Fleet Frustrated by the crowd numbers!

[Fleet boys]

I really cant see why more people dont come really we are in a good position and have a good chance of play-offs would we get a big attendance if we get into the play-offs??? what do you think

???

[JimGNFC]

This is a familiar sounding "theme" but its the first time I recall a Fleet Player speaking out on the matter. Well done Sasha!

 

One thing that concerns me is that if Fleet players are getting fed up with attendances, then whats the chances of them signing a new contract in the Summer?

 

Its easy to criticise the Club, for not doing enough to improve crowds but they have tried kids for a Quid, Free tickets for the Weymouth game plus a phone call to all fans informing us about the early kick off for the Morecambe game.

 

Personally I believe the "Kids Go Free" Scheme could be made to work. However, its no use running the scheme for a "1" off game.

 

Crowds could be improved "overnight" by 500. Yes thats right 500 - but it requires some imagination such as:

 

a) "Kids Go Free" until the end of the season for EVERY game.

They advertise it PROPERLY in the papers *EVERY* week.

c) Throw in a free hot dog or drink for the kids too.

 

Giving out tickets to a few schools each week is not enough. All schools need to be targeted prior to every game.

[Hempstead Gaz]

All of these ideas mentioned are very good - but unless the board

a) read this forum,

are told about these ideas

c) act upon these ideas

then nothing really significant will be done.

What will be done will be too little, too late.

Decisive and positive action is needed at once, not after the next board meeting.

 

 

[Richard C]

For what its worth and as mentioned elsewhere - the club themselves do need to do more.

 

I am a season ticket holder, aged 25 and can easily say I will be till i die! been hooked for years now. BUT sticking my neck out on the line, it is not totally up to us to try to grab a mate with a free ticket. It really isnt that easy, half of my mates are more comfortable in the local and the other half support/watch premier teams or cant be a**d.

 

I think the club need to read this thread urgently and take heed of everybody's excellent points. BUT they need to act on them and NOW.

 

I am struggling to give my free ticket away (which says a lot itself) so I can't see that this is going to be the very best method!

 

We need devoted leadership on this subject and not just fans chatting about it.

 

edit! seems we are thinking on the same lines CG!

[Hempstead Gaz]

I think EVERY Fleet fan is thinking on the same lines.

Just hope that Jason, Adrian et al are doing the same thing.

Be nice to get a posting on here from a board member.

[Richard C]

Agree. Under no circumstances do i mean it in a bad way towards the club, but struggling with a career and all of lifes fun leaves me with no time to help the fleet, I'm sure this goes for most of us, but we need the help of the club itself and ways in which maybe we can help take it forward?!

[Ian_D]

Hmmm. They dont make it easy do they.

[Harry J Allstars]

Lets hope they go down and stay down then. Although I was hoping that anyway.

[WhiteBucket]

Originally Posted By: Richard C

I am struggling to give my free ticket away (which says a lot itself)

I'm with you on this Richard. The club's handout of a free ticket was most welcome, but can I get any bugger to use it? No! Have tried six of my five-a-side squad, not one fancied it (and this includes two very occasional Fleet fans), brother-in-law, father-in-law and three other mates... not one wanted to come.

How do you alter this mindset?!

PS. And because of the above, if anyone has an extra mate they reckon they can bring, you're welcome to pick up my free ticket. Obviously, I'd rather it was for a genuine new attendee rather than someone who just fancies not paying!! Just PM me or whatever if you're interested. My friends and family clearly aren't!!

[Richard C]

Im working on my dad but he hasnt been since Jacko and Skinner in the Ryman days and its a struggle - I will be on crutches dragging my dad in chains!! so to speak!!

[thatguy]

Part of the problem is that Gravesend is a commuting town. People move to gravesend, mainly because it is closer to london, and therefore take no interest in football in the borough.

Also, as CG said, we have a marketing manager, but have you seen him or seen any of his work?

