Attendances crucial for success

[unionhotel]

Saints are hoping to attract 20,000+ for a televised match tomorrow. Norwich City have announced that they are expecting a crowd of around 25,000 for the visit of Colchester and Leeds will have a large following all season.

 

Do you think that club attendances will have a crucial bearing on the outcome of this title race?

 

Clearly, the better supported teams will generate more income. However, can the crowds generate the sort of intimidating atmosphere that Pardew is looking for at SMS and genuinely help the squad to achieve more?

 

I mainly go to "away" games in the North West and our fans have always seemed more vocal away from home than they are at SMS. Probably a collective thing, but if that passion could be unleashed at St.Marys I think it will definately make a difference.

 

Some stadiums (stadia) really are designed to spark up the fans and create lots of noise. Sadly, I don't think SMS (unless it is really full) can fulfil this criteria, chiefly because there isn't really a dedicated 'end' although no doubt some or all of you will say the Northam or the Chapel etc. is where it's at.

 

In terms of fans, set-up, history etc. we'll bling most of the opposition this year, but as far as clubs go, who will be the biggest team?

[NorthamSteve]

Saints are hoping to attract 20,000+ for a televised match tomorrow. Norwich City have announced that they are expecting a crowd of around 25,000 for the visit of Colchester and Leeds will have a large following all season.

 

Do you think that club attendances will have a crucial bearing on the outcome of this title race?

 

Clearly, the better supported teams will generate more income. However, can the crowds generate the sort of intimidating atmosphere that Pardew is looking for at SMS and genuinely help the squad to achieve more?

 

I mainly go to "away" games in the North West and our fans have always seemed more vocal away from home than they are at SMS. Probably a collective thing, but if that passion could be unleashed at St.Marys I think it will definately make a difference.

 

Some stadiums (stadia) really are designed to spark up the fans and create lots of noise. Sadly, I don't think SMS (unless it is really full) can fulfil this criteria, chiefly because there isn't really a dedicated 'end' although no doubt some or all of you will say the Northam or the Chapel etc. is where it's at.

 

In terms of fans, set-up, history etc. we'll bling most of the opposition this year, but as far as clubs go, who will be the biggest team?

 

The thing that worries me about all of this is that 'cup final' atmosphere, an awful lot of the players in this league wouldn't have played in a nice, big grounds with that 'roofed stadium sound' and this could have a detremental effect on us.

 

The biggest team in this league are Leeds by a mile, but we (and Norwich/Charlton) are the latest big guys, bearing in mind that all three were more recently in the prem than Leeds (with norwich being a possible exception, I'm sure someone could correct me). So, this could be another reason for the young pro making his name to up-his-game.

 

That said, I'd rather be in our ground while we're playing at home when it gets going than say Carlisle's.

[Saint Richard of Woolston]

I think attendances will be damned crucial. ML & Co have already made it clear that the Club will be run along business lines so, at its crudest form, the more we getthrough the gates the more cash we will have to spend.

[krissyboy31]

It's all about building momentum. A winning team will swell the crowd and build the atmosphere, which in turn should spur the team on more etc. etc. etc.

 

I think a lot of the negativity around the place was due to what was going on behind the scenes and now that is out of the way, going to games will be less of a chore than certainly most of last season was.

 

I'm sure that most of the teams in this division would give anything to have what we have here now, in terms of fan-base, facilities and financial backing. Remember, we have sold more season tickets than most of the teams in this division can physically get in their ground.

[trousers]

I'm more worried about my SWF membership status TBH

[BadgerBadger]

Too true - we're already seeing them running the club prudently and making it more effecient, bums on seats is crucial to getting cash in the bank for players.

 

I for one applaud this approach, I found something quite distastefull with people buying clubs and throwing money at it for results (Pompey for one).

 

The team need to perform coz the transient supporters will fade if it gets dire on the pitch

[krissyboy31]

I'm more worried about my SWF membership status TBH

 

Have you missed the Early-bird Renewal deadline?

[hackedoff]

I think attendances will be damned crucial. ML & Co have already made it clear that the Club will be run along business lines so, at its crudest form, the more we getthrough the gates the more cash we will have to spend.

 

Then again a poor start will no doubt see attendances reduce to about 13k so maybe its prudent to get a few decent players in sooner rather than later.

[unionhotel]

The thing that worries me about all of this is that 'cup final' atmosphere, an awful lot of the players in this league wouldn't have played in a nice, big grounds with that 'roofed stadium sound' and this could have a detremental effect on us.

 

The biggest team in this league are Leeds by a mile, but we (and Norwich/Charlton) are the latest big guys, bearing in mind that all three were more recently in the prem than Leeds (with norwich being a possible exception, I'm sure someone could correct me). So, this could be another reason for the young pro making his name to up-his-game.

 

That said, I'd rather be in our ground while we're playing at home when it gets going than say Carlisle's.

 

Yeah, I think you're right about that. I know that in the past we've definately upped our game when we've been playing the 'big boys'. However, as Murty said on the OS, we have to adopt a fortress mentality at SMS and take full advantage of that.

 

Saying that, on the road, we'll give some of the other teams a fright particularly if we can sell out our allocations. There seem to be a lot more games "local" to us this season which will make it easier for away trips.

