Williams wants fans to return (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Won't happen this year
.
Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k
.
There simply is not demand for L1 football

I'm going on Saturday so at least one.
Onwards upwards on the road to wembley

I'll be there Saturday as well. Can't go wrong for a tenner.

Stfc_BristolRed wrote:
I'll be there Saturday as well. Can't go wrong for a tenner.

We can both sing we are paolos red and white army to each other unless your sitting in the arkells, then ill sing by myself.
The only way is up

We were among those who were too tardy to get tickets for Tuesday - shame on me!! But we will be there on Saturday, and will join the quartet!! (Tho the online ticketing shows quite a good number of tickets sold.)

So far made Orient, Colchester and Scunthorpe....hoping for the other Swindon to turn up on Sat!!!

I think Saturday would be a good opportunity to try Macca in defensive midfield, protecting the back line while providing a solid link with the midfield and forwards. I'm sure there would be less long punts up to the forwards to have to scrap for. And it would give him the space to make his surging runs a bit more.

He sometimes seems out of place at centre back and full back, but there has to be a place for such a competitor, and maybe a free role is what he needs to show his best.

Well Villa got Norwich away in the quarter-final, Expect Lambert to enjoy that one.

I'll be there Sat, as was on Tues.

The crowds are lower than you would expect, as the Town do play exciting, free-flowing football, with a good positive atitude (mostly - more often than not). And then there's Paolo. Never know what's going to happen next.

As LR has said, not quite the demand for L1 footy. And there's the financial considerations at the moment. There's a lot of fans that just can't afford it week in week out and have to cherry-pick their viewing pleasure. They would want to come more often, but the choices of current living pressures, of bills, fuel and food puts a strain on family income. Simply, they just cant justify the expence, however "Good value for money" it is. Can't fill little Jimmy's belly with a Miles Storey wonder-goal, get more value out of Wonderloaf I'm affraid.

I don't have to pay for just my ticket, I have to shell out for 2 boys as well.

No, if the econmomic climate was a little better the crowd would swell a little. You just can't help to notice the air of optimism at the CG, that is worth a few more bums-on seats for sure.

Championship next year, and yes we should be averaging 9-10K

Sorry Andy but don't bank on it.
You did us all proud the other night and a memorable performance.

But the excuses will come out for the reasons not to go.

See you all Saturday.......
ps - Cheap tickets.

Hope we get a decent big vocal crowd Tuesday against the Blades to lift the team and a massive 3 points needed.

Lets the good times roll.........COYR'ds
.

Prices for L1 games should be £20 then more will come.

Though I missed the Villa game, will be there on Saturday - wish I could also stay for Sheffield United and see Wilson's team stuffed, but have to fly back to California on Sunday - that nasty thing called work. Hope to see a performance even half as good as my son says the Villa game was - come on Town fans, a bargain for a tenner. And win this and the next one, and another match against the big boys beckons.

I will be back Saturday to anyone else seen they have a certain Anthony mcnamee in there squad I sit in the Arkells and always join in the south stand bit one question I should probably not put forward but will would miles storey be near the first team squad if it won't for the embargo as I'm sure paolo would have brought in another striker by now if it won't for the embargo perhaps it has turn into a blessing in disguise storeys the future stfc

smirg kcab wrote:

Stfc_BristolRed wrote:
I'll be there Saturday as well. Can't go wrong for a tenner.

We can both sing we are paolos red and white army to each other unless your sitting in the arkells, then ill sing by myself.
The only way is up

I'll be in the Don Rogers stand so that'll be 3 sides of the ground with a supporter in ............ More than Macclesfield usually get!

Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

Aye hopefully after that match on Tuesday the demand will have improved a bit. At the prices for the game on Saturday as well hopefully we can top the 5k mark.

