The Mail Bag
Burning Platform?
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Interesting article in today's Daily Express. Niall Quinn has gone public over his concerns that some 10,000 Sunderland supporters need to come back to swell attendances or the "vision" he has for the Club will have to be ripped up. Apparently, despite a significant injection of capital for new players, the fans would rather watch the games illegally in local pubs. What this says about Sunderland fans I'll leave to you.
However, Niall's reaction to the problem, is a world away from BS Billy's; he is going on the offensive... publicly... and will be actually seeking out fans in these pubs to implore them to get back to supporting the team from the stands. Aware that revenues are significantly down, he is looking to actually engage with supporters.
Whether Quinn will be successful is another matter, but at least he's out there ? unlike our own Chairman, who is sitting on a far bigger problem, but has decided a cloak of invisibility (and presumably denial) is a better strategy.
On a related note, it did get me thinking that if Sunderland can get that worried from a much healthier position than us, then, should season ticket sales fall dramatically this April / May, what the impact would be ? Especially as my understanding is that we have borrowed heavily against future revenues?
In business it often takes a "burning platform" (major crisis) to bring about real change and a sea change in approach. Falling sales may be our burning platform, but it's risky.
Steve Guy, Posted 18/02/2011 at 14:06:56
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nd Steve, as for BK doing the rounds of pubs to drum up support, well he does have other activities you know - usually in London. For all we know Quinn may be occupied full time with Sunderland with no other interests to be involved with. A poor excuse to have a go at BK really - and I'm no BK apologist.
I think attendances are going to suffer everywhere next season as the cuts bite. I actually see more people watching in pubs rather than going to the match, not less.
Roberto: the point is not additional seats meaning more revenue, it's fewer supporters renewng season tickets. Sunderland may well have securitised against future revenue, but they ain't as badly off as us by a long way AND are beIng proactive about sorting it out. Billy BS isn't and it may well prove pivotal come the Early Bird and full-price sale of tickets for next season.
Any new ground or stands should try and bring in lounges like pubs with cheap pub grub and ale, this will encourage the average man to get the ground earlier so spending his beer cash on Everton beer.
It's all well and good saying we need exec boxes when they would be empty because not many blues can afford that luxury like southern based supporters
We'd fill the ground if we played attractive football ? that's blindingly obvious!
Have you been to the pubs in Liverpool on matchday? I watch most games in the pub 3pm and the pubs are packed in Liverpool.
To be fastidious, watching would not be illegal, though the showing of it would be. The image of Sunderland fans in a pub watching the football with a pint and the old bill rush in nicking them all is a funny one, but certainly wouldn't happen... or would it?!?!?!?
Also agree with Nick regarding the "illegal" football. It is absolutely NOT illegal to watch foreign channels. What should be illegal is massive media companies having ludicrous monopolies in 'free markets' which are supposedly governed with competition and anti-monopoly laws.
It's the average, working-class (although soon a good proportion won't even be working) who are getting screwed by big business. Always has been and hopefully won't always be (and reading the Daily Express won't do much do much to help).
We have seen the same with music and films where top performers now earn less from sales etc... maybe these lower attendances will force club's hands to act within their means and over the long term see a reduction in ticket prices and player earnings!
Won't hold my breathe though.
Number one problem is the unreal wages.
Solution, Make it compulsary that lions share of TV income goes on ground improvements and lower entrance fees.
This would make going to the game more attractive for the fans, this in turn improves the in ground atmosphere and at the same time make the game a less attractive proposition to foreign takeover sharks.
Other benefits would be a greater emphasis on developing our own youngsters plus closer affinity between players and their local community.
a) Lack of buisness accuemen by our off the field personnel.
b) Directors un willing to either support or loan there money to EFC.
c) Rising out of control wage bills' both at EFC & at other clubs.
d) Current financial climate.
e) Dwindling fan base support.
f) Greedy agents.
g) Dis illusioned existing season ticket holders.
h) Lack of leadership comments or direction.
i) Continued blundering on ground issues.
j) Lack of transfer activity, unless you mean 15, 16 & 17 year olds.Or, players going out.
The list could go on and on, little wonder being a blue is so depressing !!
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1 Posted 18/02/2011 at 15:05:56
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I also imagine most clubs have used securitisation (loans against future sales essentially) to pay their way, and from the sound of it, maybe Sunderland more than us.
We need more seats, and pricier luxury seats to compete financially. Hasn't he Echo this week reported that Everton's main problem is £pounds per seat at Everton is half that of other clubs?
Again that brings the same old question - ground move or knock down houses and school around Goodison and start building.