BOYCOTT THE FREE GAME

[Bigbee]

Further to my posting,If " ST " George are the enemy with in ( and I really hope Im wrong ) Lets piss on their fireworks on free entry day.If Ron says before the game that the ground hasnt been sold ( lie detectors available)then fine ( ish ) , other wise some activity needs sorting

 

[Silly Chip]

I'm in total agreement BigBee, something smells fishy here. But what hurts is that I feel this is a pisstake against all loyal Bees fans. Throwing open the doors is a sign of desperation, it gives out the wrong message. Brentford Football Club will be the laughing stock of the football league when we can't even pack the stadium when it's free admission! Double the admission money, I'll pay it but don't take the piss with this shameful exercise. I hope on the day they are collecting money for some worthy charity. If you invested in a striker sometime ago Ron our gates would have increased. I think we should boycott the game.

 

[Isleworth Bee]

Errrr, Why

 

[IsleofWight_Bee]

I despair, talk about cynical!
Shouldnt we take this as an opportunity to get more people in to see the Bees in action at GP? As far as I'm concerned the atmos at GP has been crap for ages the more people we get in the better.

If around 5%, or more, decide they like what they see & come back surely we'll end up having more support for the no to Woking camapign as well. Is'nt that what we want?

 

[Bigbee]

Maybe its cynical.Hey ,why dont you invite the bloke around for dinner whos shagging your wife ?

 

[RitchBee]

Great PR but !
What are they going to give us season tickets holders who have already paid up front.
Could Mr Gilham let us know.

 

['Ayes B]

STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPpppppppppppp

F*** me the club can't get anything right can they

Firstly I maybe wrong but I beleive that this could be a supporters inniative.

Secondly the idea might attract the lost supporters back to the club. Supporters who can and probably will support the NO To Woking Campaign

Thirdly, The idea will increase attendances and hopefully for those who have bought season tickets make them cheaper next year.

BEE POSITIVE

NO TO WOKING
KEEP BRENTFORD FC IN MIDDLESEX
(no way mk)



[This message has been edited by 'Ayes B (edited 16 August 2001).]

 

[nocoat]

well said above, i come into work and first thing i do is log into the griffin park whinge vine, sh*t club sh*t pr. -well bollox
why dont you apply for a job in the marketing department if you can do any better, what the **** is wrong with the idea what a load of crap to say what do i as a season ticket holder get,- laughing stock my arse, our supporters will be a laughing stock more than the club itself with their constant ****ing moaning and paranoia

 

[Peter G]

I`m sure Mr Gilham will let everyone know, as to the means of obtaining tickets for the match, any concessions to Season Ticket Holders and all other details regarding this history making initiative.
It is worth noting though that within the terms and conditions of this season`s Club Membership/Season Ticket application form, the following can be found...
"The Club reserves the right to amend matchday admission without the need to compensate members and to hold 2 promotional days per year in promoting the Club".
I`m amazed that anyone should think that we wouldn`t do something to redress the balance for season ticket holders. However the most important thing yesterday was to make the announcement globally regarding the initiative, with the "nitty gritty" to follow on a local basis.
I am at a loss as to why so called Bees fans should suggest that the game should be boycotted. It is totally beyond me. For I would have thought that ALL Bees fans should be doing everything they can to fill Griffin Park on 13th October, if not at every home match!

 

[Banshee Mildew]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Peter G:
I`m sure Mr Gilham will let everyone know, as to the means of obtaining tickets for the match, any concessions to Season Ticket Holders and all other details regarding this history making initiative.
It is worth noting though that within the terms and conditions of this season`s Club Membership/Season Ticket application form, the following can be found...
"The Club reserves the right to amend matchday admission without the need to compensate members and to hold 2 promotional days per year in promoting the Club".
I`m amazed that anyone should think that we wouldn`t do something to redress the balance for season ticket holders. However the most important thing yesterday was to make the announcement globally regarding the initiative, with the "nitty gritty" to follow on a local basis.
I am at a loss as to why so called Bees fans should suggest that the game should be boycotted. It is totally beyond me. For I would have thought that ALL Bees fans should be doing everything they can to fill Griffin Park on 13th October, if not at every home match! </font>

Well said Peter.

