Grimsby

[Copps is Magic]

Leeds brought over 50000 to Wembley. Bristol Rovers 40000 to Cardiff.
Didn't do them any good did it ?
Don't get me wrong it's excellent support, but it guarantees you nothing.
We are loyal fans in the maIn at Donny and if other clubs bring huge followings then so be it. Personally I've more time for visiting fans who've supported their team through bad times. Darlington, Halifax, Scarboring etc. Met an AFC Rushden fan the other day, what a star.

I generally agree but the flipside is in our last couple of seasons in the championship we started giving teams the full 4,200 allocation and it did us absolutely no good IMO. Leeds, Sheffield clubs, Derby etc. it gave them the added impetus to perform in front of their fans. It sounds daft but on some levels having away fans on two sides of the ground must be a psychological boost.

[Lincoln Rover]

CIM
Agreed it could do this. But usually when we go to thr bigger grounds, we try to shut the opposition fans up by the team keeping it quiet for the first twenty mins or so, then they start to turn.
It's an amazingly psychology isn't it. I don't like it when the teams visiting KM kick to their lot in the second half.
The club ( DRFC) asked ALL other L2 clubs for a reciprocal deal in terms of tickets for fans this season and only Carlisle toolk us up on it.
The club do amazing work to justify advertising for games in terms of whether it's financially viable and to what level they take this.
When we gave away FREE tickets for a C Palace game we couldn't fil it.
I am more for the slow build up in terms of getting the young fans early.Didnt do me other the subsequent members of my family, kids, grandkids any harm. 4 generations of this family ate hooked on DRFC.

[NickDRFC]

CiM,

But that is shotgun marketing, just blasting out in any direction with the hope you'll hit a target or two. What you're suggesting is exactly what I'm talking about, targeted marketing. Look at it in a different way, if you're a ST holder and not the target then you shouldn't, in theory, see any advertising or promotional material for that particular game. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't being done. The target markets are the people who don't attend, that's where the effort is being applied.

To add to that, the club do look at individual games and identify the ones that they think will bring in a reasonable return for a reasonable outlay. Unfortunately they can't always get other teams to play ball. Reciprocal pricing is usually a great way to grow the attendance at particular games, and offers were made to several clubs at the start of the season, unfortunately most of them refused.

Meetings with staff at Grimsby took place several weeks ago with the intention of encouraging as many Grimsby supporters to attend as possible, the obvious drawback being the early kick-off and the attraction of Christmas shopping. What I do know is that several activities have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip and judging by early sales that seems to be working.

What activities are they planning? It is obviously working; why don't we adopt a similar approach?

You still can't provide a valid reason why there is still no mention of tickets for the next two games on our Facebook page? Is that beyond our limited resources?

Point missed. Its not the work that Grimsby are doing, its what our marketing team are doing.

Out of interest, what is our marketing team doing to sell these tickets to Grimsby fans? I've just had a look at their official website and facebook page, all I can see are updates - tickets are on sale now, tickets sold are xxxx, we've sold more tickets etc. I can't see anything that our marketing team might have had a hand in, so I'd be interested to know why their big sales are down to us.

Incidentally on their facebook page, they seem to have a lot more push and updates on tickets than on ours. I know that facebook isn't for everyone, but you can't tell me it's not worth 5 minutes of someone's time every day to put something on there to reach out to our fans. Grimsby (21,000 followers) have 4 updates in the last 3 hours - one publicising tickets sold for our game, one publicising their home game vs Portsmouth, one pushing a half season ticket and one selling a signed shirt. Our page (138,000 followers - yes, I'm sure a lot of One Direction fans) has 4 updates in the last 3 days - none of which are to do with tickets.

There is more we could be doing, no doubt.

[Copps is Magic]

You have to admit whoever is controlling the social media nowadays is less 'on it' than the old regime.

[MrFrost]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

[silent majority]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

[Copps is Magic]

Look at it in a different way, if you're a ST holder and not the target then you shouldn't, in theory, see any advertising or promotional material for that particular game. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't being done. The target markets are the people who don't attend, that's where the effort is being applied.

