|
|
Post by davef on Oct 9, 2013 10:33:00 GMT
"Can i politely suggest that Sutton United allow free admittance to those who are 100 years old or over ? "
No problem - if accompanied by their parents.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stewart on Oct 9, 2013 10:43:29 GMT
"Can i politely suggest that Sutton United allow free admittance to those who are 100 years old or over ? " No problem - if accompanied by their parents. Both! That is a little harsh. |
|
|
|
Post by os on Oct 9, 2013 10:49:16 GMT
"Can i politely suggest that Sutton United allow free admittance to those who are 100 years old or over ? " No problem - if accompanied by their parents. We will be on the front of the Sun tomorrow now, 'meanest club in Britain asks OAPs to be accompanied by parents to get consessions' says company chairman. |
|
tonyd
1st team Player
Posts: 1,496 
|
Post by tonyd on Oct 9, 2013 12:11:54 GMT
The club is not turning away paying customers though are they Billy? They're turning away people of working age who feel some sort of entitlement to a cheap entry that they don't actually qualify for simply because they've been knocking around this planet for a few years longer than others have. It's no different to a 17 year old complaining that they can't get in for £2 because we've decided that a child rate stops at 16. Besides, your virtually every club statement is cack, as a little online research proves... I'm afraid your little online research is also cack. For one local example, Bromley, the board at the gate states "over 60" and I daresay many of the other clubs apply the same criteria, even if it is not on their website. I no longer have a personal axe to grind (sorry Billy) because I qualify for the Premier League season ticket holder discount, when I remember to use it, which I didn't on Saturday. Anyway, the age limit is not the point, which is that gates are down even though we are doing well and even though we attracted several thousand people to the pre-season matches, not many of whom seem to have returned. The Community Days are great events, but I can't see that they give a permanent boost to the crowd. As I said to Stewart on the day, we are not selling crack cocaine, it's going to take more than one hit before people get the habit. Nor are we talking about SUFC supporters. We turn up (even Billy) no matter what the price. The issue here is how are we going to attract more spectators and basic economic theory suggests that demand is a combination of product and price. Over the last few years we have been getting the core product (the football) right. In my opinion we now need to be looking at the ancillary services and the price. The first one is particularly difficult, because making improvements to the stadium is always going to be expensive. Hopefully the Development Plan will address some of the problems (lack of cover, distance from the pitch, terrible seats in the stand, sightlines blocked by dugouts, PA system only audible on the stand side, appalling toilets) but I'm not sure these are seen as priorities. I'm also not saying that GGL is substantially worse than a lot of other grounds, just that these things need to be improved if we are going to make the match day experience better. So then we come to the price. The issue here as I mentioned above is that for committed supporters the price is inelastic but that's not who we are after. We need to compete with other clubs offering the same product, the point made by me and Billy. I cannot justify concessions at 60, but the fact is that our competition offer it. For what it's worth, I would make our entrance fees: Adults under 60 £10 Over 60's £8 (because others do) 11-18 £5 (because most young people now seem to be in education until then) Under 11 free (I'm saying this between clenched teeth, but we really do need to attract the youngsters in) Medibot £20 (£10 per metre). I would also like the club to take control of catering outlets and improve the sales outlets for club products so that we get a greater share of wallet from those who come through the gates. (Have a look at Wealdstone's Megastore, for example). |
|
|
|
Post by Andy K on Oct 9, 2013 12:35:31 GMT
There's 2 things I see reading this thread.
1) Just step back a minute and think how many people we would be getting through the gate if the various initiatives, the club shop, the turnstiles, the community projects and the board were either not run or not run by the energy and time given for nothing by the individuals involved.
2) When all is said and done the crux of the matter is to bring in as much money to the club to run the footballing side. This is a balance of budget and in some respect, morals. Say we go from 65 to 60, and that brings a few extra people - if that was a significant number then the takings would be down. Same applies to any sort of concession. To make that shortfall, if you open up the criteria, you need to budget for whether it's financially sensible to do so. We're not in a position like Eastleigh where we can offer free entry to a league game (like they have this season). And our board have to make sure our budget matches our ambition without putting the club in danger.
Sure we can drop our prices and changed the concession boundaries, but then that will mean a decrease in player budget. So I disagree about changing prices because other teams do it - most of us on here (including myself) don't know enough about the clubs finances to state the cost of running the club, but I'm happy to put my trust in those that do, and have done for many years.
