Wasps on the up? I hope not! (32 Viewers)

[Brighton Sky Blue]

So...my first Ricoh visit for Rugby ends with a Bath win (hurrah). As pleasin as that is...Wasps were a pretty pale shadow of Wasps' sides seen over the years.
As for everything else, they are making a real effort to generate support. Many family orientated activity, with free fairground attraction for the kids, entertainment - dare I say all set up to be a family day out. AND given how poor Wasps were, & yet the fans were seeming to still having a fun time...& followed by fireworks too. The whole atmosphere was one to commend. It is not a 'match' - it is an event. And an enjoyable day out...which I suspect will bring a developing support base locally (as CCFCs continues its decline).
As for Wasps fans not being local - I head very few none midland accents anywhere around.

What does all this point to? For me...the painful truth is that Wasps are looking to me like winning the war. 31k is hard to argue against. Talk all you like about free-ticket bollocks. They are getting avg 17k this season. Talk about non-local fans & questioning their desire to keep travelling or whatever - quite simply ALL top 8 football clubs in England have a wide fan base across the land. Wasps are on of the top Rugby clubs in England & similarly have a very wide fan base who are prepared to travel to watch their team at 'events' like to today for a good family day out.

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So close down the rugby part and rebrand as Wasps Family Fun Fairs. Replace the pitch with a circus and hand out candy floss and hot dogs. Let's be honest the day trippers don't care about anything else.

 

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[Nick]

Not really the same. I parked in a car park with a sign saying "No away fans" - but with my accent didn't mind trying...& was welcomed! "That is only for football games because someone always has to kick-off"! Nuff said?

The focus is more about trying to enjoy the game, the event, the day! Not enjoy winning gauding & beating up the opposing team supporters up...community days or not - too many idiots come & spoil it.

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Was there trouble at our community day then? I must have missed it. I park in the same place as away football fans most weeks, against Accrington this season I told a couple of blokes they could just leave their car there and it would be OK and directed them to the ground. We didn't feel the need to start a bare knuckle.

Like I said, what happens when they just have a Rugby match and people won't go if they have to pay or there aren't any fireworks etc? How sustainable is it to put on a massive show with Rugby as the sideshow?

Using a "no away fans" sign on the car park, really?

 

[SkyblueBazza]

We filled the ground for our community day where they were free, we also played really shit in front of the big crowd. We didn't have fireworks though, I think most would have walked out pissed off with the performance.

Like you say, it's an "event". What happens when there is no fireworks and it's just a rugby match? People won't go there for a piss up week in, week out and it will be back to the actual fans.

They still average 17k by the looks

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[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

They should have a decent crowd v Northampton next home game as it’s under 16’s go free, guess that’s to make sure Northampton don’t out number them on their home patch.

 

[SkyblueBazza]

They average 14,500 this season before today’s distorted attendance which is an 18% decline from last year. Kind of suggests the gimmicks aren’t working doesn’t it?

On the contrary...with 'the gimmicks' today there were 31k attending. Lots of food, beer, merchandise sold along the way to help recoup the cost of free tickets.
Kids around me all seemed to have a good experience. I often see kids at football looking VERY intimidated or even scared at their parent(s)/minders or those nearby ranting & swearing & threatening. IMO that makes it more likely they will at some future point say ,can we go to the rugby on Saturday' than the football'.


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[SkyblueBazza]

So close down the rugby part and rebrand as Wasps Family Fun Fairs. Replace the pitch with a circus and hand out candy floss and hot dogs. Let's be honest the day trippers don't care about anything else.

I'm sure they do. A victory for Wasps is much needed by their supporters atm.

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[Grendel]

On the contrary...with 'the gimmicks' today there were 31k attending. Lots of food, beer, merchandise sold along the way to help recoup the cost of free tickets.
Kids around me all seemed to have a good experience. I often see kids at football looking VERY intimidated or even scared at their parent(s)/minders or those nearby ranting & swearing & threatening. IMO that makes it more likely they will at some future point say ,can we go to the rugby on Saturday' than the football'.


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They have done it since they have been here so why are gates declining massively year on year.

 

[Nick]

On the contrary...with 'the gimmicks' today there were 31k attending. Lots of food, beer, merchandise sold along the way to help recoup the cost of free tickets.
Kids around me all seemed to have a good experience. I often see kids at football looking VERY intimidated or even scared at their parent(s)/minders or those nearby ranting & swearing & threatening. IMO that makes it more likely they will at some future point say ,can we go to the rugby on Saturday' than the football'.


