Friday night games (3 Viewers)

[oucho]

Those who were there last night seemed to say that there was a good atmosphere despite the low crowd....it made me wonder whether we could try a run of Friday night games as a different was at promoting home games....

I know you'd likely get fewer away fans and it would be inconvenient for those who work/live outside the area, but if we promoted it properly then a lot of people who prefer to spend their Saturdays doing other stuff e.g. family time, going to the garden centre, shopping could be given an alternative opportunity to see CCFC, and for many they could roll it into a Friday night out.

Cricket teams like Warwickshire have done well with promoting Friday night T20 games, with the right marketing maybe CCFC could make a similar success of such games. I know that the likes of Stockport and Southend used to regularly play on Friday evenings so to get people into the ground who would otherwise go and watch the big Manchester or London teams.

Probably the best CCFC game at the Ricoh, albeit in special circumstances, was the Gillingham home game in Sept 2014 and that worked really well as concept/format quite apart from the obvious significance of the occasion.

Any thoughts?

 

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[Nick]

I liked it, even before we scored it seemed a bit different to a normal game.

Wether it was People merry for Christmas I don't know, the decent game helped it as well.

 

[CharlesMore]

I did think it was a good atmosphere last night, couldn't make my mind up wheher that was to do with the novelty factor or christmas spirit.

There were though season ticket holders missing around us last night, all shift workers.

I would have thought going forward if this was to become the norm then quite a few season ticket sales will be lost, I don't think people can justify all their holidays, if they have families, being blown on watching Friday night football!

It must stay at what we are traditionally used to, Saturday at 3pm.

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

I did think it was a good atmosphere last night, couldn't make my mind up wheher that was to do with the novelty factor or christmas spirit.

There were though season ticket holders missing around us last night, all shift workers.

I would have thought going forward if this was to become the norm then quite a few season ticket sales will be lost, I don't think people can justify all their holidays, if they have families, being blown on watching Friday night football!

It must stay at what we are traditionally used to, Saturday at 3pm.

Like what you've done with your forum name - from Wood End, right?

 

[oucho]

Like what you've done with your forum name - from Wood End, right?

Maybe he's the former editor of the Daily Telegraph

 

[steve82]

I'm sorry it's a no for me on a regular basis. Nothing wrong with saturdays at 3pm.

Did we see any increase in fans I don't think so to warrant the change.

I for one would have to reconsider a season ticket if this become the norm.

Last night was a good atmosphere but I think that was more down to people on the pop for xmas and the way the game went and the battle played out

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

It's a good idea.

Maybe that way we'll get the people that have deserted us for Wasps coming back to the games!

 

[wingy]

Wasps have probably played over 50%of all their games on a Sunday, even when they've allocated Saturday aa their match day.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Wasps have probably played over 50%of all their games on a Sunday, even when they've allocated Saturday aa their match day.

I was just at Tesco now.

Car Park C was packed out and there were about 20 coaches.

It's disgraceful to see.

 

[oucho]

I was just at Tesco now.

Car Park C was packed out and there were about 20 coaches.

It's disgraceful to see.

Disgraceful that a pro sports team is well-supported?

Personally, I'd lake to see maybe 6 home games a year done as Friday night games - keep some on Saturdays too but allow enough to go for the 'Friday night' promotion, if we can make a thing of it.

I think that kind of positive marketing is more likely to succeed than the "10 tickets for £100 business", which is a bit apologetic and doesn't really fit the reality of how/who buys tickets. Got to be worth a go.

 

[martcov]

I liked it, even before we scored it seemed a bit different to a normal game.

Wether it was People merry for Christmas I don't know, the decent game helped it as well.

I reckon Friday nights for some games would be good. As someone says it leaves the whole of Saturday to do other projects. Even if the game is crap you can go straight to the pub after at normal pub going out times. My question would be about the away fans. I presume you would have local teams on a Friday. Could be a good tradition to meet up after work on a Friday. I always liked floodlit games in the winter. August/ September or springtime with blue skies, I would stick to the 15:00 ko.

 

[Liquid Gold]

I’d not renew my season ticket if regular Friday games became a thing. I simply couldn’t attend so the cost wouldn’t be worth it. I suspect a lot of other fans who live away from the direct area would be the same.

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

I was just at Tesco now.

Car Park C was packed out and there were about 20 coaches.

