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Why 6,000 is the magic number for Town fans
TOWN director Jeremy Wray has challenged Town fans to prove the club's lofty ambitions are not unrealistic - by supporting the new regime's efforts to bring the fans back.
The club unveiled an initiative that could see Town fans watching football at the County Ground for the cheapest price since their Premiership year in 1993 - but only if supporters get on board.
Season tickets could work out at less than £10 a game if more than 6,000 are sold by August 1, with Wray admitting the club's aims would have to be reined in if it the magic mark was not achieved.
Exciting new junior prices and family deals are hoped to attract an average crowd of more than 8,000 next season with the club hoping to reach out to the lost thousands.
Wray said: "When Andrew Fitton and myself took over Swindon Town in January one of the first things we noticed was a half empty stadium and that meant something was not right.
"Something has changed we need to address. If Swindon was a shrinking town then maybe we could understand but we all know that is not the case.
"It is a reality check if we don't do it. If we only achieve the numbers we had last season and get up to 3,500 the expectations for the club have to be limited in proportion.
"We are saying if we can get this support we feel we have the budget in place to take the club forward. It requires the fans help."
Wray admitted the current credit crunch' hitting the country was making football a luxury but believed Town have found a way of making the game affordable for all.
He insisted a boost in attendance next campaign would also improve team performances - claiming exciting times are ahead.
" There is no getting away from the economic reality and it is tough for everyone at the moment. Football is a luxury but we wanted to do something to make it affordable.
"From a football point of view the team is running out to a half empty stadium and it is not the same motivation. Look at the games where the crowd got behind the team, Swansea was one of the great games.
"From a board's point of view we need to take stock and how think how realistic our ideas for the club are. If we are not successful with this initiative at least we can change our ambitions with where to take Swindon.
"If we find it has not worked at least we will know our limitations. If people ask why we are not spending such and such we can at least say there are only so many fans of Swindon."
While Town's new regime admit their ticketing policy for next campaign is a risk, Wray also insisted he believed the race to 6,000 was achievable.
He said: "Fans have been felt let down by the club over the years for various reasons and our job is to bring them back and show them we mean what we say."
8:00am Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: stfcgirlie, swindon on 8:39am Fri 2 May 08
I think this is a brilliant price for the season tickets - I really hope this means we start getting loads of bums on seats next season. All we need now is to be entertained by some good football for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoons!
I think this is a brilliant price for the season tickets - I really hope this means we start getting loads of bums on seats next season. All we need now is to be entertained by some good football for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoons!
Posted by: REDFRED, wickite on 9:17am Fri 2 May 08
well done!! its exactly what we have needed at the county ground....realistic ideas to take us forward. i will be buying a season ticket for the first time in 10yrs and i hope many others will join me...COME ON YOU REDS......
well done!! its exactly what we have needed at the county ground....realistic ideas to take us forward. i will be buying a season ticket for the first time in 10yrs and i hope many others will join me...COME ON YOU REDS......
Posted by: International Robin, Swindon on 9:21am Fri 2 May 08
This board know how to run a business. Hang your head in shame you useless **** - Diamandis
This board know how to run a business. Hang your head in shame you useless **** - Diamandis
Posted by: gobsh1te, you dont need to know on 9:40am Fri 2 May 08
personally know at least 10 people who are getting a ST this year due to the pricing structure.. superb move by the board, fully expect to get over 6000 STH
personally know at least 10 people who are getting a ST this year due to the pricing structure.. superb move by the board, fully expect to get over 6000 STH
Posted by: ivan, Bath on 10:09am Fri 2 May 08
Like most I think this is a great move as with the cost of fuel rising it has it us out of town supporters hard this season.This is a great business move cause the extra "bums on seats" will increase programme and food and drink sales together with extra sales from the club shop.Well played AF and co!
Like most I think this is a great move as with the cost of fuel rising it has it us out of town supporters hard this season.This is a great business move cause the extra "bums on seats" will increase programme and food and drink sales together with extra sales from the club shop.Well played AF and co!
Posted by: Swindon AOK on 10:10am Fri 2 May 08
I haven't had a season ticket since 1994 butlooking at the prices it's got to be tempting...
If you are a true fan there are no more excuses really, are there?
£10 a game - bring it on!
I haven't had a season ticket since 1994 butlooking at the prices it's got to be tempting...
If you are a true fan there are no more excuses really, are there?
£10 a game - bring it on!
Posted by: Russ STFC, swindon on 10:57am Fri 2 May 08
An absolute bargain even if we dont reach the magic mark although im sure ww will'I shall be buying 2 for the first time since 1995.
Can we also do something about the catering too'if it was decent people would spend more.
Once again thank you STFC board members.
