A question about improving support

[corky]

I was asked this question on another message board and I thought I would share here in the hope some ideas might develop.

whilst the home support is steady , following the recent liaison , what’s been suggested in respect of improving home support ( considering it’s no longer just about finances ).

Also the same question in respect of away support which has gone down significantly?

There was a meeting with Mehmet Dalman and the head of departments ahead of the game Saturday about this very subject and I am waiting to hear ,the outcome but they are looking at this seriously, I would imagine some deals would be on offer to encourage fans but no doubt the club will then get feedback or complaints from Season ticket holders.

Its not easy unless we are winning every game and at top of league or in the Premier league. So what can we do? The CCSC suggested that we open the club more on non matchdays, make sure the shop is open, maybe later until 8 pm when fans are home from work. Maybe open a cafe that fans can visit at the stadium, get the Museum finished and open, generally make the stadium more accessible to visitors /fans on non match days.

I think we have the pricing right at our ground but please reply with any ideas you have that might increase home attendances.

As for away we really have had it tough in the first 5 games. Ipswich, Leeds, Sunderland Middlesboro , Blackburn , only Leicester and Birmingham have been less than 4 hours away...I am sure our away support will pick up , its very expensive to do an away game and fair play to those that do attend, some never miss a game.

[superfeathers]

If it's not so much about finances, then kids for a quid normally goes down quite well? or st holders can introduce someone for a cheap ticket etc.
But try and make sure it coincides with a day city are playing well so they come back

[BLUETIT]

Maybe if the club allowed all the independent travel organisations to advertise their services in the match day program, we may pick up a few bookings !

Not all fans know we exist

FOC of course

[JumpersforGoalposts]

I agree that the ticket pricing strategy seems to be about right which leaves two things that the club need to address.
Firstly, the cost of refreshment purchases at the ground. The pricing is not only an annoyance for regular fans but for the more occasional visitor becomes a significant obstacle to attendance unless making other arrangements.
Secondly, the transport infrastructure around the stadium is a major issue. We finally have a shuttle service back from the centre of Cardiff but so much more could be done. The clubs should take a look at what other clubs do in terms of these arrangements and simply ask themselves what the more occasional fan may need to do to get to the game. For example, many clubs have park and ride services (some are even free) and even liaise with local bus companies to provide specific matchday services to their stadiums.
A good example is provided at Reading. A shuttle service from the railway station, TWO park and ride services and a number of matchday services from the other towns in the area, e.g. Bracknell and Farnborough.

[Trigger]

I never understand why more isn't done in the local community, schools in particular.

Could run some after school sessions, get comp tickets out, vouchers for discounted tickets whatever.

This all costs money but a fraction of the cost of the number one thing to improve attendances....results and sustained "success", challenging for promotion or staying in the premier league. We have seen how our crowd swells during such times and how quickly it fades afterwards.

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Would be useful for the club to do some research on how often supporters attend home games and why. If it is financial they could then plan offers that would attract more fans (trying not to just lose money by making it cheaper for fans who'd be going anyway).
Eg go to 5 games and get the next one free?

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

I never understand why more isn't done in the local community, schools in particular.

Could run some after school sessions, get comp tickets out, vouchers for discounted tickets whatever.

This all costs money but a fraction of the cost of the number one thing to improve attendances....results and sustained "success", challenging for promotion or staying in the premier league. We have seen how our crowd swells during such times and how quickly it fades afterwards.

Bristol City used to offer a package to local schools and clubs where the kids could have an hour long coaching session near the stadium with a Bristol City academy coach then go to the match. Cost about £5 per kid and £10 for parents I think. Don't know if they still do it.
Anything we can do to get kids supporting their local team has got to be good.

[corky]

Thanks for the replies, appreciated.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Bristol City used to offer a package to local schools and clubs where the kids could have an hour long coaching session near the stadium with a Bristol City academy coach then go to the match. Cost about £5 per kid and £10 for parents I think. Don't know if they still do it.
Anything we can do to get kids supporting their local team has got to be good.

This would be great.

Getting local kids supporting City is the way forward long term.

[City123]

I remember Accrington giving a shirt to all kids of a certain age to encourage support, possibly a match ticket as well? Could the club do something similar? A fair chunk of football support comes from a family member/friend dragging someone along, proactively targeting fans could maybe help (especially in a city like Cardiff)

There's also a large student population, could we offer tickets through the students union for instance? Cardiff Uni alone has about 30,000 students. From memory a fair bit of Cardiff Uni's marketing is about how special Cardiff/Wales is, could tie in with that

[Rjk]

I remember Accrington giving a shirt to all kids of a certain age to encourage support, possibly a match ticket as well? Could the club do something similar? A fair chunk of football support comes from a family member/friend dragging someone along, proactively targeting fans could maybe help (especially in a city like Cardiff)

There's also a large student population, could we offer tickets through the students union for instance? Cardiff Uni alone has about 30,000 students. From memory a fair bit of Cardiff Uni's marketing is about how special Cardiff/Wales is, could tie in with that

I think there's definitely mileage in the student angle. Offer cheap tickets, run a bus from the student halls to home games.
Have a couple of attractive young club ambassadors signing people up during freshers week.

