Withdean Attendance

[Steve Foster]

It's good to see that the attendances are increasing at Withdean.

Yesterday 6683 watched the game. 6474 went to the Walsall game & 6602 for the Rochdale one. Average so far is 6586.

Comparing this time last season. The first 3 games at home were Walsall 6504, Stockport 5270 & Wycombe 5895. Average of 5890.

How many clubs can boast an 11.8% increase in their attendance at this comparable part of the season?

Indeed the average crowds at Withdean have been increasing in recent year's:

2007/2008 5,937
2008/2009 6,092
2009/2010 6,467
2010/2011 6,586 (after 3 games)

So the question needs to be asked. If the crowds are coming back albeit a few more each game, will their be enough extra regulars who will go to Falmer week in week out after the honeymoon period is over?

What do you think?

 

[Iggle Piggle]

So the question needs to be asked. If the crowds are coming back albeit a few more each game, will their be enough extra regulars who will go to Falmer week in week out after the honeymoon period is over?

What do you think?

2 elements need to be addressed in my view

A large part of this is the old Goldstone contingent who don't go to Withdean due to (delete as appropriate), No Roof, Nazi parking restrictions, pay on the gate and inability to sit with people you know if you but a single ticket, general Withdean hatred factor and the experience.

How you get these people back is another question. My old man barely missed a game at the Goldstone but has been to Withdean half a dozen or so times in total. If he gets in the routine again and likes Falmer he will come back and there are plenty more in that boat.

The other is the generation of fans who have missed out on the Albion and 'follow' Chelsea, Man U etc. A new ground and some kind of generous ticketing will do the trick in the short term. The performance on the pitch will probably dictate what percentage of them stick with it.

I'm sure average attendences are bound to increase substantially in the short term. Look at the new grounds for Swansea, Hull, Reading, Derby etc and this was the case. With our huge catchment area it would be inconcievable for this not to happen.

 

[The Grockle]

I was pretty impressed with the attendance yesterday especially given MK only brought a couple of hundred.
If we had been playing a proper football team the gate would have been pushing 7000, not bad for the worst stadium in English league football, in th middle of an economic slump in the rain.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

I should also mention that an area of unreserved seating should be a must for the new ground.

 

[drew]

I should also mention that an area of unreserved seating should be a must for the new ground.

What if (and it's a big if) we are selling out each week and riding on the crest of a wave? If you want to sit with your mates then ring them and buy your tickets together. How hard is that!

Alternatively, have you considered that's what your 'mates' already do!!!!

 

[Iggle Piggle]

What if (and it's a big if) we are selling out each week and riding on the crest of a wave? If you want to sit with your mates then ring them and buy your tickets together. How hard is that!

Alternatively, have you considered that's what your 'mates' already do!!!!

If we sell out it is a different story. We all know that but, lets face it, it's not going to happen regularly.

If people can buy tickets at short notice when commitments change and be able sit with friends, surely that is an additional seling point? No-one, not even some of the saddos on here want to go the football on thier own.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Is it REALLY an incentive to gauranteea seat for the last three games though?

Really?

 

[Conkers]

I should also mention that an area of unreserved seating should be a must for the new ground.

Already confirmed by the club this WON'T happen. It would mean running that section of the ground at 75% capacity.

 

[ewe2]

Would be nice if people came to SING rather than sit there moaning the atmosphere was awful.

The problem is ,because the price of tickets is expensive at Withdean, we have now at the moment lost the agegroup most likely to sing. Middleaged and children will not sing...at least for the whole match. i am all in favour of the 1901 club at Falmer.....but dont expect them to lead the singing . I hope within the Falmer project,that "The singing surporter " will be encouraged via the pricing. If not Falmer will be as quiet as Withdean.........now Roy Keane would have a answer for that !

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Would be nice if people came to SING rather than sit there moaning the atmosphere was awful.

Tho to be fair it was bloody pissing it down yet again. That bastard place has got its own micro-climate for sure. Sooner we're out of there the better.

 

[Steve Foster]

I was pretty impressed with the attendance yesterday especially given MK only brought a couple of hundred.
If we had been playing a proper football team the gate would have been pushing 7000, not bad for the worst stadium in English league football, in th middle of an economic slump in the rain.

The first 3 games of this season at Withdean have seen us play sides that haven't brought too many down. However that can be said for last seasons first 3 games too. Indeed Walsall have been at Withdean in both years within the first 3 games.

