Attendance: 29,596.

[The Kraken]

Yep, everyone loves an attendance debate. But I thought 29,596 was a pretty poor figure for opening day. There are of course plenty of excuses why the figure was so low; holidays, Sunderland returned tickets, excessive ticket prices, games shown on streams and in pubs etc etc. Nonetheless I think its a shame that the investment made by the club into the squad this summer and last wasn't matched by us getting close to a sell-out. Crowds will improve, they always do pick up from the typically lower figures at the start of the season. But it would seem we haven't yet made the big strides forward in terms of attendance that some of us (myself included) hoped/expected we would.

[Webby]

Everton were 4k short of capacity. Stoke 3k short.

 

It's BH weekend. I think just shy of 30k is ok.

[Wes Tender]

The biggest empty space in the seating was a large block in the Corporate section. It seems that a large number of the prawn sandwich brigade were probably still on their yachts in the Caribbean.

[Turkish]

BUT BUT BUT!!! it was a bank holiday weekend, there are a couple music festivals going on, There was a murder in Woolston on Friday night, everyone is on holiday, lots of people get married in August, lots of people would have assumed it would have sold out so wouldn't have bothered trying to get a ticket, August 24th is traditionally the most popular weekend of the year for surprise great aunts birthday parties, the Ashes is on. We need a bigger ground.

[Turkish]

The biggest empty space in the seating was a large block in the Corporate section. It seems that a large number of the prawn sandwich brigade were probably still on their yachts in the Caribbean.

 

That was the case for most of last season Les. It seems that the prawn sandwich brigade aren't interested in spending their money at SFC.

[Saint_clark]

What was with the big block of empty seats at the front of the chapel? Unused comp tickets?

[Matthew Le God]

It was the 4th biggest attendance in England so far on this Bank Holiday weekend.

 

If Sunderland had filled the away end it would have been circa 31,000.

[B Rabbit]

BUT BUT BUT!!! it was a bank holiday weekend, there are a couple music festivals going on

There certainly are and it's most good! You should go to the one in Leeds...

[dubai_phil]

That was the case for most of last season Les. It seems that the prawn sandwich brigade aren't interested in spending their money at SFC.

 

The Prawn Sandwich Brigade aren't interested in spending ANY money on ANYTHING these days, especially not "Marketing" or "Networking" or "Motivational"... Jeez, trying to even get a bloody petrol receipt OR God forbid a lunch while out of the office in the UK approved on expenses these days is a nightmare,

 

Also, more to the point, Saints seemed to drop the ball on selling their Corporate Packages - saw an email & Tweet from the club in the middle of last week which is WAY too late for something like this.

 

Think the issue is that the Corp Sales Team

 

1) Took a late summer vacation

2) Were taken on the pre Season Tour and forgot they had work to do

3) All got fired again at the end of last season

[The Kraken]

It was the 4th biggest attendance in England so far on this Bank Holiday weekend.

 

If Sunderland had filled the away end it would have been circa 31,000.

Sadly Sunderland didn't fill the away end, Matthew. They brought "just under 2,000 fans" according to a couple of online reports; so "circa 31,000" is a little generous if those figures are correct.

[Turkish]

The Prawn Sandwich Brigade aren't interested in spending ANY money on ANYTHING these days, especially not "Marketing" or "Networking" or "Motivational"... Jeez, trying to even get a bloody petrol receipt OR God forbid a lunch while out of the office in the UK approved on expenses these days is a nightmare,

 

Also, more to the point, Saints seemed to drop the ball on selling their Corporate Packages - saw an email & Tweet from the club in the middle of last week which is WAY too late for something like this.

 

Think the issue is that the Corp Sales Team

 

1) Took a late summer vacation

2) Were taken on the pre Season Tour and forgot they had work to do

3) All got fired again at the end of last season

 

Not at my company or last company it isn't pal. We can get anything signed off as long as its not taking the p*ss.

