2nd best again

[Richard C]

Im still of the opinion that we need to address the short term before the long term. What good is an excellent sponsor and stadium if we get crowds plummeting, lose money, become insolvent etc etc etc.

 

A very over the top view there - but realistically if we do not address crowd shortage now we may be too late for all the rest of the plans and my sunday league side might just be bigger!! lol!!!

[Hempstead Gaz]

But we don't have problem, Richard.

I keep reading it on here from the usual crew.

So it must be true

[Stu M]

Originally Posted By: Chatham Gary

But we don't have problem, Richard.
I keep reading it on here from the usual crew.
So it must be true

Can you find that quote, Gary...?

The 'usual crew' don't just think it's down to any one thing such as Daish ignoring your tactics or kicking it up in the air 50% more than last season. There are loads of mitigating factors and noone on here, let's be honest, has the marketing genius or ideas to change that. If we did, we wouldn't be tapping it out on a forum ad nauseam.

[The Truth]

Originally Posted By: Chatham Gary

But we don't have problem, Richard.
I keep reading it on here from the usual crew.
So it must be true

We have a huge problem Gary. 99% of the people in Gravesham don't support their local team.

Even the fans who support us through thick and thin will tell you that if we lose one match after four sraight home wins they wlll 'watch grass grow' rather than go to the next one.

If you have any NEW ideas on attracting new support do share.

[Hannah]

Yes, attendances is a problem it always has been and there must be about 100 other threads with the exact same posts as on here! It doesn't get anyone anywhere talking about it over and over again especially when there is no solution in sight at all. Obviously the attendance needs seeing to, but theres nothing any of us here can do about it realistically.

 

Sometimes you just have to settle...you can't expect amazing football and billions of goals every game from a small club like ours. I think Daish has done the best he can with what he has got. We're not doing very badly at all so far.

 

All I know is that I enjoy every game that I go to win lose or draw and I think the people who already go ought to get behind them a bit more. I don't think it's right when the crowd boo at the end of a match when we have been defeated, I think the meaning of supporters gets lost there.

 

But then that's just my opinion.

 

 

 

[Hempstead Gaz]

There are lots of things the club can do, but hasn't.

Like employ a full time press/marketing manager.

It will cost money - but if he/she is good the money spent will be recouped.

Like looking at admission prices again. Fans pay £13, but are probably spending less inside the ground. I know I am. Others probably are too.

LKi

I suggested mini season tickets books 2 years ago - which BK adopted. Is it still going? It isn't well publicised.

And I agree LD has done the best he can - I would go a little bit further than that, he has done very well in spite of the financial restrictions imposed on him by the club.

 

[DA11]

Originally Posted By: Stu M

There are loads of mitigating factors and noone on here, let's be honest, has the marketing genius or ideas to change that. If we did, we wouldn't be tapping it out on a forum ad nauseam.

Well actually Stu I do. It's what I do for a living. Good marketing will never guarantee results but what it does do is build brand awareness. The attendances at the Fleet have never been great for as long as I can remember. CG comes up with some good ideas but most just seem to shoot him down. I think we have a great structure at the club but the main thing we fall short on time after time is publicity. We'll do a little push then nothing. Unlike us on here not everyone is in the know. Special promotions are often advertised at the last moment if at all. The stay aways need a constant drip feed letting them know what going on. Look at the abundance of take aways we have in the area. All competing with each other. Once a week they drop a menu with offers through the door. You may not buy straight away but when you do at least you know what they do. What about a leaflet drop advertising special offers. It's a bit more personal than hoping someone will stumble over an advert.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: Hannah

Sometimes you just have to settle...you can't expect amazing football and billions of goals every game from a small club like ours. I think Daish has done the best he can with what he has got. We're not doing very badly at all so far.

All I know is that I enjoy every game that I go to win lose or draw and I think the people who already go ought to get behind them a bit more. I don't think it's right when the crowd boo at the end of a match when we have been defeated, I think the meaning of supporters gets lost there.

But then that's just my opinion.

Hannah thats an opinion shared by many.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: Chatham Gary

I agree LD has done the best he can - I would go a little bit further than that, he has done very well in spite of the financial restrictions imposed on him by the club.

Nice to see you backing Liam C.G.

Its not just the club that impose financial restrictions though, I'd like to drive a Mercedes Benz S500 but due to financial restrictions I drive a Ford Focus.

I could , of course, buy a Mercedes Benz S500 but I suspect it would bankrupt me. I would probably not only lose the car but my house as well.
Although my kids would probably enjoy being chauffered around in the Merc for the couple of months before the money situation went tits up I think they are mature enough to realise that the Focus is the sensible option.