It is beyond me too why anyone should wish to boycott this game. Perhaps some people should lie down in a darkened room for a short while! The initiative is simply a proactive approach to try and encourage people through the gates of Griffin Park who otherwise probably would not come and watch the Bees.

Please everyone....peace amongst all fans.



[This message has been edited by Staines Bee (edited 16 August 2001).]

 

[Silly Chip]

I believe this game will be used as a political exercise within the Club. If we don't get an attendance above 8000 then the club will use the poor attendance to convince supporters that the club is dying on its feet and we have to relocate at all costs. That's my opinion. I'm still riled as to how this club spent more money on wages than it received through income. Regular BFC fans are being bought on October 13 and nothing in life is free save for freedom itself and I will boycott....after all it won't hurt the club's coffers will it.

 

[PJ]

IMVHO there is nothing sinister about this idea

it was mooted about a year ago & would have happened last season but i think the intended date of he chosen game was switched or something...
Dont understand the issue with S/T`s. So what if we`ve paid up front? The more peeps at GP the merrier

I think we should support this one - its a great idea. Lets try and fill GP to the rafters & get the club in the papers for positive publicity for a change.

 

[Leonardo]

My boycott of GP ends 13th October!

 

[GABS]

I may have slagged off BFC in the past but in this case I agree with Pete G 100%. This should be taken for what it is - a top offer from the club that should be taken up by us Bees by bringing along as many neutrals/mates as we can. I for one will be sending a mail to all my dept to make them aware of it.

Boycott - my a*** !!!

 

[mhead bee]

I hardly ever come on here anymore because I am sick of the whining and the conspiracist theories.
So brentford directors are using the free entrance to help withy a move to woking.
My visite have become less frequent to this board and this thread is becoming the final nail in the coffin for me.

Some of the theories people make up in order to make out the directors are up to something to hurt the bees fans is not even worth reading anymore!! We can turn anything from free to kids to having a crap as a deliberate ploy to destroy the club!
Some of the plots are thicker and more complex than a clancy novel!!

 

[Jimbee]

To all those suggesting or thinking about boycotting this game, I have a suggestion for you.

Why not boycott all games from now on. The club needs fresh supporters with enthusiasm who are looking to get behind the team. What it doesn't need is people like you who constantly belittle the efforts of those behind the scenes trying to raise the profile of the club within the community. Surely if we get 10,000+ at 2 or 3 games this season, the chances of us moving to Woking will recede. If people start boycotting matches and we're getting 2-3,000 that is ammunition for the pro-Woking movement.

 

[mikey d]

This is, IMHO, a terrific piece of PR. In fact, I am going down to GP today to buy a Season Ticket for both me and my son.

And the most ludicrous reaction to the initiative? "They are trying to make us look a laughing stock by not filling the ground when entrance is free, so let's all ... errr... not go, so the ground is empty and we make THEM look a laughing stock instead".

A cunning plan indeed, Baldrick.

 

[JonnoTheBee]

For Goodness Sake Wake Up!!
This club is going to die with people whinging like this, for what reason? They think that St Georges could want to buy our ground! They could but whether the club would sell to them is another matter! Stop the witch hunt and get behind the team, your wasting your energy on scaremongering when you could be getting behind the side! Well done to the club and I'm going to try and get as many people to come as possible.

For once get behind the team, stop slagging everyone and lets be happy they've taken this initive.

 

[yateleybee]

This is a fantastic initiative by the club. If i had the dough i would have done it years ago. As others have said, the club can do no right in some peoples eyes.

It is over to the fans now to show Ron there is people out there who support the Bees.

The attendances at other teams like Hull and Bristol Rovers put ours to shame.

Also, i wonder if Peterborough will reciprocate, even for the kids.

 

[The H]

For us season-ticket holders.

