|
|
Post by talkingoftheshrews on Oct 7, 2024 16:26:09 GMT 1
For me I’d say league one consistency is still achievable, but would like to see much more supporter and community involvement in the club to put it at the heart of the community, which I think has been lost a bit in the last ten years I just wish we could replicate the level of support that clubs like Lincoln City & Mansfield Town achieve. How much of a community club are we, how can we draw in more support from the Town, the county, Mid Wales? Is this as good as it gets in terms of support? Would new owners bring in an upsurge in support, like we've seen across the border at Wrexham? Forgive all the questions by the way, I don't have the answers. Yep this has been a view of mine for a while. We've got a solid fan base, but we've never really shown any desire to: A. Increase it on a notable scale (e.g., 15-20% increase in home gates over 5 years) B. Convert the casual to the committed. As a club we don't have many enemies within our community, which should be a solid start point. But we rarely seem to go out there and make the case as to **why** people should support us. And I think this is true both on and off the pitch. We rarely play good football on it (which does entice people), and we're incredibly passive when it comes to marketing and engagement off it. It should be a fundamental component of the strategy a new owner puts in place. Things like the fanzone, Smithy's, should all be part of a key engagement strategy. I think we did a survey recently, and alongside ticketing data, I'd like there to be specific campaigns as well implemented targeting clear missed opportunities. E.g., if we have a drop off in season ticket holders from the 7-13 to 14-18 categories (where the price goes up substantially) - what can we do to change that? Is it worth offering an "undervalued" 14-18 season ticket, to cement in that support and reap the rewards from a lifetime of being a committed salop fan afterwards? |
|
|
|
Post by mattmw on Oct 7, 2024 16:47:30 GMT 1
For me I’d say league one consistency is still achievable, but would like to see much more supporter and community involvement in the club to put it at the heart of the community, which I think has been lost a bit in the last ten years I just wish we could replicate the level of support that clubs like Lincoln City & Mansfield Town achieve. How much of a community club are we, how can we draw in more support from the Town, the county, Mid Wales? Is this as good as it gets in terms of support? Would new owners bring in an upsurge in support, like we've seen across the border at Wrexham? Forgive all the questions by the way, I don't have the answers. Yes I think building on that identity of the club and what makes us different to other clubs is what I was hinting at. To me the new ground is just a functional space where the team plays, it still doesn't feel part of the wider area or part of the Town. I'd like to see that worked on and provide a more unique Shrewsbury/Shropshire identity for the club - using local producers to for the food outlets; lots of none football events at the ground; promoting local companies through the club etc. I lived 5 minutes walk from the New Meadow for 10 years yet hardly ever set foot in the place outside a match day, and I think getting none football fans in there and using the facilities would help people feel the club is part of the Town and identify with i a bit more. These might not make money necessarily, but would be all about helping the Town feel proud of having a league club here and helping promote Shrewsbury as a town. |
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Oct 7, 2024 17:05:33 GMT 1
in recent seasons the fan zone has really taken off and looks terrific, smithys has some nice new decor and even serves ale, a brand new club shop appeared stocked up to the hilt with all the kind of merch and kit that many have moan about for years, burger vans, and much more
club is standing still apparently
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2024 17:20:34 GMT 1
Sell the club to a billionaire, sell the ground, buy the Shirehall, build a new more central ground righting all the wrongs from the last move. Easy.
|
|
|
|
Post by darkshrew on Oct 7, 2024 17:27:28 GMT 1
Sell the club to a billionaire, sell the ground, buy the Shirehall, build a new more central ground righting all the wrongs from the last move. Easy. Not a bad idea - Nalgo pitch for training as well. Wouldn't be a bad location for a community hub - leisure centre, GP centre, hospital day patient, etc |
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Oct 7, 2024 17:38:52 GMT 1
Sell the club to a billionaire, sell the ground, buy the Shirehall, build a new more central ground righting all the wrongs from the last move. Easy. sign mbappe too , make entry free, heated seats, roof , free gift under the seat each game, chauffeur driven limos to and from the game, free sausages what are we waiting for ? |
|
|
|
Post by belfastshrew on Oct 7, 2024 18:03:51 GMT 1
The club shop is ace now. It's totally rammed everytime I go.
|
|
|
|
Post by belfastshrew on Oct 7, 2024 18:04:42 GMT 1
I second free sausages...
