Crowds - The thread of Australian whining

4604 replies · 379,731 views

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Rosco wrote:

I'm not sure that social media is the quick answer to increasing crowds. Mainly because you have to opt in to receive messages eg if you don't "like" Wellington Phoenix on Facebook you won't receive any messages from them. So chances are that anyone reading about the Phoenix on social media is already going to the game.

Also, the issues organisations like the Phoenix face regarding low crowds are generally based around the alternative, ie sitting at home on the couch sheltered from the elements and just a short walk to the beer fridge. Also watching sport on TV is generally accepted better way of seeing the game as opposed to being in a stadium.

The key, for me, is to convince those people watching the game on TV to get off their butts and get to the stadium. The only way to do this is to promote the benefits of leaving their lounges and going to the stadium. Marketing campaigns based around crowd atmosphere would be one good way of doing this. Whether its done by Welnix or Fever probably doesn't matter, but I think its crucial to build on the Phoenix's competitive advantage in that the atmosphere prior to, and during the live games is second to none.

For Rugby maybe, I would never accept that for football. Going to the game is far superior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Steve-O wrote:

Rosco wrote:

Depends on how much of an obstacle price is currently. $25, I'd suggest, is already on the lower end of the scale for sports events.

Ends up at $30 odds with Ticketek fees etc.$5 for an Ezyticket to print yourself with Ticketek, and yet the same thing is free with Ticketmaster. Joke of a company.

Not as much as TicketDirect though. They really are comical. You don't know how good you have it (season ticket debacle excepted) until you've tried TD.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

$5 for an ezyticket is f**king ridiculous

Allegedly

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I agree but TD is $1.50 per ticket. Buy 4+ and you are stung on a dose-response curve. I'm almost always buying a few tickets so have never been too troubled by Ticketek fee (though I still consider it steep). It's seriously bad for 1 ticket though.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Pre-match haka by the boys would surely bring in an extra few hundred.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Never fear, the Auckland attendance will raise the season average

Auckland will rise once more

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

AucklandPhoenix wrote:

Never fear, the Auckland attendance will raise the season average

Best do!

Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

At the risk of being a negative pr!ck, like the ones I rail against, I am a bit concerned with what could be Wgtn apathy. 5k (on a Friday night - not ideal) and now 6k (on a Sunday in good weather and time slot).

Probably a bit to soon to be angsting and venting but our next home games are:

Sat 10 Dec, 5 pm - Glory
Fri 23 Dec, 7:30 pm - Jests
Wed 4 Dec, 3 pm - Bling (again)
Sun 8 Jan, 4 pm - Glory (again)

All of these should be favourable for a good crowd (apart from weather on the day).

How do we help ensure that we can get over 10k consistently?

(or should we?)

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Junior82 wrote:

How do we help ensure that we can get over 10k consistently?

(or should we?)

Keeping winning.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Everton FC wrote:

Junior82 wrote:

How do we help ensure that we can get over 10k consistently?

(or should we?)

Keeping winning.

Fair enough. But apart from sacking Ricki and Tim Brown, and then hiring Clapham and Krishna, appointing Danny Hay Director of Football and Miles Davis as the backroom tactician...

..what can we do to encourage crowds?

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

you could give all the guys a free handjob? and the girls...just let them bitch about the skanky girl at work.

I like tautologies because I like them.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Cosimo wrote:

you could give all the guys a free handjob?

Didn't we do "Stand Up for the Phoenix" a couple of season's ago?

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Junior82 wrote:

Maybe if they actually did some decent promotion of the games instead of seemingly relying on those of us already converted to do it for them.

When they back up Sundays result with another of the same hopefully that might pull some in.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I am back for the Jets game, so that should bring in a few hundred more.

Or make a few hundred stay away.

It could go either way actually.

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Saw a lot of posters for the "Nix Six" tix around town last week but not a single one for the sydney game. I'm sure last season there were more posters for individual games up around the place, but I might be wrong

having said that, I wonder how much attention people pay to posters. I suggest skanky promo girls handing out flyers as a possible approach

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Junior82 wrote:

How do we help ensure that we can get over 10k consistently?

