Attendance

[The Kraken]

We haven't had an attendance thread for a while.....

 

31,313 today at St. Mary's, which means our average attendance to date is 30,147. With a sell out against Man United a given, we'll likely average just under 30,250 for the season, about 500-600 down on last season. I still consider that a good figure, but given we've had our highest finish in 10 years and earned an almighty amount of admirers for our style of play, one has to ask where the numbers went.

 

Prices aren't coming down next season, I think we can guarantee that (as season ticket prices have risen). So what more can the club do to attract more fans? Season 2003-04 in the PL saw an average of 31,717, a whole 1,500 up on this season. Any chances we can hit those heights next season?? The corporate areas are certainly a good place to start.

[trousers]

I would venture that a significant portion of the c.1.5% "dip" in attendance is largely down to the apparent lack of focus on the corporate seating side of things, something that the current regime have pledged to put right. Wouldn't therefore surprise me to see that relatively small dip wiped out next season.

[The Kraken]

I would venture that a significant portion of the c.1.5% "dip" in attendance is largely down to the apparent lack of focus on the corporate seating side of things, something that the current regime have pledged to put right. Wouldn't therefore surprise me to see that relatively small dip wiped out next season.

Definitely agree with that, the corporate boxes are a bit outdated and in need of a rethink. And I'm not sure if the whole Mike Channon suite refurb really works well.

[View From The Top]

The club are haemorrhaging support from families whose kids are over 11 as the jump in prices is huge. I know of plenty who have gone from ST holders to occasional home fans. Myself included.

 

I wrote to the club not so long ago about the issue and asked why Stoke & WBA can charge £75 for a 12yo lad but Saints charge £300. In the reply I was told it's because the cost of living is greater in the south.

[doddisalegend]

The club are haemorrhaging support from families whose kids are over 11 as the jump in prices is huge. I know of plenty who have gone from ST holders to occasional home fans. Myself included.

 

I wrote to the club not so long ago about the issue and asked why Stoke & WBA can charge £75 for a 12yo lad but Saints charge £300. In the reply I was told it's because the cost of living is greater in the south.

 

This I think. Back in the championship ST seats in the chapel cost me and the nipper £380 next year it would cost about a grand I just can't afford that so we now do a couple of Cat C games and some cup matches each season I'm sure I can't be the only one. I think saints is the only place I know where a young adult starts at 12.

[RedWillie]

Take a look at away fans. May be a drop from them. Hull, fulham and Sunderland def brought lower numbers this year.

[Bucks Saint]

Yep, away fans are a factor for sure. I recall seeing a stat somewhere saying they are down generally, hence the FA cash for helping away attendances

[The Kraken]

Yep, away fans are a factor for sure. I recall seeing a stat somewhere saying they are down generally, hence the FA cash for helping away attendances

Nah, don't buy that one. We painted the away concourses. What more do they want FFS?

 

[bender]

For me there is so much more football on TV nowadays. There seems to be 2 live games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and the MNF. It takes away the taste to go and see Saints. And even if Saints aren't one of the live games, you can get a stream pretty easily.

[Turkish]

So we've had our best season in ten years and are going to finish in the top half of the top division for only the second time in 24 years, yet attendances are going down. It's time for MLG, Franco, Wes Ender and the other forum geniuses to remind us why we need a bigger stadium and how we can fill it. And go.......

[The Kraken]

So we've had our best season in ten years and are going to finish in the top half of the top division for only the second time in 24 years, yet attendances are going down. It's time for MLG, Franco, Wes Ender and the other forum geniuses to remind us why we need a bigger stadium and how we can fill it. And go.......

Thankfully the bellendery of that particular argument seems to have dissipated somewhat. I guess when you can't sell out the home end against a top 5 side it's a bit of a giveaway that the stadium is the right size, just for now.

[mcjwills]

So we've had our best season in ten years and are going to finish in the top half of the top division for only the second time in 24 years, yet attendances are going down. It's time for MLG, Franco, Wes Ender and the other forum geniuses to remind us why we need a bigger stadium and how we can fill it. And go.......

