Why can't we sell out?

[Hoppysaint]

We are becoming embarrassing and we are getting stick from away fans, EMPTY SEATS MY LORD etc etc.

 

Can we only sell out for Man U and the like? Aren't we supposed to be MASSIVE!

 

Is it price?, apathy, day and time, on TV or all of those.

 

I hate seeing empty seats. RANT over.

[Thedelldays]

Every ground has empty seats

Why would you be embarrassed by it?

[Dig Dig]

Ffs

[The Godfather]

Its normal in the economic world we live in. The fact is prices are too high for majority of clubs including lower league clubs. A game on TV is always going to have a lower attendance and that applies to most clubs.

[doddisalegend]

Is that you.. turkish?

 

Really though you're embarressed becuase we don't sell out? Who gives a f uck we are a provincial football club we've never been massive. The PL is a plie off over priced turd you can watch on the telly I'm surprised anyone sells out at todays prices.

[Appy]

People that get worked up over a few empty seats need to take a look at themselves.

[Ken Tone]

Any attempt to answert this will be jumped on by the usual suspect posters, but I'll stick my neck out......

 

There is no one single reason. There are lots of little reasons, each of which in isolation seems trivial, but together add up, and no one at saints seems to be very good at customer relations.

 

The success of the GB cycling team this year was attributed to attention to detail, lots of small, detailed improvements. We could do with a simlar attitude at saints

[adrian lord]

No one likes an empty seat, except a harassed commuter.

[Wurzel]

Rumour has it that over 2000 missed the game whilst trying to purchase a programme

[Turkish]

28,000 there yesterday. 2,500 away fans mean we only sold around 3,000 to non season ticket holders. Less than half of the ones that were available. Shocking.

[Saint86]

We are becoming embarrassing and we are getting stick from away fans, EMPTY SEATS MY LORD etc etc.

 

Can we only sell out for Man U and the like? Aren't we supposed to be MASSIVE!

 

Is it price?, apathy, day and time, on TV or all of those.

 

I hate seeing empty seats. RANT over.

 

In fairness I missed the first half, but the second half our support was superb. Atmosphere was crackling - on tv. Now I have been on several posts in the last couple of weeks criticizing people who attack other teams home support and pointing out how poor ours generally is. The simple truth is the club (NC) massivley ****ed up ticketing policy - from the prices to the website. The corparate boxes are a joke and will stop us ever selling out this season.

 

All that said, we looked very good on TV. Empty seats or not. And I would rather have a cracking atmosphere than what goodison park was alleged to be like - a graveyard.

[CB Saint]

We sold out years ago

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[S-Clarke]

Is it really embarrassing though? I can think of many more embarrassing things, and not filling up a stadium isn't high on the list.

 

To be honest, as long as I'm there and the people around me, I couldn't give a **** if there are a few empty seats elsewhere.

[Golden Balls]

Would have sold out (except corp maybe) had it not been on TV. I must say I'm uite surprised we're struggling to shift the tickets though.

 

Regarding atmophere, first half was flat, second half was brilliant.

[trousers]

Trousers thinks about posting a highly amusing movie scene photo but restrains himself in the interests of not splitting fellow forum members' sides.

[Pugwash]

Did Fulham return some tickets? It looked like the block behind the Northam goal was mostly empty from going on late sale resulting in a huge gap between the groups of fans.

[Verbal Kint]

28,000 there yesterday. 2,500 away fans mean we only sold around 3,000 to non season ticket holders. Less than half of the ones that were available. Shocking.

 

What do you think the problem is?

[Bartosz Bialkowski]

The away teams havent managed to sell their allocation either, we must all be so embarrassed of ourselves

[Patrick Bateman]

Again, it is NO surprise. Most grounds around the country have seats available. The only few grounds that are hard to get tickets in the home section are Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. For obvious reasons - much larger catchment areas, bigger support base, more successful teams.

