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Post by saddletramp on Mar 8, 2017 5:07:03 GMT
All those fans saying that if we got promoted "a new stand wouldn't be enough" We would need a 20k stadium because when the big boys come we would fill it. Well the club has been buzzing lately,edge of the play offs,Wembley on the horizon and a feel good factor around the club, yet for a derby match against Bristol on Saturday we just about managed 8k home fans and against one of the said "Big boys" 7,300. A West stand the same as the East of 2,700 or so,we would need 4,500+ fans to fill the ground,even without filling in the corners. Where would they come from ? Just saying.
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Post by Toeby on Mar 8, 2017 7:05:31 GMT
Could you try asking round in Wantage to see if anyone fancies it?
Gotta start somewhere.
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Post by holdsteady on Mar 8, 2017 8:17:03 GMT
Is Bristol Rovers a derby match? When did that happen?
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Post by Junior on Mar 8, 2017 8:30:05 GMT
Forgot about the usual saddle bashing as look at the points raised. They are valid ones.
I've commented elsewhere about the poor take up of home tickets the last two games. The cross is being masked by the away followings from Rovers and Sheff Utd.
Any reason why? Are the prices to high? Should we try a cash turnstile? More entertainment before the game, etc the crowd involved. Likewise at HT. The music last night was pretty poor as well.
Maybe a few offers, quid a kid, package a few games together where as you get the say the 3rd for half price. Got to be worth trying something as the players and management must feel despondent looking at the gaps in the home support.
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Post by grenobleroad on Mar 8, 2017 8:52:50 GMT
Forgot about the usual saddle bashing as look at the points raised. They are valid ones. I've commented elsewhere about the poor take up of home tickets the last two games. The cross is being masked by the away followings from Rovers and Sheff Utd. Any reason why? Are the prices to high? Should we try a cash turnstile? More entertainment before the game, etc the crowd involved. Likewise at HT. The music last night was pretty poor as well. Maybe a few offers, quid a kid, package a few games together where as you get the say the 3rd for half price. Got to be worth trying something as the players and management must feel despondent looking at the gaps in the home support. I've got one valid reason. People are skint. Going to all these games is costing a fortune. I'm glad I have a season ticket.
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Post by Junior on Mar 8, 2017 8:56:51 GMT
Forgot about the usual saddle bashing as look at the points raised. They are valid ones. I've commented elsewhere about the poor take up of home tickets the last two games. The cross is being masked by the away followings from Rovers and Sheff Utd. Any reason why? Are the prices to high? Should we try a cash turnstile? More entertainment before the game, etc the crowd involved. Likewise at HT. The music last night was pretty poor as well. Maybe a few offers, quid a kid, package a few games together where as you get the say the 3rd for half price. Got to be worth trying something as the players and management must feel despondent looking at the gaps in the home support. I've got one valid reason. People are skint. Going to all these games is costing a fortune. I'm glad I have a season ticket. Valid point. Then let's look at offers. Let's be creative. Look at the marketing side of things. The club have a very active social media fanbase, why aren't they utilising that? Do they still create the downloadable posters they had a year or two back? When was the last time we did kid a quid? 3 games for the price of two or the 3rd being half price..
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Post by barmyarmy on Mar 8, 2017 9:00:39 GMT
To be honest getting to the place on a Tuesday night is becoming quite a challenge and thats only going to get worse. As a season ticket holder you can have as many offers as you like, my only consideration is if I want to spend X amount of time on the A34 and get to the game late (like last night).
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Post by grenobleroad on Mar 8, 2017 9:08:54 GMT
I've got one valid reason. People are skint. Going to all these games is costing a fortune. I'm glad I have a season ticket. Valid point. Then let's look at offers. Let's be creative. Look at the marketing side of things. The club have a very active social media fanbase, why aren't they utilising that? Do they still create the downloadable posters they had a year or two back? When was the last time we did kid a quid? 3 games for the price of two or the 3rd being half price.. I think they could be a bit more active. We were perhaps spoilt with Sarah Gooding last season. Buying games in 'packs' at a discounted rate would be a start. Or the more you buy in advance the more you get off. More importantly these advertisements need be advertised off Social Media too. We have a good percentage of our fans who don't use it. You're right about the posters, they have gone missing. There should be one kid for a quid game every season, a crap fixture to boost the attendance. Overall I think we are doing pretty well attendance wise, it was kind of relevant to the fixture last night. 10th or 11th v 1st it was good. If we were 6th of above maybe close to a sell out. 17th or 18th 1500 less. That's football for you.