(or should we?)

Subsidize my flights, it proves quite expensive flying down from Hamilton. That will bring one more anyway, which probably wont help out all that much.

On a serious note, maybe more grabone deals or deals with other daily deal website. Lots of people use those sites these days.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I haven't seen any adshell posters this season.

not sure how effective they are anyway, but...

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

zonknz wrote:

I haven't seen any adshell posters this season.

not sure how effective they are anyway, but...

I have no marketing qualifications. I also don't know if this happened or not. But I never heard about any "Phoenix rise from the ashes again" promotional campaign after Welnix took over.

Seems logical to me that it would have been a good time to spend a little money to reassure the public that the Phoenix are "back and here to stay" and tied in with the Dom Post free kids promo could have surely provided some momentum to kick start the club?

Maybe not.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Ive seen crap loads of the paper posters plastered around town. I pay more attention to them than most bus stop ads.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Has been plenty of radio adds recently featuring Siggy and Leo

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Lets just hope that the Mag 7 have some imaginative ideas up their collective sleeves for next season ,new era, new team, a complete freshen up with original and inventive ideas (I'm sure some Fever input wouldn't go amiss either)

It's an extremley competitive entertainment market out there particularly given the economic state of things just now,chasing the limited disposable dollars in peoples pockets is not going to be easy ,the product has to be good and priced fairly.

I'm confident that Morgan and co will be working hard behind the scenes on their five year plan for the club but like the player purchasing situation I don't think they are going to be rushed into throwing good money after bad.

I'm hoping for great things at the Phoenix over the next few years ,good football will get even the faddiest arse into a yellow plastic seat ,lets face it when it comes to sport in Wellington what else is there ?the Lions /Hurricanes are in such a state of disarray that even the most ardent rugby fans are turning their backs on them.

The answer to life's problems are rarely found at the bottom of a beer glass - but it's always worth a look.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Junior82 wrote:

You are having a laugh. These earlier times are the reason the people I go with didnt renew their season tickets, and that Ive missed so many games myself this season. It totally rules out most the people that play a summer sport.

A dog with a bone :)

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Why would you play a sport in summer (unless you are in TW)?

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Junior82 wrote:

Why would you play a sport in summer (unless you are in TW)?

And if that was the attitude of the club than they are deserving of the crowds they are getting.

I could could have also added that those times are not good for the 1,000's that work in retail and its also not really ideal for most with children because they are going to want there dinner during game time.

4pm and 5pm kickoffs are just a dumb time to get a regular crowd.

A dog with a bone :)

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Any time is not going to suit everyone.

I for one love the late afternoon games, especially for making it easier to take the kids. Far easier to give them Fish and Chips and bottle of Lemonade at the Game than have to contend with a grumpy 7 and 9 year old getting home at 10pm.

There is also nothing like watching football when it is actually warm with a bit of sun on your face also.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Junior82 wrote:

Why would you play a sport in summer (unless you are in TW)?

To stay fit for football.

Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Junior82 wrote:

Why would you play a sport in summer (unless you are in TW)?

Because, if you are a yachtie, summer is the best time for yacht racing?

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

Phoenix fans. We have to win them over one fan at a time.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

nightz wrote:

a true fan of football would never make such excuses

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

AJ13 wrote:

nightz wrote:

a true fan of football would never make such excuses

Its not football, its a business. A successful business understands its clients. If they keep getting cowds of 6,000 you wont have any professional football to watch.

A dog with a bone :)

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

They just have to keep winning. No-one outside the Phoenix 5,000 core is gonna come to watch them lose, or watch a side that's near last on the table.

Just like crowds dwindled for Hurricanes and the Lions - this town wants to follow a winner. They're sick of mediocrity.

No need for panic. We're playing well, good players are coming back in from injury, and everyone is giving it heaps on the field. The crowds will be back. Think they could even win this weekend.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

nightz wrote:

AJ13 wrote:

nightz wrote:

a true fan of football would never make such excuses

Its not football, its a business. A successful business understands its clients. If they keep getting cowds of 6,000 you wont have any professional football to watch.