 

a few of my customers used have corporate season tickets at SMS, now they find it better value to go for a meal and few drinks before and after in Oxford Street and just have normal season tickets. Its not because people aren't doing it, its because the poor quality and high price of our corporate areas have put people off and they now do other things.

[Alain Perrin]

Every season this post is made after the first home game. It's boring.

Sent from my RM-821_eu_euro1_276 using Board Express

[The Kraken]

Every season this post is made after the first home game. It's boring.

Sent from my RM-821_eu_euro1_276 using Board Express

And yet here you are commenting on it. Go figure.

[david in sweden]

BUT BUT BUT!!! it was a bank holiday weekend, there are a couple music festivals going on, There was a murder in Woolston on Friday night, everyone is on holiday, lots of people get married in August, lots of people would have assumed it would have sold out so wouldn't have bothered trying to get a ticket, August 24th is traditionally the most popular weekend of the year for surprise great aunts birthday parties, the Ashes is on. We need a bigger ground.

 

 

good response Turkish. There's a man with his finger on the button and an eye on the calender.

[Turkish]

Sadly Sunderland didn't fill the away end, Matthew. They brought "just under 2,000 fans" according to a couple of online reports; so "circa 31,000" is a little generous if those figures are correct.

 

Got to love MLGs old -use the away fans to sell our tickets argument coming out again though. Wasn't that one of the justifications to expand, that we can give more tickets to away fans.

[Matthew Le God]

Sadly Sunderland didn't fill the away end, Matthew. They brought "just under 2,000 fans" according to a couple of online reports; so "circa 31,000" is a little generous if those figures are correct.

 

No it isn't. A full away end of around 3,100 (an extra 1,300 or so fans) would make the total "circa 31,000", which is what I said.

 

It was the 4th highest attendance in England yesterday! During the summer holidays, on a bank holiday for a game that won't attract much corporate interest. It really isn't as disappointing as you make out.

 

Before yesterday every game in 2013 bar the Everton game (which came after popular Adkins was sacked) has sold out. So of course you have to look at other factors influencing the Sunderland attendance. In the grand scheme of things yesterdays attendance holds up well with all things considered and compared with other clubs.

Edited 25 August, 2013 by Matthew Le God

[TheSpankBoy]

To be fair, I would not travel 300 yards let alone 300 mile to watch that Sunderland side.

[Bearsy]

No it isn't. A full away end of around 3,100 (an extra 1,3000 or so fans) would make the total "circa 31,000", which is what I said.

 

It was the 4th highest attendance in England yesterday! During the summer holidays, on a bank holiday for a game that won't attract much corporate interest. It really isn't as disappointing as you make out.

 

How come attendance was lower than last year vs wigan? You'd of thought they brought less fans than Sunderland if anything?

[saint_ed]

I

Yep, everyone loves an attendance debate. But I thought 29,596 was a pretty poor figure for opening day. There are of course plenty of excuses why the figure was so low; holidays, Sunderland returned tickets, excessive ticket prices, games shown on streams and in pubs etc etc. Nonetheless I think its a shame that the investment made by the club into the squad this summer and last wasn't matched by us getting close to a sell-out. Crowds will improve, they always do pick up from the typically lower figures at the start of the season. But it would seem we haven't yet made the big strides forward in terms of attendance that some of us (myself included) hoped/expected we would.

 

On the contrary, I think that figure is pretty good. The first month is notorious for having lower attendances as so many people are away.

[The Kraken]

How come attendance was lower than last year vs wigan? You'd of thought they brought less fans than Sunderland if anything?

A fair comment, Bear. Especially given Wigan probably brought around half the fans that Sunderland did. So we had around 1,000 fewer fans at St. Mary's yesterday than on opening day last season.

[dubai_phil]

Not at my company or last company it isn't pal. We can get anything signed off as long as its not taking the p*ss.

 

a few of my customers used have corporate season tickets at SMS, now they find it better value to go for a meal and few drinks before and after in Oxford Street and just have normal season tickets. Its not because people aren't doing it, its because the poor quality and high price of our corporate areas have put people off and they now do other things.