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Post by essexyellows on Mar 8, 2017 10:43:40 GMT
Potentially a larger capacity ground could lead to a reduced ticket price? New "West Stand" for the away lot, then use the old away end of the North for "Adult & kid for £10" or kids for a quid? One or two games a season where ST holders can bring a guest for £5? Family tickets 2 adults plus kids for £20? Up here in Leicester there are often Leicester Tigers tickets for the "less desirable games" punted out to the NHS etc at reduced prices. We could do the same for large employers?
Always thought that having somebody in a seat is better than an empty one.
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Post by saddletramp on Mar 8, 2017 13:05:21 GMT
Is Bristol Rovers a derby match? When did that happen? Just depends how you define "Derby" ? In my time,after Reading and Swindon, Bristol is the next in line. If we are talking local Derby's then Oxford IMO don't have one,no way is 35 miles local.
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Post by oufcyellows on Mar 8, 2017 13:13:43 GMT
Is Bristol Rovers a derby match? When did that happen? Just depends how you define "Derby" ? In my time,after Reading and Swindon, Bristol is the next in line. If we are talking local Derby's then Oxford IMO don't have one,no way is 35 miles local. 35 miles ?? Charlie clearly states our catchment area stretches into Wiltshire
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Post by holdsteady on Mar 8, 2017 13:18:07 GMT
Is Bristol Rovers a derby match? When did that happen? Just depends how you define "Derby" ? In my time,after Reading and Swindon, Bristol is the next in line. If we are talking local Derby's then Oxford IMO don't have one,no way is 35 miles local. I met an Australian over here on holiday once who told me it was a 2 hour drive to his local shop, so I suppose distance is relative. Other than Swindon and Reading we don't have a derby, which is ok because the whole point is you don't play derby games all the time, also both sides have to feel it, else otherwise we would actually have a derby with Smallcombe Wanderers, and no sensible Oxford fan wants that.
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Post by Mark on Mar 8, 2017 13:28:32 GMT
I think the number of fans who travelled up to Middlesbrough will have affected midweek attendances as that was a big day out and expensive to travel to. Sheffield United on a Saturday would have easily got an extra thousand.
It's one thing having a Saturday free with plenty of time to get to a match by 3pm, whereas for people who work, getting to the stadium for 7:45 kick off may not be so easy. CM has said many times that our fanbase is very widely spread around Oxfordshire and beyond than just a concentrated fanbase within the city.
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Post by Mark on Mar 8, 2017 13:41:49 GMT
Also it's worth pointing out that of the 28 (i think) attendances at the Kassam stadium over 9,000 since it opened, half of those have been in the last 2 3/4 years since Michael Appleton took charge, obviously helped by us playing against League One opposition as well as the Cup runs.
There is an appetite to watch decent football supporting your county team in Oxfordshire, which would only increase in a higher league with the opposition bringing more fans too.
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Post by ox4eva on Mar 8, 2017 17:42:46 GMT
I previously said on another thread that a 16k capacity was enough for us and was shouted down but I stick by that. We just don't have a big enough support for 'normal' games.
Apart from season tickets, the club should get the membership scheme going again so at least for the big games those who have a genuine interest in OUFC will get tickets.
Oh and as for derby games, we only have two which is Reading & Swindon, and QPR of course!
