Posted verbatim Here are the results of the fansâ email poll conducted by Bristol City Supporters Club & Trust. Over 1,000 City fans took the time to complete it and in doing so provided some very interesting results, which are well worth a look. The detail is in the analysis document attached, but here are the headlines:  The football club can rely on unconditional support from 68% of fans; however, 26% are feeling detached and undervalued, with 6% gradually disengaging.  A broadly similar pattern is seen in attendance with 60% offering unwavering support, 34% attending less and 6% not attending games any more.  We asked you to rank in importance the reasons why you come to games. Only 3 out of 5 fans state the football game as the primary reason for going to matches with 2 out of 5 coming mainly due to habit or to catch up with friends and family.  Active engagement with the football club, supporters groups and related charities, beyond cheering the lads on, is low at just 17%.  When asked if fans should take steps to protect the heritage (Club name and home colours) 88% answered an unequivocal yes. Just 2% said no and 10% were curious about what we might otherwise be missing out on.  Similarly, if the promise of premier league football through foreign investment in exchange for changing the Club name or home colours, 79% said they would never agree to this. 19% would be open to persuasion and just 2% would jump at the chance.  74% believe that fans representation at board level would help the board see things through the eyes of normal fans, with 26% disagreeing. Nearly a quarter of all respondents took further time to add their own comments. We can see some clear messages emerging after experiencing several seasons of poor football including relegation. Some fans are disengaging, but there are likely to be other factors other than the quality of the football. Potential is there because the fan community surrounding Bristol City Football Club remains strong; people come to engage with that community despite the recent entertainment value. Protecting our heritage is clearly important; fans do not want Bristol City to become the next Cardiff. Fans want to be heard at the highest level about things that most affect them and their match day experience. Thanks to those who took part in this poll, which is now closed. Other polls will emerge on specific subjects in the future. The results will be shared and discussed with officials at the Football Club to ensure that your voice is being heard.
Its quite interesting. 1 -3 feeling detached and undervalued or disengaging. Is that good or bad v other clubs? If fans support is unconditional gates would not have dropped as low as they did in 81 - 82 or under Osman. All support is conditional as I couldn't support Arsenal prices.
What I find interesting is the age groups. Takiing into account age groups of those who took part in the survey. Attendance in connection with the age group rises from teen age years till the early sixties I would always say to any youngster play football for along as you can,you can always attend a Bristol City football match. Considering the young ones,they would generally be more computer savvie than the mature generation. Having said all that,you have more money in your pocket as you get older. I 'll leave it to others to pull apart the stats(and my thoughts)
Recent history of attendances at many clubs following poor seasons or even relegation show that there is more consistency of numbers attending now than in the 1990's and before. One of the major factors is all seated stadia in the top two leagues which encourages people to buy season tickets if they wish to be with friends/family at all games. Back in the days of the vast standing terraces, clubs experienced big fluctuations if relegated or even further back before floodlighting for afternoon midweek games. Example;last game of 1956-57 season Liverpool v City at Anfield 15,108. Following season February 1959 34,091
Citys gates are 5000 down from five years ago. Away attendances have had a big drop off as well. 68% of fans support is obviously not unconditional and never has been never will be. Lads who become blokes I used to go with go nowhere near Ashton Gate now. City till I cant afford it or have sometheing else to do is the real score for many.
I agree with RedAlert that it would be interesting to see how htis compares with other clubs Also it would be good to ask the same people the same questions a year later to see what movement there is. When did the poll take place?
You have to factor in the type of fans that will firstly receive and then fill in the email survey, they are fans that will naturally have shown more attachment to the club in the past. they will be a more engaging type.!
The fact is that the likes of Man U, Man C, Liverpool and co can well afford to to have a fluctuation in their support. They are global brands and someone else will always fill the void We as a club are not particularly engaged with the local coimmunity, and the owner and senior management team seem very detached and arrogant at times. Throw in dire performances and results over the last few years, plus the major recession and it all adds up
Yes gates are 5,000 lower than five years ago but I am surprised that they have not gone lower. Traditionally when we get relegated to the third tier, crowds are usually around 8,000 until there is a real hint of promotion - we averaged over 11,000 last season so better than previous first seasons back in div three.
Recently via e mail via ST mailing list. There was also a poll in 2006. I doin't know what what movement there was against that.
