Discount for students

[In the know]

I see be the O Mail that you are giving students free entry and a 20 o/o discount how come you can do for them that for part time supporters yet the loyal season ticket holders get nothing may be you should do the same discount over the bar and food

[Belinda]

After reading the article in the Oxford Mail this evening that students get free entry and 20% off at the bar and food it has made me feel that loyal supporters who go to every away and home games are completely forgotten about. Also we have lots of other family members that come too, along with lots of friends and work colleagues that we have introduced to Oxford City who have become loyal supporters.

There are four people in my family 2 have season tickets and I feel we spend a lot of money to support our Club because we have such a passion for Oxford City. We always spend a lot of money behind the bar, have 50/50 tickets lots of them at each home game, programmes and spend so much in the Club Shop like any loyal supporters do. Also sponsoring a player each season.

All of us in my family have such a passion for the Club and enjoy supporting our team but after reading in the article that the more sponsors the Club gets they will be giving a family of 4 a season ticket if they are on benefits or low income. I have nothing at all against families on low income or benefits and yes it would encourage more people to support our team but again really feel that the loyal supporters are left out again. We spend money to support the Club and feel it is being given away too freely.

Fair enough give a family a free pass for an Oxford City game but if you give a family of 4 which in my case would be 4 season tickets totalling £200 each this is just throwing money away. It is nice to be nice but this would amount to £800 if you gave that free pass to my family.

To sum this post up giving students free entry instead why not just charge a small fee, as for the 20% off the bar and food only do this on occasions and include all supporters especially loyal supporters,

Had to put this on here because feel so frustrated that loyal supporters are forgotten. Like people are saying on Twitter what a good gesture yes a good gesture for those who will benefiting from the above.

[toocoulson4schoolson]

I understand the rationale when it comes to giving tickets away - the cost of putting on a game is basically the same whether 50 people turn up or 500, so the club want as many people through the turnstiles as possible. If it takes reduced or even free entry to get people through the door then I can live with that, especially knowing that the club will still generate some income once those people are in the ground. This was the case for years with under 16s and I always supported that.

The discounted food and drink, however, is a bit of a kick in the teeth for normal fans. I became a City fan while I was a student mainly because of the Pig, Pint, Play deal of old - it happened 2 or 3 times a season and got us entry, a sausage sandwich, and a drink for a fiver. That was a great deal for us, but because it was only for certain games it didn't have the effect of alienating people - it struck a good ballance.

In that period we ended up with a regular group of ~20 students paying a reduced, but not free, entry to most games with groups of up to about 50 or 60 for days where the deal was on - and that made the whole thing a big success. The problem, however, is that almost all of us would disappear during the holidays, and most people moved away within a couple of years. Overall, the scheme created maybe 4 or 5 supporters who remain regulars to this day.

Maybe this will be a good boost to a few attendance figures (although I have to question the OM's claim that students were the reason the numbers were up for Braintree when there were so many kids/parents around from the tournament which had just finished, and the game wasn't even in semester-time) it's not exactly going to create lifelong fans. It will, however, risk alienating lifelong fans.

I'm still pleased to see that the club is so willing to cut prices/give away tickets to try and drive up attendances, I want to see them do whatever they can to get more eyeballs trained on that pitch and I know that will mean there are a few mis-steps along the way. Hopefully they see that this might be one of them and come up with a way to adapt it.

[ShedEnder]

Honestly you have to really question the mentality and thinking behind the club at moment. Yes we should be trying to get more people to come to games but students for free how is that sustainable. Also at the Braintree game yes there was a handful of new students down there but no where near the 137 quoted in the local newspaper. The kids tournament before was where a chunk of early match crowd came from but they soon disappeared. Yes we have low ish attendances for step 2 but lets be realistic and honest. Also the whole Finn Tapp thing was handled was ridiculous radio interviews seen as good media and then on matchday one of the directors had apparently been very stressed over it all the same one who was enthuastic just days before. The reaction on twitter was horrendous and showed city in a bad light.

Having spoken to handful of our proper supporters last weekend in bar before the game they were telling me how there friends had been treated at the club. Volunteers shoved out of the club shop. People employed trying to become more proffesional and shocked to also hear that the media chaps had been downspoken too and almost forced out despite there more than decent work. One of better programmes in league too.

