|
|
Post by Sword65 on Nov 20, 2024 15:47:42 GMT
I would hazard a guess that our playing budget was set against achieving bigger gates than we are currently getting,if so we are losing money with each home game at the moment. 24/25 NLS This Season 2,139 23/24 NLS Last Season 2,131 22/23 NL Relegation Season 2,142 21/22 NLS 2,458 You may be right Sword but if I have to hazard a guess I'd say they set the budget assuming around 2,100 average attendance. We know they are risk averse I was basing my assumption on an average of 2300 ,by the end of the season we may get that average up to that mark and beyond but more entertainment is needed to reach that figure. |
|
|
|
Post by Sword65 on Nov 20, 2024 15:54:45 GMT
I would hazard a guess that our playing budget was set against achieving bigger gates than we are currently getting,if so we are losing money with each home game at the moment. I’d be surprised if that was the case - our average attendances have been c.2,150 for the last 3 years Would our current wage bill be more than last years? We had more experienced players then - and I think more players overall I am basing my assumption on the fact the owners would be banking on the FA Cup success bumping our average up to around 2300 which should not be an unfeasible task. Our disappointing home form coupled with ,at times,boring and negative football is keeping the attendances around the figure you have mentioned. |
|
|
|
Post by Harry on Nov 20, 2024 15:55:23 GMT
Maybe, but I think there's something even more important and it's to do with winning home matches and getting into those play-off positions.
|
|
|
|
Post by pwoodstone on Nov 20, 2024 16:16:37 GMT
I’d be surprised if that was the case - our average attendances have been c.2,150 for the last 3 years Would our current wage bill be more than last years? We had more experienced players then - and I think more players overall I am basing my assumption on the fact the owners would be banking on the FA Cup success bumping our average up to around 2300 which should not be an unfeasible task. Our disappointing home form coupled with ,at times,boring and negative football is keeping the attendances around the figure you have mentioned. Possibly but I reckon they'd assume low and then if it turned out higher, they could "buy a striker" |
|
|
|
Post by jdl on Nov 20, 2024 21:08:51 GMT
We all like attractive football, but I suspect the key factor in attracting home crowds is winning games.
And, given that our home form this season is LDLLDDWW, an average of 2,139 is pretty impressive.
Even more so when you consider that we've only scored more than one goal in just two of our eight home games, and the last four have involved, either a +96 minute disappointment (Chesham), or a long, stressful period of trying (and failing) to score a second goal (Slough and Hemel 45+ minutes - Hornchurch 85+ minutes!).
2,100+ fans turning up regularly, despite not expecting to see a win, or even many home goals, is dedication most clubs would die for (see below). Only once (first home after the Chelmsford mare) did attendance drop below 2,000.
|
|
|
|
Post by jdl on Nov 20, 2024 21:12:46 GMT
Compare and contrast - this season's home attendance of other 'similar' clubs:
Tonbridge - 1,003
Dorking - 1,471
Worthing - 1,519
Chatham - 1,377
Dover - 1,281
Dartford - 950
Fleet - 1,488
Braintree - 1,018
Maidenhead - 1,239
D&R - 1,539
Barnet - 1,948
and...
Solihull Moors - 1,230
|
|
|
|
Post by theguvnor on Nov 20, 2024 21:21:17 GMT
We’ve lost about 300 fans who eventually never came back once it became clear we actually were miles apart from a NL side after the initial buoyancy with Saunders. Carry on as we are, by which I mean playing painful at times football, having little connection with fans (where’s the likes of Lewis, prestedge, Paxman, Flisher type bonds?) combined with a clear lack of ambition and we will lose a lot more than 300 in another few year period
|
|
|
|
Post by pienificentgenco on Nov 20, 2024 21:35:20 GMT
We’ve lost about 300 fans who eventually never came back once it became clear we actually were miles apart from a NL side after the initial buoyancy with Saunders. Carry on as we are, by which I mean playing painful at times football, having little connection with fans (where’s the likes of Lewis, prestedge, Paxman, Flisher type bonds?) combined with a clear lack of ambition and we will lose a lot more than 300 in another few year period Couldn't agree more with you. I suspect the FA cup even sugar coats attendances in the league over the last 2 years - crystal ball time but I'd hazard a guess without the FA cup run that now our average attendance would be well below 2000. And on the point about connecting with the players again you are right - the policy seems to be have a clear out at the end of the season and start again, players don't get a chance to be 'loved' by the supporters bar a couple and supporters don't get that connection with the players - the last squad I could see a real connection between the players and fans was Haks NLS winning squad; Luque a prime example. George's squads have had a revolving door |
|
|
|
Post by deadly on Nov 20, 2024 22:04:19 GMT
Not just George, this is how football tends to work at this level.
