Attendances

[old darwen blue]

5 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

Lack of pubs?

There’s about 6 just on the lower part of Livesey Branch!

Four actually 

[blueboy3333]

Two friends want a Rovers home matchday ticket. Friend 1 buys theirs on the phone at 11.30am and agrees to pick it up from the ticket office. Friend 2 can't commit yet due to work so tells his mate he'll meet him at the ground if he can get off work in time. He says he'll meet Friend 1 in their usual spot if he makes it. 

At 2.30pm Friend 1 gets to the ticket office and queue's for his pre-paid ticket. It costs him £27. He gets to their usual spot and sees Friend 2 already there. Friend 2 got there half an hour earlier but paid £30. 

Seems fair ?

[Mattyblue]

16 minutes ago, old darwen blue said:

Four actually 

Raglan, Wellington, White Bull, Moorgate, Brown Cow, Fox & Hounds.

[AshleyClifford]

I’d say friend 1 was rewarded for being able to commit earlier. However I recenly took my 5 year ol daughter but could not get through by phone and decided to buy her ticket from the ticket office. I had completely forgot about the surcharge which virtually doubled the price of a junior ticket I was shocked but paid.

 

[chaddyrovers]

9 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

It is an expensive hobby. Even for us, if you dont think spending over 300 a year solely on tickets for home league games, thats before away tickets, travel etc is a big expense then you obviously have far more money than me. Football is an expensive hobby.

I never denied any of that but the fact that the players are fully committed is a minimum requirement, and not a reason alone for the crowds to come back. Mowbray is doing as much as he reasonably can but ive never doubted that he hasnt. No one that I have seen has mentioned a lack of committment from the players or manager as a reason that they dont go.

I meant that it is irrelevant in that we might get 800 walk ons now. We dont know either way whether that would stay at 800 or say increase to 1000 if the surcharge was removed. Thats the important stat, not how many walk ons we have with the surcharge. So we dont know for sure whether the surcharge is reducing the attendance or contributing to it and if so, by how much. I think we all know it wouldnt be a massive number but we need as many fans as possible.

It would suit you or more likely it would be easy for you to relate to as you have kids on your own yes. I said that because you struggle to empathise with anyone with any personal circumstances different to yours. I never said your ideas were bad on this suggestion, in fact getting kids into the habit is an idea i agree with you on.

The only idea i shot down was the weekend ticket as like I explained I suspect that the main people taking it up would be current full season ticket holders so in essence they would be downgrading. 

Football is just one of my hobbies I do. I do other things like go cinema, watching films and tv series, watching Cricket and NBA. Plus meals and night outs. Yes I have 4 away tickets to buy/have bought before Christmas. I have bought Preston and Wigan, plus still got Boro and Leeds tickets to buy. 

we got 800 walk ons after 12pm and that is a fact. How many more we don't know but we have the figure of what we get now which is relevant. 

My Stepdaughter come to the odd game now but she does other things with her mum whilst I am at Football. My Stepson isn't interested in football at all which is fair enough. Getting kids interested at early age is very important. I remember when my Primary School Peel Park took about 30 to 40 children to the odd game or 2 per season with a couple of teachers. I was around 9 10 aged but I was hooked at Blackburn Rovers.

The weekend season tickets would attract new fans aswell like Dad who only see their kids on a weekend or people who work away or shifts during the week Monday to Friday 

5 hours ago, arbitro said:

It is an expensive hobby. I estimate that going to every game home and away will cost you around £2k per season. Even just home games could be over £600 for an adult.

how does it cos over £600?

[Mattyblue]

The club will never do a weekend season ticket because midweek crowds would collapse.

Edited November 17, 2018 by Mattyblue

[chaddyrovers]

Just now, Mattyblue said:

The club will never do a weekend season ticket because midweek crowds would collapse.

It was idea after a knowing a couple of people who cant make midweek games and can only make Weekend games. These people haven't bought season ticket cos of this but instead go to 1 game a month instead

[arbitro]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

Football is just one of my hobbies I do. I do other things like go cinema, watching films and tv series, watching Cricket and NBA. Plus meals and night outs. Yes I have 4 away tickets to buy/have bought before Christmas. I have bought Preston and Wigan, plus still got Boro and Leeds tickets to buy. 

we got 800 walk ons after 12pm and that is a fact. How many more we don't know but we have the figure of what we get now which is relevant. 

