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Post by Pete Burrett on Oct 18, 2017 11:33:45 GMT
Hmmm .... as someone who wasn't there last night (and rarely is) I think it's a little unfair to suggest that having a 'passion for OUFC' can only be measured by attending a game. There are fans who travel huge distances to watch every Oxford game - take a bow Yeovil - and others who live a five minute walk from the ground but rarely attend home matches. You can't assume that one is a 'better supporter' than the other, or has more passion. As already described above, there are numerous reasons why people do or do not attend matches, all perfectly valid. Let's not turn this into a 'who's the better supporter' thread, which is how it's beginning to sound. I have not said anyone is a better supporter than anyone else. Fact is those who live and breath the club and go whenever they can have passion for OUFC. Those who find any excuse to not attend clearly don't have the same level of passion. Every club has this and I am not knocking anyone as it's their cash and their time. But there is a clear difference and OUFC needs more regular attenders from somewhere! I agree with most of that, but I think you can measure 'passion' in many different ways and passion and attendance don't necessarily always go together. Never missing a match is certainly one way off showing passion. Other people have an incredible knowledge of OUFC and can remember every player who's put on the shirt over the past three decades, are no less passionate about the club but only attend occasionally. If you live on the Leys (for example), are healthy, have plenty of money and no other interests in your life it would be difficult to describe yourself as passionate if you didn't attend every home game, but you would still be a supporter none the less.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Oct 18, 2017 12:25:11 GMT
On a seperate note, I thought it was a little flat last night (support wise). First 15 mins especially - of course, didn't help we we're being played off the park at that point. Was a decent rendition of Peps yellow army but if you actually listen, huge amount clap along and do not sing.... Very little interaction with away fans - even when they sing we are inbred with an Adams family song and we equalise straight after...no, "who are you", "you're not singing anymore" or anything really. Just continued on our merry way as if there were no away fans. As always - decent effort by some to get it going but last night just happened to notice - majority of stand claps and doesn't sing anywhere near enough and huge amount of our songs have exactly the same clapping rhythm.... I didn't think it was flat personally; I was in the thick of some pretty vociferous supporters. Sadly though their vitriol was directed toward our own players on occasion. And the reduced crowd numbers is endemic now in lower division clubs apart from those with a traditionally large home following where travelling isn't an issue.
I got a text from a mate at the game somewhere else in the East Stand that I will paraphrase: "Some knobhead keeps loudly mispronouncing Ribiero's name as RIB-E-AERO every time he makes a mistake. What a cock". Tuesday nights are hard because most people will come from work and pre-match routines are different. Not everyone can make it or maybe has the energy for a good atmosphere. It wasn't bad, just a little subdued at times. Eminently better than a lot of time in the Conference
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Post by ox4eva on Oct 18, 2017 12:29:46 GMT
I have not said anyone is a better supporter than anyone else. Fact is those who live and breath the club and go whenever they can have passion for OUFC. Those who find any excuse to not attend clearly don't have the same level of passion. Every club has this and I am not knocking anyone as it's their cash and their time. But there is a clear difference and OUFC needs more regular attenders from somewhere! I agree with most of that, but I think you can measure 'passion' in many different ways and passion and attendance don't necessarily always go together. Never missing a match is certainly one way off showing passion. Other people have an incredible knowledge of OUFC and can remember every player who's put on the shirt over the past three decades, are no less passionate about the club but only attend occasionally. If you live on the Leys (for example), are healthy, have plenty of money and no other interests in your life it would be difficult to describe yourself as passionate if you didn't attend every home game, but you would still be a supporter none the less. That's the difference between a supporter and a fan..
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Post by Pete Burrett on Oct 18, 2017 12:34:46 GMT
I agree with most of that, but I think you can measure 'passion' in many different ways and passion and attendance don't necessarily always go together. Never missing a match is certainly one way off showing passion. Other people have an incredible knowledge of OUFC and can remember every player who's put on the shirt over the past three decades, are no less passionate about the club but only attend occasionally. If you live on the Leys (for example), are healthy, have plenty of money and no other interests in your life it would be difficult to describe yourself as passionate if you didn't attend every home game, but you would still be a supporter none the less. That's the difference between a supporter and a fan.. Well, at risk of turning this into a pedantry-fest, depends on your definition of 'fan'! Let's assume fan = fanatic. Surely a fanatic only misses a game - home or away - under the direst of circumstances, such as ill health or family crisis. There aren't too many of those following OUFC. And how does a fanatic act at a match? Some people prefer to watch in virtual silence, while others scream and shout, jump up and down or wave flags around. Who's the fanatic?
