Tickets Sheffield Wednesday Away

[Steve Gilbert]

But this adds to my point of the fact that there is certainly more than 50/60 northern exile supporters that will be at Hillsborough tomorrow and at northern away games in general (especially the midweeks).

I’m not trying to prove a point - I’m simply stating that when visiting northern away matches the demographics are changed from an ordinary Saturday away game for example Portsmouth.

We’ve been lucky enough to only miss 1 or 2 away matches in 7 seasons and you do “kinda” recognise faces in the away end and spot those who you don’t have a recollection of, and this was evident at places such as Burnley, Middlesbrough and Hull.

1500 is a great take based on our last visit to Hillsborough but considering the games importance I can understand why people thought we may have closer to 2k going and once again may be a little disappointed in our away take, but I’m sure the 1500 (including us) will provide great support tomorrow.

How exactly does it prove your point that I don’t have a northern accent?

 

[Smokey’s Chair]

How exactly does it prove your point that I don’t have a northern accent?

Because as you’ve told me you don’t have a northern accent but you live up north. This means there are more northern exiles than we think based from this data that you’ve just given me?

What do you want….blood?

 

[holdsteady]

Apart from the people you know well enough to know where they live, which in an average away crowd of 1500 isn’t going to be a huge percentage, how do you guess where people have come from? Could live in the nearest house on Greater Leys to the Kassam or the Orkney Islands.

 

[RgYellows]

In my humble opinion, the team and Rowett have probably exceeded expectations to be on 45 points with 5 games still to play. They probably deserve a little more than an average following.

We have been exceeding expectations for every single away game this season and all of our away attendances reflect that, so nothing about Sheff Wed should stand out in that regard.

 

[Smokey’s Chair]

Apart from the people you know well enough to know where they live, which in an average away crowd of 1500 isn’t going to be a huge percentage, how do you guess where people have come from? Could live in the nearest house on Greater Leys to the Kassam or the Orkney Islands.

Ah I get it - its the pack mentality that this forum possesses - one person makes a slightly controversial statement and the pack all come chasing.

I now know how some of the others on here feel when you tread on someone big size 9’s - and that makes the poster who’s made the statement think “I shouldn’t be on this forum no longer as is not a free speech area”.

I’ll probably go back to being a ghost and will think like other people who don’t want to post on here.

I just thought with my pedigree of how many away games I’ve attended that I deserve a view on this or don’t I??

 

[holdsteady]

Ah I get it - its the pack mentality that this forum possesses - one person makes a slightly controversial statement and the pack all come chasing.

I now know how some of the others on here feel when you tread on someone big size 9’s - and that makes the poster who’s made the statement think “I shouldn’t be on this forum no longer as is not a free speech area”.

I’ll probably go back to being a ghost and will think like other people who don’t want to post on here.

I just thought with my pedigree of how many away games I’ve attended that I deserve a view on this or don’t I??

Wasn’t having a go at you? Just wondered how anyone can tell where people who they don’t know are from? Not certain that’s impinging on your free speech?

 

[Colin B]

Wouldn't that indicate that our restricted home capacity is deminishing our 'natural' home at the moment? It would be intersting to see what our average home support would need to be to generate an avareage ratio bewteen the home and away following this season.

Yes, I'm 100% sure that our home attendance is diminished by our current capacity.

The second part could be answered with a simple straight line calculation, and I'll provide it below:

Championship average away following 1,696
Oxford United average away following 1,453
Oxford United following as % of Championship following 85.67%
Championship average home attendance 21,896
21,896 x 85.67% = 16,071

There are lots of possible caveats to this, such as the fact that it's natural to expect demand to be higher in our first season back at this level. To counter that we, as a fanbase, are used to winning, and this season we have not been doing that. Furthermore, our away form has been poor, and the results bad (I have only travelled home happy once this season, so far!), so that could be a negative factor. There are new grounds for many, so another positive, and a further one is that we are fairly centrally located, so away grounds are easier to get to than from Plymouth or Sunderland, for example.