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People go to the football because they support the team and want to watch football. How many were intimidated when we filled the ground with kids?

Trying your best to make out that people are too scared to go to the football... I take a 9 year old every week and she hasn't ever been scared. There has only been maybe one or two games I can think of that were a bit toxic but more protests than away fans (or both against Sheff Utd).

What you are saying is to get people loving the "event". It's all well and good but when there's no "event" or people have to pay for tickets they won't bother.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

Boo’s wow never heard fans boo Cov off at the BPA.

 

[chiefdave]

So...my first Ricoh visit for Rugby ends with a Bath win (hurrah). As pleasin as that is...Wasps were a pretty pale shadow of Wasps' sides seen over the years.
As for everything else, they are making a real effort to generate support. Many family orientated activity, with free fairground attraction for the kids, entertainment - dare I say all set up to be a family day out. AND given how poor Wasps were, & yet the fans were seeming to still having a fun time...& followed by fireworks too.

But next week when there's no free fairground and no fireworks and its £24 - 55 to get in how many of them will be going back?

What you've described is not building a fan base, there's only one way to do that and its what is on the pitch.

 

[SkyblueBazza]

Was there trouble at our community day then? I must have missed it. I park in the same place as away football fans most weeks, against Accrington this season I told a couple of blokes they could just leave their car there and it would be OK and directed them to the ground. We didn't feel the need to start a bare knuckle.

Like I said, what happens when they just have a Rugby match and people won't go if they have to pay or there aren't any fireworks etc? How sustainable is it to put on a massive show with Rugby as the sideshow?

Using a "no away fans" sign on the car park, really?

I don't know as I didn't go. But if Wasps & CCFC had such similar events consecutive weekends - I would be shocked if there was trouble surrounding the Wasps event...but not surprised at all if there was at the CCFC one.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

I'm sure they do. A victory for Wasps is much needed by their supporters atm.

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Supporters go every week not every year. These morons want to harvest likes and that's the extent of their commitment.

 

[Nick]

I don't know as I didn't go. But if Wasps & CCFC had such similar events consecutive weekends - I would be shocked if there was trouble surrounding the Wasps event...but not surprised at all if there was at the CCFC one.

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So you didn't go and see that one but you are guessing there would be trouble? There wasn't any trouble, it was actually a very very tame atmosphere to the point it wasn't very good and neither was the game.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I don't know as I didn't go. But if Wasps & CCFC had such similar events consecutive weekends - I would be shocked if there was trouble surrounding the Wasps event...but not surprised at all if there was at the CCFC one.

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Really is sad reading Coventrians shitting on their own club

 

[SkyblueBazza]

Was there trouble at our community day then? I must have missed it. I park in the same place as away football fans most weeks, against Accrington this season I told a couple of blokes they could just leave their car there and it would be OK and directed them to the ground. We didn't feel the need to start a bare knuckle.

Like I said, what happens when they just have a Rugby match and people won't go if they have to pay or there aren't any fireworks etc? How sustainable is it to put on a massive show with Rugby as the sideshow?

Using a "no away fans" sign on the car park, really?

What proportion do not pay?

My observation today was one of involvement with local youngster's rugby clubs. They are cat hing them young...only time will tell how many stick, they must have done their homework & decided it is worth it.

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[SkyblueBazza]

They have done it since they have been here so why are gates declining massively year on year.

I don't know or care much tbh. I am just commenting on what I observed as a Bath fan having previously had only a preconceived idea based on what I have read on this forum.

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[Nick]

What proportion do not pay?

My observation today was one of involvement with local youngster's rugby clubs. They are cat hing them young...only time will tell how many stick, they must have done their homework & decided it is worth it.

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Ha, I remember the time when somebody was getting excited about Wasps having loads of local rugby clubs there previously saying how great it was. They had completely missed the fact that CCFC had loads of kids football teams on the pitch at halftime and walking round the outside with their flags and waving at the CCFC match the week before.

Don't you think CCFC get local football clubs to games? Have you missed those as well? There was about 500-600 of them at one of the earlier games this season with about 100 on the pitch playing football at half time. For the record, none of them were assaulted or kidnapped at a CCFC match.

I can get you free tickets either through the school or through a friend who has a child in a club who can get him 6 most games or less for the bigger games if you want them? They are pretty easy to get.