|
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Oct 7, 2024 19:12:09 GMT 1
I second free sausages... free blue and amber tinted glasses too ;-) |
|
|
|
Post by Bob Rickerton on Oct 7, 2024 19:16:59 GMT 1
I think there is a bit of an issue with expectations of the size of the club being based on a different era. Lots of clubs are above or below their 'level' based on the 90s but that doesn't mean they shouldnt be there. You've got 3 clubs in Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton who town were playing on a fairly regular basis 20 or so years ago. I would say they are now fairly stable Premier League sides and fully justified in being there because they are all well run clubs with money behind them. Right now town are struggling league one club, and over recent times broadly that's where they've been. Can't see any argument to say they should be better, and arguably now for the size of the club in terms of budget and attendance they should be in the league below. I wasn't around in the 80s or earlier so can't vouch for towns quality then but I'd argue it's more or less irrelevant to how a club should be doing now It's a fair point, and on the flip side of the three Bs you mentioned there's teams like Derby and Sheffield Wednesday who on historical performance and at a time where match-day attendances were the biggest drivers of success would undoubtedly make an all-time top flight, but you'd struggle to make a convincing argument for being anything other than Championship/higher League One level now. I think fans of a lot of clubs would be able to skew data and performances to slightly over-inflate their 'true' position in the pyramid, but in the modern age where finances are increasingly stratified and teams without money are even more left behind it's somewhat irrelevant. To answer the original question, we're probably at almost exactly our right level in terms of overall history - a solid third tier team with potential to kick on and do better if things go well and do worse if they don't. There's absolutely no reason that we can't manage that over the next 10-15 years with new investment and good decision making on and off the pitch as there's factors in our favour to manage it, but equally there's no divine right to be here as clubs like Bradford, Grimsby, Swindon, Stockport, York and pre-Hollywood Wrexham of a roughly equivalent size who've spent plenty of time below us have shown. Beyond not selling up, and I don't know anywhere near enough of the ins and outs of that debate to comment, I'm not certain how much of that is Roland's fault to be honest, and while it hasn't always been thrilling to finish mostly 16-20th I think ten years at this level shouldn't be taken completely for granted. |
|
|
|
Post by cabanas2017 on Oct 7, 2024 19:40:01 GMT 1
Sell the club to a billionaire, sell the ground, buy the Shirehall, build a new more central ground righting all the wrongs from the last move. Easy. sign mbappe too , make entry free, heated seats, roof , free gift under the seat each game, chauffeur driven limos to and from the game, free sausages what are we waiting for ? Free sausages ……now you’re being silly |
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Oct 7, 2024 19:43:37 GMT 1
sign mbappe too , make entry free, heated seats, roof , free gift under the seat each game, chauffeur driven limos to and from the game, free sausages what are we waiting for ? Free sausages ……now you’re being silly its not the Wurst idea I've had |
|
|
|
Post by Valerioch on Oct 7, 2024 19:52:49 GMT 1
Must admit I thought the fanzone looked a mess back in August, and Smithy’s already tired and inadequate
Both are functional at best but could do with upgrades as part of a wider reset under new ownership
Agree with others about the club shop though, the range and quality compared to any time in the past is very good, one of the best things about the club right now. Along with the new carpet of course 😉
|
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Oct 7, 2024 19:56:37 GMT 1
Must admit I thought the fanzone looked a mess back in August, and Smithy’s already tired and inadequate Both are functional at best but could do with upgrades as part of a wider reset under new ownership Agree with others about the club shop though, the range and quality compared to any time in the past is very good, one of the best things about the club right now. Along with the new carpet of course 😉 what would you do to upgrade the fanzone and smithys ? how would you rate it against all other league 1 offerings at their grounds ? |
|
|
|
Post by Chief Inspector Swan on Oct 7, 2024 23:02:20 GMT 1
The club has had 40 different managers over our entire history since 1905, 18 of those have been in the last 28 years of Wycherley's reign, which tells me that either he doesn't actually have a very good recruitment record or that he has failed to back any of those managers financially and doomed them to fail. Well in my opinion I have to say this is one of the best incommensurable analyses I have ever seen. Let’s just totally ignore fundamental changes in managerial longevity in professional football and assume the entire 120 period is alike for the purposes of this entire facile paragraph. Screw any consideration of managerial tenure at comparable clubs over this 28 year period as that’d actually make the opposite point. Back on topic; the answer is third tier and after an exceptional period of service I concur with the Chairperson (I don’t know Roland’s pronouns with total confidence) that it’s time for him to pass the baton on in short order. |