My Stepdaughter come to the odd game now but she does other things with her mum whilst I am at Football. My Stepson isn't interested in football at all which is fair enough. Getting kids interested at early age is very important. I remember when my Primary School Peel Park took about 30 to 40 children to the odd game or 2 per season with a couple of teachers. I was around 9 10 aged but I was hooked at Blackburn Rovers.

The weekend season tickets would attract new fans aswell like Dad who only see their kids on a weekend or people who work away or shifts during the week Monday to Friday 

how does it cos over £600?

Using myself as an example my season ticket costs £450, bus fares from Darwen are £3.50 x 23 which is another £80 and any other games not covered by my season ticket. Drinks on top of that takes it over £600. And that is pretty much the same for the group of friends and family I go with.

I would have thought your match day expense was similar as you said your pre match ritual involves pies or sandwiches (I can't remember your preference). Also if you buy a programme and drive the the game that costs money too. I can't recall if you said you have a beer or not though.

[Mattyblue]

It isn’t for fans like them that it won’t ever happen chaddy, it would be a good idea for them, but for the many current season ticket holders who struggle to make/can’t be arsed with midweek games and would jump at a chance to save some cash by buying a weekend only ticket. Ergo midweek crowds fall massively.

So, no chance.

Edited November 17, 2018 by Mattyblue

[Stuart]

12 hours ago, MCMC1875 said:

Any business would prefer a sell out rather than status quo.

We can’t have loads of last minute fans. Think about all the pies they might have to throw away if they didn’t know how many people to cater for. Imagine the sadness etched on children’s faces because they ran out of crisps.

Imagine Paul still sat on the car park at 11pm, in -1 degrees, because of all the extra walk-ons.

Now, here’s a thinker for you:

Waggott: “we have the £3 surcharge to promote people buying early so we don’t have a last minute rush” - ergo the surcharge is designed to deter people from turning up on a Saturday afternoon.

Positive BRFCS: “the surcharge isn’t any kind of deterrent” - ergo Waggott’s strategy is wrong

Negative BRFCS: “Waggott’s strategy is wrong” - ergo there is no value in the £3 surcharge

Waggott - “we still get 800 people every game that we weren’t expecting” - ergo we know how many people we aren’t expecting - but we can expect about 800

This is about milking fans for every penny. Nothing else.

[roversfan99]

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

Football is just one of my hobbies I do. I do other things like go cinema, watching films and tv series, watching Cricket and NBA. Plus meals and night outs. Yes I have 4 away tickets to buy/have bought before Christmas. I have bought Preston and Wigan, plus still got Boro and Leeds tickets to buy. 

we got 800 walk ons after 12pm and that is a fact. How many more we don't know but we have the figure of what we get now which is relevant. 

My Stepdaughter come to the odd game now but she does other things with her mum whilst I am at Football. My Stepson isn't interested in football at all which is fair enough. Getting kids interested at early age is very important. I remember when my Primary School Peel Park took about 30 to 40 children to the odd game or 2 per season with a couple of teachers. I was around 9 10 aged but I was hooked at Blackburn Rovers.

The weekend season tickets would attract new fans aswell like Dad who only see their kids on a weekend or people who work away or shifts during the week Monday to Friday 

how does it cos over £600?

Out of all of them hobbies that you list, and again its critical to realise than not everyone is like you. Following Rovers is by far your costliest hobby. Watching TV and occasional meals and nights out are nowhere near on that scale.

The whole discussion in on how the club can increase attendances. The 800 figure is irrelevant in terms of knowing how many extra fans would choose to come last minute or be more tempted to do so should the surcharge be dropped. For example, if a game was £24 without the surcharge, and this isnt a totally fair scenario I appreciate as there are concessions etc. It would take only an extra 100 walk on fans on top of the current 800 to break even on the surcharge, which certainly isnt an unrealistic number in my opinion. 

