403 - A great disappointment

[Guest]

I've got to say that Saturday's crowd was terrible. I know it was Purfleet and they never bring anyone, but struggling to break 400 when we've gone nearly two months without football is a joke. I spoke to Steve and he said that just over 300 paid as he includes sixty freebies and 27 season ticket holders.<p>

[AFF]

A couple of points:<p>a). Without apology for repetition, what do you mean "we" paleface?<p>. Sixty freebies? Sixty? Who are they, then? Does that include the two teams, the managers and the match officials?

There were 7 or 8 Officials from Purfleet, 5 of the old "Board", and 5/6 from the match sponsors.

Does the official attendance include stewards [4], gate persons [1], programme sellers [1], tea-bar catering executives [4]?

20 would be more accurate, surely.

I think we should be told.<p>Oh, by the way. The Supporters Club Committee, raffle ticket operatives and Golden Goal purveyors, all paid on Saturday.<p>27 season tickets.

[Rob_the_Saint]

316 paying customers is indeed very disappointing given the level of coverage in the local press. Perhaps some stayed away because of who the opposition were or because of half-term, whatever. Are we making sure the posters around the park and near the stations are in place - I'm sure these are what poeple look at on their way to or from work.

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

The main problem are them yuppie communter bastards who don't give a flying toss about city as long as there train is on time and they don't lose any of there share portfolio!

the one's that have pushed house prices through the roof depriving real local people of the chance to live in thier city and support the football team.

The one's who sleep in St.albans all week using it as a dorminary and piss off at the weekends in thier porches.

Most of them proberly think the ryman leauge is below them and have exective boxes at Chelsea and Spurs

Well let me tell you I'm a lot better than you and I wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire, The only shouting these people do is "move down inside the carridges" at city thameslink!!!

It's time to start driving these people out, the local revelution to begin!

BURN DOWN THE STATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REGAIN OUR CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<p>You can help start the revelution by leaving your comments on the EFM website and buying some petrol bombs!!!!

[ESG]

blimey has Woodrow Wyatt joined the firm :-)...

good job my Aquascutum Mac's made from Kelvar...<p>you have to say though that Saturday was very dire...even your lot were fairly apathetic<p>here's to rain over Yeovil...

[AFF]

A couple more points:

I'll share my stupidity with you. I read the message from The Firm [was it Wolfie Smith?] and I [seriously] had this vision of the good burghers of Marshals Drive relieving themselves in their front porches and I couldn't quite work it out. Then I got it.

I was astonished at the attendance figure on Saturday. It had to be 50/100 more than the previous Tuesday. Say 550 plus. What happened?

What's more, the football was poor. It will take some time.

I see that The Chairman and the new Marketing Director have called a Supporters meeting for March 4th. Stand by for new initiatives. A number of changes need to be made.

Oi Rob. Where did you get the figure of 316 from? All Buzz Lightyear said in his message was just over 300. Friends in high places Rob?

[HelenC]

I thought the Official attendence was above 400 but I dont know how many of them were apying and how many were not!<p>I dont really think there is any need to panic. Give it time and the gates will increase and be as good as they were in seasons gone by. We need the results on the pitch and the advertising off it. It will get better!

Everybody think of trying to bring someone they know down for a game or two.<p>Are we sure that no game can be organised for Saturday if the Canvey game doesnt go ahead? What about a friendly? I think we need the match practise. The fitness for 90 mins is lacking a bit.<p> <img src="graemlins/linksundrechtsund.gif" border="0" alt="[linksundrechtsund]" /> <img src="graemlins/linksundrechtsund.gif" border="0" alt="[linksundrechtsund]" /> <img src="graemlins/linksundrechtsund.gif" border="0" alt="[linksundrechtsund]" />

[Rob_the_Saint]

Helen<p>Sorry if this sound patronising but for a gel you talk an awful lot of good sense. Perhaps Geordie Boy could get one of his Arsenal neighbours to bring a side down on Saturday.<p>AFF<p>No friends in high places, just simple arithmetic. 403 - 60 - 27 = 316. QED.<p> <img src="graemlins/arcadefreak.gif" border="0" alt="" />

[HelenC]

You sound suprised Rob! Of course I talk sense (well most of the time!)