An absolute bargain even if we dont reach the magic mark although im sure ww will'I shall be buying 2 for the first time since 1995.
Can we also do something about the catering too'if it was decent people would spend more.
Once again thank you STFC board members.
Posted by: snail1, devizes on 11:13am Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]Russ STFC[/bold] wrote:
An absolute bargain even if we dont reach the magic mark although im sure ww will'I shall be buying 2 for the first time since 1995. Can we also do something about the catering too'if it was decent people would spend more. Once again thank you STFC board members.[/quote] Iam going to be buying one for the first ever time. woooop. and the catering situation definetly needs addressing. chips are grose!! but i think that may be part of the summer rejuvination (including the shop ect).
Russ STFC wrote:
An absolute bargain even if we dont reach the magic mark although im sure ww will'I shall be buying 2 for the first time since 1995. Can we also do something about the catering too'if it was decent people would spend more. Once again thank you STFC board members.
Iam going to be buying one for the first ever time. woooop. and the catering situation definetly needs addressing. chips are grose!! but i think that may be part of the summer rejuvination (including the shop ect).
Posted by: snail1, devizes on 11:14am Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]Russ STFC[/bold] wrote:
An absolute bargain even if we dont reach the magic mark although im sure ww will'I shall be buying 2 for the first time since 1995. Can we also do something about the catering too'if it was decent people would spend more. Once again thank you STFC board members.[/quote] iam getting one for the first time. wooop! and yes the catering situation does need addressing. the chips are grose! but i think this may happen during the summer rejuvination (along with the shop ect)
Russ STFC wrote:
An absolute bargain even if we dont reach the magic mark although im sure ww will'I shall be buying 2 for the first time since 1995. Can we also do something about the catering too'if it was decent people would spend more. Once again thank you STFC board members.
iam getting one for the first time. wooop! and yes the catering situation does need addressing. the chips are grose! but i think this may happen during the summer rejuvination (along with the shop ect)
Posted by: janaageaeroplane, London on 11:22am Fri 2 May 08
Don't forget, they are transferable as well, so if it feels expensive, or you can't get to all the games, why not buy two between three people and share the cost?
No excuse not to get to 6,000!
Don't forget, they are transferable as well, so if it feels expensive, or you can't get to all the games, why not buy two between three people and share the cost?
No excuse not to get to 6,000!
Posted by: Mr_flibble, trowbridge on 11:45am Fri 2 May 08
It works out at 11 and a half games free when compared to matchday prices. That is really good value. Well done to the board for such a bold move.
It works out at 11 and a half games free when compared to matchday prices. That is really good value. Well done to the board for such a bold move.
Posted by: Lanky, Swindon on 12:19pm Fri 2 May 08
Great idea, this is going to be win-win for both the club and the fans. I'm positive we are going to get over 6000, ill certainly be renewing my season ticket (saving £120 in the process hopefully). I think that by the first game, they'll be a real feel good factor round the club due to this promotion, a nice looking ground (with all the seats the same colour and a nice new club shop) - and we can go on a real playoff push next season! All we need now are a couple of class players in a couple of weak positions.
Great idea, this is going to be win-win for both the club and the fans. I'm positive we are going to get over 6000, ill certainly be renewing my season ticket (saving £120 in the process hopefully). I think that by the first game, they'll be a real feel good factor round the club due to this promotion, a nice looking ground (with all the seats the same colour and a nice new club shop) - and we can go on a real playoff push next season! All we need now are a couple of class players in a couple of weak positions.
Posted by: glasred, glastonbury on 2:42pm Fri 2 May 08
Best move yet A.F !!I am sure we will reach 6000 and more as many stay away fans will now see that our new board really care for the supporters,and creating a great atmosphere in the ground which in turn should spur us on to promotion next season!Now all we need is a few good players and quality cornish pasties at the food bar,and we will all be well happy!!COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Best move yet A.F !!I am sure we will reach 6000 and more as many stay away fans will now see that our new board really care for the supporters,and creating a great atmosphere in the ground which in turn should spur us on to promotion next season!Now all we need is a few good players and quality cornish pasties at the food bar,and we will all be well happy!!COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Posted by: malkym on 4:08pm Fri 2 May 08
Like AOK even I might be tempted out of Supporter/Season Ticket retirement - great forward thinking from a board who care as opposed to the old one that didn't. My only nagging doubt is to echo stfcgirlie-> [bold]All we need now is to be entertained by some good football for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoons![/bold] That ultimately is the rub!! even at a tenner a game AM I going to be sat in the stand wondering as in the past "WTF am I doing out here watching this rubbish when I could be helping the Mrs with the shopping!!
