Saturday's attendance

[Boston Bee]

After looking at the predictions thread I can't help worrying about our dismal attendances. No one predicts 6000. We're a decent attacking side with a real energy about the place, so if it's a decent day Saturday and we only draw 5200 what will be the excuse this time?? There is no real reason not to expect us to draw 6500. But we won't will we. Ryder Cup conflict? What'll it be this time?

Not writing to be negitive but because I'm extremely worried that we're not waving...

 

[Egham Andy]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/attendance?league=ENG.3&year=2004&cc=5739

It just shows that it could be a lot worse (mk and colchester).

Were never gonna be getting over 10,000 like the top 5, i think somewhere between 5600 and 6000 is gonna be our avg this season, theres only so much you can do about it. There will be highs and lows, as MA said, the 10,000 who came to the bournemouth game at the end of last season must be out there somewhere!

We can only hope that winning games, home and away, will begin to draw bigger crowds.

Anyway, it doesnt really matter, well be able to pull plenty of crowds next season in the Championship!

 

[NorthamptonBee]

I'd like to think that Home figures were bad with possibly the thrashing we were getting from previous weeks away days a major culprit. This was one of the major reasons for my dismay at Chesterfield and Posh etc. A win to go top at home after a good win away will always bump it up a bit, surely? From a marketing point of view a good start with away points is crucial, but we will never achieve the crowds that we all hope for. A move to a new ground will help, Cobblers went from 2k to 7k overnight and now back to 5ish K in the bottom league.

 

[GABS]

the 10,000 who came to the bournemouth game at the end of last season must be out there somewhere!

To be fair only 8,000 odd were Bees fans.

 

[bh12bee]

if we are top six by xmas the crowds will get better and better ,but it takes time .xmas is a big time as people come on the off and if they like what they see they will be back ,remember what RN did he moaned about the crowds and just as we were starting to get 7000k he sold Herman and it all went down hill?

 

[MissMarpledidit]

I think our record over the past decade or so has influenced a lot of people to spend their hard earned on other things. Being so inconsistant with all the ups and downs we've had has taken its toll. It has also galvanised a lot of us to staying loyal but thats another story. These people, of which I know a few as I'm sure we all do, will come now and again or for big games but wont come back regulary. I think the only thing that will see attendances rise and stay risen is success. With promotion and a good side in the Championship people will come to watch. Obvious, I know, but ultimately true.

 

[Snappy]

Another problem with this season is not having any real local derbies to bump up the average attendance now that QPR, Brighton and Wycombe have all left us.

With only Luton and Milton Keynes within 60 miles of us, I think it will cause a slight drop in attendances with fewer away fans and without the 'romance' of a local derby.

Granted it's pretty much all down to success on the field, and with some of the 'bigger' clubs (ie. Hull, Sheff Wed etc) still to visit and a sustained play off challenge we should be ok for the 6000, but every little helps and the lack of local teams won't help in the slightest.

 

[Ace Face]

A 5500 average gate will add approx £126,500 to our forecasted £300,000 trading losses.

This is why I can`t underastand why recently as a business we increased our backroom costs so significantly.

I am very dissappointed with our crowds and having Franchise FC in our league and losing some big derbies will not help.

Well done to the TW8 Casuals for trying to get the local youths down to GP.

 

[Gee Bee]

A 5500 average gate will add approx £126,500 to our forecasted £300,000 trading losses.

This is why I can`t underastand why recently as a business we increased our backroom costs so significantly.

I am very dissappointed with our crowds and having Franchise FC in our league and losing some big derbies will not help.

Well done to the TW8 Casuals for trying to get the local youths down to GP.

We will just have to sell another player in January like last season. Unless the admin staff increases could be held back until they have achieved their targets like the players bonuses are.

 

[AshfordBee]

Carlisle in the conference are getting bigger average crowds then us!
League one:
Brentford- 5,259

League two:
Notts County- 5,261
Yeovil- 5,302
Grimsby- 5,375
Northampton- 6,051
Swansea-7,465
Bristol Rovers-8,649

Conference:
Carlisle- 5,773

The only good(ish) news is that we have bigger crowds then two Scottish Prem teams!

Inverness CT- 4,239
Livingston- 3,358

 

[Bee H]

Unless the admin staff increases could be held back until they have achieved their targets

Each year John Mac tells us that Lionel Road is "five years away", doubt that he'll wait that long for his alleged £20k increase - especially as in five years time Lionel Road will probably be "five years away" even with Doug White's three full days a week and John Mac helping him full-time

The thing I don't get is that larry's articles in the prog all paint a picture that BFC is turning the corner and that we've nothing to be worried about. As well as being senile imho, larry is actually dangerous as people might read and believe the sh1t that he writes ! Even worse that BU ask him to write it and BFC print it ! :no:

 

[nocoat]

If everyone boycotted every away game, and put the admission monies saved into the BU bucket that would sort our budget right out

 

[Gee Bee]

The thing I don't get is that larry's articles in the prog all paint a picture that BFC is turning the corner and that we've nothing to be worried about. As well as being senile imho, larry is actually dangerous as people might read and believe the sh1t that he writes ! Even worse that BU ask him to write it and BFC print it ! :no:

When we turn the corner, I have a horrible feeling its into a Cul-de-sac.

 

[Luton Bee]

If everyone boycotted every away game, and put the admission monies saved into the BU bucket that would sort our budget right out

You could always boycot just the one to start with......

 

[Egham Andy]

Carlisle in the conference are getting bigger average crowds then us!
League one:
Brentford- 5,259

League two:
Notts County- 5,261
Yeovil- 5,302
Grimsby- 5,375
Northampton- 6,051
Swansea-7,465
Bristol Rovers-8,649

Conference:
Carlisle- 5,773

The only good(ish) news is that we have bigger crowds then two Scottish Prem teams!

