Barrow v Hartlepool match thread

[MisterPleasant]

A very entertaining game made more nail-biting than it really should have been by some pretty poor defending. Given all the reports about how solid we've been to date it was surprising how we gifted a couple of sloppy goals. Mark Cooper was right, though, in his post-match with Adam that we finished with 3 centre backs, 2 of whom are not what you would call typical: Connor Brown (5' 8") and Kgosi Ntlhe (5' 9"). Nevertheless, they showed, he said, how defending should be done. And n the centre of it all Ellis, White and a revelatory Banks were superb.

The ground and pitch looked so good, a credit to all that have put in so much hard work over the last year and a half.

[mr_grey]

Attendance figures depend on whether Barrow use tickets actually sold or actual turnstile clicks and there is a difference. All i know is at 2pm i checked the ticket site and there was only 60 tickets for sale in the main stand and i thought we would smash 3000 based upon that. Yet clearly big gaps in the “BAR” part of the stand. This tells me people with tickets aren't actually going to the game, or they are not sitting where they should, or these seats are withheld from sale. If they have been sold but not included in the attendance well that is Barrow’s way of working out the attendance based on turnstile clicks and not actual tickets sales.

Might be wrong but think the empty spaces were hospitality seats.

Empty seats are reserved for the corporate rooms. If they do not sell corporate they will be vacant.
The crowd attendance is from actual scanned tickets. Unless as someone previously stated , turnstile operators allowing "red flagged" tickets in without checking for confirmation

[Jonty]

Many clubs from Prem down declare attendance on tickets sold and not on who actually went. This is a contentious but deliberate decision when some clubs clearly announce inflated attendances. To announce who actually went through the turnstile can also have a negative impact because outwardly looking in, the club in declaring the “true” attendance have seemingly lower crowds then their rivals who may announce attendance based on ticket sales. Believe it or not this can presents a negative perception and (especially at higher levels) make the club less attractive to potential sponsors and even player targets. Attendances are directly linked to perception of club success and popularity.
Something to consider when reflecting on not getting above 3000.

[PRR]

Hopefully our lads will learn not to rise to the goading and aggression and remain vocal. Most away supports are sound. Not sure why their lot ended up on Chatsworth St and at the Tally when they should have got straight on the bus.

I imagine they were heading to their cars, which I understand have become quite popular in County Durham in recent years.

Really hope they weren’t driving, a lot of them couldn’t walk more than three paces without stopping and staring at their own feet.

[LewisBAFC1901]

Good hostile atmosphere , lovely day lovely result

[whitty1969]

Only pay tax on actual scanned tickets vs number sold ?

[Barrowbrando]

Infuriating if accurate. I felt for certain there would be around 3,000 home fans. Should we have given out vouchers to attendees for this game that gave priority (after season tickets) for tickets for the Villa game?

Why is it infuriating, around 2200 Barrow fans, I think is fantastic and something to build on, couple of seasons ago we were jubilant if we got over 1200….. How many did you expect and where were those people going to come from, many football fans play or watch local matches on a Saturday and do you really think there are that many other potential fans in Barrow with only a population or around 65,000 going to come along…..

Great attendance great result let’s build on it all…..

THIS. I can’t believe barrow don’t have some agreement with the Furness premier league to kick off at 12/ 12:30.

[MisterPleasant]

Only pay tax on actual scanned tickets vs number sold ?

No, it's the income from ticket sales that's the factor irrespective of whether folks turn up or not. You can't say to HMRC 'we've got the money for these tickets but they didn't show up so they don't count'.

[MisterPleasant]

Highlights:
https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2021/aug ... RI8ZWqGfsE

I didn't understand why our players celebrated the first goal right in front of the Hartlepool mob.

[blue nige]

Highlights:
https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2021/aug ... RI8ZWqGfsE

I didn't understand why our players celebrated the first goal right in front of the Hartlepool mob.

players at all levels do this ,I remember Andy Cook coming right over to the popular side to celebrate!

[whitty1969]

Only pay tax on actual scanned tickets vs number sold ?

No, it's the income from ticket sales that's the factor irrespective of whether folks turn up or not. You can't say to HMRC 'we've got the money for these tickets but they didn't show up so they don't count'.

That's the point I was trying to make MP
If a 52 seater bus broke down full of away fans and they never had there tickets scanned then they wouldn't be part of the official number.
Do you declare the sales and pay tax ?

[Bigfathoss]

3-2 in basically our first proper home league game in 40 years and people are talking about turnstyle clicks, away fans and stewards

What we lacked in quality was made up for in running their chuds off!

Mark Ellis was superb
Jury is out on festus

Hope the 4/5 knocks are ok for Tuesday but early signs are we could be a bit thin on the ground

I thought there was poor communication across our back line. They were constantly arguing and pointing the finger, I hope there is improvement to come. That's Ellis' job.
Uncle Festus is a right unit and mostly looked solid, but he stuck his leg in an awful lot. I hope there is more to his stopping power than that.
Banks, I thought, was tremendous.

[bluessupporter]

If a 52 seater bus broke down full of away fans and they never had there tickets scanned then they wouldn't be part of the official number.
Do you declare the sales and pay tax ?

They would probably get their money back so no tax to pay!

[Jonty]

Whitty- Yes because the ticket sold at the point of sale is still revenue that needs to be declared. Its whether you include a “no show” as part of the declared attendance or not. It appears we dont. Best example is to see an Arsenal / City game declared as a “sell out” when there are clearly pockets of empty seats. See it a lot at the new Wembley as well. Even Lower down the leagues you would look at a National league game live on BT sport for example and almost count the crowd yet seemingly a healthy attendance because they are clearly basing the figures on tickets sold rather than if they actually go to the game. It affects nothing other than attendance watchers looking at the figures and using that as some sort of gauge of how well or popular the club is. Its bit of a a strategic thing that many clubs do. After all it looks better the higher the figure. It would be interesting to know how many season ticket holders or pre paid ticket holders actually didn't attend the game. Maybe they should be included in the attendances in future as it would certainly boost the figure

[Jonty]

Not sure if it’s feasible but approaching the Rugby to split the cost of a town centre shop might benefit both clubs. We need some kind of presence in the town. A shop, a market stall, someone with a paste table selling tickets. Just something.

Don't think the football would have enough staff to even assist in such a set up

Things like this are ultimately strategic decisions to be made by the CEO and based upon cost v return