Average Attendances

[Gazza]

2004/05 = 270 ESL

2005/06 = 324 SLE

2006/07 = 291 ILN

2007/08 = 255 ILN

 

With Saturday's attendance of 196 it leaves our average for this season at 219, even given the current economic climate & the teams currently in our league, take a look at the average in the ESL 2004/05 season, with at least 10 fewer games, we need to turn things around on the pitch quick if we are to stop the slide in people coming through the gates.

[Enfield United]

Originally Posted By: Gazza

2004/05 = 270 ESL
2005/06 = 324 SLE
2006/07 = 291 ILN
2007/08 = 255 ILN

With Saturday's attendance of 196 it leaves our average for this season at 219, even given the current economic climate & the teams currently in our league, take a look at the average in the ESL 2004/05 season, with at least 10 fewer games, we need to turn things around on the pitch quick if we are to stop the slide in people coming through the gates.

Sitting back and just waiting for people to walk through the gates is an idle and disastrous policy.

Firstly success breeds success, so a winning team solves that problem to a large degree.

Secondly, what community activities have been done this season? answers on a back of a stamp please. I'd like a Community Committee set up to create some activities that would boost interest and attendence.

Just two pieces of thoughts from me.

[andyetfc]

It's been said before so I will say it again. What do we have available on a matchday to attract and retain 'new blood' apart from watching a game?

 

Falling attendances must be a worry and I am sorry to say that a successful side does not always guarantee increased attendances. Money's tight so people have had to cut back and if it means missing out on football, then that's life.

[Duke of York]

Originally Posted By: Enfield United

Sitting back and just waiting for people to walk through the gates is an idle and disastrous policy.

It would help if we could get more volunteers to put ETFC fixture posters up around the borough. It may be that we have never actually attracted a new supporter along to Goldsdown Road to see a Town match. Even if we don't, the posters do illustrate to council officials and local businesses that the club is working as hard as we can to promote the club as effectively as possible.

Enfield Council now display Town posters in the central Library and they are happy to display them at other libraries around the borough if anyone can help with distribution. The latest poster is available so send a PM if you want to be added to the regular email list. The more posters we get up the better. Even if just one new supporter comes to the club for a full season as a result of seeing a poster that would bring in

[OldTowner]

Over the past few months ( perhaps even years ) there have been some positive suggestions on these threads, with views and ideas to increase, but more importantly "retain" support for the Club.

 

Since formation the Club have succeeded in their growth with junior, youth, ladies and reserve sections to compliment the first team.

However, I get the feeling from these comments that so much effort is now concentrating on the new ground move, that the eye has come off a lot of other areas of the Club.

 

This is NOT a pop at the Board or Management as I think in all the circumstances they do a good job and all on "for love of the Club basis".

 

There are a number of supporter comments on here which would indicate a frustration that the Club are standing still or falling back in "some" areas.

 

Clearly the performance of the first team ( that is not just winning ) is very important and the performances this season have on the whole been poor / average and the last couple of games ...well say we say poor. That will not encourage supporters to return match after match resulting in a loss of revenue.

Lets face it, we could all name several "regulars" who are no longer attending.

 

I agree with Andy that there is nothing for the younger supporters ( other than the game ).

Why can't there be a skills competition or a beat the keeper or.....The prize - 4 tickets and a programme for the next match

BUT - The first thing is to get younger people thro the door.

 

Why not do a "kids free day" or Adult pays kids free etc.

Aveley had a free day and got 500+ - now they have better support than for years and years - maybe as they are top of the league - but who knows ?

 

Do the Club have a dedicated Community / Youth Officer ?

 

I am Chairman of a small Club ( 18 teams from junior to men and ladies ) and even we have a School Liaison Officer - why dont ETFC include schools with their poster run - Pubs etc may not be the answer !

We are linked to a Senior side and we get 50% of all tickets sold.

Why could Town not do this - identify a few special games and target schools / youth clubs to sell tickets - the school or Youth set up get half of the ticket sale money for there set up.

 

I do not think the Club will survive on current supporters and the 50/50 tickets - as good as they are.

