jan 30, 2023 15:46:01 GMT 1
You'd like to think all the new houses might give you a few more bus stops on Otley Road.
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Post by ProudSalopian on Jan 30, 2023 15:48:07 GMT 1
When Smithy's reopened I'm sure that there was talk that we were going to hold events and put on things to attract people there on non matchdays. As far as I'm aware the only thing that has been done is one pre match Q&A with Andy Cooke. Is anything else planned? Are the club/Smithys even discussing it?
The club/Smithy's may well be open post match but they need to push it and do something to attract fans and get them to change their routine, just a generic matchday schedule post on twitter on the morning of the game isn't enough. Get drink offers for the first hour post match, do some drinks/food packages with the vendors outside, get in some old players for a chat, maybe live music, etc. The club need to accept that they need to put in effort to attract people and it won't happen overnight, however if we do things like this for a few months and they bomb then I'll accept there isnt the demand for it.
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Post by stuttgartershrew on Jan 30, 2023 16:10:24 GMT 1
For many I just don't think its a stadium that lends itself to a match day experience other than getting there, watching the game and then getting out again. I mean looking to those who drive to the stadium (near on 50% from the survey). Because of its location a good many drive and so I doubt will bother with having a drink in or around the stadium and with so many saying it's difficult to get out you just get in your car ASAP.
Good that the club conducted the survey, want to do better and there looks to be an awful lot of room for improvement but I just think the location of the stadium makes it a tough ask.
Looking to the age of those who attend it would be interesting to know the town's (and the surrounding areas) demographic. Would also be interesting to see where fans are coming from (whether they still travel by car even if the live in the town, for example).
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Post by davycrockett on Jan 30, 2023 16:29:39 GMT 1
Pricing is Smithy’s and other fan zone bars. For some reason the club think it’s acceptable to charge the same as they charge in The Sovereign Suit. I bought this up at the fans meeting and was told it would be discriminatory to charge more in the Sovereign suit than an outside bar just because it had a roof. ! Surely you pay a premium for the level if service and comfort and surroundings? There’s still pubs in town that charge more in the The Lounge than The Bar……Oh and it’s actually cheaper in the concourses than fan zone? So happy hour from 12.30 to 1.30 before and 5 to 6 after games, not private functions on Saturday PMs so you don’t plan to go and find it closed . At least we know what Brian’s been doing all year and IF they want to improve it improve, quality, ease of service, competitive pricing and customer satisfaction so we should see some massive improvements now Rolands got the figures. Must admit the price doesn't massively bother me (not cheap but not unusual either) but those are some very sensible suggestions, particularly the bit about ensuring it's reliably open on a Saturday after the game as I think past experience of finding it closed at the last minute does put a few off. Nor me but there we’re only half a dozen in after the game. Just something to advertise to remind people, get them in early and reap the rewards later. It opens at 12, is it busy between 12 & 1? Get them in early rather than the majority arriving after 2… If they want folk early they need to change something.
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Post by suttonshrew on Jan 30, 2023 16:48:44 GMT 1
I'm now working closely with Jamie in his new role to see how this can all be improved. Obviously my time is limited as i have a day job but any ideas or even better if a few fans want to get together and form a group to work on how we can improve smithy's please let me know. We are working through the rest of the survey and its something we are keen to do twice a season
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Post by secretshrew on Jan 30, 2023 17:04:03 GMT 1
Something simple like having a couple of ex players milling around the bar before/after the game (like PL teams would do if you hired a box) talking to supporters. The happy hour idea suggested is an good one. But the biggest one would be showing the 12:30 pm PL game and/or the 5:30 pm. This last one is the main reason my mates go elsewhere before a game.
