Burnley FC Blog: Fans face tough choice over football 'luxury'

7:16am Thursday 20th September 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

‘IT’S too expensive’ is one reason for fans staying away from football.

‘We’re not getting value for money’ or ‘I’m not paying to watch that’ are among others causes for the decline in attendances up and down the country.

With no sign of the recession abating then big decisions have to be made by individuals and families about where income and earnings are spent.

Football has become a luxury, without the guarantee of quality that you would expect from luxury labels like Lamborghini – as an outlandish example.

Down the years clubs have tried to find a reasonable way around boosting attendances, without upsetting the regulars.

Kids for a Quid, incentives for cup clashes, five games for the price of four. A chairman’s Premier League Pledge even. You name it, somebody will have either thought about it or tried it.

Burnley’s opponents on Saturday, Derby County, went trans-Atlantic in their search for the secret to bigger crowds, and came back with the idea of trying ‘Dynamic Ticketing’ which proved successful at baseball team San Francisco Giants.

It may seem controversial on paper. Season ticket holders pay a set price, running the risk of missing out on discounts, for the privilege of knowing they keep the seat of their choice for a full term.

But following reassurances they will not be out of pocket because the price structure will not fall below their average cost of a game, they have given their blessing to the new venture.

It involves the categorisation of games in order of popularity, takes into account time of year (Boxing Day being one of the most popular days in the calendar) and weather conditions, and how people might be put off going out in freezing temperatures, and it calculates prices accordingly.

It has the backing of the Football League too. And it’s working with attendances on course to achieve a 40 per cent increase this season with regular crowds of around 26,000.

Between them Burnley, Blackburn and Preston achieved just 31,883 in their last home game. The Deepdale gate of 8,132 was North End’s lowest in the league since the 1990s.

It’s a results business, of course, and relegation in recent years has not helped anyone’s cause.

In addition, the population of Derby is bigger than Burnley, with fewer clubs on their doorstep vying for attention.

But maybe it is possible to use Saturday’s visit to see how the Clarets could take a leaf out of their ticketing structure book.

It sounds a lot less complicated, with more long-term benefits, than the ‘Going for Gold’ scheme aimed at boosting the East Lancs derby gate at Turf Moor.

Comments (8)

2:06pm Thu 20 Sep 12

jack01 says...

Geldard knows full well why Rovers' attendances have gone from 25,000 a week to 13,000 a week in the space of two years and its got nothing to do with pricing (which remains among the cheapest in the Football League).

Its been one of the few positives of the current regime that they have maintained low ticket prices and good offers on games. Meanwhile at Burnley they charge £400-£500 for an average season ticket, to watch bottom half Championship dross. Questions should be asked of those who set such outrageous prices despite Burnley still being in receipt of parachute payments.
Geldard knows full well why Rovers' attendances have gone from 25,000 a week to 13,000 a week in the space of two years and its got nothing to do with pricing (which remains among the cheapest in the Football League). Its been one of the few positives of the current regime that they have maintained low ticket prices and good offers on games. Meanwhile at Burnley they charge £400-£500 for an average season ticket, to watch bottom half Championship dross. Questions should be asked of those who set such outrageous prices despite Burnley still being in receipt of parachute payments. jack01

2:59pm Thu 20 Sep 12

notchuffed says...

jack01 wrote:
Geldard knows full well why Rovers' attendances have gone from 25,000 a week to 13,000 a week in the space of two years and its got nothing to do with pricing (which remains among the cheapest in the Football League). Its been one of the few positives of the current regime that they have maintained low ticket prices and good offers on games. Meanwhile at Burnley they charge £400-£500 for an average season ticket, to watch bottom half Championship dross. Questions should be asked of those who set such outrageous prices despite Burnley still being in receipt of parachute payments.
So judging from you "learned" verdict of "dross" presumably aimed BFC you must be a regular attendee at the Turf then?.

Or perhaps it is one of your other characters.