Unfortunately, every week it is the same people paying out and in these times ( at least for some ) that can become difficult.

All the talk of the new stadium is great - but it won't look good with 186 people in it !!!!!

 

Every week we read of Clubs going to the wall.

Don't know the answers, but there must be some form of mini committee to generate thoughts to introduce the "next band of support" for the Club.

 

Not a Rant or moan.

Just some thoughts...thats all.

[MbrunoB]

Originally Posted By: Duke of York

Originally Posted By: Enfield United

Sitting back and just waiting for people to walk through the gates is an idle and disastrous policy.

It would help if we could get more volunteers to put ETFC fixture posters up around the borough. It may be that we have never actually attracted a new supporter along to Goldsdown Road to see a Town match. Even if we don't, the posters do illustrate to council officials and local businesses that the club is working as hard as we can to promote the club as effectively as possible.

Enfield Council now display Town posters in the central Library and they are happy to display them at other libraries around the borough if anyone can help with distribution. The latest poster is available so send a PM if you want to be added to the regular email list. The more posters we get up the better. Even if just one new supporter comes to the club for a full season as a result of seeing a poster that would bring in

[lovely stuff]

If you take into account what a depressing,cold,unattractive place Brimsdown is.Combined with our year on year dreadful home form,then its a miracle our attendances have held up as well as they have over the years.

The credit crunch combined with a poor league campaign this season has reduced attendances by 40 or so.

 

I would personally concentrate on not losing the diehard supporters we already have whilst still at Brimsdown,rather than seeking new blood .You can do that by playing football that is actually watchable and regularly competing for the promotion places..If we can be in a higher league by the time we move into the QE in 2010,then that will be a good base to start attracting bigger crowds in the future.We can concentrate and put the effort into attracting new local support then.I think we have to admit that Brimo is never going to temp the new/casual supporter.We must concentrate on not losing our regular/dedicated fanbase between now and the move to the new stadium .

[andyetfc]

Since 2005/6 we have lost over 100 diehard supporters if you take the figures literally. I know we were in the Southern League and attendences were up because of the quality of the opposition, but it has to be worrying.

 

I don't agree that Brimmo is never going to attract the new casual supporter. If the product is good, then there is more of a chance of supporters turning up. However, the whole product needs to be attractive. Brimmo has come on leaps and bounds since 2001 and we should be proud. We need to go out and attract new custom as they will not come to us on the off chance.

[Hawkeye Pierce]

"Sitting back and just waiting for people to walk through the gates is an idle and disastrous policy."

 

The board you have has little skills in the marketing respect! Southport, Andy and I all had more when on the Board but they stuck their hands over their ears and went lalala we are not listening! They listen to Frank maybe he will succeed on his tod! Littlehampton has a lot of marketing skill but they don't encourage or facilitate him either!

 

[MbrunoB]

There used to be a lot of players and other people from the Ladies section at games but know I dont see any of them and nothing is done to encourage any other section of the club to attend home games and possibly bring along their friends and these are people who already know that our club exists!!

[lovely stuff]

As i said before,keeping and bringing back previous supporters (by playing attractive,successful football),is more realistic than trying to cultivate new fresh support at this stage..Its important we make sure we keep that regular 250 fanbase.The last thing we want is for numbers to dwindle month on month,so by the time we move to the QE we are down to 150 or so.Its up to the board/management/players to provide a spectactle that is watchable and enjoyable.When even the diehard fans are losing interest,you know its bad.

[rayw]

I went regularly in 2005-6 and when i could in esl days. Last few seasons less and less. To be honest if the product is not good,fewer and fewer people will want it. On and off the pitch it seems the club has happily stagnated. Almost unbelievable given the huge hope and goodwill the club started with that 7 years later they are still in a league with Leyton,Ilford, Brentwood,Concorde rangers and Waltham Abbey.

[Enfield United]

Originally Posted By: rayw

I went regularly in 2005-6 and when i could in esl days. Last few seasons less and less. To be honest if the product is not good,fewer and fewer people will want it. On and off the pitch it seems the club has happily stagnated. Almost unbelievable given the huge hope and goodwill the club started with that 7 years later they are still in a league with Leyton,Ilford, Brentwood,Concorde rangers and Waltham Abbey.

