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As I said at the start of all this, they did drop the prices for a league game against Derby and we got loads more for that too. Decent atmosphere that game and we won 2-0. Felt like we might just be turning a corner. When they did it again for Chelsea it was even better and really felt like it could be the start of something. Then we lost 3 games in a week and then sold Bowen and Grosicki. We haven't done a ticket promotion since then and also we haven't had a home win.
We'd hired a coach for the away game - we stopped en route and it wouldn't start but we managed to push it off and arrived in time for the game. The replay was on the same day as our annual school versus staff match - several of us feigned injury and joined the rest of the school (more or less forced to watch) but there was a mass escape plan in place and small groups filtered away to join the queues outside the ground. The result was disappointing but Chris Simpkin's goal was a cracker. I suspect that our escape didn't go unnoticed but there were no reprisals. Despite all the great games since, that away day still stands out as one of the very best. The Chelsea crowd tried to counter our chants of "Tigers" with their response of "pussycats" - it took us most of the game to fathom out what they were saying, just in time for Waggy to strike them dumb.
The Allams have been disastrous in the PR stakes, but it's untrue to say the club has no initiatives to try and entice fans in, specially kids. Back of Best Stand there is a facepainting and some kind of football shooting comp going on. Often other minor events too. It's too little and too late, but it's not exactly a '**** you fans' as some people want to believe. They never had the common touch and never will, and don't trust other people enough to let them do it. Do you see the pics on the website of crowds at games? Nearly always under tens or kindly old folk, rarely the 20 to 60 male types who dominate this forum. Perhaps an insight into the minds of the current owners?
No one knows about those things. Putting something on for the kids who are already going isn't bringing anyone in. It's the thousands of kids in the City who love football but don't go to City, many of whom even wear City shirts but have never gone to a game, that need to be reached. It's not easy but it needs to be done. Same applies to adults. Adult membership is a good price but how many football fans in Hull who don't already go would have any idea what the prices are? Barely any I bet. How many current City players could the average Hull-based football fan name? Again barely any I bet. City totally fades into the background locally and we need to address that.
Don't disagree with a word of that- but too many rabid haters ignoring facts (re kids being enticed) for it too be the complete truth.
I don't count facepainting for kids that are already there as an initiative to entice fans to attend. Any promotions/advertising should, in the short term, be undertaken by someone not currently involved so as to give a completely fresh input, and target the thousands of potential customers that very often don't even realise there is a game to go to. The first thing I would do would be to install a cash turnstile, and advertise it, so that people can make a last minute decision to go. I know OLM said you can just go to the stadium and buy a ticket but even fans currently attending aren't aware of this so how does the club expect non regulars to know? The first rule should be to make it as easy and simple as possible for a customer to buy. There have been past occasions of kids for a quid, how about Dads/Mums for a quid, or even free, with every child ticket? And if you are doing this advertise in all the right places where kids will see it so that they can pester their parents? Most businesses target new customers with price promotions or freebies, many people on this forum were first taken as kids, as I was, and got hooked. The Allams took over when there was still a feel good factor about the football club and they didn't really have to try anything to entice fans, the football did it for them. Being successful in business never qualified anyone to be successful at running a football club.
-> The first rule should be to make it as easy and simple as possible for a customer to buy. Yep. And clear. And scoring a goal might help
A slight modification/twist to your ideas MTG. Looking at the vacant seating situation, why not allow fathers, mothers, granddads , grannies to bring up to 4 or 5 kids in the 8-15 age groups with them for free. Grandkids & their mates, parents kids and their mates. Once they get hooked and reach age 16, charge them a fiver to get in & hike them up to regular adult prices at age 19/20. That's the way I got hooked (granddad paid for us both - essentially peanuts to get me in). Kids want to be with their pals at games - they'd spread the word to their schoolmates et al.
Derby boss prepared to write off 100 million debt to help sale of club and claims 7 or 8 potential buyers.