 

[Otis]

Just got back from a nice little afternoon out at the Ricoh... shame we lost, good to see it busy though, enjoy the pile-on.

 

[SkyblueBazza]

People go to the football because they support the team and want to watch football. How many were intimidated when we filled the ground with kids?

Trying your best to make out that people are too scared to go to the football... I take a 9 year old every week and she hasn't ever been scared. There has only been maybe one or two games I can think of that were a bit toxic but more protests than away fans (or both against Sheff Utd).

What you are saying is to get people loving the "event". It's all well and good but when there's no "event" or people have to pay for tickets they won't bother.

Ah! Ureka!!!
Yes people want to watch football, but many in this modern era are put off it by the culture around it - drunken, aggressive, bigoted & more unpleasant behaviours.

I am saying what I am saying based on my observations attending today & attending football games. Not trying my best to do anything.

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[SkyblueBazza]

Supporters go every week not every year. These morons want to harvest likes and that's the extent of their commitment.

What morons? What likes? The same ones that stay away from CCFC games unless there is a trip to Wembley or one of the 'big' clubs in the FA Cup?

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[SkyblueBazza]

So you didn't go and see that one but you are guessing there would be trouble? There wasn't any trouble, it was actually a very very tame atmosphere to the point it wasn't very good and neither was the game.

Based on my expeiernce of Rugby & Football I would EVERY time put my money on the likelihood of trouble or unacceptable behaviour amongst fans occuring at Football over Rugby.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

What morons? What likes? The same ones that stay away from CCFC games unless there is a trip to Wembley or one of the 'big' clubs in the FA Cup?

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Yes there is a lot of cross over between the groups.

 

[chiefdave]

They still average 17k by the looks

Nearer 14K, so only 2K more than us yet they are in the top tier and we're in the third.

Lots of food, beer, merchandise sold along the way to help recoup the cost of free tickets.

And how much of the money Wasps made of F&B was swallowed up by hiring foreground rides and fireworks?

They're obviously aware that's pissing money away as they tried to charge for post match entertainment. That was a disaster as nobody would pay and was binned after one game.

 

[Nick]

Ah! Ureka!!!
Yes people want to watch football, but many in this modern era are put off it by the culture around it - drunken, aggressive, bigoted & more unpleasant behaviours.

I am saying what I am saying based on my observations attending today & attending football games. Not trying my best to do anything.

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They aren't really though, are they?

People usually go to football and the football match is the main event, it's what they are there for. Of course when you get to the Premier League they have more fancy stuff going on and the gimmicks but it is still about the football.

If somebody is going to a Rugby match for other reasons other than a Rugby match then it's pretty hard to sustain, especially if they were going to the event and not paying. If they then have to pay £25 are they still going to go without fireworks or a fair?

 

[SkyblueBazza]

Really is sad reading Coventrians shitting on their own club

I am a Coventry fan. I am not a Coventarian. But your suggestion that I am shitting on my own club says much about football fans in generally.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

Ah! Ureka!!!
Yes people want to watch football, but many in this modern era are put off it by the culture around it - drunken, aggressive, bigoted & more unpleasant behaviours.

I am saying what I am saying based on my observations attending today & attending football games. Not trying my best to do anything.

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Every time I think of getting into domestic rugby I read a comment like this and think again. Even for a public school boy like me the stereotyping is nauseating.

 

[Nick]

Based on my expeiernce of Rugby & Football I would EVERY time put my money on the likelihood of trouble or unacceptable behaviour amongst fans occuring at Football over Rugby.

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But I have just pointed out the example of when we filled the stadium the same with kids and parents, made an event (granted, no fireworks etc ) and there wasn't any trouble at all?

I'm not too sure what point you are trying to make? Yes, football is more tribal and passionate than Rugby. More kids and families will attend football matches up and down the country than they will Rugby.

The kids will have loved the Wasps match, the majority of them will remember the fireworks and the fairground and probably couldn't tell you who a Wasps player was, who they were playing or what the score was. That's the difference when it is all about an event that isn't the match. It's no different to our game against Accrington last year, no doubt it is nothing to do with all the freebies we gave away and everything to do with the massive riot that scared the kids away.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I am a Coventry fan. I am not a Coventarian. But your suggestion that I am shitting on my own club says much about football fans in generally.

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No it says more about someone who is won over by freebies. Just like King Vichai at Leicester.

