City 2 Bognor 0

[Rob_the_Saint]

Rather subdued performance today in front of a poor crowd of 300-odd. The two big lads at the back both had good games though some of the distribution was of the 'ave it' variety.

 

Bognor as usual played a neat passing game but no end product. Their only real chance was fluffed.

 

Still, good to get a win under our belts and both goals were well taken. Up to 12th now, play-offs here we come.

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Quote:

in front of a poor crowd of 300-odd.

MAKE$ NO S£N$£ TO M£.

[Canary Saint]

Quote:

YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~ said:


MAKE$ NO S£N$£ TO M£.

Entrance fees are not a large contribution to small crowds. There are many other factors (eg supporting Spurs, general disillusion with football, quality of play, pathetic national team, weather, other attractions, personal circumstances etc, etc)- so please change the record <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Ok.

 

Well in 2000/01 (the Mudd/Kendall season), we averaged home gates of over 750.

 

Now we average just over 300.

 

So which of those "many other factors" do you think the missing 450 belong to?

 

Have the reasons you've stated above really contributed to around 60% of our support deciding to no longer go??

 

Sorry if I bore you, but it's a genuine question. Where have these people gone, and why??

[MADEFM]

Ye actually thats really interesting, where did they go? I know some have gone due to members of the club. I thought we played an alright game though. Did think the communication at times was poor and the work rate wasnt fully 100%. But lets go on from here and get a good string of results together.

[Webbo MFI]

just look through the seasons.....

 

2003/04 - avearge 400??

1990/91 - average 350??

1986/87 - average 420??

 

the season you mention... looks like an average of 500? only 3 high gates against Enfield Aldershot and Farnborough 1004, 982 & 708

 

then 295 at home to Basingstoke, 185 at home to Baldock in the FA Cup,

 

326 home to croydon

88 home to Marlow

323 Purfleet

284 Swifts

637 Dulwich

486 Harrow

 

can't see the 750 average at all though probably wrong again

[Webbo MFI]

Quote:

Canary Saint said:

Quote:

YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~ said:


MAKE$ NO S£N$£ TO M£.

Entrance fees are not a large contribution to small crowds. There are many other factors (eg supporting Spurs, general disillusion with football, quality of play, pathetic national team, weather, other attractions, personal circumstances etc, etc)- so please change the record <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/stupid.gif" alt="" />

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

88 at home to Marlow? I'd hardly count the League Cup! I'm referring to League gates.

 

Perhaps 750 was the previous season. Besides... even the most stubborn person must see the point I'm making.

 

I'm done, anyway. If you guys are happy paying it, then it's your look-out. I'm not, therefore I don't go.

 

Freedom of choice.

 

Enjoy the season.

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

Wasn't it about 8 quid to get in during them seasons anyway?, at the very least it was 7 quid, that's not too bigger hike compared to inflation in the inbetween years.

 

I'm with Canary Saint on this, quality on the pitch is where it's at.

We averaged about 900 in 92/93 dropping down to the mid 300's again when Jimmy Neighbour was in charge rising to the 800's again when Garry Hill was here, we've been pretty dire for the last 4/5 years so thats where the problem lies.

 

You were more than happy to pay the admission when we were good and you "fcking loved City man", i bet admission v cost of living v wage will show it's just as reasonable as it was in the scheme of things from 15/20 years ago!

[Nos]

YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~ said

 

Quote:

Well in 2000/01 (the Mudd/Kendall season), we averaged home gates of over 750.

 

 

The usual exaggerated tosh, YB. The average league gate for that season was just about 500 and if you are talking about all home gates, something around 450. I'd like to think our crowds will be up on those figures this season with Sir Colin in charge of things.

 

 

What is it with you anyway? Why do you feel it necessary to continually criticise the Saints week in, week out. It is sending everyone to sleep. Try getting behind the club and be a little more positive.

[AFF]

Anyway, back to the football stuff.

 

A good performance, I thought. A 'pulsating' first half - Gibbo will be pleased.

 

The two bros at centre back did well not least as this was their first game together. They limited Nightingale to two chances [in the] second half, both denied by Paul Bastock, although even I would have buried the second 9 times out of ten, even against Bazza.

 

I thought that we played some very good creative football particularly [in the] first half, and their keeper was MotM by a margin. On another day, Lee Clarke would have scored at least three.

 

4-4-2 is the only way. Colin Lippiatt needs to leave this wing-back lark alone, at least until he has a budget of £27 squillion a year and we can afford a couple of them who can do it.

 

Bognor were very poor. They seemed to me to be playing the long ball throughout the first half which is unusual for Jack Pearce's sides although, in fairness, they may have heard that our back four might not be the fastest and they wanted to exploit the space, or whatever these football people call that stuff.

 

Anyway. Good for me. Top 6 by Christmas, Champions by Easter.