I am not a ST holder btw, I am a member who will attend 9 games out of 10. If they can disentangle me from other members then I will be extremely impressed but I have seen no promotion for Grimsby up until this point other than what is being generated at their end.

I also believe the target market isn't necessarily people who don't attend, it's the people who attend so many games a season. The hardcore is 4k but the floating number who attend only the odd game will run into the 10s of thousands. Its those people we want. If you took a systematic/analytical approach with the database you could work it out very specifically who you are targeting.

[silent majority]

CiM,

But that is shotgun marketing, just blasting out in any direction with the hope you'll hit a target or two. What you're suggesting is exactly what I'm talking about, targeted marketing. Look at it in a different way, if you're a ST holder and not the target then you shouldn't, in theory, see any advertising or promotional material for that particular game. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't being done. The target markets are the people who don't attend, that's where the effort is being applied.

To add to that, the club do look at individual games and identify the ones that they think will bring in a reasonable return for a reasonable outlay. Unfortunately they can't always get other teams to play ball. Reciprocal pricing is usually a great way to grow the attendance at particular games, and offers were made to several clubs at the start of the season, unfortunately most of them refused.

Meetings with staff at Grimsby took place several weeks ago with the intention of encouraging as many Grimsby supporters to attend as possible, the obvious drawback being the early kick-off and the attraction of Christmas shopping. What I do know is that several activities have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip and judging by early sales that seems to be working.

What activities are they planning? It is obviously working; why don't we adopt a similar approach?

You still can't provide a valid reason why there is still no mention of tickets for the next two games on our Facebook page? Is that beyond our limited resources?

Point missed. Its not the work that Grimsby are doing, its what our marketing team are doing.

Out of interest, what is our marketing team doing to sell these tickets to Grimsby fans? I've just had a look at their official website and facebook page, all I can see are updates - tickets are on sale now, tickets sold are xxxx, we've sold more tickets etc. I can't see anything that our marketing team might have had a hand in, so I'd be interested to know why their big sales are down to us.

Incidentally on their facebook page, they seem to have a lot more push and updates on tickets than on ours. I know that facebook isn't for everyone, but you can't tell me it's not worth 5 minutes of someone's time every day to put something on there to reach out to our fans. Grimsby (21,000 followers) have 4 updates in the last 3 hours - one publicising tickets sold for our game, one publicising their home game vs Portsmouth, one pushing a half season ticket and one selling a signed shirt. Our page (138,000 followers - yes, I'm sure a lot of One Direction fans) has 4 updates in the last 3 days - none of which are to do with tickets.

There is more we could be doing, no doubt.

It seems like I've become the spokesman for the marketing team today! To be honest I don't know the ins and outs of what they are doing, but what I do know is our club are working with Grimsby to make sure that the game is a success on December 17th. Clubs talk to each other on a very frequent basis and its in everyone's interests that games go ahead with as little problems as possible.

There was some concern on the part of Grimsby supporters that they wouldn't be made welcome at the Keepmoat based on the welcome they've had at other clubs so far this season. The early kick-off didn't help and there was a concern that it may be boycotted in significant numbers. We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else.

The marketing team are working to make sure that happens.

[silent majority]

Look at it in a different way, if you're a ST holder and not the target then you shouldn't, in theory, see any advertising or promotional material for that particular game. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't being done. The target markets are the people who don't attend, that's where the effort is being applied.

I am not a ST holder btw, I am a member who will attend 9 games out of 10. If they can disentangle me from other members then I will be extremely impressed but I have seen no promotion for Grimsby up until this point other than what is being generated at their end.

I also believe the target market isn't necessarily people who don't attend, it's the people who attend so many games a season. The hardcore is 4k but the floating number who attend only the odd game will run into the 10s of thousands. Its those people we want. If you took a systematic/analytical approach with the database you could work it out very specifically who you are targeting.

Of course. But the big investment made in the new CRM system this season should add to their ability to do much more of that. The old system, bought when the council ran the stadium, was more steam driven than otherwise. Now the contract has expired and we are in control we can tailor it to suit our market and our supporters.

