Has the BUBBLE BURST?

[Smudge]

Last Season GUERNSEY FC were new kids on the block,welcomed by all in the CCL 1 with open arms,Average Away attendance of 183,with 3 games above the 300 mark.Now I know it is early days yet,but the average so far in a Higher Division is 130.Camberley 164,Cove 120,Dorking 107 whilst these are decent crowds for Step 5 level away from home,they are below what I and I think many others expected.Interestingly Camberley I believe,never had their game Streamed live,could this be a factor.They are now top of the pile,so you would expect the Crowds to increase,but will anyone see a 300 crowd again?

[Lewprosser84]

I think your right to a certain point Smudge as I think the neutrals had a chance to look at what Guernsey FC are all about last year as like you said they were new.

 

As your figures show I would presume that the neutrals that hadn't seen Guernsey before that live in the saturated area of (Camberley,Farnborough, Aldershot) went to the camberley game to see what its all about and simply didn't go again to see them at Cove. Now I don't mean to be rude but Dorking is a little bit in the middle of no where compared to Camberley and therefore the neutral interest is going to be lower still.

 

There is also naturally less interest in them now as they are no longer the shiney new toy. I don't think that the TV side of things has made much difference as I doubt the uptake from non Guernsey folk is very very small although it would be interesting to see some figures.

 

Just to add as well I guess when (if) they get promoted larger away crowds will once again be on the agenda as a new league brings different fans and will again be the shiney new toy.

Edited August 28, 2012 by injuryprone

[Rother]

Windsor will get 300+.

[Smudge]

Rother expect they will,although your home crowds have dropped slightly,any reason for that.Why not make it a Free Day,like Egham last year?

[TRS]

I'm amazed the Cove crowd was 120 - I was there and i would have guessed 75 tops.

 

Dorking in the middle of nowhere!!

 

Wait til BJR sees that

[bomaya]

Well I did say this might happen when the Guernsey TV thing came out and I was going to do a comparison of attendances at some point so thanks Smudge for doing it for me.

 

I was at four Guernsey away games last season and each time it was a wonderful atmosphere. Bigger crowds at those grounds than normal. The home side often put the boat out with extra food kiosks etc. Loads of gren and white noisy, good natured support. It was wonderful to see at Step 6.

 

Now I've yet to see a Guernsey game this season but from the reports and the numbers of people, it doesn't sound it's quite the same this year. I assume it's the tv that makes the away travel less appealing. The fans can't be bored after all they look like possibly doing a double promotion. I really hope this is just a early season glitch and the away crowds go up again.

[Smudge]

Maybe they count everyone who goes through the Turnstile though Trevor.Dorking was the hub of the Olympics,shown all over the Globe a few weeks ago.There was gridlock for that,maybe Guernsey are not the pull,we thought they were?

[bomaya]

 

Dorking in the middle of nowhere!!

 

Wait til BJR sees that

 

Indeed, I guess it's where you start from but for me Camberley's in the middle of nowhere!

[Big J R]

Indeed, I guess it's where you start from but for me Camberley's in the middle of nowhere!

 

I don't know how Trevor has the nerve to say what he did, ESPECIALLY as a Dorking resident.

 

I WAS at the DFC - Guernsey match, and I can tell you that the 'Green Lion' supporters far out-weighed the DFC supporters.

 

I renewed many an acquaintance made from when they were over last season for the Bookham game.

 

Falling gate numbers is down to two major factors. Too many clubs in an area to sustain a large crowd. It's called a matter of choice.

 

AND................

 

In case you hadn't noticed, their is a double-dip recession on. Even now, as a newbie fully retired person WITH a works pension, I am far worse off than I was a few years ago.

 

Funny how prices still keep rising, though !!

Edited August 28, 2012 by Big J R

[Smudge]

Woking is the CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE for GUERNSEY SUPPORT

 

Crowds.Top 3 Attendances

 

WESTFIELD 325

KNAPHILL 323

WORCESTER PARK 265

 

coincidence I was at all 3 of these games.

[Smudge]

I don't know how Trevor has the nerve to say what he did, ESPECIALLY as a Dorking resident.

 

I WAS at the DFC - Guernsey match, and I can tell you that the 'Green Lion' supporters far out-weighed the DFC supporters.

 

I renewed many an acquaintance made from when they were over last season for the Bookham game.