[TheBirchgrovePub]

Pricing is very fair although it should be a blanket price for games, not sure why they bother putting teams in different categories. Just make the starting point for every home game £20.

The ideas mentioned about keeping the club shop open longer on a weeknight etc are , no offence , not going to make any difference. Nor will having better food, it doesn't change anything.

Only three things entices people to the football

- Decent priced tickets (club doing ok on this subject to the above point)
- A winning team playing good football (beyond anyone's control bar Mr Bulut)
- Good atmosphere

The final point is the big sticking point, the atmosphere is awful at the moment and only getting worse, the ground is virtually half empty every game, the acoustics in the ground are awful so you can't even hear the away fans and vice versa. Nothing for each other to feed off apart from a block in the Ninian. It means most people who go on a temporary basis are bored stiff watching the game in a half empty stadium in virtual silence for 90% of the time.

Several friends have come to games over the past few years and virtually all of them have a laugh at how dull the experience is. I don't blame them.

Away games wise - we will always have a hardcore that go regularly but cost of living will hit the ones who are 50/50 or go a few games a season. It it at least 60£ to go to an away game for most people these days before you leave your house

[The Bloop]

I remember Accrington giving a shirt to all kids of a certain age to encourage support, possibly a match ticket as well? Could the club do something similar? A fair chunk of football support comes from a family member/friend dragging someone along, proactively targeting fans could maybe help (especially in a city like Cardiff)

There's also a large student population, could we offer tickets through the students union for instance? Cardiff Uni alone has about 30,000 students. From memory a fair bit of Cardiff Uni's marketing is about how special Cardiff/Wales is, could tie in with that

I wonder if there is a Cardiff Uni Bluebirds supporters group?
Shame that freshers week has just gone, as it would be an excellent opportunity to engage with new students who might want to watch football during their time here.
Had something similar when I studied in Norwich years ago, and spent many an afternoon at Carrow Rd.

[blue matt]

I wonder if there is a Cardiff Uni Bluebirds supporters group?
Shame that freshers week has just gone, as it would be an excellent opportunity to engage with new students who might want to watch football during their time here.
Had something similar when I studied in Norwich years ago, and spent many an afternoon at Carrow Rd.

I had a row of Cardiff Uni students next to me for the Jacks game, not sure if they were uni or met ? ? ?

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

I remember Accrington giving a shirt to all kids of a certain age to encourage support, possibly a match ticket as well? Could the club do something similar? A fair chunk of football support comes from a family member/friend dragging someone along, proactively targeting fans could maybe help (especially in a city like Cardiff)

Would be interesting to know what other clubs in the UK and abroad do so we can copy the best ideas. Could be a research project for someone doing one of the club's sports management degrees?

[RichardM]

Some German clubs include the cost of public transport to and from the ground in the ticket price.
Doing that might help get a few more people in.

Wasn't there a scheme a few years back where you could buy four or six tickets for different matches at a time for a discount?

Another option would be discounts on bulk (4+) buys for one match so a group of people can come together.

[AlwaysFeelinBlue]

Some German clubs include the cost of public transport to and from the ground in the ticket price.
Doing that might help get a few more people in.

Wasn't there a scheme a few years back where you could buy four or six tickets for different matches at a time for a discount?

Another option would be discounts on bulk (4+) buys for one match so a group of people can come together.

I'd love the first point so much, cost's me £17.50 a return train ticket

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Like the rugby , football in South Wales is a big event thing and always has been

Cardiff City have a huge population to draw on but a lot of them simply are not interested in turning up regularly

We got big crowds v Leeds in the fa Cup but after beating them the next home game saw ninian Park half empty again

It's always been the same

It's quite embarrassing really

I think the stadium is too big , nearly 20000 Saturday wouldn't have been bad in a 25000 seater ground

Nothing wrong with the prices I just think south wales sports fans talk the talk but that's about it

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Like the rugby , football in South Wales is a big event thing and always has been

Cardiff City have a huge population to draw on but a lot of them simply are not interested in turning up regularly

We got big crowds v Leeds in the fa Cup but after beating them the next home game saw ninian Park half empty again

It's always been the same

It's quite embarrassing really

I think the stadium is too big , nearly 20000 Saturday wouldn't have been bad in a 25000 seater ground

Nothing wrong with the prices I just think south wales sports fans talk the talk but that's about it

Why have you never mentioned this a thousand times before?

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Pricing is very fair although it should be a blanket price for games, not sure why they bother putting teams in different categories. Just make the starting point for every home game £20.

The ideas mentioned about keeping the club shop open longer on a weeknight etc are , no offence , not going to make any difference. Nor will having better food, it doesn't change anything.

