The New Stadium (3 Viewers)

[Otis]

In all honesty this thread is so long because it has touched a nerve with the fans that did not go.
As deep down I am sure some could have attended and did not.

Personally I do think stadium is to big for us and if an alternative new ground in Cov could be found where
we owned it and all revenue streams it would be far more commercial to have a 20k stadium charging a competitve rate
as we are currently do. Then success would reward the loyal season ticket holders - of which I am not one tbh.

This club has always survived on 8-10K lifeblood of season ticket holders. Fans that go to games when can regardless of the oppo, I fit into
this category and unfortunately however you want to phrase it those that only come out for "bigger" games.

I have said this on an alterntive thread but currently 11,000 even at 20 pound a ticket average is 220,000 whereas 27,000 at 5 pound
is only 135,000. The fans whingeing about 20 tickets are normally the same fans who drive me up the wall complaining about why havent we signed
enough pros for a 40 man squad on big wages in league 1!! You cannot have it all particularly now with FFP.

The short term goal of being back at the Ricoh for next two seasons is the most important thing and should be rightfully celebrated
.However if we continue to get 11k crowds and poor deal on revenue streams would be foolhardy not to consider the possiblity
of a smaller owned venue in Coventry for long term security of the club.

Hate to say it, but I agree with you and this is coming from a big advocate of the Ricoh and someone who has a real desire for the club to stay and play there.

Unless fans come into the ground though on a regular basis staying at the Ricoh is not going to be sustainable.

 

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[johnwillomagic]

Otis I think if we can get promoted this season the financial dynamics change anyhow. Generally speaking the clubs in Championship have much bigger followings
thus away fan numbers come more into equation from revenue and we are not as dependant on our own which in reality have only really
averaged on a bog standard game 15k at best.

I think personally if squad stays as is in terms of depth we have a good shout this year at going up either automatically or through
the play offs I think only Sheffield United are a bigger club in terms of fanbase and numbers. I would like another stronger
more experienced holding midfielder to supplement Thomas if I am being greedy but at this level you cannot have it all.

Lets hope things continue to go our way this season if not though think other options do need to be considered but only
if in Coventry and only if revenue streams substantially imporved for the move. PUSB

 

[exhallskyblue]

even if tickets were £15, how many more fans would you expect to come through. Okay granted if we continue this form yes, but if we have a sticky patch and say we are playing fleetwood at home, would fans be flocking to see that? even if the tickets were £15 people would find an excuse not to come Imo

 

[Otis]

even if tickets were £15, how many more fans would you expect to come through. Okay granted if we continue this form yes, but if we have a sticky patch and say we are playing fleetwood at home, would fans be flocking to see that? even if the tickets were £15 people would find an excuse not to come Imo

Sad, but true.

 

[Ian1779]

I know that for some the hate for SISU runs deep, but we expected SISU and ACL to put the past behind them and sort out a return to the Ricoh. They did and now we are back.

Is is too much to ask that some of the fans that called incessantly for this to do the same??

 

[Dhinsa's_Millions]

I was Season ticket holder from 1986 - 2011 so have seen some serious free fall over that period of time.

Live in Solihull and can afford to pay for a ticket or a season ticket but I just don't come every week through choice. I DID attend the Gillingham game and enjoyed it but to be honest my main reason is that I still do not trust the owners to deliver. Yes appreciate we are on the up at present but until there is a sustained backing from the club and we start to get results on the pitch (longer term - we have been top 6 before only to fall back due player exodus / lack of investment) I will spend my weekends with the family and pick and choose any games.

The sad statistic I read about Coventry not finishing in the top 6 since 1970 especially after dropping 2 divisions does have an effect on fans who are very similar to me.

I believe there are thousands of lapsed season ticket holders who are still disillusioned and gave up around the time of Boothroyd/Coleman but wanted to come and show support for the Gillingham game. It (The attendance for showcase games) shows the long term potential IF the owners decide to get invest in the team. If not then thousands like me will not return after the years of free fall.

 

[skybluedan]

I'm sure there were, VOR.

1. Some people couldn't afford it, fine.
2. Some people couldn't make it, fine.
3. Some people tried to get tickets and couldn't, fine.

Some though simply couldn't be arsed and even taking all the above out of the euqation, 11,000 is still a total embarrassment. First feel good factor around the club for many, many years and some people were even talking about a new Sky Blue Revolution.

