2013 Attendances

[White Horse]

This bar rumour is absolute rubbish. And the worried fans thing is also bull.

Crowds will pick up, but dont forget drogs finished second last year on similarly small gate incomes. I'd be more worried about what other clubs are achieving, or more importantly not achieving , with much larger incomes!

That's rumours for you. Glad to hear it is a dud.

As for worried fans, perhaps they are lying to me?

I know many Drogheda fans, real ones who go home and away and have followed the club for years, and this is what they say to me.

I'm a Dundalk fan but also a LOI fan. I want Drogheda to do well (just not as well as us).

We buried our heads in the sand and nearly self-destructed last season. Drogheda, with it's recent history, should be mindful of finances.

As Oriel said, the great achievement in getting to the Setanta Cup Final may entice some of the less committed fans back.

[MiniMourinho]

That's rumours for you. Glad to hear it is a dud.

As for worried fans, perhaps they are lying to me?

I know many Drogheda fans, real ones who go home and away and have followed the club for years, and this is what they say to me.

I'm a Dundalk fan but also a LOI fan. I want Drogheda to do well (just not as well as us).

We buried our heads in the sand and nearly self-destructed last season. Drogheda, with it's recent history, should be mindful of finances.

As Oriel said, the great achievement in getting to the Setanta Cup Final may entice some of the less committed fans back.

Fair enough. The bar thing is completely made up. Yes crowds are low. Hopefully they'll pick up. But don't be under any illusion that the drogs have anything other than a still small budget. I know the players we signed are quality but financially they didn't lose the run of themselves. The club is responsibly managed these days.

We've another final to look forward to and then Europe. If that can't get the bandwagon going....what will!!?

[Sean South]

If that can't get the bandwagon going....what will!!?

A friendly with Liverpools under 19s.

[Macy]

The blame can't lie with the FAI on this one. Longford have to be doing the promoting themselves firstly.
Can't lie totally with the FAI, no, but they share the blame. The club are doing what they can, as per Longfordians post. What are the FAI doing? The FAI are more interested going around opening all weather pitches in villages promoting themselves, than promoting the league for which they are responsible for.

[Martinho II]

exactly macy. A few yrs ago they used to run the fans forums but that went by the wayside after a year or two!!

[oriel]

.

We've another final to look forward to and then Europe. If that can't get the bandwagon going....what will!!?

But both of these games will be outside of Drogs, Setanta Final most likely in Tallaght (and live on TV), and the European game in either Dalymount or Oriel Pk. If its hard to attract fans at home, it will be very challenging to transport them to these games. I think its the poor facilities and €15 in thats the core issue here for Drogs games. Pity really

[NeverFeltBetter]

I've never been to Drogheda for a match, but is it really as bad as people say it is? Like, in comparison to somewhere like Jackman Park for example?

[bluemovie]

Bit of a kip, but MILES better than Jackman Park

[brendy_éire]

I've never been to Drogheda for a match, but is it really as bad as people say it is? Like, in comparison to somewhere like Jackman Park for example?

Overall, Jackman is definitely worse. Though as an away fan, you have a better view in Jackman.
Drogheda is a truly horrible ground for an away fan (and I suspect for a home fan as well).

[Dodge]

I don't mind Drogheda. it's better (for away fans) than Derry (view alone), Dundalk and Tolka

[Macy]

Drogheda is a truly horrible ground for an away fan (and I suspect for a home fan as well).
That terrace is great for atmosphere.

[dejadem]

Drogheda is a truly horrible ground for an away fan (and I suspect for a home fan as well).

Terrible view from the away terrace alright, but been so close to the pitch there is a great view and atmosphere from the middle of the home terrace.

[Mr A]

Always liked United Park immensely. Has a bit of character and atmosphere about it.

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't see a huge problem with United Park to be honest. Been a few years since I was there obviously, but there are some much, much worse away spots in the League than Drogs.

[oriel]

The away terrace in Drogs may be a good atmosphere for big away support, but the wide terracing is pure dangerous, possibly the biggest drop I have ever seen in a ground. Plus there is no access for hot food, and its overpriced at €15, especially as there are very few seating free for the away fan. Granted we dont offer a roof, but its safe enough, access to hot food (well.....) and to be fair a tenner is a very decent price, then again the view is not brilliant for the far corner.