Perhaps they do know their clients, and it turns out its tough sh*t for you.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

2ndBest wrote:

nightz wrote:

AJ13 wrote:

nightz wrote:

a true fan of football would never make such excuses

Its not football, its a business. A successful business understands its clients. If they keep getting cowds of 6,000 you wont have any professional football to watch.

Perhaps they do know their clients, and it turns out its tough sh*t for you.

+1 As I said earlier not all times will suit everyone

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

2ndBest wrote:

nightz wrote:

AJ13 wrote:

nightz wrote:

a true fan of football would never make such excuses

Its not football, its a business. A successful business understands its clients. If they keep getting cowds of 6,000 you wont have any professional football to watch.

Perhaps they do know their clients, and it turns out its tough sh*t for you.

So it's tough sh*t for me but not you if they cease to exist????

Frankly I couldnt give a damm if I misss every game if that means they would get great crowds every home game and dont go bust.

All have have done is point out some facts as to why about a dozen guys didnt renew their season memberships. Idoits posting that when they start winning the crowds will come back dosent address the issue of why people dont renew their memberships when the team hadnt even lost a game.

Bury your heads in the sand and the Nix will end up like another franchise, the knights, that didnt listen to their fan base.

A dog with a bone :)

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I remember filling out a member survey at the end of last season. Not sure if they've taken note of the results.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

nightz wrote:

2ndBest wrote:

nightz wrote:

AJ13 wrote:

nightz wrote:

a true fan of football would never make such excuses

Its not football, its a business. A successful business understands its clients. If they keep getting cowds of 6,000 you wont have any professional football to watch.

Perhaps they do know their clients, and it turns out its tough sh*t for you.

So it's tough sh*t for me but not you if theyï¿½cease to exist????

ï¿½

Frankly I couldnt give a damm if I misss every game if that means they wouldï¿½get great crowds every home game and dont go bust.

ï¿½

Bury your heads in the sand and the Nix will end up like another franchise, the knights, that didnt listen to their fan base.

I don't think it is the time of the games. I mean on a Friday night we could only get 5,000. I would think that Sunday afternoon would be the best time to get crowds. The weather is often sunny and it is good for families.

The low crowds should be put down to apathy, I think. People are now used to having a Wellington soccer team and take it for granted. If crowds continue to drop even further then I doubt the Phoenix can survive long term. I think we have a disappointing culture for attending sporting events, overall. The Warriors and all the rugby teams get disappointing crowds too.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

warriors and breakers seem to be happy with their crowds.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

George Kostanza wrote:

warriors and breakers seem to be happy with their crowds.

An average of 14,000 is poor, IMO. The NRL gets heaps of promotion and is the best rugby league competition, Auckland is a massive city and league is big in south Auckland. I don't think their crowds are any better than ours. They do help them balance the books though.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Friday Night - 14 games, 9356 average
Sat Afternoon - 1 game, 9713 average
Sat Night - 8 games, 7616 average
Sun Afternoon - 24 games, 8407 average
Midweek - 4 games, 5960 average

Those are the average crowds for each time slots for games, the average for Friday's is a bit skewed by the 18k and 14k crowds in our first season.

I don't think the time of the games is the major issue, weather and how the team is playing are bigger issues.

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

What is all this talk of earlier kick offs? Does half an hour from 5pm to 4:30pm really make THAT much difference?

Personally I'd give up playing the sport rather than watching! But then that's why I need to get to the gym sometime soon...

I also prefer Friday and Saturday night games but the people with kids don't seem to like this slot, even though it's the weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone

over 14 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Steve-O wrote:

I also prefer Friday and Saturday night games but the people with kids don't seem to like this slot, even though it's the weekend.

You'd think that Fri/Sat night games would bring the crowds in, but it doesn't seem to be the case, plus those that do are a bit less in the way of fans and more of the inebriated lads who just want to swear all night without much understanding of the game.

Shame really because it's possible to have both and be enjoyable.

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.

Genuine opinion: FTFFA