Seemingly a Sky Blue Revolution that lasted just one single game.

I see we even made Midlands Today news today re the missing 16,000.

Spot on Otis,the fact is more simply cannot be arsed than anything else which is embarrassing ,I know there are still fans who won't go because of shitsu being in charge but surely the more fans we have going the more will get spent on the team? I know we are only getting part revenue which makes it more important to get more there.
the same fuckers will be moaning when come January,when we are only getting loans in and not spending any money. Feel sorry for sp and the boys it really is a shame

 

[Kingokings204]

Spot on Otis,the fact is more simply cannot be arsed than anything else which is embarrassing ,I know there are still fans who won't go because of SISU being in charge but surely the more fans we have going the more will get spent on the team? I know we are only getting part revenue which makes it more important to get more there.
the same fuckers will be moaning when come January,when we are only getting loans in and not spending any money. Feel sorry for sp and the boys it really is a shame

I am sorry I don't agree with your fact. Yes I don't doubt some cant be arsed but to say that that is the majority of fans and to say it as a fact is very disappointing. It is not a fact it is your opinion. It is an equal share of all the reasons not to go contributed to a low attendance although I don't consider over 11k for a league 1 game as a low attendance all things considered.

My opinion of 2 games back to back weekends costs a fair bit and takes up people commitments such as work and family. Getting tickets wasn't exactly easy and the queues were horrendous. That's just my opinion however and to confirm I think some people couldnt be arsed I agree but to put this down as the main reason and a fact doesn't sit well with me. People have gave their reasons why they didn't attend Saturday and I believe them. Most have said costs and getting tickets as the two main problems it seems.

 

[bigfatronssba]

Spot on Otis,the fact is more simply cannot be arsed than anything else which is embarrassing ,I know there are still fans who won't go because of shitsu being in charge but surely the more fans we have going the more will get spent on the team? I know we are only getting part revenue which makes it more important to get more there.
the same fuckers will be moaning when come January,when we are only getting loans in and not spending any money. Feel sorry for sp and the boys it really is a shame

Wouldn't it be better to ask why those people didn't return and what can be done to bring them back? Wouldn't that be the best most sensible thing to do?
Or you can just keep insulting the customers

 

[Skyblueweeman]

I was Season ticket holder from 1986 - 2011 so have seen some serious free fall over that period of time.

Live in Solihull and can afford to pay for a ticket or a season ticket but I just don't come every week through choice. I DID attend the Gillingham game and enjoyed it but to be honest my main reason is that I still do not trust the owners to deliver. Yes appreciate we are on the up at present but until there is a sustained backing from the club and we start to get results on the pitch (longer term - we have been top 6 before only to fall back due player exodus / lack of investment) I will spend my weekends with the family and pick and choose any games.

The sad statistic I read about Coventry not finishing in the top 6 since 1970 especially after dropping 2 divisions does have an effect on fans who are very similar to me.

I believe there are thousands of lapsed season ticket holders who are still disillusioned and gave up around the time of Boothroyd/Coleman but wanted to come and show support for the Gillingham game. It (The attendance for showcase games) shows the long term potential IF the owners decide to get invest in the team. If not then thousands like me will not return after the years of free fall.

Good post that. Probably one of the most accurately reflective as well.

WM

 

[skybluedan]

That is your opinion king which i don't agree with, in that it is a equal share of all the reasons for not going? Yeah fair enough it might not be fact but hey it's a football forum and we will see over the coming season of what I mean hey

 

[torchomatic]

Wouldn't it be better to ask why those people didn't return and what can be done to bring them back? Wouldn't that be the best most sensible thing to do?
Or you can just keep insulting the customers

Or ask why despite bring insulted they camped out at 3am to get a ticket for Gillingham. I would agree witj ypu if not for the Gills game.

Sent from my phone using my chubby sausage fingers so please excuse any errors.

 

[skybluedan]

Wouldn't it be better to ask why those people didn't return and what can be done to bring them back? Wouldn't that be the best most sensible thing to do?
Or you can just keep insulting the customers

Yeah they could make it cheaper and do some sort of two ticket deals but they cannot do that every week, we need to make revenue for team,academy, and so on

 

[Covstu]

The Gillingham game was a 'one off' but clearly we could have filled 34,000+ for that game. People were either camped outside the ticket office or sat infront of their laptops for hours on end trying to get tickets. I heard people paid up to £100 for one ticket! I couldnt give away a ticket for the Yeovil game!

