Hull crowd (3 Viewers)

[Peter Billing Eyes]

Coventry may be a football city, but there is a huge dilution of potential fanbase when you consider that up until fairly recently, there were 2 professional Rugby Union teams, a Rugby League team, an Ice Hockey team, Speedway etc. We don’t only have to contend with a hugely diverse local population who may not have roots in Coventry (and this is historical), but also a chunk of other teams fighting for season ticket money in a blue collar environment where people might only be able to afford to attend once a month.

 

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[The Philosopher]

I think there’s an element of ground location that restricts casual fans (who might then catch the bug). At HR folks could just make a last minute decision to go to town and walk up and pay on the gate, catch a match, walk back into town and get home or go on the lash / for a curry / both. No car needed, not so much pre-planning needed. Maybe some of the clubs mentioned have a similar location to that.

Going to the CBS takes a bit more planning and making an afternoon and night out if it isn’t so easy. How many potential supporters does that put off? It’d be interesting to see what our %age home walk up compared to other clubs who have more city centre locations is.

 

[theferret]

My point is that I disagree with your assertion that “Coventry is very much a football city”. Maybe in the 1960s or very early 70s but since then? No. Nearly all of the people who I know that attend regularly don’t actually live in Coventry

Apparently Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland are unrealistic comparisons - what about Ipswich then?

I also get your point that it’s not the same people that go every week - I was one of them for a few years when my kids were little.

I suppose that most of my annoyance stems from the fact that I now live over 90 miles from the CBS and attend all home games whilst people who actually live in the city seem incapable of dragging themselves up there on a regular basis.

My experience is completely different. Pretty much everyone who goes either lives in Coventry or is from the city originally. We just don't have much of a regional pull.

You mention Ipswich, in their last few seasons in the Championship they were only averaging 16K or so, so a lot less than what we get now.

Their gates in league 1 are very good, but they are regional club in a way we are not. They are seen as representing Suffolk, they are a 1 club county.

We can't even agree on what county we are in. There are areas with a CV postcode where we have very little representation - Atherstone? I know 4 people from there, they support Villa. Stratford? Shipston on Stour? Nah. Nuneaton should be solid Cov, but I know more Villa, Blues and Leicester fans and I've worked there for years. There are loads of Leicester in Rugby, these Warwickshire towns are nowhere as loyal to Coventry as say Melton Mowbray is to Leicester. Hinckley is halfway between the 2 cities but is 80% Leicester. We are not a regional club.

We are massively reliant on Coventry itself and that we are still one of the best supported clubs in the league given our recent history is a credit to us.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Still a lot of CCFC in Warwick/Leamington/Kenilworth areas

 

[Saddlebrains]

For me the problem was the wilderness years from around 2008 - 2018 where we were just shit all round.

Started falling away from being a big championship club, the plummet through divisions, ground shares etc.

No one could be arsed following a soap opera that was being gang raped by its owners.

Whatever way we look at it people lost the bug, found other things to do, just got out of the habit. It will take time but a few more seasons of pushing or being in the play offs like the last couple we will get to around 22k home fans and thats perfectly acceptable.

On the plus side, my cousin and best mate who i have an ST with got their first ST's since 2011 this season, because they started enjoying going up again last year. Would never have happened a few years back. On top of that, the amount of kids i now see wearing CCFC clobber at my lads secondary school, daughters primary and in general around the city at play areas, trampoline parks all that gubbins is 20 fold compared to the L2 dark days.

The support is coming back but we just need to maintain what were doing and make a real push next season and you watch the gates rocket

 

[theferret]

Still a lot of CCFC in Warwick/Leamington/Kenilworth areas

Of course we have fans across the wider county of Warwickshire, but they are mainly people who left Coventry or who have strong family ties. We are not nearly as well represented as we might be. People born in these towns with no family ties just don't gravitate towards Coventry. The city itself is not a regional centre and the football club has been a basket case for a generation.

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

My experience is completely different. Pretty much everyone who goes either lives in Coventry or is from the city originally. We just don't have much of a regional pull.

