Attendances

[michael]

WE have seen the seasonal decline in attendances at HDP despite being league leaders which must be a concern.

 

I saw yesterday that attendances at Bromley and Tonbridge were higher than we have been getting.

Overall across the league, attendances seemed up a bit aswell

 

Until Christmas, Wimbledon and Chelmsford had higher averages than us, but Bromley and Tonbridge are closing fast.

 

How can this happen when we are top of the league.

 

Its no use the Board saying we want more people-words are fine, but you need to really champion the cause-not necessarily expensive marketing, but a simple plea for people to come.

Don't bemoan people not coming, but encourage them to come.

 

Then of course, the team let us down by losing just before every home game where there is a chance of a decent crowd.

 

I can't see more than 450 being there on Tuesday night,which does'nt help RT have the funding to get new players

[Tony_T]

Well said! Not enough encouragement from the board room to help bolster support at this delicate time of the season

[P.W.]

It is a bit worrying, but you do have to take into account that the weather has reduced the pitch to a boggy mess, so games are not fluid and a bit drab (we're not playing like league leaders.

 

It also has meant postponements on Saturdays meaning midweek replays which will always attract few spectators.

[michael]

Has it not been the same for most teams though Peter ?

[Hoops@BTFC]

Maybe your chairman should be genrous once in a while. As us Ricay fans are being provided with a free coach(es) to play you on the 27th. Maybe you are not exciting enough? After all down he at Ricay with the same weather problems attendances are impressive and are now stable over 500.

 

Look forward to the game. Maybe we can out number you aye? Or if not make more noise!

[michael]

Very nice of your chairman, but imo; not really whats called for.

We need the support at home to swell the coffers.

 

There are local supporters putting out and circulating posters,but little apparent effort from within to send out a rallying call to the Thanet public.

 

People do not need telling 'Blair-like' what they should be doing,but the occasional bit of encouraging PR in the local press about how there is a side here striving for and in sight of promotion to Conf south would surely not do any harm.

 

I'm sure many of the local Thanet population still think MFC are really in the doldrums when in fact we are in the main playing decent football and almost top of the league.

 

Maybe its happening, but in that case, MFC should be telling us about it.

 

We seem to be going back to the 'communications blackout' days of 12 months ago.

[Hoops@BTFC]

hmmm ... Maybe it is not just the clubs that should be advertising. The overall view of non-league football is not very good even though regular watchers would probably compare the entertainment to that of the premiership. Maybe Sky Sports or such programmes should give it a little more recognision? Should the Isthmian officials be doing more?

[seasidesteve]

a lot of the problem is the ground.people like to watch from where they want to watch ,and not just at one end of the ground.the view from the coffin end is totally useless and bloody cold at the moment. a lot of people like to watch the end we are attacking and at present that is not a very pleasant experience except for the very brave.

[Boney Crisp]

A lot of clubs have better stadia then us in this league and during the cold months this turns people away to coming to HDP as there isn't much cover. If we had this 'super-stadium' now our crowds would be tickling around the 800 mark. Until we get a better ground we will only be getting about 500 in the winter months.

[Hempstead Gaz]

I reckon we have the same problems as you at Fleet.

With crowds of 1400+ there is precious little spare cover under which to stand. If you do stand liklihood is you get a poor view.

Cover is a MUST!!!

[Pagey]

Originally Posted By: michaelmichael

WE have seen the seasonal decline in attendances at HDP despite being league leaders which must be a concern.

I saw yesterday that attendances at Bromley and Tonbridge were higher than we have been getting.
Overall across the league, attendances seemed up a bit aswell

Until Christmas, Wimbledon and Chelmsford had higher averages than us, but Bromley and Tonbridge are closing fast.

How can this happen when we are top of the league.

Its no use the Board saying we want more people-words are fine, but you need to really champion the cause-not necessarily expensive marketing, but a simple plea for people to come.
Don't bemoan people not coming, but encourage them to come.

Then of course, the team let us down by losing just before every home game where there is a chance of a decent crowd.

I can't see more than 450 being there on Tuesday night,which does'nt help RT have the funding to get new players

I have been thinking about your post MM and fully agree with you thoughts. How about some ideas, from anyone.

How can we get the attendance higher ??

We had this question before and Cookie took time off work to build up where the posters can go, people print and get them put up. Everyone spreads the word but is there anything else that we the fans or that MFC can do

[michael]

It seems to me that the fans are doing their bit,but whilst appreciating that the Director's are part-time only;i'd like to see a bit more visible effort from that direction.

We also read of Wellsie's efforts with R Kent;and of course the live broadcast helps raise the profile;but lets hear some ideas from the main Board aswell.

 

It may well be happening behind the scenes, but if so, tell us about it please.

[Pagey]

okay then MM(Or anyone) what about a few ideas for the board ?

[bigtw]

How about go to all the schools and give tickets out for anyone under 16 gets free entry with every paying adult.

 

Get the kids interested in local football and hopefully they will drag the parents along.

 

Target the local youth teams and invite them along as guests for a game. The likes of hugin, Trinity, Monkton and there's loads more.

 

Hopefully if you get them involved they might want to come back for more. Thats how I got hooked.

 

 

[Wellsie]

I still think there must be mileage in promoting the club via the Thanet Premier Sunday League. What do the 1500 or so players do on a Saturday?

[bigtw]

Usually get p-ssed. Joking aside TSL have there own website and Margate could advertise on there for about £100 a year

[Blue Banshee]

Long shot here...midweek matches, I could use a creche facility. My boys are too young for sitting still the whole 90mins etc but I have no-one to babysit them if I should decide to go to a game. Yeah I know but you did ask for suggestions & at least its a constructive one?

[abdullah]

Originally Posted By: Wellsie

I still think there must be mileage in promoting the club via the Thanet Premier Sunday League. What do the 1500 or so players do on a Saturday?

Ah, wise wellsie, this is a great idea, but you will find that a good many of them also play on Saturdays also. They then become too knackered to turn up on a Tuesday night in the middle of winter!

I think this is also the reason why the Kent County League representation from East Kent is virtually nil!

What we should do more is involve the Youth team set-ups so that the kids and parents get to watch us (even for free). It will generate some revenue and the Youth teams can see they are part of the Club structure!


Abdullah the Gtae!

[Pagey]

These are good, keep them coming

[Coffin Ender]

Publicity won't make any difference - it's the lack of cover at the temporary ground that is the problem. Hartsdown in its present condition is not a great place to visit while it is raining and cold. Crowds will go up once the weather improves.

 

In any case, if you really want to talk about poor crowds look at Conference South - only three crowds over 500 on Saturday.