Go away silly little man your mother, sisters, aunts and lady cousins are waiting for you
[quote][p][bold]jack01[/bold] wrote: Geldard knows full well why Rovers' attendances have gone from 25,000 a week to 13,000 a week in the space of two years and its got nothing to do with pricing (which remains among the cheapest in the Football League). Its been one of the few positives of the current regime that they have maintained low ticket prices and good offers on games. Meanwhile at Burnley they charge £400-£500 for an average season ticket, to watch bottom half Championship dross. Questions should be asked of those who set such outrageous prices despite Burnley still being in receipt of parachute payments.[/p][/quote]So judging from you "learned" verdict of "dross" presumably aimed BFC you must be a regular attendee at the Turf then?. Or perhaps it is one of your other characters. Go away silly little man your mother, sisters, aunts and lady cousins are waiting for you notchuffed

7:24pm Thu 20 Sep 12

bobinspain says...

notchuffed wrote:
jack01 wrote:
Geldard knows full well why Rovers' attendances have gone from 25,000 a week to 13,000 a week in the space of two years and its got nothing to do with pricing (which remains among the cheapest in the Football League). Its been one of the few positives of the current regime that they have maintained low ticket prices and good offers on games. Meanwhile at Burnley they charge £400-£500 for an average season ticket, to watch bottom half Championship dross. Questions should be asked of those who set such outrageous prices despite Burnley still being in receipt of parachute payments.
So judging from you "learned" verdict of "dross" presumably aimed BFC you must be a regular attendee at the Turf then?.

Or perhaps it is one of your other characters.

Go away silly little man your mother, sisters, aunts and lady cousins are waiting for you
Ad hominem rants like your last paragragh diminish your already weak argument.

Tetley has a point. At least he argues cogently.

Buck up !
[quote][p][bold]notchuffed[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]jack01[/bold] wrote: Geldard knows full well why Rovers' attendances have gone from 25,000 a week to 13,000 a week in the space of two years and its got nothing to do with pricing (which remains among the cheapest in the Football League). Its been one of the few positives of the current regime that they have maintained low ticket prices and good offers on games. Meanwhile at Burnley they charge £400-£500 for an average season ticket, to watch bottom half Championship dross. Questions should be asked of those who set such outrageous prices despite Burnley still being in receipt of parachute payments.[/p][/quote]So judging from you "learned" verdict of "dross" presumably aimed BFC you must be a regular attendee at the Turf then?. Or perhaps it is one of your other characters. Go away silly little man your mother, sisters, aunts and lady cousins are waiting for you[/p][/quote]Ad hominem rants like your last paragragh diminish your already weak argument. Tetley has a point. At least he argues cogently. Buck up ! bobinspain

7:45pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Midland Claret says...

Going to support your team is akin to going to your local for a pint and is without doubt one of mans favorite pastimes. However if the beer (or the football) is too expensive and is of poor quality you go elsewhere and/or make a choice as to on what, where, and when you splash the hard earned cash.

It is a fact that Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and others will struggle this season unless they really provide the goods to the fans.

Just expecting fans to turn up out of loyalty is not an option.
Going to support your team is akin to going to your local for a pint and is without doubt one of mans favorite pastimes. However if the beer (or the football) is too expensive and is of poor quality you go elsewhere and/or make a choice as to on what, where, and when you splash the hard earned cash. It is a fact that Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and others will struggle this season unless they really provide the goods to the fans. Just expecting fans to turn up out of loyalty is not an option. Midland Claret

7:46pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Midland Claret says...

Going to support your team is akin to going to your local for a pint and is without doubt one of mans favorite pastimes. However if the beer (or the football) is too expensive and is of poor quality you go elsewhere and/or make a choice as to on what, where, and when you splash the hard earned cash.

It is a fact that Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and others will struggle this season unless they really provide the goods to the fans.

Just expecting fans to turn up out of loyalty is not an option.
Going to support your team is akin to going to your local for a pint and is without doubt one of mans favorite pastimes. However if the beer (or the football) is too expensive and is of poor quality you go elsewhere and/or make a choice as to on what, where, and when you splash the hard earned cash. It is a fact that Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and others will struggle this season unless they really provide the goods to the fans. Just expecting fans to turn up out of loyalty is not an option. Midland Claret

11:49pm Thu 20 Sep 12

claretmeandyou says...