 

True that. The Corporate Experience is taking the p*ss so doesn't get signed off by potential users. It's gone down the What can I get Hubby for his Birthday/Fathers Day etc route.

[Turkish]

No it isn't. A full away end of around 3,100 (an extra 1,3000 or so fans) would make the total "circa 31,000", which is what I said.

 

It was the 4th highest attendance in England yesterday! During the summer holidays, on a bank holiday for a game that won't attract much corporate interest. It really isn't as disappointing as you make out.

 

 

Well it was a smaller crowd than at Everton, which is odd as I'm sure you said we had more match going fans than them. The other premier league clubs who had smaller gates than us also have smaller grounds and 2 of them sold out, so you use your logic, if they'd had a bigger ground then their attendance would hav been higher, possibly bigger than ours. thrown in the fact that Man United and Tottenham still have home games to play that'll push us down to the 6th biggest crowd of the weekend, with the possibility that at least two other clubs could also have had bigger gates if they'd had big enough stadiums. 4th largest of the day isn't anywhere near as impressive as you're trying to make it out to be Matthew.

[Turkish]

To be fair, I would not travel 300 yards let alone 300 mile to watch that Sunderland side.

 

Strange, You're not going to watch Sunderland are you? Surely you'd go to support Saints.

[stevegrant]

What was with the big block of empty seats at the front of the chapel? Unused comp tickets?

No, just the worst view in the ground as you have the goal obscuring your view.

[The Kraken]

I

 

On the contrary, I think that figure is pretty good. The first month is notorious for having lower attendances as so many people are away.

Fair enough Ed. It's all about opinions and various people will have their own. Me, I was hoping for a higher figure, and was certainly quite surprised to find we hadn't hit 30K. I'm fully aware that we typically have lower crowds in the first few games. That said, back in our old PL times, we also had over 31K a couple of times on opening day, including a 31,656 against Birmingham, so its not as if we haven't done it before.

[Matthew Le God]

I hope Turkish isn't still trying to correspond with someone who has him on ignore and won't be viewing his posts or replying to him.

[stevegrant]

A fair comment, Bear. Especially given Wigan probably brought around half the fans that Sunderland did. So we had around 1,000 fewer fans at St. Mary's yesterday than on opening day last season.

Wigan brought around 500 last year, Sunderland had just shy of 1900.

[Turkish]

True that. The Corporate Experience is taking the p*ss so doesn't get signed off by potential users. It's gone down the What can I get Hubby for his Birthday/Fathers Day etc route.

 

Yep and if you're a season ticket holder you still have to pay full whack, no discount for the fact you've already paid for your ticket. I considered doing it last season when I had a ST and when I realised if have to pay the full price decided not to bother.

[Turkish]

I hope Turkish isn't still trying to correspond with someone who has him on ignore and won't be viewing his posts or replying to him.

 

Finally given up have you sunshine. If I'm on ignore how do you know I responded to your post?!!

 

TURKISH 10 MLG 0

 

CHAMPIONEEE CHAMPIONEEE OLE OLE OLE

[TheSpankBoy]

Strange, You're not going to watch Sunderland are you? Surely you'd go to support Saints.

 

Meant to include the phrase "even if I fancied a laugh".

[Turkish]

Meant to include the phrase "even if I fancied a laugh".

 

So you go to Saints to watch the other team then?

[The Kraken]

Wigan brought around 500 last year, Sunderland had just shy of 1900.

Blimey, so taking into account the total figures we actually had around 1,500 fewer Saints fans in attendance yesterday than on opening day last season against Wigan.

[TheSpankBoy]

Nah, did not make my point well enough. Was trying to say that it is all but the longest trip in the PL and that I doubt many Sunderland fans fancied a 600 mile round trip for a game that they probably never expected to get anything out of. Hence their small travelling support.

