Brentford's future support base

[Garybaldbee]

If they were to get back to League 1, it'll just mean they had a good ten years, and are back where they belong.

Thats not entirely true though because in that time they have developed an infrastructure and supporter base that will sustain them for some time to come. True, many of their glory hunting fans will do a runner, but enough will remain to ensure that they will be a relatively large lower division club with pretensions to something grander for many years. After all, the beneficial effects of our glory days in the 1930's didn't completely dissapear until the early 1980's when the generation which was raised on that success and gave us our pool of latent support - and therefore our at the time considerable potential - finally died off.

 

[Stanley]

Thats not entirely true though because in that time they have developed an infrastructure and supporter base that will sustain them for some time to come. True, many of their glory hunting fans will do a runner, but enough will remain to ensure that they will be a relatively large lower division club with pretensions to something grander for many years. After all, the beneficial effects of our glory days in the 1930's didn't completely dissapear until the early 1980's when the generation which was raised on that success and gave us our pool of latent support - and therefore our at the time considerable potential - finally died off.

There might be one or two who disagree with your last three words but the gist of what you say is true. We have suffered from 40 years of continuous third/ fourth division footie in what is now an old small capacity stadium.

A new stadium and a modicum of sustained success (at least at Championship level) would radically alter our supporter base.

 

[Chorlton Bee]

There might be one or two who disagree with your last three words but the gist of what you say is true. We have suffered from 40 years of continuous third/ fourth division footie in what is now an old small capacity stadium.

A new stadium and a modicum of sustained success (at least at Championship level) would radically alter our supporter base.

Agree with the point of awakening dormant support. If you look at the likes of Burnley, Preston, Blackpool and to some extent Bolton. Big teams in the past who were bumbling along on mediocre gates of 4-6k for years, a sustained period of success or surviving at a higher level means that if or when they come back to this level, they'd see them selves as big teams with a right to aspire to be back in the higher echelons.

Not that that's right, but that sort of hard nosed "we deserve it!" often is the reason that the likes of Forest, Wednesday, QPR etc only hang around for one or two seasons in our division before 'natural order' sees them promoted.

 

[RoyBee]

Thats not entirely true though because in that time they have developed an infrastructure and supporter base that will sustain them for some time to come. True, many of their glory hunting fans will do a runner, but enough will remain to ensure that they will be a relatively large lower division club with pretensions to something grander for many years. After all, the beneficial effects of our glory days in the 1930's didn't completely dissapear until the early 1980's when the generation which was raised on that success and gave us our pool of latent support - and therefore our at the time considerable potential - finally died off.

Top post.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Thats not entirely true though because in that time they have developed an infrastructure and supporter base that will sustain them for some time to come. True, many of their glory hunting fans will do a runner, but enough will remain to ensure that they will be a relatively large lower division club with pretensions to something grander for many years. After all, the beneficial effects of our glory days in the 1930's didn't completely dissapear until the early 1980's when the generation which was raised on that success and gave us our pool of latent support - and therefore our at the time considerable potential - finally died off.

That is very good analysis.

My big worry now is that gaining support from Brentford and the surrounding areas is going to be difficult to achieve. I know it's controversial - hugely - but imo we'd attract more fans if by moving outwards towards Heathrow and beyond than staying in Brentford which is rapidly losing its indigenous population.

 

[rebus]

That is very good analysis.

My big worry now is that gaining support from Brentford and the surrounding areas is going to be difficult to achieve. I know it's controversial - hugely - but imo we'd attract more fans if by moving outwards towards Heathrow and beyond than staying in Brentford which is rapidly losing its indigenous population.

We're not a franchise though. Calling ourselves Brentford and our stadium being stuck in Colnbrook would feel very hollow.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

We're not a franchise though. Calling ourselves Brentford and our stadium being stuck in Colnbrook would feel very hollow.

It would be interesting to know how many current Brentford fans it would physically inconvenience though. The catchment area from Spelthorne up through North Surrey is far healthier than Brentford, Ealing, Hounslow imo.