Like AOK even I might be tempted out of Supporter/Season Ticket retirement - great forward thinking from a board who care as opposed to the old one that didn't. My only nagging doubt is to echo stfcgirlie->
All we need now is to be entertained by some good football for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoons! That ultimately is the rub!! even at a tenner a game AM I going to be sat in the stand wondering as in the past "WTF am I doing out here watching this rubbish when I could be helping the Mrs with the shopping!!
Posted by: Phil_S, Chippenham on 4:57pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]malkym[/bold] wrote:
Like AOK even I might be tempted out of Supporter/Season Ticket retirement - great forward thinking from a board who care as opposed to the old one that didn't. My only nagging doubt is to echo stfcgirlie-> [bold]All we need now is to be entertained by some good football for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoons![/bold] That ultimately is the rub!! even at a tenner a game AM I going to be sat in the stand wondering as in the past "WTF am I doing out here watching this rubbish when I could be helping the Mrs with the shopping!![/quote] Totally agree with you there. However, a lot of it is like the chicken & the egg what comes first. At least the board have made a start now, reducing prices which should mean bigger crowds which should help the team which will give better results which will increase the crowd etc etc etc.
FWIW, the signs are encouraging football wise too. Cetainly some of the recent games at home have produced some excellent stuff
malkym wrote:
Like AOK even I might be tempted out of Supporter/Season Ticket retirement - great forward thinking from a board who care as opposed to the old one that didn't. My only nagging doubt is to echo stfcgirlie-> All we need now is to be entertained by some good football for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoons! That ultimately is the rub!! even at a tenner a game AM I going to be sat in the stand wondering as in the past "WTF am I doing out here watching this rubbish when I could be helping the Mrs with the shopping!!
Totally agree with you there. However, a lot of it is like the chicken & the egg what comes first. At least the board have made a start now, reducing prices which should mean bigger crowds which should help the team which will give better results which will increase the crowd etc etc etc.
FWIW, the signs are encouraging football wise too. Cetainly some of the recent games at home have produced some excellent stuff
Posted by: madterrier on 5:29pm Fri 2 May 08
This is only going to happen though if we reach the magic and high number of 6,000. So it's our job not only to buy one ourselves but persuade someone else/new to buy one.
This is only going to happen though if we reach the magic and high number of 6,000. So it's our job not only to buy one ourselves but persuade someone else/new to buy one.
Posted by: madterrier on 5:32pm Fri 2 May 08
Trouble is, I'm still playing football next season, and fixtures are on Saturdays. Any chance the board could switch the games to Sunday?
Trouble is, I'm still playing football next season, and fixtures are on Saturdays. Any chance the board could switch the games to Sunday?
Posted by: madterrier on 5:33pm Fri 2 May 08
Trouble is, I'm still playing football next season, and fixtures are on Saturdays. Any chance the board could switch the games to Sunday?
Trouble is, I'm still playing football next season, and fixtures are on Saturdays. Any chance the board could switch the games to Sunday?
Posted by: Worcester Red, Worcester on 6:13pm Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]madterrier[/bold] wrote:
Trouble is, I'm still playing football next season, and fixtures are on Saturdays. Any chance the board could switch the games to Sunday?[/quote] Waching town at 2pm on a Sunday, just in time to get home/pub for the 4pm game on Sky, would be great shout! Great move making the ST transferable, were going to get 3 between 4 of us this year... U reds!
madterrier wrote:
Trouble is, I'm still playing football next season, and fixtures are on Saturdays. Any chance the board could switch the games to Sunday?
Waching town at 2pm on a Sunday, just in time to get home/pub for the 4pm game on Sky, would be great shout! Great move making the ST transferable, were going to get 3 between 4 of us this year... U reds!
Posted by: Stfc Romain, swindon on 8:37pm Fri 2 May 08
Me and my daughter wont be getting 1, NOT WITH MALPAS IN CHARGE. WE WILL NOT SELL 6,000 SEASON TICKETS. Bring back the lost fans,then we ext 8,000. THAY ARE TALKING OUT OF THERE ARSE.The reasons why is. NO PLAYERS WONT 2 PLAY 4 HIM. so we wont have a good team. The football is sh*t. Malpas is not a fans fav.WELL JUST LOOK AT LAST SEASON..DONT SAY JUDGE HIM ON HIS TEAM,as he only wonts 2 get rid of 3 players.So is it a fantastic offer.no no NO.NO ITS NOT
Me and my daughter wont be getting 1, NOT WITH MALPAS IN CHARGE. WE WILL NOT SELL 6,000 SEASON TICKETS. Bring back the lost fans,then we ext 8,000. THAY ARE TALKING OUT OF THERE ARSE.The reasons why is. NO PLAYERS WONT 2 PLAY 4 HIM. so we wont have a good team. The football is sh*t. Malpas is not a fans fav.WELL JUST LOOK AT LAST SEASON..DONT SAY JUDGE HIM ON HIS TEAM,as he only wonts 2 get rid of 3 players.So is it a fantastic offer.no no NO.NO ITS NOT
Posted by: tractorboy, south bucks on 8:44pm Fri 2 May 08
Football is for three P.M Saturday any other time is anti Joe Public and anti English!
