[Archived] Three Cheers For John Williams

[Roversider]

Great to hear John Williams proposing that a chunk of the money coming in from the latest deal should be passed back as ticket price reductions for the fans. I think most clubs can recognise that cost is damaging the attendances (as well as over-exposure of live games and garbage kick-off times) but will they have the courage to back the proposal?

I reckon that if you knock off a fiver a head then the cost over a season would be at most £2m. Given that gates should increase that would be reduced again. So how about a tenner a head? Each club is gaining an extra £10m from the new deal so that would leave a fat £6-7m for the clubs to waste on excessive player wages and bring our ticket prices back down towards European levels.

A colleague of mine just got back from Spain and he said you could get an adult season-ticket for Espanyol for under a £100. Is La Liga so full of average players they need to give tickets away? I don't think so.

Lets all applaud this idea and get behind it, almost unheard of in the Premiership, treating fans like customers, whatever next!

Not a surprise from the Rovers though as they have a track record of pushing games with reduced prices.

[ihateburnley]

Absolutely, and I've often said that I'd rather Rovers be playing in lower divisions and me be able to afford to go and watch, rather than have a team full of overpaid foreign mercenaries and having to settle for SkySports.

[Driftpeasant]

Absolutely, and I've often said that I'd rather Rovers be playing in lower divisions and me be able to afford to go and watch, rather than have a team full of overpaid foreign mercenaries and having to settle for SkySports.

Wait till you live in the US, mate.

If Rovers were to go down it would almost kill me as a fan. I get pretty much only the Prem games, and even then we either have to be playing unopposed or someone big to get the match on TV. If we were stuck playing the Wolverhamptons of the world, I'd never get to see Rovers.

I stuck by us when we were last down, and I'll stick by us if we go down again, but it would be painful. I'd rather tickets be expensive if I can see my Rovers.

Bear in mind that this is from a man who almost bought a half season package despite knowing I'd not get over there for any games (then my company imploded and killed that idea, but still...).

[Roversider]

Don't see any reason why we can't have Premiership football and cheaper tickets. Understand that ex-pats want to see us on Sky but if the prices keep rising you will only see empty seats as a backdrop. That isn't good for the atmosphere and Hughes has made it clear that matters to our performances. So a full ground is considered important by the management.

Thats where the suggestion from the Chairman has emanated and good for him. The Rovers are run for football, not profit.

[den]

Man City supporters trust look for their club to respond.

[colin]

Listening to Radio 5 Live in the car earlier this evening before the Spuds - Arse game. There was a general all-round accolade from everyone for Rovers for making this move.

It was pointed out that the big four actually sell out for most games so they have absolutely no reason what so ever to follow suit. However these are the clubs that have the daft money to spend on players anyway.

Possible clubs (in my opinion) to follow Rovers and win some more fans back (assuming they don't get relegated)

Bolton, Boro, Wigan, Sheffield, Villa, & Fulham

Newcastle & Man City for rubbish Cup games and evening matches v distant teams.

The other clubs have too large a catchment area for the size of the ground to need to reduce prices.

BTW, I've only just noticed that the home tie against Bayer Leverkusen is free to ST holders. Yet another tip of the hat from me to John Williams.

[Gav]

This is a ground breaking initiative by John Williams and Blackburn Rovers, one that will shake English football to its core in my opinion and we'll long be viewed as the club that broke the ticketing policy of clubs length and breadth of the country.

I just feel so sorry for the people in charge at Blackburn Rovers because as a group of supporters collectively we don't deserve such initiatives and forward thinking board members. The fans will continue to treat such initiatives with the contempt they always have and it’s a real shame as far as I’m concerned.

Let’s hope this time we are proven wrong and the fans come out and embrace the new ticketing policy, but I won't hold my breath.

We're recieving some really good press from this also which makes a change.

[Flopsy]

Gav, if you ask nicely they'll probably give you a shelf too.

[den]

The other clubs have too large a catchment area for the size of the ground to need to reduce prices.

I'd take you up on that point Colin.

Scudamore and Barwick, while applauding the actions [or words at this stage], still imply that all is well at the top clubs, simply because they fill their grounds.