The new commercial guy comes across as enthusiastic but his comments and interviews just make Oxford City look like a parody. Whats his interest in the club.. discussing tactics with players on a regular basis. Trying to second guess management. Forcing the old manager out with his opinions .

Also good decent players not being liked because they had connections to the old boss. Looks like certain members at the top have the biggest egos going and wont back down.
The comments by Belinda are certainly echoed by myself.. what do the supporters actually get apart from being sold down the river... should we really be concerned about the background scenes at the club again. We should be more open and also stick to our community values which has made this club the fantastic family club down the years

[ChrisB]

Having moved to Yorkshire eight years ago I'm not now really in a position to have much of an informed opinion on the Marsh Lane situation, but, and I realise that there is still a substantial debt to be cleared, the 'on pitch' news seems to be taking second place to 'other news' at present.
As an absentee, I very much rely on what is on the internet to keep up-to-date with how the various sides (and there are a lot of them!) are doing, but previews of up-coming matches and match reports are now a number of clicks away from the front page which is packed with news about Golf Days, Movie Nights and sponsorship deals. Clearly these things are very important to the finances of the Club, but surely it is, primarily, a football club and it's often hard to locate 'football' news.
With regards to this current thread, I would generally have to agree with the sentiments above. I was a season-ticket holder for many years and would, I'm sure, felt a little left-out with all these offers to 'passing trade'.
The students from Brookes etc always provided a good match-day atmosphere, but, as is the nature of students, most of them moved on after graduation, so it seems unlikely that providing students with free entry and discounted food will ever produce many long-term supporters. And it's not adding to the Club's coffers significantly.
I was surprised by the 601 gate for the Braintree game, and, from looking at the video highlights, would have thought there was nowhere like that number watching the match.
The wish to increase the gates to beyond 1000 is laudable - and would be fantastic - but frankly it strikes me as completely unrealistic. A regular and sustainable gate of 500 would, I think, be much more the sort of thing that might be managed (one day!)

[Marston Blue]

That Oxford Mail article is frightening. 'The student scheme has had a phenominal impact', despite the attendance clearly being spiked by the kids football before the game and at half-time.

Its also very concerning to see the final few lines talking about getting out of the division. We've all heard that one before.

Its been clearly publicised over the past few seasons as to our struggles, and how we've been on the edge, yet we're all of a sudden wanting promotion again. And if that eventually happens, I can only see it going one way. And thats a way that Hyde and Histon are very much aware of.

I agree with what Chris has said above about attendances as well. Why are we aiming for 1,000 before we can even get 500.

I just think the Directors have got everything wrong at the moment - it's like the club is trying to run before it can walk.

[hedges]

I too was pretty pissed off when I heard about this.


I agree with all the above. The Pig, Pint, Play deal should be resurrected and is the most fair and potentially draws more people in. Also a family ticket type deal should maybe be put on the cards as well.

The bit thats frustrating to me more than anything as supporter who goes to pretty much all home games is things we are told we are getting then never materialise.

I understand the personal at the club changed which is likely the core reason this particular idea never happened.
But I thought the club membership idea proposed afew seasons ago would have been great. Get 10% off food and drink with a card...pay £30 a season for the card (unless Season ticket holder where Card is thrown in)...everyone wins as it encourages people to actually stay and use said card before/after games.

Also and its certainly not the fault of volunteers but some of the 'side games' have fallen by the way side....like the buy a pitch square, perfectly happy to take my £20 but no list of the winners or draw being done. Andy did the draw for this early season and drew the winner at the end of the game, but it fell away as soon as he wasn't available. It worked well last season as well.

The club must find a balance between keeping the yokals happy and finding new comers...at the moment its all going one way which won't help the club in the longer term.

[Deleted]

This is my opinion and not the opinion of the club; If things stay the same at Oxford City without growing the fan base, the commercial aspects off the field and by the club becoming more professional (it is the aim for the club to be professional) then quite frankly the club would not be any more.

I'm not going to talk about the past (none of my business before I arrived), but since the day I walked in the door, I have given everything to the club.

