Attendances

[keith79]

SM. Do they count season ticket holders in attendance even if they don't turn up?

[Donnywolf]

So far our official ave is 7,300 ish
Last season over all 23 league games around 8,100.
So it seems very odd that we can be doing so much better both in the quality of the football being served up and the league position we have occupied since the start of the season and lose 7/800 fans.

7346 I make it including away Fans

6707 Av when you "ignore" the Away Fans

[Jimmydee]

There’s a good word for the rovers fans, it’s called “apathetic” and I’ve no idea why.
We’ve been collecting for the foodbanks for nearly year now, I’ve been there at the same place at every collection and people blank us and walk on by.
We do have the regular reliable generous donors that stop by for a chat with a smile and their carrier bags of goodies and it’s wrong to expect them to keep giving at every game.
One fella asked me how much do I get paid from the club to stand there, I was quite flabbergasted by that question.
If we are an embarrassment for the supporters then just let us know, the foodbank collection points will soon be a part of the fans experience at every ground, other fans are enthusiastic to help at their grounds but somehow, the rovers fans are “apathetic”

[drfchound]

Have you considered that some of the people who blank you and walk on by may be a bit strapped for cash themselves and not in a position to be able to make donations to you.
Perhaps they could be embarrassed about that and therefore don’t want to engage in conversation with you.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

We had this same debate not long ago. Barnsley have a better historical football league record than we do and relatively speaking, perhaps they have a closer knit community. Cue the six fingered jokes!

Doesn't bother me, I don't think the club can do much more to magic another 1000 fans every week. But come Tuesday, you can bank on extra numbers turning up which shows there's still some potential from existing occasional fans!

[pib]

I know the Keepmoat has been full a few times in the past but in hindsight it might have been better for us to have had a smaller stadium so it didn't feel so empty. The amount of it that has been closed off, and the distance of the average set of away fans from home fans isn't conducive to a decent atmosphere.

[Donnywolf]

I think it is a great idea - very commendable - to collect Food to distribute to those less fortunate than the average Rovers Fan

Practically though I find it easier to chuck a few quid in now and again than to lug a load of Cans etc from where I park AND by giving money it means (I hope) that you and SM can buy a balanced "basket" of what is needed rather than loads of people turning up all with the same stuff.

[Jimmydee]

Drfchound, yes, I certainly appreciate that some rovers fans are strapped for cash and I also appreciate what people like Donnywolf does too.
But considering the amount of supporters that attend then I am disappointed by the amount that we collect in comparison with other fans for foodbanks.
We attended the national conference fans for foodbanks at Liverpool last Friday and we heard of lots of good inspirational stories of what other clubs fans are doing, hence the reason I quoted “apathetic”
Apologies  about my rant.

[Donnywolf]

Drfchound, yes, I certainly appreciate that some rovers fans are strapped for cash and I also appreciate what people like Donnywolf does too.
But considering the amount of supporters that attend then I am disappointed by the amount that we collect in comparison with other fans for foodbanks.
We attended the national conference fans for foodbanks at Liverpool last Friday and we heard of lots of good inspirational stories of what other clubs fans are doing, hence the reason I quoted “apathetic”
Apologies  about my rant.

Is there anything in the "inspirational stories" that you can share / advertise that might encourage more "awareness - giving" ?

You will remember I "sold" my Season Ticket Scarf / Poster to a fellow VSC Member for £10. I did not want it but the other guy did - so I handed it over to the Foodbank who took a donation of a Tenner and the bloke got the Scarf etc

I reckon other people must have stuff they dont want which they could donate - and there will be many potential Customers wanting to buy some of the stuff that is donated.

I realise that involves a bit more than just standing collecting - and there may be issues given the Club Shop will still want to sell Scarves Shirts and other similar stuff but perhaps you can ask for extra hands ?

Just thoughts and may be crap / unworkable ?

[silent majority]

What about 'attendances' though, SM?

Genuine query as I havn't a scooby, but my gut feel is that they seem slightly lower.

I don't have the information on attendances (I can ask though). ST sales have been a topic at Supporter Board meetings though and the reports so far are that the club have met their targets as part of the budget for this season.