It's great that our home games are edging upwards in attendance but are they increasing fast enough?

For every one person who goes to Withdean now are there really 3 others out there who will go to Falmer week in week out?
I suspect not & the tickets are not going to be cheaper than Withdean I suspect.

 

[highway61]

I have not managed this season to make a game due to cost, but ignoring that fact, given the following scenario, would it be easy to attend a game at the last minute.
Lets say its midday Saturday and I fancy watching the Albion, I am not a STH and have not been to Withdean for a year. I also cannot make online/phone payments as have no bank account/card (fact) So could I currently get a train to Withdean, go to ground and pay at the gate for a match thats not already all-ticket.

 

[Spun Cuppa]

You can't sing/create an atmosphere sitting down...

Bands/choirs/solo singers/church-goers ALL sing standing up. It's to do with evacuating the lungs...

Only football fans (?) are expected to sing sitting down...

It's a non-goer, innit!?

 

[Steve Foster]

I have not managed this season to make a game due to cost, but ignoring that fact, given the following scenario, would it be easy to attend a game at the last minute.
Lets say its midday Saturday and I fancy watching the Albion, I am not a STH and have not been to Withdean for a year. I also cannot make online/phone payments as have no bank account/card (fact) So could I currently get a train to Withdean, go to ground and pay at the gate for a match thats not already all-ticket.

As I understand as part of the Withdean conditions you cannot buy a ticket at the gate or ground. I believe this will be so at Falmer though you will be able to buy a ticket at the stations including Falmer from a touch screen - like when you buy a rail ticket on the concourse.

 

[Gully]

You can't sing/create an atmosphere sitting down...

Bands/choirs/solo singers/church-goers ALL sing standing up. It's to do with evacuating the lungs...

Only football fans (?) are expected to sing sitting down...

It's a non-goer, innit!?

OK, I have a solution...we have a number of Albion fans who are men/women of the cloth...how about they lead singing in a certain section, with people standing up as they do in church...I am sure that even the most fascist of stewards would refrain from telling someone wearing a dog-collar to sit down and stop singing, for fear that the club may be deemed to be intolerant of religion.

(Yeah, I know it goes against ground regulations, but if a small part of the stand were to be consecrated and considered a church for singing purposes...)

 

[highway61]

As I understand as part of the Withdean conditions you cannot buy a ticket at the gate or ground. I believe this will be so at Falmer though you will be able to buy a ticket at the stations including Falmer from a touch screen - like when you buy a rail ticket on the concourse.

which ,as i feared will involve having a debit card, which I wont have. So even if i had the cash i would be f***ed

 

[highway61]

As I understand as part of the Withdean conditions you cannot buy a ticket at the gate or ground. I believe this will be so at Falmer though you will be able to buy a ticket at the stations including Falmer from a touch screen - like when you buy a rail ticket on the concourse.

do you think you would be able to deposit cash at the seagull shop or wherever and then have credit that enabled you to obtain a ticket at the machines?

 

[clapham_gull]

I'm quite positive about the gates at Falmer. I see people are starting to think about satellite travellers groups and organising coaches to the stadium.

There isn't lots to do in large parts of Sussex and a trip to watch a game at a very comfortable modern stadium will become an option.
In the old days coaches used to come over from the Kent Border to the Goldstone. Just watch us winning those Charlton fans back.

It is important to get a foot hold in the Championship, because people will aways turn up for the higher profile games - including three recently relegated from the Premiership.

Unless you subscribe to ridiculous idea that gates will be higher in league one

 

[Steve Foster]

do you think you would be able to deposit cash at the seagull shop or wherever and then have credit that enabled you to obtain a ticket at the machines?

I would of thought so.
The kids don't tend to have debit cards issued to them by their banks. Worth emailing the club or insider on NSC.
Let us know the response.

 

[willingdon_seagull]

I'm quite positive about the gates at Falmer. I see people are starting to think about satellite travellers groups and organising coaches to the stadium.

There isn't lots to do in large parts of Sussex and a trip to watch a game at a very comfortable modern stadium will become an option.
In the old days coaches used to come over from the Kent Border to the Goldstone. Just watch us winning those Charlton fans back.

It is important to get a foot hold in the Championship, because people will aways turn up for the higher profile games - including three recently relegated from the Premiership.

Unless you subscribe to ridiculous idea that gates will be higher in league one

Totally agree!