How can that be right? If they acknowledge that prices are too expensive at Ewood, why are they not too expensive at Old Trafford? 35 quid is 35 quid to anyone, jst because the clubs still fill their grounds doesn't mean it's fair. or more importantly FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME. They argue that pricing is up to individual clubs. Well, that's true, but should it be? Fair pricing for ALL fans is for the good of the game as a whole. Isn't that what Barwick should be working towards? Shouldn't he be ensuring that the Premier league is as competitive as possible?

[CAPT KAYOS]

This is a ground breaking initiative by John Williams and Blackburn Rovers, one that will shake English football to its core in my opinion and we'll long be viewed as the club that broke the ticketing policy of clubs length and breadth of the country.

I just feel so sorry for the people in charge at Blackburn Rovers because as a group of supporters collectively we don't deserve such initiatives and forward thinking board members. The fans will continue to treat such initiatives with the contempt they always have and it’s a real shame as far as I’m concerned.

Let’s hope this time we are proven wrong and the fans come out and embrace the new ticketing policy, but I won't hold my breath.

We're recieving some really good press from this also which makes a change.

GAV this is something I have been commenting upon for a while (moreso before and after the S/F at Cardiff with Arsenal) with regards to Rovers as a club sticking their neck out with our 'Uniqueity' as we appear to be feeling the effects more than other clubs.

At last JW does and looks like it will get some backing - will it be enough though if the likes of UTD/Liverpool/Arse/Chelski etc don't follow suit as Den as posted ... lets wait and see.

I totally agree with your comments so lets see what happens ... especially with the so called Rovers fans

So has JW promised you your shelf back then?

[Silencio]

What Barwick should do and what he does are too different things. Tha last 3 FA chairmen have been absolute spanners...

[rover_groo]

I just feel so sorry for the people in charge at Blackburn Rovers because as a group of supporters collectively we don't deserve such initiatives and forward thinking board members. The fans will continue to treat such initiatives with the contempt they always have and it’s a real shame as far as I’m concerned.

Agree entirely Gav.

I can't believe that the amount of supporters who would prefer to stay in a pub, their house to watch at least 90% or more of Rovers games now, rather than head to Ewood. I was really taken back after visiting Ewood Arms before the UEFA Cup tie with Celtic. We were about 20-30 minutes from kick-off and was speaking to a local, so I suggested to him, will we be better off not heading to the ground (2 minute walk). His reply..... "Na, sure I'm watching it on the screen/tv here".

I was really stuck for words and this really brought me down to earth and then I was given the insight into the fans who don't attend these games. I mean the ticket was about £28-30 for that game and he would have spent at least 1/3 of the price on alcohol. This was dubbed the 'Battle of Britain' and one of Rovers' biggest games in ages. I'm not running around on an open wallet and I work hard to save my cash to head over for these games. I would spend close to the price of a season-ticket only for a 2 night stay and will continue to do so. What I'm saying, is that if really want something, then it's not hard to save up for it.

All in all our branch pay the full price on tickets, including UEFA Cup games, despite paying over £2,000 already this season on tickets alone. I think it's a credit to our supporters and our membership has increased this season and are striving to make progress for this season and in years to come.

Overall, the board and their staff don't get enough credit for the work they do and we all need to support them for their efforts. One thing that I would say, is that a ticket for any Premiership game should be no more than £30, no matter what area of the ground or who the opposition are. I personally think that the £36-£39 tickets are too expensive.

It really miffs me, as to why you can't make the short journey to Ewood to support your home town team in the Premiership.

The dream is alive, lets live it!

[OscarRaven]

Re: Scudamore and Barwick. I would hope that they would want to keep as much money in the game as possible and a full house is good for TV so a little more vocal support is required here.

One point I have picked up on is that Williams is admitting the product isn't as good as it could be i.e. its 'predictable' in the same interviews - although true I feel it would have been better to omit this and just stick to the message of rewarding fans and making PL football available to everyone not just the well off.

I predict Season Ticket Price next season of £275, walk on £17.50 a game.

[RevidgeBlue]

I just feel so sorry for the people in charge at Blackburn Rovers because as a group of supporters collectively we don't deserve such initiatives and forward thinking board members. The fans will continue to treat such initiatives with the contempt they always have and it’s a real shame as far as I’m concerned.

