Corporal_Jones Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Our average gate is about 4500 last year it was possibly 1000 more. (I don't know the figures but its not far off). Regional lower leagues would do some good to this and we would never be affected to have to move south, but spare a thought for the likes of Notts county, Walsall, Lincoln etc. who wouldn't know what league they'd be in from one season to the next. Plus what about fairness as its not beyond the realms of possibility to have the twelve best teams at this level all being in the north (or south) yet if someone from the other would have to be promoted. A new stadium might help matters especially if it was better covered from the elements (we are notorious for being very cold). Strippers instead of cheerleaders (or even cheerleaders who aren't ridiculously under aged and therefore attractive) could help. Signing Paul Scholes or even a female player (Kelly Smith et al. might be good enough) might put a bit on for the first few games but not in the long term. Cheaper season tickets or game tickets might work too but not for long (how many did we get when it was a quid- and how many stayed). Plus Blackburn and Bolton (two local premier teams) both reduced their ticket prices to level similar to ours (if not cheaper) because they got a whole bunch extra from Sky (yet neither were founder members of the premier league unlike us). If i was just a general football fan (as opposed to supporting Oldham) I know where I'd spend my money and it isn't watching the sort of performance like we had a Brighton (or the first half against Swindon). The sooner TV companies work out that paying ridiculously over the odds to watch 22 men (plus a few subs) kick a ball around a pitch isn't worth their money the better. After all the Beeb is still funded (for a large part) by the license fee payer and I for one would much rather see them spend money on programmes other than football (despite being a football fan). The only realistic way to survive as a football club at this level is to have someone willing to loose money to fund you after all we by all estimates loose roughly 750k a year yet we aren't a small club at this level. Leeds are in administration for a reason as are Bournemouth and Luton. Soon it won't be who has the best team on the pitch that gets promoted but who has enough money to stay out of administration. Having nifty crowd enhancing schemes won't work (don't you think that if we or anyone else could make significantly more money per year as a football club with a scheme it'd have been tried by now). Professional football in this country has turned into a multi-billion pound a year industry and in any industry if 60% of your competitors are better than you then you are going to loose money. Rio Ferdinand was paid 90k a week when he was inelligible to play for 8 months that £3.15 million could keep Oldham going for over 4 years. We wouldn't need to have a larger gate if we weren't spending as much money on wages and the only reason we are spending as much money on wages is beacuse players the likes of Rio Ferdinand et al are being paid so much. Yet as we proved on the 5th of january this year 11 players being paid about 11 times as much money aren't necessarily better for 90 minutes. But the only reason the likes of Rio Ferdinand are being paid in a week what a senior doctor makes in a year is because the TV companies have paid the Premier League a ridiculous amount of money to show about 90 hours of live football a year and the players are taking their 'rightful' cut. However, the best way to boost attendances is for us to get promoted as I'd think its only Leeds and Swansea that bring more to us than we take to them we have an attendance record like our position but yet we still take quite a few fans away. This could well be because there are a lot of Oldham fans who grew up watching Latics at a higher level than we are at the moment and those that remain are much more die hard but for the likes of Yeovil this is the best division they've ever got to so they have fairweather fans. Very sensible stuff (mostly.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetramfixer Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 maybe a change of kick off time would help!! FRIDAY evening's???? SATURDAY evening's??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAV Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 maybe a change of kick off time would help!! FRIDAY evening's???? SATURDAY evening's??? Saturday evening attendances would be even worse. Everybody out as normal,footy on t.v all day,come kick off time a mass of tics asleep, under tables at various drinking establishments around the area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corporal_Jones Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 (edited) maybe a change of kick off time would help!! Nothing but nothing will work except a consistently winning team, and a club that looks like it means business, instead of taking the fans for granted. Even then it might take two or three seasons for it to have a significant effect on attendances, as has already been poved in the Dowie season and, for a time, last season. As has also been proved, though-everything else is just tinkering around the edges and has no long-term effect: people simply don't want to watch mediocre or downright bad teams, even at cut price. Edited February 29, 2008 by Corporal_Jones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Nothing but nothing will work except a consistently winning team, and a club that looks like it means business, instead of taking the fans for granted. Really. Well, let me tell you Corporal, that if there were free blowjobs off a variety of the world's top celebrity totty, free Michellin starred pies, a memorial 24 carat gold coin for every punter, and it was £5 in, I reckon attendances would remain fairly healthy playing with a set of one legged geriatrics and getting hammered every week in a league 14 divisions further down the pyramid. Hell, I'd pay money to go and see a Whoopi Goldberg film or a Rugby League match on those terms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corporal_Jones Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Really. Well, let me tell you Corporal, that if there were free blowjobs off a variety of the world's top celebrity totty, free Michellin starred pies, a memorial 24 carat gold coin for every punter, and it was £5 in, I reckon attendances would remain fairly healthy playing with a set of one legged geriatrics and getting hammered every week in a league 14 divisions further down the pyramid. Hell, I'd pay money to go and see a Whoopi Goldberg film or a Rugby League match on those terms. Have you ever thought about putting yourself forward for Bernard's old spot at the Embassy Club? