IFollow thread v the U's from the Globe

[John L]

Is there much point in advertising something they can't do though? I asked the question, got a reply and am sharing it with you guys.

[Christies Child]

Can't understand the negative attitude of the EFL if the reason for the lack of promotional offers for this game (and others ) is as a result of a quota issue.

Don't they understand that the cost of football is going out of the roof and beyond the pockets of many. Surely this is something that clubs at our level should make strong representation to the EFL hierarchy to be changed from next season.

[Phil Anderer]

Can't understand the negative attitude of the EFL if the reason for the lack of promotional offers for this game (and others ) is as a result of a quota issue.

Don't they understand that the cost of football is going out of the roof and beyond the pockets of many. Surely this is something that clubs at our level should make strong representation to the EFL hierarchy to be changed from next season.

The counter argument from the EFL being, presumably, 'if you're going to have that many promotions, why not just drop the ticket prices instead?'

[Gone_Shrimping]

How many matches have we promoted with special offers this season ?

[Christies Child]

Can't understand the negative attitude of the EFL if the reason for the lack of promotional offers for this game (and others ) is as a result of a quota issue.

Don't they understand that the cost of football is going out of the roof and beyond the pockets of many. Surely this is something that clubs at our level should make strong representation to the EFL hierarchy to be changed from next season.

The counter argument from the EFL being, presumably, 'if you're going to have that many promotions, why not just drop the ticket prices instead?'

Now you are talking....

Many on here have advocated a reduction in the cost; for me I'd like to see C Premier cost reduced for OAP's but that's me being self indulgent. However the number of spare seats could be filled by Premier Season OAPs which would be better than all those empty seats we often see on Channel 5 highlights.

A reduction in the cost of ALL tickets could encourage more to attend BUT it's what goes on on the field that is the real determining factor. A winning team should bring in extra crowds which would more than compensate for the reduction in ticket prices.

[Phil Anderer]

Can't understand the negative attitude of the EFL if the reason for the lack of promotional offers for this game (and others ) is as a result of a quota issue.

Don't they understand that the cost of football is going out of the roof and beyond the pockets of many. Surely this is something that clubs at our level should make strong representation to the EFL hierarchy to be changed from next season.

The counter argument from the EFL being, presumably, 'if you're going to have that many promotions, why not just drop the ticket prices instead?'

Now you are talking....

Many on here have advocated a reduction in the cost; for me I'd like to see C Premier cost reduced for OAP's but that's me being self indulgent. However the number of spare seats could be filled by Premier Season OAPs which would be better than all those empty seats we often see on Channel 5 highlights.

A reduction in the cost of ALL tickets could encourage more to attend BUT it's what goes on on the field that is the real determining factor. A winning team should bring in extra crowds which would more than compensate for the reduction in ticket prices.

Err, I wasn't necessarily advocating a cut in ticket prices Neil. Whilst I would love to save money on 2 full price adult season tickets in Block D (Block C? Good pension mate! ), the board could only logically take that step if there was a realistic prospect of a sufficient increase in season ticket and matchday ticket sales to cover the lost revenue from those they would sell at the current price, and I'm not sure there would be. Is there any way the Trust could assist with undertaking a comprehensive survey of existing, lapsed and occasional supporters to see what, including ticket pricing, could encourage more to attend more regularly, other than the entertainment on the field? I ask about the Trust being involved principally from the point of view of any people (and there clearly are some) who are disaffected by the club (as opposed to team) management, who might be less inclined to engage with something that is purely coming down from the club.

[Christies Child]

Good pension Phil....

Saved towards a private pension since my 30's so not too bad.... but I don't smoke, don't have Sky, rarely have a pint at the game these days so the pennies i can save enables me to buy a C Premier seat but that's my choice...

[Phil Anderer]

Good pension Phil....

Saved towards a private pension since my 30's so not too bad.... but I don't smoke, don't have Sky, rarely have a pint at the game these days so the pennies i can save enables me to buy a C Premier seat but that's my choice...

I started saving for mine in my early 20s, but I'll be paying in much longer than the intended 55 maturity because I've never been able to make significant enough contributions to build it up. Fortunately my state pension is almost paid up so, when I finally get that in 12/13 years (if I'm still alive and kicking), the two together might be livable. I don't smoke, we can't get sky in our little corner of St Orth (although the next door neighbours, 10 feet away can!), tend to have a drink at the Palatine before the game (Camra discount & decent food, if a few too many away supporters!), haven't had a foreign holiday in nearly 17 years, grow as much of our own food as we can, no commuting as we both work from home - lower carbon footprint than a fieldmouse - so outgoings shouldn't really be that high (what they are remains my business). Nevertheless, Block C is out of our budget; besides, we quite enjoy the company of the loyal reprobates sitting round us, having got to know them over the years.