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Post by upthecowboys on Mar 8, 2017 18:56:19 GMT
I previously said on another thread that a 16k capacity was enough for us and was shouted down but I stick by that. We just don't have a big enough support for 'normal' games. Apart from season tickets, the club should get the membership scheme going again so at least for the big games those who have a genuine interest in OUFC will get tickets. Oh and as for derby games, we only have two which is Reading & Swindon, and QPR of course! There must be a reason why there is not a 'membership scheme', maybe the club think it would eat into season ticket sales? I did not renew my season ticket this year because I was abroad for the first half of the season. But I would have paid probably up to £40 for a decent membership option - 1st in queue after seas tick holders for all tick games, discount voucher for club shop, £1 / £2 off match day prices etc. Might have to ask Oxvox to ask the question.
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Post by oufcyellows on Mar 8, 2017 18:58:19 GMT
I've said this before, can't for the life of me think why the club wouldn't still run it. Missing out on money there
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Post by horseman on Mar 8, 2017 19:08:42 GMT
if people cannot make midweek games due to work etc then how does a membership scheme make any difference?
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Post by oufcyellows on Mar 8, 2017 19:12:36 GMT
It's means you wouldn't pay as much for a match ticket and would get second priority to season ticket holders for big matches, before general sale
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Post by upthecowboys on Mar 8, 2017 19:16:15 GMT
if people cannot make midweek games due to work etc then how does a membership scheme make any difference? Don't know Horseman.. But the club lost out on some additional revenue from myself by not having a membership scheme. Got no problems if the reason there isn't one is because the club think it would eat in to season ticket sales, but if that is not the case then there probably should be a membership scheme.
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Post by horseman on Mar 8, 2017 19:18:00 GMT
It's means you wouldn't pay as much for a match ticket and would get second priority to season ticket holders for big matches, before general sale i know what the scheme is but how does not pay as much for a game you cannot attend make any difference?
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Post by oufcyellows on Mar 8, 2017 19:22:49 GMT
It's means you wouldn't pay as much for a match ticket and would get second priority to season ticket holders for big matches, before general sale i know what the scheme is but how does not pay as much for a game you cannot attend make any difference? Well obviously it doesn't make a difference for games you don't attend. But neither does a season ticket! If you know you're going to miss a fair few games it may be better value than a season ticket, as it will still save u some money on game u do go to. Without a bigger outlay.
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Post by ox4eva on Mar 8, 2017 19:52:12 GMT
I previously said on another thread that a 16k capacity was enough for us and was shouted down but I stick by that. We just don't have a big enough support for 'normal' games. Apart from season tickets, the club should get the membership scheme going again so at least for the big games those who have a genuine interest in OUFC will get tickets. Oh and as for derby games, we only have two which is Reading & Swindon, and QPR of course! There must be a reason why there is not a 'membership scheme', maybe the club think it would eat into season ticket sales? I did not renew my season ticket this year because I was abroad for the first half of the season. But I would have paid probably up to £40 for a decent membership option - 1st in queue after seas tick holders for all tick games, discount voucher for club shop, £1 / £2 off match day prices etc. Might have to ask Oxvox to ask the question. We used to have a membership scheme, I think it would be a good idea for priority tickets and offer a small discount at the shop and other benefits.
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Post by horseman on Mar 8, 2017 20:09:11 GMT
i know what the scheme is but how does not pay as much for a game you cannot attend make any difference? Well obviously it doesn't make a difference for games you don't attend. But neither does a season ticket! If you know you're going to miss a fair few games it may be better value than a season ticket, as it will still save u some money on game u do go to. Without a bigger outlay. But many fans will pick an choose games to attend anyway, offer them a scheme and the club lose that way on the extra pay on the day. from a personal point of view a bus that goes "direct" between train station and stadium and reverse instead of touring Oxford would be the difference to me being able to attend night games as it's a tight schedule with only one train home.also better for the club to have fans at the stadium potentialy buying merchandise etc than sat on a bus. often you can be waiting 30 minutes for buses outside the stadium then 5/6 come at once and you're like sardines as you tour the city.
