Increasing Fanbase.

[Sefton Aubergine]

The vast majority of posts on this subject suggest or debate the possibility of reducing prices to increase attendance but cheaper prices have only worked at other clubs where increasing attendance with cheaper prices has been offset with a spectacular jump in attendances like at Bradford or sales inside the ground whether at corporate level or just food and drinks behind the stands. Unless you think a reduction in prices triples the crowds and considering Barrow's prices are not that steep in this league an increase in prices may be a better option unless a significant drop in attendances would be the result.

My thoughts are that until there are significant improvements in facilities at Holker St the pricing is about right and a sway in attendance of about 500 fans will depend on the quality on the pitch.

[Middleton Nick]

A price increase would certainly see a few more off IMO. Facilities are the first thing that need updating.

[Lancaster Branch]

A price increase is surely out of the question after this debacle of a season, on and off the pitch.

Maybe have a lower ST rate but only if we sell a certain number. So, £100 if we sell 1000 of them, otherwise it’s the same as last year. (As a ‘for instance’)

[The Tomahawk Kid]

Build a new stadium and they will come!

Only 841 home fans at Morecambe tonight

Morecambe!

Burton Albion, Fleetwood & Fylde all built new stadiums and all have progressed...

[Jonty]

A price increase would certainly see a few more off IMO. Facilities are the first thing that need updating.

A price increase will mainly affect the fans who go now. Similar to the way it affected the numbers taking in matchday hospitality.

[Steelworks End]

No one can argue that the facilities at Holker Street are in any way adequate for the 21st century. Since Football League days - when our ground was certainly no worse than many others - the world has moved on but Holker Street hasn't. The ground has been patched up as and when repairs could no longer be deferred; in many cases this involved demolish and forget - think the covers on the Popular Side (eventually replaced thanks to the "Raise the Roof" fundraisers) and Holker End. Note that these comments are not in any way meant to belittle the admirable work of the Ground Improvement team and others over the years.

True we have a replacement stand, but only because the old wooden one was no longer fit for purpose. And even the funding of that was somewhat murky, to say the least, from the era when white lines at Holker Street weren't confined to the pitch.

So what do we need? In no particular order they include:-


Permanent male & female toilets with hot & cold running water and hot air dryers or paper towels. Basic hygiene, and a basic human need.

A cover on the Holker Street end.

Proper segregation facilities for visiting supporters.

Improved catering facilities (I won't go into the pies debate!) including a bar area where drinks can be purchased; obviously to meet the ground rules alcohol to be consumed out of site of the pitch.

Redevelopment of the Crossbar building and terrace; the building is an eyesore and has been ever since it was built.

Better facilities for Corporate guests - boxes, perhaps?

A new - or extended - stand along the full length of the Wilkie Road side.


I realise that none of the above will be cheap, or in many cases easy, to implement, but unless we provide facilities that are fit for purpose, we simply will not be able to attract more supporters to Holker Street. We had no difficulty taking 7,000 or more to Middlesbrough, Sunderland, or Wembley, but they are all modern stadia. How many of those extra floating supporters have even considered coming to Holker Street?

Of course, a completely new stadium may be the answer, but that is a wholly different debate.

[Steeley]

I'm not sure a 'lid' on the holker end is a sensible priority, more of a nostalgia trip.

Surely better clubhouse facilities, toilets and popular side development are more sensible places to throw money at?
Lots of clubs at out level have open terrace at one end.

[barrowfan]

I see what Steelworks is saying and agree with it but it ain't going to happen.

It doesn't matter how good our facilities, at this level there's only one thing that will attract more spectators, and that is a team that can put on a decent entertaining game of football, score goals and WIN MATCHES.

[McMark]

I see what Steelworks is saying and agree with it but it ain't going to happen.

It doesn't matter how good our facilities, at this level there's only one thing that will attract more spectators, and that is a team that can put on a decent entertaining game of football, score goals and WIN MATCHES.

Think most agree with what John put tbh!!
Yes ulimately facilities do matter maybe not to me or you to a certain degree, but it is plain to see we lack in so many areas and improvements to the ground are well overdue. Too many empty promises causes people to become disengaged from the club. It's about time those within the club start to re-engage their supporters before it becomes all too late for even some of the most loyal within it's ranks.
What is entertainment on the football field?? It's about time we all agree that this level of football is a battle from August until April and hopefully in other seasons beyond that, the sooner people buy into that the better. So ultimately during a season your going to have to settle for a mixed bag of sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes indifferent!! If we can turn the sometimes indifferent into more good than bad you have sometimes success as in the case of Macclesfield this season.

[walney rock]

We went 26 games unbeaten last season & the gates were far from amazing (ok it wasn't the nicest kind of football to watch) for me the 2 problems are the same we have had for years inability to replace supporters who have unfortunately died or are unable to attend due to health reasons and replace them with younger regular supporters & the other major problem is Holker St it's self Without the amazing work done by the supporters during the off seasons n Sundays Holker surly would not be in any fit state to host nation league football or any football, I'm sure plenty of the Empty promises made by PC has maybe had an effect on attendances aswell, Holker St needs major work doing on it asap!!

[thegaffer77]

If magically, Holker St was transformed overnight into a Burton or Fleetwood would attendances increase? Maybe a few. It's down to culture and a need to attend the games in fear of missing out. We need Barrow AFC to generate that need through on and off field performance. Quality free flowing football with goals galore and exciting forward thinking boardroom directives, reaching out to working class fans. Schools in partnership on a rolling programme and local kids clubs playing at half time. The ideas are endless. It needs the core supporters to keep coming in the dark days and the floaters will come back when the new dawn breaks. The over achievements of last season have made the underachievements of this harder to stomach. Therefore, those with weak guts have fallen away. I cannot see us regularly getting 2000 a week unless we are winning lots which generates that need to attend. New services and stands will then help keep that going. Positivity is the key from every stakeholder. Tough being a Barrow fan, but I love it.

[HenneysKnee]

Not 2000 but I’m very confident attendances would improve in a new ground (unless it ended up in a ridiculous location)

[mickmike wilson]

It’s all been said before & ultimately gets ignored, Same will apply here, Total waste of time & energy.

[Jonty]

Have a match at the same time as Barrow Raiders.

Was there any official line on this from either club? Was there an attempt to change the kick of times? It will affect the attendances at both.

Question for fans who go to both. Where will you be at 3pm tomorrow?

[McMark]

It’s all been said before & ultimately gets ignored, Same will apply here, Total waste of time & energy.

Yes I agree Mike it has all been said before!!
But because we have tried to get the message across once or twice or even more we are supposed to give up, NEVER!!!
Banging on every five minutes clearly doesn't work but there have been changes brought about, maybe only small changes.
Those within the club have got to start to listen more as even some of the steadfast are wavering there has simply got to be a wind of change or ultimately we flounder as one.