Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Stay away Fans: Protest or Skint?
54 Comments: I don't know the answer to this. I feel it will be a mixture of the two, but I am wondering what the majority is, and how big a majority that might be.
I feel the club have done a good job with the season tickets, in terms of the price freeze and the various ways you could pay. Not many people have a lump sum of £400 to £550 sitting in their accounts waiting for the renewal forms to come through their door. So the 'pay monthly' scheme and the Everton MasterCard, which is interest-free for 9 months, are good ways of renewing your Season Ticket without rooting around for that big lump sum.
But looking at our attendances this season, it is obvious that a lot of fans have stopped coming. 32,700 against Aston Villa, a decent side where our games are always a good watch, at 3pm on a Saturday, was poor. 31,500 the following week against Wigan must be our lowest for a 3pm Saturday game for quite a while. 17,000 there last night, and I know it was ?only? the Carling Cup, but I would have thought we could of at least hit the 25,000 mark.
I have been receiving text messages from the club advertising match tickets, even though I have a season ticket and therefore already have a ticket for the match! Also, I have noticed that the tickets for the derby are being advertised a lot, and I cannot remember that happening before.
As I say, I don?t know the answer. A lot of people are loosing their jobs, or have the threat of a job loss hanging over them, which would have hit attendances, and people are feeling the pinch at the moment. (It would be interesting to see if other clubs are suffering a drop in this regard). However, I also get the feeling that a lot fans are staying away because they have hit their limit with what?s going on at the club, and a ?stay away? protest will be noticed more by the board, as opposed to marches, as it hits them in the pocket.
What does everyone feel is the majority reason for the drop in attendances?
Adam Bennett, Posted 22/09/2011 at 13:26:10
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No great surprise that I didn't even receive the courtesy of a response, but was plagued afterwards with kids from the box office phoning and asking why.
I will come back one day when there have been major changes, but I have to say that, having taken up golf at the weekend, I really don't miss the usual feelings of boredom during the game and abject misery afterwards.
I was at the game last night which was poor but, having heard the line-up prior to kick off, was quite pleased to hear we had a young midfield of Fellani, Rodwell, Barkley, Drenthe & Coleman, with Denis getting his first run out.
In answer to Adam's question, I believe it to be more down to the current state of the economy, people simply can't always afford it and have to pick and choose the games. If were drawn against any of the top 4-5 in the next round at home, I expect there will be a bigger crowd.
Having said that, I haven't been this year and can't see myself going anytime soon. I really haven't missed it that much yet. I am just fed up with the way the club is and I am not protesting as such, but am losing enthusiasm for the games. May not even bother watching on Sky on Saturday.
There probably are blues missing too, but not as many as the overall numbers make it look like.
Personnally, going by the number at the BU march, I think it's simple economics.
My first game was in 1959 and the garbage Moyes serves up has finally driven me away. Even Gordon Lee served up better fare than this.
I took a last look around Goodison after the match and left. I'm not particularly happy with the stewardship of the club, but poor financial management does not excuse sending out a team against QPR with no guile, no passion and at one point no recognised striker.
I don't think you can asses why the gates are slightly down this year, the main thing is don't worry about the fans who aren't attending ? just let's make sure that the ones who are supporting the team get behind them at every occasion.
Whilst Everton are still a difficult team to beat, they have not been the most attractive or convincing in the Moyes era. Despite a decent end to last season they still disappointed against many teams especially before Xmas. Yes, they can make excuses but so can most other clubs. We would all like to see a team that compares to the mid-eighties squad but, alas, under the present regime and lack of investors, it's unlikely. Obviously attendances will suffer.
Perhaps at least some ''good'' performances over the next month will rekindle the enthusiasm once more.
1984 we won the FA Cup and had average crowd of just 19,000. Attendances picked up during Joe Royle's second season and have between 35k and 38k ever since despite all of the criticism of Smith and Moyes.
Here are the records if you want to see for yourself: http://www.toffeeweb.com/history/records/attendances.asp
Arsenal 45000
Blackburn 7500
All attendances down people choosing their games
Of course, it's all opinions & speculation, but I'd have thought that if even some of those who continue to attend are feeling they have to express their displeasure via protest marches, then it seems quite probable that a fair few of the stay-aways are also less than enamoured of things Everton at the moment. However, I suspect for many it's a bit of a combination of factors ? when times are hard, it's easier not to splash out on something that is less rewarding than it used to be. Let's hope Everton's fortunes soon revive, along with the economy, and we can all pack out the ground again.