 

Yesterday; our match was on TV, it was a Sunday, it was "only Fulham", we haven't been winning and above all else, it is TOO EXPENSIVE. That is not a hard concept to grasp - most people really are watching the pennies, especially down South where your income doesn't go as far as up North.

 

Until the economy picks up (yeah right) and until prices come down a little (yeah right), we won't be selling out for most matches - we just don't have that big a fanbase! Bigger stadium?? hahaha.

[Dig Dig]

Again, it is NO surprise. Most grounds around the country have seats available. The only few grounds that are hard to get tickets in the home section are Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. For obvious reasons - much larger catchment areas, bigger support base, more successful teams.

 

Yesterday; our match was on TV, it was a Sunday, it was "only Fulham", we haven't been winning and above all else, it is TOO EXPENSIVE. That is not a hard concept to grasp - most people really are watching the pennies, especially down South where your income doesn't go as far as up North.

 

Until the economy picks up (yeah right) and until prices come down a little (yeah right), we won't be selling out for most matches - we just don't have that big a fanbase! Bigger stadium?? hahaha.

 

Pretty much spot on. Not sure why there is such an obsession about it on here TBH.

[grammy]

It was live on Sky....It was Sunday lunchtime kick off..... It was Fulham.... Premier league footy is overpriced ******!!....Hardly embarassing.

[Bucks Saint]

I think we should have another 10 page thread on this. Its not at all obvious what factors might be behind some seats not being sold, or why we are the only club that this applies to. I am sure the OP would appreciate the help dealing with his embarrassment.

[trousers]

It would have been more embarrassing if we'd sold out..... if we'd sold out a Sunday lunchtime fixture vs Fulham we'd be showing the nation that the good people of the South of England have nothing better to do on a Sunday lunchtime than watch a game of football. By keeping a few thousand seats unoccupied we were able to demonstrate that we have a much less narrow minded demography.

[Hoppysaint]

You need a hard hat and elephant skin when you post in here

 

I hadn't appreciated that tickets were so expensive £38 to £48 quid a game for a full paying adult is a lot tbh especially when people can watch on TV.

 

Anyway my embarrassment is fast disappearing and being replaced by one of smug satisfaction that we have so few empty seats given all adverse factors. Thanks for clearing this up.

[Turkish]

Again, it is NO surprise. Most grounds around the country have seats available. The only few grounds that are hard to get tickets in the home section are Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. For obvious reasons - much larger catchment areas, bigger support base, more successful teams.

 

Yesterday; our match was on TV, it was a Sunday, it was "only Fulham", we haven't been winning and above all else, it is TOO EXPENSIVE. That is not a hard concept to grasp - most people really are watching the pennies, especially down South where your income doesn't go as far as up North.

 

Until the economy picks up (yeah right) and until prices come down a little (yeah right), we won't be selling out for most matches - we just don't have that big a fanbase! Bigger stadium?? hahaha.

 

But Chelsea only used to get 13,000 in 1984. You cant use them as an example.

[Bucks Saint]

I wish we were City. Then, as the reigning Champions and with a squad stuffed full of multi million £ players we would sell out every game, no problem at all

[pap]

Swings and roundabouts. Yes, it's crap that we're not selling the ground out.

 

That said, I got my MOTD2 debut last night, precisely because of the empty seats.

 

[stevegrant]

Man City are a bad example to use as a club who sell out all the time, they've only had a sell-out against Arsenal so far this season, and couldn't even fill the ground against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last week.

 

Our strategy of only putting tickets on sale for home games 2-3 weeks in advance may be a contributory factor. If, a month in advance, a family have the option of going to the football or going for something else (theme park, visiting family, weekend break, etc), and they then discover they can't actually buy tickets for the football, they'll take the other option.

 

There shouldn't really be a reason why home games can't be put on sale two or three months in advance.

[ART]

I am certain that pre match postings in the local media and on forums saying we're sold out, or only few tickets available tend to put off those planning to but at the ground or last minute. A blackout on such information would see people queuing on the day, something it seems that givibg pre match info tres to AVOID.