[Turkish]

Nah, did not make my point well enough. Was trying to say that it is all but the longest trip in the PL and that I doubt many Sunderland fans fancied a 600 mile round trip for a game that they probably never expected to get anything out of. Hence their small travelling support.

 

If we took nearly 2000 to Sunderland we'd think it was great! 2000 away fans for a 600 mile trip to one of the less glamorous away fixtures if the season is decent.

[The Kraken]

Nah, did not make my point well enough. Was trying to say that it is all but the longest trip in the PL and that I doubt many Sunderland fans fancied a 600 mile round trip for a game that they probably never expected to get anything out of. Hence their small travelling support.

I wouldn't say 1,900 is a poor figure by an stretch. If Saints take close to 2,000 up for the return fixture that would a thoroughly decent number.

[stevegrant]

Blimey, so taking into account the total figures we actually had around 1,500 fewer Saints fans in attendance yesterday than on opening day last season against Wigan.

Worth bearing in mind that Wigan was a "Bronze" category game, so only £30 in most areas last season, whereas I think Sunderland yesterday was a "Silver" game at £37.

 

Add in, of course, that people have seen Sunderland play in the last six months or so and they're an absolutely soul-destroying team to watch

[The Kraken]

Worth bearing in mind that Wigan was a "Bronze" category game, so only £30 in most areas last season, whereas I think Sunderland yesterday was a "Silver" game at £37.

 

Add in, of course, that people have seen Sunderland play in the last six months or so and they're an absolutely soul-destroying team to watch

What has struck me in the past 2 or 3 weeks is noticing how many pubs are now advertising the fact that they're showing all Saints games this season. Last season there were a handful of pubs in the area streaming the game, this season it seems as if loads more have cottoned on to it. Both Chambers and the Alex now show Saints games (whereas last season they were just popular pre-game venues); coupled with high ticket prices I think this could well have an effect this season. There has to be a tipping point in terms of pricing; if there's an option to watch in the pub for free then it's surely going to have an effect.

[stevegrant]

What has struck me in the past 2 or 3 weeks is noticing how many pubs are now advertising the fact that they're showing all Saints games this season. Last season there were a handful of pubs in the area streaming the game, this season it seems as if loads more have cottoned on to it. Both Chambers and the Alex now show Saints games (whereas last season they were just popular pre-game venues); coupled with high ticket prices I think this could well have an effect this season. There has to be a tipping point in terms of pricing; if there's an option to watch in the pub for free then it's surely going to have an effect.

On the flip side, the Premier League have ramped up their efforts to stop Saturday 3pm broadcasts in the UK, which means that pubs remain vulnerable despite the Skate landlady's supposed "win" in the courts.

[The Kraken]

On the flip side, the Premier League have ramped up their efforts to stop Saturday 3pm broadcasts in the UK, which means that pubs remain vulnerable despite the Skate landlady's supposed "win" in the courts.

I guess we'll see, but right now there's definitely more pubs showing games on "non-Sky" TV channels.

[aintforever]

£37 is just sh!t value when you can just go to a pub and watch it for free.

[Turkish]

£37 is just sh!t value when you can just go to a pub and watch it for free.

 

Whilst wearing your shirt, sipping on a pint and singing at the telly, coz thats what real fans do, yes?

[UpweySaint]

To be fair ticket prices up, requirements for cheap seats in the family stand changed. Just shy of forty quid (cheapest!) is decent money for many of us and I know several people who are going to be more selective with the matches they go to this year (myself included). Cant say it's surprising we didnt sell out.

[Fan The Flames]

How come attendance was lower than last year vs wigan? You'd of thought they brought less fans than Sunderland if anything?

 

Yesterday's attendance was 8 lower than the Wigan game. My sources tell me that Wigan actually brought 9 more than Sunderland, so our support this season is higher than last #progress.

[aintforever]

Whilst wearing your shirt, sipping on a pint and singing at the telly, coz thats what real fans do, yes?

 

Football fans often watch football games yes.

