Not bothered about the ephemeral Egyptian market, or the Far East one either. What the club needs to be doing is capitalising on its most successful ever period (2004- present), and building up a local fanbase that all but obliterates any RL or Top 4 residue. We might think that just getting to the Premier League (again) is enough in itself, but it seems it's not. Despite a decade of success there are still plenty of teenagers with LFC, MUFC shirts on (-why?) We lost our grip on this area from 1975 onwards and allowed RL to gain a foothold. To this day the 40 somethings are still the most vocal anti City you hear out and about. These are the ones who defected to Hull and Rovers, and these are the ones we will never win back, and who groom their kids to follow local RL and Top 4 clubs. The club needs to try double hard to engage with young supporters to grab them before RL or Sky do. We need to be the only sensible and logical club to follow- from Scarbro to Goole. We can't just trust them to ignore dad pressure or peer pressure, we need to put a comprehensive strategy in place that catches them all and gets them to buy in to Hull City FC. Free tickets, free gifts, player visits, whatever it takes. Engage with the less well off youngsters in this city and get them hooked. We may be Premier League on the pitch, but we are no better than tinpot eggchasing teams when it comes to local hearts and minds.
In the mist of all the **** on here over the last few days finally a sensible post. Totally agree with this, Small things make a huge difference.
I think they should appoint a special advisor. A company I would recommend is Catalyst Media, they will boost our profile.
I dont think City have ever done enough to capture young supporters, both rugby teams have done a lot more work visiting schools over the years engaging them. When my lad was 6 a few years ago, in the 6 week holidays City put on coaching courses. Two of the weeks at the KC then a wk at Sth Hunsley, one at Hornsea, Brid and the last one at Beverley!! What chance did all the young kids from Bransholme, Greatfield, Longhill, Bilton Grange have? But Rovers will have done coaching sessions throughout in the area.
I think a multi-agency approach is called for. I have no data or proof, but I get the impression that the area immediately south of Anlaby Road between Coltman Street and Hawthorne Ave, has very few people who attend our games. Priced out? Egg chasers? Migrant workers? Has the club just turned its back on them? You won't see this area if you live in Melton or drive in from out of town but it could and should be a stronghold for our support, even more so than many of the other areas in our city that are ripe for 'engagement' by the club.
I understand the concern about the abandonment of certain areas but if a PR agency was brought in to increase interest I have no doubt they would target the more affluent areas as they are more likely to take up an interest. The fact that the club are loosing fans in other areas is a whole different issues. If they can't afford it what does it matter if they are interested. It's a vastly complicated matter but that only reinforces why the club should seek help.
The point is that we are attracting more support. All of the PR in the world will not bring in money like the PL
In bus shelters and on big advertising hoardings around the city, there are Barclays adverts congratulating us on our promotion to the Premier League. A simple and obvious thought: couldn't HCFC have done something similar and include a thanks to the fans and witty or defiant message? To be put on ten of the biggest/busiest hoardings in the city. Hedon Rd, Holderness Rd, Anlaby Rd, Cott rd, Hessle Rd, Clive Sullivan Way (by agreement with sponsors Arco) etc Would be seen by virtually every person in this city for several days/weeks. The type of thing that 'big' clubs do even though they are relatively cheap. Evidence more of professional marketing rather than loads-a-money.
Might help if we actually had a marketing department these days. I believe (though I may be wrong) that we are the only club in the top two divisions not to have a junior supporters club.
Well never thought I'd see a sensible post from you, but I mostly agree with you, the club needs to do more to engage the young future supporters. It's not just a Hull problem though, every city suffers the same, and surprisingly not everyone in Manchester supports City or Utd, same as the other "Big Cities". Get them in young though, and they'll always remember and should stay with us.
I'm talking about if we are relegated. Will we have built up a devoted local fanbase that sticks with the club? Or are we just courting the floating here today gone tomorrow Premier league groupy types?
Hearts and minds matter at EVERY level of society within our catchment area, from the Council chamber to the feral street kids back of Hessle Road, everyone should be united behind a successful City given a second chance at the top.
I'm am not saying I disagree, more that marketing a football club is vastly more complicated than any other organization and arguably more reason why you need an expert in sports marketing that understands the complications and differences.
Agree with these thoughts. Seems as subdued a promotion to the top flight in this city as it's possible to be. If we're not shouting now, when will we ever. Would this fall into the Nick Thompson ballpark? I happen to know personally in what high regard he holds a 'brand'.
I'm getting pissed off with people on here all posting insider knowledge, but cant reveal their sources. How Party how? Are you dating his daughter? Have you branded her?
I doubt if there is anyone at the club who is local and can explain the mindset of the people of this city and the history of the last 35 years. I'm talking about the Harold Needler legacy of 'laissez faire' rich man's plaything- no bar at the ground, no advertising in the ground, 5,000 fans in a 42,000 ground- a long slow decline with no attempt whatsoever to engage the sceptical people of this city. Contrast that with the RL clubs who were much more welcoming and were perceived as being much more down to earth.
The club should not look to discourage pubs streaming City games because I actually believe this is good for the people who may not be able to afford premier league football.
I actually think City should look to Europe to grow thier brand and fan base. We have a great access to Holland and we could utilise it with the aim of being the PL team Dutch football fans follow.
I think the club should look down south. In my street alone there are 50% more tigers fans than a year ago and 200% more than 7 years ago.
