Matches Home Support Attendance.

[MarkG]

isnt something like' kids for a quid' (£1) a ( tried n tested/proven) way to boost numbers for 'less glamourous ' home games?...and build potential future regular home support?

I thought the club said that kids for a quid didn’t work. So tried and not proven.


Instead they go for kids teams and school teams to visit.

 

[Sarge]

But that is kids along with a paying adult. We already have under 5's free, then very cheap for all other age ranges, especially in the family seats.

This is suggesting £1 a game for all! That is frankly insane!!!!

fair comment ..... thing is re the dedicated 'family area' fair enough to provide a dedicated area (along with Ollie/ Ollys den etc) with cheap tickets for over 5's there, however ST holders in other areas of the ground also have young family members ( nieces/ nephews/ grandkids etc) relocating 3, 4 or more ST holders? Oufc membership card holders, to the family area for very occasional matches ( when the young uns are either visiting or perhaps during half term - evening games etc) is a genuine pain in the a**e , and disrupts ST holders/membership cardholders usual match day routine ( people select their ST seats out of choice). I sit with my Dad, Sister, and one of my Nephews (all ST holders) when I go to home league games ( & the WHU cup game- though due to limited available seats/areas open in earlier rounds of the league cup this season, I sat elsewhere than with my family members !), when my youngest lad visits if it coincides with a home game he joins us there too. Personally I dont like disruption to my home matchday routine, and tbh I dont particularly fancy sitting in the family area, having to stand up n down constantly to allow other people n their young uns take trip after trip after trip to use the facilities/ buy snacks n drinks etc, while the match is being played.

Ive got 7 grandkids, 3 have been along to the odd/occasional home game (with me) , .... i cant afford to take all 3 of my grandaughters, ( only the middle one is getting bitten by the U's bug so far ), nor even afford take both my youngest daughters two boys ( when they're visiting from NI) , as well as pay for me own ticket ( IF Oufc bought in concessions for 60 year olds as many clubs do, instead of the current 65 years old for concessions to start- even Wembley stadium start concessions at 60 years old!!!- I might just be able to stretch to cover the 2 or the 3 plus an adult concession, but no chance as it stands, definitely not in SSL )

I know its not easy to please all the people all the time, especially grumpy older ones (like me!) personally Ive never liked a dedicated 'family area' at football, at the Manor it was ALL a family area wasnt it? , albeit before the powers that be started to gentrify watching football matches? It was when I was an anklebiter, My first game I sat in the Beech road seats, Ive stood on terraces at the Cuckoo lane end, Osler road, Beech road, Beech Road 'shelf 'all with me Dad,( and a few years on with my sister too), even the London Road end once or twice , though my Dad never particularly liked standing in the London Road end, though once i got to 11 years old I was 100% OUFC through n through, Id go to matches on my own & started going in the London Road end

Maybe if the club looked at concessions starting for 60 year olds ( if accompanied by a youngster or two! ), i could afford to bring some of my grandkids to more home games, same may apply to others of a similar age- Im also competing with fellow grandparents/ PL armchair 'fans' imposing their choice of team by way of replica shirts etc on'our' grandkids, being able to take MY grandkids to home games would tip the balance in favour of the U's methinks, but 'help' from OUFC on that score would be good!

Also with family area kids rates applying at the same price per ticket in East Stand, North stand and SSL - maybe even in SSU too? ... it may encourage potential supporters to watch home games more often?

breeze block offers very little to endear itself to youngsters irrespective of where they are taken, family stand or not, its worth remembering that youngsters are often impressionable - for 'bigger' games, a steel fence blocking off one way , dayglo clad stewards in numbers & an abundance of tooled up, robocop /storm troopers, some with barking dogs, plus the TVP armoured cavalry rudely herding football supporters around are not what Id want contributing to any of my grandkids nightmares( thanks) , and all that happening directly outside of the dedicated 'family area' for 'big' matches is, IMO, not very helpful or conducive to attracting youngsters to go to more matches..I for one would not, out of choice, take any of my grandkids into the dedicated 'family area' where its located currently.