 

[pastythegreat]

Ah! Ureka!!!
Yes people want to watch football, but many in this modern era are put off it by the culture around it - drunken, aggressive, bigoted & more unpleasant behaviours.

I am saying what I am saying based on my observations attending today & attending football games. Not trying my best to do anything.

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Football in the modern era?!?! It's not fucking Milwall away in the 80s ffs. I've been taking my son, (now 10) home and away, since he was 4. NEVER has he felt threatened or scared.

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[chiefdave]

Yes people want to watch football, but many in this modern era are put off it by the culture around it - drunken, aggressive, bigoted & more unpleasant behaviours.

I've been going to city games since 1986 and the closest I've come to being involved in any trouble is when a steward at Wembley got the hump that someone wouldn't stop smoking and tried to kick him out.

Watch: Violent scenes as rugby fans brawl on pitch - Independent.ie
Rugby union crowds have lost the moral high ground - they are as abusive and xenophobic as football fans
Rugby 'banning orders' suggested after fan behaviour during Wales v New Zealand

 

[SkyblueBazza]

Ha, I remember the time when somebody was getting excited about Wasps having loads of local rugby clubs there previously saying how great it was. They had completely missed the fact that CCFC had loads of kids football teams on the pitch at halftime and walking round the outside with their flags and waving at the CCFC match the week before.

Don't you think CCFC get local football clubs to games? Have you missed those as well? There was about 500-600 of them at one of the earlier games this season with about 100 on the pitch playing football at half time. For the record, none of them were assaulted or kidnapped at a CCFC match.

I can get you free tickets either through the school or through a friend who has a child in a club who can get him 6 most games or less for the bigger games if you want them? They are pretty easy to get.

What - tickets for CCFC games? If so pot-kettle-black if you slag off Wasps for giving away tickets.

Otherwise, if Wasps want to ruin themselves by giving away tickets...why not support it? It seems that many hold the view that it would be a good thing. Myself I am not convinced SISU would change tack. They wpuld consider it an opportunity to try & force a cheaper deal...& probably look stupid at a.n.other party's expense.

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[SkyblueBazza]

Yes there is a lot of cross over between the groups.

Well whilst you skyblue-blooded partisans rant about them...I am pretty sure the club is grateful for every penny they can get from them.

Are you one of those socialist leaning types that pour scorn on all the '...ist' elements of society only to behave the relative same toward Wasps & their fans?

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[Nick]

What - tickets for CCFC games? If so pot-kettle-black if you slag off Wasps for giving away tickets.

Otherwise, if Wasps want to ruin themselves by giving away tickets...why not support it? It seems that many hold the view that it would be a good thing. Myself I am not convinced SISU would change tack. They wpuld consider it an opportunity to try & force a cheaper deal...& probably look stupid at a.n.other party's expense.

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No, tickets for wasps games.

All I'm saying is that you have pointed things out that ccfc have done as well at the community Day, regularly have local football clubs and things on match days. Have you missed all of that at our games?

It just seems like the answer is "yeah but football might be more violent".

Of course, the kids will have loved the fireworks and the fair. How many will be lifelong wasps fans when the is no fair or fire works?

 

[SkyblueBazza]

Nearer 14K, so only 2K more than us yet they are in the top tier and we're in the third.
And how much of the money Wasps made of F&B was swallowed up by hiring foreground rides and fireworks?/QUOTE

I read somewhere (dunno where - that is how much I care) 17k average this season...the highest home ground avg in the premiership.

They're obviously aware that's pissing money away as they tried to charge for post match entertainment. That was a disaster as nobody would pay and was binned after one game.

I don't quite get why them pissing money away is any concern to any football fan unless they are also a Wasps fan? It certainly doesn't bother me. A bit like Pesi giving away cans/bottles of Coke. Would I/you think 'I'd rather not as it might ruin the company'?



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[SkyblueBazza]

They aren't really though, are they?

People usually go to football and the football match is the main event, it's what they are there for. Of course when you get to the Premier League they have more fancy stuff going on and the gimmicks but it is still about the football.

If somebody is going to a Rugby match for other reasons other than a Rugby match then it's pretty hard to sustain, especially if they were going to the event and not paying. If they then have to pay £25 are they still going to go without fireworks or a fair?

I am talking the overall occasion...the day. I find the more I go to rugby at any level - the overall experience is more pleasant (win, lose or draw) than that at football.

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