16,071 is not at all a crazy figure for us though, as I've said all along when involved in the stadium planning. It was why I felt 18,000 was the optimum capacity and that 16,000 is too small, because don't forget, we also have the new stadium uplift to add in.

Anyway, when we move, what are those extra 71 people going to do when they can't get into The Triangle???!!!

 

[m]

Yes, I'm 100% sure that our home attendance is diminished by our current capacity.

The second part could be answered with a simple straight line calculation, and I'll provide it below:

Championship average away following 1,696
Oxford United average away following 1,453
Oxford United following as % of Championship following 85.67%
Championship average home attendance 21,896
21,896 x 85.67% = 16,071

There are lots of possible caveats to this, such as the fact that it's natural to expect demand to be higher in our first season back at this level. To counter that we, as a fanbase, are used to winning, and this season we have not been doing that. Furthermore, our away form has been poor, and the results bad (I have only travelled home happy once this season, so far!), so that could be a negative factor. There are new grounds for many, so another positive, and a further one is that we are fairly centrally located, so away grounds are easier to get to than from Plymouth or Sunderland, for example.

16,071 is not at all a crazy figure for us though, as I've said all along when involved in the stadium planning. It was why I felt 18,000 was the optimum capacity and that 16,000 is too small, because don't forget, we also have the new stadium uplift to add in.

Anyway, when we move, what are those extra 71 people going to do when they can't get into The Triangle???!!!

They'll have to start loving wild flowers.

 

[Colin B]

Great data, Colin.

I think the fact that we are only taking an 'average' away following tomorrow, in line with our away crowds this season is a bit if a shame, when you consider the magnitude of the game.

In my humble opinion, the team and Rowett have probably exceeded expectations to be on 45 points with 5 games still to play. They probably deserve a little more than an average following.

I've tried to just supply the data, without getting too drawn into the debate, but I tend to agree with you here.

To be slight Devil's Advocate though, I think our away followings in the latter half of the season have tailed off a bit, and wonder if some are not enjoying seeing us get beaten most weeks? I know the likes of you and me will be there come what may, but I do sense a little of the early season optimism has been knocked out of some of our less committed followers.

FWIW I was hoping for about 1,800 but wouldn't have been surprised if we had taken just over 1,000 (although that would have disappointed me) so I suppose 1,450 is a kind of middle ground.

 

[christenedinjericho]

I've tried to just supply the data, without getting too drawn into the debate, but I tend to agree with you here.

To be slight Devil's Advocate though, I think our away followings in the latter half of the season have tailed off a bit, and wonder if some are not enjoying seeing us get beaten most weeks? I know the likes of you and me will be there come what may, but I do sense a little of the early season optimism has been knocked out of some of our less committed followers.

FWIW I was hoping for about 1,800 but wouldn't have been surprised if we had taken just over 1,000 (although that would have disappointed me) so I suppose 1,450 is a kind of middle ground.

Unfortunately, I believe clubs who are in danger of the drop do increase their support. However, after tomorrow the support gets a move on again...but is this the new ground for many syndrome kicking in once again which mask's the real data?

COYY'S.

 

[Colin B]

Unfortunately, I believe clubs who are in danger of the drop do increase their support. However, after tomorrow the support gets a move on again...but is this the new ground for many syndrome kicking in once again which mask's the real data?

COYY'S.

I think there's no doubt that familiarity breeds contempt when it comes to visiting away grounds, so conversely new grounds boost the following.

But this is true for all clubs, not just us. That said, we've been away from this level for a long time so you might expect it's a bigger factor for us than for most? When I look at it though, probably only about 8 to 10 Championship stadia are new for most of our fanbase, so it's not such a big deal as we might think?

Anyway we can talk about it tomorrow, while putting the world to rights. I have a menu of discussion points ranging from Trump, QPR, Wilder, transfer embargoes to a nice recipe for a panzanella salad with breaded chicken escalopes..........

 

[Chris on a Bike]

Anyway, when we move, what are those extra 71 people going to do when they can't get into The Triangle???!!!

No worries, they'll be dead by then!