[KenH]

the board could only logically take that step if there was a realistic prospect of a sufficient increase in season ticket and matchday ticket sales to cover the lost revenue from those they would sell at the current price, and I'm not sure there would be.

You have to look at the bigger picture though. Maybe a fall in ticket revenue, but more people would mean more refreshment sales. More people would improve the atmosphere and encourage people to come more often etc. More fans would also increase spending on replica kit etc in the club shop. Basically, more fans is what is needed for lots of reasons, and if the "cost" of that is a reduction in ticket revenue, then it would probably more than pay for itself in other ways.

It's a bit like how the council keep putting up car park charges, then fewer people use them, so revenue falls, so their answer is to put up charges again - a vicious circle. You could argue that's what has happened at the football - increase prices, fewer fans turn up, lower income, so to raise income, they raise prices again and so it goes on.

[Keith]

Played for another 100 minutes would not have scored.still another point

True, but neither would they. Certainly, the best chances of the night fell our way, so if either team deserved a win, it was us by a whisker.

Someone else mentioned wayward shots from distance. While I’d rather they were on target, I’m always happy to see shots from distance because I think that suggests growing confidence. Earlier in the season, we looked terrified of shooting from anywhere!

[Alan]

I like to see shooting from outside the box provided it is the best or only option or it is a snap opportunity.
If the ball comes out from a corner or set piece then have a go. The ball could go anywhere in a crowded penalty area and the goalie may be unsighted.
Similarly if it is a worked attacking move and their defence is organised but giving you space 20-25 yds out (like we do/did fairly often) then have go.
Two of Tuesdays wayward attempts where when we were attacking at pace, their defence was back pedalling like the clappers and we had men busting a gut on the overlap.
Thommo's body language after one attempt said it all, but he kept his mouth shut. I couldn't imagine Ellison letting the miscreant off without the hairdryer treatment !

But at the end of the day if one had flown into the top corner.....

[marky No.1]

We certainly set off looking and playing confident, a breath of fresh air compared to earlier in the season.
Naturally we did start to panic later on. Teams don't like being got at, it works wonders not sitting back

[Ispyshrimp]

I do think the club needs to help itself at times.

Last season you could have 2 free kids with your season ticket, now it's just 1, so costs an extra £50, how many family's have been effected by this and can't afford the extra money. Although it was extra kid free, you spent each game with refreshments for all family and now that might have stopped or the cost is just too much and the decision to stop coming altogether

There's alot more the club could do to help get fans back here and I feel the cost is pinnacle.

Family tickets for a start.

A few weeks back when the kids football was on half time had one of our larger crowds this season home fan wise, I know these might not have paid but makes it feel better when the seats are fuller.

We need to target schools and younger generations as they are the future fans.

Hospitality boxes are only good in wealthy times but the hardcore fans are the ones to keep the club going.

As in other posts on SV it's OK having a go at the local public for not coming to games but the club needs to build bridges with those they cast to one side chasing the dream and got fed up and stopped coming.

Building a ground it has no chance filling week in and out was never a bright idea either as the stand always looks empty but then again they needed to additional room for all the hospitality boxes are corporate events that makes us so much money, not!!!

[black morse]

I do think the club needs to help itself at times.

Last season you could have 2 free kids with your season ticket, now it's just 1, so costs an extra £50, how many family's have been effected by this and can't afford the extra money. Although it was extra kid free, you spent each game with refreshments for all family and now that might have stopped or the cost is just too much and the decision to stop coming altogether

There's alot more the club could do to help get fans back here and I feel the cost is pinnacle.

Family tickets for a start.

A few weeks back when the kids football was on half time had one of our larger crowds this season home fan wise, I know these might not have paid but makes it feel better when the seats are fuller.

We need to target schools and younger generations as they are the future fans.

Hospitality boxes are only good in wealthy times but the hardcore fans are the ones to keep the club going.

As in other posts on SV it's OK having a go at the local public for not coming to games but the club needs to build bridges with those they cast to one side chasing the dream and got fed up and stopped coming.

Building a ground it has no chance filling week in and out was never a bright idea either as the stand always looks empty but then again they needed to additional room for all the hospitality boxes are corporate events that makes us so much money, not!!!

Or even future players

[KenH]

but then again they needed to additional room for all the hospitality boxes are corporate events that makes us so much money, not!!!

I think PMG took on more than he could chew. It's turned out to be a massive folly to have spent all that money on the gym, artificial pitches, and function rooms as the club have never been able to run them to full potential to make the kind money they intended.

The whole function room area, including the downstairs bar, Local choice suite and boxes should have been franchised/rented out to professional events management company, just like they do at other grounds including PNE. That way the club would have got a regular rental income but wouldn't have had to employ the reception, admin, marketing, hospitality staff. Obviously, they could still do it now if they wanted to, and perhaps that is something a new owner would look to do. There are even some local golf & social clubs that do the same, i.e. have self-employed people running their function rooms for events/parties etc simply because they're mostly run by volunteer directors who don't have the time to do the management of the non core activities (just like MFC).

