If all those clubs that have gone on and in some cases tripled their average fanbases since the 90s had the same outlook then Doncaster would still be getting 2k, Wigan 1.5k, Lincoln 3k, Rotherham 2.5k and so on…
Birmingham City were barely attracting 6k in the 80s.
We were held back because Bonser had no interest or no knowledge in growing the fanbase and employed people in roles pivotal to growth who belonged in Peter Kays Phoenix Nights like I said further up this thread, if Trivela had been in position during the Graydon years, I reckon we would still be pulling in 5 figure crowds, or near enough, now
I doubt many others along with the owners would agree with you mate - there’s potential to increase crowds (albeit it’s not an easy fix) but the surest way to do it is to improve the results so folk are happy to spend there hard earned on some exciting and enjoyable football…
The speed of change will be directly proportionate to the rate of and level of, success of the team (imo…)
Had to play catch up on this thread and it’s very interesting.
I would love to know out of our core fans how many generations there are. So for example we have three season tickets, my old man, me and my lad, three generations in total. I’m hoping my lad goes onto have kids when he is older and we create another generation of Saddlers, but what if that dwindles across the board, does that core part of our support become affected.
Then I’m minded by kids nowadays, and the seemingly instant gratification they require. As has already been mentioned waiting how many years for a sniff of success won’t appeal to the majority, boredom kicks in. Then there is the technological age they are in, going places isn’t a requirement when everything is at a fingertip and viewable on a device, either legally or via other means!
I liken it to when I worked in front line retail financial services, dealing with customers in branches. It was the blue rinse brigade coming in to draw and pay money. The FS company I worked for didn’t really have any incentive or USP to encourage kids or teens (when they became of an age to look after their own money) to use the services in a branch network. I got out into a different field as I saw the writing on the wall in terms of keeping branches open FT if at all.
It’s the future generations we have to garner interest from, what is our USP that sets us aside from others, I’m not sure I could tell you.
The original article has been lost with the new website but I found a summary on Bescot Banter:
“as an added incentive to hopefully drive numbers up, this year the club wish to collectively reward supporters who sign up for the Early Bird by offering a series of refunds ranging from £15 all the way up to £150 on their Early Bird Season Ticket once total paid Season Ticket sales reach certain milestones”
Unfortunately Covid hit and we were stopped from going to matches which didn’t exactly help sell it.
Something like this might be very effective right now with the feel good factor around the club.
This isn’t surprising. The loss of Lowe is massive, and the old doubts about lack of ambition are surfacing again.
That’s the way it is with Saddler’s fans. A big signing would change all that.
like I said further up this thread, if Trivela had been in position during the Graydon years, I reckon we would still be pulling in 5 figure crowds, or near enough, now