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Post by martinshrew on Jan 30, 2023 17:05:22 GMT 1
I'm now working closely with Jamie in his new role to see how this can all be improved. Obviously my time is limited as i have a day job but any ideas or even better if a few fans want to get together and form a group to work on how we can improve smithy's please let me know. We are working through the rest of the survey and its something we are keen to do twice a season Start off by just promoting the place all over the website and socials: Can we not do one of the below: - Bacon bap and a pint for £6? - £1 off pints before the game? - £1 off pints until 6pm if we win? I'd imagine some sort of basic initiative marketed well can't fail. Long term, maybe think of the below: - Sunday league team/s - Darts team - Themed nights - NFL nights (Hate it, but it's popular)
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Post by block12massive on Jan 30, 2023 17:16:10 GMT 1
For many I just don't think its a stadium that lends itself to a match day experience other than getting there, watching the game and then getting out again. I mean looking to those who drive to the stadium (near on 50% from the survey). Because of its location a good many drive and so I doubt will bother with having a drink in or around the stadium and with so many saying it's difficult to get out you just get in your car ASAP. Good that the club conducted the survey, want to do better and there looks to be an awful lot of room for improvement but I just think the location of the stadium makes it a tough ask. Looking to the age of those who attend it would be interesting to know the town's (and the surrounding areas) demographic. Would also be interesting to see where fans are coming from (whether they still travel by car even if the live in the town, for example). Inevitably in this day and age, the 'green agenda' has to be considered and you have to wonder if it's a good look that so many of our fans have to pile onto Oteley Road and nearby suburbs in their cars to watch their side as transport links are so poor. I expect a lot of our fans - myself included - come in from rural areas where driving is the only feasible option but I would have liked to have seen some data which shows where our fans travel in from on a matchday to be able to look at alleviating some of the local traffic. I know there's a bus that travels in from South Shropshire every game and I'm sure there are other villages where this happens but does anyone know if these are subsidised by the club or independently financed? Though you probably end up with the same situation you allude to. The bus probably won't arrive until shortly before kickoff and likely to leave just after the final whistle so people won't have time to spend money in and around the club.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Jan 30, 2023 17:27:15 GMT 1
To be honest the club can try all it likes I can’t see that I could ever be tempted to arrive at the Meadow any earlier or stay later, there’s enough other excellent options in our town.
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Post by FloreatShrew on Jan 30, 2023 17:27:19 GMT 1
I'm now working closely with Jamie in his new role to see how this can all be improved. Obviously my time is limited as i have a day job but any ideas or even better if a few fans want to get together and form a group to work on how we can improve smithy's please let me know. We are working through the rest of the survey and its something we are keen to do twice a season Start off by just promoting the place all over the website and socials: Can we not do one of the below: - Bacon bap and a pint for £6? - £1 off pints before the game? - £1 off pints until 6pm if we win? I'd imagine some sort of basic initiative marketed well can't fail. Long term, maybe think of the below: - Sunday league team/s - Darts team - Themed nights - NFL nights (Hate it, but it's popular) Pound off if we win, 50p for a draw would be fun. Hat trick gets 3 pints for the price of 2. There's some fun to be had with that.
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Post by frankwellshrews on Jan 30, 2023 17:32:52 GMT 1
For many I just don't think its a stadium that lends itself to a match day experience other than getting there, watching the game and then getting out again. I mean looking to those who drive to the stadium (near on 50% from the survey). Because of its location a good many drive and so I doubt will bother with having a drink in or around the stadium and with so many saying it's difficult to get out you just get in your car ASAP. Good that the club conducted the survey, want to do better and there looks to be an awful lot of room for improvement but I just think the location of the stadium makes it a tough ask. Looking to the age of those who attend it would be interesting to know the town's (and the surrounding areas) demographic. Would also be interesting to see where fans are coming from (whether they still travel by car even if the live in the town, for example). Inevitably in this day and age, the 'green agenda' has to be considered and you have to wonder if it's a good look that so many of our fans have to pile onto Oteley Road and nearby suburbs in their cars to watch their side as transport links are so poor. I expect a lot of our fans - myself included - come in from rural areas where driving is the only feasible option but I would have liked to have seen some data which shows where our fans travel in from on a matchday to be able to look at alleviating some of the local traffic. I know there's a bus that travels in from South Shropshire every game and I'm sure there are other villages where this happens but does anyone know if these are subsidised by the club or independently financed? Though you probably end up with the same situation you allude to. The bus probably won't arrive until shortly before kickoff and likely to leave just after the final whistle so people won't have time to spend money in and around the club. I think there are a few buses that go out to other areas after the game - usually about 6 or 7 lined up in front of Lidl at the end of a game. I know there's one to Wem, and one going towards Bishops Castle via Pontesbury etc. Guessing telford area has one or two as well? As you say, they usually head off straight after the game. No idea when these arrive though. Not sure there's much the club can do to alleviate transport links to the rest of the county but surely rerouting one or two services to take in Otley Road on a match day evening can't be out of the realms of possibility? That would at least get people to the town centre where it's a bit easier to get home (if I don't drive I tend to take a train into town and will usually get a bus to and from the ground). There's usually barely anyone on the 27 when we get it opposite the launderette on an early Sarurday evening - it would probably be in Arriva's financial interest to route it via the ground.