The post above by shed end is total lies; "The new commercial guy comes across as enthusiastic but his comments and interviews just make Oxford City look like a parody. Whats his interest in the club.. discussing tactics with players on a regular basis. Trying to second guess management. Forcing the old manager out with his opinions" I don't talk tactics with players, don't second guess the management (no need to I see Justin nearly everyday), I never forced the old manager out. I supported Jonah with everything I could till the end. The management was changed and we move on (it seems like some of you can't) and just like with Jonah I support them 100% and try to do everything in my power to help bring in commercial money that can help and support the team.

The season ticket offer is the next item on the agenda (ticket wise) and will be announced in March (at the latest) for next season. Without question we want to look after our loyal fans. I never had anything to do with the setting of the season tickets this season. We just need to desperately change the situation, gates of 350 are a total embarrassment and in my opinion, we can not sustain this football club on gates of this size. The match day income comes nowhere near paying the playing budget, so it needs to be helped with off the field commercial activities. (with a crowd of 350 you can not attract bigger commercial partners also, so it means you have to do lots of smaller ones, with some bigger ones hopefully). 

Regarding the interviews and I make Oxford City FC look like a parody - having the club on media channels makes it a far more attractive commercial prospect. (We have no live TV games) When I came to the club we had only the Oxford Mail, now we have several including Radio and TV. 

Regarding the social media and website - It had to change, it had to become far more commercial, partners/sponsors needed to be given publicity through these channels, I will be honest with you, more still needs to be done. Paying thousands of pounds to Oxford City FC who have a crowd of 350 does not add up, I needed to be able to bundle things up in a way that was attractive for our partners and potential new ones. 

I have never said we are doing something and not done it.

Oxford City is not just a football club, it is far more than that, but everyone must understand first and foremost it is a business. We are progressing, it should be an exciting time and we can achieve our dreams and ambitions together. 

Belinda, your support is fantastic. The free family season ticket costs us £0, if someone is not coming, they wouldn't be buying one so we don't lose, we gain on a stadium spend. It is a way to promote the club and help the community while at the same time becoming more attractive to potential sponsors. The family may come off benefits and/or low income and become paid season ticket holders in the future. Regarding the students, there is something happening much bigger, it is commercially sensitive at the moment, so I can't elaborate, but if we pull it off it will be huge for the club. We have a strategy and a plan. 

Best wishes
Mick Livesey 

[toocoulson4schoolson]

Feb 9, 2020 12:02:26 GMT @micklivesey said:

The management was changed and we move on (it seems like some of you can't) and just like with Jonah I support them 100% and try to do everything in my power to help bring in commercial money that can help and support the team.

Isn't it a shame that we couldn't even get through a 600 word comment without a cheap shot aimed at fans?

Feb 9, 2020 12:02:26 GMT @micklivesey said:

We just need to desperately change the situation, gates of 350 are a total embarrassment and in my opinion, we can not sustain this football club on gates of this size.

You can say what you like about how the size of our fanbase affects you in your role, but I for one strongly object to your referring to any element of our support as 'a total embarrassment'.

Feb 9, 2020 12:02:26 GMT @micklivesey said:

If things stay the same at Oxford City without growing the fan base, the commercial aspects off the field and by the club becoming more professional (it is the aim for the club to be professional) then quite frankly the club would not be any more.

Professionalism is a great thing to aim for, and sadly absent in this post.

It also seems to be absent on the website with multiple recent articles having been written in a very casual tone with little, if any, actual structure.

[Deleted]

For clarification, the crowd size is a total embarrassment for the club and for me personally, not saying the fans are an embarrassment, far from it. The club, in my opinion, must move heaven and earth to reach out and do everything it can to 1) improve the fan experience for fans on match days and 2) work extremely hard to attract new fans and most importantly retain them.

I came on here to try to explain because I care passionately. There are a lot of people working tirelessly to improve things at the club. We most definitely will not get it right all the time, everything we do, I believe 100% it is done with the best intentions and for the long-term future of the football club.

It is probably a mistake me posting on here, but I am trying to be open and trying to explain some of the challenges we are facing.

my e-mail is [e-mail] I would love to hear peoples ideas on how we can improve things, I am also at the club most days and my door is always open for a coffee and a chat with anyone.

