Barrs Court Red Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown insists the negative publicity football has suffered recently has been the main reason for lower match attendances.The Robins chief admits he was disappointed only 11,656 turned up for City's last home game with Oldham Athletic.That attendance came after the club had won six of their previous seven games.Lansdown said: "Yes I was disappointed but was I surprised? No."I was disappointed. I thought Oldham were a good side with a good record recently who were always going to be a threat to us, and with the way we had been playing it had the makings to be a very good game - which should have attracted people to come to watch us."The Bristol public do take a lot of convincing. In one sense I was pleased we got the uplift from the previous home game (10,398 against Chesterfield), but I was disappointed we didn't reach the 12,000 barrier."The people who didn't go missed a pretty good match even though it was 0-0. The two teams cancelled each other out in some respects but we are moving in the right direction."Lansdown is hoping for a bigger turnout when Crewe Alexandra visit Ashton Gate tomorrow."Crewe are unlikely to bring any more fans than Oldham but they do play good football and it would be nice to see City fans and the Bristol public supporting the team," said Lansdown.Bristol Rovers have also had disappointing crowds this season with the last two home games dipping below the 5,000 mark. However, Bristol Rugby, who are top of the Premiership, have been getting crowds of more than 10,000 - much better than expected."There's a passion for sport in Bristol but there is a general malaise in football now," said the City chairman."I don't think the World Cup has helped the game in this country."The very disappointing show of the England team and the more disappointing show by their wives and girlfriends during the tournament has made people a little negative towards football."Also the bung inquiry and the bad press that the game is getting is not helping."It's not as simple as recent bad press, or a "general malaise". I would have thought the shoddy way fans are treated, the perennial "this is our year" and a constant flow of half truths and spin is finally taking its toll.People can take players going out and getting in bother, what annoys people is being overcharged to sit in an inferior ground. People object to the double standards in the way fans are dealt with. People object to taking kids to a place where the food is expensive yet appalling (and yet never ever seems to change).We've stood still in the way we market ourselves to the average fan. Bristol have got high gates this season because they actually work hard for them. For example billboard adverts around Bristol letting the people living in this City of what is coming next. Watching City has gone from being an enjoyable social occasion, to a sombre affair which feels like it wouldn't make a difference if the fans were there or not.This is how I feel anyways, can't speak for everyone and I'm sure a great many will agree with your viewpoint rather than mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiderHider Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Spot on imo I'm sure the attendences will be bigger at AG the closer we get to possible promotion, and once in the Championship we will be filling AG up I'm starting to wonder about the England team under SM, i didnt watch either of the Qually games becuase i was not interested, weird? My only concern is really for BCFC, i never thought i'd admit putting club before country, but for now it seems i will.I would expect more however from our top players when performing for England, it's ok for me I'm just a fan, just jesus christ show some passion next time guys!Maybe it's becuase there is no goal bonus of £4'000'000 like Lampard was offered in Champions league vs Barca, has to make you wonder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megansdad Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 no I would have thought its the same apathy that afflicts most Bristol sport - when the team wins the crowds come - as witnessed by Bristol Rugby Club. And nothing new its been the same at the Gate for ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezgimed Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 I read that this morning and thought, ''what a #######'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Boy Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 That's you & me off the Xmas card list then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke_Gifford_Red Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 If the tickets were cheaper I would be more likely to go, as I would be if the atmosphere is better and I could have a laugh with my mates instead of being told to sit down and shut up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Open E.E. = BIGGER ATTENDANCE; WAKE UP STEVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puckle_red Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 It's not as simple as recent bad press, or a "general malaise". I would have thought the shoddy way fans are treated, the perennial "this is our year" and a constant flow of half truths and spin is finally taking its toll.People can take players going out and getting in bother, what annoys people is being overcharged to sit in an inferior ground. People object to the double standards in the way fans are dealt with. People object to taking kids to a place where the food is expensive yet appalling (and yet never ever seems to change).We've stood still in the way we market ourselves to the average fan. Bristol have got high gates this season because they actually work hard for them. For example billboard adverts around Bristol letting the people living in this City of what is coming next. Watching City has gone from being an enjoyable social occasion, to a sombre affair which feels like it wouldn't make a difference if the fans were there or not.This is how I feel anyways, can't speak for everyone and I'm sure a great many will agree with your viewpoint rather than mine.Spot on. Top post, we all know why.I am one of I'm sure