As has been said, we are a bit on the expensive side for league 1, but we all know why that is, and we all know that by paying a bit more now, we are investing into a future that hopefully sees STFC at a higher level! :)

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:
Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

I seem to remember in the late 60's that it cost about the same as a pint of beer to get into the County Ground. There's a massive difference in proportionate cost nowadays. I remember having to join a long queue most weeks to get in. I do wonder why all the fair weather fans don't come more often, especially when things are looking up. Theoretically there aren't many other sides competing for supporters in the vicinity, only really the Bristol clubs, Cheltenham and Reading (I don't think Oxford count do they?). I think the FA Cup has lost some of its shine with the massively financed premiership clubs dominating the competition so often. There needs to be a way to re-distribute wealth to the lower division clubs for the health of the game. Similarly the number of foreign players in each side needs to be limited to allow our own players to develop - no wonder our national side so often looks poor when opportunites are so limited.

I'll be there on Saturday as I have been all the home matches. I have been going to Town for 44 years. As for the gates I have been in the old fourth division when there was only 1500 fans there. Real fans, not like the Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal idiots who seem to populate Swindon these days and never fork out any money at all to support a very good L1 side.

Highland Robin I don't mean to be a bit harsh but would you mind staying away as your clearly a jinx!!

Never been more convinced we're winning the league.

Back to back to back promotions coming. Believe people, believe.

Psychedelic Syd wrote:

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:
Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

I seem to remember in the late 60's that it cost about the same as a pint of beer to get into the County Ground. There's a massive difference in proportionate cost nowadays. I remember having to join a long queue most weeks to get in. I do wonder why all the fair weather fans don't come more often, especially when things are looking up. Theoretically there aren't many other sides competing for supporters in the vicinity, only really the Bristol clubs, Cheltenham and Reading (I don't think Oxford count do they?). I think the FA Cup has lost some of its shine with the massively financed premiership clubs dominating the competition so often. There needs to be a way to re-distribute wealth to the lower division clubs for the health of the game. Similarly the number of foreign players in each side needs to be limited to allow our own players to develop - no wonder our national side so often looks poor when opportunites are so limited.

Disagree slightly Syd. It's a crying shame that the FA Cup is not the attraction it used to be. But I don't think it's because of its domination by Premier League clubs. I think it's because so many of them are so terrified of dropping League points that they would rather field weakened teams in the Cup. This lukewarm approach filters down to lower clubs, whose prospects of pulling off a real giant-killing are far less than they used to be. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were in the West Ham side we beat in 1967. Last season even Wigan (hardly a giant) didn't see fit to play their first team.
.
I know the avid TV watchers will disagree with me but I think the creation of the Premier League, with its control by television and its obsession with money, is at the root of most of the negative aspects of today's game.

There's been a lot of comments about tough economic times and people having to pick the games they attend.

I understand it is tricky but I'm not sure if everyone realises that tickets for Macclesfield are £10 for adults and even less for kids ...

I get that people are stretched but if you're a fan and really are stretched pick your games, and come to Macclesfield ....

Villa was for the glory and the buzz but for value you can't argue with Macclesfield. if you were purely making the decision on a cash basis you'd pick the macclesfield game every time as it's less than half the price!

Be a fan, turn up and sing. I expect a low crowd but hope I'm wrong, they deserve a good turnout after the past 2 displays. Onwards and upwards !

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:
Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

1970 FA cup Town v Scunthorpe att-24,612 now that was a gate chaps!I remember it well,when the FA cup was Big,sadly now it's just a minor cup competition Old-Stager!not much bigger than the Paint-Pot!!!!!!!!!

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:
Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

1970 FA cup Town v Scunthorpe att-24,612 now that was a gate chaps!I remember it well,when the FA cup was Big,sadly now it's just a minor cup competition Old-Stager!not much bigger than the Paint-Pot!!!!!!!!!

No news yet then re: the meeting last night between Paolo, Sir William & Andrew Black?

Robinonfire wrote:
Prices for L1 games should be £20 then more will come.

Sit in the TE then.

the don69 wrote:

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:
Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

1970 FA cup Town v Scunthorpe att-24,612 now that was a gate chaps!I remember it well,when the FA cup was Big,sadly now it's just a minor cup competition Old-Stager!not much bigger than the Paint-Pot!!!!!!!!!

