| Midweek attendances 10:39 - Sep 26 with 4562 views | 49thseason |
Are we doing enough to improve our attendances give the form we are in?
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| Midweek attendances on 11:05 - Sep 26 with 4049 views | 442Dale |
It was often said, quite rightly, on here how the impact home form (results/goals/entertainment) is an important factor in bringing in crowds.
Since the beginning of the 23/24 season, our league record at Spotland:
51 games. W27, D12, L12 : 93 points
93 goals have been scored in those games.
So that’s one issue sorted. It’s now up to the club, organisations like the Trust and the CAB to look at doing more. Presumably all those involved are able to influence that and bring ideas to the table that will make a difference. [Post edited 26 Sep 11:19]
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| Midweek attendances on 11:34 - Sep 26 with 3951 views | dingdangblue |
Next Wednesday is a better game to judge. Solihull at home ( no disrespect to Solihull) isn't really mouthwatering for the casual fan. If we do beat Carlisle on Saturday I would be disappointed if we couldn't get 3000 home fans to attend - local Derby and we could potentially be top of the league again. |  |
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| Midweek attendances on 11:45 - Sep 26 with 3930 views | EllDale |
I’ve noticed over the last couple of years that several familiar faces who normally stand near me in the Sandy never miss a Saturday fixture but also never come to midweek games. There’s a couple of families in particular.
Presuming that they’re season ticket holders does the new ticketing system have the ability to identify this type of supporter? Would be easy if so to email them and ask, politely, why they don’t come to night games eg work, childcare, transport? |  | | |
| Midweek attendances on 11:55 - Sep 26 with 3904 views | Dalenet |
| Midweek attendances on 11:45 - Sep 26 by EllDale |
I’ve noticed over the last couple of years that several familiar faces who normally stand near me in the Sandy never miss a Saturday fixture but also never come to midweek games. There’s a couple of families in particular.
Presuming that they’re season ticket holders does the new ticketing system have the ability to identify this type of supporter? Would be easy if so to email them and ask, politely, why they don’t come to night games eg work, childcare, transport? |
I have said many times on this Board that people would be surprised as to how many of our fans live outside of Rochdale. It is hard to get to Spotland on a Tuesday night if you are working and don't live locally. I am a season ticket holder but can't always get to a game on Tuesday, and having made a really difficult journey on Saturday at considerable expense, I was never going to take the risk again on Tuesday. There are plenty of people that sit near me in the same boat and don't live localy anymore. I am going to take the risk on Wednesday assuming it doesn't rain beforehand.
Our key issue is attracting new fans. Being towards the top of the league, and scoring goals, will bring more through the gate. I too expect us to exceed 3,000 on Wednesday, but a good result at Carlisle will help. | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 12:17 - Sep 26 with 3849 views | 442Dale |
| Midweek attendances on 11:34 - Sep 26 by dingdangblue |
Next Wednesday is a better game to judge. Solihull at home ( no disrespect to Solihull) isn't really mouthwatering for the casual fan. If we do beat Carlisle on Saturday I would be disappointed if we couldn't get 3000 home fans to attend - local Derby and we could potentially be top of the league again. |
Would be very surprised if we got anywhere near 3000 home fans on Wednesday even if we win 5-0 at Carlisle.
Would be happy with 2500, and even having over 2000 against Solihull was pretty good.
Midweek attendances have rarely been on a level we’d want. Back in November 2016 we played Walsall at home on a Tuesday after beating Swindon 4-0 at Spotland three days earlier. We won 4-0 again.
That took us into the L1 play-off places. The crowd, somewhat appropriately, was 1907. [Post edited 26 Sep 12:23]
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| Midweek attendances on 16:47 - Sep 26 with 3558 views | tony_roch975 |
Happy to see marketing initiatives to increase attendances but if you put another column in the OP table - "no of premier league grounds within 20 miles" you'd get a different perspective? | |
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| Midweek attendances on 19:12 - Sep 26 with 3423 views | Plattyswrinklynuts |
Doesn’t help that there’s a bus strike planned next week either. |  | | |
| Midweek attendances on 20:32 - Sep 26 with 3307 views | foreverhopefulDale |
| Midweek attendances on 19:12 - Sep 26 by Plattyswrinklynuts |
Doesn’t help that there’s a bus strike planned next week either. |
Could the club not lay on transport from the town centre, and charge a nominal fee? |  |
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| Midweek attendances on 10:30 - Sep 27 with 2913 views | TVOS1907 |
There's a long way to go, of course, and these are very small sample sizes, but the average number of Dale fans at this season's home games is currently the highest it has been since the 2019/20 season.