Many good points made since my last posting.

I've stated numerous times that Brimmo is an unattractive place for new supporters. A far more centrally based stadium will attract further interest and thats a season or so away.

We need a community committee, that will organise events in October (kick racism out of football month) for every home game and events for World Childrens day in April. We need community committee members to attend school assembleys and give a 10min chat about ETFC and some invites to attend the matches during these Oct/Apr dates. As well as having a club mascot or Clown to amuse the kiddies prior/during matches as well as penalty/skills competitions at half time. Just needs organising.

[MbrunoB]

I could nominate a few for the clown position but most aint that funny!

[OldTowner]

Originally Posted By: MbrunoB

I could nominate a few for the clown position but most aint that funny!

Leave our new signings out of this

[Gazza]

Clowns have never been funny, some of our signings on the other hand......

 

Agree with almost all your suggestions EU, however what we need most is a decent stable squad, that is after all what we turn up each match to see.

[Enfield United]

Originally Posted By: Gazza

Clowns have never been funny, some of our signings on the other hand......

Agree with almost all your suggestions EU, however what we need most is a decent stable squad, that is after all what we turn up each match to see.

You know what I totally agree with you too, but a 5-10 yrs old kiddy will find a stable team/squad a bit boring after 10-15mins of a game and might tune in a bit of extra 10mins interest at some later point in the game. Not all kids, but most of them.

Add the burnt out cars, broken glass and fly tipping gear around brimmo and you get the 'nice' location the Town are currently set in.

However add a child/family friendly environment of some clown/club mascot doing high fives to everyone, pictures being taken, juggling wooden bottles/oranges and the scene is entertaining and fun as well as a game of footy.

They have these kind of things at Old Trafford, if its good enough for the mighty reds then it must benefit us too. Like I've already said add the penalty shoot outs and skills bits at half time and kids will be nagging to attend ETFC matches.

[andyetfc]

Sounds good EU. At this rate we won't need a game to watch.

[townerboy]

Originally Posted By: lovely stuff

If you take into account what a depressing,cold,unattractive place Brimsdown is.Combined with our year on year dreadful home form,then its a miracle our attendances have held up as well as they have over the years.
The credit crunch combined with a poor league campaign this season has reduced attendances by 40 or so.

I would personally concentrate on not losing the diehard supporters we already have whilst still at Brimsdown,rather than seeking new blood .You can do that by playing football that is actually watchable and regularly competing for the promotion places..If we can be in a higher league by the time we move into the QE in 2010,then that will be a good base to start attracting bigger crowds in the future.We can concentrate and put the effort into attracting new local support then.I think we have to admit that Brimo is never going to temp the new/casual supporter.We must concentrate on not losing our regular/dedicated fanbase between now and the move to the new stadium .

agree 100%

[Arkwright]

Originally Posted By: Enfield United

Originally Posted By: Gazza

Clowns have never been funny, some of our signings on the other hand......

Agree with almost all your suggestions EU, however what we need most is a decent stable squad, that is after all what we turn up each match to see.

You know what I totally agree with you too, but a 5-10 yrs old kiddy will find a stable team/squad a bit boring after 10-15mins of a game and might tune in a bit of extra 10mins interest at some later point in the game. Not all kids, but most of them.

Add the burnt out cars, broken glass and fly tipping gear around brimmo and you get the 'nice' location the Town are currently set in.

However add a child/family friendly environment of some clown/club mascot doing high fives to everyone, pictures being taken, juggling wooden bottles/oranges and the scene is entertaining and fun as well as a game of footy.

They have these kind of things at Old Trafford, if its good enough for the mighty reds then it must benefit us too. Like I've already said add the penalty shoot outs and skills bits at half time and kids will be nagging to attend ETFC matches.

Do you mean that they've still got Fred the Red at Old Trafford?.
Why don't you start things off by arranging a half time penalty comp for your youth team?.