[City Gent]

Oh dear, this thread is going down the slippery slope. Genuinely feel it should be deleted. A meeting,fans forum would be the way forward and hopefully would result in everyone pulling in the same direction. it would be good to see an active supporters club.

[Barton Bleater]

Personally think the student scheme is positive but not sure how many students in Oxford are aware of this. May not provide long term fans but even if they are short term we would be grateful. We should also be really making the most of the Barton Park housing development nearby. Perhaps an incentive scheme should be on the agenda.

Main gripe is regarding existing season ticket holders and no incentives in terms of an early bird season ticket. In fact, this season the season ticket increased in price. Our season ticket prices are not competitive when compared to the rest of the league but believe this has already mentioned before.

Sounds like there is going to be something which entices future season ticket holders. Look forward to hearing the news on this.

In terms of ambition, sustainability is always key and we also need to be realistic. Talks of promotion might make for great reading but not sure this has been thought about properly. Crowds might be "embarrassing" now but doubt a promotion will change this. In fact, the situation would be exacerbated further with some bigger clubs likely to bring triple figures every fortnight. In some cases there could be more away fans than home. Doubt this will do wonders for our "home fan" experience.

[Padz]

As above, Barton Park is definitely a must for the club to be targeting, it’s a massive potential for new fans within walking distance of the ground.

Even if that means getting a group of volunteers together to leaflet/ticket the addresses it’s something I would certainly be for doing.

[Mark Neal]

Yes I'd be more than happy to help! Barton Park is something we discussed a few years back too.

[clive]

I am a member at Chinnor Rugby Club. With my membership card I get £5 off entrance to home matches and 15% off food & drink. Most Rugby Clubs have something similiar. I pay £75 for the privilege. Like hedges, I think this is something Oxford City should consider.

Ideas to increase crowds are a regular forum topic, and many good ideas have been suggested over the years with little take up by the club. One thing that always puzzles me is that with the club running over 20 sides, why so few come to watch the 1st XI ? When I lived in the Netherlands I played for a cricket club, and everyone saw it as their club regardless of the team they played in. Ladies, Vets and 4ths played on Saturday and 1st/2nd/3rds on Sunday. Many of the "Sunday" players would be at the ground on Saturday to support/help out and vice versa. Despite all the bold statements about City being a community club, I get the impression the 1sts aren't really part of this.

[nptonexile]

Meanwhile, St Albans City are charging a shocking £18 for match day admission. £16.30 in advance...but still shocking!

Must have missed the Pig, Pie & Pint offer! 😮

[Marston Blue]

An advanced Concession ticket is more at St Albans than an advanced Adult ticket at City!

I think that's been an excellent thing at City in recent seasons where, despite other teams in the division putting their prices up, we've stayed at just £12 for adults. The addition of lowering advanced tickets to £10 is superb in my opinion, and a price like that can often be a deal maker for some people.

I'd love to see that pricing structure continue for next season, and Mick's post sounds encouraging about season tickets as well. I really think having the lowest prices in the division could be a great selling point for the club, even with away fans!!

[toocoulson4schoolson]

What if I'm not an advanced adult? I consider myself intermediate at best.

[nptonexile]

Feb 11, 2020 10:50:21 GMT toocoulson4schoolson said:

What if I'm not an advanced adult? I consider myself intermediate at best.

Was going to knock St Albans on the head...for two of us on top of everything else, just too much to payout basically!
There is however, a family ticket for £27 - admits two adults and two under 16s (intermediate or otherwise 😁)...so if any less than adults floating around the turnstiles that need cheap entrance...Bob's your uncle! 😮😁

[OWHH]

Feb 11, 2020 14:14:25 GMT nptonexile said:

Feb 11, 2020 10:50:21 GMT toocoulson4schoolson said:

What if I'm not an advanced adult? I consider myself intermediate at best.

Was going to knock St Albans on the head...for two of us on top of everything else, just too much to payout basically!
There is however, a family ticket for £27 - admits two adults and two under 16s (intermediate or otherwise 😁)...so if any less than adults floating around the turnstiles that need cheap entrance...Bob's your uncle! 😮😁

Yes we used two old crusties and a couple of midgets last season... Needs must 😲

[OWHH]

Feb 9, 2020 13:46:14 GMT @micklivesey said:

For clarification, the crowd size is a total embarrassment for the club and for me personally, not saying the fans are an embarrassment, far from it. The club, in my opinion, must move heaven and earth to reach out and do everything it can to 1) improve the fan experience for fans on match days and 2) work extremely hard to attract new fans and most importantly retain them.

