Gate call for more support

[Twist&Shout]

By the way I'm sure I spelt committee wrong numerous times but its friday night and I'm on the train and its been a long week!haha

[Wellsie]

I can't comment on why anyone has or hasn't had a reply to any messages sent to the club but here are a few comments that I hope will be helpful.

 

We have significantly increased our commercial activity as people have already noticed. The "your name on our shirt" proved quite successful and we have sold pretty much all other match sponsorships. We have also introduced a new lottery game - Margate Clubdraw, on-line shopping for team-wear and provide access to cheaper utilities through the Utility Warehouse that provids income to the club eveerytime someone signs up using our account.

 

This has happened because there are a core number of people working with Cliff to look at commercial oportunities, so it is happening.

 

A lot of the ideas mentioned are underway in some form or another. For example, as the news update mentioned we have three lots of children in the ground for the Bury and Sutton games which we hope will mean a few parents too. And these intiatives are generating income now.

 

There are normally a group of children being put through their paces before the match - Wayne Wilson does a lot of their coaching and that's the result of our work with local schools. (That may be happenening before a lot of supporters get into the ground.) That again does generate some income.

 

That's not to say that other ideas are not welcome. In fact, I'll commit to set up a special email account over the next week and look at the ideas rasied. We will consider those that fit with what else we are trying to do, and how we assess their potential. But please note that this can not be a guarantee that a particular idea is taken forward. God help me for saying this but I will try to respond with at least a note of thanks to every message but would not like to say that I could get back quickly to everyone about how their idea will be progressed or why it wasn't. I hope people will understand that.

 

Having said all that, I'll repeat what I said in an earlier post. Our priorities are trying to promte the club more locally to get more people through the turnstiles, and to secure new (external) investment through bringing new poele into the boardroom. The club's focus is in these areas because our judgement is that these represent the most likely sources of sustaiable and significant income. So to take Alan's quote (sorry Alan) every little does help, but it's still little.

 

The other area that Cliff and I are conscious of is the need to introduce an electronic method of payment and hopefully we'll have some movement there in the not too far distant future.

 

In the meantime, while we continue to lool at ways of increasing income for the club, if you listen to GATE RADIO, join Clubdraw. If you get to the ground for a game at 2.55, get there at 2.30 and have a drink, a burger and buy a 50-50 ticket. Pop into the shop and buy something. There are already lots of little things people can do right now.

 

In the meantime, if you want to keep your powder dry, hold onto your ideas for the time being (which doesn't mean don't debate them here) and look out for the website article I'll write during next week, and email your ideas to me.

 

Cheers.

Edited October 29, 2010 by Wellsie

[geoff pay]

Excellent views here and i like Tony's ideas. Good discussion points all round.

[Cookie]

This (again) & I stress is no slight on Wellsies gallant & excellent efforts

 

No slight taken Tony, by any of us

 

l.o.l. Just noticed ................................." Wellsie's" ...................Is that better ?

Edited October 29, 2010 by Cookie

[Wellsie]

This (again) & I stress is no slight on Wellsies gallant & excellent efforts

 

No slight taken Tony, by any of us

 

l.o.l. Just noticed ................................." Wellsie's" ...................Is that better ?

 

[Coffin Ender]

It is very difficult to improve on a club's traditional fanbase other than through sustained success on the field and better facilities. And our crowds are actually quite good for a Ryman League team.

 

However, I think offering cheap entry for season ticket holders of Premier League and Football League clubs is a good idea. Go to Margate station on a Saturday morning and you will see loads of people heading up to London and even Gillingham to watch football. They are a group of people we could be targeting to watch us on the weekends when their team is away.

[Cookie]

1) Theres another idea. Loads come down here on a Saturday morning on the train (surprisingly still & I should know) plenty of families with dads & kids, not forgetting the ladies of course, so maybe give a goodish discount to those with a valied train ticket from away further out than Birchington for instance. Probably wouldn't sway anyone come to think of it but it might! I'd even be willing to stand there with someone else for a few hours if this were a go!

