Cod Almighty | Postbag

Who shall demythologise the demythologisers?

18 May 2009

Pete Green's fine article on the myths of the season just past has already provoked some interesting reaction. Read on for some more thoughts on the relationship between cut prices and crowds, and then write in with your contribution to the debate, on this and other themes.

Boost to attendances was no myth

I thought overall it was great to see a balanced view being given on the 5 topics covered in the myths article.

However, in the interests of balance (well pedantry actually) I have to disagree with you on myth number 4 (lower ticket prices mean bigger crowds).

Firstly, to be truly myth-busting you need some science, whilst all you have is an opinion. Just like the opposite view is just an opinion. I happen to believe the so-called myth. Short of in-depth market research I don't suppose we'll know the truth.

Secondly, a confession. I was one of those weak willed people who decided I had better things to do with my time and money last winter. Time was when I would plan visits to see my family around the fixture list. Everyone would know Town were playing at home if I showed up anywhere near the DN35 postcode area. Partly due to having more responsibilities (i.e. more kids) and partly having less spare cash (see "responsibilities") and a more complicated life, and partly due to being fed up with appalling football at £16-18 a pop, I couldn't be arsed to set off early enough to get to Clps in time for the Bury fixture in Feb. If it'd been £10 I would have gone. I had consciously decided that it wasn't worth it, spending £18 to get myself pissed off.

Move forward to Easter and my next trip up and it was £10 to get me AND my son in to the game. Result, attendance a no brainer. Despite a mediocre performance and a defeat it felt like money well spent.

Surely I'm not the only one to act like this. Demand for Town tickets cannot be that inelastic that a change in price doesn't affect ticket sales.

I agree the campaign to pull together probably had an effect, but the offers gave more people the opportunity to do just that.

Hopefully the Bradford experience and all the other clubs in trouble financially, coupled with a wage cost cap, will bring some reality to wage structures and make the whole game more affordable.

Right, I'm off to see my second final of the season. Come on you Beavers!

from Chris Parrott

Community care

When Lawrie Mc was manager he regularly took the players out into the community so they could meet supporters and potential supporters. Is it just coincidence that there was a great playing side and support was, as I recall, (comparatively) high?

As a hard up student I never had any problems paying, which suggests that a compromise over prices and season tickets needs to be considering. OK, Bradford's scheme for season ticket prices for 2008/09 didn't work financially for them, although Town's cut price offers towards the end of the season did, producing relatively good crowds.

Reduce season ticket prices by 15% for next season - it will certainly help the club's cash flow, and will make us season ticket holders more willing to come back and less unhappy with the £10 per game tickets that were available for 36p. It might even increase the number of season ticket holders!? (Although that might happen anyway now that happy bunny Newey has finally been shown the door [to the building] - a Nigel Atkins phrase if you listen to Humberside).

from Phil Shorter

More on myths

Well written, and very valid throughout - nice to read such good sense about my beloved Town and our more than capable manager Mike Newell. I agree with all your points and hope enough of the so called supporters who are quick to boo our own players(A crime punishible by being made to watch Boston United every week) and criticise Mike's loan signings and tactics will read the article and take it on board. Well done.

from Peter Salsbury

Letters Ed responds: Flattery will always get you published (as will intelligent criticism. In fact, the postbag is usually pretty desperate for any copy at all).

Footballing trade unionists

Hi, Your recent postbag posting on Tommy McKenna asks about trade union or political activity by footballers. As such, I thought I'd point you in the direction of Tom Burlison. Here's a tribute.

from Simon Shaw

Letters Ed responds: Any more, anyone?

The semi-antic web

York fan with a soft spot for Grimsby here. I think I've just come across the single most disturbing post in the history of web forums.

Anyway, in reply to a suggestion we try to re-sign Bazza Conlon in the summer. Our forum's a pain to register for so I'll just post the code here, let you copy/paste in phpBB and wonder what, exactly, those guys at CERN envisaged when they perfected the Web...

"I have a semi-naked inebriated picture of Barry Conlon from a couple of years ago when my (female) mate met him out in Leeds. She rang me and said who he was at which point he proceeded to talk to me on the phone for about 15 minutes about how sh*t Chris Clarke was, if not in a slightly/very racist way. I think it's time to shame Barry."

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a120/yorkshireandproud/IMG_3779.jpg

from James Waterson

Letters Ed responds: The postbag hasn't actually succeeded in opening the photo, so if anyone does, let us know if it affects the desirability of signing him.

Desperately seeking T-shirts

I was lucky enough to receive a "Whittle splitting Shearer's lip immortalised forever" T-shirt from my gorgeous girlfiend on may First, a surprise birthday present. Sneakily provided by your good selves at CA.

I wore it with pride on May Second for the last, but not most exciting game of the season in a defiant "i love the town" statement. Its wicked. Now I want a blue Ivano one, I want one, I want one, I want one in large! Start selling them again. now.

cheers

from Kevikov

Letters Ed responds: There may be exciting news from the CA T-shirt department soon. Ideas are being exchanged. Brows are being furrowed. Envelopes are being scribbled on. Cups of tea are being made.

From the county that brought you Sir Isaac Newton

I was born in the Croft Baker Maternity Home in Cleethorpes in 1964 with my twin sister. It belonged to my relatives before it became a maternity home. My family on the Grant side were probably one of the first settlers in Cleethorpes.

If you were born in Cleethorpes you are called a Meggie; or if you have social class issues with Cleethorpes you could say you're a Lincolnshire Yellow Belly!!! Forget what other people think about you I know it hurts sometimes but remember they are really thick if they think it matters. I was born in Cleethorpes and if anybody has a problem with that they are not worth bothering about. I haven't lived in Lincolnshire for a very long time but it remains in my heart.

from Joanna Gardner

Letters Ed responds: Although we also brought you Margaret Thatcher.

Please continue to write with your further thoughts on all things Cod Almighty, Mariners and Lincolnshire.