I thought it was common knowledge that football clubs report on ticket sales rather than actual attendance? That's certainly the case at the Keepmoat which is what confuses.

Here's an article published recently about this very subject;

http://www.fsf.org.uk/latest-news/view/bbc-research-casts-doubt-over-reported-attendances

[colincramb]

The point about the stadium size is probably right. We only really needed 12,000. Could have had a better design then as well with the money saved. Can’t change it though so the club need to continue to work hard to build the fan base

[silent majority]

Have you considered that some of the people who blank you and walk on by may be a bit strapped for cash themselves and not in a position to be able to make donations to you.
Perhaps they could be embarrassed about that and therefore don’t want to engage in conversation with you.

I'm sure a 30p tin of beans every now and then isn't going to break the bank.

[Bentley Bullet]

Have you considered that some of the people who blank you and walk on by may be a bit strapped for cash themselves and not in a position to be able to make donations to you.
Perhaps they could be embarrassed about that and therefore don’t want to engage in conversation with you.

I'm sure a 30p tin of beans every now and then isn't going to break the bank.

Why not spread the cost and get HP?

[Alan Southstand]

Interesting article, SM, and it does, at least show one thing, that of the Clubs sampled, the vast majority over estimate their figures. So there is some consistency there.

I can understand season ticket holders seats being empty, but still 'counted' as said sth has already effectively paid for that seat for every home league game.

The thing that's really puzzling me is the fact that despite us (generally) putting on better home displays so far this season, we still appear to be missing about 1,000'ish supporters. I know we had the manager upheaval in the summer, but by now, I would have thought there would have been a slow upturn in attendances!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

To be fair if you drove or walked around Doncaster you wouldn’t even know there was a football club, there’s no identity at all.... they should do a massive push or promotion.... people won’t just turn up

There are hundreds out there who have been to matches before. They know full well where the ground is and how to get a ticket should they wish to.

Rovers fans are no more, no less apathetic than any other football clubs.

Barnsley are better supported than we are. Simple as.

[IDM]

Well said DBR.!

[Boomstick]

I think it's seen as acceptable to support another club.
I think as fans we needs to ridicule and embarrass fans of other clubs, into supporting rovers.

Having said that, the marketing and branding by the club is dire and has been for years

[Campsall rover]

To be fair if you drove or walked around Doncaster you wouldn’t even know there was a football club, there’s no identity at all.... they should do a massive push or promotion.... people won’t just turn up

There are hundreds out there who have been to matches before. They know full well where the ground is and how to get a ticket should they wish to.

Rovers fans are no more, no less apathetic than any other football clubs.

Barnsley are better supported than we are. Simple as.

Sorry can’t accept that. Yes they always have been better supported but not to the tune of 4,500 when both clubs are at the same level and doing equally as well as each other. If you check history you would expect there to be 1,500 difference MAX

[Campsall rover]

Yes I think they are more apathetic in Doncaster than most towns.
Yes I know there is a history problem especially in the 60’s when huge numbers started following Leeds offspring have followed on.
But the fact is Doncaster MBC is a big population 305,000
Bigger than Wolverhampton, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Huddersfield,
Norwich, Ipswich and I could go on & on.
I have friends who think I am obsessed with attendances but I find it a source of huge disappointment that we are not better supported.
If we are in the Championship we should be filling the Moat on a fairly regular basis. As we are it should not be asking too much for 8,500 to 9,000 home fans to be turning up.

[Campsall rover]

Yes before someone says it I know both Norwich and Ipswich have huge catchment areas.

[Wild Rover]

Look at the true population of those towns ( not the whole district MB) and you will see that most have larger populations town for town.
lovemytown.co.uk/Populations/TownsTable1.asp

Ok its 2011 census but Doncaster has not doubled  (or more) in population since then.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The point about the stadium size is probably right. We only really needed 12,000. Could have had a better design then as well with the money saved. Can’t change it though so the club need to continue to work hard to build the fan base

The stadium don't forget has been able to stage other events due to it's size which is good for additional income.

It also gives us the flexibility for ebb and flow, including large away followings which is also good for income.