It's disgraceful to see.

Yes, I was up there today, first time I have been around the Ricoh when Wasps have played. Thousands there before 2pm. When I got back in the car I put CWR on just to check the time of the KO which turned out to be 3pm. Not sure what they were all doing there more than an hour before KO but pretty sure that, what ever it was it was making money for Wasps. Amazing the amount of yellow and black merchandise they must have shifted. All from people who until 3 years ago had no affinity to Wasps at all.

 

[oucho]

Yes, I was up there today, first time I have been around the Ricoh when Wasps have played. Thousands there before 2pm. When I got back in the car I put CWR on just to check the time of the KO which turned out to be 3pm. Not sure what they were all doing there more than an hour before KO but pretty sure that, what ever it was it was making money for Wasps. Amazing the amount of yellow and black merchandise they must have shifted. All from people who until 3 years ago had no affinity to Wasps at all.

Which begs the question, what are Wasps doing that CCFC has failed to do?

As soon as you put aside the "Teutonic baby bayoneters" line, you need to think how one sports team has effectively captured the imagination of fans, whilst the other definitely hasn't. There's no black magic involved here.......the main reason is that Wasps' marketing budget is far above our own.

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

Which begs the question, what are Wasps doing that CCFC has failed to do?

As soon as you put aside the "Teutonic baby bayoneters" line, you need to think how one sports team has effectively captured the imagination of fans, whilst the other definitely hasn't. There's no black magic involved here.......the main reason is that Wasps' marketing budget is far above our own.

I wouldn’t disagree. Sisu have stripped the infrastructure of the club. Two wrongs as far as I am concerned. First the multitude of crimes Sisu have committed against our club. However a franchise London rugby team should not be in Coventry. ( I know they are here because of Sisu’s despicable actions. They still shouldn’t be here).

 

[Silsden]

Wasn't there a promotion on as well? I'm pretty sure they did 10 for £10 each for away fans

 

[robbiethemole]

Friday nights are good......... we went up to 4th and on Saturday night we're still 4th

 

[rupert_bear]

I’ll tell you what Wasps are doing to attract support, winning, and have some of the country’s best players that attracts fans. I’m not a supporter but do follow their results as I do Cov rugger been to just 2 matches since they came but success on the field breeds support interest and success off it always has, Unfortunately our football club has the opposite view.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

It's a good idea.

Maybe that way we'll get the people that have deserted us for Wasps coming back to the games!

Have people gone from city to wasps? I just don’t understand it

 

[Nick]

Good job we won more trophies than wasps last season then.

 

[ccfchoi87]

Won't find any success watching Wasps so I don't understand that argument either

 

[Grendel]

Oh yeah I forgot about that , SOME PEOPLE were saying it's just a Micky Mouse Cup .

Still better than an empty trophy cabinet.

 

[ps1948]

On the original point, I enjoy the atmosphere that seems to be generated during the evening games, and the odd game on a Friday might be worthwhile. I understand some season-tickets holders don't agree (what do they do for Tuesday night games?), but others might be in agreement.

As far as Wasps are concerned, where were the 20 coaches on the car-park from?

 

[Liquid Gold]

On the original point, I enjoy the atmosphere that seems to be generated during the evening games, and the odd game on a Friday might be worthwhile. I understand some season-tickets holders don't agree (what do they do for Tuesday night games?), but others might be in agreement.

As far as Wasps are concerned, where were the 20 coaches on the car-park from?

I personally can’t attend Tuesday night games but accept that as its part of it. You start adding in the Friday games on top of that too then it would make no sense at all to have a season ticket and then I’d be much more likely to miss saturdays too.

 

[CCFC54321]

Yes, I was up there today, first time I have been around the Ricoh when Wasps have played. Thousands there before 2pm. When I got back in the car I put CWR on just to check the time of the KO which turned out to be 3pm. Not sure what they were all doing there more than an hour before KO but pretty sure that, what ever it was it was making money for Wasps. Amazing the amount of yellow and black merchandise they must have shifted. All from people who until 3 years ago had no affinity to Wasps at all.

I doubt these Wasps ‘supporters’ are from the city of Coventry. I know of one person who attends from Coventry and the others I know who went stopped going after the first few games.

As I’ve said a number of times there’s an awful lot of free tickets thrown around there. Out of the Xmas present of free tickets dished out how many of the ‘26,000’ crowd actually paid?