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Post by uptheus on Mar 8, 2017 20:41:47 GMT
Add to that the shite atmosphere! It was almost men verses boys last night. Whilst Sheffield are singing together loud and proud we're still singing "we are the London Road, you know it's true" etc. Must be one of the most uninspiring songs ever. And to sing it when we've got a corner, criminal.
Summed up last night really.
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Post by upthecowboys on Mar 8, 2017 22:00:50 GMT
Well obviously it doesn't make a difference for games you don't attend. But neither does a season ticket! If you know you're going to miss a fair few games it may be better value than a season ticket, as it will still save u some money on game u do go to. Without a bigger outlay. But many fans will pick an choose games to attend anyway, offer them a scheme and the club lose that way on the extra pay on the day. from a personal point of view a bus that goes "direct" between train station and stadium and reverse instead of touring Oxford would be the difference to me being able to attend night games as it's a tight schedule with only one train home.also better for the club to have fans at the stadium potentialy buying merchandise etc than sat on a bus. often you can be waiting 30 minutes for buses outside the stadium then 5/6 come at once and you're like sardines as you tour the city. Great shout. I usually get the train to Oxford and the bus to the ground is painfully slow.
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Post by KLYellow on Mar 8, 2017 23:10:04 GMT
In my view, I am almost relieved that we lost the last two games and the playoffs are unlikely.
We can now go on and enjoy the rest of the season and cup final with no pressure.
From afar, we have had a tremendous season which could have gone a lot worse. We have a developing squad which I am sure will be improved in the summer. Our home crowd is up in average 1500-2000, our away support has been outstanding. This season has given up a taster of what could be and I expect season ticket sales to increase once again.
There are clearly issues off the pitch. It gives us time to resolve these. Unless dramatic progress is made on the stadium purchase/move, I would expect us to have a temporary stand for next season. It is quite possible we could have big clubs like Portsmouth, Plymouth, even Luton and Bristol City in the league next season.
So I am very satisfied we have made steady progress, decent revenue from gate receipts and player sales. Onwards and upwards.
Sent from my XIAOMI NOTE PRO using telepathy
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Post by barmyarmy on Mar 10, 2017 9:48:12 GMT
Add to that the shite atmosphere! It was almost men verses boys last night. Whilst Sheffield are singing together loud and proud we're still singing "we are the London Road, you know it's true" etc. Must be one of the most uninspiring songs ever. And to sing it when we've got a corner, criminal. Summed up last night really. Really? I didnt notice they were there until they were 2-1 up.
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Post by scoob on Mar 11, 2017 17:11:08 GMT
Saddletramp may be right but have a look at Brighton's crowd history. They went from not exceeding 10k average for decades with only 7.5k in league one promotion season to 20k average for first season in The Championship and crowds have risen since. They now have 30k capacity. OK they have a state of the art stadium but they achieved a massive up shift. european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/bha.htmHuddersfield appear to have had a massive jump in attendances this season and they have had a 24.5k capacity for a long time. We are still growing our regular support following a decade in the doldrums and are still a mid-table League One side. Fans gradually get into the habit of attending games regularly follwing years of rare attendance. If we were consistently challenging for the play-offs then we would be close to capacity of the current stadium on a regular basis. The attendances were disappointing for the last two home games but two games in four days combined with having to fork out at least the equivalent of a couple of home tickets for Wembley at the same time will have dragged the attendances down a little. Of course no one knows what level our crowds could rise to and the ground could be developed in stages but to stick in the Championship for more than a year or two we will need a massive up shift in support or it won't last long. Just throwing up an extra 8,000 seats will not pull in the punters but good football at a higher level and a stadium developed to match it with an improved matchday experience will help.
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Post by magicrugmaker32 on Mar 12, 2017 12:44:31 GMT
I think it's a number of problems. People not having spare money. Getting to the ground is a joke, as said most people don't live in the city. People Need to work in the over priced county we live in. If i finish work at 5.30 it's very hard to drive park and get the the ground by 7.45. if i didn't already have a season ticket then I'd have to cue to get a ticket too. Unless then council force the science park to open there car parks it's going to put more people off. It's crazy really as there was always parking somewhere at the manor.
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