great post mate but it will take time - the few years since Wembley have taken it's toll on people's patience and loyalty. The Marketing department however need to be working round the clock to think of inventive incentives to encourage people back into Oakwell.
I think it's about time a student or young person price band came in I know a number of people that age (16-21) who would go more if the tickets were a bit cheaper - maybe around £10-15.
they should remove the discount for 60-65 year olds and replace it with a discount for people in full time education. there is absolutly no reason why 60-65 year olds cannot pay full price like everyone else.
I hold my hand up I went to Cardiff and Wembley, but don't go week in week out to Oakwell. For obvious reasons - Its a two hour drive to England, and 5 or so to Tarn I have been to all the recent games in Wales, Wolves, Bristol etc. Given how many folks have had to leave south Yorkshire in the last 20 years to find work, it hardy a shock that we make an effort for the big games that we cannot do week in week out. And no I am not going to Liverpool - I am at work.
Basically, Red Rag, you are churning out the same drivel that we hear from similarly small-minded types, who are unable to see beyond the actual crowd figures themselves and only see the stats. Geographically, Barnsley is at a massive disadvantage, it being a relatively small town located among city clubs, i.e. Sheffield and Leeds and to a lesser extent Man Utd; even Huddersfield if you include areas such as Penistone, Denby Dale, etc. To manage crowds of around 10,000 in these circumstances is itself an extraordinary achievement. But there is much more to it than that. To consider present attendances, or attendances at any time in the club's history, is merely to take a snapshot of crowd figures that will increase or decrease according to subsequent events. Ten years ago, in the CCC, Barnsley and Shef Utd were getting similar attendances, often Barnsley would get a couple of thousand more. Quite incredible when you consider the respective size of the two areas. Then the clubs soared in different directions, one upwards the other down to (financially) unparalelled depths. A new generation of young Sheffield Utd fans came along and saw what they perceived to be a big club. Therefore attendances grew significantly. The opposite was the case with Barnsley and their new generation of would-be fans saw a club that is struggling to compete on a level financial playing field with most of the other CCC clubs. Therefore they stay away. Which is why Barnsley don't get gates of around 13,000 or so. The comparison between the 23,000 that went to the play-off final and current attendances is made by people that are too stupid to recognise that all clubs at all times will take a number of supporters to big games that far exceeds their normal average gate. Do a bit of research into the facts behind the numbers and you'll see BFC's crowds hold up reasonably well all things considered.
Just to clarify ... in no way was my post attempting to shame or single out any supporters, particularly those who live a long way away, or those who find it difficult for expense or work reasons.</p> I'm just a bit dumfounded why a metropolitan borough of around a quarter million people, a history of Premiership football (once I know), a history of much better recent attendances, a board that has pulled us by the scruff from the brink of extinction to one of the best performing clubs in the north-east quarter of the country - cannot muster more than 9,000 or so local or surrounding supporters forone of the most high profile fixtures in the division. Yet we're nearly fighting in thestreets for Liverpool tickets.</p> I suppose I'm just naiive.</p>
Thanks for that Actually, I see beyond the stats very well. It's what I see beyond those stats that disturbs me.</p> Small minded drivel eh?</p>
because the club isnt attracting fans. When was the last good news story that you heard out of BFC apart from on its official site? (which to be fair is preaching to the converted). When was the last big preview/feature on barnsley on any tv station or radio station? When were players last seen in schools talking to local youngsters and getting them interested in the reds from an early age? Not only would that gain the child as a fan but a parent would probably become a customer too to take the kid to oakwell. When was the last attempt to tap into the big market of Wakefield just down the road? When was the last time that a real incentive was offered for people to go? Look at the liverpool fiasco, all that has done is drive more supporters away and what have the club done to make up for it? charge the fans to watch the game on tv. Why not take a hit in the pocket and as a good will gesture allow people in for free? Its things like this that needs to change in order to get the paying customer through the door.
Basically people are more careful with their money these days due to the uncertainty of jobs etc. The cost of living in the UK is now more expensive especially for families with 2 or 3 children.
RE: Just to clarify 'in no way was my post attempting to shame or single out any supporters' Yet the title of your thread was 'The shame of our attendances'. But then you say you're not shaming or blaming any (presumably) one supporter. Perhaps you are shaming and blaming just one fan, namely, Mr Missing 3,000 Supporters. If so, perhaps it would be helpful to persuade him to put in an appearance once in a while.
RE: because the club isnt attracting fans. </p> I'm not sure what exactly you mean by a good news story. There are stories and reports about the Reds in local and national newspapers and on TV. How far do you want to go?</p> There are frequent photos and articlaes in the local press, of Barnsley players with young people and in schools on various projects. Again - how far do you want them to go?</p> I'm not party to what approaches the club makes to surrounding towns and cities, or whether they would be welcome in places like Wakefield. Perhaps you do.</p> I don't think a fiver is unreasonable to ask for a big screen live beam of your favourite footy match. The club recently put on free coach travel for Southend. Why shouldn't they charge for the big screen, and why shouldn't people pay. It's as if they are expected to make it up to everybody because they couldn't get a ticket so fork out and give those who didn't get one a free ride. This is a brilliant concept, if you are Man U or Chelsea. Unfortunately we are not, and that kind of cash outlay will probably have a substantial effect on already incurred debts and commitments.</p> While I accept that clubs need to come up with attractive offers to get people through the door, you also need to be sensible when it comes to balancing the books.</p> Some people want decent players, good football, a stable club, ready funds tosign quality players to keep us in the Championship, and then moan about stumping up a fiver to watch a game specially commissioned to suit them.</p> Unbelievable at times. </p>
Here's another view on this based on percentage of town population attending games We arent doing too bad http://www.barnsleyfc.org.uk/bbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=87518&mid=562417#M562417
Er...... Yes. The shame of our attendances.</p> Aren't they a shame? If I knew who Mr 3000 was, then I would address him. It's a shame that I don't of course.</p> </p>
its called a goodwill gesture, most multi-million pound businesses do them to apologise for fecking their customers about. and how much would it cost really to give the season ticket holders that missed out because the club allowed other fans to take their friends? an extra 15k maximum? (5x3000?) not bad really to get a lot of people back onside and not a lot of money to 'lose' when your club has just made a killing by drawing liverpool in the cup. you used the southend example, i'm pretty sure that it was anxxxxxd that patrick cryne paid for the free coaches after club messed its customers around again wasnt it? a company cant expect to keep treating its customers like sheep and not expect them to become unhappy.
When all's said and done If Davey gets it right consistently on the pitch crowds will increase.</p> That's not excusing the lack of imagination from THE BOARD at BFC regarding making Season Tickets more affordable (instalments, early discounts, extending concessions to stoodents etc) and the general promotion of the club within the area.</p>