Inverness CT- 4,239
Livingston- 3,358

Most of those teams are up north where they are the only decent team for miles around. Its all to do with catchment areas. Whereas Carlisle is in the middle of nowhere, so their catchment area is the whole town, we have to share ours with Fulham, Chelsea and QPR. As a result the fans who just want to go and see a good game of football, go to the other 'bigger' clubs. Also the younger kids who choose their team, and drag their parents along, have a bigger choice, and as a result sometimes make the wrong choice.

Youve got to look on the brightside, at least you dont live in Carlisle.

 

[Egham Andy]

Or Scotland

 

[Gee Bee]

Most of those teams are up north where they are the only decent team for miles around. Its all to do with catchment areas. Whereas Carlisle is in the middle of nowhere, so their catchment area is the whole town, we have to share ours with Fulham, Chelsea and QPR. As a result the fans who just want to go and see a good game of football, go to the other 'bigger' clubs. Also the younger kids who choose their team, and drag their parents along, have a bigger choice, and as a result sometimes make the wrong choice.

Youve got to look on the brightside, at least you dont live in Carlisle.

Cannot just read into it because of size of an area, you have to also view the population of the area and I would have thought that not only is Brentfords fan base wider than the West London area you describe the local boroughs of Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith are more populated than that of Carlisle and surrounding area of similar radius. IMHO Brentford should be able to get more than its current average although its very difficult when you see kids walking round Brentford in Man Utd, Arsenal & even Celtic shirts.
They may be able to get into Brentford for just £3 but they want to have a succesful club to view and tell all about back at school on Mondays. Sad but true, they rather talk about how great their team was on MOTD than watch one live. :sad:

 

[The H]

Carlisle in the conference are getting bigger average crowds then us!

people pay to see a winning team.... every home game follows a disappointing away performance ... so far!

 

[afrimleybee]

Forget the 10,000 gates, but I seem to recall a certain RN saying a similar thing.

I gave you Div 3 promotion team but increased attendances in Div 2 didn't materialise

 

[Claire]

but its not like the weve got a proper promotion campaign going to attract more fans, just hope that they will suddenly decide to come down to GP,

 

[Markybee]

After looking at the predictions thread I can't help worrying about our dismal attendances. No one predicts 6000. We're a decent attacking side with a real energy about the place, so if it's a decent day Saturday and we only draw 5200 what will be the excuse this time?? There is no real reason not to expect us to draw 6500. But we won't will we. Ryder Cup conflict? What'll it be this time?

Not writing to be negitive but because I'm extremely worried that we're not waving...

I reckon if we dont get more than 5250 we can be a shade unhappy

 

[richy]

if we are top six by xmas the crowds will get better and better ,but it takes time .xmas is a big time as people come on the off and if they like what they see they will be back ,remember what RN did he moaned about the crowds and just as we were starting to get 7000k he sold Herman and it all went down hill?

Exactly, when things were going well (football wise) under RN we were doing well in the league and our gates were creeping up. BUT all he did was moan and moan about the crowds. He used to do it the programme too which really annoyed me, why moan at me in the prog when I have turned up?!!

Anyway, put yourself in the position of a "stay away". The league position might look OK but all you read about is the fact that nobody is going, so you draw your own conclusions.

MA had a slight pop about the attendances recently but I really hope he doesn't do it any more. If people keep reading positive things then the crowd will increase.

In actual fact the MA effect IS having an effect on the gates. Whilst our attendences may not compare favourably with other clubs we only just breaking 4000 at this time last year (apart from the visit of Plymouth who had a massive away following).

Attendances for big games, derbies, relegation struggles, last game of the season give a bit of a false impression. You can tell what our true bottom line attendences are by how many we get at the start of the season against averagely supported northern clubs, and on that basis our attendances are up by nearly 1,000.

 

[ChinaBee]

I think people are being a bit premature talking about attendances this season, lets see where we are in December (I think we will be in top 5), get some attractive games at GP and the gates will be around 6.5 to 7k you see

and of course in the 3rd round of FA cup

 

[bee good]

personally speaking ... i'm quietly confident that we're on the start of a 'virtuous circle'. i think people like coming to GP (even away fans) and lets face it it's been worth the money so far entertainment-wise. It's definitely value for money so the message'll get through eventually

 

[NorthamptonBee]

I think people are being a bit premature talking about attendances this season, lets see where we are in December (I think we will be in top 5), get some attractive games at GP and the gates will be around 6.5 to 7k you see

and of course in the 3rd round of FA cup

Didn't really happen in our near promotion year but perhaps if we can keep near the top of the league coupled with no RN then maybe a reality. Still remember that 3-0 to Hudders towards the end of that said campaign, they packed the away end and 7,000 odd were there. Hang your head in shame after that low amount.

 

[ChinaBee]

Looking at the fixtures again, we dont really have opposition that will bring numbers until December (Luton) and then cant think of anyone until Sheff Wed in February.
We are going to have to rely on the boys playing the football to attract stay away BEES fans

 

[Boston Bee]

Yes. I really worried we're not going to draw. Is everything being done by this football club to energize the local community. Are flyers up? Posters in show windows about the next game? Are there schedules available everywhere? Maybe they are and we juat have to hope the results bring 'em in.

We need to start having ambitions to match Martin Allen's ambition. And that means more through the turnstiles, however we can get that to happen. :yes:

Looking at the fixtures again, we dont really have opposition that will bring numbers until December (Luton) and then cant think of anyone until Sheff Wed in February.
We are going to have to rely on the boys playing the football to attract stay away BEES fans