Also for a fiver extra there are always over 100-150 seats free for away fans in the stand in Oriel Park for most games with a decent view, and they get access to the bars also (for shandys only mind)

[MiniMourinho]

There is hot food. :-)

[oriel]

Ok fair enough, but what a shame that bar is no longer open. Used to love watching the second half from there 10 years ago or so.

[Bawnville Hoop]

I don't see a huge problem with United Park to be honest. Been a few years since I was there obviously, but there are some much, much worse away spots in the League than Drogs.

But much better too. No disrespect but as Michael O'Neill once said it's like something you see in a third world country. Looking forward to their new stadium

[Dodge]

But much better too. No disrespect but as Michael O'Neill once said it's like something you see in a third world country. Looking forward to their new stadium

Michael O'Neill hasn't stood on a terrace in 30 odd years, so his opinion is completely invalid. Kinda like that areshole commentators who don't pay into football saying "worth the price of admission alone"

[White Horse]

I don't see a huge problem with United Park to be honest. Been a few years since I was there obviously, but there are some much, much worse away spots in the League than Drogs.

Not a bad spot for a game. It's not perfect but what ground is?

I'm not one for bitching about conditions.

The problem is not the away fans. It is the number of home ones.

Has any club increased attendances during the year recently? In my experience they generally fall away.

[Charlie Darwin]

Michael O'Neill hasn't stood on a terrace in 30 odd years, so his opinion is completely invalid. Kinda like that areshole commentators who don't pay into football saying "worth the price of admission alone"
Leave Felix Healy alone.

[luiz]

There's hot food in the United Park, but not in every match. I've been there twice this year and none of them had. As someone born in a third world country I say that Michael O'Neill doesn't know **** of what he's saying.

[Acornvilla]

I'd say everyone at the club would be delighted if we could have an average gate of 500 for the season considering just how bad its gotten, especially over the last 4 or so years.
I've noticed a lot of people who never had an interest before asking and talking about the club now thou which is a good sign, we just need to get them out to a game or two now :)

[Straightstory]

As a Drogs fan for many years, I'm hugely disappointed at our attendances. Very disheartening and dispiriting. And they played some really nice stuff against UCD. A league game against a bigger team like Shamrock Rovers or Sligo would be truer test of the drop off of support -(UCD are bottom of the league and brought about ten fans). I especially feel for the people at the club who work so hard to keep things going.

[MiniMourinho]

Drogs did last year.

[bullit]

tv coverage kills the attendance: 1,189 here @ OP bout 20 from cork

[MiniMourinho]

1189. Holy cow the crowd in Dundalk is losing bandwagonners by the second. That's 55% down on season start! Tv or no tv.

[bullit]

1189. Holy cow the crowd in Dundalk is losing bandwagonners by the second. That's 55% down on season start! Tv or no tv.
No panic lad ;) good maths though,well done.

[oriel]

Disappointing attendance but it should be back up to normal v shels in 2 weeks. We would expect that to be between 1.5-2k.

Tv may be non financially attractive for clubs, but I do think its still worth it for exposure, but in saying that I'd be pleased to see no more home live TV games for us until the latter part of the season.

Obviously a lot of fans took the home/pub option tonight, and that's their choice.

Still a good nights work for the club.

[Finlay Harp]

508 in Finn Park to watch the worst match in recent times!

[Dalymountrower]

1006 at Dalymount ( 1,000 fans and 6 lawyers)

[poster]

Did Cork bring just the five fans to Oriel or were there more in the main stand? Surely Cork to Dundalk isn't a mammoth trip if you go through Dublin..?

[MariborKev]

Disappointing attendance but it should be back up to normal v shels in 2 weeks. We would expect that to be between 1.5-2k.

Tv may be non financially attractive for clubs, but I do think its still worth it for exposure, but in saying that I'd be pleased to see no more home live TV games for us until the latter part of the season.

Is it really though? With the greatest respect, it's 2013, how are the clubs assessing and leveraging that exposure? How many clubs have a clue as to the media value of what that exposure would be, and how they should feed that back in to selling the club. I'd predict none.

If we are comparing to the "facilitation fee" of €5k that used to be paid to clubs, are the clubs suitably set up in order to generate an additional €5k+ from sponsors and other from this enhanced exposure in order to offset the fall in receipts.

It isn't just a LOI concept/issue either, I've heard L1 and L2 clubs with the same issues. However, they do seems to have more proactive approaches.

[Guinney]

Did Cork bring just the five fans to Oriel or were there more in the main stand? Surely Cork to Dundalk isn't a mammoth trip if you go through Dublin..?

