Crowds - The thread of Australian whining

HN can mock Aucklanders who dread driving all the way to Albania to watch football, but let's face it, there's a reason that the Nix games are at nice, central, easy-to-get-to-by-train-or-bus Eden Park.

I really must remember not to feed the troll. 

This is a very interesting (and a bit scary) read:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9673284/The-business-of-playing-ball-in-the-A-League

Welnix have to get a better deal on using Westpac Stadium.

The idea (mentioned a couple of pages back) of doing a combined season ticket deal with the hurricanes is a good one imo. A full season pass wouldn't work but I think it would be great to do a deal where nix season ticket holders get one or two free tickets to any hurricanes game and vice versa. Wouldn't be attractive for everyone but could be a relatively simple way to get a few casual punters through the gates.

Crowd average after nine rounds 8, 742 ... ie 76, 682 total

Analysis

Wellington

Outside Wellington

One offs will always get more.

But the Welly crowds need to start getting bigger. The team is winning and making a real push for the play offs and are passing it around really well.

Lets see if there is a bit of a surge and go from there.

I wonder what the crowds would be like if we had this form going into the start of the year?

It's an interesting question. We traditionally start seasons very poorly, so it would be interesting to see if a good start would improve crowds throughout the year (not to 10k+ but by 1000 or so)

Never got the driving argument tbh. Driving is fun and usually relaxing. You can get stuck in traffic, but that could be the case with public transport too where bus lanes aren't present.

If I remember correctly, we started the 10/11 season with a 10k crowd in atrocious conditions after our 09/10 finals run so it certainly can be done. Need some good press and advertising to go with our good results!

Sorry, that was a 9k crowd but not bad considering it was played in a torrential downpour.

First games of the season always get bigger crowds for some reason though. 

You can't drink and drive. You can drink and catch the train.

NZ Knights first home game* at North Harbour (v Sydney) got 9,827. They never got near that again (not helped by never winning a home game all season! - Goodnight Knights.

*It was a great night

So 18,000 turned up in Auckland for a one-off Phoenix game and the team obliged with good attacking football and a win. Already quick fire pundits like Danny Hay are calling for an Auckland A League franchise. Please no, it would kill ACFC and the ASBP.

I'm happy for the Nix to come to Auckland once or twice a season to boost their crowd average. But believe me crowds would not average that over a season. Please encourage Wellington's football fans to turn out in decent numbers (10,000+) a game to support the Phoenix and dissuade Morgan from investing in an Auckland A League franchise. We're happy to watch you guys from afar while supporting Auckland City FC in the ASBP and O League.

I know an Auckland A League team is probably inevitable but can we please have the ASBP for another five years before the media gorilla turns up.

It's okay.  They wouldn't last for long anyway Wayward.

Well I'm not so sure Captain Mainwaring, that's what worries me.

And I thought $8 for a beer at Eden Park was expensive.

Super bowl

That's US as well right? Stuff that.

Biggest crowd in the A-League for Round 17. FFA take note.

if only Auckland could do that week in week out when they had a team, actually having said that if Auckland had a team performing like the nix (consistently) it would be interesting to see what the crowds looked like.

^ A winning team would get crowds anywhere. A losing team will struggle. Here endeth the lesson.

From Ernie himself

"He said he was not disappointed by the Wellington crowds, and compared it to his first season at Melbourne Victory in 2005-06.

"I think our average was about 9000 but with success came crowds. The next year the average was about 25,000 and the first grand final we sold out, 55,000. So when you have success and exciting players to come and watch, it can all change. I've been very impressed with the Westpac crowds and the way they've cheered on the boys, whether they're winning or losing."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9678475/Costa-Rican-razzle-dazzle-a-Merrick-masterstroke/

wellington will get a crowd of 20,000 in the next few seasons,

 probably when there is a one off game in wellington and all the rest will be home away games.

Really do have to wonder about Gareth and his mouth sometimes.If what is quoted in this morning paper is correct.So on the back of a crap season where your team finished with the wooden spoon and then a shitty start to the new season and despite some good recent results your team is still closer to the bottom than the top.You are disappointed with crowds and reckon more games could go away if people donrt start turning up.So before you have even managed to get some extra punters through the gates you put them off by saying there may be more away home games.Great tactic.

Also just dont understand how for supposed clever business men they seem to think a team in the A league is going to make money.There are better teams owned by more successful business men which dont make money.Did they not check things out before taking over and note how teams in this league struggle to break even.

Just a better update from last week...

Just on the crowd averages if you consider populations and percentages of populations Syd, Mel & Bris are very close in support numbers…

Interesting thread. How about we just get in behind the Nix so they can complete this renaissance - 8th could became 5th, after which 3rd couldn't be ruled out. When that happens -  you bet you'll get 10k crowds for the remainder of the season, and start of next with a good playoff run here. Why would any of the floaters want to watch home games where we can't even win a game. Same reason Super rugby fans are turning off the Hurricanes - because they don't believe in them anymore. Now the Nix have succeeded in getting the floaters attention again - no mean feat - couple more wins - and this Wn crowd debate will be out the window. Right now - we're 8th !!