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Post by sallycat on Oct 9, 2013 21:16:45 GMT
Wait...Billy are you saying you're staying away because gates are low?
Cause and effect, old chap.
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tonyd
1st team Player
Posts: 1,496 
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Post by tonyd on Oct 10, 2013 7:39:45 GMT
I'm not having a pop at the club, I'm trying to increase the crowds and therefore the revenue. We charge current prices and get 440 people. We charge nothing and get 1,021. To me this proves that attendance is price sensitive. What would you prefer, 440 @ £12 or 700 @ £10? I don't know where the tipping point would be, but if we do nothing and crowds stay low, we will need to INCREASE the entrance or DECREASE the budget. I think if a father/mother could take him/herself and a couple of kids to the game for a tenner, more would come, plus we could sell more burgers, bottles of pop, replica shirts, toy giraffes and all the other merchandise that people buy.
But if you want to turn what I see as a crucial issue into a stupid debate about the age for concessions, crack on.
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Post by Andy K on Oct 10, 2013 8:43:45 GMT
I'm not having a pop at the club, I'm trying to increase the crowds and therefore the revenue. We charge current prices and get 440 people. We charge nothing and get 1,021. To me this proves that attendance is price sensitive. What would you prefer, 440 @ £12 or 700 @ £10? I don't know where the tipping point would be, but if we do nothing and crowds stay low, we will need to INCREASE the entrance or DECREASE the budget. I think if a father/mother could take him/herself and a couple of kids to the game for a tenner, more would come, plus we could sell more burgers, bottles of pop, replica shirts, toy giraffes and all the other merchandise that people buy. But if you want to turn what I see as a crucial issue into a stupid debate about the age for concessions, crack on. Tony, least your comments were thought through and within them I'm sure the club are taking it on board! Mind you, you've been on this board long enough to know when Billy is just trying to wind us all up  |
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Post by Stewart on Oct 10, 2013 9:05:03 GMT
I'm not having a pop at the club, I'm trying to increase the crowds and therefore the revenue. We charge current prices and get 440 people. We charge nothing and get 1,021. To me this proves that attendance is price sensitive. What would you prefer, 440 @ £12 or 700 @ £10? I don't know where the tipping point would be, but if we do nothing and crowds stay low, we will need to INCREASE the entrance or DECREASE the budget. I think if a father/mother could take him/herself and a couple of kids to the game for a tenner, more would come, plus we could sell more burgers, bottles of pop, replica shirts, toy giraffes and all the other merchandise that people buy. But if you want to turn what I see as a crucial issue into a stupid debate about the age for concessions, crack on. If our club or any other thought you could get the same revenue by decreasing prices it would have be done it. Ok you may get a deal to watch one of the big sides play in the League cup. That can’t be replicated in non league football. Sadly there is not a demand for local football. We must keep the ones that do come - maybe ask fans for feedback, how we can improve the product/experience. Sorry Tony you can't compare football to cheap petrol or a deal at the local supermarket, it is all about supply and demand. The only way to get extra fans is to have a winning team playing good football. We must also ensure first timers get a good welcome. Maybe the gatemen could offer a welcome note to new and visiting fans showing the facilities etc and hoping they have an enjoyable afternoon. I’m sure there are other (better) ideas that could be put forward. I must add I always get a ‘enjoy the mach’ from the gate men normally Mark which is appreciated  |
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Post by cheshire on Oct 10, 2013 10:02:18 GMT
I think the nature of the ground itself (which we know is in the middle of a long standing complex process to try and redevelop it) is, and has always been, far from ideal and may inadvertently contribute to this problem.
I know that over the years many efforts have been made to try and tailor it to being more akin to a football stadium and minimise the "open" effects of the old running track. All that said, a ground where the crowd is spaced apart and somewhat distant from the pitch means that apart from rare occasions, the atmosphere can be a rather lacking. Coupled with that, when the game is a bit dull, a new comer may feel that £12 at GGL does not feel like such a good investment.
However if and when the club is able to see its long term plan come to fruition and create a compact atmospheric stadium newcomers will hopefully have a different experience.
Its not a solution for next week of course but I think that as well as all the footballing and community benefits that have been discussed regarding the stadium redevelopment, attracting and retaining 1st timers may become easier once the infrastructure is in place.