[silent majority]

You have to admit whoever is controlling the social media nowadays is less 'on it' than the old regime.

Maybe if the previous incumbent had spent some time doing the basics in the club, the core activities if you will, like programmes, websites, media access, then the current team, which is two members short, could probably give that some attention.

We do have a new starter on Monday I believe, so hopefully that will help relieve some of the pressure.

[NickDRFC]

It seems like I've become the spokesman for the marketing team today! To be honest I don't know the ins and outs of what they are doing, but what I do know is our club are working with Grimsby to make sure that the game is a success on December 17th. Clubs talk to each other on a very frequent basis and its in everyone's interests that games go ahead with as little problems as possible.

There was some concern on the part of Grimsby supporters that they wouldn't be made welcome at the Keepmoat based on the welcome they've had at other clubs so far this season. The early kick-off didn't help and there was a concern that it may be boycotted in significant numbers. We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else.

The marketing team are working to make sure that happens.

For me, this shouldn't be anything to do with the marketing team. Surely this is a customer/supporters services matter? The marketing team should be focussed on marketing the product, not ensuring the safety/satisfaction/well being of visiting fans. No wonder they are stretched if their focus is on this.

To get back to the original point, as important as any of this may be I doubt this has helped sell tickets to Grimsby fans. We may be offering "several activities (that) have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip", but given it doesn't seem to have been promoted by Grimsby themselves I don't think you can correlate it with their ticket sales. What I will concede is that it may encourage some people to return in the future.

[MrFrost]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

[MrFrost]

And why aren't we promoting our own away games?

[silent majority]

It seems like I've become the spokesman for the marketing team today! To be honest I don't know the ins and outs of what they are doing, but what I do know is our club are working with Grimsby to make sure that the game is a success on December 17th. Clubs talk to each other on a very frequent basis and its in everyone's interests that games go ahead with as little problems as possible.

There was some concern on the part of Grimsby supporters that they wouldn't be made welcome at the Keepmoat based on the welcome they've had at other clubs so far this season. The early kick-off didn't help and there was a concern that it may be boycotted in significant numbers. We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else.

The marketing team are working to make sure that happens.

For me, this shouldn't be anything to do with the marketing team. Surely this is a customer/supporters services matter? The marketing team should be focussed on marketing the product, not ensuring the safety/satisfaction/well being of visiting fans. No wonder they are stretched if their focus is on this.

To get back to the original point, as important as any of this may be I doubt this has helped sell tickets to Grimsby fans. We may be offering "several activities (that) have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip", but given it doesn't seem to have been promoted by Grimsby themselves I don't think you can correlate it with their ticket sales. What I will concede is that it may encourage some people to return in the future.

The initial meeting wasn't anything to do with the marketing team, but out of that came several ideas that needed their input. (we need to be clear when we say 'team' as its one individual at the moment). I'd also question what you mean by customer/supporters services, who would that be?

[silent majority]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

Can't you answer a question without asking another one?

[NickDRFC]

It seems like I've become the spokesman for the marketing team today! To be honest I don't know the ins and outs of what they are doing, but what I do know is our club are working with Grimsby to make sure that the game is a success on December 17th. Clubs talk to each other on a very frequent basis and its in everyone's interests that games go ahead with as little problems as possible.

There was some concern on the part of Grimsby supporters that they wouldn't be made welcome at the Keepmoat based on the welcome they've had at other clubs so far this season. The early kick-off didn't help and there was a concern that it may be boycotted in significant numbers. We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else.

The marketing team are working to make sure that happens.

For me, this shouldn't be anything to do with the marketing team. Surely this is a customer/supporters services matter? The marketing team should be focussed on marketing the product, not ensuring the safety/satisfaction/well being of visiting fans. No wonder they are stretched if their focus is on this.

To get back to the original point, as important as any of this may be I doubt this has helped sell tickets to Grimsby fans. We may be offering "several activities (that) have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip", but given it doesn't seem to have been promoted by Grimsby themselves I don't think you can correlate it with their ticket sales. What I will concede is that it may encourage some people to return in the future.

