Poor attendances

[sleepinggiant]

What are people's thoughts on why we seem to have lost 150-200 off the core support this season.

[zeke]

18th in table

played 6
points = 5

[sleepinggiant]

We have had similar bad starts in the past without such a large drop in core support.

[jeremypitt]

the Morrison effect. You stay away for a few weeks, and suddenly you realise that firstly you don't miss it, secondly there are so many other ways to spend a Saturday afternoon and thirdly the £10+ per week comes in handy doing those other things.

[ab]

I think the fall in gates is quite serious - v Kettering and Harrogate (both attractive games beforehand, and as they turned out on the day) the core home support is almost 200 down on last year. This will surely have significant implications in terms of the squad, as it is starting to get close to a 50% drop in the effective gate income (after interest payments). I hope it picks up.

[B*ue dragonstander]

I think attendances have generally been down (not just City). Last weekend was a back from holiday / pre school w/e and almost everyone was shopping or else awayafter deferring holidays because of the awful weather in June and July. Even sleepy little East Dereham was a seething throng of retail addicts at 9.15 am on Saturday morning (normally it is two men and a dog).

I think in City's case there is an additional factor. Our home performances last year were quite often unattractive to watch - dull if you wantanother word. The level of entertainment and excitement in the games I saw at the Lane in 06/07 was very average to say the least - the exception being the performance against Burton Albion. Most of the first halves lacking any incidents worthy of note and the lack of home wins (following on a season again short of home wins - 2005/6) especially pre Christmas means that interest inevitably waned.

Our average home league gate last year was 932. So far it is 825 - a drop of just over 11%. I would expect to have lost 5% of our fans from last season given the £10 entry and the sheer lack of entertainment. I reckon the other 5% will return if City's form picks up otherwise we are going to have to rely on reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup or do well in the Setanta Cup to make up for the missing £20,000 or so. At least the £10,000 Setanta sponsorship money will help ameliorate the loss.

[B*ue dragonstander]

I just thought that I should add that if we suffer an early exit in FAC (before 4QR) and FA Trophy (before February 08) and are not in the top half of the table at that point I think that there is a chance that Andy Preece will be where John Barton was a couple of years ago.

[sleepinggiant]

blue0dragonstander said:

I think attendances have generally been down (not just City). Last weekend was a back from holiday / pre school w/e and almost everyone was shopping or else awayafter deferring holidays because of the awful weather in June and July. Even sleepy little East Dereham was a seething throng of retail addicts at 9.15 am on Saturday morning (normally it is two men and a dog).

I think in City's case there is an additional factor. Our home performances last year were quite often unattractive to watch - dull if you wantanother word. The level of entertainment and excitement in the games I saw at the Lane in 06/07 was very average to say the least - the exception being the performance against Burton Albion. Most of the first halves lacking any incidents worthy of note and the lack of home wins (following on a season again short of home wins - 2005/6) especially pre Christmas means that interest inevitably waned.

Our average home league gate last year was 932. So far it is 825 - a drop of just over 11%. I would expect to have lost 5% of our fans from last season given the £10 entry and the sheer lack of entertainment. I reckon the other 5% will return if City's form picks up otherwise we are going to have to rely on reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup or do well in the Setanta Cup to make up for the missing £20,000 or so. At least the £10,000 Setanta sponsorship money will help ameliorate the loss.

Wasnt the entry charge still £10 last season?

[ab]

Knock off the 350 who pay the interest on the loan, adjust for a big visiting support from Kettering, and our average home gate this season ranks 19th in the league.

[DrAgony]

blue0dragonstander said:

I just thought that I should add that if we suffer an early exit in FAC (before 4QR) and FA Trophy (before February 08) and are not in the top half of the table at that point I think that there is a chance that Andy Preece will be where John Barton was a couple of years ago.

3 if's x an opinion = Cheer up , it might never happen!

Worriers (must be catching!) were at home on Saturday so that probably had some effect on the gate this week.

[sleepinggiant]

I think it runs deeper than that. As previously stated it is the long term hardcore suport that has dwindled.

I think AFKAB maybe nearer the mark.

[DrAgony]

Well, as the Bishop said to the virgin "There's always a first time."

[theoffy]

There definately is a quieter feel at the lane due to lower crowds, but hopefully this is the summer holiday syndrome.

There is another thing we may be losing our crowd to, rugby?

But there is a bright side, are we not taking more away fans now?

Wierd.

[villager]

Having only attended 2 games this season (Hyde and Telford), I must say that I much prefer the
atmosphere at away games.

The reason I've only made it to 2 this season is holiday, family and work commitments.

[ab]

Indeed there are many other ways to spend a Saturday afternoon, and to spend the 10 quid on. Like going occasionally to watch Villa, for example. Nowt wrong with that.