Compensation:
Perhaps free entry into the LDV Vans. (home or away). or £15 cash!!!

i don't need a free programme or any sh*t like that... i get 5 games 'free' (or £12 a game) if i see all the games, to compensate me for paying up front and the club using my cash for a year.

i'm sorry if u don't like it but i've already paid for this game. In fact the £270 forked out has f**ked up my finances for the last 3 months.


however i won't 'boycott' any games.

The conspiracy theorists on this board make me not want to join Bees United or get involved in 'No to Woking' other than buy the T-shirt. I think that many other Bees' fans feel the same.

 

[Spiderbee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by David Michael:
well said above, i come into work and first thing i do is log into the griffin park whinge vine, sh*t club sh*t pr. -well bollox
why dont you apply for a job in the marketing department if you can do any better, what the **** is wrong with the idea what a load of crap to say what do i as a season ticket holder get,- laughing stock my arse, our supporters will be a laughing stock more than the club itself with their constant ****ing moaning and paranoia</font>

sh*t Wages

 

[Spiderbee]

If the Football League support the Woking scenario later today,I think you will find more than conspiracy theorists getting involved in the No To Woking campaign.
The free admission is applauded,generally,by the supporters but the mis-management of this club in,say the last 30 years cannot be smoothed over by such a gesture.However,it is a start,and I appreciate other things are being tried out/mooted.But the empty terraces at GP are a legacy of what has gone before.The target 10,000 campaign is an honourable one but the target will not be achieved overnight.
MAKE NO MISTAKE,the Woking move WILL KILL THIS CLUB!!!
End this nonsense Mr.Noades and we can ALL pull together to make this club as proud as it once was.YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

KEEP THE BEES IN MIDDLESEX
NO TO WOKING

[This message has been edited by Spiderbee (edited 16 August 2001).]

 

[Edmundo]

Did anyone notice that Gary Hargraves made this announcement while standing on a grassy knoll?

The negative reaction to this announcement sickens me. Some people don't deserve a football club to support. This idea came out of a meeting between supporters and the club aimed at generating ideas to increase support for BFC. It has nothing to do with any sinister plan by Ron Noades. It was going to be held last April, but we got through to the LDV Final and the game was postponed. I think it is a f*cking brilliant idea and will be bringing as many people with me as possible. I suggest everyone else who cares about our club does the same.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by The H:
The conspiracy theorists on this board make me not want to join Bees United or get involved in 'No to Woking' other than buy the T-shirt. I think that many other Bees' fans feel the same. </font>

I don't think the conspiricay theorists on this board have anything to do with Bees United. Please join!

 

[IsleofWight_Bee]

Thanks BigBee (leave my wife out of it you bas*ard)she reads GPG and was not amused.

You might have thought it was a clever remark but then I suppose youre not one for reasoned debate.

I said I wouldnt respond to cheap comments like that but what the hell...remind me not to piss on you when you're on fire.

 

[Banshee Mildew]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Edmundo:
Did anyone notice that Gary Hargraves made this announcement while standing on a grassy knoll?

</font>

 

[Leicester Bee]

Let's show Noades that we can get 12,000 at GP, but never will we get 2,000 at Woking.
Please do not boycott this game, but do boycott Woking or any other groundshare.
Also, alot depends on how the club market the game. Don't forget that it was only a month ago that we were on about how we might get 10,000 for the India game (which was pretty well marketed), but instead got 3,500.
Free tickets for one game? It's a start isn't it?

Bees United!

 

[Baz Bee]

Great initiative and I hope that we see an improvement in the attendances following on from the 13 October.

However, and yes I am going to comment, it still hasn't dealt with the underlying problem of retaining existing supporters. Over the past few years our gates have slumped by an average of 2,000 - 2,500. Any business knows that retaining existing customers is more important than attracting new ones. If you can do both all well and good. The club has singualrly failed to retain its existing customers/supporters. This is the problem that needs to be addressed, in conjunction with the new initiatives. Whislt we may attract another 5% or if lucky 7.5% following the 13 October, it doesn't make up for the 30% to 40% the gates are down over the past few years. I hear what Peter G is saying, but unless the club actively and positively do something to retain the current 4,500 then we will continue to haemorrhage our lifeblood.