But I agree with you, we do miss the characters and legends of yesteryear.
In fairness though I think Sam Corne does stand-out as a proper Stones player we can all identify with and appreciate.
|
|
|
|
Post by daveu on Nov 20, 2024 22:13:50 GMT
We’ve lost about 300 fans who eventually never came back once it became clear we actually were miles apart from a NL side after the initial buoyancy with Saunders. Carry on as we are, by which I mean playing painful at times football, having little connection with fans (where’s the likes of Lewis, prestedge, Paxman, Flisher type bonds?) combined with a clear lack of ambition and we will lose a lot more than 300 in another few year period Lewis was a chest beating poser while he was here. Didn’t take him long to start doing the same for Dover when we played them. No real loyalty or even feeling for the club. Just a crowd pleasing display. |
|
|
|
Post by edos78 on Nov 20, 2024 22:16:51 GMT
We’ve lost about 300 fans who eventually never came back once it became clear we actually were miles apart from a NL side after the initial buoyancy with Saunders. Carry on as we are, by which I mean playing painful at times football, having little connection with fans (where’s the likes of Lewis, prestedge, Paxman, Flisher type bonds?) combined with a clear lack of ambition and we will lose a lot more than 300 in another few year period Lewis was a chest beating poser while he was here. Didn’t take him long to start doing the same for Dover when we played them. No real loyalty or even feeling for the club. Just a crowd pleasing display. I could not agree more |
|
|
|
Post by pwoodstone on Nov 20, 2024 22:28:08 GMT
We’ve lost about 300 fans who eventually never came back once it became clear we actually were miles apart from a NL side after the initial buoyancy with Saunders. Carry on as we are, by which I mean playing painful at times football, having little connection with fans (where’s the likes of Lewis, prestedge, Paxman, Flisher type bonds?) combined with a clear lack of ambition and we will lose a lot more than 300 in another few year period I am not sure you’re right but can’t really prove you aren’t. The Hak season was awesome. First one back after Covid and that helped the a stage attendance. Before this, our NLS averages were about the level they are now and even to start that season they were about this level. NL seasons are skewed. People want to watch bigger sides and away fans are more. I always start the season wondering if I’ll connect with the side and I always do. I am not sure I would have last seasons tonight the cup run. This season, I am sure I will. In would counter lack of ambition - it is true that we are (and people will have realised) we are at the level we can get to without something drastic happening - which we all know what it is. |
|
|
|
Post by jdl on Nov 20, 2024 22:46:27 GMT
We’ve lost about 300 fans who eventually never came back once it became clear we actually were miles apart from a NL side after the initial buoyancy with Saunders. Carry on as we are, by which I mean playing painful at times football, having little connection with fans (where’s the likes of Lewis, prestedge, Paxman, Flisher type bonds?) combined with a clear lack of ambition and we will lose a lot more than 300 in another few year period The facts don't quite agree with you. We had a steady 1,800+ in our IP years, which rose to 2,200+ in our first year in the NS. Then we averaged about 2,400 in our first 2 NL seasons (although you have to take into account the higher away attendances in the NL*). In our third season, attendance dropped back to below 2,200 (but only 44 less than in the NS). Ignoring the Covid years, we got 2,400+ in our NS Championship season, and then around 2,150 in each of the following two years (one NL and one NS). And at the moment we're bringing in roughly the same this season. So, our core attendance seems to be around 2,160 (NL relegation and normal NS seasons), with an increase to around to around 2,400 in 'special ' seasons (first two NL and NS Champions). So only about 240 or so in it really - and a fair bit of that was due to the higher away attendance in the NL*. And there's no evidence at all that indifferent home form would result in much of a decline - we were getting much the same attendance in our first season in the NS (15/16) as we do now, and about the same in our two NL relegation seasons. *In our first year in the NL, for instance, we had 3,000+ at the home Lincoln game and 3,400+ for Tranmere. |
|
|
|
Post by jdl on Nov 20, 2024 23:06:09 GMT
All of which goes to show just how hard it is for us in the NL, with only conventional income. An increase in gates of about 250 is not exactly a fortune (I would guess about an extra £8k), especially when you take into account the sizable increase in costs in the NL.
And it supports the assumption that the two thirds of NL sides who get less than our assumed gates (2,400), must have additional income.
So, short of that additional income, or a particularly lucky combination of manager and players, we are inevitably going to struggle in the NL.
Gates will presumably grow, if we manage to stay in the NL for a few years, but my feeling is that they'll grow quite slowly. So, it will take a longish stretch in the NL before we can feel secure there and entertain any ideas of going further.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dan on Nov 20, 2024 23:12:59 GMT
By which time some of our supporters and forum contributors may well have moved on.
|
|