 

You are such a clever boy. What an interesting observation.

[View From The Top]

What has struck me in the past 2 or 3 weeks is noticing how many pubs are now advertising the fact that they're showing all Saints games this season. Last season there were a handful of pubs in the area streaming the game, this season it seems as if loads more have cottoned on to it. Both Chambers and the Alex now show Saints games (whereas last season they were just popular pre-game venues); coupled with high ticket prices I think this could well have an effect this season. There has to be a tipping point in terms of pricing; if there's an option to watch in the pub for free then it's surely going to have an effect.

 

One of the reasons WBA price their tickets so low was that they were hemorrhaging fans to the pubs on match days.

 

I used to teach not far from the Hawthorns and pubs would advertise the games which often included a free pint if WBA won thus keeping the punters in. The club reacted to that and crowds held up.

[Horley CTFC Saint]

The biggest empty space in the seating was a large block in the Corporate section. It seems that a large number of the prawn sandwich brigade were probably still on their yachts in the Caribbean.

In fairness the yachts are actually down in the Med

[spyinthesky]

Would have been nice to top the 30k but not too bad a crowd

 

Sunderland normally fill their end so not selling their allocation was unusual (and their vocal support was surprisingly poor)

 

As other posters have pointed out there were a few grounds which failed to reach capacity and crowds generally seem to be falling away as the ticket prices increase and there is competition from Live Streams

 

I am fortunate enough to be able to fund a season ticket but would probably think twice about paying £35 on the day especially if I had older children tagging along

 

The corporate side tickets are getting increasingly harder to shift, unless it is a top six game, and they are poor value

 

As another poster has said, you get better value buying a few season tickets and entertaining people outside the stadium

 

I know quite as few companies that have decided to take this option

 

There are also a surprising number of long term season ticket holders who just cant afford to stump up the cash this year and will either select their games or watch from the pub

 

Serious attention needs to be given to ticket pricing but, of course, we all know this but still want to see expensive players on the pitch

[Turkish]

Football fans often watch football games yes.

 

You are such a clever boy. What an interesting observation.

 

Proper fans watch games in pubs, wearing their football shirts and shouting at the telly. They'd rather spend their money on LAGER and a burger and chips in the boozer than pay the rip of prices to go and watch thier team.

[tajjuk]

August bank holiday weekend, people are always doing various things.

 

As an example my cricket club has over 70 players on the books, only 27 were available yesterday to fill 3 teams.

 

Weddings, Festivals, Visiting family, holidays etc etc

 

If we were 3k down regularly it would be a concern but last season pretty much every one of the last home games was sold out weeks in advance.

[Turkish]

Would have been nice to top the 30k but not too bad a crowd

 

Sunderland normally fill their end so not selling their allocation was unusual (and their vocal support was surprisingly poor)

 

As other posters have pointed out there were a few grounds which failed to reach capacity and crowds generally seem to be falling away as the ticket prices increase and there is competition from Live Streams

 

I am fortunate enough to be able to fund a season ticket but would probably think twice about paying £35 on the day especially if I had older children tagging along

 

The corporate side tickets are getting increasingly harder to shift, unless it is a top six game, and they are poor value

 

As another poster has said, you get better value buying a few season tickets and entertaining people outside the stadium

 

I know quite as few companies that have decided to take this option

 

There are also a surprising number of long term season ticket holders who just cant afford to stump up the cash this year and will either select their games or watch from the pub

 

Serious attention needs to be given to ticket pricing but, of course, we all know this but still want to see expensive players on the pitch

 

Why though? Its the ideal scenario for the club, charge as much as they can and get near sell outs week in week out and maximise on revenue. If demand outstrips supply then put the price up again. Do the money men running football really care that some people will have to pick and chose their games? As long as the ground is 90% full most weeks then the club will think they are charging the right amount. I know some people think its a great idea to spend millions on expanding the stadium then reduce the price to sell them but the reality is no one with any sense would do this.