The Cup game with Everton is a massive opportunity for the club to sell itself to the people of Barnsley in an effort to increase regular turnover. It's also the first properly big fixture we've had outside of a local derby since Man Utd and Newcastle came here in 2010. Meaning it's Ben Mansford's first big game since he was appointed. I'm sure you'll all agree it's a big opportunity to do something to get people down to Oakwell in a hope that they'll return many more times throughout the season. The uniqueness of the cup is that everyone is a paying customer, as season ticket holders also need to purchase a match day ticket, meaning there's less room for error on the club's part. Here's a list of things which need addressing and suggestions as to what could be done in order to make this fixture a success for the club, regardless of the result. 1) And before anyone says anything, I don't have children, so this one isn't so I can get cheap tickets; but it'll still be the kids holidays, it's the likely fixture for mums and dads to give their children their first taste of a Barnsley fixture at night, or even at all. My brother became a regular fan after being forced to go to a league cup game against Rotherham (I think) at the start of the 00/01 season. He's been a season ticket holder ever since. Get a family ticket introduced, or at least a series of tickets for a set price, 2 adults and 2 kids for £30 or something, considerably less than a family ticket to the Blackpool Pleasure beach (from £68) or Flamingo Land (£100). The ticket could be used for future games, for example, a discount for a family of 4 off of the home game after that? To try and entice repeat customers. 2) Make sure we're stocked up on food and drink. Those concourses, particularly behind the Ponte (C.K Beckett South Stand for the benefit of Ben) get pretty crowded when there's an attendance above 11,000, so perhaps have an extra bottle bar outside on the unofficial smoking area. Despite the complaints, people will pay for the beer and food. I for one won't queue for it. If it was more easily available, I'd certainly have a pie at half time or something. Make sure the bookies are there; the betting room have knocked several times already. Get the TVs switched on (for SuperTyke's sake), there's nothing more depressing than a turned off TV (?). 3) Publicise it, get the town buzzing over it. Make it seem more important than it is, after all, to the average person who may not regularly go to Oakwell, it's a 2nd round cup game against a team that haven't won a trophy in years. The rest of us can see that it's the home coming of Barnsley's new favourite son, and Mason Holgate. I can see there being anticipation for this game, from both sides, as a lot of our fans won't remember the last time we played Everton (myself included, although I was definitely there), which is always a draw in itself. Get it all over social media, tell people what they're getting, how they can get it, and why they want it. 4) Reach out to new groups. Use Everton's illustrious name if you have to. I still think we're missing a trick in not trying to reach out to the large contingent of Eastern European people living in the area. I'm sure them lads are football fans too. 5) Be wary of the fact that the games on TV, before setting the pricing structure. If it's done right, the club can benefit from both ends, a full stadium and the TV money, as opposed to having a half empty stadium in exchange for the TV money. Nobody is going to pay in excess of £15 max for a game they can watch on TV or at the pub, regardless of who we're playing. Charge £15 with the promise of the same price ticket for the game after (or one for a mate for us season ticket holders). The rest is down to Lee and the lads then, but if Oakwell is rocking, I'd fancy us to cause an upset. Then you can follow my fool proof plan for the 3rd round too Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
You've come up with some good ideas there, some which they have already missed the boat on. Incidentally, my first ever match was against Everton at home on an evening when we drew 2-2. I went with my primary school as a kid, loved it even though it was blooming freezing waiting for our coach back, and have been a firm fan ever since. I still remember that day like it was yesterday - us scoring and my teacher on the row behind and one to the side springing up, and then promptly sitting back down, forgetting that her seat had also sprung up, and her legs appearing either side of my mate's head next to me as she fell on her arse.
Very well thought out post. Be great if others could contribute like this without slagging each other off. Nice one.
No I haven't. To be honest, it was more an attempt to share my opinions on the Everton game, rather than an open letter to Ben. It would probably fall on deaf ears to be fair. Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Many moons ago I told Rowing to tap into Polish contingent as we had foreigners in the team (Cwyka) Never took any notice
I think we should be doing advertising around Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract areas. I know there will be a lot of Leeds fans in that area, and even rugby fans, but it a whole intapped area.
You are doing benji's job for him.....who has yet to prove himself imo. Far too sensible a post....ure barred!!!