The initial meeting wasn't anything to do with the marketing team, but out of that came several ideas that needed their input. (we need to be clear when we say 'team' as its one individual at the moment). I'd also question what you mean by customer/supporters services, who would that be?

I don't spend as much time as you do meeting the club so you may know something different, but this is what I mean:

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/customerservice/

Sounds like something a meeting with Grimsby to look after their fans' welfare would be part of their brief. Looking at the staff list I see we have a "Supporters Services Manager" in place, which sounds to me to be the same thing.

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/contacts/

[silent majority]

It seems like I've become the spokesman for the marketing team today! To be honest I don't know the ins and outs of what they are doing, but what I do know is our club are working with Grimsby to make sure that the game is a success on December 17th. Clubs talk to each other on a very frequent basis and its in everyone's interests that games go ahead with as little problems as possible.

There was some concern on the part of Grimsby supporters that they wouldn't be made welcome at the Keepmoat based on the welcome they've had at other clubs so far this season. The early kick-off didn't help and there was a concern that it may be boycotted in significant numbers. We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else.

The marketing team are working to make sure that happens.

For me, this shouldn't be anything to do with the marketing team. Surely this is a customer/supporters services matter? The marketing team should be focussed on marketing the product, not ensuring the safety/satisfaction/well being of visiting fans. No wonder they are stretched if their focus is on this.

To get back to the original point, as important as any of this may be I doubt this has helped sell tickets to Grimsby fans. We may be offering "several activities (that) have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip", but given it doesn't seem to have been promoted by Grimsby themselves I don't think you can correlate it with their ticket sales. What I will concede is that it may encourage some people to return in the future.

The initial meeting wasn't anything to do with the marketing team, but out of that came several ideas that needed their input. (we need to be clear when we say 'team' as its one individual at the moment). I'd also question what you mean by customer/supporters services, who would that be?

I don't spend as much time as you do meeting the club so you may know something different, but this is what I mean:

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/customerservice/

Sounds like something a meeting with Grimsby to look after their fans' welfare would be part of their brief. Looking at the staff list I see we have a "Supporters Services Manager" in place, which sounds to me to be the same thing.

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/contacts/

You're a million miles away with that one Nick, way beyond what a customer services guy would be able to accomplish and well beyond his remit. I'm not going to divulge the content of the meeting, I've already said as much as I need to, but suffice to say that I find the fact that we are encouraging Grimsby fans to attend the game baffling.

[silent majority]

And, if the rest of Viking Chat are still reading this far, here's a classic example of targeted marketing, the work the Foundation do and supported by our marketing team;

http://www.clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk/news/foundation-free-coaching-sessions/

Or, if you need another example here's one from last Saturday;

http://www.clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk/news/club-doncaster-foundation-support-stonewall-uks-rainbow-laces/

“It’s the first time ever that some of the young people have been to a football game and they were truly amazed at the whole experience.” She said. “The massive smiles on their faces throughout the day is the best achievement for me.”

Now that's what builds long term support!!

[MrFrost]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

Can't you answer a question without asking another one?

That's a bit rich coming from you.

You haven't answered a single question that I've asked.  Probably because you don't know as much as you let on

[silent majority]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

Can't you answer a question without asking another one?

That's a bit rich coming from you.

You haven't answered a single question that I've asked.  Probably because you don't know as much as you let on

If you ask a sensible question I'm more than happy to answer.

[NickDRFC]

It seems like I've become the spokesman for the marketing team today! To be honest I don't know the ins and outs of what they are doing, but what I do know is our club are working with Grimsby to make sure that the game is a success on December 17th. Clubs talk to each other on a very frequent basis and its in everyone's interests that games go ahead with as little problems as possible.

There was some concern on the part of Grimsby supporters that they wouldn't be made welcome at the Keepmoat based on the welcome they've had at other clubs so far this season. The early kick-off didn't help and there was a concern that it may be boycotted in significant numbers. We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else.

The marketing team are working to make sure that happens.

For me, this shouldn't be anything to do with the marketing team. Surely this is a customer/supporters services matter? The marketing team should be focussed on marketing the product, not ensuring the safety/satisfaction/well being of visiting fans. No wonder they are stretched if their focus is on this.