The price of the ticket for Yeovil wasnt the issue in my opinion, i think there was a degree of apathy but i predicted 15k for the Yeovil game so was disappointed by 11k most certainly. Personally i think we need to be realisitic about attendances, 15,000 for the league would be pretty good (and realistic).


As for the new ground, i see no point as we have one. It goes back to ownership and this wont be sorted until SISU can buy a stake in the ground (if not all of it). This will rattle on for the next two years unfortunately until 'renewal' time.

 

[Steve.B50]

Are we the only team in the FL who have never been in a play off game?

 

[Greggs]

Just go out to town on a Saturday night........95% of lads wearing white converse, carrot trousers, wanky buzz cuts with beards and a buttoned up polo shirt.

Coventry is a city full of people that only know one way to live, that is on the bandwagon! Going to the Gills game was a chance for some people to brag to their mates that they were going, they have no love for CCFC :jerkit::jerkit::jerkit::jerkit::jerkit:

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

Just wanted to add;

2012-13 - Ill feeling amongst supporters, rent row between club and Arena. Club in the doldrums. Club just relegated so low morale, lots of negativity about.

2014-15 - Back at the Ricoh, euphoria, excitement, anticipation, incredible demand for tickets for first game, such demand that some even missed out on going. Tremendous feel good factor about the place, team on a winning run.

Incomparable. Of course I wasn't embarrassed back then. To be expected. On the back of all the joyous, excited feeling of our return this season, yes, embarrassed that many thousands chose not to turn up.

You just don't get it, do you? You missed out: 2013/14, club taken away from the City and the supporters for a season causing massive ill-will that is not going to disappear overnight. You keep going on and on about "feelgood" and "euphoria", but I don't bloody feel any of that: I feel bitter and a little bit numb.

I've said this to you many times now, but you seem to think that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is a great business strategy for increasing our average support: it isn't, it's a shit strategy that has damaged the relationship between the club and many supporters. Many former ST holders are not rushing back. A year away has weakened our support, not increased it. It's a simple logic that you can't grasp because you don't feel that way, but a lot of us do. Your whinging posts about the gate being a "disgrace" are divisive and arrogant.

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

All very well, but if that was the case then the Gillingham game wouldn't have had such a high attendance.

A large proportion of that crowd are not our usual support, it was the homecoming and the cheap tickets that attracted them. Like my dad and two brothers-it was the first game that they've been to since Crewe JPT and the same will be true of around 10,000 of that crowd I expect.

 

[torchomatic]

Yep, true enough, I guess.

A large proportion of that crowd are not our usual support, it was the homecoming and the cheap tickets that attracted them. Like my dad and two brothers-it was the first game that they've been to since Crewe JPT and the same will be true of around 10,000 of that crowd I expect.

 

[Grendel]

You just don't get it, do you? You missed out: 2013/14, club taken away from the City and the supporters for a season causing massive ill-will that is not going to disappear overnight. You keep going on and on about "feelgood" and "euphoria", but I don't bloody feel any of that: I feel bitter and a little bit numb.

I've said this to you many times now, but you seem to think that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is a great business strategy for increasing our average support: it isn't, it's a shit strategy that has damaged the relationship between the club and many supporters. Many former ST holders are not rushing back. A year away has weakened our support, not increased it. It's a simple logic that you can't grasp because you don't feel that way, but a lot of us do. Your whinging posts about the gate being a "disgrace" are divisive and arrogant.

We attracted the same number of people that we did when we last at the Ricoh against Yeovil.

That suggests that those who always went still do and those who didn't still won't .

Nice to see you we back spouting the same old guff .

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

We attracted the same number of people that we did when we last at the Ricoh against Yeovil.

That suggests that those who always went still do and those who didn't still won't .

Nice to see you we back spouting the same old guff .

Me and my mate were ST holders and haven't been back, so that clearly isn't the case, dickhead. Some fans obviously have been retained from the Gillingham game to offset those like me who haven't returned.

 

[Moff]

Me and my mate were ST holders and haven't been back, so that clearly isn't the case. Some fans obviously have been retained from the Gillingham game to offset those like me who haven't returned.

Some will return, some wont, some new ones will come, some old ones wont etc etc. That's the way it has always been, although in our case it was done with such w*nk owners and such a spiteful nasty move.