 

Simple formula - Cheap seats x large availability = more fans = bigger stadium - simples

[The Kraken]

Simple formula - Cheap seats x large availability = more fans = bigger stadium - simples

Simple formula. Existing stadium + normal prices + 90 - 95% full = good revenue, and better than spending £20M+ that we don't have on a vanity exercise to get a stadium we won't come close to filling except for 3 or 4 games a season. Simples.

Edited 26 April, 2014 by The Kraken

[Turkish]

Simple formula - Cheap seats x large availability = more fans = bigger stadium - simples

 

Yes it is 'simples' I'm sure Katrina can't wait to sign the £25m cheque to pay for another few thousand seats and then reduce the price of every single ticket in the stadium. It really is that 'simples'

[70's Mike]

kick off time did not help, my eldest is a postie and could not go because of work.

[Whitey Grandad]

And the silly kick-off times. I'm sure they've been worse this season.

[Turkish]

Thankfully the bellendery of that particular argument seems to have dissipated somewhat. I guess when you can't sell out the home end against a top 5 side it's a bit of a giveaway that the stadium is the right size, just for now.

 

And it's a good job too because MLG expected stadium expansion work to have begun by now, In his infamous 'what I expect to happen soon thread'. He also assured us that if we were selling out when at the bottom the table in 2004 then how many more seats would we need if we had a team packed full of internationals, in the top half of the table and playing great football. It seems the answer is less, actually.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Two reasons, streaming in pubs and prices

[The Kraken]

Two reasons, streaming in pubs and prices

Both of those have been similar since last season. Can you attribute an average loss of 500-600 just because of those factors?

[Barry Sanchez]

All of the above and this is our natural attendance really in this League, no matter how others say we are not in the current top 7's size by a long long chalk,

 

United could fill 90,000 it estimated easily.

Liverpool have a 100,000 person waiting list that I have been told is 40 years long which you have to pay a £5 to see where you are on the list.

Arsenal sell out the 60,000 Emirates.

City get 45,000 in theirs and that will go with cling ons.

Chelsea as above.

Everton get 38,000 but are looking for a new 50,000 seater stadium which they will average around 43,000 a game its estimated.

Spurs are getting a 60,000 odd new stadium.

 

Add Newcastle, Villa, Leeds, and many others into the mix, this is our roundabout size, its not great but it aint bad,

[The Kraken]

All of the above and this is our natural attendance really in this League, no matter how others say we are not in the current top 7's size by a long long chalk,

 

United could fill 90,000 it estimated easily.

Liverpool have a 100,000 person waiting list that I have been told is 40 years long which you have to pay a £5 to see where you are on the list.

Arsenal sell out the 60,000 Emirates.

City get 45,000 in theirs and that will go with cling ons.

Chelsea as above.

Everton get 38,000 but are looking for a new 50,000 seater stadium which they will average around 43,000 a game its estimated.

Spurs are getting a 60,000 odd new stadium.

 

Add Newcastle, Villa, Leeds, and many others into the mix, this is our roundabout size, its not great but it aint bad,

All true Baz.

 

A lot of our fans have previously wanted us to do a Sunderland, build a massive stadium, and very rarely fill it. We're 2K short of our capacity right now, not there yet. Some day hopefully, though. Cortese's suggestions of a 50K stadium got a few of them agitated, we're doing alright as it is IMO.

[View From The Top]

Both of those have been similar since last season. Can you attribute an average loss of 500-600 just because of those factors?

 

 

I think so. Money is tight for many and once people are out of the habit of going it's hard to get them back.

 

I could have had free tickets today but I couldn't see the point in paying to get down to Soton & back for an early KO when it's on TV.

 

I've watched every game I wanted to this season, in HD, on my sofa with my lad. That's best part of £1000 on tickets + expenses + time saved.

