Blackburn End: Waggott Out

[Mashed Potatoes]

10 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

We Are The Rovers met with Steve Waggott yesterday. Obviously the issue of closing the Blackburn End for the Cardiff game was high on the agenda.

Firstly we conveyed our disappointment with the decision and the strength of feeling within the fanbase.

The response was that uptake for the game was expected to be extremely low. At present it looks like a crowd of around 2,000 with less than 1,500 tickets sold. Whether this is a cause or a symptom of the closure of the Blackburn End is another question, but it’s pretty horrifying.

It’s a financial decision based on numbers. We asked if it would’ve been possible to house the visiting supporters in an area of the Jack Walker stand and open the Blackburn End instead of the Darwen End. This would’ve meant that a police presence would be required which would have had an additional cost higher than opening an extra stand.

There was an acknowledgement that the communication needed to be better around the whole decision.

 

Did anybody query why the anticipated attendance is so low ? The game against Walsall had an attendance of 6,173 and last season's game against Hartlepool had an attendance of 6,841.

[MarkBRFC]

41 minutes ago, Mashed Potatoes said:

Did anybody query why the anticipated attendance is so low ? The game against Walsall had an attendance of 6,173 and last season's game against Hartlepool had an attendance of 6,841.

Probably because you can't buy in the Blackburn End.

I imagine quite a few would have seen that and just not bothered.

[rigger]

2 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Probably because you can't buy in the Blackburn End.

I imagine quite a few would have seen that and just not bothered.

I think what Mashed Potatoes was trying to say, was that the low crowd must have been assumed, before the decission not to open the Blackburn end was made. So going on previous games, how was this assumption of a low crowd reached ?

[cesus]

1 hour ago, Miller11 said:

We Are The Rovers met with Steve Waggott yesterday. Obviously the issue of closing the Blackburn End for the Cardiff game was high on the agenda.

Firstly we conveyed our disappointment with the decision and the strength of feeling within the fanbase.

The response was that uptake for the game was expected to be extremely low. At present it looks like a crowd of around 2,000 with less than 1,500 tickets sold. Whether this is a cause or a symptom of the closure of the Blackburn End is another question, but it’s pretty horrifying.

It’s a financial decision based on numbers. We asked if it would’ve been possible to house the visiting supporters in an area of the Jack Walker stand and open the Blackburn End instead of the Darwen End. This would’ve meant that a police presence would be required which would have had an additional cost higher than opening an extra stand.

There was an acknowledgement that the communication needed to be better around the whole decision.

 

BBE closed or not, I'm staggered at that figure. I'm kinda lost for words. Surely from past ticket sales their must be data to see a spike in sales in the days before a game.

Edited September 22, 2023 by cesus

[jim mk2]

1 hour ago, Miller11 said:

We Are The Rovers met with Steve Waggott yesterday. Obviously the issue of closing the Blackburn End for the Cardiff game was high on the agenda.

Firstly we conveyed our disappointment with the decision and the strength of feeling within the fanbase.

The response was that uptake for the game was expected to be extremely low. At present it looks like a crowd of around 2,000 with less than 1,500 tickets sold. Whether this is a cause or a symptom of the closure of the Blackburn End is another question, but it’s pretty horrifying.

It’s a financial decision based on numbers. We asked if it would’ve been possible to house the visiting supporters in an area of the Jack Walker stand and open the Blackburn End instead of the Darwen End. This would’ve meant that a police presence would be required which would have had an additional cost higher than opening an extra stand.

There was an acknowledgement that the communication needed to be better around the whole decision.

 

 

Waggott's making that up to justify his decision. There's no way the crowd will be as low as 2,000 - if it is that low it would possibly be a club record. 

Did no one challenge it? 

[Mashed Potatoes]

13 minutes ago, rigger said:

I think what Mashed Potatoes was trying to say, was that the low crowd must have been assumed, before the decission not to open the Blackburn end was made. So going on previous games, how was this assumption of a low crowd reached ?

Yes, that's right. 