There was about 15 Cork fans in the stand. Long journey so far play to the lads who travelled, but the fact it was on TV had a major bearing on the amount who travelled.

[nigel-harps1954]

508 in Finn Park to watch the worst match in recent times!

587 on Extratime.ie. Was 508 announced?

[patrickccfc]

1,582 at thomond

[bullit]

2329 Sligo Showgrounds att.

[citybone]

There was about 15 Cork fans in the stand. Long journey so far play to the lads who travelled, but the fact it was on TV had a major bearing on the amount who travelled.
Maybe 4 hours on a bus and depending on numbers €20-€30 return + ticket, also our results have ****ed off fans, conceding lade on most games is really frustrating.

[MariborKev]

2329* in the Showgrounds

*Figure includes all season ticket holders and rampaging hoardes, but may not include barbarians or pillagers.

[oriel]

I'm sure it applies to most but live on TV seems to reduce crowds for most club unless a game is a final etc. Last night if this was not on TV, we would have expected around 1,600 so 400 or so deciced not to go as it was on tv.

If all went to the ground, thats a min loss of 4k, plus what each person would have possibly spent in the bars, shop, food, programme etc, maybe 5k, thats a fair loss of revenue to be hoinest for any club.

So whats the solution? Take the hit as a once off and hope next (if selected) tv game is away? Or, unless its a once off for the home team, is there really any benefit unless rte start to compensate the clubs?

I can't see it happening anytime soon, but I think they should be paying the clubs at least 5k per game, (why not) that would seem a fair trade to me for game, but ofcourse this is all wrapped up in the rte/fai deal, that suits only one thing, and one only, the International side.

[NeverFeltBetter]

1,582 in Limerick.

If Munster hadn't been playing right beforehand, I think this would have been much higher. Almost glad of it though, since it wasn't exactly attractive stuff on offer.

[bullit]

Is it really though? With the greatest respect, it's 2013, how are the clubs assessing and leveraging that exposure? How many clubs have a clue as to the media value of what that exposure would be, and how they should feed that back in to selling the club. I'd predict none.

If we are comparing to the "facilitation fee" of €5k that used to be paid to clubs, are the clubs suitably set up in order to generate an additional €5k+ from sponsors and other from this enhanced exposure in order to offset the fall in receipts.

It isn't just a LOI concept/issue either, I've heard L1 and L2 clubs with the same issues. However, they do seems to have more proactive approaches.#
Ata loss to understand thon ^^^
Dude,it's 10 euro into a Dundalk match.How pro active do you wont us to be.Let everyone in for nothing? (about 9 quid gbSTG pounds) Tell us oh great mind how you would selll that match to feckers who will watch it on for free on TV?

[fionnsci]

#
Ata loss to understand thon ^^^
Dude,it's 10 euro into a Dundalk match.How pro active do you wont us to be.Let everyone in for nothing? (about 9 quid gbSTG pounds) Tell us oh great mind how you would selll that match to feckers who will watch it on for free on TV?

Late night by any chance?

[bullit]

Late night by any chance?
No,why?

[bullit]

Late night by any chance?

One shot Fionnsci,slabberer pats fan.

[Spudulika]

#
Ata loss to understand thon ^^^
Dude,it's 10 euro into a Dundalk match.How pro active do you wont us to be.Let everyone in for nothing? (about 9 quid gbSTG pounds) Tell us oh great mind how you would selll that match to feckers who will watch it on for free on TV?

Bullit, if you were less rude you might be able to elicit a proper answer. TV coverage shouldn't affect attendance by 25%, and certainly shouldn't make such a dent in revenue for the match. There are ways to replace or boost the income, though it does take working a bit more ot.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

2,329 in The Showgrounds

[outspoken]

Any idea of the attendance last night? For Salthill there seemed to be a decent crowd in and I'd guess around 30 in section O ...
Overall would I be way off in saying 300+?

[bullit]

Bullit, if you were less rude you might be able to elicit a proper answer. TV coverage shouldn't affect attendance by 25%, and certainly shouldn't make such a dent in revenue for the match. There are ways to replace or boost the income, though it does take working a bit more ot.Thats me told *roll eyes*
How would you replace the revenue spud.Shoot the ideas out m a t e ;)

[Finlay Harp]

587 on Extratime.ie. Was 508 announced?

Yes over the tannoy half way through the second half.