Increasing Fanbase.

[McMark]

Boreham Wood are the latest club to try and offer early incentive season tickets to increase their Fanbase.
http://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.u ... -miss-out/
Do you think we go far enough as a club to build our Fanbase for the future, reward loyalty or even have enough range in ticket types.
I know it's all been debated before and there has been little change, but the club should be trying to entice supporters for next season now regardless of where we finish this season. What realistic changes would you like to see and what would be needed to bring you back regularly to Holker Street if you haven't done so this season.

[Lancaster Branch]

I’m sure a comprehensive action plan has been developed based on the findings of the research carried out by the lads and lasses at Lancaster Uni.

I mean, otherwise it would have been a pointless waste of everyone’s time.

[HenneysKnee]

How many season tickets would we sell at a £100 a pop?

[DaveP]

winning games

[Bigfathoss]

I have submitted a loyalty plan for Season Ticket holders to the last few administrations. I think it is really short-sighted that it hasn't been implemented.
Having said that, it is on the basis of fan retention being important and rewarded. I would have thought that would be paramount but perhaps I am being naive.

[Middleton Nick]

Still waiting for the random half season ticket.

[Main Stand SeasonTct]

I have submitted a loyalty plan for Season Ticket holders to the last few administrations. I think it is really short-sighted that it hasn't been implemented.
Having said that, it is on the basis of fan retention being important and rewarded. I would have thought that would be paramount but perhaps I am being naive.

As far as i am aware anybody who has purchased a season ticket for the this season and the previous two is entitled to a 25% discount on a season ticket for next season.

[Bigfathoss]

I have submitted a loyalty plan for Season Ticket holders to the last few administrations. I think it is really short-sighted that it hasn't been implemented.
Having said that, it is on the basis of fan retention being important and rewarded. I would have thought that would be paramount but perhaps I am being naive.

As far as i am aware anybody who has purchased a season ticket for the this season and the previous two is entitled to a 25% discount on a season ticket for next season.

I believe that is correct, but it could go so much further.

[McMark]

Not saying for one minute that a £100 ticket is the answer. Think this preseason offer worked out at around a tenner a game, and whilst it had some interest I'm not sure it had the uptake anticipated. Early sales does free up money to invest and every little helps so the saying goes!! Still think the ten floating game ticket would have a fair response.
Just thought it might be worthwhile trying once again to get people's grey cells working especially those that are not coming as regularly as they could to games, and yes winning does help to a certain degree but is it really the be all and end all.
The feasibility studies by the students seem to have dried up somewhat, with little noticeable action in response anyhow.
Nothing ever lost by kicking ideas around, but you certainly need those that make the decisions to take them onboard and be responsive in their actions.

[Jonty]

I thought the ticket offers that were available before the season start were very reasonable, with a new ticket pricing in the young adult 18-22 bracket and good pricing for children. Offers of loyalty scheme etc for next season.

I do not think we would attract many new fans by making the season tickets half price. That’s is not attracting new fans-that’s just making it cheaper for those who go anyway.

It’s more than the pricing and it’s more than just winning games. As Bill Shankly once said, you’ve got to connect the team with the fans. That’s the managers job.

[barrowaberdeen]

I am 100 per cent in favour of heavily discounting, but it has got to be part of an overall strategy.

Although I agree loyalty should be awarded (and I have had an ST for most of the last ten years but alas gave it back as I boycotted some home games in 2015-16 so won't get the discount) I think it's attracting new and especially young people to buying them. The fanbase is aging, no question.

Given shift patterns, I also think 'Shipyard' tickets as blocks of ten could be purchased, Aberdeen do this for offshore workers.

I hope someone has put some thought into the .missing. 400-500 who used to be regulars too- what would tempt them back? Do they know who they are?

I'd rather have a squad of 18-19 and money spent on this than money spent on 22. It worked at places as diverse as Sutton, Telford and Ross County.

[BoltonBlue]

I am 100 per cent in favour of heavily discounting, but it has got to be part of an overall strategy.

Although I agree loyalty should be awarded (and I have had an ST for most of the last ten years but alas gave it back as I boycotted some home games in 2015-16 so won't get the discount) I think it's attracting new and especially young people to buying them. The fanbase is aging, no question.

Given shift patterns, I also think 'Shipyard' tickets as blocks of ten could be purchased, Aberdeen do this for offshore workers.

I hope someone has put some thought into the .missing. 400-500 who used to be regulars too- what would tempt them back? Do they know who they are?

I'd rather have a squad of 18-19 and money spent on this than money spent on 22. It worked at places as diverse as Sutton, Telford and Ross County.

Went to the Aberdeen v Patrick game with an ‘offshore ticket’ back in December, was an enjoyable evening. Will definitely pop back to any possible mid-week fixtures in future whenever I’m up there.

[Jonty]

I hope someone has put some thought into the .missing. 400-500 who used to be regulars too- what would tempt them back? Do they know who they are?

I don’t think the problem in bringing back and attracting new fans is down to the ticket pricing structure. The stay away footballing fans of this town are not connecting with the club that is the reality. Put it this way, if the club made the Holker Street terrace half price for the rest of the season’s home games, then it would just be making it cheaper for those who go to games anyway and I don’t think it would see an extra 300 through the gate. Just my opinion. Our crowds are as poor as I remember over the last 10 seasons. Will be even lower on Bank Holiday Monday because we kick off at the same time as the rugby and they’ve had sight of that clash for weeks.

[spirit of 1990]

Given shift patterns, I also think 'Shipyard' tickets as blocks of ten could be purchased, Aberdeen do this for offshore workers.

The shift pattern I think you're speaking of Steve will virtually have gone come the start of the new season, it'll be interesting to see (if we're still in this league) how much they really affected the gates.

I don't think reducing ticket prices would be the answer on it's own, it'd be far more complicated. Getting a decent style of football with a better win % than we have now, better facilities, proper toilets, covered HSE, perhaps better food being on offer, club shop selling the right stuff, players having more of an interaction with the younger supporters....it'd be a long long list.

[Jim]

Agree with 'Spirit'. You can offer cheap/free tickets to people but unless they are entertained they won't come again. Discounted 10 match tickets or something similar might be an idea, as people can 'try out' the product over a few games - and hopefully a few of them might be entertaining . Alternatively, some sort of loyalty card that gets stamped when you go thru the turnstile, so that people with (say) 15 stamps are entitled to a season ticket for the next season at 25% discount.