Backwards step for enticing young fans

[Dastardly and Muttley]

I was really disappointed a week or so ago to learn that City have stopped giving out "first caps" to young fans attending their first game.

Took my son to the Brum game for his first and it was an amazing experience. He loved getting on the pitch, the look on his face when he got the cap was priceless and he hasn't taken it off all summer. Despite living in Maidenhead, he doesn't shut up about City, to the point that his nursery printed out a picture of Scrumpy the Robin to go on his leaving card.. He puts on his cap and shirt and runs around singing "Oh Tammy Tammy" at every opportunity.

It was also great to tell my mates here about it, and everyone agreed what a class touch it was from City.

It was a big disappointment then to book my daughter's first ticket for Saturday only to be told she wouldn't get the same treatment. Now, they enter every "new" supporter into a draw and give one lucky fan a signed pendant. She's gutted not to be getting the same as her brother and it's taken a bit of the shine off the game. We'll go and buy her the cap, and she'll still get her shirt but it's not the same and I see it as a backward step for the club. Not to mention moving the family area to the upper West where the kids won't have such a good view due to the distance and separation from the atmosphere.

A real shame that this will be the last time youngsters get an experience like this...

@AdamB what are the club's reasons behind not doing this anymore?

[Monkeh]

Just now, Dastardly and Muttley said:

I was really disappointed a week or so ago to learn that City have stopped giving out "first caps" to young fans attending their first game.

Took my son to the Brum game for his first and it was an amazing experience. He loved getting on the pitch, the look on his face when he got the cap was priceless and he hasn't taken it off all summer. Despite living in Maidenhead, he doesn't shut up about City, to the point that his nursery printed out a picture of Scrumpy the Robin to go on his leaving card.. He puts on his cap and shirt and runs around singing "Oh Tammy Tammy" at every opportunity.

It was also great to tell my mates here about it, and everyone agreed what a class touch it was from City.

It was a big disappointment then to book my daughter's first ticket for Saturday only to be told she wouldn't get the same treatment. Now, they enter every "new" supporter into a draw and give one lucky fan a signed pendant. She's gutted not to be getting the same as her brother and it's taken a bit of the shine off the game. We'll go and buy her the cap, and she'll still get her shirt but it's not the same and I see it as a backward step for the club. Not to mention moving the family area to the upper West where the kids won't have such a good view due to the distance and separation from the atmosphere.

A real shame that this will be the last time youngsters get an experience like this...

@AdamB what are the club's reasons behind not doing this anymore?

thats a shame it was great for the young fans, unless it's being replaced by something else, @adamb any reasons behind it? is it being replaced? 

[Dastardly and Muttley]

2 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

thats a shame it was great for the young fans, unless it's being replaced by something else, @adamb any reasons behind it? is it being replaced? 

As I said above, they're giving a pendant to one "lucky fan" who has no previous booking history. Luck of the draw from now on.

[Lanterne Rouge]

It is a shame but to throw a random reason out there could it be to do with the family section now being up in the gods and it taking ages to get to/from it for the kids and their families? By the time they`d got back up there they`d have missed half the first half.

[Dastardly and Muttley]

I've done it again. Mods please move this to the main forum! @RedM @Ian M thanks!!

[Dastardly and Muttley]

Just now, Red Right Hand said:

It is a shame but to throw a random reason out there could it be to do with the family section now being up in the gods and it taking ages to get to/from it for the kids and their families? By the time they`d got back up there they`d have missed half the first half.

Missed the last five minutes of the first half and start of the second anyway at the Brum game.

[Monkeh]

3 minutes ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

As I said above, they're giving a pendant to one "lucky fan" who has no previous booking history. Luck of the draw from now on.

thats it?!? bit of a shit showing

[Dastardly and Muttley]

2 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

thats it?!? bit of a shit showing

Try explaining it to a 6 year old who missed on coming to the last game as she already had something on, and has spent the summer waiting to get the same cap as her 4 year old brother.

[Pickle Rick]

Probably give more of a shit and aim more focus at the corporate stuff because of money. 

My guess is that they don't care near half as much as they should about the heartbeat of any club; the fans.

Maybe an example of where the club might be going with things?

Shambles that they've decided to not bother with the first cap any more.

My point would be null and void if they have a better idea to replace it.