quite a considerable number that don't actually enjoy going to Ashton Gate anymore. It has become more of a chore. Money wasted on yet another season ticket, and the funny thing is WERE 2ND! This should be the MOST enjoyable time. Granted away from home its awesome being on a great run of form good atmostphere etc.But I'm not going to fall into the trap of everything is great because were 2nd in the league, because in my opinion City could win 5-0 on saturday and I wouldn't enjoy it any more or any less than I we were to lose 1-0. Which I have to say makes me feel sick. Hopefully one day home games will be good again. And even for average home games we will be getting 15-16000...But yer know what, I just don't see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest North Street Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Boy Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 I read that this morning and thought, ''what a #######'' Funny how it's always somebody elses fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no1cityfan_tucks Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Open E.E. = BIGGER ATTENDANCE; WAKE UP STEVE So from that, are you saying that you or other people simply don't go because you cant sit in the EE?If so, regardless of my point of view on the EastEnd, that is very poor excuse imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Boy Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest North Street Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 So from that, are you saying that you or other people simply don't go because you cant sit in the EE?If so, regardless of my point of view on the EastEnd, that is very poor excuse imo.Wake up mate there are fans now with decades of support of this club who simply cannot stomach the mediocre experience that is Bristol your City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh_red Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Open E.E. = BIGGER ATTENDANCE; WAKE UP STEVE IT'S OPEN TOMORROW!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest North Street Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 IT'S OPEN TOMORROW!!!!But i have pubic hair! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiderHider Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellyred Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Open E.E. = BIGGER ATTENDANCE; WAKE UP STEVE What tosh, for me (and I assume most others) the reason I haven't yet been this season and am not likely to anytime soon is the simple cost of tickets as I can no longer afford to fork out for it. Don't get me wrong I would love to go and actually cheer on the boys bu its the cost that is prohibitive and not the fact the east end isn't open!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dezgimed Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Funny how it's always somebody elses fault.Mine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no1cityfan_tucks Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Wake up mate there are fans now with decades of support of this club who simply cannot stomach the mediocre experience that is Bristol your City.I don't doubt that but simpley to say "Open E.E. = BIGGER ATTENDANCE" i don't beleive. That indicated the attendance will improve through the EE being open, meaning people only turn up for the east end.Personally i think the poor attendance is due to high ticket prices and people thinking the same will happen as seasons before ie. Failure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh_red Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 But i have pubic hair!um........congratulations??? I don't doubt that but simpley to say "Open E.E. = BIGGER ATTENDANCE" i don't beleive. That indicated the attendance will improve through the EE being open, meaning people only turn up for the east end.Personally i think the poor attendance is due to high ticket prices and people thinking the same will happen as seasons before ie. Failure!spot on, opening the east end is not about getting a bigger attendance it's about trying to improve the atmosphere at the ground, personally don't believe opening the east end will really have any noticable effect on attendances? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbored Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 I think the Chairman has every right to be disapointed with the attendences recently.I was also disapointed to see such a poor gate last game.You would expect with City going well to see at least 13000.That said the cost of attendence puts many partimers off - despite the fact that prices are 'competative' when compared to other 1st Divion clubs. The catering is dire outside of the Dolman Hall and expensive with poor quality service and that also has an effect.Its been that way for many seasons but never gets any better despite almost weekly complaints.Like others, I'm sure that if City maintain a top 6 place that attendences will increase - especially after xmas when the end of season is in sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh red Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 The catering is dire outside of the Dolman Hall ahhh the bloody prawn sandwich brigade in their with their "special memberships"i remember last season when it was actually open to all fans, the food was just as rubbish as the rest of the ground! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmerD Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 no I would have thought its the same apathy that afflicts most Bristol sport - when the team wins the crowds come - as witnessed by Bristol Rugby Club. And nothing new its been the same at the Gate for everUmmm how many rugby fans were at Ashton Gate when Bristol played Bath - and that wasn't a top of the table clash - and I wonder how many will be there for the two games they have planned this season.This is not a question of a apathetic sporting crowd, its an apathetic football crowd who are fed up to the back teeth of the "customer relations" offered at Ashton Gate. IMHO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evered-e Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 It's not as simple as recent bad press, or a "general malaise". I would have thought the shoddy way fans are treated, the perennial "this is our year" and a constant flow of half truths and spin is finally taking its toll.People can take players going out and getting in bother, what annoys people is being overcharged to sit in an inferior ground. People object to the double standards in the way fans are dealt with. People object to taking kids to a place where the food is expensive yet appalling (and yet never ever seems to change).We've stood still in the way we market ourselves to the average fan. Bristol have got high gates this season because they actually work hard for them. For example billboard adverts around Bristol letting the people living in this City of what is coming next. Watching City has gone from being an enjoyable social occasion, to a sombre affair which feels like it wouldn't make a difference if the fans were there or not.This is how I feel anyways, can't speak for everyone and I'm sure a great many will agree with your viewpoint rather than mine.I think there`s a link between the post "bring back the noise" and what you`re saying.It is being killed off (not just at AG) but country wide by over commercialism, all seater stadiums, over pricing and the general feeling by many fans that rather than being their club, they are more of an imbuggerance to the powers that be.It`s interesting to note that in the previously mentioned post, most of the games with atmos mentioned when there was a hostility in the ground, either towards the opposition team or fans.Nowadays with our PC society where you`re not allowed to swear, stand up, have a few before the game (the list is endless) it has taken all the passion out of supporting your team.Years ago football was the preserve of the working class where it was the one opportunity to go and let off steam shout and scream and in some cases have a row with opposing fans, this was the case for 100 years before it became big business fuelling huge salaries for mediocre players who have no loyalty to their club or its supporters. I started watching my football in the 70s when the game was full of characters like stan bowles, tony currie, frank worthington, alan hudson etc, who played as much for enjoyment as money, players who inspired as well as infuriated, players who expected levels of abuse that now a days you`d be thrown out for dishing out.where are the characters in todays game?.Essentially football has become a product of a sterile society where originality, flair, passion, anger, joy, hatred are all considered taboo.Years ago Ashton Gate used to be a hostile place for teams and their fans. The powers that be have done their best to change ( in some ways for the better) but the upshot of that is what we are left with now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiceRed Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Regarding Bristol rugby's recent good attendances, I'm sure City (and even Rovers) would get 10 000+ if we were top of the Prem and playing Man Utd at home. So you can't really compare us with the rugby.Don't think the quality of food is a factor at all in people coming to the Gate. That's no excuse for the club to serve up what they do, mind. If we keep winning then gates will go up, simple as that. I do agree though that it does sometimes feel like a chore going to the game, what with the restrictions on standing etc. Price does of course also have an affect, though City are not really different price-wise than other clubs, including the rugby team. Looking back over the last decade or so though, are our attendances really down much? Can't say I notice much of a difference. You always read on here about fans saying they don't go much anymore due to cost/lack of atmosphere, but I'm sure there are loads going regularly now that weren't going at all a few years back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted October 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Nice Red, I do not mean that the quality of food is a single reason as to why people to not go to a game. I do belive it is a indication of a wider problem and also a single factor when added to with others, puts people off.Attendances ARE down when compared to a comparative posistion 4 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bs3 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Reasons for poor crowds.1. Price2.Lack of a winning team and success.3.Uninspiring performances. To many poor matches not value for money.4. Lansdown and the clubs lack of ambition, people are not inspired to go and watch, thinking that City are going no where.5.The most important reason the fans are not coming back is because they have had a big fat belly full of 3rd division crap football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhatWill Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Attendances ARE down when compared to a comparative posistion 4 years ago.Have you got any evidence to back that up? I don't believe that's correct at all.They'll be 12,000+ down there tomorrow and our average is still around 11,000 for this season.We still have plenty of games to come that, so long as we maintain current form, will see big crowds at AG - Yeovil, Forest, Cheltenham, Millwall etc.At every away game between now and Xmas we'll take 1,000 + fans as well. I think support's still very healthy myself. This league is perhaps not as attractive as it has been in the past mind without the likes of Stoke, Plymouth, QPR, Reading, Rovers, Swindon, Cardiff, Sheff Weds etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22A Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 and I could have a laugh with my mates instead of being told to sit down and shut up.That sums it all up. To paraphrase Johnny Rambo; "All we want is for our club to love us as much as we love it"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrs Court Red Posted October 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 You only need to look on bcfc.co.uk to see the facts speak for themselves PhatWill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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