Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:35 am  

RLBandit wrote:

Imagine for a moment the figures were the opposite - showing corresponding increases. Would people be asking what the point of posting those figures would be? If you think that would also be sad and pointless, fine, at least you're consistent in your hatred of numbers. No problem. But, if its just the bad news you don't like then you ought to ask yourself why that is, and why there's any benefit in deluding ourselves by ignoring it.

I wont bore you with my background but rest assured I don't have any hatred of numbers.
Wildmoose asked what was the point of this thread (a question that was first asked on Page 3 by the way). If its just to record and monitor attendances that's fine but I don't get that impression - do you? I don't know William or where he's coming from but my problem with the thread is the subtext: the apparent gloating enjoyment of the fact that crowds are down with the justification that he is merely countering the positive spin from RFL and the "sheep" on this board.
I don't have any problem with "bad news" and I don't think anyone's ignoring it but the fact that attendances are down is only significant if the trend continues in subsequent years. Until then, the tone of William's posts force me to conclude that there is a hidden agenda involving to talk the game down for some reason. I find that sad.

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:56 am  

Kevs Head wrote:

I wont bore you with my background but rest assured I don't have any hatred of numbers.
Wildmoose asked what was the point of this thread (a question that was first asked on Page 3 by the way). If its just to record and monitor attendances that's fine but I don't get that impression - do you? I don't know William or where he's coming from but my problem with the thread is the subtext: the apparent gloating enjoyment of the fact that crowds are down with the justification that he is merely countering the positive spin from RFL and the "sheep" on this board.
I don't have any problem with "bad news" and I don't think anyone's ignoring it but the fact that attendances are down is only significant if the trend continues in subsequent years. Until then, the tone of William's posts force me to conclude that there is a hidden agenda involving to talk the game down for some reason. I find that sad.

If he's 'pure troll' ( e.g. a genuine hater of RL ) then he's disguised it very well. Seems much more like someone who has a very strong view that the sport is in a complete mess. Now, that may well be something you find ridiculous, but if trying to support his argument is the 'hidden agenda' of this thread then I don't see a problem with that, whether or not you or I agree with the original thesis. Since I've never met the guy, nor have any idea who he is, I don't 'find it 'sad' ( nor make any other judgement of the poster as a person ). The only thing of relevance is the worrying fall in attendances. You are happy to 'wait and see' obviously. I am inclined to be more concerned - the accelerated drop this season is particularly worrying. If attendances had shot up by 10%, it would be a very impressive achievement, and I'd be shouting out that we need to find out why and capitalize on it quickly and further. A similar drop should be of massive concern to anyone who cares about the game, and if people choose to make a connection between those numbers and their personal belief about why its happening, then that's their right. Just as it is the right of others to express an opinion that its all down to economic factors or whatever. Why is it any less 'sad' to have an 'agenda' that says: "everything is fine, it's just the recession"?

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 8:08 am  

That being the case, one can only ask why you didn’t last year?

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:41 am  

SmokeyTA wrote:

That being the case, one can only ask why you didn’t last year?

Why I didn't what?

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:21 am  

RLBandit wrote:

Why I didn't what?

Shout from the rooftops about our increase in attendances.

We have had increases in attendances for nigh on 15 years now. We havent yet had a 140 page thread on how brilliant the RFL and clubs are. You certainly havent contributed to one.

One can only ask why?

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:16 am  

Nephilim wrote:

The state of the economy is the main factor affecting attendances.

If you just look at RL it can look like a worrying downtrend. But other sports are in a bigger mess; they just wont admit it (well, the media are scared to mention it publicly).

If you watch Sky sports or BBC/ITV, the whole world can't wait for the new tartball season to start ..... yet, outside of a small handfull of top clubs, whose gates are ensured sellouts due not to local fans but corporate travelling support from around the world, the game is falling apart. 90% of games are heavily discounted (50% off admission or BOGOF's) yet you can still purchase tickets right up to kickoff .... and that includes some supposedly 'big' clubs ........ Go back only a few years and that wasn't the case. Sport in general relies on the public having spare cash to spend, and right now, there isn't enough to go around.

[PopTart]

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:38 am  

It isn't the end of the sport, it is just tough times in my opinion. It needs to be resolved, or at least plans put in place by each club to avoid a smaller attendance causing them financial issues.
Each are doing that in a different way.

Wakefield have worked hard on attendances this year. We are ahead on equivilant fixtures last year and look like coming in around the same number, whichw as already a big increase from the year before.
Average so far is 8,113 whereas last years same fixtures ran at 8,052.
Last year's average was 8,172 so within reach.

It isn't solving all our financial issues. Cash flow is still a problem when 3 of our biggest home game fixtures are in the last few games of the season. That's just how it goes.

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:40 am  

RLBandit wrote:

If he's 'pure troll' ( e.g. a genuine hater of RL ) then he's disguised it very well. Seems much more like someone who has a very strong view that the sport is in a complete mess. Now, that may well be something you find ridiculous, but if trying to support his argument is the 'hidden agenda' of this thread then I don't see a problem with that, whether or not you or I agree with the original thesis. Since I've never met the guy, nor have any idea who he is, I don't 'find it 'sad' ( nor make any other judgement of the poster as a person ). The only thing of relevance is the worrying fall in attendances. You are happy to 'wait and see' obviously. I am inclined to be more concerned - the accelerated drop this season is particularly worrying. If attendances had shot up by 10%, it would be a very impressive achievement, and I'd be shouting out that we need to find out why and capitalize on it quickly and further. A similar drop should be of massive concern to anyone who cares about the game, and if people choose to make a connection between those numbers and their personal belief about why its happening, then that's their right. Just as it is the right of others to express an opinion that its all down to economic factors or whatever. Why is it any less 'sad' to have an 'agenda' that says: "everything is fine, it's just the recession"?

Wildmoose (and others) have asked what is the point of this thread. Perhaps you could tell us what you think the point of the thread is. If William thinks he is demonstrating that, "the sport is a complete mess" and is merely exercising his right, "to make a connection between those numbers and their personal belief about why its happening..." can you tell us why he thinks it's happening. I confess I haven't read every word of the 139 pages but, apart from, SL attendances are down, I don't know what he's saying at all. He chooses to ignore all the mitigating circumstances that people put forward for the drop in attendances whilst mitigating the good news eg. Wakefield's small increase in attendance, with a snide comment about cheap season tickets. I know the use of the word "snide" is value laden but that's how his posts comes across to me - value laden, negative, talking the game down.

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:21 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

Shout from the rooftops about our increase in attendances.

We have had increases in attendances for nigh on 15 years now. We havent yet had a 140 page thread on how brilliant the RFL and clubs are. You certainly havent contributed to one.

One can only ask why?

I apparently joined this forum in April 2012. Since when, I haven't unfortunately had the opportunity to shout from the rooftops about a 10% increase in attendances. As and when it happens, let me know and I'll start the thread for you.

Re: Opening SL weekend sees attendances tumbling by 12.66% : Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:25 pm  

RLBandit wrote:

I apparently joined this forum in April 2012. Since when, I haven't unfortunately had the opportunity to shout from the rooftops about a 10% increase in attendances. As and when it happens, let me know and I'll start the thread for you.

we all believe you