Hull FC's attendance practically doubled from 6298 in 2002 to 11598 in 2003 after the move to the KC. The fact that they maintain 12,000+ average gates with little on field success is testament to the community and school outreach they do. It's misleading to compare City to Hull FC in terms of numbers, rugby is tiny compared to football, attendances are and should be lower for rugby. Hull City should be comparing themselves to clubs in towns of similar size to see how they maintain/increase their fan base despite the added geographical competition from bigger clubs (something we don't have).
Hull City should obviously build up the local market but the Eqypt market should also be a top priority for the club. It is a largely untapped market that we have got into already but need to press on with. Being in the PL and doing well will take care of Asia and Usa. They both love an under dog and one that does well.
As suttontiger quite rightly posted - the longer we can stay in the PL the better, as having the odd 2 seasons here or there - while nice for us older fans, will not be attractive to the ankle-biters/sprogs. Using a bit of blue sky thinking (which may be considered rubbish by others), in the last few weeks of the school summer term (when noone does any work) could not some city wide school football tournament happen at the KC, get to meet the players, coaching staff etc - even stadium tours for the little darlings.
I was in Scarborough yesterday - only saw 2 football shirts: 1 Middlesbrough and 1 Hull City. Saw plenty of Hull City memorabilia in the gift shops too, funny as I also saw a Leeds Utd cap reduced to £1 in a brgain bin sat outside a shop I agree though, the club needs to do more to make Hull City a part of young people's lives and not just as a momentary option.
City should be looking at cities like Derby, Nottingham and Sunderland. Places of a similar size against which to benchmark themselves. This coming season we will come up against most of the slickest off-field operations in European football. Are we going to content ourselves with Roary, Steve Jordan's stand intros and that **** half time game for losers? NT and his team need to rob some ideas from the best, as we go on the road. The fixtures are out tomorrow. Has the club orchestrated much of a 'hubba hubba hubba' in the Press, on the radio or on billboards? Or just a coy little article on their website linking it to season pass purchase so 'you can see Liverpool. Man Utd and Spurs' (Wonder who that's aimed at?)
They should start by emulating Man City's Tunnel Cam and posting in on Youtube every week, not only will this bring attention for Hull fans but away supporters who are looking to see what goes on behind the scenes.
What about Rovers fans? Should we target them too? We need as many initiatives as possible, at all levels, in different media, targeting all levels and ages in specific ways.
Ahh.... Very good. If the rumours are true that might just be what they are doing.... Slightly controversial chief exec though don't you think....?
I like watching the MCFC TV on YouTube, it's interesting and funny sometimes. Joe Hart's spectacular overhead kick was uploaded via MCFC TV wasn't it? It'd be good to see a different view of Hull City AFC. I thought the way on the Season Review DVD for 2008/2009 was interesting at the end when it showed the players getting psyched up before the game against Manchester United.
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My husband recalls those days perhaps a decade before you. " I played for Flinton Grove Juniors(East Hull) from age 9 to nearly 11 and the school team was allocated 2 free passes. Only myself and another guy were interested in seeing the Tigers so I saw all the home league matches in seasons 47/48 and 48/49 for free. No free passes when I went on to High School."
Good post. Leicester and Derby are prime examples, Derby have been nothing but poor for a long time now yet are always in the top 3 for average attendance over a season. Leicester have the largest attended domestic rugby club in the country to compete with and still top 20k every game.
That's because Derby give half their tickets away(they have by far the lowest take per ticket in the league).
You wont get proper fans until they can go to matches. The first step needs to be increasing the capacity of the KC.
Once we can show City live around the world and keep the subscription money things will be a lot better.
Good on them, they probably make the same amount of money as they would charging full price but getting 5,000 fewer through the turnstiles. Clubs like Middlesbrough probably generate a similar revenue by charging their 14,000 fans full whack, they then have to play in a half deserted stadium. Derby have it spot on, if they get promoted they have a huge fan base that would then be willing to buy passes/pay full price, they wouldn't be struggling to sell out season passes like we are. If they don't get promoted they can carry on filling their stadium and encouraging more people to support their local team.