In a nutshell, the club could have a rethink on how to attract new supporters, but especially youngsters, while also considering many youngsters (not all of course) will be going to their first (and first few for that matter) Oufc home games with an older relative/ or relatives, many of whom being ST holders have chose where they watch the U's from, and its not in the main going to be where the dedicated 'family area' is currently - tweak ticket prices for youngsters to apply in most/all home areas for starters - long rant over

 

[Sarge]

I thought the club said that kids for a quid didn’t work. So tried and not proven.


Instead they go for kids teams and school teams to visit.

success depends how it is/ or was previously marketed perhaps? ... it wernt that successful some seasons ago for OUFC thats correct, but kids for a quid has had degrees of success elsewhere( with some other football clubs) I understand?

 

[Foley]

The club seem to spend a lot of time and effort getting in youngsters and that does seem to be working ( more people seem to go into the family area). Of course you can never please all of the people all of the time but I would think that there are more young people coming.
With success more people will come. Ryan made some good points and the club clearly need to have a big plan if we are going to make the mist of potentially a successful season.
I think that getting a new 'Ultras' group ( which is inclusive and really wants to grow,) is important for the atmosphere.

 

[Golden Dr Otto]

But that is kids along with a paying adult. We already have under 5's free, then very cheap for all other age ranges, especially in the family seats.

This is suggesting £1 a game for all! That is frankly insane!!!!

Do you have any marketing research to support your conclusion?

 

[carefreeoufc]

As has been mentioned a number of the original members have moved on with work/life etc. This was ultimately made easier by some fairly uninspiring seasons of football and unsupportive club.

The first couple of seasons under Appleton, Eales et al. reignited the passion as did quite a few new lads joining the group. It got to a stage towards the end where some people were meeting up to catch up with each other and not to watch the football. I’m sure there are some reasons related to disposable income but for the lads I know and meet regularly it was never an issue of money. Particularly when we were going home and away week in and week out from the conference up.

As with every sort of entertainment or non essential pastime in the 21st century when you get the customer you need to make sure they want to keep coming back. You’re fighting a losing battle if you’re retention is poor. Oxford Ultras grew naturally over the years without the need to really actively recruit or without assistance from the club. Yes we need to encourage younger fans to attend and we can try all sorts of financial gimmicks but it won’t make a massive difference to the atmosphere. Nor will saying how much has been invested in facilities etc. To some extent the football isn’t even the issue either. Oxford Ultras was officially formed when we were in the conference and that handful of lads travelled up and down the country not missing a game (regardless of the quality of football).

Having not been involved in flag gate I think it perhaps was the straw that broke the camels back (for some). If the lads didn’t feel wanted or felt that they couldn’t enjoy the match day experience for fear of being hounded by over zealous stewards then I don’t blame them. I have seen a few of them in the North Stand where I now sit so some are certainly still attending the football.

From my perspective the atmosphere has been shocking of late and whilst increased attendances will help it won’t necessarily improve the atmosphere. That comes from having a core of supporters in one place who can orchestrate songs, make noise and not feel as though they’re going to be marched out of the ground or called in to see the MD. Sat in the North Stand listening to Coventry fans sing “is this a library” was a real shame when considering some of the games and atmospheres we’ve had in the past.

Just my two pennies anyway.

 

[TailsWeWin]

fair comment ..... thing is re the dedicated 'family area' fair enough to provide a dedicated area (along with Ollie/ Ollys den etc) with cheap tickets for over 5's there, however ST holders in other areas of the ground also have young family members ( nieces/ nephews/ grandkids etc) relocating 3, 4 or more ST holders? Oufc membership card holders, to the family area for very occasional matches ( when the young uns are either visiting or perhaps during half term - evening games etc) is a genuine pain in the a**e , and disrupts ST holders/membership cardholders usual match day routine ( people select their ST seats out of choice). I sit with my Dad, Sister, and one of my Nephews (all ST holders) when I go to home league games ( & the WHU cup game- though due to limited available seats/areas open in earlier rounds of the league cup this season, I sat elsewhere than with my family members !), when my youngest lad visits if it coincides with a home game he joins us there too. Personally I dont like disruption to my home matchday routine, and tbh I dont particularly fancy sitting in the family area, having to stand up n down constantly to allow other people n their young uns take trip after trip after trip to use the facilities/ buy snacks n drinks etc, while the match is being played.