I also think that the fans want to know that the clubs that they support are doing their level best to bring the right players into their clubs in order to go for promotion. When the Clarets were in the Premiership for the first time for 33yrs the fans backed the club and Turf Moor was virtualy sold out most home matches with the exception of Fulham and Wigan and if the board had behaved properly the club would still be in the Premiership. But since our relegation the fans have woken up and seen the board for what they are and Eddie Howe's latest comments on bringing in loan players are not helping the situation. Words like " money is tight" and " I back the currant squad that I have to deliver" ( when it is blatantly obvious that the squad is not good enough otherwise we would be sitting pretty like Rovers and Blackpool are) contribute to the fans staying away because points gained now are better than having to gain points in order to play catch-up. Six points out of a possible eighteen is hardly going to get the turnstiles working overtime at Turf Moor nor is the Gold, Silver and Bronze ticketing structure for matches. I for one am glad that the fans have at last woken up and are fed up with the club selling players and not replacing them. The words on most Clarets fans lips are; " Where has all the money gone?" and if it has gone on wages then after recent performances they need to have their wages docked. No more excuses Eddie. It is action we want.
I also think that the fans want to know that the clubs that they support are doing their level best to bring the right players into their clubs in order to go for promotion. When the Clarets were in the Premiership for the first time for 33yrs the fans backed the club and Turf Moor was virtualy sold out most home matches with the exception of Fulham and Wigan and if the board had behaved properly the club would still be in the Premiership. But since our relegation the fans have woken up and seen the board for what they are and Eddie Howe's latest comments on bringing in loan players are not helping the situation. Words like " money is tight" and " I back the currant squad that I have to deliver" ( when it is blatantly obvious that the squad is not good enough otherwise we would be sitting pretty like Rovers and Blackpool are) contribute to the fans staying away because points gained now are better than having to gain points in order to play catch-up. Six points out of a possible eighteen is hardly going to get the turnstiles working overtime at Turf Moor nor is the Gold, Silver and Bronze ticketing structure for matches. I for one am glad that the fans have at last woken up and are fed up with the club selling players and not replacing them. The words on most Clarets fans lips are; " Where has all the money gone?" and if it has gone on wages then after recent performances they need to have their wages docked. No more excuses Eddie. It is action we want. claretmeandyou

1:08pm Fri 21 Sep 12

fylde exile says...

Totally agree claretmeandyou,Mr.Ho
we's insipid and pathetic excuses are now running dry.I was never a fan of Laws as a manager,and was not altogether sorry to see him go.When he left where were we in the league,and where are we now?so all the optimists who keep saying Eddie will get it right eventually,when's eventually?I don't any longer share your optimism,but I hope I'm proved wrong,but it must be far better value if you are a Blackpool or Blackburn fan at the moment,which I never will be,but how far will loyalty stretch with the current prices,and our lack of management.
Totally agree claretmeandyou,Mr.Ho we's insipid and pathetic excuses are now running dry.I was never a fan of Laws as a manager,and was not altogether sorry to see him go.When he left where were we in the league,and where are we now?so all the optimists who keep saying Eddie will get it right eventually,when's eventually?I don't any longer share your optimism,but I hope I'm proved wrong,but it must be far better value if you are a Blackpool or Blackburn fan at the moment,which I never will be,but how far will loyalty stretch with the current prices,and our lack of management. fylde exile

12:25am Sat 22 Sep 12

McClaret says...

Finally a decent topic to post on LET! when will the championship wake up to reality? half the price and double the crowd, even if you don't you still create the next generation of supporter. Over the past few seasons we have seen erosions of family ticket benefits plus the denied chance of upgrading tickets. What planet are BFC commercial department living on?
Resting on the laurels of success of seasons gone by and depending too much on loyalty. Time to smell the coffee BFC
Finally a decent topic to post on LET! when will the championship wake up to reality? half the price and double the crowd, even if you don't you still create the next generation of supporter. Over the past few seasons we have seen erosions of family ticket benefits plus the denied chance of upgrading tickets. What planet are BFC commercial department living on? Resting on the laurels of success of seasons gone by and depending too much on loyalty. Time to smell the coffee BFC McClaret

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