[fromthedell]

Then again a poor start will no doubt see attendances reduce to about 13k so maybe its prudent to get a few decent players in sooner rather than later.

 

 

i cant ever see us getting attendances as low as 13k when we have 11k season ticket hoders

that means away fans and saints fans buying tickets will buy only 2k

[thefuriousb]

Then again a poor start will no doubt see attendances reduce to about 13k so maybe its prudent to get a few decent players in sooner rather than later.

 

but if the poor results continue even after getting in a few decent players? Its no guarantee after all

[krissyboy31]

We could also see some surprisingly large away followings at St Mary's this season. A lot of localish teams, coming to a big club and big stadium, maybe for the first time? Millwall are bringing over 2,200 tomorrow, I'd expect the other London clubs, Bristol Rovers, Swindon, even Yeovil to bring decent followings. I bet Carlisle will bring loads as well.

[wightman35]

Big support will be vital and avoiding getting on the yougsters backs if things aren't perfect at first. Support and patience needed.

[hackedoff]

but if the poor results continue even after getting in a few decent players? Its no guarantee after all

 

Agree ,but this present squad is not likely IMO to get out of this league. People said we would bounce back straight when relegated from the prem,in fact only one of the four following seasons was free from the threat of further relegation.Dont get me wrong,I am extremely relieved that the club still exists,but if freebies Bosmans and loans are the way we are going then we are in for more disappointment.

[dubai_phil]

i cant ever see us getting attendances as low as 13k when we have 11k season ticket hoders

that means away fans and saints fans buying tickets will buy only 2k

 

Think I am right in saying that there is a difference between "attendance figures" and the number of people actually in the ground.

 

If we have a really bad run, it is quite possible to have an attendance figure of 11k (ie all the ST's) and yet have only 2k in the stadium.

 

Don't believe it wil happen for a moment, but from the club's point of view an ST is a seat sold for the game and recorded in the figures.

 

I would EXEPECT that ML's planned break-even figure is around 16k with an annual wage bill of around 5mil. So the higher ST renewal helps that, yet the costs of Saga Rasiak & Thomas reduces the ability to pay salaries and run a tight ship.

 

Still believe that little movement will happen with transfers until nearer the end of the window and not until at least ONE of those 3 goes away which SHOULD free up around 3 slots in the squad.

[speculator]

I think attendances will be damned crucial. ML & Co have already made it clear that the Club will be run along business lines so, at its crudest form, the more we getthrough the gates the more cash we will have to spend.

 

That in a nutshell is that. Spend only what we earn and despite how close we came to going out of business we still cannot provide a fan base as loyal as the likes of Norwich, Leeds and probably even Charlton. We have consistently proven in the past we can fill our stadium but we need to wake up to the fact we actually have a relatively small but loyal following and they on their own cannot generate the income the club will need to pull ourselves out of this league with any ease.

 

My concern is that if we take as long as Leeds have then we could be in trouble as those wrongly filled with hope just off the back of a wealthy owner will soon become disillusioned and dwindling attendances as evidenced by the past will not exactly send a strong message to Mr Liebherr that we have a fanatic support willing to help through the good and bad times.

 

Fan apathy has let us down in the past and I fear it may do so again in the future unless the 'premeirship plastics' can be encouraged to watch league 1 football and boost the crowd numbers above just those returning from misguided boycotts.

 

20k for the first game of the season is ok but doesn't really compare favourably to previous seasons especially given the life line we have received from Mr Liebherr for which he now requires some vested interest on our part which I fear we cannot meet his expectations.

[speculator]

Agree ,but this present squad is not likely IMO to get out of this league. People said we would bounce back straight when relegated from the prem,in fact only one of the four following seasons was free from the threat of further relegation.Dont get me wrong,I am extremely relieved that the club still exists,but if freebies Bosmans and loans are the way we are going then we are in for more disappointment.

 

This is the understandable attitude of fans that will surely see crowd numbers fall and whilst we have a strong STH base most visiting teams will not exactly fill their allocation and the suggested 16k break even point could easily fail on 50% of the games.

 

Can fans for once overcome their disappointment and support the club for the greater good in the long term along the lines of the likes of Norwich. Leeds, Derby and others.

 

History does not support the hope that we can.

[saintdownunder]

The quick and easy solution to filling St Marys all season is to when possible bring a friend along.

[NorthamSteve]

 

 

 

Sorry!

[L1Minus10]

If we are winning the majority of our home games then people will come and the gates will be up around the 26k mark. A winnign team will be well supported, it doesn't matter what ****ing league you're in.

[speculator]

If we are winning the majority of our home games then people will come and the gates will be up around the 26k mark. A winnign team will be well supported, it doesn't matter what ****ing league you're in.

 

How many home games did Derby go without a win and yet maintain an average over 29,000? Conversely, I doubt Wigan could improve on their season last year and yet they only achieved around 19,000. Your logic doesn't always apply.

[L1Minus10]

How many home games did Derby go without a win and yet maintain an average over 29,000? Conversely, I doubt Wigan could improve on their season last year and yet they only achieved around 19,000. Your logic doesn't always apply.

 

 

It does for us. I couldn't give a flying one about Wigan or Derby. I see your point though.