Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:08 pm  

Original Salford City Red wrote:

On every occasion where I was listening to club officials discussing the new stadium I have never heard at any time "Build it and they will come" what has been pointed out is that-

Club officials have quoted Warrington, Hull FC and their increase in crowds as examples of what happens with new stadiums but as people have said previously they both started from a higher support base than we have.

'Build and they will come' is a phrase that encapsulates Salford's approach to building a new stadium. The theory that did not alter pretty much from the start (even when the design of the stadium changed) was a new stadium in an 'iconic' location with great visibilty off the motorway would lead to dramatically increased crowds. The move from Weaste was needed because people would not come to watch Rugby League at such an unwelcoming, dilapidated venue. This view was repeated time and time and time again on every occasion the new stadium was discussed. The view that we would experience crowd increases like Warrington and Hull was often quoted. I'm informed that as recently as last month John Wilkinson was interviewed in RL World making such claims. I agree with much of the rest of your post.

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:28 pm  

I would say that Warrington had a similar fanbase to us, they have moved to a more town centre location and have an owner who is loaded and still in the right business for making money, so he invests in world famous players for a few games to get the fans in and built from there.
Remember we did it years ago bringing in Garry Jack but it still didn't make the crowds grow by more than a few hundred, but we need to really get the foot soldiers out and players into local schools with match videos and freebies plus a little bit of coaching, try and build the local Rugby Club into the curriculum, maths and English around Salford City Reds with the players supporting in these lessons, something like the golden ticket, and working with the schools to sell tickets there and offer cash incentives for most sales, £10 family ticket for an Adult + one Child £15 Adult 2 kids, £20 2adults 1 kid £25 2adults 2 kids etc

build the basic bricks and we may be able to get them in

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:34 pm  

Bigpev wrote:

I would say that Warrington had a similar fanbase to us, they have moved to a more town centre location and have an owner who is loaded and still in the right business for making money, so he invests in world famous players for a few games to get the fans in and built from there.
Remember we did it years ago bringing in Garry Jack but it still didn't make the crowds grow by more than a few hundred, but we need to really get the foot soldiers out and players into local schools with match videos and freebies plus a little bit of coaching, try and build the local Rugby Club into the curriculum, maths and English around Salford City Reds with the players supporting in these lessons, something like the golden ticket, and working with the schools to sell tickets there and offer cash incentives for most sales, £10 family ticket for an Adult + one Child £15 Adult 2 kids, £20 2adults 1 kid £25 2adults 2 kids etc

build the basic bricks and we may be able to get them in

I'd agree with that. I'd also review the membership system to be honest, I'm not sure it's working in terms of attracting people to come and watch, particularly if they are starting off as floating fans. Something like the above around a more sensible pricing structure for standard entry could well work out. Got to be worth a try?

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:51 pm  

Walshovski wrote:

'The move from Weaste was needed because people would not come to watch Rugby League at such an unwelcoming, dilapidated venue.

*Corporates.

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 5:10 pm  

Walshovski wrote:

Of course more money would be great but this club has got huge room for development in areas that cost nothing. It's not money that prevent card machines being installed or cause the club shop to be shut during lunch. Basic good quality customer service doesn't cost anything. Improving basic things in the long term will generate increased revenue streams and make us a more viable investment opportunity for someone in the future. Again surely this is something that can be agreed upon by all? The club has got financial difficulties but we will only generate more money if we become better at everything we do.

My own customer experience has never fallen short of excellent but there are enough examples here and elsewhere that clearly show an area in need of improvement. I'm not particularly close to the day-to-day running but it often strikes me that the staff spread themselves very thinly, which could have a lot to do with money.

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:56 pm  

Walshovski wrote:

'Build and they will come' is a phrase that encapsulates Salford's approach to building a new stadium. The theory that did not alter pretty much from the start (even when the design of the stadium changed) was a new stadium in an 'iconic' location with great visibilty off the motorway would lead to dramatically increased crowds. The move from Weaste was needed because people would not come to watch Rugby League at such an unwelcoming, dilapidated venue. This view was repeated time and time and time again on every occasion the new stadium was discussed. The view that we would experience crowd increases like Warrington and Hull was often quoted. I'm informed that as recently as last month John Wilkinson was interviewed in RL World making such claims. I agree with much of the rest of your post.

So agree with walshy here. I can remember on numerous occasions JW stating that thy have paid for researchers to look into it and the findings shown that there were 1-2000 fans out there who didn't come to games due to the surrounding area. The club definitely upheld the build it and they will come philosophy. They have no plan b!

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:01 pm  

Am I right in thinking that game 1 had four stands open, game 2 three open and game 3 two open ? what next all pile into the big stand ?

And to think there are people on here who believe phases 2 and three will happen.

It's all a bit sad really..

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:44 pm  

Surely some sort of offer of a free kids ticket with every adult ticket bought in the east stand would get a few in there and be successful in turning it into some sort of family enclosure.

Re: east stand closed : Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:07 pm  

Karlos13 wrote:

Surely some sort of offer of a free kids ticket with every adult ticket bought in the east stand would get a few in there and be successful in turning it into some sort of family enclosure.

Nope, half measures never work, just like in RL, go into it not fully committed and you will fail, commit to it being a family stand, fill it with families on free tickets ,control is the key to it succeeding and not being abused by idiots

The other option is to just do nothing, and the result of that will be? Nothing

Re: east stand closed : Sat Mar 03, 2012 2:33 pm  

Now just imagine if you'd had 1500 kids and parents in the East stand last night?