I agree it's not entirely scientific... but I think that, if you're willing to give up your ability to watch Everton on the basis of a disagreement with the board's strategy, then it's likely you'd make the effort to attend a march on the same subject.
My decision is one that is not financially driven but as a protest at how the Club is being run. I was contemplating the purchase of two junior season tickets for my two boys aged 7 and 9 (the future generation of the Club?) but decided that I would not part with my money given the contempt shown by the likes of Ian Ross for people like me who question the motives of the board.
The attendance at the Wigan game was abysmal considering that there was a big initiative with Everton in the community whereby discounted tickets were available for corporate charities at the knock down price of £10 for adults and £5 for kids. Out of principle, I did not take advantage of this offer but paid full price for the Aston Villa game to support the Blue Union.
People are walking with their feet; I may be a persona non grata for my support of Blue Union but maybe my money will be missed.
I didn't renew this season for the first time in many years as I'd lost interest midway through last season due to us playing the non-attacking drivel Moyes loves to play and have waited for him to make me regret it by actually sending us out with 2 strikers and attack the opposition but, as I thought, I'M STILL WAITING!!
I'm not saying others have stopped due to this but it is my reason, sadly.
No, I'm not a 'real' fan ? I'll keep my money and watch on TV. Everton and the other clubs can carry on getting into debt until they realise players have to be paid less.
It's like buying cable TV to watch your favourite channels, but year by year the best programmes are removed from your viewing. Eventually, you think "Fuck this!" I don't care if there's a price freeze, the product I'm paying to watch is getting worse AND ? with no sign of investment ? will only get worse.
Hence Bill can stick my empty seat up his arse.
Current posters on other threads are trending with this "We're still here" boast against criticism of what's going on.
No we're not ? it's a pale imitation.
I have to fly to games now and, although finance is not a motivating factor, I do think of it more when deciding whether I want to visit my home city and see a game on the basis that I should be saving more.
I was keen to attend the Villa game to see the match and equally to attend the protest so, as Dennis said above, not likely to attend the protest and not support the lads in Blue.
Another motivation for me to not attend is the restricted viewing seats. I love going to a game but I can't justify spending £100+ on a flight, £150+ on a hotel and then a £30+ match ticket to sit behind a post when I know I will spend god knows what having a beer with city mates afterwards. Just not sustainable... a bit like Bill's business model!
I usually take my dad and uncle too so it can work out an expensive weekend. How people do it with lower paid jobs or job under threat, kids, mortgage etc in the current climate, I have no idea and I take my hat off to them.
All-in-all, I count myself lucky to attend games as often as I do, and pay for it, so I feel justified in shouting my opinion at Bill, Davey etc., but I don't expect dogs abuse from fellow blues for expressing it.
A sad state of affairs is EFC at the present time... Oh for 1984 and all that!
Fans are certainly voting with their feet and you can bet there will be kopites scattered everywhere this derby game, with the only thing stopping them getting a ticket being the intimidating attitude towards them when they step foot in our stands, otherwise they would be thousands of the fuckers.
* Disenchantment with the club's lack of aspiration and failure to exploit promising bases on which to build
* Disillusionment with the PL in general ? players paid obscene amounts, lack of depth of competition ? you can probably predict the top 5 or 6 each year based on financial outlay
* Lack of entertaining football ? no forwards starting against Wigan!
* Economic recession ? despite what government statistics say, we've been in recession for 2 -3 years now. Incomes depressed, rising household costs. jobs under threat, redundancy etc.
* Saturation coverage of football on TV and the internet
* Cost of the match (and associated travel exprenses, car parking etc)
Football needs to re-assess its position. Clearly Chelsea have learnt nothing, charging £52 plus for the league fixture with the Blues. I am certainly boycotting that one!
Generally, football attendance's are down but it would be unwise for Everton to believe that it's just down to the recession that crowds at Goodison have slumped. There is also most certainly a specific disillusionment factor at play.
Obviously that's comparing the whole of last season against 2 or 3 games so far this season.
Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/attendance/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739
I bought one share five years ago because I liked the idea of going to AGMs and feeling part of the club. BK ended that soon afterwards because he couldn't take being asked hard questions.
It's all become so predictable with us selling a star player at the last minute in the transfer window. This regime is slowly killing the club and is taking the remaining supporters for fools.
For me it started early last season, when, after a summer of hype from the club and high expectations amongst the fans we had a terrible start to the season, not picking up a win until October and going out of the league cup in the early stages to lower league opposition (for a change).