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Have you ever thought about putting yourself forward for Bernard's old spot at the Embassy Club? I think they would find me too modern and PC. If I ever find someone who has lost a scratched record however I will be sure to put your name forward as a natural replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corporal_Jones Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I think they would find me too modern and PC. If I ever find someone who has lost a scratched record however I will be sure to put your name forward as a natural replacement. You're right-I take it all back. A consistently winning side and a club that looks like it knows what it wants is irrelevent to our plight. Better to continue floundering around. The more contradictory statements and dummy spitting coming out of BP the better. Do another few free tickets for schools things and watch BP bulge at the seams again as we go down to another 1-0 defeat but 'show signs of moving in the right direction.' See them all return next home game, paying regular prices, and to all home games after that. Or as Borat might say: NOT!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 You're right-I take it all back. A consistently winning side and a club that looks like it knows what it wants is irrelevent to our plight. Better to continue floundering around. The more contradictory statements and dummy spitting coming out of BP the better. Do another few free tickets for schools things and watch BP bulge at the seams again as we go down to another 1-0 defeat but 'show signs of moving in the right direction.' See them all return next home game, paying regular prices, and to all home games after that. Or as Borat might say: NOT!!! Or as Basil Fawlty might say, "if she went on Mastermind, her specialist subject would be, "stating the bleeding obvious."" I dare say that when this thread was started, most of us would have taken it as a given that great football and promotion would help, and kind of moved on to think of something additional. Incidentally, were it not for free tickets for schools, it's unlikely that me, my brother and therefore also my brothers' bird would be Oldham fans, I dare say the same goes for plenty of others in the ground regularly. Worth thinking about before knocking these silly little schemes people come up with. How are Bradford's attendances doing these days? How is their league form? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafckev Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 The thing you've got to think about is will people enjoy coming to the game? If I took my neutral mate to Tuesday's game I'd feel like I'd wasted £20 of his hard earnt money! Fair enough the Lookers is coming down at the end of the season but for years It's been shocking. In the Lower Paddock there charging you £2.50 for half a pint even though they won't let you through to the Royle Bar where it's £2.50 for a pint. You've got that dyke of a steward telling you that you can't go through to the Royle Bar due to health and safety regulations - Tuesday night game where we couldn't pull in 4000 fans, It's a joke. I'll carry on my rant to say that the music is dead, simple thing really but were dusting off records from before Frizell was in charge! Half time entertainment is non existant, the cheerleaders are about 6 aswell. Promotion would obviously boost crowds. Friday night games would keep it interesting I think. A singing section(rre) would bring a few people who are interested in the atmosphere more so than the game. Cheaper tickets for 16-21 like at Trannys and Port Vale tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corporal_Jones Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 (edited) Or as Basil Fawlty might say, "if she went on Mastermind, her specialist subject would be, "stating the bleeding obvious."" I dare say that when this thread was started, most of us would have taken it as a given that great football and promotion would help, and kind of moved on to think of something additional. Incidentally, were it not for free tickets for schools, it's unlikely that me, my brother and therefore also my brothers' bird would be Oldham fans, I dare say the same goes for plenty of others in the ground regularly. Worth thinking about before knocking these silly little schemes people come up with. Did I say the club shoudn't do such things as free tickets for schools? Or did I simply point out that it makes no significant difference to attendances and the financial plight of the club, and that past experience shows this? Funny how it's only me, in pointing such things out, who gets accused of repetitiveness, when we've had a hundred threads like this over the years on here and other boards, all saying similar things over and over. Anyway, haven't you got some happy clapping to be getting on with? And don't say bird-it's sexist. Edited February 29, 2008 by Corporal_Jones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lags Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 The best and only way to answer this thread question....is product on the pitch and a winning one with style if possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corporal_Jones Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 The best and only way to answer this thread question....is product on the pitch and a winning one with style if possible In a nutshell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yard Dog Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 SUMMER FOOTBALL !!! After almost dying of hypothermia ( I should have worn the right gear really ) on Tuesday I think I've decided that Summer Football is the way forward. Heated seats with wind-blocks and rain covers would be good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philliggi Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 