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Post by ChrisB on Sept 15, 2010 11:07:38 GMT
A question was asked on another thread about the cost of local football...
Are prices too high in the current climate, or are these figures just a reflection of poor starts to the season?
Didcot Town: last night v Cirencester T. att. = 136 (last season's average =240)
Banbury United: last night v Bashley att = 171 (last season's average = 312)
Oxford City: last night v Cambridge C. att = 147 (last season's average = 267)
Or perhaps it was just the weather.
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Post by hedges on Sept 15, 2010 11:54:23 GMT
The saddest thing about last night from an Oxford point of view was that Cambridge fans seemingly out numbered us, attendance would have been much lower had they not padded out the team coach.
Most City fans there from my perpsective, though i maybe wrong here, were people who in some way help the club (bar staff,hooped hut,coaches for youth teams, ticket booth etc) or family members of the players, there were some familiar faces around who are not associated with the club at all, who do come to every home game but certainly less than normal I felt.....id expect to see that kind of attendnace in the mid-winter frosty nights...which are still to come.
its not going unnoticed either by others ,quote from the Cambridge forum:-
'Good turn out of City fans very poor home showing and not a peep out of them all game. I hope if we ever struggle we don't desert the team like that.'
I don't think the rain a couple of hours before kick-off can really be to blame, I can see why people would not go but then again, thats whats stands are made for...it wasn't exacly bucketting down...turned out to be a rather pleasant evening weather wise.
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 15, 2010 13:33:53 GMT
It's an interesting parallel.
Oxford & Cambridge are both major university citys; both have two football teams (City & United); in both places the United changed their original name (Headington & Abbey); and in both places the United gradually rose above the City in the pecking order.
...but Cambridge City seem to have kept a bigger fan-base.
Discuss.
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Post by clive on Sept 16, 2010 21:53:07 GMT
City, Didcot and Banbury have all in recent seasons have had much lower attendances in mid-week compared to weekend fixtures, and with a live Champions league match the figures were always going to be poor.
However, Didcot and City for certain have increased admission prices to 9 GBP this season ( I'm not sure about Banbury ), which given the economic climate was always going to put a strain on attendances. In the case of city, the poor results, turnover of players and the resort to unattractive long ball football has had an inevitable impact on attendances.
In comparison, Abingdon United are top of the league below, have scored 10 goals in 3 games, and charge only 6 GBP. Their attendances ( albeit based on a sample of only 3 games ) are up 32%
If city continue with a strategy of direct long ball and unentertaining football, a team populated with loan signings, poor results and expensive ticket prices then the attendances will continue to fail. I'm afraid some enlightened thinking is now called for
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Post by lomax on Sept 17, 2010 8:40:53 GMT
If city continue with a strategy of direct long ball and unentertaining football, a team populated with loan signings, poor results and expensive ticket prices then the attendances will continue to fail. I'm afraid some enlightened thinking is now called for Nail head hit. For many City is a hobby. Obviously there are the hardcore supporters who will go through thick and thin but for many of the casual fans the reasons stated above, coupled with the fact that people are making cut backs due to the current economic climate, is enough to discourage people from going to watch City. |
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 17, 2010 8:42:41 GMT
City did hold their prices last season and are essentially in line with the average charged in the ZP - so I don't think they can be criticised unduly for putting the rates up this year. Except from the point of view that we all complain about escalating costs.
I have to say that I don't think gate prices have a great effect on the number of regular supporters, but may, of course, put off the 'passing trade'. So I don't imagine dropping the price would have any great (long-term) effect on the attendance.
(I think I'm more surprised by the slip in Banbury's numbers than City's - their figures seemed to hold near the 300 mark for a long time. Perhaps there are fewer counter-attractions in Banbury than in Oxford?!)
The poor start to the season - particularly the lack of an FA Cup run - has had a big effect. But when results turn up again the figures will get back nearer to the 'normal'. Whatever happens, and I'd love to be proved wrong, but I just don't think City will ever get average league gates of >300.
I hope the side settles quickly now, there have been a lot of changes (27 players used so far; 21 used at this point last season), but then there have been a lot of injuries.
A good win tomorrow v Evesham tomorrow will get them on their way!
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Post by Padz on Sept 17, 2010 9:26:39 GMT
Another problem is with that 'other team' from down the road currently back in the football league & doing alright more of the 'neutrals' will be heading there, wheras when they struggle the floating support are more likely to pay £9 and watch City than £17 to watch United
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