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tonyd
1st team Player
Posts: 1,496
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Post by tonyd on Oct 10, 2013 11:49:00 GMT
I'm not having a pop at the club, I'm trying to increase the crowds and therefore the revenue. We charge current prices and get 440 people. We charge nothing and get 1,021. To me this proves that attendance is price sensitive. What would you prefer, 440 @ £12 or 700 @ £10? I don't know where the tipping point would be, but if we do nothing and crowds stay low, we will need to INCREASE the entrance or DECREASE the budget. I think if a father/mother could take him/herself and a couple of kids to the game for a tenner, more would come, plus we could sell more burgers, bottles of pop, replica shirts, toy giraffes and all the other merchandise that people buy. But if you want to turn what I see as a crucial issue into a stupid debate about the age for concessions, crack on. If our club or any other thought you could get the same revenue by decreasing prices it would have be done it. Ok you may get a deal to watch one of the big sides play in the League cup. That can’t be replicated in non league football. Sadly there is not a demand for local football. We must keep the ones that do come - maybe ask fans for feedback, how we can improve the product/experience. Sorry Tony you can't compare football to cheap petrol or a deal at the local supermarket, it is all about supply and demand. The only way to get extra fans is to have a winning team playing good football. We must also ensure first timers get a good welcome. Maybe the gatemen could offer a welcome note to new and visiting fans showing the facilities etc and hoping they have an enjoyable afternoon. I’m sure there are other (better) ideas that could be put forward. I must add I always get a ‘enjoy the mach’ from the gate men normally Mark which is appreciated Stewart, I'll continue the argument at Lewes, but to give you time to prepare  1. Why do the crowds go up on Community Day? 2. When did price stop being a key element in demand? 3. Under Dos we've had a winning team for 5 years. Where is everybody? |
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Post by Andy K on Oct 10, 2013 11:51:45 GMT
The only way to get extra fans is to have a winning team playing good football. Disagree - it's one way. There are hundreds of other factors that come into play. I agree it's an important one, but its not the only one. |
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Post by garethl on Oct 10, 2013 12:24:01 GMT
quote]
Good luck to you mate ! Enjoy the games.I will still go to a few , just nowhere near as many. I won't really be missing out , i gave my season ticket to our window cleaner for the last few games of last season.
I might do a few aways as i've enjoyed the ones i've been to.The grounds always seem "brighter" and have better facilities , are closer to the action and have ample legroom in the seats.All this and i can now get in for half price ![/quote]
It is a shame you view it that way. Losing regular watchers does not help the club in their well documented aim of bringing better facilities. If you took a longer term view and wanted to assist in the development and improvement of your local club then maybe you, but more importantly future generations will enjoy a ground that provides a better viewing facility.
Your posts on this thread indicate that you are viewing Sutton very much as a product, much like going to the cinema or going out for dinner etc. You look at the opportunity cost and 'value for money', you clearly feel at the current price your cash is better spent elsewhere. That is fine and obviously noone will tell you how to spend your own money, but the supporters of the club just won't have the same take on it. Anyone who thinks cutting entrance fees will lead to a flood through the gates is mistaken. Even the 'pay what you want game' (against Boreham Wood I think) didn't exactly have them rushing in. We have got to make sure the experience is good and if the team play as they are we'll start picking up more as some old faces return and new support comes in.
That said I still don't think it should be more than a tenner at this level. They crept up in line with other clubs but it doesn't make it the right price. As someone else was saying would a £2 reduction on those who come be made up by others coming who previously didn't, who knows? The club is a business and need to maximise income on a short and long term basis. Perhaps a short term reduction heavily advertised whilst we are playing well could lead to a better long term income stream?! Not for us to decide though the club has shown they will listen.
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stephen
Spectator
I'd love to take you out but...i'm a minor :'(
Posts: 28
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Post by stephen on Oct 10, 2013 12:29:59 GMT
It could be worse...you could be a Hayes & Yeading fan  |
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Post by davef on Oct 10, 2013 12:50:55 GMT
One thing we have done this week is re-introduce the weekly bulletin that we e-mail out to a fairly large distribution list, it tries to review results and look forward to forthcoming fixtures plus off-pitch activities such as the Boom Boom Club and quiz nights. If you aren't on the list but would like to receive this, please e-mail davef@suttonunited.net and don't forget that you can also forward the bulletin to your own circle of friends to help spread the word.
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Post by Stewart on Oct 10, 2013 12:51:48 GMT
It could be worse...you could be a Hayes & Yeading fan Stephen you said you may come back for the odd game. Can I ask you what is the draw? |
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stephen
Spectator
I'd love to take you out but...i'm a minor :'(
Posts: 28
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Post by stephen on Oct 10, 2013 12:56:43 GMT
I first came to the club during one of the SUST events a good while ago as back then I was a non-league fan in general and since I really can't be @rsed with Hayes & Yeading anymore Sutton is the only connection I have left with the conny south. Plus I have a few good friends who are Sutton fans |
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Post by Stewart on Oct 10, 2013 12:59:12 GMT
One thing we have done this week is re-introduce the weekly bulletin that we e-mail out to a fairly large distribution list, it tries to review results and look forward to forthcoming fixtures plus off-pitch activities such as the Boom Boom Club and quiz nights. If you aren't on the list but would like to receive this, please e-mail davef@suttonunited.net and don't forget that you can also forward the bulletin to your own circle of friends to help spread the word. Is it possible to add photos to the flyer Dave? |
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Post by davef on Oct 10, 2013 13:02:41 GMT
Yes, I had intended to do that this week but was short of time. I just need to ask Paul to e-mail something suitable each week.
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stephen
Spectator
I'd love to take you out but...i'm a minor :'(
Posts: 28
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Post by stephen on Oct 10, 2013 13:06:54 GMT
Which Manchester United game was the first one you went to ? [/quote] Manchester United 1 - 1 Everton, 11th December 2005...but what does that have to do with this subject? |
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