[DA11]

Originally Posted By: Hannah

Yes, attendances is a problem it always has been and there must be about 100 other threads with the exact same posts as on here! It doesn't get anyone anywhere talking about it over and over again especially when there is no solution in sight at all. Obviously the attendance needs seeing to, but theres nothing any of us here can do about it realistically.

Sometimes you just have to settle...you can't expect amazing football and billions of goals every game from a small club like ours. I think Daish has done the best he can with what he has got. We're not doing very badly at all so far.

All I know is that I enjoy every game that I go to win lose or draw and I think the people who already go ought to get behind them a bit more. I don't think it's right when the crowd boo at the end of a match when we have been defeated, I think the meaning of supporters gets lost there.

But then that's just my opinion.

Unless a team has given its all and lost no fans applaud and cheer a bad performance not even Liverpool or Newcastle who are supposed to have the most fanatical fanbase. If Liam can come out in the press and criticise his own players then why as paying customers and in turn investors can we not express our feelings. However, if the team give 110% and lose then thats different. Most fans recognise commitment as a main quality. I don't agree in singling out a particular player like what happened to Quin last season.

[Slartibartfast]

There is a big difference between not applauding and booing.

 

 

 

 

[DA11]

Originally Posted By: Slartibartfast

There is a big difference between not applauding and booing.

LOL. This is a football match not the Woodville Halls.

[Stu M]

Maybe if we approach the game in a panto style with designated goodies, baddies and cross-dressers, that would bring the crowds back...?

 

Just a thought...

[BustaGut]

If this has been mentioned before I apologise in advance, I assume most of you have seen,that at the beginning of the season,that the club put a large Ebbsfleet banner up, opposite the bus stops at the side of Tescos, Which is updated regularly with forth coming fixture, like the one inside the ground, So the club have made some effort, even if it is only a small one, for a lot on here.

[DA11]

Originally Posted By: BustaGut

If this has been mentioned before I apologise in advance, I assume most of you have seen,that at the beginning of the season,that the club put a large Ebbsfleet banner up, opposite the bus stops at the side of Tescos, Which is updated regularly with forth coming fixture, like the one inside the ground, So the club have made some effort, even if it is only a small one, for a lot on here.

I wasn't criticising what has been done only questioning what hasn't. The banner outside Tesco is a good idea but it only advertises fixtures. We need to promote special offers to the public. A leaflet drop with promotions ie. bring this leaflet and get etc...

[DA11]

Originally Posted By: Stu M

Maybe if we approach the game in a panto style with designated goodies, baddies and cross-dressers, that would bring the crowds back...?

Just a thought...

great idea every time we score we can shout to the goalkeeper

ITS BEHIND YOU!!!!

[Bernard]

Originally Posted By: Chatham Gary

But we don't have problem, Richard.
I keep reading it on here from the usual crew.
So it must be true

Best CG quote yet.

I don't recall the 'usual crew' (whoever they are) saying there is no problem with our attendances. If anything people have been expressing their concerns, as Stu said, ad nauseam. It must be pointed out, however, that just because one man can shout the loudest and bang on about the same thing day by day doesn't mean everyone else should revere him and swallow his ideas.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally Posted By: Bernard

It must be pointed out, however, that just because one man can shout the loudest and bang on about the same thing day by day doesn't mean everyone else should revere him and swallow his ideas.

Bloody hell Bernard, now you've p*ss*d off the christians, the labour party, feminists and town criers.

[Hempstead Gaz]

The usual crew, as you well know are in general the younger fans who inhabit the forum who have little or no experience of the problem times at Fleet, have been raised during times of comparative success including a 3rd round FA cup match and some excellent promotions. You probably do not recognise the symptoms that can

be the start of a slide.

These include falling gates, passionless performances, financiall problems, but not poor results.

The more veteran amongst us have been there before and believe me, the club DO NOT want to go there again.

We are not at crisis point, I have merely highlighed an important problem (falling gates), that left unchecked can quickly lead to other problems.

The last time the club had serious problems was over 15 years ago, most youngsters under 25 will have little experience of seeing Fleet flounder, so you hardly argue from a position of strength or experience.

[Bernard]

I do hope you aren't including me in this sweeping generalisation, Gary? Baring in mind that your main arguments that we are floundering are based on entertainment, I'm sure you'll agree that the Southern League and Doc Martens days of the nineties were far duller than today? Even in this small chunk of Fleet history I have found an example of worse times. I'm sure there were many more before then but even this point gives your moaning a little context.