 

[rebus]

It would be interesting to know how many current Brentford fans it would physically inconvenience though. The catchment area from Spelthorne up through North Surrey is far healthier than Brentford, Ealing, Hounslow imo.

Yes, but they are not following Spelthorne FC though. Just roughly where do you live down the M3?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Yes, but they are not following Spelthorne FC though. Just roughly where do you live down the M3?

I knew you'd go there but that really wasn't my thinking but I must admit that there are lots of traditional (i.e. predominantly white) mad keen lads and dads who are starved of football around here all the way back up the M3. I can't see that same support coming from Hounslow these days for example.

 

[rebus]

I knew you'd go there but that really wasn't my thinking but I must admit that there are lots of traditional (i.e. predominantly white) mad keen lads and dads who are starved of football around here all the way back up the M3. I can't see that same support coming from Hounslow these days for example.

From what I saw yesterday our younger fans in the Ealing Road terrace seemed to come from all ethnic backgrounds. I don't subscribe to the cliche that only white males are interested in watching football matches.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

From what I saw yesterday our younger fans in the Ealing Road terrace seemed to come from all ethnic backgrounds. I don't subscribe to the cliche that only white males are interested in watching football matches.

I do - or at least I think they much easier to target.

 

[Simon C]

It would be interesting to know how many current Brentford fans it would physically inconvenience though. The catchment area from Spelthorne up through North Surrey is far healthier than Brentford, Ealing, Hounslow imo.

I think you'd be suprised how many supporters we get from the London Boroughs (add Richmond to your list).

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I think you'd be suprised how many supporters we get from the London Boroughs (add Richmond to your list).

I'd be very surprised if we were getting many from boroughs further in towards London. Moving outwards would still attract those from Hounslow, Richmond, Twickenham and the likes.

 

[rebus]

I think they much easier to target.

Of course but the club is a by-product of its community. As long as the 237 bus goes to Brentford or the 65 from Ealing etc we will have supporters from all backgrounds going to matches.

The future looks very bleak if we have to rely on second generation support that have moved from their roots into the commuter belt.

I'd be very surprised if we were getting many from boroughs further in towards London.

We never have though. Hammersmith and Fulham has three professional football clubs within its boundaries.

Putting a BU hat on we fought for any proposed new stadium plot to be located with the boroughs of Richmond, Ealing and Hounslow. Anywhere else was felt unpalatable.

 

[Simon C]

I'd be very surprised if we were getting many from boroughs further in towards London. Moving outwards would still attract those from Hounslow, Richmond, Twickenham and the likes.

No it wouldn't. You'd get the current ones still coming along but it would end there. Future generations of potential fans wouldn't travel out to your backyard over Fulham, QPR, the rugby, etc

 

[Les Beeavinu]

The future looks very bleak if we have to rely on second generation support that have moved from their roots into the commuter belt.

I agree - and that's my worry.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

No it wouldn't. You'd get the current ones still coming along but it would end there. Future generations of potential fans wouldn't travel out to your backyard over Fulham, QPR, the rugby, etc

They wouldn't travel 3 miles in the opposite direction? You think?

 

[Simon C]

I do - or at least I think they much easier to target.

Looking backwards maybe but not with a new stadium. Take a look at an England friendly to see the demographics for football going forward and what we'll have to aim for to survive

 

[Simon C]

They wouldn't travel 3 miles in the opposite direction? You think?

No. I never do for anything apart from flying on holiday

 

[pompeybee]

Looking backwards maybe but not with a new stadium. Take a look at an England friendly to see the demographics for football going forward and what we'll have to aim for to survive

I'd rather sit in a Brentford crowd than an England crowd anyday. And I sit in New Road!

Spoiled by TV, the hoorays that go to watch England now are never going to watch League 1 football on a regular basis. For better or worse, the future is local.