Ive got 7 grandkids, 3 have been along to the odd/occasional home game (with me) , .... i cant afford to take all 3 of my grandaughters, ( only the middle one is getting bitten by the U's bug so far ), nor even afford take both my youngest daughters two boys ( when they're visiting from NI) , as well as pay for me own ticket ( IF Oufc bought in concessions for 60 year olds as many clubs do, instead of the current 65 years old for concessions to start- even Wembley stadium start concessions at 60 years old!!!- I might just be able to stretch to cover the 2 or the 3 plus an adult concession, but no chance as it stands, definitely not in SSL )

I know its not easy to please all the people all the time, especially grumpy older ones (like me!) personally Ive never liked a dedicated 'family area' at football, at the Manor it was ALL a family area wasnt it? , albeit before the powers that be started to gentrify watching football matches? It was when I was an anklebiter, My first game I sat in the Beech road seats, Ive stood on terraces at the Cuckoo lane end, Osler road, Beech road, Beech Road 'shelf 'all with me Dad,( and a few years on with my sister too), even the London Road end once or twice , though my Dad never particularly liked standing in the London Road end, though once i got to 11 years old I was 100% OUFC through n through, Id go to matches on my own & started going in the London Road end

Maybe if the club looked at concessions starting for 60 year olds ( if accompanied by a youngster or two! ), i could afford to bring some of my grandkids to more home games, same may apply to others of a similar age- Im also competing with fellow grandparents/ PL armchair 'fans' imposing their choice of team by way of replica shirts etc on'our' grandkids, being able to take MY grandkids to home games would tip the balance in favour of the U's methinks, but 'help' from OUFC on that score would be good!

Also with family area kids rates applying at the same price per ticket in East Stand, North stand and SSL - maybe even in SSU too? ... it may encourage potential supporters to watch home games more often?

breeze block offers very little to endear itself to youngsters irrespective of where they are taken, family stand or not, its worth remembering that youngsters are often impressionable - for 'bigger' games, a steel fence blocking off one way , dayglo clad stewards in numbers & an abundance of tooled up, robocop /storm troopers, some with barking dogs, plus the TVP armoured cavalry rudely herding football supporters around are not what Id want contributing to any of my grandkids nightmares( thanks) , and all that happening directly outside of the dedicated 'family area' for 'big' matches is, IMO, not very helpful or conducive to attracting youngsters to go to more matches..I for one would not, out of choice, take any of my grandkids into the dedicated 'family area' where its located currently.

In a nutshell, the club could have a rethink on how to attract new supporters, but especially youngsters, while also considering many youngsters (not all of course) will be going to their first (and first few for that matter) Oufc home games with an older relative/ or relatives, many of whom being ST holders have chose where they watch the U's from, and its not in the main going to be where the dedicated 'family area' is currently - tweak ticket prices for youngsters to apply in most/all home areas for starters - long rant over

Some good points, Sarge. Just an observation: I sit in the East Stand and I also have to get up around 15-20 times per match to allow someone (not just kids) to leave in the middle of the action because they (1) can’t hold their bladders for more than ten minutes (2) can’t survive for half a match without a beer and (3) need to regularly stock up on coke/crisps/chocolate. Most of them manage to be standing in front of me when there’s a shot on goal or a corner ?

 

[Sarge]

As has been mentioned a number of the original members have moved on with work/life etc. This was ultimately made easier by some fairly uninspiring seasons of football and unsupportive club.