 

[MarkG]

It's an interesting discussion.
I'd say we don't have many fans without a direct connection from having been to several or more home games. So most of the away fans have a link. Unlike for instance the EPL fans who have never been to a game.
But we do have a diaspora of exile fans who have moved away for whatever reason, but find themselves living in the North/Midlands/South/London/Japan etc.

Unlike teams like Millwall or Crewe , Hull where you live and die where in the town you were born.

Anyway, i think our away following is boosted a bit by fans who currently live nowhere near Oxford, but can make a Sheffield game fairly easily from the north, or Middlesbrough from Scotland.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Long shot but does anyone have a spare adult ticket for tomorrow?

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

One of the posters above previously said they spent £10 on petrol money to Middlesborough and back, in a car share of 5. That is a very fortunate way to travel to an away game. Most fans will have kids in the car (who don't chip in), or will only have one or two in the car. Then there's often parking or a bus / tram fare on top.

This got me thinking, so I did a bit of 'back of fag packet' calculations - and by the time the season finishes I will personally have driven almost 8,000 miles to our games this season. All in my car. With family only - so I'm paying all the fuel too.

But whereas this kind of backs up your point (some individuals have to pay significantly more than £10 per game in fuel) it also inadvertently backs up the earlier points about the lack of willingness of others who can car share etc but wouldn't watch us away if it were in Didcot and cost them just £50 and only 4 hours of their Saturday.

And that's their prerogative.

I'm not blowing my own trumpet - I don't mind spending large amounts of both my discretionary time and disposable income on OUFC. It's my passion.

The point is that others do mind. And that's the difference.

Whether you chastise them for it or not is your choice. But let's not pretend that it is beyond large swathes of our support to do more - if only they were that way inclined...

 

[ECYellow]

We have been exceeding expectations for every single away game this season and all of our away attendances reflect that, so nothing about Sheff Wed should stand out in that regard.

I don’t think that is quite right, is it? By your reckoning it seems we should lose every away game.

Law of averages would suggest otherwise.

 

[RgYellows]

I don’t think that is quite right, is it? By your reckoning it seems we should lose every away game.

Law of averages would suggest otherwise.

You based it on where we were in the league.
We have been in the relegation zone before one game, but it was a home game. If we are exceeding expectations now, we were exceeding them as we went into every away game.

If you want to change it to base it on recent form then we are going into this after one of our worst performances of the season. I don’t think anyone would say our last performance (or our last away performance) exceeded expectations.

 

[ECYellow]

You based it on where we were in the league.
We have been in the relegation zone before one game, but it was a home game. If we are exceeding expectations now, we were exceeding them as we went into every away game.

If you want to change it to base it on recent form then we are going into this after one of our worst performances of the season. I don’t think anyone would say our last performance (or our last away performance) exceeded expectations.

They certainly wouldn’t say that, no.

We aren’t ever going to agree on our away followings, so probably best that we agree to disagree.

Anyone that travels anywhere is a bloody hero imo, it isn’t a cheap hobby. It’s a shame that the clamour for tickets at Swansea wasn’t replicated for today, but hey ho. I guess to some it may be more about ticking the ground off, rather than the here and now, and that is there prerogative.

Might see you at Hillsborough…

 

[RgYellows]

We aren’t ever going to agree on our away followings, so probably best that we agree to disagree.

Yes if we were to keep posting the same thing every game that would be really tedious wouldn’t it.

Safe travels today.

 

[ECYellow]

Yes if we were to keep posting the same thing every game that would be really tedious wouldn’t it.

Safe travels today.

Thankfully the faithful will be out in full force for the next two, so we can lock horns again next season on followings, while hopefully in the Champ playing prime Rowett Ball, just to really please everyone that wants tika taka total football

 

[RgYellows]

Thankfully the faithful will be out in full force for the next two, so we can lock horns again next season on followings, while hopefully in the Champ playing prime Rowett Ball, just to really please everyone that wants tika taka total football

Much prefer watching proper defensive steel over tippy tappy b*****s but fear we may both be in the minority there

 

[Scotchegg]

I respect all those who travel to away games. The cost, the time, the sometimes less than warm welcome from stewards, and, this season, the increased likelihood of coming home empty handed.