The position we should now have be in, is to grow an attendance of 7,500+ not the 4,500 that we have dwindled to. Where, and more importantly why, have these often long time supporters walked away from GP. Until that issue is actively investigated and resolved then we will continue to lose more than we gain in numbers. And, IMO, this matter cannot be solely put down to purely team performance and the like, there is a lot more to it than that!

 

[El Abejo]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Baz Bee:
Where, and more importantly why, have these often long time supporters walked away from GP. B]</font>

They are all at Craven Cottage and Stamford Bridge.

 

[Johnbee]

I think this is a great idea by the club to try and get interest as many people as possible in the club. All those who try and find a hidden motive in this offer make me sick, you call yourself fans and are talking about boycotting the match. No wonder this club is going down the pan. Lets just get behind the bees and give them our support...they need it.

NO TO WOKING

 

[Bucks Bee]

People, If I can make the effort to come down all the way from Loughborough to see this game, I'm sure you can to. Stop this bull about boycotting - it will serve no purpose whatsoever. We are making our point to the powers that be through proactive means and doing well with it - lets not get childish now!!

 

[GABS]

Just to see what the overall opinion is can we all post as to whether we agree with Bigbee's ridiculous proposal - YES or NO. I'll start;

NO !!!

 

[The H]

nein

 

[Whiteside]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GABS:
Just to see what the overall opinion is can we all post as to whether we agree with Bigbee's ridiculous proposal - YES or NO. I'll start;

NO !!!</font>

I think perhaps that's a leading question, but for the record, I don't agree with any boycott.

 

[Baz Bee]

NO

 

[Aussie Bee]

Well I won't be there!

 

[Pauly Paul]

Can somewhere tell me where I can get some flyers for this free game. I will happily post them through the letterboxes of my neighbouring houses in an effort to raise numbers.

Peter G, can you supply?

 

[Spiderbee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Aussie Bee:
Well I won't be there!

</font>

Nor will I!!

 

[SC]

spits the blood out of his mouth before giving a NO !

Got to agree with you Maidenhead, the final nails are going in

Been biting my tongue for so long at the general negativity of so many on this board - Is it really worth it

 

[Aussie Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Spiderbee:

Nor will I!!</font>

Yeah but Spider I think I have a good excuse - I would be there dragging people off the 267 bus with me!

if i was over there

 

[Neal]

I have no problem with attending this game, since I support the Bees and would have paid to go anyway. But that doesn't necessarily make it being free a fabulous idea.

Any marketing person will tell you that giving any product for free is a last-ditch effort. It devalues your brand. What happens if all the stay-aways come back, the game is sh*te and we lose 3-0? All their old prejudices are confirmed and you've shot yourself in the foot.

A far more sensible policy is to market your product as having extra value, ie, loads of fun for the kids, with opportunities to meet the players see the dressing rooms, have a free Mars bar blah blah blah. If you want adults to start turning up and are desperate to give them a free game, run a voucher scheme so they get in for nothing after paying to get in to two others.

The fact that this free game came out of conversations with fans is good, since we're being listened to, but marketing is a precise science and is best left to the experts. There doesn't seem to be any at GP.

 

[GABS]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Neal:
I have no problem with attending this game, since I support the Bees and would have paid to go anyway. But that doesn't necessarily make it being free a fabulous idea.

Any marketing person will tell you that giving any product for free is a last-ditch effort. It devalues your brand. What happens if all the stay-aways come back, the game is sh*te and we lose 3-0? All their old prejudices are confirmed and you've shot yourself in the foot.

A far more sensible policy is to market your product as having extra value, ie, loads of fun for the kids, with opportunities to meet the players see the dressing rooms, have a free Mars bar blah blah blah. If you want adults to start turning up and are desperate to give them a free game, run a voucher scheme so they get in for nothing after paying to get in to two others.

