Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of information coming in from various sources to indicate that many supporters will not be renewing their season tickets once the current campaign is over. Understandable though this is, it's exactly the wrong thing at a time when the Club needs everyone to help get us back on the road to recovery.
For those who do not plan to renew, or for those who are undecided .............. what will it take to persuade you?
Change of Manager? Cheaper ticket prices? Better team? Improved car park surface?
Let's start to understand the reasons so that we can pass these on to the Club - in the expectation that something can then be done about it.
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The problem is now, I feel like going is a chore which I don't enjoy. I expect to be disappointed, whereas in the past there was always optimism.
I love the club but it's just not exciting anymore.
I'm shocked i'm in the unsure camp, and it does upset me a little. The price of the ticket doesnt overly bother me, the crapness of the games and the manager doesnt either.
I've just lot all of my enthusiasm for standing up for 90 minutes, listening to people moaning around me and not enjoying myself.
EDIT: What Screamer said.
I have a baby on the way,
Athough I do have a nine year old who will need to feel special and have some Dad time
but then add that to the credit crunch, less income etc
It's not about what division we are in.
I also want to preserve my good seats but paying £600 or so just isn't an option for me.
Bearing all that in mind, altho a change of manager/cash injection/playing in the top league would be nice its not a deal breaker for me - I can see it being so for less comitted fans. For me its pretty much financial and free time based decision, the retainer scheme I mentioned on a different thread might persuade me (and more importantly the missus).
:)
Having said that finances would be a definite consideration as would a team looking as if it gives a toss.
My decision will be based upon cost ...............
No ST for me though.
And get rid of the f*cking fish
So I'll decide when i know that's what i'll get (that's never then) I am more likely to get one next season than i was last season!
;o)
my son is going more than he has done before but is not really enjoying it, the fans around where I sit are generally irritating. That said I have probably managed to enjoy the vast majority of the games I have seen regardless of result.
What I would like to see is a committment to keep most of our current midfield together. I accept that ZZ will walk, but if we can have a central core built around shelvey, bailey and racon then I would be confident that all involved in the club are giving it a go next season. Would also want to see some form of striker come in that is vaguely able to shoot on target.
I would also expect a reduction in the price of my season ticket.
Not too worried about a change in manager. I am nowhere near qualified enough to say what makes the difference between a good manager and a bad one. I would however love an explanation as to our backroom staff's approach to fitness as by my reckoning we have led at half time in over a quarter of our games this season and managed to go on to win just 3 (losing the vast majority of them).
Even when I am here, the motivation is sometimes lacking (as on Sat v Preston).
I think the club needs to look at some more imaginative marketing ideas. In another thread, someone suggested a 'membership' rather than full S/T , which included a ticket for, say, 10 matches of one's choice over the course of a season.
Obvously there couldn't be a guarantee of the same seat each time with that kind of offer,but I could live with that. In fact, I'd buy two such tickets - one for me and one to be shared by my two adult sons, who due to work, families etc. can these days only get to half a dozen games a season each.
And before the club says that such a scheme would result in over-demand for attractive fixtures, and a half-empty stadium for the less-attractive ones - is there really any difference in div three?
In fact, I trust relegation will see an end to the concept of tier A,B and C matches when it comes to ticket pricing. All games next season should really be C !
To me its all going to be about total spend based around how many overnight away trips I am likely to do.
I would prefer to wait until:-
1) We know who is in League 1
2) When the fixtures are out so I know the away games I would be interested in.
In the end I will probably renew but simply based on the fact I cant be arsed to get tickets on a match by match basis.
A few weeks ago I was in the definately renew and pro parky camp so I would say if someone liked me has changed my mind then as a Board I would expect the worst. And I dont think there is anything much they can do that will materially change that.
Might end up just me and 5,000 others again, but I'll be there.
I'm sure there will be plenty of seats to choose from.
In fact I would be happy to commit this money in advance to the cllub if it helped with the financial stability.
So here's an idea (OK, probably a silly one) - sort of a membership scheme, but goes a bit further:
The biggest issue for the club is that without the season ticket commitment from the fans, it is very difficult for them to plan the finances (or even pay the bills..) as there is no security of income. This is particulalry true once we are in Div 3 - only c £300K TV money, so the rest has to come from ticket revenue and commercial activity. We're facing a vicious circle, as fans don't want to commit and renew, which then leaves the club unable to plan and buy players, which leads to a crap team and fans relieved they didn't renew...and I dread to think where this might lead.
We need to get to a situation where fans find the team is successful, they are enjoying matches again and want to be going every week, and regret not having an S/T - ideally taking one up at some point in the season ready for the promotion push. But the club needs money for serious rebuilding to this level.
So could Charlton set up a scheme for those who are not renewing to still commit a certain amount of money to CAFC for the season? This "pot" could then be drawn down by the supporter to purchase home match tickets (including cup games), or shop merchandise or hospitality. There could be some kind of incentive to join which is low cost to the club eg signed giveaways. It would need to be carefully balanced to ensure it didn't detract from S/T renewals, but it could be a way to get at least some commitment from wavering fans. I appreciate there would be admin costs involved, but think it has to be worth some consideration?
Might end up just me and 5,000 others again, but I'll be there.[/quote]
What KB said. We must be bloody mad.
They should be paying us to listen.
Spot on....will always have a season ticket, feel like crap at the moment and just want to season to end. But I'll be full of the usual optimism come July/Aug...
as it has been said by GHE why the feck not too long has past since i did not have one and bar this season i have enjoyed every single season even the relegation and the mediocre season last year
It will only be 3 games max probably (one in each cup) and that only if we are drawn at home.
If the Club is prudent they won't base revenue forecasts on cup runs given our largely lamentable record over many seasons so the cost will be zero yet it might tip the balance to renew for a few waverers.
Same as.
I will be renewing both my own and my son's tickets.
Going to be interesting to see the gates for the JPT early rounds
Our tickets are already considerably cheaper than comparitives, so for all those stating it needs to be cheaper, i'm not really sure just how much cheaper it can go ?