[Monkeh]

4 minutes ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

Try explaining it to a 6 year old who missed on coming to the last game as she already had something on, and has spent the summer waiting to get the same cap as her 4 year old brother.

nothing some sweets wouldn't fix at that age, but its shitty by the club, and they really should be doing better

[Dastardly and Muttley]

1 minute ago, Monkeh said:

nothing some sweets wouldn't fix at that age, but its shitty by the club, and they really should be doing better

You've not met my daughter then!  :laugh:

As I said, we'll buy her the cap anyway, it's just the other memories she'll miss out on.

[Monkeh]

1 minute ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

You've not met my daughter then! 

As I said, we'll buy her the cap anyway, it's just the other memories she'll miss out on.

that may be a good thing if its a poor match

[Selred]

Maybe they had too many people wanting to do it hence why they said about doing a draw??

[CyderInACan]

Poor show it seems. What DO City do for the youngsters nowadays? Genuine question.  

[downendcity]

1 minute ago, Selred said:

Maybe they had too many people wanting to do it hence why they said about doing a draw??

It's a chicken and egg issue.

These youngsters are the fans of tomorrow, and I presume that club wants to have another generation of fans coming though. If so, making their first match day a memorable one goes a long way to achieving that and so what if it costs a few bob - if we can afford a £5m transfer fee then I'd hope the coffers would stretch to a few caps.

A potential lifetime's support is surely worth a cap, isn't it?

 

[Southstandoriginal]

4 minutes ago, Selred said:

Maybe they had too many people wanting to do it hence why they said about doing a draw??

Probably.  Shame they don't realise that you can't have too many young fans!

[Simon79]

That's great! I've literally emailed @AdamB this morning to enquire about my son Elliott receiving one tomorrow as the club didn't contact me before the Birmingham game ( his actual 1st game ), after I contacted @AdamB originally before hand. I'm not going to use this as a stick to beat the club with though, I think they do a lot of good generally & Gareth Torpy was particularly helpful when looking at getting Elliott a season ticket. Just happens to be bloody annoying! Roll on tomorrow. COYR 

[Dastardly and Muttley]

19 minutes ago, Selred said:

Maybe they had too many people wanting to do it hence why they said about doing a draw??

For reference there were 5 or so people at the Brum game, which was a sell out.

[alexukhc]

Sweet pic @Dastardly and Muttley proud fella looks awesome, my sons only 7months, but one day would love to see him do this

[Bar BS3]

I think thefirst cap thing was great, but it's really not that big a deal, surely?!

Don't make a big deal of the cap thing and focus on enjoying the day and her first experience of live football. The build up, the crowd, the atmosphere, the moment she first walks up the vomity and sees the stadium come into view. Magical moments and the cap should only be a downer on the day, if you make it one. 

Hope she enjoys the day and is a regular for many years to come. 

[Dastardly and Muttley]

2 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

I think thefirst cap thing was great, but it's really not that big a deal, surely?!

Don't make a big deal of the cap thing and focus on enjoying the day and her first experience of live football. The build up, the crowd, the atmosphere, the moment she first walks up the vomity and sees the stadium come into view. Magical moments and the cap should only be a downer on the day, if you make it one. 

Hope she enjoys the day and is a regular for many years to come. 

Fair point, and we won't make a downer of it on the day - she's just as excited about getting a pencil case from the shop! But it was a great thing for young fans and it is now no more. I think it's a shame and is worth debating in this arena as I'd love to know the reason behind it.

[AdamB]

All,

This was a huge success but became a victim of its own success - literally getting more and more emails each game (of course not everyone was actually attending their first game, which is what the original idea from @DaveL was meant for). Regardless, it was still a memorable moment for the youngsters concerned.

To try and bring a bit of a control on numbers, it was discussed to alter it to signed pennants for one chosen youngster who we knew was attending their first game - a surprise and delight - starting from the Millwall game, as we still had two existing 'cappings' waiting over for the Barnsley fixture tomorrow.

However, having discussed this further, I agree that the "first cap" idea sits better with football than a pennant.

To that end, we're now investigating returning to the cap scheme, capped (excuse the pun) at three per game for 2017/18.

--

Dastardly and Muttley, can you email vicky.barlow@bristol-sport.co.uk and we'll aim to get that sorted for you tomorrow with the other two cappings.

Simon, I'll forward your email on to Vicky and also aim to add you on for tomorrow.