 

I'm certainly not alone in doing this. Quite a few exiles, with kids over 11, are now adopting this pattern.

 

Northern & Midland away games with the occasional London game thrown in is all we will do in the future plus a home game, if I can use Corky's STs when visiting family.

[CB Fry]

I miss Wes, Frank, MLG and the rest of the forum brains trust lecturing us about our gigantic catchment area and how they would all be streaming into SMS from Truro, Devizes, Hastings and Guildford once we were established in the Premier League. Because people in Cirencester have a huge affinity to a middle - sized city in Hampshire, why wouldn't they all become Saints fans?

 

Come on Katharina, stop being negative. Stop the Dell-sized mentality. Build it, and build it big. THEY WILL COME.

 

We can do kids for a quid, flexible/dynamic pricing and sell lots of burgers. Oh, and my all time favourite Saints Web expansion suggestion: just sell 8,000 away tickets to City and United fans. And another few thousand to anyone who just happens to want watch a Premier League match.

 

So many simply brilliant ideas. Just wasted. Build it. Build it. Build it.

[Whitey Grandad]

Thankfully the bellendery of that particular argument seems to have dissipated somewhat. I guess when you can't sell out the home end against a top 5 side it's a bit of a giveaway that the stadium is the right size, just for now.

 

Wasn't today a sell-out? I know people who wanted tickets but couldn't get any, it was just singles only a few days ago. My daughter tried to buy 4 a week ago and they didn't have any.

[The Kraken]

I think so. Money is tight for many and once people are out of the habit of going it's hard to get them back.

 

I could have had free tickets today but I couldn't see the point in paying to get down to Soton & back for an early KO when it's on TV.

 

I've watched every game I wanted to this season, in HD, on my sofa with my lad. That's best part of £1000 on tickets + expenses + time saved.

 

I'm certainly not alone in doing this. Quite a few exiles, with kids over 11, are now adopting this pattern.

 

Northern & Midland away games with the occasional London game thrown in is all we will do in the future plus a home game, if I can use Corky's STs when visiting family.

I think you missed my point, mate. I'm not saying those aren't factors. Far from it. They obviously are. And the point you initially mentioned about over 12s, it's one I wasn't aware of but I'm sure you're right, that could well be a factor.

 

I was more responding to Duncan's post that the reason we'd dipped 500-600 in average attendance just since last year was only due to streaming and ticket prices. Only those 2 factors, which I would disagree with. I know "ticket prices" falls into that, but it's a bit ovague which thankfully you've clarified. I actually think adult prices are about right, given our stadium size.

 

If I'm honest, and it's a grandiose hope, it would be that through this thread and various other initiatives the club could be convinced to take on some more fan friendly pricing structures and get St. Mary's full to brimming much more often. Maybe a bit too much hope for an M-board, but one can hope. If anything, it allows you and others a platform to vent what is IMO a very valid point again about childrens' pricing.

Edited 26 April, 2014 by The Kraken

[Matthew Le God]

I guess when you can't sell out the home end against a top 5 side it's a bit of a giveaway that the stadium is the right size, just for now.

 

Southampton FC @SouthamptonFC · 12h

Remember, today’s game against @Everton is SOLD OUT so no tickets are available. Turnstiles open at 11.15am. #saintsfc

 

[Turkish]

Southampton FC @SouthamptonFC · 12h

Remember, today’s game against @Everton is SOLD OUT so no tickets are available. Turnstiles open at 11.15am. #saintsfc

 

 

Right on cue who should appear.....

 

[The Kraken]

Southampton FC @SouthamptonFC · 12h

Remember, today’s game against @Everton is SOLD OUT so no tickets are available. Turnstiles open at 11.15am. #saintsfc

 

 

I imagine it was very random that all these people didn't turn up in their seats that they had bought and paid for.

 

 

31,313 is significantly down on our possible maximum Only a complete ignoramus as yourself would try to argue against that.