Remember it too, Don. Keegan was playing for Scunthorpe and I think we made a bid of £35,000 for him soon afterwards.

rockdog wrote:
I'll be there on Saturday as I have been all the home matches. I have been going to Town for 44 years. As for the gates I have been in the old fourth division when there was only 1500 fans there. Real fans, not like the Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal idiots who seem to populate Swindon these days and never fork out any money at all to support a very good L1 side.

I must have been standing next to you in the TE against Darlington !!

If it wasn't you then I apologise, not many of us there that day :)

Despite being only a tenner etc we have 3 games in a week, Villa £20, Macc £10 and Sheff Utd £25.

Macc will be by far the least attractive game for many if not everyone so regardless of price I can't see the casuals flocking in on Saturday.

I thought the Villa price was quite generous, bearing in mind they brought over 3,000 so we only needed to attract a few thousand more which the Prem factor would do anyway.

Surely though there should have been a deal for the Sheff Utd and Macc games - £30 for both?

Presumably there will be a deal for Yeovil and Brentford on 17th and 20th Nov? People will obv pick and choose at £50 for 2 games in 4 days.

Will say it again, regardless of last year's success and the Paolo factor, a walk in price of £25 is way too much for League 1 football but I'm sure the board are more than aware of this from the attendances this season.

Oi Den! wrote:

the don69 wrote:

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:
Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

1970 FA cup Town v Scunthorpe att-24,612 now that was a gate chaps!I remember it well,when the FA cup was Big,sadly now it's just a minor cup competition Old-Stager!not much bigger than the Paint-Pot!!!!!!!!!

Remember it too, Don. Keegan was playing for Scunthorpe and I think we made a bid of £35,000 for him soon afterwards.

Yep that was the rumour Den,though at the time we all thought that was far too much for little Kev lol.

London Red wrote:
Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many!

We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

Robinonfire wrote:
Prices for L1 games should be £20 then more will come.

No they won't -its already been tried (is being tried for the Brentford - Yeovil games -pay full price for one get 2nd reduced) and gate numbers are near normal on most occasions.

old town robin wrote:
Well Villa got Norwich away in the quarter-final, Expect Lambert to enjoy that one.

Especially when they get beat! will have to look at odds for that one!

Rebel_phish wrote:
I'll be there Sat, as was on Tues. The crowds are lower than you would expect, as the Town do play exciting, free-flowing football, with a good positive atitude (mostly - more often than not). And then there's Paolo. Never know what's going to happen next. As LR has said, not quite the demand for L1 footy. And there's the financial considerations at the moment. There's a lot of fans that just can't afford it week in week out and have to cherry-pick their viewing pleasure. They would want to come more often, but the choices of current living pressures, of bills, fuel and food puts a strain on family income. Simply, they just cant justify the expence, however "Good value for money" it is. Can't fill little Jimmy's belly with a Miles Storey wonder-goal, get more value out of Wonderloaf I'm affraid. I don't have to pay for just my ticket, I have to shell out for 2 boys as well. No, if the econmomic climate was a little better the crowd would swell a little. You just can't help to notice the air of optimism at the CG, that is worth a few more bums-on seats for sure. Championship next year, and yes we should be averaging 9-10K

Phish - been said by many before and you are right the old "disposable income" only stretches so far eh. if you added on the "wish I could afford it" numbers then the "gate" would indeed be much more impressive - oh and there's that minor expense called Christmas on the horizon too.

highland robin wrote:
We were among those who were too tardy to get tickets for Tuesday - shame on me!! But we will be there on Saturday, and will join the quartet!! (Tho the online ticketing shows quite a good number of tickets sold.)

So far made Orient, Colchester and Scunthorpe....hoping for the other Swindon to turn up on Sat!!!

Stay away you jinx!!! lol

The D of B said - "But the excuses will come out for the reasons not to go."

Duke, for some those reasons are they haven't got the money to do everything and much as thry'd like to they can't for financial reasons

You as a recent match sponsor and me in hospitality for Villa might be able to push the boat out on occasions but to use our friend Phish as an example - 3 home games on the trot x him x 2 sprogs is a fair bit of dosh to come up with.