[Ispyshrimp]

Another idea could be to invite actual local kids football teams to certain games of the season. I took mine to a game last season and they loved it and I know a few actually get their parents to take them to some games now.

Costs nothing as the seats are empty and gets the kids interested in their local team also they have much more chance of playing for us than premiership clubs

[Christies Child]

In answer to those who feel that it was a mistake to develop a ground with a capacity that it would never fill on a regular basis I'm sure that the EFL have a minimum capacity that ALL grounds must have to gain and retain EFL status.

No doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

As for PMcG's desire to build a stadium that had extra facilities to develop additional revenue streams I feel it was the right decision but that the marketing of those additional areas was undertaken in a very unprofessional way and until the club employ somebody with marketing experience (not sales which is totally different) the chances of additional revenue from these facilities will not live up to expectations.

Interestingly other new stadium builds in the North West have almost identical facilities as ours but they have and are being marketed in a more professional manner.

[NPL Daze]

I still maintain we should have gone for the option of redeveloping the Car Wash side as was originally muted prior to the talk of Sainsburys buying Christie Park.

Just my opinion. Awaits bullets.

[Shrimpy]

I still maintain we should have gone for the option of redeveloping the Car Wash side as was originally muted prior to the talk of Sainsburys buying Christie Park.

Just my opinion. Awaits bullets.

I think in hindsight this would have been the best option.

[SupermarketShrimp]

I think it was more to with the fact that the land sale paid for the new ground and move. Without the move there would never have been the cash to develop the car wash.

[Christies Child]

...and who would have financed the multi pound redevelopment of the Car Wash

It wouldn't have stopped there. The stand needed redeveloping with at the very least a new roof or even replaced in its entirety. The Christie Avenue Stand needed terracing and also possibly a new roof to replace the asbestos.

The total sum of all the costs would have been out of the financial capabilities of the Board and the club would still have car parking issues which again would have not met EFL criteria.

Maybe The Globe was too ambitious but with new investors hopefully in the wings waiting to see what league we are in next season, the foundations are there on which to build a strong and successful club going forward.

These are my opinions and will not I'm sure be those of other SVers.

[Gone_Shrimping]

In hindsight which is a very exact science they should have rung up the people who built Burton Albion's ground and said "Can you do us one like that please".

[NPL Daze]

and the club would still have car parking issues which again would have not met EFL criteria.

Again, Accrington Stanley have next to sod all car parking on a match day.

Fortunately we've always managed to get in that school car park.

[Shrimpy]

...and who would have financed the multi pound redevelopment of the Car Wash

Why produce plans for it and get mockups drawn up if there was absolutely no way of raising the money to build it? Surely they had something in place to get the money for it?

It wouldn't have stopped there. The stand needed redeveloping with at the very least a new roof or even replaced in its entirety. The Christie Avenue Stand needed terracing and also possibly a new roof to replace the asbestos.

The total sum of all the costs would have been out of the financial capabilities of the Board and the club would still have car parking issues which again would have not met EFL criteria.

I'm fairly sure the cost of a new roof and sorting out asbestos would have been peanuts in comparison to the £800k a year losses we've been running up for years now.

Maybe The Globe was too ambitious but with new investors hopefully in the wings waiting to see what league we are in next season, the foundations are there on which to build a strong and successful club going forward.

What foundations? When we moved we were sold it on the basis of all weather pitches, a gym, pub, hospitality facilities and future office development which would all be money makers that would result in the club being self sufficient.

The pub now only opens on match days due to the opening of the Hurley Flyer, the all weather pitches are in the hands of administrators, the gym closed down almost as soon as it opened and the office development is a pipe dream.

We could have stayed at Christie Park, built the office and hospitality bits on the Car Wash Terrace and be in exactly the same position as we are in now.

We've essentially gone through all the rigmarole of moving grounds to get a hospitality suite built which could have been done at Christie Park. In the process we've also alienated large swathes of the support by producing an inferior home end and being made to feel like second class citizens to those who dine in hospitality on wild boar steaks. We've also increased yearly losses from around the £300k - £400k a year mark at Christie to £800k a year despite massive cuts being made to the playing budget season after season.

[KenH]

...and who would have financed the multi pound redevelopment of the Car Wash

Hasn't PMG had to pay a few million in total to cover the losses and the personal guarantee to the liquidators of PMG Leisure? That's money he'll be lucky to ever see again. He'd have been better to put it in for the car wash redevelopment and would have had more chance of getting it back.

I'm fairly sure the cost of a new roof and sorting out asbestos would have been peanuts in comparison to the £800k a year losses we've been running up for years now.

Exactly my point.