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Post by block12massive on Jan 30, 2023 17:35:03 GMT 1
To be honest the club can try all it likes I can’t see that I could ever be tempted to arrive at the Meadow any earlier or stay later, there’s enough other excellent options in our town. It was the club's decision to relocate the stadium to an area which was largely inconvenient for 90% of our fan base and they've always seemed somewhat perturbed by the idea that they should take some responsibility for people getting there and having enough amenities around it to make it somewhere people want to spend their time and money. I mean, going to a game there now is a million times better than it was circa 2008 but the location of the ground will always prevent it from being a hub of activity before or after a match.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Jan 30, 2023 17:40:49 GMT 1
Inevitably in this day and age, the 'green agenda' has to be considered and you have to wonder if it's a good look that so many of our fans have to pile onto Oteley Road and nearby suburbs in their cars to watch their side as transport links are so poor. I expect a lot of our fans - myself included - come in from rural areas where driving is the only feasible option but I would have liked to have seen some data which shows where our fans travel in from on a matchday to be able to look at alleviating some of the local traffic. I know there's a bus that travels in from South Shropshire every game and I'm sure there are other villages where this happens but does anyone know if these are subsidised by the club or independently financed? Though you probably end up with the same situation you allude to. The bus probably won't arrive until shortly before kickoff and likely to leave just after the final whistle so people won't have time to spend money in and around the club. I think there are a few buses that go out to other areas after the game - usually about 6 or 7 lined up in front of Lidl at the end of a game. I know there's one to Wem, and one going towards Bishops Castle via Pontesbury etc. Guessing telford area has one or two as well? As you say, they usually head off straight after the game. No idea when these arrive though. Not sure there's much the club can do to alleviate transport links to the rest of the county but surely rerouting one or two services to take in Otley Road on a match day evening can't be out of the realms of possibility? That would at least get people to the town centre where it's a bit easier to get home (if I don't drive I tend to take a train into town and will usually get a bus to and from the ground). There's usually barely anyone on the 27 when we get it opposite the launderette on an early Sarurday evening - it would probably be in Arriva's financial interest to route it via the ground. It seems mad to me that bus lay-bys weren’t built in further up Oteley Road given the amount of road/path works that be been done over the last couple of years due to the new housing. Horrible, disjointed thinking by the council/developers/local businesses, none of whom want to take the initiative.
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Post by WATR on Jan 30, 2023 17:46:16 GMT 1
I have a couple of points re. Smithy’s based on my experience on Saturday.
- I appreciate there’s not space for more seating but it could do with far more standing tables. I got there about 1:30 on Saturday and there wasn’t even anywhere to put a drink down.
- The fact that it’s open after the match needs to be massively publicised. It didn’t even cross my mind that I could have gone in there after the game, so I just went straight to Rad. Just some posters in the concourse would be a start!
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Post by mullersalopian on Jan 30, 2023 18:33:12 GMT 1
With Smithy's didn't a pub in town offer 50p off a pint for each goal or something years ago?
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Post by belfastshrew on Jan 30, 2023 19:58:37 GMT 1
I think the club should be advertising like crazy. Get the bands in the fanzone and smithys. Get the footy on in smithys. Get stock into the club shop.
Advertise everywhere. Banners around the ground. Get the tanoy announcer saying 'new stock in the club, band on after the match in smithys' etc. Adverts for it all in the match programme. Club website, twitter, facebook, every social media angle we do.
Look we have the liverpool v Man Utd game on at smithys after our match. Come watch with your mates. And wow look, the clubshop has standardised regular opening hours with wow lots of stock, choices, and gifts.
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Post by Bob Rickerton on Jan 30, 2023 20:08:06 GMT 1
With Smithy's didn't a pub in town offer 50p off a pint for each goal or something years ago? Think it was The Crown, although I think it was a significantly less generous 10p off per goal. On the admittedly rare occasions we scored 3 or 4 you'd have been not a million miles off a free bar situation if it had been 50p.
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