The atmosphere at home games from then on was the worst I've ever known, bar the odd big game. This summer hasn't exactly lifted spirits so the feeling has carried over.
The club need to do something soon to shake thinks up or attendances will continue to drop and more top players will want to leave. Maybe then the people who think we don't need change now (particularly those who cheer Kenwright when on screen at Goodison!) will realise what some have been concerned about for years. Only then it will be too late.
Owen Hargeaves scores a goal and the press are treating him like he's Douglas Bader and Tiny Tim rolled into one!
Three of us decided last season, that we'd give up our season tickets. It wasn't the financial outlay that was the reason, only the money is welcome.
The main reason is that Bill Kenwright and his "good friends" Earl and Green are overseeing the demise of our club. That is our opinion. The football we have watched over the past decade has been a mixture of decert stuff, not so decent stuff and mind numbingly boring stuff. That, however, isn't the reason we stopped going. Three other of our group stopped going the year before as they didn't see our club going anywhere but down. It might happen slowly but there's six who have give up their season tickets but we see that is the way we are going.
I'm not sure about the others but until Kenwright does one and allows this club a chance to flourish again, I won't be going. It's the only way I know of showing my disapproval of his unwillingness to let go.
If he is the best salesman we've got we are well and truly finished as a top six team and a top club
I also feel like this might be the start of a new era and out of the ashes we will rise but I might just be a hopeless romantic when it comes to Everton.. I haven't had the stuffing knocked out of me yet like some on here.
I do feel like the majority of views on here are unnecessarily negative though.
As mentioned already, I think wages not matching inflation has a big part to play.
1) I hate Bill Kenwright and do not wish to give this fuck any more of my money. He's put fuck all money into Everton,then why should I? When he goes I'll go back.
2) Without a billionaire to pump money into the team and ground then I believe 7th is as good as it can get in the Premier League at this moment.
3) There is no competition. Top 3 places are sown up IMO and to get 4th you need to finish above teams with much more spending power than Everton. It's hardly likely to happen.
Everton's Management response is......... OK, we admit he's not well, but trust us, we're doctors and the best there is, so don't bother looking for any others, it's a waste of time, they wouldn't be interested anyway. I know he got ill whilst under our care, but lots of other patients are equally as ill, some have even died when they got a new doctor, be careful what you wish for, trust us, we know what we are doing.
Majority of Evertonians response .......... He's not looking too good is he, but he's still moving and talking. Every now and then his eyes light up and you can see the old him is still there, so there's hope yet. Anyway, I'll go and visit him again in a couple of weeks, I'm sure he'll fine. A few of the family went to see him a few weeks ago, really upset them, they said they can't bare to see him in this state and won't go again, anyway gotta go, see ya next time.
Blue Unions response is ......... Look everyone, he's dying here and you lot can't or won't see it, but he's not dead yet, we can do something about it but we've got to move quick before it's terminal. And you doctors, WTF have you been doing to let him get in this state? I don't give a shit how ill other patients are, this is family. I don't care what you say, he is too important, we want another doctor right now, someone who isn't giving him the same medicine that made him ill in the first place, and who is actually qualified to treat his condition. I know the other members of the family think he'll be OK, but I'm telling you he is seriously ill and I'm not going to sit back and what him die because of your incompetence, I couldn't live with myself, I want my kids to get to know him and see him back to as he was again. He's still young and a big strapping lad, something seriously wrong, he shouldn't be this ill!
I know which part of the family I'm in.
Then the impact on the attendance would be more noticeable.
First word is Bill
Second is Kenwright.
As regards our current attendances...... we only filled approx 80% of our seats for the Villa and Wigan games, whereas for all other games on the same week as Villa were high 90's (except Sunderland who also had a bigger gate than us anyway). Too early to judge yet though.
I've nit been going even when offered free tickets.
realise that the only way to change things is to stay away.
I went against WBA because my grandson has never been to a night match before, my god it will be never again if Moyes keeps serving up that shite.
Never mind all the crap surrounding Billy Liar.
The Football is horrendous.
If we were playing attractive flowing football no-one would give a shit about The lying toad Kenwright.
Maybe tho that s Moyes's plan.
I sometimes despair when I hear Evertonions accepting this dross.
BK and the rest of his team can stick it 'where the sun don't shine'. I'm not putting a single penny back into that club until he's relinquished all ties with the club.
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1 Posted 22/09/2011 at 14:42:37
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