471

[Andy K]

The swearing is certainly a factor to why people don't come back. How much of a factor is really down the person it affects. But if its part of someone coming to the ground and not leaving with a sense of enjoyment then it does affect that person - in a similar way to seeing a poor game, feeling like they have paid too much, the weather, to food being too expensive or not a good standard. By the same token an entertaining game, a good atmosphere, decent food, possibly a golden goal win has the reverse effect.

Looking at the 07/08 season, I can see we got over 500 through the gate in a league game 5 times - Bromley and Hampton (obvious local neighbours and one being on a bank holiday) and homes to Bath, Newport and Lewes (two of those 3 had traditionally had better away support, one being an ex-league side and the other being a team recently relegated from the Conference). Lewes of course went on to win the league. I think there is a case that a badly performing team can have an effect on crowds. But it's not the only thing.

[garethl]

Obviously our gates are higher when we do well. The point is we need to get our core support up - fans who go in bad times as well as good. Much harder.

I'd say stamping out the swearing is an impossibility unless individuals take action themselves, which when you look at some involved is not going to happen. Unfortunately it is something we have to put up with at football. I think the difference between school swearing is some of the aggression you see and also like it or not it is parents bringing their younger children who will be put off not teenagers.

[sallycat]

For me, it's not the swearing that's the problem, it's abuse that I find offensive. You can swear without being personally offensive to someone, e.g. "oh s***" which to me is less offensive than "you're an idiot" which isn't even swearing. Don't know if it's just me who feels that way! But parents of very young children may be bothered by both. I have to say, if my mum had ever come to a Sutton game when I was a kid, she would have banned me from going ever again because of the swearing. She would switch off the TV and ban us from watching that programme again if anyone on it said "piss" or worse.

She's probably at the extreme end of the spectrum though!

[markf]

The 07/08 gates you pulled out Andy rather support my theory about success and higher gates. On these occasions, they were higher because of the visiting fans not the home support!

As for the swearing, it is not impossible to stamp out but you would need a zero tolerance policy & would that extend to the players as well, some who, occasionally, lose it verbally too?

My last ever home game will therefore be the Welling match!

[sallycat]

Can't you swear a bit more...quietly?

[Andy K]

Frakey, my intention there was to support your theory! It's Welling's support this season that goes against that theory!

Sal is right about swearing, that actually the intent that it is delivered with that almost means more than the words themselves. Having heard you many many times Mark although you have been known to swear from time to time, the intent is more out of frustration, usually at the ref. And is usually linked directly to a poor call too. Not saying it is right, but in my opinion is nowhere near as bad as possibly less offensive words aimed with much nastier intent. I for one have heard a lot worse - I use what a minority of people were shouting at the Staines keeper earlier in the season for wearing a pink top. Yes he was provoking as much as he could, but mainly due to the fact he was getting that reaction.

[markf]

Since I was about 13 I've had a languaue prob at football. My mum & dad did their best bless 'em but to no avail. I am much better than I used to be though as much as that may frighten Stewart that I could be worse!!

[Stewart]

Feb 6, 2013 16:18:42 GMT markf said:

Since I was about 13 I've had a languaue prob at football. My mum & dad did their best bless 'em but to no avail. I am much better than I used to be though as much as that may frighten Stewart that I could be worse!!

I do remember you apologising to me once Mark

[johnnie1]

The stomping swearing young boy at the Wrexham game was a mate of mine. He won't be coming back anytime soon

[Rambo]

From where I was standing, I don't think that 'having a quiet word' with him Johnnie would have worked anyway, I hope that he 'improves with age', and not get worse.

[markf]

I improved with age. I added more expletives to my vocabulary.

[Millsy]

Just to add a converse view to one or two comments herein, whilst they haven't built us a stand a la Woking or a ground like Dartford, I think there is a large amount of support for the FDP and Community plans from the local authority and several members lobbying for agreement to the lease on Collingwood Rec etc.

The guys within the FDP will further confirm that a lot of progress is being made thanks to the approach of the FDP of working with, not against, the Life Centre proposals and other clubs and this too should be recognised. Thanks largely to the work of the FDP it could perhaps be said that the support and relationship with LBS has never been better and will only grow.

With regards to Paul Burstow, I think it should be noted that we're very grateful that he has in fact taken the time to attend some of our higher profile games, at our invitation don't forget, and I would venture that if anything it carries more weight to our profile than it does to his!

[os]

I have agree with a lot of that, the FDP is a key element in the future direction of club and the work put by a few has been immense. The development of a community program over the past few years has been a integral part of the FDP's progression, and has even lead to the need for a 'Community Officer' to be a paid position at the club.

Non league football is about to undergo major change because it needs too, those clubs which embrace the need for 'community' to be central to theirs clubs existence will survive and those that don't will either go to the wall or be forever banqueted to the lower reaches of NL football. Like the changes that have taken place at higher league level, people want better stadia, better facilities and a better match day experience. The only way for clubs of our level to achieve that is not only to be active in its local community but to become a key part of it, that and only that allows the funding streams to open.

Although there is shock horror on here about 471 on Saturday, it is something that was recognised 4 or 5 years back and we are lucky to have a club where the penny dropped and it is already well established on the right path. When people come on here and moan about all them screaming kids running around at Fun Days and stating what a waste of time they are, are so wrong.

Yes our relationship with the Council may never have been better but its taken a lot of hard work and lobbying by the few to put us in that position. Paul Burstow who I hope will come back for either our Fun Day of DAD is important to the cause as is other local councillors and dignitaries and we should be grateful they want to come. Only by getting these people in the ground can we show them what we do and gain there support.

[Stewart]

I have seen ‘Family Areas’ at away grounds. They were seldom used and I thought why bother. Well I guess if a family wanted to go to a match and be in an environment away from adult language they knew where to go, in hindsight that’s a good thing. Maybe Sutton could designate half the main stand for kids and their parents. You could even go further with a corner for the kids to get together for chanting, like the lads did on Saturday.

[toronto]

"build it and they will come"..........Remember that from the "field of dreams".........The ground at sutton has always been poor. The facilities do not encourage people to attend There is no really good position(apart from the stand) to view the game. Everything will fall into place if the ground is fully developed. At the moment there is no atmosphere. Enclose the ground and it will make all the difference.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Sixty years following the club and i have held this opinion for fifty of them...........Build it and they will come.