|
|
|
Post by floreatsalopia1 on Oct 8, 2024 7:28:32 GMT 1
Must admit I thought the fanzone looked a mess back in August, and Smithy’s already tired and inadequate Both are functional at best but could do with upgrades as part of a wider reset under new ownership Agree with others about the club shop though, the range and quality compared to any time in the past is very good, one of the best things about the club right now. Along with the new carpet of course 😉 what would you do to upgrade the fanzone and smithys ? how would you rate it against all other league 1 offerings at their grounds ? I would fix smithy's roof where the water leaks down the walls for a start where you walk into the main building . The decking area outside is rotten and partially closed off. The slip bricks have come off and need replacing ...do you.need a list ? |
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Oct 8, 2024 9:20:15 GMT 1
what would you do to upgrade the fanzone and smithys ? how would you rate it against all other league 1 offerings at their grounds ? I would fix smithy's roof where the water leaks down the walls for a start where you walk into the main building . The decking area outside is rotten and partially closed off. The slip bricks have come off and need replacing ...do you.need a list ? You've got a point , I've never actually been outside at smithy's so hasn't realised about the wear and tear , presumably the next chairman will start this in day 1 😀 |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2024 9:44:26 GMT 1
One of the criticisms of the club/leadership is it's been felt we have not maximised the opportunities from the ground move. The obvious ones are the restaurant and Smithy's, these are used on matchday only. Then there's ad-hoc things such as concerts, sportsman's dinners, and using the facilities for other events, I think it was last year they tried the car boot but it was an absolute shambles and was never done again.
On face value the club are missing out here and when they try things it's done half-hearted/on the cheap, however actually is it that these things are going to bring in very little extra money so the club have decided it's not worth its' while? The main argument for moving ground was to bring in revenue 24/7 365 days of the week, the reality is we've never come close to that.
|
|
|
|
Post by davycrockett on Oct 8, 2024 9:58:57 GMT 1
The club shop is ace now. It's totally rammed everytime I go. Much improved. My only gripe is when things go in the sale you have to order on line and pay for postage which negates the sale price 😩, should be an option to collect from shop FOC. I’ve not heard any complaints on quality badges falling off etc which we always seem to get in the past. |
|
|
|
Post by davycrockett on Oct 8, 2024 10:11:44 GMT 1
Must admit I thought the fanzone looked a mess back in August, and Smithy’s already tired and inadequate Both are functional at best but could do with upgrades as part of a wider reset under new ownership Agree with others about the club shop though, the range and quality compared to any time in the past is very good, one of the best things about the club right now. Along with the new carpet of course 😉 what would you do to upgrade the fanzone and smithys ? how would you rate it against all other league 1 offerings at their grounds ? Club want to put a cover over the fan zone but costs a problem so asking OSC / Super Blues I believe….. As you asked Mansfield was great, choice of indoor or outdoor plenty of tables and a massive marquee it was really busy and very friendly helped being a sunny day…. Would say our offering significantly better than most just need more fans and cover outside for winter. photos.app.goo.gl/Mk1m3TZ66NRK23KF7 |
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Oct 8, 2024 10:23:10 GMT 1
what would you do to upgrade the fanzone and smithys ? how would you rate it against all other league 1 offerings at their grounds ? Club want to put a cover over the fan zone but costs a problem so asking OSC / Super Blues I believe….. As you asked Mansfield was great, choice of indoor or outdoor plenty of tables and a massive marquee it was really busy and very friendly helped being a sunny day…. Would say our offering significantly better than most just need more fans and cover outside for winter. photos.app.goo.gl/Mk1m3TZ66NRK23KF7I arrived at the ground just before kick off but yes it did look a happy and friendly place around the ground , I'd say it was on a par with ours |
|
|
|
Post by belfastshrew on Oct 8, 2024 10:30:07 GMT 1
The queues for drinks at the fan zone and smithys are crazy pre-match. So I avoid them and go straight for the concourses where there are plenty of watering-hole options open.