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Post by ox4eva on Oct 18, 2017 12:43:22 GMT
That's the difference between a supporter and a fan.. Well, at risk of turning this into a pedantry-fest, depends on your definition of 'fan'! Let's assume fan = fanatic. Surely a fanatic only misses a game - home or away - under the direst of circumstances, such as ill health or family crisis. There aren't too many of those following OUFC. And how does a fanatic act at a match? Some people prefer to watch in virtual silence, while others scream and shout, jump up and down or wave flags around. Who's the fanatic? I am using that fan term in that way as most people you see wandering about in plastic premiership tops are fans and they don't actually go and support their team. They are my idea of a fan..
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Post by horseman on Oct 18, 2017 12:50:45 GMT
Well, at risk of turning this into a pedantry-fest, depends on your definition of 'fan'! Let's assume fan = fanatic. Surely a fanatic only misses a game - home or away - under the direst of circumstances, such as ill health or family crisis. There aren't too many of those following OUFC. And how does a fanatic act at a match? Some people prefer to watch in virtual silence, while others scream and shout, jump up and down or wave flags around. Who's the fanatic? I am using that fan term in that way as most people you see wandering about in plastic premiership tops are fans and they don't actually go and support their team. They are my idea of a fan.. That makes no sense in relation to whether people attend Oxford games or not
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Post by ox4eva on Oct 18, 2017 13:08:36 GMT
I am using that fan term in that way as most people you see wandering about in plastic premiership tops are fans and they don't actually go and support their team. They are my idea of a fan.. That makes no sense in relation to whether people attend Oxford games or not Yes it does, I was using that analogy to explain my personal view on what I see as someone who calls them self a fan compared to a active supporter.
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Post by horseman on Oct 18, 2017 13:36:50 GMT
perhaps i'm being a bit thick then (no change there then) but unlike the premiership are there really people who would state they are an Oxford fan that have never been to watch them?
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Post by ox4eva on Oct 18, 2017 13:40:57 GMT
perhaps i'm being a bit thick then (no change there then) but unlike the premiership are there really people who would state they are an Oxford fan that have never been to watch them? So surely that is the difference between someone who calls themselves a fan and a supporter. Anyhow it makes little difference just now, we need more U's supporters at games and I am not sure how that is going to happen.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Oct 18, 2017 13:44:04 GMT
Couldn't agree more. There's no comparison between being there and watching it / listening to it by electronic means. Absolutely. Being there is far better. I wasn't though. (And I didn't watch it / listen to it by electronic means either. I was in the pub). Well I'm still a less true supporter than you. Don't think I'm a fan tho. It would help if Ox4eva gave out uniforms based on how he perceives the quality of our support or badges (bet he likes badges) on a scale of gold = passionate to dogshit = dilettante.
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Post by Pete Burrett on Oct 18, 2017 13:58:17 GMT
Absolutely. Being there is far better. I wasn't though. (And I didn't watch it / listen to it by electronic means either. I was in the pub). Well I'm still a less true supporter than you. Don't think I'm a fan tho. It would help if Ox4eva gave out uniforms based on how he perceives the quality of our support or badges (bet he likes badges) on a scale of gold = passionate to dogshit = dilettante. Could we build in some historical perspective too? For example, I used to watch 15+ home matches and 10+ away matches per season, now I'm lucky if I see five games all season. I'd hate my previous record to be discounted though. Thinking about it, there was nothing to physically stop me going last night. I have a car with fuel in it and enough cash to buy a ticket. Yet I didn't go. I don't deserve any sort off badge. I'm shit.
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Post by yellowsarmy on Oct 18, 2017 13:59:04 GMT
I have a season ticket but wasn't there last night. I live and work in cambridge (finished 18:00 so would have been 20+ mins late) I guess a few long distance travellers will find it difficult to make midweek matches (although I did make the Cheltenham match). Saturday matches are more of a concern if we are down on those too. I'm not really sure perhaps it is our perceived lack of goalscorers or that one wow player like kemar, baldock Kenny or macaleny. I think we have a better team this year (albeit an inconsistent one) but no standout exciting players, Im not complaining i prefer a solid Josh Ruffels of a brilliant but inconsistent Maguire.
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Post by ox4eva on Oct 18, 2017 14:47:14 GMT
Absolutely. Being there is far better. I wasn't though. (And I didn't watch it / listen to it by electronic means either. I was in the pub). Well I'm still a less true supporter than you. Don't think I'm a fan tho. It would help if Ox4eva gave out uniforms based on how he perceives the quality of our support or badges (bet he likes badges) on a scale of gold = passionate to dogshit = dilettante. You either go and support your team or you don't, no uniform required !