Thanks.<p> <img src="graemlins/bussi.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/bussi.gif" border="0" alt="" />

[Woody]

If I could also make two points.<p>AFF, Rob, EFM, SSL and Helen C et all. Can we please all agree to make a pact and from this point in time, ignore any future threads that our ex Chairman instigates on this message board. He craves attention, as he has always done and any that we give him will only serve to boost his obvious inferiority complex. It is also a clear attempt by him to bring disunity amongst the supporters at what is a vitally important transitional period. <p>AFF and Helen C are spot on. This is the dawning of a new era and we should all focus fully on what we can all, yes, all do to make this club great again. Words are cheap. Action is what we need and from everyone not just the few. It will take a little time, sure but it will happen. We must make it happen.<p>One final parting shot to TDS and I would just say this. If he had still been here, the crowd on Saturday would have been a sight nearer to 203 than 403.

[AFF]

Hi HelenC & Rob.<p>T'lads are looking rusty and lacking match practice but they are about to get lots of that with 19 games to play in 10 weeks. The shape looks wrong with Smith having to play out of out of midfield and in the back 4. I think that Wraight comes back from loan this week-end.

Hopefully, Gary and Steve can begin to sort out contracts for next season now that they know that there is going to be one.<p>Saturday's match was well publicised in the local papers. I think that quality posters are needed to blanket the City Centre coupled with a major push at, say, St Albans City Youth F.C., or a couple of local schools, or the Juniors at the Rugby Club, offering all members free admission when accompanied by a full paying adult. Yes, HelenC, we can all bring a friend.<p>These things need to be properly co-ordinated and lots of volunteers. I'll have a word with that Michele chap.<p>Has anyone on here been to see Saracens at Vicarage Road? We can learn a lot from them. Err... On the marketing side, of course. <p>Hi Woody.<p>I think you're right about Buzz Lightyear. Howver, I am intrigued whether 60 'freebies' is real or another example of creative accounting. I pay to get into every game and I hope that everyone does.

[HelenC]

Glad to hear about bringing a friedn AFF. Now who shall I chose?!!!

I watch Saracens sometimes. Very good! I know what u mean about the marketing. They have so many things going on but they are much bigger than us and have the money to pay for such good marketing!<p>As regards the team,a couple of new faces around may make the fight for certain places increase and yes, hopefully Gary and Steve will have a good idea about who is staying for next season. Still think a friendly whould have been good!!<p>

[AFF]

Hi HelenC.<p>If you bring Clare, and Clare brings you, that doesn't count!<p>Saracens. At Vicarage Road, ground admission is £10 adult, and £5 children. They have a scheme with Mini and Junior Rugby clubs in the county and with the PTAs of a number of schools where a combined adult and junior ticket is available for £10. For every ticket sold by the club/school concerned, Saracens pay back £1 [or maybe £2, I can't remember] at the end of the season. They publish a list at the end of the season and I recall that Hemel Hempstead RFC received a cash-back of £4000.<p>That's nothing to do with being bigger than us or having the money to pay for marketing. It's an idea for discussion, refinement and rejection or acceptance. If accepted, it is not difficult to institute and operate. We have a Sales & Marketing chap [Michele Sinclair], a Yoof/School Liason Officer chap [Fred Miniken], a full-time Secretary chap, a number of bean-counters are available. <p>I'll waive my fee for the idea.<p>We can learn a lot from a number of the other things that they do at Saracens on match days. And I don't mean picking up the ball and running with it.<p>[it's dead easy running a non-league football club. I don't know why they make such a fuss about it. They should try my job.]

[Guest]

The Provo's Sanctions Secretariat have considered the "It's time to start driving these people out, the local revelution to begin!" statement.<p>The Rapid Response Unit will move swiftly into action. Bitter drinkers will be targeted first, followed by anyone seen entering a trendy wine-bar.<p>An then we'll start on the rugby players - b'stards.<p>A local City for local people, let the revolution begin.

[your m8]

The new chairman drinks in the Farriers Arms almost certainly a bitter drinker.Perhaps you should start elsewhere,is Roger Realale still about?

[Guest]

...and all the good thoughts the fat controller had had over many years disappeared, and probably won't ever come back again.