 

[Banana]

Les Beeavinu must have taken a the Doug White schilling :sad:

 

[Les Beeavinu]

No. I never do for anything apart from flying on holiday

You would.

I'd rather sit in a Brentford crowd than an England crowd anyday. And I sit in New Road!

Spoiled by TV, the hoorays that go to watch England now are never going to watch League 1 football on a regular basis. For better or worse, the future is local.

Quite. Raised by Sky, taken in by the hype. A lot are almost scornful of lower division football.

Les Beeavinu must have taken a the Doug White schilling :sad:

It's an interesting point though isn't it? With the local Brentford community far more transient, will the first generations that are coming now become 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation supporters? After all, it's that kind of support that has sustained us since the war.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

But we're not after League 1 football on a regular basis are we

Which is probably the best point made against my thoughts. Chicken or the egg though.

 

[Billy Hunt]

I ain't going travelling out to the sticks. **** that, Les Beeavinoades. :thumbs:

 

[Chorlton Bee]

I know it's only kite flying and hypothetical, but can we nip it in the bud?

We are BRENTFORD, Super Brentford. We have a destination for where we are going if anywhere away from G Park, and thank god it's within the same postcode.

 

[westwing]

I do - or at least I think they much easier to target.

"White lads and dads" careful

My boys were at the game yesterday with a mate, yes, he was brown !!
His first game at GP and he loved it.
As far as moving outward, lots of the lads and dads in Hillingdon, Uxbridge,
Hayes, Ruislip and Ickenham areas enjoy going back into the Brentford area.
Also, the Chertsey and North Surrey boys make it part of their day coming in on the train with the kids.
Lionel Road is the perfect place for the new Brentford FC to survive and people should understand that Hounslow isn't the only place where we draw our support from. Who wanted Woking ? Nobody but one man alone.

Brentford is our home

 

[westwing]

I know it's only kite flying and hypothetical, but can we nip it in the bud?

We are BRENTFORD, Super Brentford. We have a destination for where we are going if anywhere away from G Park, and thank god it's within the same postcode.

Spot on, Top Man

 

[Les Beeavinu]

"White lads and dads" careful

My boys were at the game yesterday with a mate, yes, he was brown !!
His first game at GP and he loved it.
As far as moving outward, lots of the lads and dads in Hillingdon, Uxbridge,
Hayes, Ruislip and Ickenham areas enjoy going back into the Brentford area.
Also, the Chertsey and North Surrey boys make it part of their day coming in on the train with the kids.
Lionel Road is the perfect place for the new Brentford FC to survive and people should understand that Hounslow isn't the only place where we draw our support from. Who wanted Woking ? Nobody but one man alone.

Brentford is our home

And when their kids don't go with their dads, will they go on their own? I don't know you but I wonder if you went to Brentford with mates or school mates - I did from Ealing. My son won't from Sandhurst. Woking is obviously a ridiculous idea but somewhere around the Whitton area?

Anyway, it won't happen so I'm just playing devil's advocate really.

 

[westwing]

From what I saw yesterday our younger fans in the Ealing Road terrace seemed to come from all ethnic backgrounds. I don't subscribe to the cliche that only white males are interested in watching football matches.

Plenty of brown faces in New Road these days

Nice to see and would like to see more around GP.

 

[Simon T]

Time to get this thread back on topic - have a look at the form table for the Championship