 

2) Then there's always that supermarket van that goes around the town with the advertising boarding on both sides (has anyone else noticed it?) . Maybe hire that for a few hours on a Saturday morning (or even better ask them to loan it to us for a few hours free of charge in return for publicity of their company coming from us for them at matches & via the press thanking them) just to drive around the town advertising the days match (& possibly any bonus entrance fee deductions) but at the least the advertising of the game on the day. Might try including in that a loud speaker announcing the games too (or is that illegal without permission?)

 

Just my other thoughts there that's all.

Edited October 30, 2010 by Cookie

[zorba]

From one who shamefully contributes little financially from 2000 miles away (yes I would pay to listen!), and without teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, surely the club should do some market research into initiatives which other clubs have successfully undertaken to increase attendances .

 

This could save a lot of time and money trying things which have already failed by others.

 

 

.... I'll get my coat

 

zorba

[DEREK]

I've no idea how much roundabout adverts are, is this something that could be looked into. Also I remember when the Kent Hotel was going adverts used to appear on bill boards all around the town, then again quite a few of the directors in those days were on Margate council mebee that helped.One more thing is it possible to put leaflets in pubs, shops or even through the letter box with the daily newspaper.

[geoff pay]

One more thing to add is that we could be at home every Saturday in November. That alone would help. No Sat fixture at home last year!! If we won today we could be at home on 20th Nov. That one is an if but the others are all league fixtures at home. That must help.

[margateshot]

There has been some discussion on the Aldershot Forum about the season ticket idea. The initiative has been used at Bury. Now I know they have a huge local away fanbase up there, but they are offering anybody with a valid season ticket, entry to any home match for £5.00. Apparently the attendences have gone up significantly. As has been said on here we could try that here to attract people who would not usually attend a Margate game. There are a number of local premiership and Gillingham supporters who may take advantage of the scheme. If you include Ramsgate, Whitstable, Herne Bay etc you may attract a few. If everyone paid £5.00 and then bought a tea and a burger it would soon mount up.

 

We would probably get a few Ramsgate supporters coming every week once they see the quality of football that they are missing!!!!!

[DEREK]

There has been some discussion on the Aldershot Forum about the season ticket idea. The initiative has been used at Bury. Now I know they have a huge local away fanbase up there, but they are offering anybody with a valid season ticket, entry to any home match for £5.00. Apparently the attendences have gone up significantly. As has been said on here we could try that here to attract people who would not usually attend a Margate game. There are a number of local premiership and Gillingham supporters who may take advantage of the scheme. If you include Ramsgate, Whitstable, Herne Bay etc you may attract a few. If everyone paid £5.00 and then bought a tea and a burger it would soon mount up.

 

We would probably get a few Ramsgate supporters coming every week once they see the quality of football that they are missing!!!!!

 

A few of a few is probably better than none........ possibly

[Cookie]

We would probably get a few Ramsgate supporters coming every week once they see the quality of football that they are missing!!!!!

Some are already coming Steve! Having highlighted the quality lets hope that dosen't bok todays performance. It's certainly going to be a toughie out there thats for sure. Some true grit & determination will be required today more than anything as it's not going to be an easy game to win. As for other Ramsgate fans maybe we could offer them something else as a enticement.Not sure what though!

Edited October 30, 2010 by Cookie

[Franny]

Well what a depressing thread, especially after yesterdays performance. Not even into November and we're suddenly facing a shortfall between our budget and income. Whoever decided to approve a budget that needs us to average 500 through the gate each home game is absolutely bonkers, it just aint going to happen im afraid.

[Tony_T]

I would love to be able to attend every home game but living in Wiltshire makes it an expensive journey and weekend for me! I listen to Wellsie's commentary but think paying for this service directly would have little effect on the MFC coffers. I make a donation but I imagine this gets quickly 'swallowed' up.

 

Encouraging school children to come is an excellent idea - we need to get tomorrow's supporters in today. If it hadn't been for my dad working at MFC when I was very young, I doubt I would have ever kept up my support for them now.

 

Thanet is not an easy place for any business, let alone a non-league football club and hasn't been for some time. I think we certainly need to look outside the island for increased support too and again, the season ticket for other clubs reduced entrance is one that could work.

 

Unfortunately, announcements about budgets and attendances are not going to help us. None of us want to end up back in court facing HMRC again now do we?!