The first couple of seasons under Appleton, Eales et al. reignited the passion as did quite a few new lads joining the group. It got to a stage towards the end where some people were meeting up to catch up with each other and not to watch the football. I’m sure there are some reasons related to disposable income but for the lads I know and meet regularly it was never an issue of money. Particularly when we were going home and away week in and week out from the conference up.

As with every sort of entertainment or non essential pastime in the 21st century when you get the customer you need to make sure they want to keep coming back. You’re fighting a losing battle if you’re retention is poor. Oxford Ultras grew naturally over the years without the need to really actively recruit or without assistance from the club. Yes we need to encourage younger fans to attend and we can try all sorts of financial gimmicks but it won’t make a massive difference to the atmosphere. Nor will saying how much has been invested in facilities etc. To some extent the football isn’t even the issue either. Oxford Ultras was officially formed when we were in the conference and that handful of lads travelled up and down the country not missing a game (regardless of the quality of football).

Having not been involved in flag gate I think it perhaps was the straw that broke the camels back (for some). If the lads didn’t feel wanted or felt that they couldn’t enjoy the match day experience for fear of being hounded by over zealous stewards then I don’t blame them. I have seen a few of them in the North Stand where I now sit so some are certainly still attending the football.

From my perspective the atmosphere has been shocking of late and whilst increased attendances will help it won’t necessarily improve the atmosphere. That comes from having a core of supporters in one place who can orchestrate songs, make noise and not feel as though they’re going to be marched out of the ground or called in to see the MD. Sat in the North Stand listening to Coventry fans sing “is this a library” was a real shame when considering some of the games and atmospheres we’ve had in the past.

Just my two pennies anyway.

brilliant post @carefreeoufc ... informative too

 

[Golden Dr Otto]

Asd

As has been mentioned a number of the original members have moved on with work/life etc. This was ultimately made easier by some fairly uninspiring seasons of football and unsupportive club.

The first couple of seasons under Appleton, Eales et al. reignited the passion as did quite a few new lads joining the group. It got to a stage towards the end where some people were meeting up to catch up with each other and not to watch the football. I’m sure there are some reasons related to disposable income but for the lads I know and meet regularly it was never an issue of money. Particularly when we were going home and away week in and week out from the conference up.

As with every sort of entertainment or non essential pastime in the 21st century when you get the customer you need to make sure they want to keep coming back. You’re fighting a losing battle if you’re retention is poor. Oxford Ultras grew naturally over the years without the need to really actively recruit or without assistance from the club. Yes we need to encourage younger fans to attend and we can try all sorts of financial gimmicks but it won’t make a massive difference to the atmosphere. Nor will saying how much has been invested in facilities etc. To some extent the football isn’t even the issue either. Oxford Ultras was officially formed when we were in the conference and that handful of lads travelled up and down the country not missing a game (regardless of the quality of football).

Having not been involved in flag gate I think it perhaps was the straw that broke the camels back (for some). If the lads didn’t feel wanted or felt that they couldn’t enjoy the match day experience for fear of being hounded by over zealous stewards then I don’t blame them. I have seen a few of them in the North Stand where I now sit so some are certainly still attending the football.

From my perspective the atmosphere has been shocking of late and whilst increased attendances will help it won’t necessarily improve the atmosphere. That comes from having a core of supporters in one place who can orchestrate songs, make noise and not feel as though they’re going to be marched out of the ground or called in to see the MD. Sat in the North Stand listening to Coventry fans sing “is this a library” was a real shame when considering some of the games and atmospheres we’ve had in the past.

Just my two pennies anyway.

This ^^^

Add Gillingham and West Ham to that list of the unimpressed. And they make a fair point

 

[West Oxon U’s]

On a separate note has the playing surface ever been better?

 

[Scotchegg]

Do you have any marketing research to support your conclusion?

It doesn't take market research to know that £1 a ticket is a stupid idea.

We have around 4000 season ticket holders and an average of 2000 or so casual supporters. If these are a mixture of adults and children we will say that they are paying approx £15 per ticket. That is £30,000. So it is insane to suggest that we sell even 8000 tickets at a £1 each when this is our only source of income, especially when it is suggested that we do this for 4 games and give 50% discount for the Ipswich game as well.

