The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

diamondgeezer1 wrote:

Oundle Diamond #2 wrote:More people will stop watching Rushden & Diamonds than begin watching them. The clubs fanbase is clearly based on Rushden & Diamonds fans, and many of these will move away/get bored of watching the standard of football on offer. The chances of one existing R&D fan stopping watching is higher than a potential new AFCRD supporter in the area starting to watch us.

E.g. myself, regularly came to games with Dad and/or 2-3 mates when AFCRD started. Move on four years and both me and Dad moved away from the area and friends are all abroad post-graduation. Even last year when in London went to 6/7 away games and the odd home game because I felt more invested in the season. Compare to this season, I won't go to a game this season unless we make the play offs because I don't think 4 hours commuting time is worth it to watch regular season games at Home and obviously won't be travelling to the opposite side of the country unless I can co-incide with other plans.

I also think the premier league affect doesn't help, not just us, but many non-league clubs no doubt suffer because of the premier league big boys.

It's disheartening to be walking around Rushden high street, and see people wearing Man Utd, Liverpool & Chelsea shirts, usually their kids have the same shirts on as well, I doubt many of those have ever watched them play, other than on the television.

It doesn't help because kids will grow up watching the premier league, idolizing players like Wayne Rooney etc, and show little actual interest in local football teams.

What's wrong with that? Speaking as someone who juggles frequent trips to Old Trafford a season with R&D, if I was a Dad, I'm not sure Id want my kids football education to be Step 4 non league. In Rushden we are probably least affected by big clubs, compared to our rivals in different areas.

Ultimately the fanbase of AFCRD will only increase if we get promoted and players get better/more exciting. People may point to the fact this hasn't necessarily happened thus far but the next few steps are much bigger in impact. I'm not sure some of our players would entice neutrals to part with their cash. I know I'd rather spend £20 to go and watch Sone Aluko and Scott Parker on my doorstep than spend £9 for N1DS.

Oundle Diamond #2 wrote:Speaking as someone who juggles frequent trips to Old Trafford a season

And now it all becomes clear

I can't help but feel the point is being missed. I could give 50 reasons why we don't get 1,000 through the gate every week but I can't give a single indisputable reason why in November 2012 we could get 569 to watch Harrowby and 558 to see Basford at Step 6, yet at Step 4 in November 2016 we can only manage 458 against Lincoln United and 404 against Market Drayton Town.

Could it be the "novelty" factor has worn off?

For the first couple of seasons it was all new, new players, new experiences even new people who you perhaps didn't know from Nene Park.

The you have the proliferation of Premier league games on TV with the advent of BT Sport etc.

To be fair the standard of players between Step 5/6 and step 4 is mainly negligible, often it's a fact of how far they want to travel.

Everyone will have different reasons for not coming and you won't ever be able to give a single reason because there isn't one.

SouthRushdenJFC wrote:Could it be the "novelty" factor has worn off?

For the first couple of seasons it was all new, new players, new experiences even new people who you perhaps didn't know from Nene Park.

Everyone will have different reasons for not coming and you won't ever be able to give a single reason because there isn't one.

Yes...would be interesting to compare our trends to other phoenix clubs though.

The premier league is always going to have a bigger impact than non league football. It's always the same when you see premiership shirts, Spanish etc being worn. What annoys me though is not when they have never been to see 'their team' play but when at the same time they slag off and would never go watch a local team simply because it's 'non league'... the fact they have never seen what a non league match consists of is madness!!

Just look at what you get on a diamonds match day, petrol, entrance, programme, burger and a drink for £20 or thereabouts.

Oundlediamond must be based in the London area, so his frequent trips to old Trafford in petrol or transport, ticket, programme, and any refreshments your talking £120 minimum.. I know as a dad of 2 boys (if they want to follow a premier league club so be it) however will do everything I can to let them enjoy something more on our door stop than a team 130+ miles away..

I know we have done pay as you want days and offer match day packages, but perhaps maybe a voucher for free entry and free drink or entry and a £1 pint for a game in a season or something.. just an idea?

corby diamond wrote:
Just look at what you get on a diamonds match day, petrol, entrance, programme, burger and a drink for £20 or thereabouts.

Oundlediamond must be based in the London area, so his frequent trips to old Trafford in petrol or transport, ticket, programme, and any refreshments your talking £120 minimum.. I know as a dad of 2 boys (if they want to follow a premier league club so be it) however will do everything I can to let them enjoy something more on our door stop than a team 130+ miles away..

Of course one issue that has been mentionned on here is price. It's a hard one because not sure a couple of quid really make a difference to us and our footfall. £9 seems reasonable for AFCRD - I'd feel guilty putting less in if I came to watch.

I'm not completely convinced about your argument about value for money though relating to quality. As mentioned previously I can watch high level Championship football on my doorstep for £20 and watched League 2 for £5 for three years. In my opinion, it's good that all levels of the game are so affordable.

PS you're way off on the Old Trafford numbers my friend. I would spend far more going to watch Diamonds on long away days back in the day

There's quite an interesting statement from Farnborough FC on the impact of their overspending on the team when attendances don't match their budget - http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/2016/club-statement-21/

It needs to be taken with a pinch of salt given that club's history though.

As posted in another thread, 1874 Northwich are putting together an Attendance working group to look into ways of increasing gate receipts.
From this I emailed their community representative and suggested we work together and share ideas on this and we have been in contact over the last couple of weeks.

What would be great would be if we could set up our own Attendance committee made up of Diamonds fans with new ideas and who can help carry plans.

Please email matt.parker@afcdiamonds.com if you would like to join or learn more.

Wise words here.

http://bradleyprojects.com/blog.php?id=67