It's tradition just like chicken Madrass and lager on Friday night.lol
Football is for three P.M Saturday any other time is anti Joe Public and anti English!
It's tradition just like chicken Madrass and lager on Friday night.lol
Posted by: Wantage1, Wantage on 9:38pm Fri 2 May 08
This is just a gimmick.
What fans want is a successful football team. That will bring fans back in far greater numbers than this offer. It's all presentation with no substance.
AF - invest in a manager and team to bring fans back and not PR gimmicks.
We have absolutely no chance of selling 6000 tickets and AF knows it.
This is just a gimmick.
What fans want is a successful football team. That will bring fans back in far greater numbers than this offer. It's all presentation with no substance.
AF - invest in a manager and team to bring fans back and not PR gimmicks.
We have absolutely no chance of selling 6000 tickets and AF knows it.
Posted by: glasred, glastonbury on 11:47pm Fri 2 May 08
Hey! Getting the ticket price right is ALL important and WILL increase the gates.Malpas is an altogether different matter..If he does not come up with the goods next season, there will be hell to play, but for the moment lets congratulate A.F on a great offer on season tickets! COME ON YOU REDS!!
Hey! Getting the ticket price right is ALL important and WILL increase the gates.Malpas is an altogether different matter..If he does not come up with the goods next season, there will be hell to play, but for the moment lets congratulate A.F on a great offer on season tickets! COME ON YOU REDS!!
Posted by: Stfc Romain, swindon on Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]glasred[/bold] wrote:
Hey! Getting the ticket price right is ALL important and WILL increase the gates.Malpas is an altogether different matter..If he does not come up with the goods next season, there will be hell to play, but for the moment lets congratulate A.F on a great offer on season tickets! COME ON YOU REDS!![/quote] Getting it right on the pitch thats what realy maters.Untill then WE will not get bigger gates.Malpas wont come up with the goods next season.Then we will be in the same boat as we are now. PEOPLE WILL SAY GIVE THE NEW MANAGER TIME IT NOT HIS TEAM.... MALPAS MUST GO BE4 IT 2 LATE....FITTON SORT YA SELF OUT STOP BEING PIGHEADED
glasred wrote:
Hey! Getting the ticket price right is ALL important and WILL increase the gates.Malpas is an altogether different matter..If he does not come up with the goods next season, there will be hell to play, but for the moment lets congratulate A.F on a great offer on season tickets! COME ON YOU REDS!!
Getting it right on the pitch thats what realy maters.Untill then WE will not get bigger gates.Malpas wont come up with the goods next season.Then we will be in the same boat as we are now. PEOPLE WILL SAY GIVE THE NEW MANAGER TIME IT NOT HIS TEAM.... MALPAS MUST GO BE4 IT 2 LATE....FITTON SORT YA SELF OUT STOP BEING PIGHEADED
Posted by: glasred, glastonbury on 12:32am Sat 3 May 08
StfcRomain..I have said Malpas out many times over the past few months but he AIN T GOING YET..whatever any of us say,so we have to give him time ,and in the meantime cut price season tickets are a f...... good idea!
StfcRomain..I have said Malpas out many times over the past few months but he AIN T GOING YET..whatever any of us say,so we have to give him time ,and in the meantime cut price season tickets are a f...... good idea!
Posted by: Stfc Romain, swindon on 10:13am Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]glasred[/bold] wrote:
StfcRomain..I have said Malpas out many times over the past few months but he AIN T GOING YET..whatever any of us say,so we have to give him time ,and in the meantime cut price season tickets are a f...... good idea![/quote] U SAID U LOVE HIM.No i now u have. 4 the first time in 30 years i dont wont 2 go. Just 2 sea malpas fuc* things up.I REALY GETS 2 ME... STFC IS NOT A TOY ITS ARE LIFE. DONT PLAY WITH IT,,FITTON..
glasred wrote:
StfcRomain..I have said Malpas out many times over the past few months but he AIN T GOING YET..whatever any of us say,so we have to give him time ,and in the meantime cut price season tickets are a f...... good idea!
U SAID U LOVE HIM.No i now u have. 4 the first time in 30 years i dont wont 2 go. Just 2 sea malpas fuc* things up.I REALY GETS 2 ME... STFC IS NOT A TOY ITS ARE LIFE. DONT PLAY WITH IT,,FITTON..
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