 

Falling gate numbers is down to two major factors. Too many clubs in an area to sustain a large crowd. It's called a matter of choice.

 

AND................

 

In case you hadn't noticed, their is a double-dip recession on. Even now, as a newbie fully retired person WITH a works pension, I am far worse off than I was a few years ago.

 

Funny how prices still keep rising, though !!

 

Bookham got 132 last year,so crowds down 30%.BJR No sob stories allowed,we all know your loaded.

[Big J R]

Bookham got 132 last year,so crowds down 30%.BJR No sob stories allowed, we all know your loaded.

 

Not one drop of alcohol has passed my lips today !

[bomaya]

 

 

Falling gate numbers is down to two major factors. Too many clubs in an area to sustain a large crowd. It's called a matter of choice.

 

AND................

 

In case you hadn't noticed, their is a double-dip recession on. Even now, as a newbie fully retired person WITH a works pension, I am far worse off than I was a few years ago.

 

Funny how prices still keep rising, though !!

 

We're not talking a few years ago though, it's less than twelve months ago. And Guernsey fans aren't face with a choice of where to go, it's more whether to go or stay at home.

[Smudge]

 

 

Not one drop of alcohol has passed my lips today !

 

Crikey,things must be bad then.A whip round for BJR Needed.

[Big J R]

Thanks Peter.

 

All contributions greatfully received !

[TRS]

Try reading the whole thread, BJR!

[Big J R]

Try reading the whole thread, BJR!

 

See what you mean from the point of view of comparing Dorking to Camberley.

 

Anyway, even though I am technically resident in Dorking, I actually live nearer to North Holmwood, so I'm entitled to support my nearest town !

[Don't Blame Me]

Rother expect they will,although your home crowds have dropped slightly,any reason for that.Why not make it a Free Day,like Egham last year?

 

Our lowest league attendance last season was 130. So far, the lowest is 124. One thing to note is that the youngsters have not yet returned. Once they do, and they get their parents etc to drag them along, I would expect crowds to increase. Another possibility is that we are no longer new kids on the block either so there is less interest in us from groundhoppers and the like. But it is early days and we are still in August.

[Guernsey Guru]

I have been following this thread and the Premier Division table thread and have make a couple of points. Firstly GFCs 6-0 result against Dorking. GFC were OK on the day, god knows what the score would have been if Ross Allen had played, but they were OK, not amazing but OK. But they still completely over ran Dorking, individually talent wise, fitness wise and just were a more together unit. We seem to be hearing more and more grumbles in the Guernsey media about these types of results. 6-0 here 8-0 there and believe it or not it is not doing our side any good. There are people in Guernsey who are no longer going to GFC games because they are not competitive enough, in fact there are some people in Guernsey who would prefer to see Guernsey struggling, even losing, but playing in games where they are tested.

 

Before you all start calling me disrespectful or 'big headed' I am only stating a very strange undercurrent that could be the more likely reason for attendances dropping rather than GFCTV. As I have said before I attend all games home and away and am fully committed to GFC but I seem to see more of these types of comments in the media and talking to the community when at home.

 

As pointed out we may be a 'national' side in this league but our side is still picked from our population of approx 65,000 and therefore I would expect teams like Windsor, Guildford etc to have as many or if not more players to choose from and in fact all of the other clubs in the CCL have the opportunity to attract players, including financial incentives, from other parts/teams of the CCL area where as Guernsey just has its 65,000 and no one, as yet, receives a penny.

 

Fitness is my other bug bear. GFC are miles fitter than nearly all of the teams that we have faced in the CCL and in my opinion there is absolutely no reason why this should be the case. I can accept that we do have some talented players but other parts of being a footballer, including fitness, personal dietry and committment should be the same for every player at every club at this level. I mention this because I spoke to an individual last year in CCL1 in the UK after a GFC game and he stated 'I will be pleased when GFC get promoted so that we can go back to relaxing and playing our football without so much pressure, a game of football and a few beers afterwards, without taking it so serious thats what I miss'

 

That basically said it all for me, I will not stop supporting GFC and realise that eventually we are going to struggle but these 6-0s are doing us more damage than actually losing!

[bomaya]

I would have thought that battering through a couple of leagues to find your true level would be a good thing. These people should be enjoying themselves. When you get to Step 3/4 and things are tougher, will they suddenly start supporting properly? Seems unlikely.