I also respect those who don't travel for all of the reasons above and many others. Life is increasingly difficult to juggle for families and many people are working longer for less, or simply have other commitments.

Personally, I spent a huge amount of the 90's/2000's, and an awful lot of money watching Oxford, latterly in some really crappy lower league and conference grounds. Saving relegation at Tranmere and the promotion run in 96 were worth every penny. Relegations in 99, 01, 06 and the Conference years (once the novelty wore off) were less worth it! Now, work and family life, and significantly less disposable income, means that away days are rarer. That's life.

I don't think anything is gained by trying to create a split between those who go or don't go to games, especially when the same points seem to be raised every game.

I hope those that are in Sheffield today continue to do the club proud and are as loud as they always are. And more importantly, I hope that you see a famous victory that might just secure our Championship status for another season. But focus on that and not those who are unable to join you.

 

[Peterdev]

I respect all those who travel to away games. The cost, the time, the sometimes less than warm welcome from stewards, and, this season, the increased likelihood of coming home empty handed.

I also respect those who don't travel for all of the reasons above and many others. Life is increasingly difficult to juggle for families and many people are working longer for less, or simply have other commitments.

Personally, I spent a huge amount of the 90's/2000's, and an awful lot of money watching Oxford, latterly in some really crappy lower league and conference grounds. Saving relegation at Tranmere and the promotion run in 96 were worth every penny. Relegations in 99, 01, 06 and the Conference years (once the novelty wore off) were less worth it! Now, work and family life, and significantly less disposable income, means that away days are rarer. That's life.

I don't think anything is gained by trying to create a split between those who go or don't go to games, especially when the same points seem to be raised every game.

I hope those that are in Sheffield today continue to do the club proud and are as load as they always are. And more importantly, I hope that you see a famous victory that might just secure our Championship status for another season. But focus on that and not those who are unable to join you.

I spent much money travelling to away games. Remembering places like the lows of Marlow, Aldershot, then the highs of four Wembley appearances. Missed the last one due to an op. Been to Liverpool, Villa, Derby, Arsenal and Tottenham to name a few.
Much more interesting than being stuck watching premiership with Everton every week.
Talking to opposing fans and sharing the past.
I have a particular soft spot for Ipswich,,cracking ground with great fans. I’d love to see Oxford at the Amex…respect for what Brighton have done since the days of the Goldstone

 

[dabigfella]

As to today's match the result will depend on which team turns up. The one against Sheffield and at least draw and maybe better. The one against QPR and absolutely nothing. Probably know in the first 15 minutes.
Don't ask me which one as I think even Rowatt and the players know.

 

[Belgium Yellow]

I had a bad feeling before QPR match and I've a surprisingly good feeling about today.

 

[holdsteady]

Fancy a dull nil nil draw, which isn’t great for the travelling fans but will be decent for our chances of survival.

 

[Beech Road Bokelberg]

I respect all those who travel to away games. The cost, the time, the sometimes less than warm welcome from stewards, and, this season, the increased likelihood of coming home empty handed.

I also respect those who don't travel for all of the reasons above and many others. Life is increasingly difficult to juggle for families and many people are working longer for less, or simply have other commitments.

Personally, I spent a huge amount of the 90's/2000's, and an awful lot of money watching Oxford, latterly in some really crappy lower league and conference grounds. Saving relegation at Tranmere and the promotion run in 96 were worth every penny. Relegations in 99, 01, 06 and the Conference years (once the novelty wore off) were less worth it! Now, work and family life, and significantly less disposable income, means that away days are rarer. That's life.

I don't think anything is gained by trying to create a split between those who go or don't go to games, especially when the same points seem to be raised every game.

I hope those that are in Sheffield today continue to do the club proud and are as load as they always are. And more importantly, I hope that you see a famous victory that might just secure our Championship status for another season. But focus on that and not those who are unable to join you.

Perfectly put post

 

[EastStandKieran]

Well I bloody enjoyed that was worth the journey

 

[Symp59]

Well done awesome following sounded fantastic on ifollow just stunning day.

 

[Essexyellows]

No worries, they'll be dead by then!

I might be one of them.............

So might you................