Why the low attendances? (this is just a thought as to the reason why!)

[Hirsty]

Quote:

Jeff said:
Interesting. If you and your dad were born in the S'end, how did you end up a Sheff Wednesday fan?

Did they not play in the Cup Final in 1966??

You may wish that you had not asked this as the answer will be too long & strange & boring ! So I won't bore you with ALL the details except that to follow SWFC was an independent move on my part when I was 7 years old ( didn't rely on the nanny state then or parental brainwashing, my dad being an Arsenal fan )

At least I have followed a slightly "unfashionable" team, from a success point of view and also maybe a southerners view....a choice that I do not regret one bit !

Now, since you have asked, why all the Liv/Man U fans down here then ?
What's their excuse....success & glory ? Hmmmmm.....

...and yes, SWFC did get to the Cup Final in 1966. 2-0 up( McCalliog & Ford) and then lost 3-2 (gutted !) to Everton ! With hindsight I think that may have been the point that may have shaped the success rate of my teams ( of whatever sport )....

...so, in conclusion, Gravesend is my town & thus I must give the team my support. Shame a larger proportion of the rest of the 70k ( or whatever) population can't be persuaded. Hopefully one day....

Cheers,

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

[hopeful]

I usually read the forum with interest but not take part,but i would like to add my thoughts on this subject.theres probably around 2,000 fans who support the fleet but for various reasons cant make every home game.there is also a large number who go occasionally to see if the standard has improved, its these people who we need on a regular basis. To get them there we need entertaining football, which we dont often get,entrance fee of £12 is a lot of money down the drain when we play badly, hoofing the ball skywards to a small forward line is not entertainment.(strange how we didnt do that against oxford).Not being allowed to go around half the ground is another gripe,theres not alot of atmosphere when kicking to the swanscombe end is there,cant be many grounds where the home supporter is that restricted.Then we have the security man saying dont cross the yellow line cant stand there dont sit on the wall even if we still have half an hour to kick off,how come you can stand up to the wall on one side of the ground but not the other?i could go on and on but ive said enough, im going back to my hole in the ground.

[chilled out entertainer]

the stewards are particuarly militant at stonebridge road. i have never experienced it anywhere before as bizarre and "jobsworthy". the best i have experienced was at london wasps, wycombes home ground. they were excellent, easy going and got a better rapport with people than our guys.

[KShep]

Haha then you haven't met Craig the GNFC steward.

[Santa]

I dont know about the stewards but comments (justified imo) like the one below on the Kiddy forum will do nothing to attract future (away) support.

 

"A good day out spoilt only by not being able to get my 'Non league coffee' as there was only one stall and one kettle at Fleet to cater for 1200 people! That was in the home end with the end of the queue in the away end!! A DISGRACE GRAVESEND"

[Hempstead Gaz]

Questioning the wisdom of the increase to £12, moaning about the stewarding and complaining about the catering is realling skirting the issue of why we cannot attract more people through the gates.

£10 or £12 , the difference is less than a pint, the stewards are doing what they are told (ok, they could have a smile and a bit of banter as well) and people don't come to Fleet just for the fleetburgers and cold, soggy chips.

These factors contribute, but are not wholly the cause.

We are doing well in the league. There is not the problem.

We are playing decent football. That isn't the problem.

Gillingham being at home - I think not. There cannot be many fans sharing allegiances with Scally.

Charlton - would possbly poach 50 floaters - but not so many to make a huge difference.

The ground is still a dump, which cannot be helped at the moment, but it sure generates good atmosphere with crowds of over 1500.

Don't think the problem lies there either.

 

The club shoots itself in the foot on the playing front, in particular with cup games.

At almost EVERY opportunity we have had in the past 4/5 years to enjoy a good and highly publicised cup run, be it FA Cup, FA trophy, or even the KS Cup, we have blown it.

The list the crap games we have played against lower placed teams continues to grow, and time and time again we fail to deliver.

Is it any wonder why we have a reputation as being a soft touch or an "easy Draw" in cup games.

The paradox is that it is the same players who generally perform so well in the league, who play so poorly in the cup.

A couple of good FA cup runs, getting top class sides here (or away) and matching them (as Exeter and Burton have proved possible) would perhaps go some way to recruiting the floating punter who at present simply cannot be bothered or persuaded to come on a regular basis.

[chilled out entertainer]

what has happened to those two clubs average attendances?? anybody?

[Stu M]

Exeter's is always large, Burton's is up 25% on two years ago. But that's still only 400 or so, and they've got a new stadium.

[Ray ellingham]

Think these two clubs have benefitted from Playing Man U in the cup

[Hempstead Gaz]

I have always watched Burton's progress as they went up with us.

