ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Bring back the Boys' Pen

Coming out of Goodison on Wednesday night I noticed something I hadn't seen in a decade or more at any football to ground - large numbers of teenagers. Obviously, the club's laudable decision to make tickets available to a hefty discount to pensioners and kids had an impact.

I read that the average age of a premership fan is now 39, and I fear that this has two implications. Firstly, the're's the social issue of pricing ordinary kids out of going to the match ? has anyone else noticed how the rise of the Hoodie has coincided with the arrival of the Premership (all that bottled up adolescent energy not being dissipated jumping up and down on the terraces)?

Secondly, we have to invest for the future. I imagine most ToffeeWeb readers first went to Goodison as kids ? where is the next generation going to come from? Can Buster fill his 75k stadium with the over 60s?

So why not make (say) 500 matchday tickets available for under a tenner for every game to the under 16s? Or at the very least for the second order games?

Revenue loss over a season would be of the 50-70k level (though it might even increase attendance) but that has to be seen as a long-term investment. And a more convincing sign that we are the People's Club.
Michael Coffey, London Posted 07/12/2007 at 12:25:20

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Harj Badial
1 Posted 07/12/2007 at 14:07:56

Totally agree. We also need to attract youngsters to Goodison / New Stadia, that way we will also increase our Fan Base and that results in increase in Turnover.....I think the club should visit all local schools etc and gain interest....offer free tickets / T shirts etc etc I think the likes of Cahill do but no sure.
How else are we gonna fill a proposed 55k stadium ?

John Lloyd
2 Posted 07/12/2007 at 14:11:59

That is a brilliant idea Michael, absolutly spot on. If local kids know they can get a match ticket for cheap then it would give them something to look forward to, give them a proper interest in the blues. Which can only be good for the club in the long term!

I would definitly suggest something like that to the club, make 500 tickets available to local kids on the cheap every game, 1st come 1st serve.

Brilliaant idea mate

Lindsay Nothling
3 Posted 07/12/2007 at 14:46:58

Definetly agree on that.

Sport is one of the most positive things you can offer a Teenager.
Looking to the future of the Club it is better for teenagers to Enjoy a stadium of 50 thousand than it is listening to 50 cent!

COYB

Peter Laing
4 Posted 07/12/2007 at 15:10:31

Seeing as dear old blue Bill seems to come over all misty eyed when he recalls his formative years spent on the boy?s pen cheering on the likes of Davie Hickson surely as a champion of the people?s Club then such a suggestion is not incomprehensible. I read an account on here from a fan who travelled to Nuremberg and relayed his frustrations as to how the common fan is being squeezed out of the game in England, compare this to Germany where the football experience still remains within grasp and to full houses at many Clubs. Player?s salaries, greed and the corporate grip on football is already begining to see the life blood draining from the game, as with the general economy expect soon for the tide to turn and the EPL bubble to burst.

Lee Spargo
5 Posted 07/12/2007 at 18:51:36

Good shout Michael

jez clein
6 Posted 07/12/2007 at 19:21:17

Man City charge under 16’s £95 for a season ticket any where in the ground (not just the shit seats) which doesn’t compare to the £270+ I had to pay for my 6 year old

Ray Robinson
7 Posted 07/12/2007 at 22:28:03

Michael, I can’t disagree with the sentiment but have you ever seen the number of youngsters at our away games? Half the crowd is under 21. There is a sizeable next generation of fans coming through alright. But you’re right, why not encourage them even more with cheaper home match tickets when it’s obvious we’re struggling to sell out