I came on here to try to explain because I care passionately. There are a lot of people working tirelessly to improve things at the club. We most definitely will not get it right all the time, everything we do, I believe 100% it is done with the best intentions and for the long-term future of the football club.

It is probably a mistake me posting on here, but I am trying to be open and trying to explain some of the challenges we are facing.

my e-mail is [e-mail] I would love to hear peoples ideas on how we can improve things, I am also at the club most days and my door is always open for a coffee and a chat with anyone.

Far from it Mick you are trying to explain the situation as you see it, others are critical, it comes with the job. I believe you are trying your best...  I think people need to come together and work together.
Before you came we had some brilliant youngsters doing their best to keep things going and make things look professional, the reports were exceptional.. I think unintentionally, you may have trodden on one or two feet..
Regards Neil

[OWHH]

Feb 9, 2020 14:25:10 GMT City Gent said:

Oh dear, this thread is going down the slippery slope. Genuinely feel it should be deleted. A meeting,fans forum would be the way forward and hopefully would result in everyone pulling in the same direction. it would be good to see an active supporters club.

We still have a free supporters club in place with officers elected... Very good balanced committee in my opinion, agree it should be more active although, you have to remember it was set up as a result of the terrible situation we found ourselves in... Things looked less than bleak, if that's possible. And we met regularly with members of the board minutes were supplied via this forum. We were invited to watch training,met Justin who explained everything, Brian Cox gave us updates and we moved forward.

Justin and Paul Lyon have got no easy job with the finances as they are, we have had three good cup runs and the money from that has helped to keep the club afloat, Jonah must also be praised for that and keeping us at the same level on the field. 

It was a huge decision to remove him I know it was one of the most difficult decisions they have made  after speaking to them personally, they were good friends and still are, keeping in touch with him at Yeovil.
Andy in my opinion needs to be given the job on a permanent basis so Justin can get on with other things, this Caretaker roll is dragging on... He needs the respect and confidence given to him as he received at Didcot. I personally was delighted to see him come home to the club he served on the field so well.

As for This Thread...No keep it going I'm seeing some passion and honest talking for a change 😃

[hedges]

I appreciate your time to respond to this thread Mick.

Agree the Barton estate has been on the radar long before you arrived, was discussed a plenty when they were still levelling the lovely green fields to tarmac over and assuming available would be happy to do a leaflet drop one afternoon with some others.

I think this thread has come down to one issue this club has had at least during the time ive supported it (over 10 years now).

There is a lack of communication between the club and the Fans.

This spawns rumours, misunderstandings and at its worst anger and disillusionment (as this thread as shown). While I don't think any football club at this level, above or even below can get through an entire season with out some malicious rumours or incorrect statements going round its fan base, its par for the course, but its an area that can be improved in at City.

The positive and I personally appreciate this is you are around on match days, as is Paul Lyons and perfectly happy to talk about things as are several other current and former committee members.

The problem with this is that not everyone, for whatever reason has the confidence of OWHH to speak their mind and this is the start of the spiral.

I think the club would really benefit from a fans forum type meeting once a season, where you have Paul, yourself, Justin and the 1st Team coach whoever that is at the time to answer fans questions and concerns as openly as you can with the information you have at the time. This allows the 'field' to be reset, allows you as the staff to crush any rumours, malicious or otherwise nice and early and gives us fans an opportunity to get an insight behind the scenes of the club, its financial status, ideas and plans for future investment/expansion and maybe even cross ideas that could be investigated further.....why not make it an evening to include all the sponsors your pulling in, Im sure they would appreciate a first hand insight into where their money is going!

Make no mistake, we are all aware of our lack of fan base, its a gripe for years but at the same time we must also stay realistic and unless everything is rosy (there is enough evidence to suggest its not) that sustainability is the first priority and most of us fans realise we are already punching above our weight, so lets no get too ahead of ourselves too quickly.

[OWHH]

New beers, Ciders on and New Food menu, the food was excellent..