attendances this year : Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:26 pm  

Got a bit bored so I thought I would see what we have averaged in super league attendances this year to date at Langtree park (venues in Mcr - if indeed we ever played there (my memory is vague) are not included)

The answer is 14300 - with one game to go.

Unless that game attracts only 10,398 then we will top the 14k average.

I should be over the moon about that figure, but I have to say I am a little dissapointed (I know its churlish but....). There was only one game that attracted over 16000 all season - I was probably expecting 4 sell outs throughout the season - but circumstances conspired against us.

So it looks like 16000 is our magic figure to aim for in each fixture next season. The furthest we were away from that figure was last week - short by 3776 - the closest we got was the game previous when we were 172 short.

Re: attendances this year : Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:41 pm  

There is no chance of increasing the crowds whilst the board shows such little ambition and we're so willing to just exist and not compete for trophies.

That 14,200 ish average (We'll get 12,000 against London no doubt) will drop next season. A lot of those decent early crowds were supported by both home and away fans making the trip specifically to check the new ground out.

But next season there will little optimism and no new stadium novelty factor either. It could get pretty grizzly at the start of next season really, Brown is a coach that has a set defensive and attacking structure. It's very different to the tactics we've been using and I've no doubt he'll ask the players to adapt to his tactics rather than just trying to use 'the Saints way'. That will no doubt cause friction and a transition period where the players adapt to both the structure and the new attitudes they'll be asked to have. I'm expecting a good few thrashings during that period, which won't be great for attendances.

Re: attendances this year : Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:44 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

There is no chance of increasing the crowds whilst the board shows such little ambition and we're so willing to just exist and not compete for trophies.

That 14,200 ish average (We'll get 12,000 against London no doubt) will drop next season. A lot of those decent early crowds were supported by both home and away fans making the trip specifically to check the new ground out.

But next season there will little optimism and no new stadium novelty factor either. It could get pretty grizzly at the start of next season really, Brown is a coach that has a set defensive and attacking structure. It's very different to the tactics we've been using and I've no doubt he'll ask the players to adapt to his tactics rather than just trying to use 'the Saints way'. That will no doubt cause friction and a transition period where the players adapt to both the structure and the new attitudes they'll be asked to have. I'm expecting a good few thrashings during that period, which won't be great for attendances.

do you have a positive bone in your body?

Re: attendances this year : Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:48 pm  

What he said

Seriously mate you need to lighten up a bit - being a big old black hole of despair will wear you down eventually

Re: attendances this year : Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:03 pm  

St. Etrigan wrote:

What he said

Seriously mate you need to lighten up a bit - being a big old black hole of despair will wear you down eventually

It's all true though, any part of it you can disagree with?

Re: attendances this year : Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:50 am  

I thought there would be a drop in crowds next year, mainly due to people being more open to buying season tickets this year who would never have done so before. Some of those are bound to fall away, it's only natural.

Whilst I think overall sales as in ££££££'s may drop. Actual season tickets in real term numbers may hold up.

Saints may have judged that there will be a likely fall and so have now opened up the East stand for season tickets. This gives those wavering over renewing their season ticket a half way house.

£200 (or what ever the renewal price is for North and South), may seam a bit steep for those who bought in for just the first year, however now it's not all or nothing they can just choose to transfer to the east stand for a lower price and still get seating for the big games.

I still think you can expect some drop off, but it ain't going to fall off a cliff. People may want to move around a bit though, so there could be some negotiating to be done. As it is 14k is no bad average and I would expect us to bobble around this number for a few years until people get settled and start to create some atmosphere.

Although the cladding may have been an oversight the stadium size seams to have been estimated spot on. Just the right size for expected crowds and with room for expansion once the club has settled in for 4 to 5 years.

Re: attendances this year : Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:03 am  

Saddened! wrote:

It's all true though, any part of it you can disagree with?

Yes. The fact that it's all true. I disagree with that. 14k is a terrific average especially when you consider that several teams have brought but a handful of supporters with them e.g. Cas. Makes you realise, if you haven't already, that good attendances are built, first and foremost, upon home support not travelling support.

Re: attendances this year : Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:31 am  

McClennan wrote:

Yes. The fact that it's all true. I disagree with that. 14k is a terrific average especially when you consider that several teams have brought but a handful of supporters with them e.g. Cas. Makes you realise, if you haven't already, that good attendances are built, first and foremost, upon home support not travelling support.

Well, which bits do you not think are true then? I agree the average is a good achievement in this financial climate, with the weather we've had this 'summer' and with the team not really being in the most exciting form on the field. Maintaining those attendances next season would be a magnificent achievement, building on them would be miraculous.

Re: attendances this year : Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:50 am  

Attendances were always going to be higher in the first year, boosted by the curious speccies. 14k is tremendous, if we can settle in a couple of years around the 12k mark, then I think we will be doing well. And this shouldnt be affected by the playing squad. How many did Jamie Lyon add to the gates each week?

Re: attendances this year : Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:24 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Well, which bits do you not think are true then?

Well seeing as it's pure speculation all of it.