[blueboy3333]

1 hour ago, AshleyClifford said:

I’d say friend 1 was rewarded for being able to commit earlier. However I recenly took my 5 year ol daughter but could not get through by phone and decided to buy her ticket from the ticket office. I had completely forgot about the surcharge which virtually doubled the price of a junior ticket I was shocked but paid.

 

No, Friend 2 was being penalised for not being able to commit sooner. There is no discount for committing earlier, just an additional charge for not being able to. The arguments to justify by the club for doing this are completely bogus and  have bigger holes than a defence containing Darren Peacock. I'd be very surprised if they still charge it next season. 

Instead they should employ more people at the ticket office and make buying match day tickets a lot easier and cheaper on the day. £20 is plenty. 

Your experience with your daughter though proves what a scam it is. I hope the FF take your example forward next time they engage with the club.

Edited November 17, 2018 by blueboy3333

[blueboy3333]

28 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Football is just one of my hobbies I do. I do other things like go cinema, watching films and tv series, watching Cricket and NBA. Plus meals and night outs. Yes I have 4 away tickets to buy/have bought before Christmas. I have bought Preston and Wigan, plus still got Boro and Leeds tickets to buy. 

we got 800 walk ons after 12pm and that is a fact. How many more we don't know but we have the figure of what we get now which is relevant. 

My Stepdaughter come to the odd game now but she does other things with her mum whilst I am at Football. My Stepson isn't interested in football at all which is fair enough. Getting kids interested at early age is very important. I remember when my Primary School Peel Park took about 30 to 40 children to the odd game or 2 per season with a couple of teachers. I was around 9 10 aged but I was hooked at Blackburn Rovers.

The weekend season tickets would attract new fans aswell like Dad who only see their kids on a weekend or people who work away or shifts during the week Monday to Friday 

how does it cos over £600?

Travel to and from the game PLUS ST costs me pretty much exactly £630 a year. I live less than 15 miles away from Ewood. 

[chaddyrovers]

11 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Using myself as an example my season ticket costs £450, bus fares from Darwen are £3.50 x 23 which is another £80 and any other games not covered by my season ticket. Drinks on top of that takes it over £600. And that is pretty much the same for the group of friends and family I go with.

I would have thought your match day expense was similar as you said your pre match ritual involves pies or sandwiches (I can't remember your preference). Also if you buy a programme and drive the the game that costs money too. I can't recall if you said you have a beer or not though.

I thought you meant just for the season ticket. Sorry for that. Yes I would agree my cost are well over 600 pounds per year on just home games. I do like to get some food before whether it from the chippy on Bolton Road, or from inside Rovers or from Butty shop around the corner from Friend house. I used like a beer in my younger days but since alot of pubs have gone we go in and it isn't a day out anymore due to everyone circumstances. 

11 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

It isn’t for fans like them that it won’t ever happen chaddy, it would be a good idea for them, 

fair enough Matty. ??

11 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Out of all of them hobbies that you list, and again its critical to realise than not everyone is like you. Following Rovers is by far your costliest hobby. Watching TV and occasional meals and nights out are nowhere near on that scale.

The whole discussion in on how the club can increase attendances. The 800 figure is irrelevant in terms of knowing how many extra fans would choose to come last minute or be more tempted to do so should the surcharge be dropped. For example, if a game was £24 without the surcharge, and this isnt a totally fair scenario I appreciate as there are concessions etc. It would take only an extra 100 walk on fans on top of the current 800 to break even on the surcharge, which certainly isnt an unrealistic number in my opinion. 

No I would say watching tv, tv series and films is the most costly per month cos the Sky and Netflix bill. compare to the Rovers cost which is about half of the Sky/Netflix bill

[tomphil]

55 minutes ago, AshleyClifford said:

I’d say friend 1 was rewarded for being able to commit earlier. However I recenly took my 5 year ol daughter but could not get through by phone and decided to buy her ticket from the ticket office. I had completely forgot about the surcharge which virtually doubled the price of a junior ticket I was shocked but paid.

 

This !

It's a football stealth tax to rinse a few extra pounds out of punters, nothing more nothing less although the opposites and gullibles as usual toe the club spin line about getting in the right amount of pies or an extra bod at the window !