[arbitro]

If he is expecting 2000 (I think he is lying to justify his decision) then what is the point of opening the ground? By the time Cardiff have their cut, match day staff, match officials and the police have been paid we will probably be in the red for this game. He has caused this issue as he knows some Blackburn Enders want their seat in that stand and don't want to sit elsewhere. There could be some longer term impact here as some might just say enough is enough. And that would probably suit him down to the ground.

He is a blight on our club.

[1864roverite]

Communication needs to have a starting point - this is a factor STILL clearly not understood by SW and co - it’s non existent because of his blatant refusal to engage 

[lraC]

Announcing they were closing the Blackburn End, seems to have taken 4,000 off the attendance.

Waggott is a total sham, doing that.

[Mattyblue]

So he is now planning for Accy Stanley crowds for first team games?

Nicely sums up his tenure.

[lraC]

2 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

So he is now planning for Accy Stanley crowds for first team games?

Nicely sums up his tenure.

Don’t give him ideas. He will be switching games to the Wham next, or even considering ground sharing for the 24/25 season.

[Miller11]

Sorry, I should’ve been clearer on a few points…

The crowds in previous  rounds of around 6k were a driver behind the decision. It’s a figure that can be accommodated purely in the Jack Walker stand. The 2,000 is based on current sales which have evidently gone terribly as you can see if you go on the map to buy a ticket right now.

We highlighted how the decision will annoy those who always sit in the Blackburn End, and the influx of Blackburn Enders into the JW might annoy the regulars in there (although any influx looks unlikely). We certainly suggested that the decision to close the Blackburn End will likely be contributing to the dismal sales.

[Mashed Potatoes]

2 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

Sorry, I should’ve been clearer on a few points…

The crowds in previous  rounds of around 6k were a driver behind the decision. It’s a figure that can be accommodated purely in the Jack Walker stand. The 2,000 is based on current sales which have evidently gone terribly as you can see if you go on the map to buy a ticket right now.

We highlighted how the decision will annoy those who always sit in the Blackburn End, and the influx of Blackburn Enders into the JW might annoy the regulars in there (although any influx looks unlikely). We certainly suggested that the decision to close the Blackburn End will likely be contributing to the dismal sales.

That's a lot clearer - thanks.

[Mattyblue]

6 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

Sorry, I should’ve been clearer on a few points…

The crowds in previous  rounds of around 6k were a driver behind the decision. It’s a figure that can be accommodated purely in the Jack Walker stand. The 2,000 is based on current sales which have evidently gone terribly as you can see if you go on the map to buy a ticket right now.

We highlighted how the decision will annoy those who always sit in the Blackburn End, and the influx of Blackburn Enders into the JW might annoy the regulars in there (although any influx looks unlikely). We certainly suggested that the decision to close the Blackburn End will likely be contributing to the dismal sales.

6k is plenty for early round cup ties, indeed it’s the best it’s been here for years for such games and compares well with what most other similar clubs get. Are those clubs closing two out the three home stands for them?

Have things now got so bad cash flow wise that even opening two home stands for first team games is seen as unaffordable?  Anybody else feel this is just the tip of a fast approaching iceberg?

 

[rigger]

6 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

Sorry, I should’ve been clearer on a few points…

The crowds in previous  rounds of around 6k were a driver behind the decision. It’s a figure that can be accommodated purely in the Jack Walker stand. The 2,000 is based on current sales which have evidently gone terribly as you can see if you go on the map to buy a ticket right now.

We highlighted how the decision will annoy those who always sit in the Blackburn End, and the influx of Blackburn Enders into the JW might annoy the regulars in there (although any influx looks unlikely). We certainly suggested that the decision to close the Blackburn End will likely be contributing to the dismal sales.

I don't know about, likely be contributing to dismal sales. I would say more like 100% contributing to dismal sales. I would love someone to ask JDT if he is happy with closing the Blackburn end for the Cardiff game.  

[rigger]

1 minute ago, Mattyblue said:

6k is plenty for early round cup ties, indeed it’s the best it’s been here for years for such games and compares well with what most other similar clubs get. Are those clubs closing two out the three home stands for them?