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyc on Oct 8, 2024 10:41:46 GMT 1
If in doubt (and it helpfully confirms most of the assertions on this thread so far), consult the Two Ronnies. I can't find the sketch on YouTube but I'm convinced it went something like:
Ronnie Corbett: "Where is Shrewsbury?"
Ronnie Barker: "Halfway up the Third Division"
QED
|
|
|
|
Post by GrizzlyShrew on Oct 8, 2024 10:58:06 GMT 1
If in doubt (and it helpfully confirms most of the assertions on this thread so far), consult the Two Ronnies. I can't find the sketch on YouTube but I'm convinced it went something like: Ronnie Corbett: "Where is Shrewsbury?" Ronnie Barker: "Halfway up the Third Division" QED I think its probably the Likely Lads rather than the Two Ronnie's from memory. |
|
|
|
Post by cabanas2017 on Oct 8, 2024 11:05:30 GMT 1
If in doubt (and it helpfully confirms most of the assertions on this thread so far), consult the Two Ronnies. I can't find the sketch on YouTube but I'm convinced it went something like: Ronnie Corbett: "Where is Shrewsbury?" Ronnie Barker: "Halfway up the Third Division" QED I think its probably the Likely Lads rather than the Two Ronnie's from memory. Yes it’s the Likely Lads where Thelma goes to visit her sister who lives in Shrewsbury |
|
|
|
Post by davycrockett on Oct 8, 2024 11:07:08 GMT 1
Club want to put a cover over the fan zone but costs a problem so asking OSC / Super Blues I believe….. As you asked Mansfield was great, choice of indoor or outdoor plenty of tables and a massive marquee it was really busy and very friendly helped being a sunny day…. Would say our offering significantly better than most just need more fans and cover outside for winter. photos.app.goo.gl/Mk1m3TZ66NRK23KF7I arrived at the ground just before kick off but yes it did look a happy and friendly place around the ground , I'd say it was on a par with ours Slightly better due to the inside bar was more like a lounge with comfy chairs, food served, carpet on the floor and the outside bit was covered, I didn’t look in the Marquee…..Smithy's is basic with a few chairs more like a tap room than a lounge and as I said better than most…..well get there Mansfield also use it non match days, this Saturday they’re away at Exeter but the club are holding an Octoberfest all day, expecting 1000s at £15 a pop despite playing away. mansfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/mstoctfest1224/oktoberfest |
|
|
|
Post by davycrockett on Oct 8, 2024 11:10:19 GMT 1
The queues for drinks at the fan zone and smithys are crazy pre-match. So I avoid them and go straight for the concourses where there are plenty of watering-hole options open. Smithy’s is OK even if busy only takes a few minutes. Depends if away fans are allowed in, Stockport they were which is great for takings, atmosphere and pre match. Give it a try. The service outside is painfully slow, not sure why? If they banned Guinness it would be better takes ages to pour 🤨 |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2024 11:18:40 GMT 1
I arrived at the ground just before kick off but yes it did look a happy and friendly place around the ground , I'd say it was on a par with ours Slightly better due to the inside bar was more like a lounge with comfy chairs, food served, carpet on the floor and the outside bit was covered, I didn’t look in the Marquee…..Smithy's is basic with a few chairs more like a tap room than a lounge and as I said better than most…..well get there Mansfield also use it non match days, this Saturday they’re away at Exeter but the club are holding an Octoberfest all day, expecting 1000s at £15 a pop despite playing away. mansfieldtownfc.ktckts.com/event/mstoctfest1224/oktoberfestNicola Marie as Shania Twain, Nicola Marie as Amy Winehouse... That'll be some transformation in looks and singing style! |
|
|
|
Post by belfastshrew on Oct 8, 2024 11:54:12 GMT 1
Mansfield also use it non match days, this Saturday they’re away at Exeter but the club are holding an Octoberfest all day, expecting 1000s at £15 a pop despite playing away If they put their match on the tvs...would be awesome. I would goto smithys to watch Shrews away if so |
|
|
|
Post by staffordshrew on Oct 8, 2024 12:30:23 GMT 1
In The Likely Lads once, Bob asked Terry a very important question. "Er, where is Shrewsbury?" "About sixth from bottom," replied Terry, ...
The immortal interchange is in this episode:
(Credit: Samtimonious.com who at time of writing, circa 2019, wrote ' Which forty six years on is roughly where you will find my hometown team').
|
|