To get back to the original point, as important as any of this may be I doubt this has helped sell tickets to Grimsby fans. We may be offering "several activities (that) have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip", but given it doesn't seem to have been promoted by Grimsby themselves I don't think you can correlate it with their ticket sales. What I will concede is that it may encourage some people to return in the future.

The initial meeting wasn't anything to do with the marketing team, but out of that came several ideas that needed their input. (we need to be clear when we say 'team' as its one individual at the moment). I'd also question what you mean by customer/supporters services, who would that be?

I don't spend as much time as you do meeting the club so you may know something different, but this is what I mean:

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/customerservice/

Sounds like something a meeting with Grimsby to look after their fans' welfare would be part of their brief. Looking at the staff list I see we have a "Supporters Services Manager" in place, which sounds to me to be the same thing.

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/contacts/

You're a million miles away with that one Nick, way beyond what a customer services guy would be able to accomplish and well beyond his remit. I'm not going to divulge the content of the meeting, I've already said as much as I need to, but suffice to say that I find the fact that we are encouraging Grimsby fans to attend the game baffling.

I think I'll draw a line here as we are never going to agree

a) About whether the marketing team should be involved in the "away day experience" of fans, and

b) About the impact that our marketing team has had on Grimsby's ticket sales, as opposed to Grimsby's promotion via social media, official website etc.

However, that last line has completely thrown me. How can you reconcile between:

"Suffice to say that I find the fact that we are encouraging Grimsby fans to attend the game baffling."

with

"We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else."

I'll finish by saying that I have no problem with us promoting ticket sales for opposition fans - after all, it's all money in our coffers - I just don't want to see it at the expense of trying to get our own fans through the gate. And I think that, however stretched our marketing team is, they could easily improve some of their social media output.

[MrFrost]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

Can't you answer a question without asking another one?

That's a bit rich coming from you.

You haven't answered a single question that I've asked.  Probably because you don't know as much as you let on

If you ask a sensible question I'm more than happy to answer.

The questions is perfectly sensible. Why is social media specifically Facebook not utilised to promote the sale of tickets?

[silent majority]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

Can't you answer a question without asking another one?

That's a bit rich coming from you.

You haven't answered a single question that I've asked.  Probably because you don't know as much as you let on

If you ask a sensible question I'm more than happy to answer.

The questions is perfectly sensible. Why is social media specifically Facebook not utilised to promote the sale of tickets?

And my answer is perfectly sensible too, why are you asking me? Shouldn't you be asking the club this? I've agreed to set meetings up for you before with the club and I'll offer it again. Anytime, let me know.

[silent majority]

It seems like I've become the spokesman for the marketing team today! To be honest I don't know the ins and outs of what they are doing, but what I do know is our club are working with Grimsby to make sure that the game is a success on December 17th. Clubs talk to each other on a very frequent basis and its in everyone's interests that games go ahead with as little problems as possible.

There was some concern on the part of Grimsby supporters that they wouldn't be made welcome at the Keepmoat based on the welcome they've had at other clubs so far this season. The early kick-off didn't help and there was a concern that it may be boycotted in significant numbers. We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else.

The marketing team are working to make sure that happens.

For me, this shouldn't be anything to do with the marketing team. Surely this is a customer/supporters services matter? The marketing team should be focussed on marketing the product, not ensuring the safety/satisfaction/well being of visiting fans. No wonder they are stretched if their focus is on this.

To get back to the original point, as important as any of this may be I doubt this has helped sell tickets to Grimsby fans. We may be offering "several activities (that) have been planned that day to encourage a large following from Grimsby to make that trip", but given it doesn't seem to have been promoted by Grimsby themselves I don't think you can correlate it with their ticket sales. What I will concede is that it may encourage some people to return in the future.

The initial meeting wasn't anything to do with the marketing team, but out of that came several ideas that needed their input. (we need to be clear when we say 'team' as its one individual at the moment). I'd also question what you mean by customer/supporters services, who would that be?