P W D L CS FtS F A GD Pt PPG
1 West Bromwich Albion 6 4 2 0 2 0 12 6 +6 14 2.33
2 Middlesbrough 6 3 3 0 2 1 9 4 +5 12 2.00
3 Swansea City 6 3 3 0 4 1 6 2 +4 12 2.00
4 Sheffield Wednesday 6 4 0 2 1 1 9 7 +2 12 2.00
5 Cardiff City 6 3 2 1 2 0 13 8 +5 11 1.83
6 Derby County 6 3 1 2 3 1 9 6 +3 10 1.67
7 Crystal Palace 6 3 1 2 3 3 5 4 +1 10 1.67
8 Preston North End 6 3 1 2 3 2 6 7 -1 10 1.67
9 Nottingham Forest 6 3 0 3 1 3 9 5 +4 9 1.50
10 Newcastle United 6 2 3 1 2 2 10 7 +3 9 1.50
11 Barnsley 6 3 0 3 2 1 8 7 +1 9 1.50
12 Coventry City 6 2 3 1 3 1 6 5 +1 9 1.50
13 Ipswich Town 6 2 3 1 0 1 8 8 0 9 1.50
14 Reading 6 3 0 3 1 1 7 11 -4 9 1.50
15 Leicester City 6 2 2 2 2 4 7 4 +3 8 1.33
16 Watford 6 2 1 3 2 1 10 8 +2 7 1.17
17 Sheffield United 6 2 1 3 2 1 8 9 -1 7 1.17
18 Doncaster Rovers 6 2 1 3 2 1 6 9 -3 7 1.17
19 S****horpe United 6 2 1 3 2 1 6 10 -4 7 1.17
20 Plymouth Argyle 6 2 0 4 1 2 6 7 -1 6 1.00
21 Blackpool 6 1 2 3 1 2 7 10 -3 5 0.83
22 Bristol City 6 1 2 3 1 4 5 13 -8 5 0.83
23 Peterborough United 6 1 0 5 1 4 2 8 -6 3 0.50
24 Queens Park Rangers 6 0 1 5 0 4 3 12 -9 1 0.17

Courtesy of http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-championship/2009-2010/form-table/full

 

[oddbod]

And when their kids don't go with their dads, will they go on their own? I don't know you but I wonder if you went to Brentford with mates or school mates - I did from Ealing. My son won't from Sandhurst. Woking is obviously a ridiculous idea but somewhere around the Whitton area?

Anyway, it won't happen so I'm just playing devil's advocate really.

Yeah lets build a ground in Whitton loads of spare land and Richmond Council will be all for it (have you been taking drugs? ) :grey:

It is your fault you moved so far away from Brentford

I only moved to Staines because I really love getting trains to football matches.

The ground must be Lionel Road or Griffin Park.

 

[westwing]

And when their kids don't go with their dads, will they go on their own? I don't know you but I wonder if you went to Brentford with mates or school mates - I did from Ealing. My son won't from Sandhurst. Woking is obviously a ridiculous idea but somewhere around the Whitton area?

Anyway, it won't happen so I'm just playing devil's advocate really.

You might know me
I used to go with my mates from Ealing when I was a kid.
My boys didnn't go with me yesterday, they are starting to travel in on there own and love travelling into Brentford and more central parts of London.
Whitton is no good for us North M4 fans and there are plenty in these areas.
Keep the faith

 

[Les Beeavinu]

You might know me
I used to go with my mates from Ealing when I was a kid.
My boys didnn't go with me yesterday, they are starting to travel in on there own and love travelling into Brentford and more central parts of London.
Whitton is no good for us North M4 fans and there are plenty in these areas.
Keep the faith

I hope there's plenty more like you / us then. My worry is that the immediate areas around Brentford don't seem to attract the fans as they once did - the majority seem to travel in.

Perhaps Lionel Road and Championship football might change that but our crowds seem to struggle at the moment.

 

[rebus]

Perhaps Lionel Road and Championship football might change that but our crowds seem to struggle at the moment.

Our crowds are below forecast but look at Orient's...

 

[wanderer paul]

Our crowds are below forecast but look at Orient's...

http://www.emfootball.co.uk/attend.html

we're 12th in this list. i'm guessing it's up to date.

Brentford Low. 4,200 high. 9,031 AVE. 6,228 TOTAL. 87,200
Leyton Orient low. 2,669 high. 7,544 AVE. 4,829 Total: 62,787

just read it! up to date as of 31.1.2010

so Brentford are now 98,976 total. ave. 6186