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Post by bigfella72 on Oct 18, 2017 14:53:29 GMT
Well I'm still a less true supporter than you. Don't think I'm a fan tho. It would help if Ox4eva gave out uniforms based on how he perceives the quality of our support or badges (bet he likes badges) on a scale of gold = passionate to dogshit = dilettante. You either go and support your team or you don't, no uniform required ! I get the "supporter" "fan" tag! But could you not say if you buy merchandise you are also supporting the team in monetary terms?
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Post by oxfordyankee on Oct 18, 2017 15:03:43 GMT
One would be supporting the club, not the team (at least not directly).
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Post by diagocostapacket on Oct 18, 2017 15:27:28 GMT
Ive been a OUFC supporter and fan for 60 years but Ive only recently been watching them again after moving back into the area in 2015.
To state that you have to go and watch a team to be a true fan or supporter is nonsense…that just makes you a spectator.
Manchester United is the best supported club in the world but less than 0.01 % of those 700 million actually go and watch them play.
To be blunt it is the Neanderthal (spectator /fan / supporter call him what you will) who seemed to delight in slagging off the Oxford players at every opportunity that are not proper fans, even though he had 7 stones of excess body lard spilling out under his woefully ill fitting club shirt last night. If said person happens to read this…shut the f**k up or stay at home on Saturday. PLEASE !
Why he was so bloody an*l about it I just don’t know.
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Post by essexyellows on Oct 18, 2017 15:54:30 GMT
I have a season ticket but wasn't there last night. I live and work in cambridge (finished 18:00 so would have been 20+ mins late) I guess a few long distance travellers will find it difficult to make midweek matches (although I did make the Cheltenham match). Saturday matches are more of a concern if we are down on those too. I'm not really sure perhaps it is our perceived lack of goalscorers or that one wow player like kemar, baldock Kenny or macaleny. I think we have a better team this year (albeit an inconsistent one) but no standout exciting players, Im not complaining i prefer a solid Josh Ruffels of a brilliant but inconsistent Maguire. I think we get counted. I have a ST too, I probably go to 4 or 5 home games a season depending on a wide scope of other factors. That equates to about £60 a game...that makes me a very high ratio supporter. To counter that I probably go to more away games than home......so that is financially beneficial for other clubs but our players seem to appreciate it more. Aside from that......football is too expensive at a time when most peoples budgets are squeezed and their leisure money has more value then £22 or so for 90 minutes!
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Post by essexyellows on Oct 18, 2017 15:55:38 GMT
Have the club done any offers this season? Doubtful. They've done a few decent ones for OxVox members. Really?? Care to elaborate ?? (Long term OV member btw!)
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Post by ox4eva on Oct 18, 2017 16:06:45 GMT
People seem to be missing the point, this is not about hierarchy just getting more people through the turnstiles on a regular basis!
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Post by Paul Cannell on Oct 18, 2017 16:07:19 GMT
They've done a few decent ones for OxVox members. Really?? Care to elaborate ?? (Long term OV member btw!) Wrong sort of OxVox member, obvs, I could tell you but I fear retribution from the cabal.
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Post by scotters on Oct 18, 2017 16:07:30 GMT
I have a ST too, I probably go to 4 or 5 home games a season depending on a wide scope of other factors. Jeez why on earth? Fear of missing out on away games?
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Post by Paul Cannell on Oct 18, 2017 16:10:58 GMT
Well I'm still a less true supporter than you. Don't think I'm a fan tho. It would help if Ox4eva gave out uniforms based on how he perceives the quality of our support or badges (bet he likes badges) on a scale of gold = passionate to dogshit = dilettante. Could we build in some historical perspective too? For example, I used to watch 15+ home matches and 10+ away matches per season, now I'm lucky if I see five games all season. I'd hate my previous record to be discounted though. Thinking about it, there was nothing to physically stop me going last night. I have a car with fuel in it and enough cash to buy a ticket. Yet I didn't go. I don't deserve any sort off badge. I'm shit. Me too. I sometimes don't go to matches that are closer than the ones you don't go to are for you and, what's worse, I almost never buy merchandise from the shop. I'm only a fan, a dogshite fan.
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Post by grenobleroad on Oct 18, 2017 16:42:00 GMT
Well I'm still a less true supporter than you. Don't think I'm a fan tho. It would help if Ox4eva gave out uniforms based on how he perceives the quality of our support or badges (bet he likes badges) on a scale of gold = passionate to dogshit = dilettante. Could we build in some historical perspective too? For example, I used to watch 15+ home matches and 10+ away matches per season, now I'm lucky if I see five games all season. I'd hate my previous record to be discounted though. Thinking about it, there was nothing to physically stop me going last night. I have a car with fuel in it and enough cash to buy a ticket. Yet I didn't go. I don't deserve any sort off badge. I'm shit. Also bonus loyalty points for any games in the conference.