It is also higher than in the entire 2015/16 season when we were in League One and only 95 less than the 2013/14 promotion campaign.
And that's even though, to coin what's becoming a popular phrase, we haven't played anyone yet...
Also, the average number of home fans at our two midweek league fixtures so far (a very small sample size) is higher than at all last season's midweek games, including the Oldham match.
So, the sketchy conclusion is that there are small improvements, but it's slow progress.
Let's also remember having seven home games in the season's first two months will be hard on the pockets of those who aren't season ticket holders, especially as our matchday admission is quite high in comparison.
Also, as DDB mentions, it often takes more attractive opposition, or a crucial six-pointer type of game to entice non-regulars.
Surprised the OP hasn't returned to this interesting debate, either.... [Post edited 27 Sep 10:37]
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| A wise man would be able to self-analyse and perhaps understand. |
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| Midweek attendances on 11:50 - Sep 27 with 2781 views | Dalenet |
| Midweek attendances on 12:17 - Sep 26 by 442Dale |
Would be very surprised if we got anywhere near 3000 home fans on Wednesday even if we win 5-0 at Carlisle.
Would be happy with 2500, and even having over 2000 against Solihull was pretty good.
Midweek attendances have rarely been on a level we’d want. Back in November 2016 we played Walsall at home on a Tuesday after beating Swindon 4-0 at Spotland three days earlier. We won 4-0 again.
That took us into the L1 play-off places. The crowd, somewhat appropriately, was 1907. [Post edited 26 Sep 12:23]
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But there were c2950 on a Tuesday night last October for Dale v Halifax, of which Halifax brought 700. And our form has improved since then. The bus strike may have an impact - but surely we could be on for 3000. | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 14:31 - Sep 27 with 2590 views | 442Dale |
| Midweek attendances on 11:50 - Sep 27 by Dalenet |
But there were c2950 on a Tuesday night last October for Dale v Halifax, of which Halifax brought 700. And our form has improved since then. The bus strike may have an impact - but surely we could be on for 3000. |
3000 in total if Halifax bring a few is achievable but it was whether there would be 3000 home fans.
We were 6th and doing well last year so if we can get over 2500 home fans this season it will be indicating some progression.
The bigger issue is growing the core fanbase to a larger figure, we know more will turn out for the bigger games. More needs to be done to retain them - that’s where the Club/CAB come in. Would already expect moves to have been made to address that. | |
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| Midweek attendances on 14:55 - Sep 27 with 2522 views | 49thseason |
| Midweek attendances on 10:30 - Sep 27 by TVOS1907 |
There's a long way to go, of course, and these are very small sample sizes, but the average number of Dale fans at this season's home games is currently the highest it has been since the 2019/20 season.
It is also higher than in the entire 2015/16 season when we were in League One and only 95 less than the 2013/14 promotion campaign.
And that's even though, to coin what's becoming a popular phrase, we haven't played anyone yet...
Also, the average number of home fans at our two midweek league fixtures so far (a very small sample size) is higher than at all last season's midweek games, including the Oldham match.
So, the sketchy conclusion is that there are small improvements, but it's slow progress.
Let's also remember having seven home games in the season's first two months will be hard on the pockets of those who aren't season ticket holders, especially as our matchday admission is quite high in comparison.
Also, as DDB mentions, it often takes more attractive opposition, or a crucial six-pointer type of game to entice non-regulars.