New owners would increase the attendance although I am not sure by vast numbers, but nothing will help like a successful team, as after the diehards you need to attract new blood and as one of many leisure activities people can undertake, making it exciting and enjoyable more than anything will make people return, and new blood attend.

 

[Otis]

You just don't get it, do you? You missed out: 2013/14, club taken away from the City and the supporters for a season causing massive ill-will that is not going to disappear overnight. You keep going on and on about "feelgood" and "euphoria", but I don't bloody feel any of that: I feel bitter and a little bit numb.

I've said this to you many times now, but you seem to think that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is a great business strategy for increasing our average support: it isn't, it's a shit strategy that has damaged the relationship between the club and many supporters. Many former ST holders are not rushing back. A year away has weakened our support, not increased it. It's a simple logic that you can't grasp because you don't feel that way, but a lot of us do. Your whinging posts about the gate being a "disgrace" are divisive and arrogant.

Errm, hang on a tad.

'You missed out: 2013/14'

I was talking about this season and a certain poster asked me about how I felt in 2012/13. I haven't missed anything out and was just answering his question.

And 'A club taken away from the City and the supporters for a season causing massive ill-will that is not going to disappear overnight.'

Yet we had 27,000 fans there against Gillingham.

And I haven't said the gate was a disgrace either. I have said it was embarrassing and I totally stand by that. it is quite laghable to hear that I am being divisive and arrogant.

The crowd should have been much bigger, simple as. You have me compltely wrong, as I don't have a single arrogant bone in my body. The last thing I am being is arrogant.

You seem a very angry, troubled poster today for some reason, as If I am having a personal dig at you yourself, which of course I am not. :thinking about:

Have explained ad infinitum that some people couldn't go/were unable to afford to go/couldn't get tickets etc. To that I would add the group of disenfranchised fans, which seems to include your good self. These are not the people I have any beef with at all. I am talking about those who just couldn't be arsed to go up because it was Yeovil or whatever.

This club to survive desperatly needs people through the turnstiles. It's as a simple as that.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

New owners would increase the attendance although I am not sure by vast numbers.

Worth noting that when SISU came, they were the best thing since sliced bread with their good business sense, we were debt free and signing quality such as Eastwood while the evil Robinson/McGinnity/Richardson triumvirate were finally out the club in entirity... there wasn't exactly a vast rush to support with increased crowds.

 

[Moff]

Worth noting that when SISU came, they were the best thing since sliced bread with their good business sense, we were debt free and signing quality such as Eastwood while the evil Robinson/McGinnity/Richardson triumvirate were finally out the club in entirity... there wasn't exactly a vast rush to support with increased crowds.

Yep, i agree, its just that unlike the triumvirate disaster regime, there are supporters now who wont attend whilst Sisu are at the helm. They would return, on Sisus deprture, but i wasnt talking of 1000,s far far less than that.

 

[martcov]

Worth noting that when SISU came, they were the best thing since sliced bread with their good business sense, we were debt free and signing quality such as Eastwood while the evil Robinson/McGinnity/Richardson triumvirate were finally out the club in entirity... there wasn't exactly a vast rush to support with increased crowds.

I don't think there will be a mad rush this time either, but we are at a good starting point. Wage costs down, rent down, young manager with a plan and something to prove, CEO footballing person, good young Players and the business side tidied up ( bookkeeping ). Now we Need Tim to take a backseat and SW to get the ticketing, Marketing etc. up to scratch.

if the team performs, there wil be a snowball effect - slow at first, gathering momentum. IMO

 

[rightumpty]

I was one of the missing 16,000. Why ? Living 36 miles away, being an OAP in his 70's, be buggered if I'm going to get caught up in the ticket chaos and wait up to 90 minutes with the chance of getting a ticket. Sort it out and I'll be back pronto. I bet there were a couple of thousand or so with the same thought as me.

Ditto. I also haven't been back as I have queued up but couldn't get a ticket for Gillingham and until they sort things out I won't be going back.
Very sad as I would really like to.

 

[dadgad]

If Sisu got rid of Fisher more would recognise that they have learnt from their idiocy.....but you're right, new owners wouldn't be reflected in higher gates.
Improved gates will be a reflection of sporting success. End of.