Very much a case of horses for courses I think.

Oi Den! wrote:

Psychedelic Syd wrote:

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:
Without doubt, only the real STFC fans will be there on Saturday for the F.A.Cup match.
I suspect that we will get less than a 6,000 attendance.
Such a shame really because in the 1950's and 1960's any game with a tag of "F.A.Cup" would attract about 3,000 more than an average League Fixture.
Any suggestions on why this should have happened Lads ?

I seem to remember in the late 60's that it cost about the same as a pint of beer to get into the County Ground. There's a massive difference in proportionate cost nowadays. I remember having to join a long queue most weeks to get in. I do wonder why all the fair weather fans don't come more often, especially when things are looking up. Theoretically there aren't many other sides competing for supporters in the vicinity, only really the Bristol clubs, Cheltenham and Reading (I don't think Oxford count do they?). I think the FA Cup has lost some of its shine with the massively financed premiership clubs dominating the competition so often. There needs to be a way to re-distribute wealth to the lower division clubs for the health of the game. Similarly the number of foreign players in each side needs to be limited to allow our own players to develop - no wonder our national side so often looks poor when opportunites are so limited.

Disagree slightly Syd. It's a crying shame that the FA Cup is not the attraction it used to be. But I don't think it's because of its domination by Premier League clubs. I think it's because so many of them are so terrified of dropping League points that they would rather field weakened teams in the Cup. This lukewarm approach filters down to lower clubs, whose prospects of pulling off a real giant-killing are far less than they used to be. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were in the West Ham side we beat in 1967. Last season even Wigan (hardly a giant) didn't see fit to play their first team.
.
I know the avid TV watchers will disagree with me but I think the creation of the Premier League, with its control by television and its obsession with money, is at the root of most of the negative aspects of today's game.

I think you and Syd are both right in respect to the Premier League as they are dominating and picking up the majority of the younger fans with their saturation of football on Sky.

Very few ties with genuine local or national interest are ever on telly and will always feature just the biggest clubs left in the competition, much in the same way as the league cup has this week.

Younger fans think that football stops at mid-table in the premiership and therefore anyone else finds it hard to attract new fans.

The cost is also a big factor, although I am bringing my 5 year old son on Saturday and this cost me a quid and I think the club should have publicised this better as it could attract more younger fans.

I also think that the Cup has lost it's glamour a little. Certainly the cup final is nowhere near as exciting as it used to be when I was a lad and I guess the sheer volume of football available on telly has helped to diminish this.

In terms of revenue, most big clubs would much rather win the Champions League than the FA Cup.

This old price thing is a red herring!
.
Dropping prices to £20 will make very little difference
.
In fact it is more likely lose money as you need to increase the crowd by 25 % to just break even (4 * 25 = 100 or 5 * 20 = 100 - 5/4 = 125%)
.
So on home crowds of say 2000 pay on the day that means we have to get to 2500 before we even break even
.
We have seen on the offers that this doesn't work - otherwise the deal for Yeovil and Brentford at £17.50 average would see the crowds close to 9k each - but I'm certain neither will be above 8k
.
As others have pointed out for a lot of actual fans there is too much other things to prevent them coming more
.
Tickets could be £15 and I may make 1 extra game but that is about it as cost is not near the top of my list as why I miss games
.
As for the "non fans" cost will not be an issues as they turn up for the big games and pay £25 - as the opposition is the main pull
.
So £10 isn't attractive as it is Macclesfield - if we get to the 3rd round and get a top Championship or Premiership side we will sell out at £25 as its the opposition who are the pull
.
The Championship provides that for about 15 of the 23 games - so that is why we will see crowds boosted to about 10k home - this will then be boosted to about 12k via much bigger away followings of those teams

Come back? No chance!!!
.
They've had their big night out, courtesy of their season ticket friends/family, they'll be back to hugging the armchair on Saturday.....
.
For the future, I would like to see season ticket holders limited to just their own ticket, that way maybe some of us, who for whatever reason can't get to every game at the moment, but at the end of the day are lifelong fans, might be able to get a ticket too!
.
Won't happen though.

avo wrote:
Come back? No chance!!! . They've had their big night out, courtesy of their season ticket friends/family, they'll be back to hugging the armchair on Saturday..... . For the future, I would like to see season ticket holders limited to just their own ticket, that way maybe some of us, who for whatever reason can't get to every game at the moment, but at the end of the day are lifelong fans, might be able to get a ticket too! . Won't happen though.