[Chez]

I hadn't appreciated that tickets were so expensive £38 to £48 quid a game for a full paying adult is a lot tbh especially when people can watch on TV.

 

I'm amazed that we sell so many. Premiership ticket prices are a joke. if I hadn't bought a season ticket out of habit I doubt I'd choose to spent that sort of cash on a single ticket when its free on TV. Shame the empty seats are usually next to the away fans and are picked up by the cameras every week.

[Fan The Flames]

There is obviously something going on at SFC, the attendances are down from our last prem stint. I looked at the average attendances for the prem teams this season and last and they are all quite stable, so there is not a countrywide phenomenon.

 

What is happening? Ticket prices, bad product, lost the causal attendee, bad feeling towards the club, ease of watching it on TV.

 

I heard that Nicola (Tony) Cortese thought the empty seat chant was actually the Saints fans singing “NTC my Lord NTC,…” Anyway to be embarrassed by empty seats is a little bit pathetic and to be embarrassed by a club that average 5k less than us every game this season and have a neutrals area to help fill the ground is worse.

[The Kraken]

Man City are a bad example to use as a club who sell out all the time, they've only had a sell-out against Arsenal so far this season, and couldn't even fill the ground against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last week.

 

Our strategy of only putting tickets on sale for home games 2-3 weeks in advance may be a contributory factor. If, a month in advance, a family have the option of going to the football or going for something else (theme park, visiting family, weekend break, etc), and they then discover they can't actually buy tickets for the football, they'll take the other option.

 

There shouldn't really be a reason why home games can't be put on sale two or three months in advance.

 

Apparently Liverpool sell match tickets for every single home game right from the beginning of the season.

 

Then again their demand far outstrips their supply of tickets, so they're perhaps not the best example for us to use.

[maysie]

Apparently Liverpool sell match tickets for every single home game right from the beginning of the season.

 

Then again their demand far outstrips their supply of tickets, so they're perhaps not the best example for us to use.

 

Could you imagine the ticket office dealing with refunds for people who can't make fixtures which are moved. Carnage.

[Big Bad Bob]

I'm amazed that we sell so many. Premiership ticket prices are a joke. if I hadn't bought a season ticket out of habit I doubt I'd choose to spent that sort of cash on a single ticket when its free on TV. Shame the empty seats are usually next to the away fans and are picked up by the cameras every week.

 

They were empty because Fulham failed to sell their full allocation hence they were put on sale to Saints Fans, too late it seems.

 

What was weird was that in front of me (in the Chapel) was a whole block of empty seats, yet when I went to book (on line) said seats weren't available for purchase..

Edited 8 October, 2012 by Big Bad Bob
Plurals my boy, plurals

[Bearsy]

Swings and roundabouts. Yes, it's crap that we're not selling the ground out.

 

That said, I got my MOTD2 debut last night, precisely because of the empty seats.

 

 

Sweet! We playin' Where's Wally/Pap?

 

Is that you rockin the St. Mary's Sidesaddle? Ice white jumper, navy blue jeans, ice white trainers, shades. Lookin' chilled and relaxed, despite the impending goal threat.

[The Kraken]

Could you imagine the ticket office dealing with refunds for people who can't make fixtures which are moved. Carnage.

 

Could you imagine them trying to sell that many tickets all in one go in the first place? It would cause an absolute meltdown.

[The Kraken]

Sweet! We playin' Where's Wally/Pap?

 

Is that you rockin the St. Mary's Sidesaddle? Ice white jumper, navy blue jeans, ice white trainers, shades. Lookin' chilled and relaxed, despite the impending goal threat.

 

I reckon Pap is the chubster in the front row with his replica shirt on.

[pap]

I reckon Pap is the chubster in the front row with his replica shirt on.

 

That's my brother. I'm the hippy to the left.

[The9]

Actually we got a bigger crowd than the last time we played Fulham in the Prem, when the crowd was 27000-something - admittedly that was an 8pm kick off, but presumably also on tv.