 

[The attendance was pathetic, by the way. I am in no doubt that there is a range of reasons but I'm sure that 'they' have everything comfortably in hand.]

[Webbo MFI]

Quote:

YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~ said:

Perhaps 750 was the previous season. Besides... even the most stubborn person must see the point I'm making.

obviously not

[Electric ~soul~]

No - would seem not.

 

Thornsy, you are wrong. It was £6 when I first went, which was 97/98, and I remember people moaning that season that it had just been put up from a fiver.

 

Quote:

i bet admission v cost of living v wage will show it's just as reasonable as it was in the scheme of things from 15/20 years ago!

 

Don't be ridiculous.

 

Has the minimum wage doubled in ten years? Have pensions or dole money doubles since 1995?

 

Has the price of a pint, a CD or a loaf of bread been hit by a 200% rise in ten years?

 

I can tell you now, that they have not. Nowhere near.

 

Not sure why a family day out at your local football club should have done either, then.

 

Nos - I fell out of love with St Albans City after two incidents in the 2003/04 season.

 

The first was when, after a match at Billericay, I was sent an email by the chairman and told I was banned indefinitely from Clarence Park. The email gave no explanation and I was told I had no right of reply. A couple of good blokes spoke to Mr Gibson on my behalf and did well to change his mind, and couple of weeks later I was told I could return.

 

The second followed an incident after the Hornchurch match at home. One of my friends was called a "[****!!****]" on several occasions, at the top of his voice and in front of familes (note 'family club' from earlier in my post) by a player of SACFC. When my friend chose to leave the clubhouse, feeling a little threatened to say the least, he was followed outside.

 

Fortunately for my friend, two of my other friends prevented this player coming after him. What followed is the most shocking thing I have ever encountered at a club I have supported.

 

A totally different player punched one of my other friends in the face, whilst the original player knocked a third friend to the floor, and kicked him in the head.

 

Absolutely disgusting.

 

But fortunately, so we thought, the chairman and the club manager at the time witnessed these events, so at least the players would be brought to some form of justice - sacked on the spot surely?

 

Wrong.

 

Instead, the chairman went to the Press and said that had he been in the same position as said players, he would have done exactly the same thing.

 

Nice.

 

Those two incidents opened my eyes to what sort of club this is, and until certain things change, it will always be tainted in my eyes.

 

The admission, I'm afraid, is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

As Keith Burkinshaw once said of a club he managed, "there used to be a football club over there".

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Nos]

Pretty solid display, in which we were always in control except perhaps for 10 or 15 minutes in the second half. The centre of defence looked a lot better and Sangare did ok but it was difficult to judge against a very average Bognor side. Clarke's goal was superbly taken and Martin's was clinically put away. My MOM - Chris Seeby, a great performance.

 

Onwards and upwards <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/top.gif" alt="" />

[AFF]

I wouldn't disagree with that, Nos. I thought that Chris had an excellent 1st half but a couple of minor errors in the second half just just cost him my MotM award in favour of Lee.

 

An minor but interesting element of the game for me was that, although not to be criticised, Tom Davis, Dean 'Chritmas' Cracknell, Nick Roddis and Scott Cousins had 'quiet' games. Perhaps that contributes to the performance being 'workmanlike' rather than truly 'pulsating'.

 

It was good to see/hear Patrick Ada taking the leadership of the back four.

[Zagreus]

I've enjoyed the last two match days programs. They may have gone b&w (doesn't bother me), but IMO there's more interesting stuff to read in there. It's a shame to see that the only pub to sponser us is a pub in Harpenden! Fair play to 'em, but there must be at least one in St Albans willing to part with a bit of dosh?

[AFF]

What a diverse thread, Zag! And why not?

 

The small but perfectly formed matchday programme sub-committee [The chap who used to drive the red tractor, the chap who gets £50,000 a year to take the team sheet from the manager to the referee 1 hour before kick-off when Carlisle aren't playing south of Manchester, and Lee Wood] are to be congratulated on a stout effort this season. I have already passed good wishes to Lee Wood and I will mention the thing to Hertsblue when he next attends a match.

 

I must confess that I am missing the player interview page, however. I'm having to guess at the favourite food, holiday destination and music on the car CD of some of the newcomers.

[Laz]

Perhaps a stats grid matching players to food, holiday destination and car would make a useful addition. Just a thought...

[Hardings Minion]

Cheers Zag & AFF. The programme has gone down quite well with those who buy it. I was just getting p*ssed off with getting it in the neck about the quality of the programme from those who didn't have any idea the politics behind it. Anyway, I've got a lot more time to sort it out now. It's hard to organise articles and keep it fresh but it seems to work so far. Herts Blue is a busy boy these days, hence there is no more player interview section. Also, the club's programme budget doesn't stretch far enough to have colour though. Such is life I'm afraid.

[Nos]

Agree with all the above. I don't think many people are overly concerned with the black and white in lieu of colour. Excellent job, HM.