I think the FA cup is ****, I get more excited over a regular pl game than a cup game, it's a real waste of time. Perhaps if there was a greater financial incentive? And scrap ****ing replays
My idea would be to boost the prize fund by fining clubs (or withholding prize money) based on the number of empty seats in their stadium. Either they offer cheap tickets to fill the ground or the prize pot gets bigger for the winners. Improving the competition either way.
I think its a bit of both but I guess clubs would try to be more entertaining to fill the stadiums too.
I'm not sure. I think some fans find it hard to get excited about playing Oldham/Bournemouth even if tickets were free! The calibre of player in the prem now means fans are getting more used to watching higher standards and bigger names, Oldham just doesn't do it for some [only using Oldham for obvious reasons, no disrespect meant]
If the regular fan is that interested then why not take the opportunity to get the next generation on board? Make the tickets cheap or free for school kids. It might not generate the best atmosphere but it would fill the stadium and would speculate for the future too. Plus, kids will want other bits and bobs whilst they're there too. Only thing I wouldn't like if we took this approach would be the return to higher proceed standard tickets when we either draw a bigger club or make the semi-final or final. Like when playing the youngsters in these competitions, if you are going to do it fine but do it throughout the competition.
It's wonderful until you go out and then it's just a cup comp that you're happy to be out of so you can concentrate on more important things....
Attendance for today's game was 44,102 so not exactly half empty! Everton managed 32,283 v QPR as well so not looking too shabby attendance wise.
Take that with a pinch of salt. They count season ticket attendances even if they don't turn up from what I understand. Unless that's only in the league as you don't get in free with season ticket for Cup games?
Didn't think a season ticket got you into the cup games? Thought you had to pay extra for that option? Clubs such as us, Arsenal and Man Utd won't struggle with numbers as there will always be people willing to go along that can't normally get, the ticket demand is very high.
Using that argument Blackburn should have sold out their ground as they were playing Man City, a very big attraction being a top premier league outfit with riches beyond compare at their disposal, but the ground was half empty. I think in the 3rd round if Premier League clubs are playing lower opposition at home they should reduce the ticket price dramatically to ensure a full house and attract future fans.
All about the League and the Champions League. There are too many fixtures and FA and League Cup take up a good chunk of these.
It's the lower clubs that will struggle. I think it doesn't help with the timing sometimes as well. A week or so after Christmas/New year isn't good timing for people to go and watch a game which for most clubs isn't as important as league games. Brighton were selling their tickets for £10 for their game against Reading yesterday but they only managed 20k in a 30k stadium which is normally sold out and also because it was sandwiched between 2 home games in the Championship people are more than likely save up and go to those games instead which will have more impact on their season.
If Man Utd don't find a way to win or lose in the next 20 minutes they will have 6 games in 18 days (4 cup games)
I was mostly thinking about Liverpool fans and why they might or might not attend tbh but you make a good point. Regarding STH and cup tickets they have the Auto Cup Ticket Scheme but still have to pay.