[Bearsy]

That's my brother. I'm the hippy to the left.

 

Oooh! That was my original guess! I only said sidesaddle cos he was more lols

[The Kraken]

That's my brother. I'm the hippy to the left.

 

Why did you choose to sit there and not higher up; that must be the worst view in the ground!

[Bearsy]

They is wanting to get a good look at Paulo's butt

[once_bitterne]

But Chelsea only used to get 13,000 in 1984. You cant use them as an example.

 

And they would still be getting 13,00 if they were playing to the same level as they were in 1984.

 

Likewise, if we had won 3 PL titles in the past decade and were coming off a Champions League winning season you wouldn't be able to get a seat at SMS for love nor money....

[JRM]

They were empty because Fulham failed to sell their full allocation hence they were put on sale to Saints Fans, too late it seems.

 

What was weird was that in front of me (in the Chapel) was a whole block of empty seats, yet when I went to book (on line) said seats weren't available for purchase..

 

to be fair footballs clubs do seem to mess around these days with sale no return basis etc. Fulham sold the initial 1800 two weeks before the game, they then "asked for more" like we did with West Ham, and got 700 more up to 2500. they then reported that those were "nearly sold and there would be no tickets available on the day"

 

my point it why not just give them the 3200 and let them get on with selling them once they had shown they had already sold quite a few. could have had quite a few more paying on the day.

[Whitey Grandad]

Why on earth does anybody get worked up about how many seats we've sold? How can it possibly be embarrassing? What do you expect, a sell-out every week? Do me a favour. Every game has empty seats.

[pap]

Why did you choose to sit there and not higher up; that must be the worst view in the ground!

 

We were inspired by Andrew Mitchell. We didn't want to sit near any f*cking plebs

 

On a more serious note, it's a great view for certain stuff - such as goalmouth action behind that particular goal - but yep, straining the old mince pies in the second half.

 

First time I've ever sat in the Northam though. Won't be the last.

[pap]

Oooh! That was my original guess! I only said sidesaddle cos he was more lols

 

Shouldn't be hard, Bear! Unlike many of our fellow posters, I've gone public with my identity on here. Thought it was common knowledge that I resemble a recent immigrant from The Shire who failed to stop at any barbers along the way.

[pap]

Why on earth does anybody get worked up about how many seats we've sold? How can it possibly be embarrassing? What do you expect, a sell-out every week? Do me a favour. Every game has empty seats.

 

The Fulham fans were nasty though, Whitey G. They told us our ground was too big for us!

[the mick channon windmill]

Again, it is NO surprise. Most grounds around the country have seats available. The only few grounds that are hard to get tickets in the home section are Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. For obvious reasons - much larger catchment areas, bigger support base, more successful teams.

 

Yesterday; our match was on TV, it was a Sunday, it was "only Fulham", we haven't been winning and above all else, it is TOO EXPENSIVE. That is not a hard concept to grasp - most people really are watching the pennies, especially down South where your income doesn't go as far as up North.

 

Until the economy picks up (yeah right) and until prices come down a little (yeah right), we won't be selling out for most matches - we just don't have that big a fanbase! Bigger stadium?? hahaha.

 

You make some very valid points. The only point I would disagree is that we do need a bigger stadium.

 

People seem to think that unless every single game is a sell out the ground is too big. Odd theory really if you stop to think about it.

 

There would be at least 6 or 8 games where we could get many more than 32,000.

 

Would it not be better to get say 40,000 for 6 games or so a season and perhaps still only 28,000 for certain other games?

 

Would it not be better to have the ability to meet the demand when needed rather than restrict ourselves with such a small minded attitude?

[The Kraken]

Shouldn't be hard, Bear! Unlike many of our fellow posters, I've gone public with my identity on here. Thought it was common knowledge that I resemble a recent immigrant from The Shire who failed to stop at any barbers along the way.

 

I always had you down as a well groomed, neat and tidy individual, Pap. It was certainly a surprise to see that you're actually a bit of a maverick renegade.