Regards,
Adam

[Simon79]

Hi Adam. That's brilliant. Great response from the club. COYR

[Monkeh]

42 minutes ago, AdamB said:

All,

This was a huge success but became a victim of its own success - literally getting more and more emails each game (of course not everyone was actually attending their first game, which is what the original idea from @DaveL was meant for). Regardless, it was still a memorable moment for the youngsters concerned.

To try and bring a bit of a control on numbers, it was discussed to alter it to signed pennants for one chosen youngster who we knew was attending their first game - a surprise and delight - starting from the Millwall game, as we still had two existing 'cappings' waiting over for the Barnsley fixture tomorrow.

However, having discussed this further, I agree that the "first cap" idea sits better with football than a pennant.

To that end, we're now investigating returning to the cap scheme, capped (excuse the pun) at three per game for 2017/18.

--

Dastardly and Muttley, can you email vicky.barlow@bristol-sport.co.uk and we'll aim to get that sorted for you tomorrow with the other two cappings.

Simon, I'll forward your email on to Vicky and also aim to add you on for tomorrow.

Regards,
Adam

Thanks adam, very sensible approach 

[Bar BS3]

1 hour ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

Fair point, and we won't make a downer of it on the day - she's just as excited about getting a pencil case from the shop! But it was a great thing for young fans and it is now no more. I think it's a shame and is worth debating in this arena as I'd love to know the reason behind it.

I agree that it was a good initiative, shame it's stopped. 

I never did it for my boys first game, but my friends daughter loved it. (Well, he loved it. I don't think she knew much about what was going on!) 

Have a good day! 

[Bar BS3]

57 minutes ago, AdamB said:

All,

This was a huge success but became a victim of its own success - literally getting more and more emails each game (of course not everyone was actually attending their first game, which is what the original idea from @DaveL was meant for). Regardless, it was still a memorable moment for the youngsters concerned.

To try and bring a bit of a control on numbers, it was discussed to alter it to signed pennants for one chosen youngster who we knew was attending their first game - a surprise and delight - starting from the Millwall game, as we still had two existing 'cappings' waiting over for the Barnsley fixture tomorrow.

However, having discussed this further, I agree that the "first cap" idea sits better with football than a pennant.

To that end, we're now investigating returning to the cap scheme, capped (excuse the pun) at three per game for 2017/18.

--

Dastardly and Muttley, can you email vicky.barlow@bristol-sport.co.uk and we'll aim to get that sorted for you tomorrow with the other two cappings.

Simon, I'll forward your email on to Vicky and also aim to add you on for tomorrow.

Regards,
Adam

Hi Adam, 

can I suggest that it shouldn't actually need to be the child's "first" game. I think anyone taking a child under a certain age should be able to put their name down and go on a waiting list. It's a special thing for a youngster to look back on, so it would be shame for any to miss out on. 

[cidered abroad]

I want a cap, please. I never got one at my first game so I'm really disappointed. Actually, I'd rather have a Club walking cane or a Zimmer frame if they can justify the expense.

If they do, I promise to return it when I expire.

[Mrdc]

I was about to post exactly the same.

 

its my daughters first game tomorrow and I wanted her to do the first cap thing. Have just emailed the club and got the following response.

 

 

Thanks for your email.

 

In terms of the cappings for games, I am afraid this season this no longer exists. We are now going to be picking at complete random from a system generator a child that has no history with us and attending a first game a signed team pennant and will be limited to one child per game.

I just hope the random name is Lara Charter, otherwise there could be extreme violence shown by a 4 year old.

[Mrdc]

9 minutes ago, Bar BS3 said:

vicky.barlow@bristol-sport.co.uk

 

1 hour ago, AdamB said:

All,

This was a huge success but became a victim of its own success - literally getting more and more emails each game (of course not everyone was actually attending their first game, which is what the original idea from @DaveL was meant for). Regardless, it was still a memorable moment for the youngsters concerned.

To try and bring a bit of a control on numbers, it was discussed to alter it to signed pennants for one chosen youngster who we knew was attending their first game - a surprise and delight - starting from the Millwall game, as we still had two existing 'cappings' waiting over for the Barnsley fixture tomorrow.

However, having discussed this further, I agree that the "first cap" idea sits better with football than a pennant.

To that end, we're now investigating returning to the cap scheme, capped (excuse the pun) at three per game for 2017/18.