Also the other problem is the swearing and blue chants at the ground, parents must be apprehensive of bringing their children to hear that kind of thing. I know, because I am guilty of this exact manner, but am trying to cut it out.

Perhaps selling tickets in the newsagents around town, which also includes a free return ticket to anywhere in the gravesend/northfleet area.

This is my view. Right or wrong.

[Hempstead Gaz]

100% right.

We the fans who are already turning up are not the cause of the poor attendances. Nor are the players.

It is :

a) the apathy of the townsfolk of North Kent

the failure of the management of the club (the board) to react quickly enough to promote, "big up" the club and shout our name from the rooftops.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Went to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday & heard barely 1 swear word amongst the crowd - a real delight (mind you the game wasnt great & made me realise how much passion I have for my little old Gravesend & Northfleet - I couldnt care less whether Arsenal or Reading won & actually spent much of the second half with my ear glued to Talk Sport for news of our (far more important!) game). Mind you, it also emphasized how hard it is to get new fans - I certainly wouldnt be rushing back, having felt so dispassionate, and I guess many neutral newcomers to our Fleet games have the same feeling.

[John Pearce]

Originally Posted By: thatguy

Also the other problem is the swearing and blue chants at the ground, parents must be apprehensive of bringing their children to hear that kind of thing.

Could not agree more.

The swearing and obscene chants are both unneccesary and not needed. The club should do more to stamp it out.

[1 F in Fleet]

Boy ! I didn't realise how much I miss Fleet v Darts/Stones/Bourne until I read the anti-swearing/chanting posts here !

[The Doctor]

What about a deal with Fastrack? Offering cheaper transport from the town centre/swanscombe/greenhithe with a fleet ticket or something like that. They must get plenty of custom from our fans on saturday/tuesday night.

[Richard C]

Cracking idea.

[David Holden]

Originally Posted By: The Doctor

What about a deal with Fastrack? Offering cheaper transport from the town centre/swanscombe/greenhithe with a fleet ticket or something like that. They must get plenty of custom from our fans on saturday/tuesday night.

It sounds good, but what's in it for Fastrack? They have a near monopoly anyway, so it is unlikely that the investment is good business from their point of view.

[gnfc_guy]

Quote:

Went to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday & heard barely 1 swear word amongst the crowd - a real delight (mind you the game wasnt great & made me realise how much passion I have for my little old Gravesend & Northfleet - I couldnt care less whether Arsenal or Reading won & actually spent much of the second half with my ear glued to Talk Sport for news of our (far more important!) game). Mind you, it also emphasized how hard it is to get new fans - I certainly wouldnt be rushing back, having felt so dispassionate, and I guess many neutral newcomers to our Fleet games have the same feeling.

 

I also went to this game, and also didnt give two f**ks who won to be honest but purely went just to see the stadium - which is amazing. So i do feel if or when we do get the new stadium this will attract more fans.

 

However in the short term i think most ideas on here are very good, especially the stand at Hempstead Shopping Centre (as i know a few fans that way, who cant always make it..maybe a bus service like charlton? Also the free tickets for kids is a great way to increase numbers as kids are hooked very easily, and parents would still be paying!

 

I know we are always saying we hope the board read this forum etc...why dont someone or maybe every one email their ideas to this mysterious marketing manager and tell him (or her?) your ideas! Its obvious they arent doing much else at the moment so give them an e-mail n see what happens! As they say wats the worst that could happen! Up da fleeeet!

 

[thatguy]

Originally Posted By: David Holden

Originally Posted By: The Doctor

What about a deal with Fastrack? Offering cheaper transport from the town centre/swanscombe/greenhithe with a fleet ticket or something like that. They must get plenty of custom from our fans on saturday/tuesday night.

It sounds good, but what's in it for Fastrack? They have a near monopoly anyway, so it is unlikely that the investment is good business from their point of view.

How about discounted advertising space. Since we seem to be getting ourselves on sky more and more