Surprised the OP hasn't returned to this interesting debate, either.... [Post edited 27 Sep 10:37]
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Thanks for the data, It felt as if there were more there last week and the " singing section" looked visibly larger and not because of migration from the Sandy which seemed reasonably well populated, so a small but noticable increase...even so, the attendance on Tuesday was below ST sales when you would hope for an increase on that number... maybe school nights are problematic for some people with younger kids? | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 17:10 - Sep 27 with 2356 views | 442Dale |
| Midweek attendances on 14:31 - Sep 27 by 442Dale |
3000 in total if Halifax bring a few is achievable but it was whether there would be 3000 home fans.
We were 6th and doing well last year so if we can get over 2500 home fans this season it will be indicating some progression.
The bigger issue is growing the core fanbase to a larger figure, we know more will turn out for the bigger games. More needs to be done to retain them - that’s where the Club/CAB come in. Would already expect moves to have been made to address that. |
Halifax scoring goals and now on the brink of the play-offs, Dale in good form… would now be looking at hopefully 3500.
Though there were just over 1200 home fans at the Shay today. | |
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| Midweek attendances on 21:56 - Sep 27 with 2015 views | TVOS1907 |
| Midweek attendances on 11:50 - Sep 27 by Dalenet |
But there were c2950 on a Tuesday night last October for Dale v Halifax, of which Halifax brought 700. And our form has improved since then. The bus strike may have an impact - but surely we could be on for 3000. |
I keep hearing about this bus strike, but realistically, how many people is it going to affect?
I've spoken to a few people today who know a bit about buses in the Spotland area and they say the number of Dale fans they've seen using them around a matchday is minimal. I would also argue almost every Dale fan knows someone else they could get a lift off in these circumstances.
Also, the Halifax game you mention is just that, one game. We went into it on the back of a home defeat to Southend and a poor draw at Ebbsfleet. In the same way that the team has improved and developed, the same has to happen to attendances, but it is never going to be an exact science due to folks' circumstances.
I agree, though, I would hope we could be on for 3,000 on Wednesday, but I think that as the total crowd is the most realistic figure. | |
| A wise man would be able to self-analyse and perhaps understand. |
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| Midweek attendances on 22:45 - Sep 27 with 1933 views | dingdangblue |
| Midweek attendances on 21:56 - Sep 27 by TVOS1907 |
I keep hearing about this bus strike, but realistically, how many people is it going to affect?
I've spoken to a few people today who know a bit about buses in the Spotland area and they say the number of Dale fans they've seen using them around a matchday is minimal. I would also argue almost every Dale fan knows someone else they could get a lift off in these circumstances.
Also, the Halifax game you mention is just that, one game. We went into it on the back of a home defeat to Southend and a poor draw at Ebbsfleet. In the same way that the team has improved and developed, the same has to happen to attendances, but it is never going to be an exact science due to folks' circumstances.
I agree, though, I would hope we could be on for 3,000 on Wednesday, but I think that as the total crowd is the most realistic figure. |
It might affect Halifax 'parking the bus' 😆 | |
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| Midweek attendances on 09:59 - Sep 28 with 1671 views | Dale_4_Life |
It will be interesting to see how many we attract for what is our local Derby this season.
2200 v Solihull Moors. It would be encouraging to bring in over 2500 Dale fans for this one. | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 20:55 - Sep 28 with 1309 views | _Windydale |
| Midweek attendances on 09:59 - Sep 28 by Dale_4_Life |
It will be interesting to see how many we attract for what is our local Derby this season.