You mention Ipswich, in their last few seasons in the Championship they were only averaging 16K or so, so a lot less than what we get now.

Their gates in league 1 are very good, but they are regional club in a way we are not. They are seen as representing Suffolk, they are a 1 club county.

We can't even agree on what county we are in. There are areas with a CV postcode where we have very little representation - Atherstone? I know 4 people from there, they support Villa. Stratford? Shipston on Stour? Nah. Nuneaton should be solid Cov, but I know more Villa, Blues and Leicester fans and I've worked there for years. There are loads of Leicester in Rugby, these Warwickshire towns are nowhere as loyal to Coventry as say Melton Mowbray is to Leicester. Hinckley is halfway between the 2 cities but is 80% Leicester. We are not a regional club.

We are massively reliant on Coventry itself and that we are still one of the best supported clubs in the league given our recent history is a credit to us.

Nuneaton IS sky blue.

 

[The Philosopher]

Some excellent points made over the last few posts.

I do recall Doug King’s surprise that there were 30000 students at Warwick University. Is that a 10000 per year turnover? What about Cov Uni?

The Uni tie-in had potential. Selling Ryton and having our base there with a mini-stadium (for u21, LC etc. matches) and free tickets for first year Uni students (subject to us not expecting a 22k gate) (just kicking ideas out here) would infect some impressionable mugs (that we were at some point). Even in they move away, much income is made by non-attendees nowadays.

Anyway. Things change and we are no longer a city of car workers. With the students is our potential I feel.

 

[pusbccfc]

My point is that I disagree with your assertion that “Coventry is very much a football city”. Maybe in the 1960s or very early 70s but since then? No. Nearly all of the people who I know that attend regularly don’t actually live in Coventry

Apparently Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland are unrealistic comparisons - what about Ipswich then?

I also get your point that it’s not the same people that go every week - I was one of them for a few years when my kids were little.

I suppose that most of my annoyance stems from the fact that I now live over 90 miles from the CBS and attend all home games whilst people who actually live in the city seem incapable of dragging themselves up there on a regular basis.

Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland are anomalies. All have phenomenal support. More down to tribalism for me.

Ipswich is a good example but they are a one club region. Suffolk has a population of 700,000 with one club. That's why Norwich and Ipswich are outliers.

As others are alluding to, we need to tap into Warwickshire. To the south of Coventry, the nearest league club is Northampton.

If you take into consideration the south west of Coventry, there is no club until you reach Cheltenham or Oxford. That is a huge catchment area.

I would argue that the support in these regions is growing but will take time.

 

[pusbccfc]

Some excellent points made over the last few posts.

I do recall Doug King’s surprise that there were 30000 students at Warwick University. Is that a 10000 per year turnover? What about Cov Uni?

The Uni tie-in had potential. Selling Ryton and having our base there with a mini-stadium (for u21, LC etc. matches) and free tickets for first year Uni students (subject to us not expecting a 22k gate) (just kicking ideas out here) would infect some impressionable mugs (that we were at some point). Even in they move away, much income is made by non-attendees nowadays.

Anyway. Things change and we are no longer a city of car workers. With the students is our potential I feel.

The club don't do enough for students. When I went to uni, we were offered tickets most weeks. I enjoyed going.

As a Coventry fan I was never going to go long term but others that end up staying in the area may.

 

[Mcbean]

Some excellent points made over the last few posts.

I do recall Doug King’s surprise that there were 30000 students at Warwick University. Is that a 10000 per year turnover? What about Cov Uni?

The Uni tie-in had potential. Selling Ryton and having our base there with a mini-stadium (for u21, LC etc. matches) and free tickets for first year Uni students (subject to us not expecting a 22k gate) (just kicking ideas out here) would infect some impressionable mugs (that we were at some point). Even in they move away, much income is made by non-attendees nowadays.

Anyway. Things change and we are no longer a city of car workers. With the students is our potential I feel.

