Apologies for any lack of research but this is all just straight from my thoughts... Yesterday's gate was 7,268 and the highest of the season. I think the average gate this season is around the £5,000+ mark. So we probably added another 2,000 fans to the gate yesterday with an improved atmosphere, against without any disrespect, less attractive but good opposition. I know we are top of the league but those thoughts have been already discussed on another thread. The last time I can remember such an attendance was last season against Bristol Rovers and I believe that might have been on a promotional offer or something to do with cup tickets maybe. My question is how much actual extra income do you believe the club made from the kids for a quid promotion? My logic of thought would say that 2,000 extra fans at £1 each, says a minimum of two grand. However, I believe to get this offer you had to purchase an adult ticket, which then adds a completely different financial return. I should add to that, there is the high probability that some regular custom might also be under 16's, so in turn this could affect any increased return. We need to add to this the obvious extra takings by the catering department but I am unsure what is any financial return to the club in this. Meaning have we already received our contractual fee and Lindley's pocket the extra sales, does anyone know, how the sales break down between food and drink including alcohol between the club and lindley's? There is then any additional sales through the club shop, such as shirts, scarfs, programmes etc. Do we pay for any extra stewarding? The obvious most beneficial part of this promotion to the club has got to be any potential returning new supporters and the next generation. Finally does the club receive any type of tax relief on promotional ticket sales? I hasten to add as a season ticket holder, I have no problem with this offer for kids, although my tolerance levels maybe affected it certainly as it has no impact on an adult ticket sales. The Cheltenham friend for a fiver obviously does have an impact on my season price but as they are only available to season ticket holders, it slightly counter weights the problem. I believe there was a lot of benefits non financially on the day gained from yesterday's promotion, especially with a great performance from a team. Lot's of questions and I would be interested to read any answers, so I can gain some sense of proportion to the benefit of such promotions. Remembering the thread is about financial returns of such offers...
I don't think any of these offers gain "financial returns" at the actual game. Today 2000 more supporters, probably a lot of them kids. But the extra 2000 in cash may be easily offset by the fact that just 500 of them may have been regulars anyway, so we would effectively lose 500 x say 15 pounds. That's quite a loss for the day. Same for the friends for a fiver promo. True, some 'extra' fans may be brought along. But trawl around the forums and you see plenty of fans who would have paid top price,simply getting their ticket cheap through a s/t holding mate. The real benefit out of any of these promotions is the hope that just some of them turn into regular supporters paying regular prices and attending on a weekly basis for the next umpteen years. Personally I think the kids for a quid promo is brilliant. These are just the sort of fans we need to be enticing. The youngsters who will hopefully keep badgering their dad to come along, and together become lifelong gills fans rather than just pulling on an Arsenal or Chelsea shirt. I think it would be good practice to make tickets for kids under say 10, always 1pound every game with an adult. And 10 to 16 years say 5 pounds with an adult. So that more of them can come along and mum&dad aren't under so much pressure financially. If dad has to take a couple of kids each game, it just becomes too expensive. If the kids cost virtually nothing, they can all keep coming. Besides, the kids will also want a shirt each year and a drink/burger each game
I there was bit of a problem with that deal, I know of a few people who went and got a ticket for 1 pound even though they were not with parents so I feel people in the ticket office did not understand the deal, I know in the past on that deal they could go on their own but they were supposed to be with a full paying adult but some were buying a ticket without the adult, also in the ground yesterday there was quite a few young children at the game with their friends all in a ground in the Medway stand around the age of 10 or 11 which is not only bad that the club is making the mistake but also how can parents let them go on their own at that age so I think the club should make sure they don't make mistakes like that again. Other than that the deal is good to try and get more fans in and also gain more fans as some will like it and want to come more often even at normal price.
Personally I think we need to think more long term with respect to this deal and not just as a 1 match thing. This promotional offer got people through the turnstiles which created a good atmosphere and thankfully The Gills put in a good performance. Hopefully the knock on effect will be that the child will have enjoyed themselves and pester their parents in to taking them again and again and again etc etc. Building the fanbase is the most important thing and getting the next generation to be aware of what the club has to offer especially in these days where there is an over saturation of the premier league and European football in the media and even local news spends more time talking about Brighton, Pompey, Bournemouth and Crawley than the Gills. I'm not saying it should be the norm but promotions are needed to promote the club
I received an email about another promotion this morning, see attachment... please log in to view this image Although no mention if this is just for season ticket holders and if so how many they can buy. I can only assume as there is no mention in any small print it is open to everyone? I just tested the online link supplied within the email and WITHOUT signing in on my account, I could get the offer in my basket for the Fleetwood game at £10 (adults).
i just had that deal e-mailed to me and i am not a season ticket holder, looks like the club is finally listening and putting out some good deals to entice people back to Priestfield.
That festive offer is excellent marketing. The Saturdays before Christmas are notorious for reduced attendances, so this should really help with the Fleetwood game. At £10 a pop I may even come down from Notts for it!
That flyer says "ALL tickets 10 quid" very good idea too. Games leading up to Xmas are often poorly attended due to costs at that time of year.
I'm all for more fans inside Priestfield - and welcome the promotions thus far - and those leading up to Christmas - but I am now wondering where it will end. Given that we have been top of the league since 1st September, we are NOT attracting extra attendees to matches ( not counting the extra 2000 kids on Sturday ). If we can't naturally attract more people when we are playing good football - banging in quality goals for fun - then what would be the situation if we were in the bottom places ? ( would Mr.Scally offer a refund ?) How many more promotions will there be? - at the rate that we've had - and to come before Christmas, it won't take too long before they overtake the value of my season tickets. There have been comments about the extra revenue from increased catering and merchandise - I not so sure that the Club will get any of that increased catering revenue ( from its franchisee )- and despite the increased number of kids - not many seemed to be stuffing a pie into their mouths any time during the game - and none seemed to have any bags of goodies from the megastore. I think the Mr.Scally needs to be careful not to alienate season ticket holders - maybe hoping that we wont mind because the team is being successful - because come next season a few more current season ticket holders may not bother renewing - in the knowledge that deals will be offered that might make it financially more attractive than paying up front. ( wont stop me ever from purchasing my season tickets - but just saying... )
I agree somewhat alwaysright; season ticket holders may get a little disgruntled with too many offers on 'regular' tickets ie. adult tickets (as most STHs are probably adults). But I think the logic may well be to get some stay away fans hooked again at the start of the season and then they'll come back of their own accord later in the season paying full price as we (hopefully) continue to do well. Therefore the regularity of the offers at the moment are unlikely to continue. Not sure STHs will care too much about kids for a quid because as I said most STHs are probably adults and will accept they need to convert the kids whilst they're young and easy to attract.