 

[Nick]

On the original point, I enjoy the atmosphere that seems to be generated during the evening games, and the odd game on a Friday might be worthwhile. I understand some season-tickets holders don't agree (what do they do for Tuesday night games?), but others might be in agreement.

As far as Wasps are concerned, where were the 20 coaches on the car-park from?

The away teams..

 

[Grendel]

I doubt these Wasps ‘supporters’ are from the city of Coventry. I know of one person who attends from Coventry and the others I know who went stopped going after the first few games.

As I’ve said a number of times there’s an awful lot of free tickets thrown around there. Out of the Xmas present of free tickets dished out how many of the ‘26,000’ crowd actually paid?

I think actually yesterday’s upsurge was due to a very large away following.

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

Wasps have not only taken a ground that was built for us but have captured the heart and soul of sports fans in the area.
I was informed that most of the fans are from Coventry and local area and Wasps are now well and truly entrenched in Coventry.
The question about success is valid but doesn't tell the full story. As our fans have deserted the club they have moved their custom to Wasps and yes some to Cov Rugby.
We have done the sum total of nothing to readdress the balance and have handed over the keys not only to the Ricoh but also the City.
Those that say that Wasps will fail should take a reality check.
Success on the pitch will bring some back but apart from one off games I suspect that too much has happened to expect these floaters to flood back organically. This is a situation that no club has faced and our club will have to scrap for quid in future.

 

[Covstu]

Don’t follow them but are they not having a poor season?

I enjoyed Friday night but it kind of come with a decent drink where I wouldn’t normally On a Tuesday. I think if they made offers on beers etc then try and get it to a night out type scenario then it could be popular (casino deal afterwards?). Equally the result helped, if it was a drab 0-0 then I doubt we would be as positive.

 

[CCFC54321]

Wasps have not only taken a ground that was built for us but have captured the heart and soul of sports fans in the area.
I was informed that most of the fans are from Coventry and local area and Wasps are now well and truly entrenched in Coventry.
The question about success is valid but doesn't tell the full story. As our fans have deserted the club they have moved their custom to Wasps and yes some to Cov Rugby.
We have done the sum total of nothing to readdress the balance and have handed over the keys not only to the Ricoh but also the City.
Those that say that Wasps will fail should take a reality check.
Success on the pitch will bring some back but apart from one off games I suspect that too much has happened to expect these floaters to flood back organically. This is a situation that no club has faced and our club will have to scrap for quid in future.

Sorry but I don’t agree Wasps are entrenched in Coventry nor do I agree they captured the souls of the Coventry people. The supporters that attend are not from the Coventry area. Nearly to a person that I speak to reg Wasps they have no interest in them or don’t agree with there presence here.

 

[oucho]

I very much doubt many ex CCC regulars are now Wasps regulars.

Maybe CCFC should launch a Saturday games only ST, priced proportionately to the number of games we play on a Sat, and a full ST option for those who want to go to Tues and Fri home games. Let people pick and choose. Why not?

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

Sorry but I don’t agree Wasps are entrenched in Coventry nor do I agree they captured the souls of the Coventry people. The supporters that attend are not from the Coventry area. Nearly to a person that I speak to reg Wasps they have no interest in them or don’t agree with there presence here.

You are so wrong and it matters not a jot. We got 25% of their gate over the weekend.
We wouldn't get 26000 if we gave the tickets away and even if Gloucester's support was very large it doesn't change a thing.
Wasps need taking down but sticking your head in the sand is exactly what our owners have done. That went well didn't it?

 

[Nick]

One cup win and no top 6 finish in over 30 years , some people are easily pleased !

Were the goalposts heavy?

 

[CCFC54321]

You are so wrong and it matters not a jot. We got 25% of their gate over the weekend.
We wouldn't get 26000 if we gave the tickets away and even if Gloucester's support was very large it doesn't change a thing.
Wasps need taking down but sticking your head in the sand is exactly what our owners have done. That went well didn't it?

No I’m not. I doubt there is a few dozen who have been converted to watch Wasps games. It just doesn’t happen. 26,000 was a combination of a massive away support and free tickets. The paying gate of Wasps supporters was outside of Coventry I’d have a good guess yesterday.

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

The test will be a Friday night at the end of January when people aren't in the Christmas spirit and a huge majority have 2 weeks off work.