SUMMER FOOTBALL !!! After almost dying of hypothermia ( I should have worn the right gear really ) on Tuesday I think I've decided that Summer Football is the way forward. Heated seats with wind-blocks and rain covers would be good too. winter = football summer = beer gardens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Did I say the club shoudn't do such things as free tickets for schools? Or did I simply point out that it makes no significant difference to attendances and the financial plight of the club, and that past experience shows this? What you said was: Nothing but nothing will work except a consistently winning team In fact, the attendances recently demonstrate that the extra fans we gained the last time we followed your policy of substantially increasing the weekly losses of the club are no longer with us. Whereas I reckon that the attendances would be a lot lower without things like the school kids tickets which got many us us interested in the days before (and the days after) we were any good. Bradford's reduced ST prices seem to have worked. And don't say bird-it's sexist. No it isn't, it's the Anglo-Saxon word for a woman. That's why Northern birds still call them selves birds, unlike Southern birds who think it's something to do with feathers and wings, which none of the birds I know have. Apart from the OWTB FC right winger. Anyway, haven't you got some happy clapping to be getting on with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc1955 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 The thing you've got to think about is will people enjoy coming to the game? If I took my neutral mate to Tuesday's game I'd feel like I'd wasted £20 of his hard earnt money! Fair enough the Lookers is coming down at the end of the season but for years It's been shocking. In the Lower Paddock there charging you £2.50 for half a pint even though they won't let you through to the Royle Bar where it's £2.50 for a pint. You've got that dyke of a steward telling you that you can't go through to the Royle Bar due to health and safety regulations - Tuesday night game where we couldn't pull in 4000 fans, It's a joke. I'll carry on my rant to say that the music is dead, simple thing really but were dusting off records from before Frizell was in charge! Half time entertainment is non existant, the cheerleaders are about 6 aswell. Promotion would obviously boost crowds. Friday night games would keep it interesting I think. A singing section(rre) would bring a few people who are interested in the atmosphere more so than the game. Cheaper tickets for 16-21 like at Trannys and Port Vale tomorrow. Looking at the Tranmere site I think their ticketing structure is far better. U16/£5 17-22/£13 Over 60/£10 Adult prices are categorised dependant on the opposition. A. £21 B. £18 C. £15. I would tweak it still further 17-20/£10 Over65/£10 A. £20 B. £15 C. £12 Most work until 65 so I don't think full price is unreasonable and if your'e not hooked as a supporter by then you never will be! I also think at 21 you should be paying full whack! Cash in with (Cat A.) on the likes of Leeds/Huddersfield/Swansea/Forest. Try to attract extra fans with (Cat C.) Northampton/Millwall/Yeovil/Cheltenham/Bournemouth and the like. The under 16 at £5 is the important one as you have to attract the young kids and get them into the habit of coming to games, as they are the future of the club. I can't really see why at Oldham we charge an 11 year old £3 and a 12 year old £9 as there's no difference in their financial situation and the cost is still saddled with the parents! £20 on the day is simply too much for a 17year old!! You would have to adjust season ticket and early bird prices but I think it's worth a try for a season to see the results. You've also got to get the price and quality of the refreshments right and get people to come early and spend a few quid in the bars. Hopefully with the new stands we'll start to do this!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 Lions Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 We dropped the membership scheme? I'm guessing it was for cost cutting reasons, or were there other factors? Personally I'd bring it back, I know I'd get one, even if I dont manage to get to a game. Just as long as the club gets my money. The vouchers that were normally used for buying tickets for cup games etc. I'd also add a few vouchers where you can bring along a 'friend' who can pay at a reduced price. e.g Member pays 18quid and the guest pays 15, or if its a kid, they pay 5. Though at the current gate prices I'd say that for a random one off visitor that 20 quid is a little steep and couple that with our inconsistency this year, it puts off regular and new fans from coming. If in the hopeful/unlikely/miraculous* chance we were to go up this year, can we guess what our crowds will be next year? Double, 1 or 2K more? *Delete as appropriate Also add some vouchers that offer some discount at the club shop, just to encourage more people to spend their money at the club. Of course the system could and likely would be abused by some, but most systems are never perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philliggi Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I say let asll kids in under the age of 10 for free, then 10 - 16 give it them for a fiver, then have a student price and an adult price. by the age of sixteen if they are going to become hardcore they will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martjs Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 We dropped the membership scheme? I'm guessing it was for cost cutting reasons, or were there other factors? Membership scheme was dropped because it was deemed illegal by some bureaucrats (FA, FL?) as it was "unfair" on away fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoytonBlueLad Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Membership scheme was dropped because it was deemed illegal by some bureaucrats (FA, FL?) as it was "unfair" on away fans. Yep that was the reason given. If we were to do all the Cat A,B,C game style pricing, I'd do definitely do what many have said before and get a bloody big advert on that billboard on the side of the paper shop at the top of Sheepfoot Lane. In fact, I'd have it done now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.