Or tractor workers

 

[bigfatronssba]

I think far more thought is being put into this than it needs to be.
We’re an averagely supported club. With all things being equal, our support is the same as 90% of other clubs.
However a huge amount of things affects crowds. So much so that there is never an equivalent club to compare to.

If the team keeps winning, we’ll get bigger crowds, it’s as simple as that. They’ve already doubled in the last few years.

 

[SkyBlueSoul]

Some excellent points made over the last few posts.

I do recall Doug King’s surprise that there were 30000 students at Warwick University. Is that a 10000 per year turnover? What about Cov Uni?

The Uni tie-in had potential. Selling Ryton and having our base there with a mini-stadium (for u21, LC etc. matches) and free tickets for first year Uni students (subject to us not expecting a 22k gate) (just kicking ideas out here) would infect some impressionable mugs (that we were at some point). Even in they move away, much income is made by non-attendees nowadays.

Anyway. Things change and we are no longer a city of car workers. With the students is our potential I feel.

The club don't do enough for students. When I went to uni, we were offered tickets most weeks. I enjoyed going.

As a Coventry fan I was never going to go long term but others that end up staying in the area may.

There's definitely something to be done. I finished playing at Powerleague (in Manchester) last week and one of the lads walking onto the pitch mentioned my City shirt. We had a chat and it turned out he wasn't a fan but had been a student here and still looked out for our results. Obviously it's purely anecdotal and just one person but there's an affinity that can be tapped into.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

As others are alluding to, we need to tap into Warwickshire. To the south of Coventry, the nearest league club is Northampton.

If you take into consideration the south west of Coventry, there is no club until you reach Cheltenham or Oxford. That is a huge catchment area.

I would also argue that is where there is more disposable income (without starting a wider debate) so as a marketing strategy, i would be eager to tap into the sports clubs in the Stratford type areas to spread the word.

 

[Offhegoes]

We all know, from 2001 it was downwards all the way until 2017 when Robins came back, but by then we were in League 2. We probably had a hardcore 18-20K from the Premier League days who went to games. This could of been more, but after the glory of 1987, and 2-3 decent seasons afterwards, we reverted to form and became relegation fodder mostly until we finally ran out of luck in 2001. Should City go back up I am sure we can get the hardcore number up to 22-23K.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

My experience is completely different. Pretty much everyone who goes either lives in Coventry or is from the city originally. We just don't have much of a regional pull.

You mention Ipswich, in their last few seasons in the Championship they were only averaging 16K or so, so a lot less than what we get now.

Their gates in league 1 are very good, but they are regional club in a way we are not. They are seen as representing Suffolk, they are a 1 club county.

We can't even agree on what county we are in. There are areas with a CV postcode where we have very little representation - Atherstone? I know 4 people from there, they support Villa. Stratford? Shipston on Stour? Nah. Nuneaton should be solid Cov, but I know more Villa, Blues and Leicester fans and I've worked there for years. There are loads of Leicester in Rugby, these Warwickshire towns are nowhere as loyal to Coventry as say Melton Mowbray is to Leicester. Hinckley is halfway between the 2 cities but is 80% Leicester. We are not a regional club.

We are massively reliant on Coventry itself and that we are still one of the best supported clubs in the league given our recent history is a credit to us.

I think part of that will also be about who is performing best at any given time. Decades ago when we were the only WM club in the prem apart from Villa we'd have had a much bigger following in those nearby areas. Now the tables have turned and you've got Leicester doing well in the Prem (and having won it not that long ago) and Birmingham have been in the Prem more recently than us.

If we were to get back into the Prem and Leicester were to drop I think you'd see the proportions change relatively quickly.

 

[skybluelee]

We all know, from 2001 it was downwards all the way until 2017 when Robins came back, but by then we were in League 2. We probably had a hardcore 18-20K from the Premier League days who went to games. This could of been more, but after the glory of 1987, and 2-3 decent seasons afterwards, we reverted to form and became relegation fodder mostly until we finally ran out of luck in 2001. Should City go back up I am sure we can get the hardcore number up to 22-23K.