Totally agree. Being a season ticket holder does not make you a better fan,and being a friend of a season ticket holder even less so.

From a Villa blog



First may I take my hat off to the Swindon fans… Amazing Atmosphere, Amazing Noise, Amazing Banter.

Something brilliant is happening in Swindon and with the fans right behind them I don;t see any reason why they can’t their rise up the leagues… especially considering the amount of money in that club… As I learned last night…

Anyway to the game, I am not here to make it something it was not. The game it’s self was 50/50 IMO, it ebbed and flowed from one end to the other, and in the end our extra bit of quality told… Had Swindon still got Charlie Austin on the books the result could have been very different.

I don’t think there is too much I can add to the game, Benteke played well in parts, Gabby was Busy but largely unproductive, Bent used more energy shaking his head and lifting an arm every now and again than he usually does playing a full 90minutes. Bannan was busy with both good and bad, Vlaar looked like he had concrete in his boots, Lichaj has a decent game and I personally thought Given was exposed again on crosses.

There was positive and negative to be taken out of the game, however we won and are now in the Quarter Finals… aren’t we?

2 things happened last night that I hope will now change our season…

Firstly a valuable lesson in professional football. You must match your man for effort. At 2-0 up feet where lifted from the pedal and a few forgot that hard work and application is just as important as ability and skill. Swindon got back in to it when some of the Villans where guilty of thinking they’d won already. Let hope that this is a lesson they will learn quickly.

Secondly though was the response, when that second goal went in the team could of been forgiven for thinking “Not Again” and head dropping. At that point when Swindon equalised the County Ground was a cauldron of noise. The Swindon fans putting some of the Premier League most passionate fans to shame. The pressure and atmosphere could have got to them… but NO… not this time. They played their best football after that. Weimann could have scored but thundered against the post. The ball was passing with pace and precision in those last 15 minutes, urgency without panic. And of course the Beast that is Benteke.

Whilst the performance was not what I’d call a “complete one” one thing for sure is that is will be another corners stones of the Lambert Ethos built, “Character” The team is starting to show a real togetherness.

I still believe we are a combative midfielder away from results turning for the better and with news that Frimpong is on the radar of Lambert I think the Villa boss maybe just feel the same…

Over all, we’re getting there slowly but surely. I would prefer we built on solid foundations and that takes time… Or should we go down the QPR route again? that requires serious underpinning season after season after season?

Stay positive Villans… the progress is there for all to see… soon it will start to turn it’s self in to Premier League points… be sure of that with Bentekkers in the team.



Read more: http://www.astonvill
alife.com/aston-vill
a-blog/benteke-makes
-it-three-in-two/#ix
zz2AzJNZKZg

Good post Pewsham and very difficult to argue against. Gone are the halcyon days of watching the cup final build up on Grandstand and not moving from the armchair from 11.00 - 17.00 - see the teams at the hotel, on the bus- the road to Wembley - and the game. Even better if it involved an underdog Sunderland, Soton, Wimbledon etc and they won. Those days will never come back and younger readers will wonder what the hell I'm talking about but I wish they would because the present FA Cup Final is all too often just another saturated repeat of any week to week bulk standard Prem. game without any magic and these days like Match of the Day I'm not bothered wheher I see it or not. Mind you at my advanced age I usually fall asleep anyway :)

Malkym wrote:

London Red wrote:
Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many!