[JacknOry]

22 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I thought you meant just for the season ticket. Sorry for that. Yes I would agree my cost are well over 600 pounds per year on just home games. I do like to get some food before whether it from the chippy on Bolton Road, or from inside Rovers or from Butty shop around the corner from Friend house. I used like a beer in my younger days but since alot of pubs have gone we go in and it isn't a day out anymore due to everyone circumstances. 

fair enough Matty. ??

No I would say watching tv, tv series and films is the most costly per month cos the Sky and Netflix bill. compare to the Rovers cost which is about half of the Sky/Netflix bill

Is watching TV a hobby these days? 

[Exiled in Toronto]

The £3 surcharge sounds like a classic case of a business conflating it’s own needs with those of its customers.

i have no doubt it must be difficult to not lose money on in-stadium catering: how do you accurately forecast demand by game and then distribute X sku’s across multiple outlets in 4 physically separate stands. But using price to force customers to solve that problem is a management cop out. McDonalds have no idea how many people will show up and what they will order, but they have engineered in flexibility rather than priced people out of dropping in on impulse.

The second quoted reason for it - to get peoples’ details so the club can market to them - is far worse: pay an extra £3 so you can get more junk email from the club? Ludicrous.

Crowds will never go up much with these attitudes pervading at the club.

[MCMC1875]

Pie tax?

[OldEwoodBlue]

4 hours ago, tomphil said:

This !

It's a football stealth tax to rinse a few extra pounds out of punters, nothing more nothing less although the opposites and gullibles as usual toe the club spin line about getting in the right amount of pies or an extra bod at the window !

correct

If their PRIORITY was to increase attendances there would be no surcharge.

As well as a raft of other simple initiatives.

If their PRIORITY was purely £££££ then they would come up with daft ideas like a surcharge.

 

Fans want to increase attendances. The club sadly, do not.

[JBiz]

3 hours ago, Franky said:

correct

If their PRIORITY was to increase attendances there would be no surcharge.

As well as a raft of other simple initiatives.

If their PRIORITY was purely £££££ then they would come up with daft ideas like a surcharge.

 

Fans want to increase attendances. The club sadly, do not.

Simple question;

If the people running the club aren’t interested in increasing attendances, how on earth can the be hell bent on making money?

Surely both go hand in hand? 

[Stuart]

Just now, Biz said:

Simple question;

If the people running the club aren’t interested in increasing attendances, how on earth can the be hell bent on making money?

Surely both go hand in hand? 

Making money without trying to increase volumes. I.e. putting prices up.

You're an educated fella, making money and attendances aren’t interdependent.

[Oldgregg86]

7 hours ago, JacknOry said:

Is watching TV a hobby these days? 

It's the only one I can afford after all the surcharges ?

[JBiz]

23 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Making money without trying to increase volumes. I.e. putting prices up.

You're an educated fella, making money and attendances aren’t interdependent.

Absolutely linked, hence why I asked how their priority can be money when they aren’t bothered about attendance! 

[47er]

9 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

The club will never do a weekend season ticket because midweek crowds would collapse.

As others have said the club could offer, say, a ten match ticket which allowed entry to any 10 games over the season. That would allow fans to attend weekend home games (or most of them) while missing mid-week games they can't get to.

There are logistic problems with this suggestion, like which seats do you occupy but since the ground is never even nearly full, there's nothing that couldn't be solved.

As it is, someone who can't make mid-week games is more likely to not buy a season ticket at all. Then they look at individual games and the cost and maybe the surcharge and then maybe the weather forecast and think "stuff it!".

Then they get out of the habit.

Flexible and innovative thinking is required to coax fans back to Ewood and we are not getting any.

The attitude is "we've given you a good team, you're bloody ingrates for not turning up".

Much like, "we've taken your seat away from you, now find somewhere else".

 

[Stuart]

15 minutes ago, Biz said:

Absolutely linked, hence why I asked how their priority can be money when they aren’t bothered about attendance! 

Because they keep putting up new barriers which go against a strategy of increasing attendance!