As I see it, I cant quite see why there might be any particular single reason why 150+ would, after 20-25 years of nothing much happening at the Lane, all of a sudden decide in unison that this season is the season they stop going. Shame, 'cos we've already played three of the best sides in the league at the Lane, and the games have been far from dull.

The worry is the feedback situation - injuries contribute to lack of results, lack of results contribute to lack of crowd, lack of crowd contributes to lack of money to bring in replacements, reinforces lack of results, etc etc

[dorothy]

Unfortunately having a great away support does nothing for the clubs' finances. I do agree that the atmosphere generated by the travelling fans is much better than at the lane.

The dwindling numbers may have something to do with the school holidays, training sessions with the kids have been sparcely attended this summer. Also we were attracting a lot of teenagers last season, they have not re emerged this time. Could they have turned 16 and not want to part with £10 on a saturday?

[B*ue dragonstander]

My point was that it was £10 last year and people saw what they got for their tenner. A few will simply have decided to spend their tenner elsewhere as a result of last year. The point about teeny concessions is well made.

[jeremypitt]

ab said:

Indeed there are many other ways to spend a Saturday afternoon, and to spend the 10 quid on. Like going occasionally to watch Villa, for example. Nowt wrong with that.

As I see it, I cant quite see why there might be any particular single reason why 150+ would, after 20-25 years of nothing much happening at the Lane, all of a sudden decide in unison that this season is the season they stop going. Shame, 'cos we've already played three of the best sides in the league at the Lane, and the games have been far from dull.

The worry is the feedback situation - injuries contribute to lack of results, lack of results contribute to lack of crowd, lack of crowd contributes to lack of money to bring in replacements, reinforces lack of results, etc etc

Yes Villa is becoming quite appealing - £15 for a Premiership game, and exciting games to boot, but thats not really a Saturday afternoon activity, and certainly not a Monday night activity, so watching Premiership football can't be seen as a reason for dwindling crowds. Losing 150-200 is a serious number, especially as the rugby season hasn't started yet, and with the rugby world cup round the corner too, that might hold a few more back. The Board of Directors must realise that they can't take the regular support base for granted. Maybe it is just holidays and early season lethargy from supporters, although as andy rightly points out, its sounds lke its been entrataining, and Kettering is normally a big pull too. But maybe, finally, the lack of news on the ground move, and the lack of money from the FA Cup run to help build a team has pushed people over the edge, and coupled with the happenings of last season some have said "Whats the point?"

[blackpole]

I agree with BD - last season everyone could see what was on offer for the ten quid, and with the standard of opposition having risen, the expectation waould be that our squad would imptove likewise and it hasn't. AP has bought in some really decent players, but they are decent non-league players, when other teams are bringing in experienced ex-league players that make you sit up and notice. And yes i know there is a tight budget, but even at the forum at the start of the season AP said the squad was weaker than last season, but the "team", ( and i guess he means his preferred starting 11), was stronger - injuries etc have kicked in already, and that "weaker" squad can't cover. People are getting fed up paying a tenner to watch a squad that the manager admitted was not as strong as last year, when this year's competition is so much stronger. Last year's support was better because we all knew that last year we had a squad capable of the play-offs, and we all lived in hope and belief we would make it! The budget has AP's hands tied, and I really hope the ground deal goes through quickly, if it's going to, before we have too few to fill it and then we can see what money he is given when we don't need 350 just to pay the interest !

[jeremypitt]

Which beggars the question "What happened to the FA Cup money?" I can remember Dave Boddy talking about it being worth over £100,000 to the club with the TV money included. Many other clubs have used a good FA Cup run as a springboard to success by investing in players, and investing in the positive vibes that a Cup run brings. So, what happened?

[B*ue dragonstander]

City's home record for the past 4 seasons

Pld W D L F A

2006-07 21 9 8 4 41 28
2005-06 21 7 8 6 27 20
2004-05 21 10 5 6 32 25
2003-04 21 11 3 7 42 19

Only in 2003-04 in the SLP did we win more than half of our home games - including some crackers in a great run after Christmas.

Last season we were quite effective at home but 12 out of 21 matches did not end with a win even though we averaged just shy of 2 goals per game. If you add that to draws at home in cup competitions then the "not won" %age is even greater.

The crowd want to see wins at home hence my comments on threads pre-season. One or two people I know don't go any more simply because of the playing style under the present regime.

I have to say I find it dull and dour at home with a lack of width enterprise, passion and flair from players who have the ability but are clearly carrying out a plan which appears to be to avoid defeat rather than win. The style is, however, usually excellent and effective away!

[B*ue dragonstander]

jeremypitt said:

Which beggars the question "What happened to the FA Cup money?" I can remember Dave Boddy talking about it being worth over £100,000 to the club with the TV money included. Many other clubs have used a good FA Cup run as a springboard to success by investing in players, and investing in the positive vibes that a Cup run brings. So, what happened?