We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

hi milkym , nice to know you're coming saturday maybe if the rest of you're alter egos on here go aswell we would have quite a crowd , bellend

sadgit wrote:

avo wrote:
Come back? No chance!!! . They've had their big night out, courtesy of their season ticket friends/family, they'll be back to hugging the armchair on Saturday..... . For the future, I would like to see season ticket holders limited to just their own ticket, that way maybe some of us, who for whatever reason can't get to every game at the moment, but at the end of the day are lifelong fans, might be able to get a ticket too! . Won't happen though.

Totally agree. Being a season ticket holder does not make you a better fan,and being a friend of a season ticket holder even less so.

Very true M, but it's only right that the club treats season ticket holders as top priority, because they are the people who commit their money up front. I don't know how much that amounts to in total. I'm guessing it's over £1m. That guranteed income is the lifeblood of the club. Of course season ticket holders are not better supporters than others, but they are certainly the most valuable to the club.

"guaranteed"

Malkym wrote:
Good post Pewsham and very difficult to argue against. Gone are the halcyon days of watching the cup final build up on Grandstand and not moving from the armchair from 11.00 - 17.00 - see the teams at the hotel, on the bus- the road to Wembley - and the game. Even better if it involved an underdog Sunderland, Soton, Wimbledon etc and they won. Those days will never come back and younger readers will wonder what the hell I'm talking about but I wish they would because the present FA Cup Final is all too often just another saturated repeat of any week to week bulk standard Prem. game without any magic and these days like Match of the Day I'm not bothered wheher I see it or not. Mind you at my advanced age I usually fall asleep anyway :)

Don't forget the FA Cup specials of It's A Knockout, featuring fans of the two finalists. Classic

topsecret wrote:

Malkym wrote:

London Red wrote:
Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many!

We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

hi milkym , nice to know you're coming saturday maybe if the rest of you're alter egos on here go aswell we would have quite a crowd , bellend

Topsecret, are you Sharon Stone(the bunny boiler) by any chance.

Rebel_phish wrote:

Malkym wrote: Good post Pewsham and very difficult to argue against. Gone are the halcyon days of watching the cup final build up on Grandstand and not moving from the armchair from 11.00 - 17.00 - see the teams at the hotel, on the bus- the road to Wembley - and the game. Even better if it involved an underdog Sunderland, Soton, Wimbledon etc and they won. Those days will never come back and younger readers will wonder what the hell I'm talking about but I wish they would because the present FA Cup Final is all too often just another saturated repeat of any week to week bulk standard Prem. game without any magic and these days like Match of the Day I'm not bothered wheher I see it or not. Mind you at my advanced age I usually fall asleep anyway :)

Don't forget the FA Cup specials of It's A Knockout, featuring fans of the two finalists. Classic

You know what Phish I thought of It's aKO the minute I'd pressed submit! Yep absolutely ridiculous when you look back on it but such passion from the fans themselves and of course EW's "oop un under"

Steve. Brentford wrote:

topsecret wrote:

Malkym wrote:

London Red wrote: Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many! We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

hi milkym , nice to know you're coming saturday maybe if the rest of you're alter egos on here go aswell we would have quite a crowd , bellend

Topsecret, are you Sharon Stone(the bunny boiler) by any chance.

:) Bonjour mon ami ca va? Thought I'd try you with French instead of Eton English old chap lol! Tight lines!

Malkym wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:

topsecret wrote:

Malkym wrote:

London Red wrote: Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many! We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

hi milkym , nice to know you're coming saturday maybe if the rest of you're alter egos on here go aswell we would have quite a crowd , bellend

Topsecret, are you Sharon Stone(the bunny boiler) by any chance.

:) Bonjour mon ami ca va? Thought I'd try you with French instead of Eton English old chap lol! Tight lines!

Dites bien merci mon homme.aucon besion du traduire.(yeah its easy for you to say mister)

Rebel_phish wrote:
I'll be there Sat, as was on Tues.

The crowds are lower than you would expect, as the Town do play exciting, free-flowing football, with a good positive atitude (mostly - more often than not). And then there's Paolo. Never know what's going to happen next.