 

[SkyBlueSid]

What I cannot understand is why some people are talking about 'excuses not to go' to home games. People do not need to have an excuse. They may just choose not to go because they don't want to, for a myriad of reasons. It's as simple as that.

What the club needs to do is to give the thousands of lapsed fans a reason to start going again. Some people may have not attended a match, or more than the odd one, for 20-30 years. We probably all know such people. When we were relegated in 2001 I had a ST in the West Stand with many others who had been there for years. About half a dozen bade their final farewells on the last day and said they would not be back - and they weren't. How do you entice such people back when we have only slipped lower in those 13 miserable seasons? A couple of home wins is not going to convince them.

Gillingham was a one-off event and we have to accept that. Some people who went were there for the first and last time, wives, girlfriends, mothers etc. I know a few like that. They will never return whatever happens. The priority has to be to build up the season ticket base which appears to still be small. Only consistent performances and the demonstration of ambition to get back where we were will achieve that.

 

[Otis]

What I cannot understand is why some people are talking about 'excuses not to go' to home games. People do not need to have an excuse. They may just choose not to go because they don't want to, for a myriad of reasons. It's as simple as that.

What the club needs to do is to give the thousands of lapsed fans a reason to start going again. Some people may have not attended a match, or more than the odd one, for 20-30 years. We probably all know such people. When we were relegated in 2001 I had a ST in the West Stand with many others who had been there for years. About half a dozen bade their final farewells on the last day and said they would not be back - and they weren't. How do you entice such people back when we have only slipped lower in those 13 miserable seasons? A couple of home wins is not going to convince them.

Gillingham was a one-off event and we have to accept that. Some people who went were there for the first and last time, wives, girlfriends, mothers etc. I know a few like that. They will never return whatever happens. The priority has to be to build up the season ticket base which appears to still be small. Only consistent performances and the demonstration of ambition to get back where we were will achieve that.

Some very fair points there, Sid.

If we come back to the Ricoh for Preston still in the top 6 and remaining on our unbeaten run, it will be interesting to see what the attendance will be for that match.

 

[mark_ccfc]

What needs to be taken into account is that SISU are still the owners, they are determined in their appeal on the JR, (which I understand could go all the way to the European courts), and the Ricoh deal is only two years with SISU still spouting on about a new but smaller ground. Of course there was a clamour for the first game back at the Ricoh, but now the initial excitement is over, in the cold light of day, people have realised not much has changed and there is a whole load more sh1t to get through before this ordeal is over.

 

[Otis]

What needs to be taken into account is that SISU are still the owners, they are determined in their appeal on the JR, (which I understand could go all the way to the European courts), and the Ricoh deal is only two years with SISU still spouting on about a new but smaller ground. Of course there was a clamour for the first game back at the Ricoh, but now the initial excitement is over, in the cold light of day, people have realised not much has changed and there is a whole load more sh1t to get through before this ordeal is over.

True, but on the playing side, we have just had two great games with fantastic atmospheres, 2 wins, an unbeaten run and us in the top 6 places. Doesn't get much better than that at the moment.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

True, but on the playing side, we have just had two great games with fantastic atmospheres, 2 wins, an unbeaten run and us in the top 6 places. Doesn't get much better than that at the moment.

I doubt your everyday casual fan (the ones who apparently react to price and a good time more than others) particularly care about the owners or the politics, either.

 

[shmmeee]

I doubt your everyday casual fan (the ones who apparently react to price and a good time more than others) particularly care about the owners or the politics, either.

Most of them don't know the players, I think it's a safe bet they haven't a clue who the owners are.

 

[Dhinsa's_Millions]

If you look at this season as a whole and attendances if we are still in the top 6 in May, are healing links with the disaffected supporters, investing in the team and playing attractive football the attendances could be nearer to 20k its that simple - people aren't stupid and don't take kindly to false promises - we all remember Dann, Fox, Westwood et al being sold when we could have kept them and had a real go - SISU were on the downwards spiral even when they hadn't moved to Northampton in the eyes of the long suffering fans.

Success breeds support in my opinion not the odd run in the league we have had every season that ends up in failure (usually due to poor strategy from the club when it comes to player sales / securing loan players permanantly / moving the club to another city!!).

Lets see where this seasons ends up - the club have a massive opportunity here and I really hope they make a go of it and prove the doubters, myself included - wrong - Pressley certainly has the best chance of a top 6 finish in years if the owners back him as they should - will they??