We could offer a discounted offer for those registering on the club website for the first time that increases per game. First game 10% discount, 2nd 15% discount, 3rd 20% and 4th 25%, 5th 30% for example. That would effectively give the 5th game free with the total discounts but rewards those who attend the most. We could offer group discounts to encourage work parties, football clubs, stage do's etc. These are all reasonable ways to generate interest but without giving tickets away for the sake of it.

But it's easy to knock ideas without offering any reasonable alternative I guess.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Not got any stats to back this up, but Oxfordshire people are fairly mobile and people move here to commute to work. I'd say the chances of somebody being born, raised and then spend most their adult life in, say, Lincoln is probably much greater than it is for Oxford.

‘Local club for local people ‘. This is true, but doesn’t explain why our gates have gone down since League 2

 

[RyanioBirdio]

This is true, but doesn’t explain why our gates have gone down since League 2

Precisely.

 

[MarkG]

Precisely.

Because being at the top of a league and winning most games is attractive. Being mid table or lower in the league above isn’t.

So I might end up going to Accrington on Saturday because we are on a roll. Whereas ten days ago it was far from my mind.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Because being at the top of a league and winning most games is attractive. Being mid table or lower in the league above isn’t.

So I might end up going to Accrington on Saturday because we are on a roll. Whereas ten days ago it was far from my mind.

Think - so was it more attractive when we were mid table in Div 4? Cos gates were higher

 

[Foley]

Think - so was it more attractive when we were mid table in Div 4? Cos gates were higher

Are you sure?
Maybe first season back from the Conference but not as the years went on.

 

[Golden Dr Otto]

It doesn't take market research to know that £1 a ticket is a stupid idea.

We have around 4000 season ticket holders and an average of 2000 or so casual supporters. If these are a mixture of adults and children we will say that they are paying approx £15 per ticket. That is £30,000.

But it's easy to knock ideas without offering any reasonable alternative I guess.

Firstly you’re only likely to be losing 24k on the game that you do this. Given we’ve got an unbudgeted cup run then that’s not a major issue. But you appear to be looking very short termist. Look at Bradford city. They used to get smaller crowds than us and then slashed season ticket prices: it created a long term exponential growth in their fan base which hasn’t gone away. They’re probably tens of millions up on revenue as a result over the last decade.

So let’s see that say that two games at a pound costs 48k.

And then we grow our crowd by 500 as a result. That’s 7.5k extra revenue a game extra. Over two seasons that’s an extra 322k.


If you did it for four games at 96k and the crowd grew by 1500 as a result of a new energy, then that an extra 966k over two seasons.

Sometimes it’s worth rolling the dice... but to just dismiss it as stupid because you wouldn’t have the boldness or ambition to do that is a different story.

 

[Foley]

Think - so was it more attractive when we were mid table in Div 4? Cos gates were higher

Actually they were a lot lower.
So 2012/13 was 5955 average
2013/14 was 5923
2014/15 was 6154
2015/16 WHEN PROMOTED it was 7211.
2018/19 was 7315
I suspect that this season will ge bigger.

So to suggest thay attendances were higher mid table in Division 4 is nonsense.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Actually they were a lot lower.
So 2012/13 was 5955 average
2013/14 was 5923
2014/15 was 6154
2015/16 WHEN PROMOTED it was 7211.
2018/19 was 7315
I suspect that this season will ge bigger.

So to suggest thay attendances were higher mid table in Division 4 is nonsense.

Ah ok, interesting. I guess I remembered the season after we came up. But the last couple of league games have been low 6000s which will drag our average down.

 

[Foley]

Ah ok, interesting. I guess I remembered the season after we came up. But the last couple of league games have been low 6000s which will drag our average down.

Yes but we have Lincoln Boxing Day, Sunderland Ipswich, Wycombe all to come.
If we finish near the play offs I suspect we will average over 7500.