As LR has said, not quite the demand for L1 footy. And there's the financial considerations at the moment. There's a lot of fans that just can't afford it week in week out and have to cherry-pick their viewing pleasure. They would want to come more often, but the choices of current living pressures, of bills, fuel and food puts a strain on family income. Simply, they just cant justify the expence, however "Good value for money" it is. Can't fill little Jimmy's belly with a Miles Storey wonder-goal, get more value out of Wonderloaf I'm affraid.

I don't have to pay for just my ticket, I have to shell out for 2 boys as well.

No, if the econmomic climate was a little better the crowd would swell a little. You just can't help to notice the air of optimism at the CG, that is worth a few more bums-on seats for sure.

Championship next year, and yes we should be averaging 9-10K

i agree alot of people can not afford to go to games every week when buying tickets. but may i point out that at the end of last season town were offering season tickets payed over 12 monthly repayments. i have one for the town end at £32 per month and when compared to what just 2 matchday tickets would cost (£38) its a no brainer for diehard swindon fans

Steve. Brentford wrote:

Malkym wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:

topsecret wrote:

Malkym wrote:

London Red wrote: Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many! We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

hi milkym , nice to know you're coming saturday maybe if the rest of you're alter egos on here go aswell we would have quite a crowd , bellend

Topsecret, are you Sharon Stone(the bunny boiler) by any chance.

:) Bonjour mon ami ca va? Thought I'd try you with French instead of Eton English old chap lol! Tight lines!

Dites bien merci mon homme.aucon besion du traduire.(yeah its easy for you to say mister)

Couple of Blo*dy Europhiles Frequenting the site tonight chaps and worse their Fishermen!LOL!!!!!!!
!!!!!!

Malkym wrote:
The D of B said - "But the excuses will come out for the reasons not to go." Duke, for some those reasons are they haven't got the money to do everything and much as thry'd like to they can't for financial reasons You as a recent match sponsor and me in hospitality for Villa might be able to push the boat out on occasions but to use our friend Phish as an example - 3 home games on the trot x him x 2 sprogs is a fair bit of dosh to come up with. Very much a case of horses for courses I think.

I wouldn't ever call that an excuse M.
That I would never argue against.

Got two tickets for Saturday quite a crowd building lets make some noise.

jase1969 wrote:

Rebel_phish wrote:
I'll be there Sat, as was on Tues.

The crowds are lower than you would expect, as the Town do play exciting, free-flowing football, with a good positive atitude (mostly - more often than not). And then there's Paolo. Never know what's going to happen next.

As LR has said, not quite the demand for L1 footy. And there's the financial considerations at the moment. There's a lot of fans that just can't afford it week in week out and have to cherry-pick their viewing pleasure. They would want to come more often, but the choices of current living pressures, of bills, fuel and food puts a strain on family income. Simply, they just cant justify the expence, however "Good value for money" it is. Can't fill little Jimmy's belly with a Miles Storey wonder-goal, get more value out of Wonderloaf I'm affraid.

I don't have to pay for just my ticket, I have to shell out for 2 boys as well.

No, if the econmomic climate was a little better the crowd would swell a little. You just can't help to notice the air of optimism at the CG, that is worth a few more bums-on seats for sure.

Championship next year, and yes we should be averaging 9-10K

i agree alot of people can not afford to go to games every week when buying tickets. but may i point out that at the end of last season town were offering season tickets payed over 12 monthly repayments. i have one for the town end at £32 per month and when compared to what just 2 matchday tickets would cost (£38) its a no brainer for diehard swindon fans

Agree - but I'd still have to buy 3 ST.

Work commitments mean I can't make all the home games, so all in all, paying for matches that I can attend is still the best option at the moment.

the don69 wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:

Malkym wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:

topsecret wrote:

Malkym wrote:

London Red wrote: Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many! We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

hi milkym , nice to know you're coming saturday maybe if the rest of you're alter egos on here go aswell we would have quite a crowd , bellend

Topsecret, are you Sharon Stone(the bunny boiler) by any chance.