Compared to us, they have progressed much further, with big cup runs, good publicity, better crowds and spanking new ground staging non league internationals.

On pitch results have largely compared well, but in all other areas they seem well ahead.

[chilled out entertainer]

Quote:

Ray ellingham said:
Think these two clubs have benefitted from Playing Man U in the cup

thats what i meant, i wanted to know before and after figures, to see if we really need one that bad

[Slartibartfast]

Well they each made circa £1m which I am sure would be pretty welcome.

However Burton and Exeter where the lucky winners of the third round lottery in 2006 and 2005, in 2004 and 2003 the winners where Scarborough and Farnborough, so just getting the plum draw does not neccesarily guarantee a golden future.

I'd still take Man Utd away in next years third round though.

[Stu M]

Quote:

chilled out entertainer said:
thats what i meant, i wanted to know before and after figures, to see if we really need one that bad

Average attendance... from left to right: this season, last season, 2004-05.

Percantages relate to the increase/decrease this season by comparison with previous seasons.

1,837 burton albion [1,724 +7%] [1,453 +26%]
3,300 exeter city.. [3,756 -12%] [4,005 -18%]
1,194 gravesend & N [1,092 +9%] [1,146 +4%]

[chilled out entertainer]

cheers stu.not conclusive as i thought it would be.

[Riverview Red]

Interesting theories revolving around prices, standards of football etc - all hold some water.

 

However, my theory is that certain clubs (owinging geography and proximity to other clubs) will only ever develop a certain sized fan hardcore. Wimbledon were a great example of that.

 

Something interesting for you guys now. I have a number of good friends who live the the Gravesend area but are season ticket holders of Premiership clubs (and some Millwall). Sometimes they come to watch the Fleet with me and basically enjoy the game (if their team is away or not playing).

 

They think the standard is pretty good and price is fine. However, because they are true supporters of the London club they follow week in, week out, whatever the Fleet were doing (league-wise)they would not change from their club to the Fleet.

 

We are very close to London and the scenario I describe, will never change.

[FleetFanatic]

I know of at least 3 people who have stopped watching the football clubs that they have always supported and have started watching rugby.

 

Why?

 

Because they are allowed to enjoy a beer whilst watching the match and it's cheaper.

[Hirsty]

I know of no such people. However I do know of three people that had never been to a football match in their life before until I took them to Stonebridge Road, now they come to most home games. They weren't worried about not drinking during the game as we always have a few before, a quick one at half time, and a few after. Swings & roundabouts Brian !

 

Oh, and by the way, I reckon RR is in panto this year as one of the baddies and is just using this forum as practice......oh no he isn't....oh yes he is !!

 

Cheers,

[Stu M]

Quote:

Riverview Red said:
However, my theory is that certain clubs (owinging geography and proximity to other clubs) will only ever develop a certain sized fan hardcore.

Would have to agree with that. For all Burton's new-ground developments and Man Utd exploits, they're still a sub-2,000 supported side. Exeter will always be 3,000-4,000. I think at this level, the best we can hope for is 1,500... however many initiatives are in progress. Maybe Ebbsfleet will widen the catchment area, but I think that's a good 10 years down the line.

[chilled out entertainer]

Quote:

FleetFanatic said:
I know of at least 3 people who have stopped watching the football clubs that they have always supported and have started watching rugby.

Why?

Because they are allowed to enjoy a beer whilst watching the match and it's cheaper.

watching rugby is awesome. the guys with the 10gallon barrels on their backs is absolutely inspired. "oi mate, 2 over here when your done" don't even have to leave your perch.

[Nedster]

I don't think cost is really an issue if anything it should be a positive.

 

I have only been a casual (West Ham) football supporter since egg chasing started taking care of most of my Saturday afternoons 18 years ago before that I was a regular to Upton Park pre-all seater, all ticket matches.

 

Before this season I would go to mid-week matches or Saturdays when I wasn't playing. Last season I racked up about a dozen games.

 

At the start of this season (even before relegation started to loom) I decided that I would not be renewing my membership (£22.50 for what? the privalige of being able to buy a ticket!) or forking out min £32.50 PLUS booking fee for a ticket. Add price of programmes, tubes etc and it is just too expensive.

 

I started coming to the Fleet at the start of the season with a mate who is a regular and have really enjoyed the football and the enthusiastic but not intimidating or hate filled atmosphere at SBR.

 

Most of the games I have been to have been well worth £12.00 and the way I look at it is I am getting 2 games for the price of one!

 

We will always suffer from being so close to London and the lure of the brights lights of the Premiership but sooner of later other supporters are going to realise they are being ripped off.

 

Success on the pitch will help, if we can get in the play offs that will really help raise the profile of the club and success off the pitch i.e. getting a new ground sorted out will also help.