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Post by highlander on Oct 18, 2017 16:53:09 GMT
Last season I held a season ticket despite living in the Scottish Highlands. This makes me the greatest fan/supporter of the club that ever lived..... I only attended 4 games mind.........
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Post by Pete Burrett on Oct 18, 2017 17:05:35 GMT
Could we build in some historical perspective too? For example, I used to watch 15+ home matches and 10+ away matches per season, now I'm lucky if I see five games all season. I'd hate my previous record to be discounted though. Thinking about it, there was nothing to physically stop me going last night. I have a car with fuel in it and enough cash to buy a ticket. Yet I didn't go. I don't deserve any sort off badge. I'm shit. Also bonus loyalty points for any games in the conference. I remain miffed that I went to Barrow, twice, during the dark days, but still haven't received my diploma of recognition from the club.
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Post by Pete Burrett on Oct 18, 2017 17:06:47 GMT
Last season I held a season ticket despite living in the Scottish Highlands. This makes me the greatest fan/supporter of the club that ever lived..... I only attended 4 games mind......... Oooh ... I live in the Highlands so I can't get to many matches. The excuses just get more and more pathetic ....
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Post by highlander on Oct 18, 2017 17:15:11 GMT
Last season I held a season ticket despite living in the Scottish Highlands. This makes me the greatest fan/supporter of the club that ever lived..... I only attended 4 games mind......... Oooh ... I live in the Highlands so I can't get to many matches. The excuses just get more and more pathetic .... You're practically a Grimsby fan now so I take your insult with a piece of fish. If I had the money I'd buy the club then relocate it to Perthshire. Can you imagine the fun we'd all have pissing the Scottish Premiership? I'd be the most popular chairman ever............
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Post by essexyellows on Oct 18, 2017 17:22:11 GMT
I have a ST too, I probably go to 4 or 5 home games a season depending on a wide scope of other factors. Jeez why on earth? Fear of missing out on away games? Chose my seat from the ground plan & its kind of traditional! Every year I think I won`t bother, but its our club...not the current owners or the current players...and when that letter drops through the door I crumble!! lol As for getting more people in...its been said before many times. I live in Leicester & work for the NHS....I get regular offers through work for Leicester Tigers....Premiership Rugby for £15 or less...now its only the "less appealing" games and only particular seat blocks.... but it gets bums on seats that also buy beer,food take partners along etc etc..... and if 10% of them buy a normal ticket....or 1% enjoy it and get a season ticket..... OUFC just don`t do this..... yet they must hold a massive database from one off purchases and two recent trips to Wembley. These days if you wait for the customer to come to you somebody else will be actively looking for the same customer! Its not rocket science....... even as a ST holder I would have no issues with them filling the ground with 3,000 NHS/BMW/A N Other Big Employer folk at £10 a pop rather than looking at thousands of cold blue seats.
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Post by essexyellows on Oct 18, 2017 17:24:27 GMT
Really?? Care to elaborate ?? (Long term OV member btw!) Wrong sort of OxVox member, obvs, I could tell you but I fear retribution from the cabal. Speak or its the Inquisition for you Cannell..... You won`t expect them......nobody expects them......
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Post by upthecowboys on Oct 18, 2017 17:26:02 GMT
I think the club have been too reliant on the existing fan base, and not enough has been done for a significant period of time to attract new fans.
The problem with relying on long standing fans is sometimes their situation changes. A couple of my mates who have been supporters for years and have probably been to 60+ away grounds now live abroad. I work away a lot, have a young child and at the moment am prioritising spending my weekends with her rather than go to the footie - don't worry as soon as she I old enough I'll be dragging her to the Kassam!
What have the club done with the huge database of fans from the Wembley games, what about some creative ticket packages - for example what about discounts if you pay in advance for 2 or 3 games, what about some posters advertising games that fans can download and stick up in their local boozer or workplace, what about a membership scheme that provides discount in club shop / slight discount on tickets (I'd happily cough up £20- £30 for a membership option). Its not rocket science.
Also a lot of people are feeling the pinch at the moment, and if you are not lucky enough to live in Oxford then you have to factor in travel costs etc. Yes the football is good at the moment, but for a lot of fans if its costing £35 plus for a game then they will pick and choose their games.
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