We had a pretty big squad last season and there was some genuine investment there as a resul tof the previous years playing success. It was disappointing that we didnt make the play-offs with the players we had but there was no lack of ambition shown by the Board (within the boundaries set by financial common sense)

[ab]

Every game starts 0-0, and no-one has much idea what is going to happen after that. No-one knows that City arent going to win before a game starts, so I dont understand how they can be put off going by us not winning?

[Tim Munslow]

I think you're forgetting just how fickle Jo Public is! They want to see a winning team and for that reason I think we've lost 3-400 over the past few years, the glory hunters as I call them, who've migrated to Sixways.

Also, I do think £10 is a bit too much. From memory it was £8 @ Hinckley and £9 @ Telford and @ the latter juniors got in for just £1.00. Our core support is aging (I am a good example as I now pay £5) and we need to do more to attract youngsters. When did I last see a Kids Go Free voucher in the paper?

There's no doubt if it doesn't improve 'ere the season ends the manager (whoever he is at that time) will face a further budget cut.

However, I do remember the time when we went down to the SL 1st Division and if memory serves me right gates went down to 4-500, so it could be worse. Still worrying though.

[ab]

Other than the occasional big FA Cup game, I dont feel that Joe Public is the market. If it was, we'd surely see a much wider fluctuation in gates. Its a niche market of a relatively small number of people who feel affinity with the City's football club, rather than the broad population of Worcester who want to watch football (live or televised).

[Tim Munslow]

Well I used Jo Public in the sense of the ordinary common or garden spectator. Somehow we have to get more of those who attend FA Cup games to come on a regular basis and the only way to do that is to a) win and b) play attractive football doing so.

[dave]

I am one of the stay-aways and I make no apologies for it. I have not watched one game this season (or pre-season) and don't particularly miss it much.

I am by no means a glory supporter, I have been following City for over ten years and have seen precious little success on the field, however over the year or so, something has really changed for me and I can't really put my finger on it.

Unfortunately the constant lack of progress towards a new stadium and the boards approach of telling us every 6 months that something is imminent coupled with little or no prospect of exciting football being played by City at SGL (based on last seasons efforts) has left me feeling detached and uninspired about watching City.

I think part of it for me is self-preservation. Failure to secure a ground move is going to finish the club off within the next two seasons. Take a look at the published accounts, City are in it up to their necks. When the club folds, hopefully I will be passed caring and therefore won't be too gutted.

I will probably not be returning anytime soon either as I no longer feel the same passion for the club as I did 2-3 years ago and as others have said, I can think of better things to spend a tenner on.

Sorry if this all seems a bit negative and downhearted, but by the sounds of things, I am not the only person to have turned their back on the Club this season and I thought it may be of interest to some, to hear my reasons.

Who knows, maybe the passion will return one day, but for now I really don't care a great deal about the fortunes of Worcester City FC.

Dave
(aka Sheddy)

[jeremypitt]

This is quite unfortunate, but I know of 20-25 people personally who feel the same way as Sheddy and no longer feel any great affinity towards the club and have found other/better ways of spending time and money. Those are only the ones I know of personally, I am only guessing but there are probably many more. I admit that I also make up this number. We've all accepted that supporting WCFC will always be a struggle, but there was always that totally irrational reason you found to keep supporting. Yes Sheddy, like you, something has changed for me too, and I pinpoint it to firstly Morrisons actions last season, and secondly the Boards continual support for him, it made me realise how little the club really thought of the supporters. Andy is right, its not about Joe Public and his fickleness, its about the relatively small number of people who feel affinity towards the club, and unfortunately last seasons activities caused more damage in terms of that affinity than the club ever bargained for.

[cg]

Some of the sentiments in this thread are very sad and cautionary.

Anyone who cares about WCFC should read what good fans like Sheddy and TAFKAB say and take note.

This is chickens coming home to roost. The lack of response from the club to Morrison's 'cancerous' outburst, unimaginative pricing, a lack of identity in the city, severing youth football links, the social club looking like the Munsters home, failure to draw in interest after the cup run - no conspicious effort was made top gather in new fans from that highly public run - a shocking lack of clarity over the future of the club - and of course the usual grist of poor results, holidays, sunny weather etc. Just some of the reasons

Rather than shooting the messenger lets hope the meesages popsted here are taken on board and something is done to arrest the current decline or else......what will be left?

[theoffy]

Despite things looking a bit desperate, I believe we are just having the 'way of life' imposed on us. Success would bring new faces in but only if that success is continuous.

The new ground and facilities would certainly not dent these figures but what is the point of a new 4000 stadium with only 600 in it, the atmosphere will be the same.

But no matter how bad things are here at SGL we could always look at other peoples plight, such as Halifax Town (in the premier) fighting to stop the tax man winding them up.