Gav, I know it's a favourite hobby horse of yours bashing our support but how can you single our support out for criticism when gates at other Clubs like Wigan (only second season in the Prem) and watford (first season back ) are even worse.

Clubs like Bolton Boro and City are also starting to see falling attendances.

It's not something that's unique to Rovers, but yes the Club deserve great credit for the pricing initiatives.

I'm becoming increasingly convinced that poor gates across East Lancs as a whole are something that's also down to demographic factors. We have to remember that until we start making serious headway on getting Asian supporters down to the ground we're pulling support from a local white population of about 80,000.

[adopted scouser]

We have to remember that until we start making serious headway on getting Asian supporters down to the ground we're pulling support from a local white population of about 80,000.

Hasn't happened so far Rev, and there's no real prospect of it happening in the future unless you stick an onion on the Riverside and call it the Shilpa Shetty enclosure.

A small section of Blackburn's asians are interested but not enough to make a difference. Congratulations to John Williams though for coming up with a suggestion that has 'ticket prices' and 'common sense' in the same sentence.

[gumboots]

There are increasing numbers of the Asian community coming to Ewood. The increase is small so far but we need to build on it and not indulge in racism of any kind, unlike some idiotic fans at City away last week.

[chris]

other teams getting less from gates will be an advantage to Bcackburn, our crowds don;t deserve PL football IMO, our history does

[jim mk2]

I'm becoming increasingly convinced that poor gates across East Lancs as a whole are something that's also down to demographic factors. We have to remember that until we start making serious headway on getting Asian supporters down to the ground we're pulling support from a local white population of about 80,000.

Unless Gordon and his mates have led a mass white exodus from the town in the past 5 years that doesn't explain why we were getting 27,000 plus for game against the likes of Charlton five years ago and are lucky if we get more than 20,000 now.

Forget about cost : the public is fed up with an overhyped sport that is overexposed on television played by sickeningly overpaid average players competing in a pointless, uncompetitive league that can only ever by won by 3 or 4 greedy, selfish, arrogant clubs.

[rover_groo]

The increase is small so far but we need to build on it and not indulge in racism of any kind, unlike some idiotic fans at City away last week.

What exactly happened?

[mattym]

I predict Season Ticket Price next season of £275, walk on £17.50 a game.

Now that would be fantastic.

[ihateburnley]

we're pulling support from a local white population of about 80,000.

Very true, and I think this is the key reason why we should be reducing tickets to a price that is so good value that people can't resist going to the football on Ewood. I'm a firm believer in the fact that many fans stay away from Ewood simply because so many others do. Nobody likes watching football in a half empty stadium and we all know that even if the game itself is a drab affair, the banter and the atmosphere inside a stadium can make up the difference.

A reduction in ticket prices is a brilliant start by the club and I applaude John Williams for having the balls to make this stance, but there is a long way to go. Price is just part of the issue in my opinion. Small adjustments to the Ewood experience need to be made to make sure our atmosphere is more unique and not merely a run-of-the-mill overcommercialised cheesy mess. Get rid of the drummer(s), turn the music down (or better still turn it OFF) and let's move the kids away from what's supposed to be our cauldron of support - The Blackburn End. Like I've said so many times, let's put the cameras on the Riverside so when we're on TV everybody can see we have a superb stadium that is bouncing!

I have loads of ideas and I hope slowly but surely they will be implemented.

I predict Season Ticket Price next season of £275, walk on £17.50 a game.

I reckon it will be even cheaper than that for a season-ticket holder. £250 in ALL AREAS would see a massive cause of interest.

[CAPT KAYOS]

our crowds don;t deserve PL football IMO, our history does

What a load of ball sacks and hopefully its not exactly what you meant

The crowds at the moment are the ones that deserve it more than anybody , especially the likes of Jordan etc

[pjk]

Not everyone's impressed.

[BuckyRover]

Not everyone's impressed.

What a horrible article.

It makes no sense.

F**king londoners

[den]

Not everyone's impressed.

His point?

Beats me. Williams would tie him in knots.