[View From The Top]

I think you missed my point, mate. I'm not saying those aren't factors. Far from it. They obviously are. And the point you initially mentioned about over 12s, it's one I wasn't aware of but I'm sure you're right, that could well be a factor.

 

I was more responding to Duncan's post that the reason we'd dipped 500-600 in average attendance just since last year was only due to streaming and ticket prices. Only those 2 factors, which I would disagree with. I know "ticket prices" falls into that, but it's a bit a vaguary which thankfully you've clarified. I actually think adult prices are about right, given our stadium size.

 

If I'm honest, and it's a grandiose hope, it would be that through this thread and various other initiatives the club could be convinced to take on some more fan friendly pricing structures and get St. Mary's full to brimming much more often. Maybe a bit too much hope for an M-board, but one can hope. If anything, it allows you and others a platform to vent what is IMO a very valid point again about childrens' pricing.

 

As I posted earlier, I wrote to the club regarding pricing for kids once they turn 12, to be told it's £300 behind the goals because the cost of living in the south is greater than the north!

 

Similar tickets at Stoke & WBA are around £75. At Wolves, next season in the SBC (it was the same set up in the BPL) if would be around £50.

[The Kraken]

As I posted earlier, I wrote to the club regarding pricing for kids once they turn 12, to be told it's £300 behind the goals because the cost of living in the south is greater than the north!

 

Similar tickets at Stoke & WBA are around £75. At Wolves, next season in the SBC (it was the same set up in the BPL) if would be around £50.

 

I admit, I did find that funny.

 

"Sir, we need to charge 4 times more than those northerers because southerners have much less disposable income!"

[Raging Bull]

Personally don't want more muppets going to the stadium as it's a feckin balls ache getting out. I live in Rownhams and takes an hour and 15 to get home sometimes.

[Whitey Grandad]

 

31,313 is significantly down on our possible maximum Only a complete ignoramus as yourself would try to argue against that.

 

'Sold out' an 'full' are not the same thing, I guess. What exactly is the maximum for a standard league game?

[The Kraken]

'Sold out' an 'full' are not the same thing, I guess. What exactly is the maximum for a standard league game?

Try reading the OP. Corporate and various other factors. We've had 32K+ in the PL. That's the point WG.

[Whitey Grandad]

Try reading the OP. Corporate and various other factors. We've had 32K+ in the PL. That's the point WG.

 

Yeah, I did. Are all factors the same, segregation, corporates, seating plan, number of televised games, and that sort of thing? The figures look very similar to me but I expect the pricing has a lot to do with it.

[The Kraken]

Yeah, I did. Are all factors the same, segregation, corporates, seating plan, number of televised games, and that sort of thing? The figures look very similar to me but I expect the pricing has a lot to do with it.

My point is: compared to last year? 500-600 because of price since last year?

 

And I apologise for being terse.

[Whitey Grandad]

My point is: compared to last year? 500-600 because of price since last year?

 

And I apologise for being terse.

 

No problems, it happens to all of us

 

I'm sure, or at least I hope, that someone is analysing the figures. A few hundred is not a lot and it may be that the revenue is the same or higher. There are a lot of possible factors, dates of matches, i.e. Christmas/Easter period, TV exposure, pricing...

[The Kraken]

No problems, it happens to all of us

 

I'm sure, or at least I hope, that someone is analysing the figures. A few hundred is not a lot and it may be that the revenue is the same or higher. There are a lot of possible factors, dates of matches, i.e. Christmas/Easter period, TV exposure, pricing...

 

Sure. I think my point is (or was) that we're 1,500 below our previous PL best. That happened after our last 8th placed finish (and cup final appearance). We'll see what happens next year, I guess.

 

All I know is blind allegiance to the cause and utter ignorance/stupidity (i.e. by MLG) answers nothing and is actually just a poor defence mechanism.

[Baldbarbarian]

All of the above and this is our natural attendance really in this League, no matter how others say we are not in the current top 7's size by a long long chalk,

 

United could fill 90,000 it estimated easily.