:) Bonjour mon ami ca va? Thought I'd try you with French instead of Eton English old chap lol! Tight lines!

Dites bien merci mon homme.aucon besion du traduire.(yeah its easy for you to say mister)

Couple of Blo*dy Europhiles Frequenting the site tonight chaps and worse their Fishermen!LOL!!!!!!!

!!!!!!

Haha,preferisci parlare italiano Don?

the don69 wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:

Malkym wrote:

Steve. Brentford wrote:

topsecret wrote:

Malkym wrote:

London Red wrote: Won't happen this year . Sheff U will probably see us up near 11k as will Portsmouth but other than those two cant see any league games topping 10k . There simply is not demand for L1 football

Spot on LR - a nice sentiment from AW but ain't going to happen -doubt if it even would in the Championship on a regular basis unless it was against Reading, Soton, or a top six fixture towards the end of the season involving us - like the mighty Grim I'll be there making up the 6,000 on Saturday -if we get that many! We should, and the curious (wonder what this Swindon lot play like) can get a cheapie taster. As long as we don't do colchester they might come back!

hi milkym , nice to know you're coming saturday maybe if the rest of you're alter egos on here go aswell we would have quite a crowd , bellend

Topsecret, are you Sharon Stone(the bunny boiler) by any chance.

:) Bonjour mon ami ca va? Thought I'd try you with French instead of Eton English old chap lol! Tight lines!

Dites bien merci mon homme.aucon besion du traduire.(yeah its easy for you to say mister)

Couple of Blo*dy Europhiles Frequenting the site tonight chaps and worse their Fishermen!LOL!!!!!!!

!!!!!!

Haha,preferisci parlare italiano Don?

I think in today's climate our crowds are reasonable considering just how bad it is out there. Tuesday was just awesome and what some superb support but I am afraid that will always be the way for some fans to pick the odd game here and there. Thirty odd thousand at Wembley says the support is certainly there but getting them into the ground every home game is another matter.There will be many reasons why they don't come even if a fair few could be financial. Some teams in our division are much worse off than us with 2-3 thousand at some grounds. We have seen new grounds attract more fans at some clubs so that obviously is the way forward. Its going to be a very different atmosphere on Saturday that's for sure but I will be there cheering on the lads. Miles Storey hat trick anyone.

smirg kcab wrote:

Stfc_BristolRed wrote: I'll be there Saturday as well. Can't go wrong for a tenner.

We can both sing we are paolos red and white army to each other unless your sitting in the arkells, then ill sing by myself. The only way is up

I'm going to the members suite so will be in the Arkels.... Surprised more people didn't pick up on it. Only £25.

Ou voulez vous mange "Fishermans Friend "Donald?

mikek wrote:
I think in today's climate our crowds are reasonable considering just how bad it is out there. Tuesday was just awesome and what some superb support but I am afraid that will always be the way for some fans to pick the odd game here and there. Thirty odd thousand at Wembley says the support is certainly there but getting them into the ground every home game is another matter.There will be many reasons why they don't come even if a fair few could be financial. Some teams in our division are much worse off than us with 2-3 thousand at some grounds. We have seen new grounds attract more fans at some clubs so that obviously is the way forward. Its going to be a very different atmosphere on Saturday that's for sure but I will be there cheering on the lads. Miles Storey hat trick anyone.

Mike, I'm not sure that a new ground in itself will get more bums on seats. You need success on the pitch to go with it. If the new ground is some monstrosity out in the sticks, quite a few people would be put off.
.
Also, slightly off at a tangent, I don't agree with those who say that we'll get a big increase in attendances just by getting promoted. Season ticket sales would increase for the first season of course, and the number of visiting fans would be greater, but if we struggled in the higher division the number of "walk up" fans would still be low. Some of our darkest days have been in the second tier.

Just realised how pessimistic my post above looks! Didn't mean to be a doom monger. Was just trying to say that it's often better to be doing well in the lower division than struggling in the higher one.
.
On a happier note, the BBC Radio 5 commentary from Tues is still available on iPlayer. Around 1 hour 39 mins it's brilliant!