[Padge_DRFC]

Be better if like most modern grounds you were closer to the pitch

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I know many different people (mainly from my age group) who can no longer go or be as regular as they once were for a variety of different reasons and it's mainly due to lifestyle changes, family commitments, funding kids university places, work, no work etc but certainly things that are not unique to DRFC.

Sometimes, it's a breakdown in the groups, families, mates etc where folk won't go on their own.

Once out of the habit, it's difficult to tip the balance the other way. Good news is that I've got 4 extra going tomorrow and who knows, they may become more frequent.

The future alss, is probably not from my age spectrum but from the younger element.

Taking all those things into account there isn't a one size fits all solution. I'm sure if there's a magic wand that could be waved then the club would snap your hand off.

[Campsall rover]

Look at the true population of those towns ( not the whole district MB) and you will see that most have larger populations town for town.
lovemytown.co.uk/Populations/TownsTable1.asp

Ok its 2011 census but Doncaster has not doubled  (or more) in population since then.

So what are you saying then? Bawtry, Conisborough, Askern area and Thorne are not part of Doncaster.
Doncaster is well spread Geographically.
What is Doncaster then, are you saying Armthorpe, Bentley, and Sprotborugh are not part of Doncaster.
The make up of Doncaster is a considerable number of Villages and some small towns.
It is very different to somewhere like Norwich.

[drfchound]

Have you considered that some of the people who blank you and walk on by may be a bit strapped for cash themselves and not in a position to be able to make donations to you.
Perhaps they could be embarrassed about that and therefore don’t want to engage in conversation with you.

I'm sure a 30p tin of beans every now and then isn't going to break the bank.

Yep, I am sure you are right.

However, I bet that thousands of the people who sit through the children in need show every year don’t ring in with a donation, even though they could probably afford to.

[Wild Rover]

Look at the true population of those towns ( not the whole district MB) and you will see that most have larger populations town for town.
lovemytown.co.uk/Populations/TownsTable1.asp

Ok its 2011 census but Doncaster has not doubled  (or more) in population since then.

So what are you saying then? Bawtry, Conisborough, Askern area and Thorne are not part of Doncaster.
Doncaster is well spread Geographically.
What is Doncaster then, are you saying Armthorpe, Bentley, and Sprotborugh are not part of Doncaster.
The make up of Doncaster is a considerable number of Villages and some small towns.
It is very different to somewhere like Norwich.

What I am saying is you can't compare the respective "Town populations" with "Borough populations" which is what you implied quoting Wolverhampton etc. Yes Doncaster has a large "Borough population" but folk from villages don't necessarily form an affinity with DRFC. I lived many years in an area of Doncaster, it seemed to me that vey few actually supported DRFC from that area ( 1 knew of less than 10 regulars), in fact, even though I now live outside DMB ( still a Donny postcode though) there are as many folk here who watch DRFC on a regular basis.

[DearneValleyRover]

I've supported the Rovers all my life but never lived in Doncaster or it's borough so as an outsider looking in the one thing I can say is that Doncaster folk appear to have little love for Doncaster. I hear it time and again and if you have little love of where you live that will transfer itself to everything in the place such as supporting the local football team. I'm sure to be shot down in flames now but it's an observation and a probable reason. We need the folk of Donny to take pride in and start to love the place they live.

[IDM]

11/12 years ago I was in a group of 4 ST holders, now there’s only me getting to 11/12 games a year..

The difference is changing family circumstances.. it happens..

[RedJ]

I've supported the Rovers all my life but never lived in Doncaster or it's borough so as an outsider looking in the one thing I can say is that Doncaster folk appear to have little love for Doncaster. I hear it time and again and if you have little love of where you live that will transfer itself to everything in the place such as supporting the local football team. I'm sure to be shot down in flames now but it's an observation and a probable reason. We need the folk of Donny to take pride in and start to love the place they live.

Agreed. The amount of my friends that thought it was a shit hole and couldn't get away fast enough when we finished school was kind of upsetting, I like it here. It's got its shit hole areas like Bentley and I wouldn't want to be caught out in Balby after dark without protection but it's no worse than any other northern town.

I mean, f**king Oldham, now THERE's a depressing little shit hole that'll suck the life out of you. Yet they don't hate their town the way we seem to.