--

Dastardly and Muttley, can you email vicky.barlow@bristol-sport.co.uk and we'll aim to get that sorted for you tomorrow with the other two cappings.

Simon, I'll forward your email on to Vicky and also aim to add you on for tomorrow.

Regards,
Adam

I have just emailed Vicky, to see if anything can be done for her tomorrow.

 

it is her first ever game and has been looking forward to it for months. Plus living in Swindon need to get City in her head before the local mob get a chance.

[Davefevs]

Oops

[Dastardly and Muttley]

1 hour ago, AdamB said:

All,

This was a huge success but became a victim of its own success - literally getting more and more emails each game (of course not everyone was actually attending their first game, which is what the original idea from @DaveL was meant for). Regardless, it was still a memorable moment for the youngsters concerned.

To try and bring a bit of a control on numbers, it was discussed to alter it to signed pennants for one chosen youngster who we knew was attending their first game - a surprise and delight - starting from the Millwall game, as we still had two existing 'cappings' waiting over for the Barnsley fixture tomorrow.

However, having discussed this further, I agree that the "first cap" idea sits better with football than a pennant.

To that end, we're now investigating returning to the cap scheme, capped (excuse the pun) at three per game for 2017/18.

--

Dastardly and Muttley, can you email vicky.barlow@bristol-sport.co.uk and we'll aim to get that sorted for you tomorrow with the other two cappings.

Simon, I'll forward your email on to Vicky and also aim to add you on for tomorrow.

Regards,
Adam

Thank you for this Adam, I apologise if I've opened the floodgates here! Hopefully I've contacted Vicky in enough time; huge credit to you and the club for your response. 

[SARJ]

3 hours ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

I was really disappointed a week or so ago to learn that City have stopped giving out "first caps" to young fans attending their first game.

Took my son to the Brum game for his first and it was an amazing experience. He loved getting on the pitch, the look on his face when he got the cap was priceless and he hasn't taken it off all summer. Despite living in Maidenhead, he doesn't shut up about City, to the point that his nursery printed out a picture of Scrumpy the Robin to go on his leaving card.. He puts on his cap and shirt and runs around singing "Oh Tammy Tammy" at every opportunity.

It was also great to tell my mates here about it, and everyone agreed what a class touch it was from City.

It was a big disappointment then to book my daughter's first ticket for Saturday only to be told she wouldn't get the same treatment. Now, they enter every "new" supporter into a draw and give one lucky fan a signed pendant. She's gutted not to be getting the same as her brother and it's taken a bit of the shine off the game. We'll go and buy her the cap, and she'll still get her shirt but it's not the same and I see it as a backward step for the club. Not to mention moving the family area to the upper West where the kids won't have such a good view due to the distance and separation from the atmosphere.

A real shame that this will be the last time youngsters get an experience like this...

@AdamB what are the club's reasons behind not doing this anymore?

 

Without sounding too savage, think you're getting upset over nothing. The club are giving all kids free replica kits, which is an amazing gesture IMO. If they do this but it means kids don't get hats anymore then so be it.

[REDOXO]

2 hours ago, SARJ said:

Without sounding too savage, think you're getting upset over nothing. The club are giving all kids free replica kits, which is an amazing gesture IMO. If they do this but it means kids don't get hats anymore then so be it.

It's all sorted now I think!

[Sleepy1968]

5 hours ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

I was really disappointed a week or so ago to learn that City have stopped giving out "first caps" to young fans attending their first game.

Took my son to the Brum game for his first and it was an amazing experience. He loved getting on the pitch, the look on his face when he got the cap was priceless and he hasn't taken it off all summer. Despite living in Maidenhead, he doesn't shut up about City, to the point that his nursery printed out a picture of Scrumpy the Robin to go on his leaving card.. He puts on his cap and shirt and runs around singing "Oh Tammy Tammy" at every opportunity.

It was also great to tell my mates here about it, and everyone agreed what a class touch it was from City.

It was a big disappointment then to book my daughter's first ticket for Saturday only to be told she wouldn't get the same treatment. Now, they enter every "new" supporter into a draw and give one lucky fan a signed pendant. She's gutted not to be getting the same as her brother and it's taken a bit of the shine off the game. We'll go and buy her the cap, and she'll still get her shirt but it's not the same and I see it as a backward step for the club. Not to mention moving the family area to the upper West where the kids won't have such a good view due to the distance and separation from the atmosphere.