2200 v Solihull Moors. It would be encouraging to bring in over 2500 Dale fans for this one. |
There are more options to watch/listen to the games nowadays on the TV/laptop if it's a cold, dank Tuesday night, instead of attending....For those who finish later at work, have kids, or can't be bothered, there's the TV, internet option. Affecting attendances. | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 21:19 - Sep 28 with 1252 views | Dalenet |
| Midweek attendances on 20:55 - Sep 28 by _Windydale |
There are more options to watch/listen to the games nowadays on the TV/laptop if it's a cold, dank Tuesday night, instead of attending....For those who finish later at work, have kids, or can't be bothered, there's the TV, internet option. Affecting attendances. |
Thankfully the game is on Wednesday night. | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 21:31 - Sep 28 with 1214 views | D_Alien |
I don't think there's enough weight being given to the impact of last season's two huge failures on potential fans
It was so very much a case of "same old Rochdale" that many of those non-regulars who attended will perhaps be waiting to see how things progress further, after what's obviously a great start
The non-regulars will be unlikely to follow the minutiae of just how we've improved, and simply look at our league results: so, i'm expecting 3000 in total on Wednesday, and if we win with another good performance, that might just start to tip the scales in favour of taking a chance again [Post edited 28 Sep 21:32]
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| Midweek attendances on 21:40 - Sep 28 with 1190 views | TVOS1907 |
| Midweek attendances on 21:19 - Sep 28 by Dalenet |
Thankfully the game is on Wednesday night. |
I don't think he was specifically referring to this week's game. | |
| A wise man would be able to self-analyse and perhaps understand. |
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| Midweek attendances on 21:58 - Sep 28 with 1145 views | 442Dale |
| Midweek attendances on 21:31 - Sep 28 by D_Alien |
I don't think there's enough weight being given to the impact of last season's two huge failures on potential fans
It was so very much a case of "same old Rochdale" that many of those non-regulars who attended will perhaps be waiting to see how things progress further, after what's obviously a great start
The non-regulars will be unlikely to follow the minutiae of just how we've improved, and simply look at our league results: so, i'm expecting 3000 in total on Wednesday, and if we win with another good performance, that might just start to tip the scales in favour of taking a chance again [Post edited 28 Sep 21:32]
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But as noted with that Walsall attendance when we were flying in L1 after years of success under Hill, fans don’t really turn up in great numbers for midweek games as a rule.
We’ve maintained our core fanbase since being relegated, the home form has been good and getting better. TVOS mentions above that home crowds are up this season, the highest since Covid. That’s despite the disappointment of losing to Spennymoor and Southend.
Whilst we’ve lost those two big games, without doing some proper analysis we have still not worked out why we can’t retain fans prepared to turn out for matches like that.
If we win/lose/draw on Wednesday, you’d hope that all those there would see that it’s a team well worth backing and that the odd bad performance and result will be part and parcel of what we all hope is a successful season.
The same applied with retaining the fans who turn out for the bigger games various times down the years from Spurs back to Darlo in the playoffs - games we did well in. Opportunities were consistently missed.
That’s why the CAB can make a real difference now. [Post edited 28 Sep 22:17]
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| Midweek attendances on 22:36 - Sep 28 with 1064 views | _Windydale |
If the younger groups are targeted, I think it's a faster way of increasing attendance. Cost is a big factor - a cheaper entry for them. The buzz and lure of the U block energy and going mental. The songs. Rochdale, even being lower league, I'm sure, is possibly becoming fashionable to the younger sections in the town. A few hundred more of them in, and it makes a difference. | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 06:42 - Sep 29 with 801 views | Dale_4_Life |
Some interesting points in this thread, one the club will monitor i am sure.
U Block is doing really well. I was a little nervous but so far so good.. Loud, supportive and well behaved. If they could grow by another 50% whilst continuing the good work this would only enhance the match day experience.
We all probably know one or two lapsed, occasional Dale supporter so to keep reminding them that they should give it another shot is worthwhile.
Six league wins on the spin and the opportunity to make that 7 on Wednesday against Halifax is probably as attractive as this half of the season gets.
Up The Dale. | | | |
| Midweek attendances on 13:15 - Sep 29 with 560 views | James1980 |
Haven't been able to make many games this season. But could be adding to the tally on Wednesday night. How likely is it the game will be on? | |
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| Midweek attendances on 13:38 - Sep 29 with 512 views | Dale_4_Life |
| Midweek attendances on 13:15 - Sep 29 by James1980 |
Haven't been able to make many games this season. But could be adding to the tally on Wednesday night. How likely is it the game will be on? |
If its off James we are in HUGE trouble.
Monday and Tuesday glorious sunshine.
Wednesday is match day and 8 hours worth of rain forecast 9am-5pm.
It is forecasted "light" and with basic precautions taken it will be game on. | | | |
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