 

Here in Surrey, Christmas parties for kids are being organised by various local charities and associations up at Kingsmeadow (through AFC Wimbledon) - what about that? These could be organised over the Saturday lunchtime with free admission to the game for all kids. Encourage the parents to turn up too and you never know, we might just be able to re-light that spark of enthusiasm!!

[Wellsie]

Unfortunately, announcements about budgets and attendances are not going to help us. None of us want to end up back in court facing HMRC again now do we?!

 

We thought carefully about the announcement but decided that it was most important to be up front and honest with our supporters.

 

By making supporters aware of the stiuation, we are giving the broader supporter community an opportunity to help by coming to matches but also being clear that we will take tough decisions to protect the long term future of the club. It's a matter of public record how close the club has come to folding over the recent past and I imagine tahyt everyone agrees we ned to do what we can to avoid a repeat.

 

Fundementally, the announcment is about taking action sooner rather than later, that will hopefully make a difference.

 

The comment about budget setting is an interesting one becasue the club is criticised by some for not investing significantly in going for promotion, then criticised by some for pointing out when things - in this case attendances - are giving us a few problems.

 

Needless to say, we'll continue to be as open as we can about the football club's progress because we believe that after winning matches, that's the best way to keep supporters on side.

[JeremyJacobs]

I've no idea how much roundabout adverts are, is this something that could be looked into. Also I remember when the Kent Hotel was going adverts used to appear on bill boards all around the town, then again quite a few of the directors in those days were on Margate council mebee that helped.One more thing is it possible to put leaflets in pubs, shops or even through the letter box with the daily newspaper.

 

I remember "Margate v Bath City" at the Kent Hotel featured in a BBC 1 play 30 years ago. Now look at the Kent Hotel. What planning authority gave permission for the yellow & pink plastic hoarding that now envelopes that fine building?

 

 

 

[Pagey]

Unfortunately, announcements about budgets and attendances are not going to help us. None of us want to end up back in court facing HMRC again now do we?!

 

We thought carefully about the announcement but decided that it was most important to be up front and honest with our supporters.

 

By making supporters aware of the stiuation, we are giving the broader supporter community an opportunity to help by coming to matches but also being clear that we will take tough decisions to protect the long term future of the club. It's a matter of public record how close the club has come to folding over the recent past and I imagine tahyt everyone agrees we ned to do what we can to avoid a repeat.

 

Fundementally, the announcment is about taking action sooner rather than later, that will hopefully make a difference.

 

The comment about budget setting is an interesting one becasue the club is criticised by some for not investing significantly in going for promotion, then criticised by some for pointing out when things - in this case attendances - are giving us a few problems.

 

Needless to say, we'll continue to be as open as we can about the football club's progress because we believe that after winning matches, that's the best way to keep supporters on side.

 

 

You are Dammed it you do and Dammed if you dont.

 

But hats off to the club for the announcement as it gives everyone an opportunity to do something about it

 

 

[C.A.A.]

Whoever decided to approve a budget that needs us to average 500 through the gate each home game is absolutely bonkers, it just aint going to happen im afraid.

 

 

 

 

surely there are statisticians who can work out average attendances and incomings over last 5 seasons (hi Jeff Trice!)... deduct 10% then set budget

if team has good season then maybe an increase in budget would be possible

 

 

 

all i know is, if you employ 15 men at £ 700 p/w and income is 8k a week you have problems ( hypothetical figures btw)

[Guernsey Tom]

The average attendance will certainly be lower this year than previous seasons, teams like Dartford always brought fans with them and of course Ramsagate was always around 1000, no big names this year, Maidstone in freefall, Folkestone seemingly hanging on by a thread, and Tonbridge no fan base, and who have we got at xmas the mighty Cray Wanderers, so it did not need a crystal ball to realise at the start of the season that we would only be attracting 500+ crowds if we were in a challenging position.

 

I would have thought that the magnificent success of the sponsorship this season has brought a great deal of new income to the club, and of course the Goalden Goal, so where is the shortfall from? we do not now have the expense of Yorath and Southall any more, the budget has been trimmed so we are told, and of course although our average is down on previous seasons it is still towards the top of the division so how do other clubs achieve success on smaller gates that ours.

 

I must say I thought the publicity around the ateetndances on the website and the programme yesterday only seemed to bring a feeling of doom an gloom again and I was hoping we were over that !!!