Only three things entices people to the football

- Decent priced tickets (club doing ok on this subject to the above point)
- A winning team playing good football (beyond anyone's control bar Mr Bulut)
- Good atmosphere

The final point is the big sticking point, the atmosphere is awful at the moment and only getting worse, the ground is virtually half empty every game, the acoustics in the ground are awful so you can't even hear the away fans and vice versa. Nothing for each other to feed off apart from a block in the Ninian. It means most people who go on a temporary basis are bored stiff watching the game in a half empty stadium in virtual silence for 90% of the time.

Several friends have come to games over the past few years and virtually all of them have a laugh at how dull the experience is. I don't blame them.

Away games wise - we will always have a hardcore that go regularly but cost of living will hit the ones who are 50/50 or go a few games a season. It it at least 60£ to go to an away game for most people these days before you leave your house

I agree completely

People are not going to turn up to watch Cardiff City because the hot dogs are cheap

Winning team , fair ticket price , good day out

All teams see a drop off in crowds depending on form but teams like Leeds , Wednesday, Norwich have bigger fan bases than us so ours drops away quickly , we don't have a big hardcore loyal support

Trying to get a few hundred students interested is a complete waste of time , they will turn up if they are interested in football and its fair priced , and it is

Anything else is just messing about and won't make any difference , it's pointless

The atmosphere can be fantastic but is generally poor and if the ground restrictions can be changed around that would help but the police are unlikely to agree

[WJ99mobile]

People are not going to turn up to watch Cardiff City because the hot dogs are cheap

No but it may entice them to keep returning.

Anything that makes the matchday experience better is surely a good thing and leaving a sour taste in their mouth from getting ripped off doesn't exactly help

[Whisperer]

Away membership needs looking at - I’m all for having a photo ID and a membership card but £30 every season maybe good value if you go on the busses every week but I would do maybe 6/7 aways a season and I stopped going.

[2b2bdoo]

It all comes down to cost of tickets in my opinion, yes I think ours are reasonable compared to other clubs but seemingly people still think it’s a lot, it’s an expensive day out.

Travel could be more issue.

A lot also stems from frustration with the club, how often do you hear “same old city”. Hopefully we turn a corner now with Bulut and some professionalism back.

I don’t see how food or drink prices are an issue, maybe because I’ve probably bought a hand full of items ever since it one, generally I can survive without food or drink for a couple of hours. Although a warm team on those very cold nights help.

[fingers]

It all comes down to cost of tickets in my opinion, yes I think ours are reasonable compared to other clubs but seemingly people still think it’s a lot, it’s an expensive day out.

Travel could be more issue.

I’d echo the travel issue. Took the train from Bridgend on Saturday with my 10 yr old boy. The walk up from central station not great so after the match thought we’d catch a train back to Central from Ninian station - jam packed and couldn’t get on it. Had to walk back in the dark which didn’t bother me but my boy wasn’t happy. Got to Central station, got on train and there was a problem with the doors - stuck on there for 25 minutes, boiling hot, no air conditioning, toe to toe. Got into Bridgend and missed our last bus (yes, last bus 6:30pm!). Got a £10 taxi and got home 3 hours after final whistle, just 20 miles down the road from CCS.

Now there’s a whole separate thread needed for the abysmal state of our public transport, but if that’s my experience (and more importantly my 10 yr old’s experience), how are we going to make ‘the day’ more attractive if you have to spend almost 4 hours travelling 20 miles each way? There used to be a Zeelo coach service from Bridgend direct to CCS before Covid, not sure what happened to that.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

I’d echo the travel issue. Took the train from Bridgend on Saturday with my 10 yr old boy. The walk up from central station not great so after the match thought we’d catch a train back to Central from Ninian station - jam packed and couldn’t get on it. Had to walk back in the dark which didn’t bother me but my boy wasn’t happy. Got to Central station, got on train and there was a problem with the doors - stuck on there for 25 minutes, boiling hot, no air conditioning, toe to toe. Got into Bridgend and missed our last bus (yes, last bus 6:30pm!). Got a £10 taxi and got home 3 hours after final whistle, just 20 miles down the road from CCS.

Now there’s a whole separate thread needed for the abysmal state of our public transport, but if that’s my experience (and more importantly my 10 yr old’s experience), how are we going to make ‘the day’ more attractive if you have to spend almost 4 hours travelling 20 miles each way? There used to be a Zeelo coach service from Bridgend direct to CCS before Covid, not sure what happened to that.

Public transport is my biggest gripe as well. It's like the old days of First Customer panel meetings lol!

Getting to and from the ground on a Saturday isn't too bad from Aberdare. Direct train to Grangetown or change in Radyr for Ninian Park. I usually get off in Central and get a bus to Canton to meet with friends.

Getting home from an evening kickoff is far from ideal. There's one train, resulting in a long wait in Grangetown. Not nice in the bad weather. If I can't get on it, I'm stuck in Cardiff, or there's a later train to Ponty and still a hefty taxi fare.

I used the Zeelo bus quite a bit, not often to go down, but certainly to get home. The only issue I had with it is that it didn't go through the village where I live (and another half a dozen or so who used the bus do), when it could have done as it was en route and would have taken an extra couple of minutes. A few of us emailed Zeelo, who weren't interested.