I don't spend as much time as you do meeting the club so you may know something different, but this is what I mean:

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/customerservice/

Sounds like something a meeting with Grimsby to look after their fans' welfare would be part of their brief. Looking at the staff list I see we have a "Supporters Services Manager" in place, which sounds to me to be the same thing.

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/club/contacts/

You're a million miles away with that one Nick, way beyond what a customer services guy would be able to accomplish and well beyond his remit. I'm not going to divulge the content of the meeting, I've already said as much as I need to, but suffice to say that I find the fact that we are encouraging Grimsby fans to attend the game baffling.

I think I'll draw a line here as we are never going to agree

a) About whether the marketing team should be involved in the "away day experience" of fans, and

b) About the impact that our marketing team has had on Grimsby's ticket sales, as opposed to Grimsby's promotion via social media, official website etc.

However, that last line has completely thrown me. How can you reconcile between:

"Suffice to say that I find the fact that we are encouraging Grimsby fans to attend the game baffling."

with

"We, myself included, went out of our way to alleviate their fears on that score and talks between both clubs, supporters, the SO and Police set about making sure that they would be as welcome as anybody else."

I'll finish by saying that I have no problem with us promoting ticket sales for opposition fans - after all, it's all money in our coffers - I just don't want to see it at the expense of trying to get our own fans through the gate. And I think that, however stretched our marketing team is, they could easily improve some of their social media output.

Sorry, my mistake. It should have read  "Suffice to say that I find the fact that we are criticising encouraging Grimsby fans to attend the game baffling."

There's a saying in football that 95% of what happens in football happens behind closed doors. That is so true.

[graingrover]

The club's Commercial resources have been trimmed considerably this season as have all salaries , as an understandable consequence of relegation.
       Instead of expending energy on negative criticism , just bring a mate to the GRIMSBY MATCH.

[MrFrost]

The club's Commercial resources have been trimmed considerably this season as have all salaries , as an understandable consequence of relegation.
       Instead of expending energy on negative criticism , just bring a mate to the GRIMSBY MATCH.

Yep.  We are that understaffed we can actively trying get as many away supporters to the fixture rather than concentrating on home support

[wilts rover]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

Can't you answer a question without asking another one?

That's a bit rich coming from you.

You haven't answered a single question that I've asked.  Probably because you don't know as much as you let on

If you ask a sensible question I'm more than happy to answer.

The questions is perfectly sensible. Why is social media specifically Facebook not utilised to promote the sale of tickets?

Like that big banner at the top of the facebook page that says Three Big Games One Small Price. That sort of promotion and marketing do you mean?

[idler]

The club's Commercial resources have been trimmed considerably this season as have all salaries , as an understandable consequence of relegation.
       Instead of expending energy on negative criticism , just bring a mate to the GRIMSBY MATCH.

Yep.  We are that understaffed we can actively trying get as many away supporters to the fixture rather than concentrating on home support

g
Are you bringing your son or will he be at Barnsley?
I'm bringing two or three, if everybody could bring a mate it would be a good crowd.

[MrFrost]

So let me get this straight- our marketing team are working to get as many Grimsby supporters to the game? If that is what is happening then that is absolutely ludicrous.

On the subject of social media - Barnsley has a dedicated Facebook page just for ticket sales and it has a lot of engagement. As someone else has just said - is it really  Hat too much of a task for us to provide better updates and information?

Why is attracting as many away fans as you can ludicrous?

What is our marketing team doing to attract home fans?

Can't you answer a question without asking another one?

That's a bit rich coming from you.

You haven't answered a single question that I've asked.  Probably because you don't know as much as you let on

If you ask a sensible question I'm more than happy to answer.

The questions is perfectly sensible. Why is social media specifically Facebook not utilised to promote the sale of tickets?

Like that big banner at the top of the facebook page that says Three Big Games One Small Price. That sort of promotion and marketing do you mean?

I've scrolled back through two. Months worth of posts with zero mention of tickets for Stevenage and Plymouth

[MrFrost]

Grimsby have sold their allocation.

If they get the extra 1300 or whatever they could have nearly as many supporters as we have in the stadium.