I think we need to just think about the benefit to the club as a whole rather than taking issue with individual circumstances. Our board are smart enough to listen to what is said on here, and if it's doable, they will do it. Certainly has been the case before (Prime example being SSC entry prices).
|
|
tonyd
1st team Player
Posts: 1,496
|
Post by tonyd on Oct 9, 2013 13:03:35 GMT
Sure we can drop our prices and changed the concession boundaries, but then that will mean a decrease in player budget. So I disagree about changing prices because other teams do it - most of us on here (including myself) don't know enough about the clubs finances to state the cost of running the club, but I'm happy to put my trust in those that do, and have done for many years. Ah, that'll be why supermarkets make such big losses.  |
|
|
|
Post by bornatotter on Oct 9, 2013 13:09:01 GMT
I thought sixty was supposed to be the new forty. At least that's what I hoped as I crash head first through me fifties.
|
|
|
|
Post by os on Oct 9, 2013 15:27:49 GMT
I think this 60 thing is a bit of a red herin tbh, I would like to see the introduction of family tickets something like £20 for 2 adults and 2 kids, that makes the day out much more cost effective for famiilies.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stewart on Oct 9, 2013 15:52:36 GMT
There has been a similar discussion on the Dulwich forum on why their crowds have more than doubled in the past few years. LINK HERE |
|
|
|
Post by garethl on Oct 9, 2013 16:08:59 GMT
Lots of differing views. I think if we win the next 3 games, as we are capable of, the crowds will start to look after themselves! Nothing attracts them in like a team playing well at or near the top and also progressing in the FA Cup. Would love us to get through and see us take on a side higher up the pyramid, think this is potentially the best side I have seen here and I want to see how we stand up to a conference (or above) side. Can't think of a time where we have had a better choice of attacking talent. Hope the players keep producing and the crowd starts getting behind them more at home.
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy K on Oct 9, 2013 16:27:55 GMT
Reading that Dulwich forum, there's nothing on there we've not heard time and time again. And nothing about concessions.
Now reading through this thread there is very little in the way of suggestions about how to get the crowd numbers up again - it turned into more people having a pop at the club really.
There's a good reason why there are not many suggestions - because there are no straightforward answers. If there were the club would be doing it.
On a club by club basis, success brings in more crowds - hence why Dulwich, and to a certain extent Maidstone have seen a huge increase. When these crowds are down across the board however, that is a lot less evident.
My thoughts about concessions - each change will have a minor effect on crowd size, and as I've stated before, may end up costing the club more than it's worth. I'm sorry if that conflicts with your own personal benefit. I'm a season ticket holder and loyal Sutton supporter home and away. One could argue that in that respect, and with a lot of my money going into the club per year inc purchases from the shop, bar and food places, golden goals, strikers are key, taking part in fundraising evenings, that actually we should be rewarded for our loyalty.
I hope I speak for others in a similar position to me that the reward we want is to see Sutton do well. Not trying to eek out saving the odd quid here and there.
Piss the hardcore fans off and you get Carshalton Athletic FC.
|
|
|
|
Post by markf2 on Oct 9, 2013 17:22:03 GMT
Yes Billy and it's really getting the gates up there, isn't it? Hardly the best example.
As for Maidstone and Dulwich they are bucking the trend but then in all statistical analysis, you tend to find that. Maidstone's is obvious but have to admit Hamlet's recent attendances going back to end of last season is a surprise. They have been struggling for years with regards to gates but it would appear the renaissance on the pitch is having a similar effect on their attendances too.
|
|
|
|
Post by os on Oct 9, 2013 17:46:35 GMT
I agree a lot with AndyK there are no easy answers, if there were then everyone would be doing it. Agree again that results and cup runs do have a impact but we as many do struggle to keep these people coming back. The local guardian appear to have completely ignored our best performance of the season which doesn't help as they should be bigging it up (I know I said the guy does his best but clearly its not good enough).
'Billy' you really could have picked a better example, if you were a Bobbins fans I think you might have something to say about your £6 going down the local sewer. As for letting kids in free, these are not people who would normally come to a match and as a club we wouldn't br doing our duty if we were not actively looking to introduce the club to the young.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kebab Belly Bob on Oct 9, 2013 17:53:21 GMT
They also have a large advert in the South London Press on a page devoted to non league football
Kbb
|
|
jr
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,199
|
Post by jr on Oct 9, 2013 19:41:46 GMT
Well Billy it looks as though you will be missing one of our best seasons for a long long time which is a shame. I could potentially retire in less than 2 years (at 50) but am happy to pay my £12, £2.50 programme and stand transfer as well as copious amounts of tea.
I for one think, for the most part, we get excellent value for money.
Certainly at the moment we have hit a bit of form and are playing fantastic entertaining football. I can't wait for Saturday.
|
|