Liverpool have a 100,000 person waiting list that I have been told is 40 years long which you have to pay a £5 to see where you are on the list.

Arsenal sell out the 60,000 Emirates.

City get 45,000 in theirs and that will go with cling ons.

Chelsea as above.

Everton get 38,000 but are looking for a new 50,000 seater stadium which they will average around 43,000 a game its estimated.

Spurs are getting a 60,000 odd new stadium.

 

Add Newcastle, Villa, Leeds, and many others into the mix, this is our roundabout size, its not great but it aint bad,

 

A friend of mine been on waiting list at Liverpool for a year & has confirmed that he is able to purchase a season ticket for next season. Just a tad shorter than 40years.

[adrian lord]

While Arsenal "sell out" every week, the place is always peppered with empty seats because the season tickets are held by legions of bankers and corporate lawyers who are so often overseas on business or yachting in the Bahamas that they cannot actually attend.

 

Maybe Saints have 5-600 yuppies too?

[Whitey Grandad]

Our capacity is 32,689 but segregation takes away some of that and it also includes directors and press. For practical reasons there are always going to be some no-shows so I would suspect that our attendances are pretty much at the maximum given the fixture schedule and kick-off timings. I don't think that just because we aren't bursting at the seams with hundreds of disgruntled would-be supporters banging on the doors we should conclude that there isn't a big demand out there. Would increasing the capacity to 50,000 lead to an average of 47,000 or so? That is the £32m question. (Wikipedia. Yes, I know)

[Barry Sanchez]

A friend of mine been on waiting list at Liverpool for a year & has confirmed that he is able to purchase a season ticket for next season. Just a tad shorter than 40years.

And I say to that absolute ********, is he buying from the club or a friend?

[Whitey Grandad]

And I say to that absolute ********, is he buying from the club or a friend?

 

1 year does seem short. 40 years is just ridiculous, I don't believe that.

[Barry Sanchez]

There is about 28,000 on the clubs official waiting list and from the official fans clubs abroad it is said that there is demand for another 70,000 season tickets, they are probably in the Liverpool fans club, put it this way a ticket for tomorrows game got sold for £2000 and some will be an awful lot more, the Norwegians have been here since thursday on the ****.

[Barry Sanchez]

http://forums.liverpoolfc.com/threads/323149-Season-Ticket-waiting-list

[42]

The club are haemorrhaging support from families whose kids are over 11 as the jump in prices is huge. I know of plenty who have gone from ST holders to occasional home fans. Myself included.

 

I wrote to the club not so long ago about the issue and asked why Stoke & WBA can charge £75 for a 12yo lad but Saints charge £300. In the reply I was told it's because the cost of living is greater in the south.

 

So you went from ST holder to the occasional home game? Really? I had you down as an away supporter

[whelk]

I imagine it was very random that all these people didn't turn up in their seats that they had bought and paid for.

 

 

31,313 is significantly down on our possible maximum Only a complete ignoramus as yourself would try to argue against that.

 

Wasn't that the first goal? My seat was empty then also as stuck in bookies queue.

[whelk]

Both of those have been similar since last season. Can you attribute an average loss of 500-600 just because of those factors?

 

Streaming has got much better this season. Many options to view overseas options and high quality. TBH is main reason I will consider for not renewing ST next season.

[Baldbarbarian]

And I say to that absolute ********, is he buying from the club or a friend?

 

Not from a friend. Season ticket direct from the club.

Believe it or not its happened & he has only been on the "list" a year

[Barry Sanchez]

Not from a friend. Season ticket direct from the club.

Believe it or not its happened & he has only been on the "list" a year

 

I dont I'm sorry maybe you are mistaken or there has been a mistake by the club, my next door neighbour has been on there for 11 years and I know of people who have been on there longer than that. Read the link I posted as that is from fans waiting.

[Batman]

Tickets for anfield are easily available from any **** hole boozer around the ground