Yes thanks Airman - I think a kids score competition would be a good thing to consider- e.g. announcer reads first team's half time score 2 kids (Junior Addicks) guess the second teams. This conveys the scores to the fans but also encourages them to play along and shouldn't take too long. If there is a small prize for the winner I think it will engage kids at the match and add to their experience. Scores are read out anyway and this shouldn't add too much extra time and the pitch isn't damaged.
i think the whole half time entertainment will only appeal to certain types of fans im speculating that most male/female addicks 18- whatever age who are with mates or dont have the kids with them would be a the bar no matter what was on offer on the pitch, maybe with an exception of certain "ahem.. adult themed entertainment" thus leaving the families and the flask and blanket brigade to enjoy whatever the club can muster up. I do hope the club try and make an effort as there are plenty of children at the valley on a matchday now and we need to get them hooked and interested so they dont end up walking around bexleyheath in a man utd shirt knowing they will never see them live.
It is always a difficult question to ask lifers as we will probably go whatever the experience and maybe react negatively to gimmicks, but I do think there is more the club can do to encorage new -younger supporters outside of ticket promotions. I would like to see some for of competition at half time between fans. It could be a quiz one week, or a crossbar challenge or target game like soccer am - think this would increase the enjoyment for younger fans. prize of signed balls (by both teams) would be cheap and worthy enough incentives. Also, would like to see - when weather conditions permit (so pitch does not get damaged) youth team or womens games as a pre curser to main game - finish 40 minutes before kick off so teams can then warm up.
Could have some gimmicks like a bar football match or subbuteo match between opossing fans, televised on the big screen. All cheap to put on but mildly diverting and would be enjoyable to youngsters and some oldsters alike I'm sure.
I mentioned this last season that we should maybe do a youth team game before the big match - get the fans in early so they can see the future of the club. The youth get to play in front of a crowd and the club get more people in earlier thus generating more income from food and drinks.
Yes thanks Airman - I think a kids score competition would be a good thing to consider- e.g. announcer reads first team's half time score 2 kids (Junior Addicks) guess the second teams. This conveys the scores to the fans but also encourages them to play along and shouldn't take too long. If there is a small prize for the winner I think it will engage kids at the match and add to their experience. Scores are read out anyway and this shouldn't add too much extra time and the pitch isn't damaged.
Sorry Mutley, but that one has me cringing slightly.
What's the old saying, "never work with children or animals", so the thought of some little "cherub" and BDL sharing the mike is a recipe for disaster!
Maybe but its what kids like - if they enjoy something it makes them more likely to want to come back which usually means a parent or guardian comes too. I have spoken to my 10 year old son about the idea and some of his friends and they were very positive. When I was a boy, just going to a game was enough but in today's world you have to do a bit more. You have to see things from a child's perspective. They might talk more about the kids penalty shoot out at half time than the actual game! What makes it really enjoyable for them is the prize- a £60 quid scalextric set will do it and you do a deal for publicity with the local Smyths and you would probably get it for nothing.
Another idea I had was printing cards- say ex stars with a top trumps style game, then on production of every kids ticket or season ticket at a match, the kid gets given a random one. The printing costs could be covered by selling albums at the club shop and you have immediately given kids an incentive to come to games and as some cards will be rarer than others a trading culture is created. The only way to get a card will be to go to the game or swap - you have to use words on the cards like ultra rare and limited edition to create a real value in the kid's eyes. Restaurants know that you lose or break even on kids as they generally bring adults with them and I think the same would apply to football. Kids are also the adult fans of the future. Also, by using ex players, your stock never goes out of date and you can always add to it. At some games you could publicise that only 10 special ultra ultra rare cards will be given out along with the usual ones - usually a home game against Tranmere or some other less interesting side. You could have cup promotions were kids get 5 cards instead of 1 for Carling and FA cup matches at the Valley.
You could extend the top trump card thing so it replaces the red card loyalty scheme. ie. tickets for Stevenage away are available to people on production of 2 rueben agboola's or a kimble twin.
You could seriously do something like 5% discount in clubshop for kids, priority for games etc... for kids who have more than a specified number of cards. You could also get Bob Bolder, Keith Peacock, Colin Powell, Chrissy powell to sign some to make them more valuable!!!! There are a number of comapanies that print these sort of things and a bulk order probably wouldn't cost too much and I'm sure the club would benefit in the medium term. A page could be devoted to the cards in the programme (highlighting the specials etc...) and create the real collecting culture that kids seem to love.
Comments
I can't wait to hear BDL hosting/describing/commentating on all of these great half time events.
I mentioned this last season that we should maybe do a youth team game before the big match - get the fans in early so they can see the future of the club. The youth get to play in front of a crowd and the club get more people in earlier thus generating more income from food and drinks.
Three-Legged Race with Floyd and Harvey. 2 Young addicks to take part every saturday home game at half time.
Another idea I had was printing cards- say ex stars with a top trumps style game, then on production of every kids ticket or season ticket at a match, the kid gets given a random one. The printing costs could be covered by selling albums at the club shop and you have immediately given kids an incentive to come to games and as some cards will be rarer than others a trading culture is created. The only way to get a card will be to go to the game or swap - you have to use words on the cards like ultra rare and limited edition to create a real value in the kid's eyes. Restaurants know that you lose or break even on kids as they generally bring adults with them and I think the same would apply to football. Kids are also the adult fans of the future. Also, by using ex players, your stock never goes out of date and you can always add to it. At some games you could publicise that only 10 special ultra ultra rare cards will be given out along with the usual ones - usually a home game against Tranmere or some other less interesting side. You could have cup promotions were kids get 5 cards instead of 1 for Carling and FA cup matches at the Valley.
ie. tickets for Stevenage away are available to people on production of 2 rueben agboola's or a kimble twin.
You could seriously do something like 5% discount in clubshop for kids, priority for games etc... for kids who have more than a specified number of cards. You could also get Bob Bolder, Keith Peacock, Colin Powell, Chrissy powell to sign some to make them more valuable!!!! There are a number of comapanies that print these sort of things and a bulk order probably wouldn't cost too much and I'm sure the club would benefit in the medium term. A page could be devoted to the cards in the programme (highlighting the specials etc...) and create the real collecting culture that kids seem to love.