The fact that this free game came out of conversations with fans is good, since we're being listened to, but marketing is a precise science and is best left to the experts. There doesn't seem to be any at GP.

</font>

Shoot me down in flames if I am wrong by all means - but - are you actually a 'marketing expert' yourself and thus in a position to make the above comments ???

 

[Silly Chip]

Jimbee....stop generalising.

Boycotting a free game is not going to cost the club money....anyhow one could look at it that I'm giving up my space so a fresh new imaginative supporter can fill it for the day! I will be paying for myself, wife and father at all other home matches. History dictates that Bees supporters have a right to being paranoid, so excuse me if I have read this free bee day all wrong. I could support Fulham....but I'm Brentford through and through. And to all of you who are sick of whingers find another country, after all as they said on 5Live last night we're a nation of Whingers!
Up the Bees and up England!

 

[Voice from the Braemar]

you've probably all been waiting with baited breath for my opinion(come on maidenhead, SC etc etc, you know its the truth!!)on this initiative, well here it is..............

i reckon its a good move by the club and should be applauded BUT what as someone else said, we play sh1t, lose 3-0 and bore all these 'new' fans to death(which the bees can always be relied on to do when it counts??!!!).
will they come back after that, i think not so the team had better put on a good display or it will all be a waste of time.
still anythings worth a try when our gates are going down by the week........

still the most important thing is for us is NOT TO GO TO WOKING and lets not lose sight of that amidst all this backslapping etc.......


NO TO WOKING

 

[nocoat]

anyway, i am very glad that this board isnt completely full of idiots, the majority of people cannot comprehend where the idea to boycott the game even came from - and well done peter g for pointing out the obvious that a) bfc wouldnt let season ticket holders lose out and b) its none of their business if they did

incidentally putney bee, im more than proud to be english-dont have to moan to prove it

 

[Bigbee]

Ok ok , I give in,I havent been able to access the board untill now.I shouldnt have started with this topic .Boycott is o.t.t ,ok sorry,I have valid reasons and Im as red and white through and though as the lot of yers.The marketing effort shouild be applauded.I think the two issues are getting mixed up.I am not negative,I do not want to go tho Woking,I do not want our club to die.
Some of you who have had a personal dig should remove those rose tinted specs.

I'll write more tonight when I have more time ,maybe

KEEP BRENTFORD IN MIDDX

 

[Spiderbee]

FROM VOTB....

"still anythings worth a try when our gates are going down by the week"........

Or the day even!!

[This message has been edited by Spiderbee (edited 16 August 2001).]

 

[Thorne In The Side]

Bigbee,
If that's your opinion then so be it!
I'm not going to slag you off for what you belive in, and think you should keep to your original statement.

 

[Aussie Bee]

Should have stuck it on the Beesotted board Bigbee where it's not so cliquey lol

 

[Park Royal Ben]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Voice from the Braemar:
i reckon its a good move by the club and should be applauded BUT what as someone else said, we play sh1t, lose 3-0 and bore all these 'new' fans to death(which the bees can always be relied on to do when it counts??!!!).

NO TO WOKING</font>

Could argue that about the LDV final though, it's always a risk, don't think the result or performance matters as much as the atmosphere.

When I first started going it was the atmosphere that hooked me, singing etc. And let's face it we'd all love to be reminded what atmosphere inside Griffin Park is like, I'd say that we haven't really had any since New Road was seated!

The best way for us to defeat Woking is to try and get attendances above 6k as often as possible, Kingfield can't cope with that, and if Noades states that attendances will be lower there so it's O.K then he's found out, what Chairman knowingly moves a club to a ground that means there attendances will drop? One who doesn't care whether they die.

 

[Luton Bee]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Park Royal Ben:
Kingfield can't cope with that, and if Noades states that attendances will be lower there so it's O.K then he's found out, what Chairman knowingly moves a club to a ground that means there attendances will drop? One who doesn't care whether they die.

</font>

I could be wrong, but I believe Ron has already admitted that he would expect lower attandances at Woking.