Depends what you mean by core support. HR only had circa 19k home seats available in the last few years of the PL and we certainly never sold them all for every game. I'd say broadly speaking the average number of home fans per home game in 97-00 was very similar to what it is now, around 17.5k give or take.

In terms of numbers of people that attend games a few times per year as a min, it would be interesting to know, but it must surely be 30k plus as a minimum.

 

[edgy]

My experience is completely different. Pretty much everyone who goes either lives in Coventry or is from the city originally. We just don't have much of a regional pull.

You mention Ipswich, in their last few seasons in the Championship they were only averaging 16K or so, so a lot less than what we get now.

Their gates in league 1 are very good, but they are regional club in a way we are not. They are seen as representing Suffolk, they are a 1 club county.

We can't even agree on what county we are in. There are areas with a CV postcode where we have very little representation - Atherstone? I know 4 people from there, they support Villa. Stratford? Shipston on Stour? Nah. Nuneaton should be solid Cov, but I know more Villa, Blues and Leicester fans and I've worked there for years. There are loads of Leicester in Rugby, these Warwickshire towns are nowhere as loyal to Coventry as say Melton Mowbray is to Leicester. Hinckley is halfway between the 2 cities but is 80% Leicester. We are not a regional club.

We are massively reliant on Coventry itself and that we are still one of the best supported clubs in the league given our recent history is a credit to us.

Again my experience (and opinion) is different to yours ferret.

If think CCFC heavily rely on supporters from "outside" Coventry. I know Nuneaton and Bedworth have a large number (and it's growing well) of fans. I think a lot went into hiding over the last 15 years but they are starting to feel good about the club again and are more vocal in their support in these towns.

Also pleasing to see parents that support other clubs are taking their kids to watch CCFC. I know a few families where this is happening. Some even have season tickets and JSB memberships.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Sales not a la big as last home game yet

 

[edgy]

Sales not a la big as last home game yet

You think? I was just looking at the stadium plan and it seems quite good for a wednesday morning. Certainly looks like more sold behind the goal?

I think B23 & 24 will be gone before friday. That will leave behind the goal for pre-sales and the corner for the walk up.

 

[Ashdown]

I caught the trains down to London for the Wembley matches and the following from Nuneaton was fantastic, the station was rammed with Sky Blues.
More shirts and stuff appearing here in SW Leics too as CCFC fans once again become proud to be SKY BLUE.
Thank fuck those shits SISU have departed, they made us a laughing stock and divided our support.
The future is a lot brighter now and a combination of playing at a higher level, the great atmosphere at the CBS and our excellent merchandise will only lead to growth in support.
If we really did ever get to the promised land of the Prem, then I can confidently predict we would be pushing 30,000 + for most home matches.

 

[pusbccfc]

Sales not a la big as last home game yet

They are.

 

[pusbccfc]

You think? I was just looking at the stadium plan and it seems quite good for a wednesday morning. Certainly looks like more sold behind the goal?

I think B23 & 24 will be gone before friday. That will leave behind the goal for pre-sales and the corner for the walk up.

More behind goal gone at this stage compared to Sunderland.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

You think? I was just looking at the stadium plan and it seems quite good for a wednesday morning. Certainly looks like more sold behind the goal?

I think B23 & 24 will be gone before friday. That will leave behind the goal for pre-sales and the corner for the walk up.

Happy to stand corrected

 

[Travs]

We like to see ourselves as a Leicester/Southampton/Norwich/Ipswich club in size and stature.

We've had our problems, far more than most, but the simple fact is our crowds do not match up to those teams. Even Derby and Sheff Weds are getting 25k+ in the 3rd division, and Sunderland were getting 30k+

None of the above has any bearing on the fact that our attendances are improving, and those that do go create a pretty good home atmosphere (i think its a slight exaggeration to say its the best in the country)...... but we do make a lot of excuses as to why our crowds are comparatively poor.

 

[pusbccfc]

JSB zone tickets are £20 with an adult as long as you have a kid with you.

