New Half time draw format!

[Shrimps_Weekly_Draw]

https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2017/july/new-half-time-draw/

[Gone_Shrimping]

Yes , agree with the change.

It always seemed an anomaly to me that if your number was pulled out from hundreds that have been sold that you could end up with as little as £30 or even nothing if you gambled.

I will resume purchasing tickets from this Saturday.

[P/T Indie]

Was that the idea though the club weren't having to pay out every week for a winner so did it make more money.

[Shrimps_Weekly_Draw]

Thanks for the feedback above

In answer to the question from P/T /Indie, yes the club would make more money from the sales with the old format as not having to pay out the prizes, however there has been a continued decline in the non hospitality side of the crowd sales. The "gamble" by us is that with listening to the fans comments that the sales will increase to compensate for this so the club will not be necessarily worse off.

The general feedback is, as Gone Shrimping shows, we are giving the fans what they want and we are going to run this for a season in the hope that the fans will now support this draw and make it worthwhile to continue in future seasons.

[P/T Indie]

I do prefer the new format though and it's right what you say about the non hospitality, I gave up buying a ticket years ago because all the winners always seem to come from hospitality.

I think open the box historically was a good money making scheme by Mr Parker but the actual logistics of it don't work that well.

It will also be good that you can claim your prise later if you miss the announcement, instead of having to ait around for someone to appear from hospitality.

[Westgate Wanderer]

More people would probably buy a ticket if the sellers that walk round the ground pay more attention to the customers instead of chatting to each other! On the northern terrace we have to shout to get their attention if we want to participate! A few matches last season we didn't get the chance to spend our £1 as they walk past totally oblivious to people who want a ticket!

[John L]

I think open the box historically was a good money making scheme by Mr Parker but the actual logistics of it don't work that well.

It probably worked better at Christie Park as most people were still within sight of the pitch and earshot of the PA or within the cavern of the old JB's bar, whereas the Globe is a bit more of an obstacle. I stopped buying tickets because the PA behind the home end was either indecipherable or inoperable!

[bill ding]

Well that was exciting ....for about a minute , watched the draw , Colin mumbled into the mic and it was all over . Still didn't catch the numbers or the prizes !

[Keith]

As it can be claimed for a few days after the match, perhaps worth Colin posting the winning numbers on here after every game, including if they've been claimed, so people know where to look?

[Bare Grills]

Well that was exciting ....for about a minute , watched the draw , Colin mumbled into the mic and it was all over . Still didn't catch the numbers or the prizes !

But at least you haven't lost the chance of winning, if your number was drawn then you've got another 14 days to claim a prize.

The half time draw was Ken's, he made it his own from the "did he really say that" moments to the large prize winners. It needed changing and this season's changes are welcomed.

Why do there seem to be more winners from the boxes or W&L suite? That's quite an easy answer. For some, or a lot, of them, the afternoon is at someone else's expense. They're guests of X, Y & Z, it's cost them nothing to get in, their meal's paid for and maybe their drinks. So when it comes to buying a raffle ticket, they dip deeper into their pockets to buy more tickets than someone who's already paid £20+ just to be there.
The fact that there's a winner every game, with an extended period to claim it, should make it more of an incentive to buy tickets and in theory, should generate more revenue for the club.

[John L]

Neither did I. Presumably they'll be published somewhere...

[bill ding]

As it can be claimed for a few days after the match, perhaps worth Colin posting the winning numbers on here after every game, including if they've been claimed, so people know where to look?

Exactly what we need Keith , I watched the draw but still didn't get the numbers .Was the main prize won ?

[shrimper]

Better format. I just wouldn't bother with so many prizes. Just one prize of half the takings.

[Shrimps_Weekly_Draw]

Hi all

Firstly thank you to the supporters who bought tickets today, the feedback was very positive of the new format and will I have no doubt become more popular as people get to know all about it.

Secondly, I apologise for the problems with the tannoy and people being unable to hear under the PMG and I believe similar problems behind the Omega stand. the fact that the people in the boxes and the main lounge also can not hear the numbers was highlighted again. We felt it was important to do the draw 'on the pitch' today as those not on the internet would not have been aware of the changes. With effect from the next game the draw will be done DURING the first half on the balcony (so still in public and within the rules of the draw) and then during a break in play will be announced. The results will also be read out again at the start of half time. This is so that we have the best chance of people hearing the numbers as the main PA into the stands does not have the same problems (and means if you nip for a toilet break or to get refreshments at half time you will still have heard the numbers). Also looking into possibly having a board with the numbers that can be walked around the pitch with the winning numbers on at half time although not sure on logistics for size of board needed and size of writing to ensure people can see the numbers

Thirdly I have set up a new twitter account so that the results can be posted immediately after the draw at https://twitter.com/Christiescash (the lotteries staff do not have access to the clubs twitter account) - todays winning numbers are on there

I am happy to receive feedback on your thoughts on how it works and improvements that can be made. I can assure you that I am working to alleviate the communication concerns that fans have spoken about over the last few years to us, Rome was not built in a day but we will get there

I am also looking for extra sellers for the half time draw - can you spare 90 mins before kick off to help us raise funds for the Academy?

[Brian C]

Hi Colin,

I like the new format, and believe it could work well.
However, I'm afraid announcing the winners during the match won't make any difference!
It is the same PA system that you was on at half-time, and cannot be heard in the boxes, toilets, refreshment areas, or areas where the PA is faulty.
So without a scoreboard, which we are working on a solution for, a visible board with numbers on may be your only solution.

[Shrimps_Weekly_Draw]

Hi Brian

sorry if it did not come over correctly. Most people can hear the PA within the stands the problem is under the PMG and behind the omega, so having the announcing before HT (same as some other clubs do) the fans will have more opportunity to hear the numbers. I believe that the PA is clear into the stands.

While on the pitch yesterday I deliberately looked into the crowd and I would estimate that between a third and a half would not be able to hear the numbers announced as they were either in the lounge/boxes, under the PMG or behind the Omega.

Hope that makes sense

[John L]

Thanks for the Twitter link, Colin. I now know I wasn't a winner but will try again regularly!

[Brian C]

Yes Colin, that makes sense.
I have modified the Scoreboard program to be able to show all 5 winners.
Hopefully we will be in a position to use it in the future, although it may be a while away!

[Westgate Wanderer]

Can hear the announcements loud (too loud) and clear on the Berlin Wall side! Perhaps if they could turn those down a bit the others around the ground might improve!

[Keith]

As I said earlier Colin, why not post the numbers & whether claimed or not, on here? You could have one thread running all season, so it would keep 'bouncing' back up, which in itself, will promote the draw. And people will know where to easily find the results.

Not a huge number of people post here, but a lot do look.