Have things now got so bad cash flow wise that even opening two home stands for first team games is seen as unaffordable?  Anybody else feel this is just the tip of a fast approaching iceberg?

 

And the band played on.

[frosty]

6 minutes ago, rigger said:

I would love someone to ask JDT if he is happy with closing the Blackburn end for the Cardiff game.  

He won't be happy - it's clear he thinks Waggott is a proper plonker. And he's right.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

54 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

 

Waggott's making that up to justify his decision. There's no way the crowd will be as low as 2,000 - if it is that low it would possibly be a club record. 

Did no one challenge it? 

Spot on jim.He's a grade one bullshitter.

[jim mk2]

Anyone can cut costs. It's easy to save money in any business. You don't need to have an exec on £300,000 to cut costs. 

A large part of a CEO's remit is to grow and expand the business, and for instance for the Cardiff game aim to get 10,000 in by going out and selling the game to the East Lancs public, Has he heard of one-match promotions?

This is all clearly beyond Maggott, probably because it's too "difficult", and closing the BE is easier.

First job for any new owner is to shunt this bloke out of the club

 

[tomphil]

2 hours ago, Miller11 said:

We Are The Rovers met with Steve Waggott yesterday. Obviously the issue of closing the Blackburn End for the Cardiff game was high on the agenda.

Firstly we conveyed our disappointment with the decision and the strength of feeling within the fanbase.

The response was that uptake for the game was expected to be extremely low. At present it looks like a crowd of around 2,000 with less than 1,500 tickets sold. Whether this is a cause or a symptom of the closure of the Blackburn End is another question, but it’s pretty horrifying.

It’s a financial decision based on numbers. We asked if it would’ve been possible to house the visiting supporters in an area of the Jack Walker stand and open the Blackburn End instead of the Darwen End. This would’ve meant that a police presence would be required which would have had an additional cost higher than opening an extra stand.

There was an acknowledgement that the communication needed to be better around the whole decision.

 

The exact cop out answer expected there.

There never seems to be more than 2 or 3k tickets sold in advance of these games but come the night there'll be 5k plus there.

Again nothing new there and never needed the end closed before it's just pathetic penny pinching and like when govt do these type of things as a one off  it's a hint of things to come.

[BigUts]

6 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

Anyone can cut costs. It's easy to save money in any business. You don't need to have an exec on £300,000 to cut costs. 

A large part of a CEO's remit is to grow and expand the business, and for instance for the Cardiff game aim to get 10,000 in by going out and selling the game to the East Lancs public, Has he heard of one-match promotions?

This is all clearly beyond Maggott, probably because it's too "difficult", and closing the BE is easier.

First job for any new owner is to shunt this bloke out of the club

 

He has absolutely and categorically failed on this point to date. The guy is a shyster and the only way he seems able to 'balance the books' is by increasing costs for the supporter and reducing expenditure. GROWING THE ATTENDANCES AND THE FAN BASE WILL INCREASE INCOME.

[tomphil]

Waggots idea of reducing costs is to quite simply shrink the club because the guy hasn't got one iota how to grow it.

If when JDT bails he'll get the cheapest young do as you're told coach he can find next if it's up to him.  Iv'e been saying it since he rocked up he's a downgrader he has no experience of anything else. 

[Ossydave]

I wonder how many stewards he's actually got on for the game?  Can't imagine it would be too difficult if someone wanted to get in the Blackburn end with a Waggott Out banner.

Away from this place I never used to see his name getting mentioned much, its definitely being banded about more and more though on various socials.

I honestly don't know how you people who've met with him can calmly sit in the same room, breathing the same air.

 

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

A man onside with the fans,standing toe to toe all the way in unity.

Edited September 22, 2023 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[RevidgeBlue]

Shouldn't be at the Club in the first place but if he has to be pity his £300 k remuneration is not linked to bums on seats and a healthy finishing positon rather than him meeting a bare financial target.

We might see some life out of him if it were.