Meaning a dad and a lad can go for £20 with a JSB membership.

Or £25 if they do not have a membership.


Good deal.

 

[Calista]

Of course we have fans across the wider county of Warwickshire, but they are mainly people who left Coventry or who have strong family ties.

On what basis can you possibly say this? I live in Warwickshire, and have known numerous Sky Blues fans over several decades. I can't think of a single one who has family ties to Coventry - CCFC have always simply been the team to support if you aren't the ManU/Liverpool glory-hunting type. Local support has waned since we left the Prem and especially because of the SISU nonsense, but is now coming back strong - surely that's no different to the city itself?

 

[shy_tall_knight]

Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland are anomalies. All have phenomenal support. More down to tribalism for me.

Ipswich is a good example but they are a one club region. Suffolk has a population of 700,000 with one club. That's why Norwich and Ipswich are outliers.

As others are alluding to, we need to tap into Warwickshire. To the south of Coventry, the nearest league club is Northampton.

If you take into consideration the south west of Coventry, there is no club until you reach Cheltenham or Oxford. That is a huge catchment area.

I would argue that the support in these regions is growing but will take time.

Newcastle and Sunderland have a much larger diaspora than Coventry - and because so many leave the area they maintain the links to the club as part of the heritage / identity.

Leeds - growing up in the 70s plenty of Leeds fans in Cov as they were a very successful club

Gloucestershire / Worcs - big Villa areas

 

[Alkhen]

Gloucestershire / Worcs - big Villa areas

Im based in Gloucestershire, was raised around here and have no real connection to Cov other than my dad taking me to matches as a kid.

As you say there are a fair few Villa fans. but most of the west country is a footballing wilderness. There were no decent local teams for years, Kids in my school all suported Man U, Liverpool or Arsenal. Now in my lads school you do see Bristol City shirts and Forest Green Rovers but I hink that is more to do with their excellent comunity work.

Ive noticed a few midlands clubs have moved in and opened academies in the area. West Brom has one in gloucester and Villa has one locally too

 

[blunted]

Newcastle and Sunderland have a much larger diaspora than Coventry - and because so many leave the area they maintain the links to the club as part of the heritage / identity.

Leeds - growing up in the 70s plenty of Leeds fans in Cov as they were a very successful club

Gloucestershire / Worcs - big Villa areas

I remember when I was a student, absolutely everyone from Newcastle and Sunderland were football fans of their home town club. This was an arts course where being into football was very uncool. Apart from me, there were no Coventry people who supported football even though we were in the top division at the time. Must be something in the water up there, or supporting football is mandatory.

 

[Saddlebrains]

JSB zone tickets are £20 with an adult as long as you have a kid with you.

Meaning a dad and a lad can go for £20 with a JSB membership.

Or £25 if they do not have a membership.


Good deal.

Is it?

Id say a good 90% of those who are JSBs have a ST due to the free ST when signing up as a JSB no?

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

When we lost 5-0 to Newcastle in the FA cup replay in 75 a Coventry fan from Newcastle committed suicide. True story

 

[ccfcchris]

Our previous owners contributed so much to us having poor support because it was constant problems and negativity all around. Even when the club was doing well the general opinion of a lot of people in this City was they'll mess it up. I expect a lot of people will still have that mindset.
The club is going in the right direction and the most important thing in all this is it's enjoyable to go and watch the city nowadays. More and more people are saying the same thing. The message will get through but it takes time.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

When we lost 5-0 to Newcastle in the FA cup replay in 75 a Coventry fan from Newcastle committed suicide. True story

Wasn't that the incident where he killed his wife (?) in a rage (hit her with a coffee table) after the result after she had laughed at him (think it made The Sun headlines)

Edit: apologies if anybody is related to, or knows anyone involved.

 

[pusbccfc]

Is it?

Id say a good 90% of those who are JSBs have a ST due to the free ST when signing up as a JSB no?

Even without a JSB, kids are a fiver and parents 20.