A real shame that this will be the last time youngsters get an experience like this...

@AdamB what are the club's reasons behind not doing this anymore?

To be honest it seems a very short sighted move. Get them young, get them for life. It's cheap as chips and easy to do. So why wouldn't you want to maximise your conversion rate or whatever - I mean it's marketting 101.

Agreed about the Upper Landsdown move as well. I looked at the stadium plan today and thought how sad. My first games were in the schoolboys enclosure under the dolman, and I'm sure that closeness made me feel part of the action. Now they seem to want to make it sterile.

[RedRock]

Good to have a positive Club response, but as others have said....surely the more the merrier. 

Great to give out caps. Why not, if there are people cheating the system, do it after 10 matches? Give them a card with a photo on it and collect stamps to qualify for a cap. That'll be fun for the kids, put pressure on the parents to keep them coming and make economic sense for the Club. Simple and all benefit. Could have extra 'benefits' for 20, 30, 40 matches. 

I hereby claim my private flight on Steve's plane to Barbados for suffering 50+ seasons of watching us. 

[Dastardly and Muttley]

17 minutes ago, Moor2Sea said:

Good to have a positive Club response, but as others have said....surely the more the merrier. 

Great to give out caps. Why not, if there are people cheating the system, do it after 10 matches? Give them a card with a photo on it and collect stamps to qualify for a cap. That'll be fun for the kids, put pressure on the parents to keep them coming and make economic sense for the Club. Simple and all benefit. Could have extra 'benefits' for 20, 30, 40 matches. 

I hereby claim my private flight on Steve's plane to Barbados for suffering 50+ seasons of watching us. 

Great idea. Not sure how people can cheat the system easily though - you have to sign the kids up as members and they have their own supporter ID to check purchase history and so on. A loyalty card type idea could work well though.

[Up The City!]

@AdamB how about continuing it in it's previous form but charging parents a small fee to cover the cost? This would help weed out the frauds and parents can pretend to the kids its a gift from the club?

[Crackers Corner]

My 2 girls are pitchside flag waving today as part of the upper lansdown opening. An adult is needed to supervise, cant wait  perhaps this was part of the thinking with the new way forward. 

[downendcity]

9 hours ago, Moor2Sea said:

Good to have a positive Club response, but as others have said....surely the more the merrier. 

Great to give out caps. Why not, if there are people cheating the system, do it after 10 matches? Give them a card with a photo on it and collect stamps to qualify for a cap. That'll be fun for the kids, put pressure on the parents to keep them coming and make economic sense for the Club. Simple and all benefit. Could have extra 'benefits' for 20, 30, 40 matches. 

I hereby claim my private flight on Steve's plane to Barbados for suffering 50+ seasons of watching us. 

He'd need a Jumbo or two to accommodate all of us in that category M2S.

[DANWRENBCFC4LIFE]

So much for this dying a death. Just did it at halftime 

[Dastardly and Muttley]

1 hour ago, DANWRENBCFC4LIFE said:

So much for this dying a death. Just did it at halftime 

As a result of this thread. If you read above you'll see Adam kindly offered it to myself and a few others. As it stands it may continue with 3 a game, or may stop altogether.

Anyway, cheers @AdamB for your help. 

[DANWRENBCFC4LIFE]

Ah sorry 

[054123]

On a positive, the 6 to 11 year olds I took in the south thought it was a brilliant day out, singing, flares, goals, it's what football is all about.

[Simon79]

Just like to say a big thank you to @AdamB for getting things sorted for my son Elliott today. Great day, great result! COYR 

[Mrdc]

1 hour ago, Simon79 said:

Just like to say a big thank you to @AdamB for getting things sorted for my son Elliott today. Great day, great result! COYR 

Same for my daughter as well, she won the signed pennant and looked a little bemused and would have preferred a cap. She then asked the woman running it, if she had any toys to give away.

[Tears in rain]

This thread makes me feel so old. 

I'm only 22 for Christ sake! Far cry from Bournemouth away in the rain as my first game as a 4 year old. 

[yardy]

Bring back caps for kids 1st games or people miss out on special moments like this...

My sons 1st game was the last game of last season vs Birmingham, the result didn't make a difference and he can't wait to come again