Marketing and Promotional Initiatives

**pineapple stu** · 05/04/2010, 4:34 PM

Boo! Student ID... I don't support UCD to have to show student ID!

**Ezeikial** · 05/04/2010, 4:44 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Boo! Student ID... I don't support UCD to have to show student ID!

You can still avail of the €3 drinks/€2 soft drinks available from 5.30pm - 7.45pm.

All the UCD team are also invited!!!

**pineapple stu** · 05/04/2010, 4:50 PM

I might indeed partake of cheap stuff. Ta!

**Spudulika** · 06/04/2010, 7:27 AM

While I'm not decrying one off promos and efforts made to drum up more numbers through the turnstiles, the greatest problem (even more than facilities or what takes place on the field) is gameday experience. Anyone with experience of North American sports or German football/sports can testify to the fact that what takes place in Ireland is so far behind the mark that our clubs need to be ashamed of themselves. And what I'm talking about doesn't take much or any money, in fact it makes money! However it takes a little bit of bravery and stick-to-it-ness in order for it to work long term.

**Magicme** · 06/04/2010, 9:42 AM

Hit us with a few of your ideas spudulika! Am all ears coz have to do something drastic soon before we continue to hemorrage crowds.

**dong** · 06/04/2010, 1:30 PM

Originally Posted by CF1989

something like getting the squad to do a calender, a few women might go to watch the players they saw in it and not the football.

There are some serious heads in the LoI for that carry on.

**peadar1987** · 06/04/2010, 1:38 PM

I remember I was at a summer soccer camp a few years back, and two or three of the Pat's players who were friends with one of the coaches came by, did some tricks and so on. I don't think they were even officially there, just visiting their mate at work. We all thought they were the greatest footballers we'd ever seen, as impressionable 8 year olds, and for at least a year afterwards, none of us wanted anything but to play for Saint Patrick's Athletic. Imagine what a proper visit to one of those camps could do if it was done properly.

**fionnsci** · 06/04/2010, 2:05 PM

I was coached at a camp not so long by Sean Dillon and Stephen Paisley. They weren't at the camp one day because Longford had an Intertoto game to play! Anyway, it might have been what first *****ed my interset in the LOI. It's a great idea.

edit - pr icked....censorship gone mad.

**Dodge** · 06/04/2010, 2:22 PM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

I remember I was at a summer soccer camp a few years back, and two or three of the Pat's players who were friends with one of the coaches came by, did some tricks and so on. I don't think they were even officially there, just visiting their mate at work. We all thought they were the greatest footballers we'd ever seen, as impressionable 8 year olds, and for at least a year afterwards, none of us wanted anything but to play for Saint Patrick's Athletic. Imagine what a proper visit to one of those camps could do if it was done properly.

last year Pats set up summer camps for certain age groups. FOr something like €60 they got coaching for a week and some kit

Roaring success apparently and it's to be expanded this year

**Mr A** · 06/04/2010, 4:16 PM

Harps latest effort

**Martinho II** · 06/04/2010, 5:14 PM

Originally Posted by fionnsci

I was coached at a camp not so long by Sean Dillon and Stephen Paisley. They weren't at the camp one day because Longford had an Intertoto game to play! Anyway, it might have been what first *****ed my interset in the LOI. It's a great idea.

edit - pr icked....censorship gone mad.

town never played in the intertoto cup but they would have played in the UEFA cup instead!

**osarusan** · 06/04/2010, 5:45 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Harps latest effort

Good luck with it. Are you trying to cater for existing fans out there or trying to generate new fans?

I know we tried the same thing in Limerick a few years ago, and had to stop mid-season due to lack of numbers.

**Mr A** · 06/04/2010, 6:17 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

Good luck with it. Are you trying to cater for existing fans out there or trying to generate new fans?

I know we tried the same thing in Limerick a few years ago, and had to stop mid-season due to lack of numbers.

Bit of both I guess. Hopefully it will be supported but much, as always, depends on the performance of the team.

**dong** · 06/04/2010, 6:31 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

last year Pats set up summer camps for certain age groups. FOr something like €60 they got coaching for a week and some kit

Roaring success apparently and it's to be expanded this year

There's been those camps going on at the showgrounds for years. I remember going to them years ago.
Some players and coaching staff do the training. Still see them advertised in the Champion. Its one of the best ways to get youngsters into their local team imo.

**Youths4Ever** · 06/04/2010, 7:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

last year Pats set up summer camps for certain age groups. FOr something like €60 they got coaching for a week and some kit

Roaring success apparently and it's to be expanded this year

Wexford have had these as well with players as the coaches and other making appearances during the week give out some t-shirts season tickets for the u12 seems to generate an interest and the kids can watch the players that coach them and have something more achievable to aim for than playin in the premier league

**artane-shels** · 06/04/2010, 8:31 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Harps latest effort

Interesting idea. Would there be many that'd take the bus though? Still, at least ye're doing something!

**Ezeikial** · 06/04/2010, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Harps latest effort

Whats the normal admission charge for adults and children - i.e. whats the cost of the bus?

An Adult Ticket (inc Match Ticket and return Journey ) cost €18 while a Child Ticket (inc Match Ticket and return Journey) costs €10.

**SkStu** · 07/04/2010, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by CF1989

something like getting the squad to do a calender, a few women might go to watch the players they saw in it and not the football.

best leave Bobby Ryan out of this one...

**Spudulika** · 07/04/2010, 7:16 AM

I know it sounds heretical, however we can all appreciate this as sports supporters - have a look at what the GAA does and borrow/steal a few things! The IRFU did and look how they have increased their numbers and standing. One very simple thing that comes out from GAA dictat (as well as being bred/beat - pronounced 'bet' into trainee teachers) is get into the Primary schools. It can be laid down from on high (FAI) or in a concerted effort from the local club, and co-ordinated with amateur clubs. Send in players to give free coaching lessons in local schools and give out prizes of tickets etc, then you have a link to the next generation and grab the parents in too. If clubs already have football camps that's good, but those families are looking for low cost babysitting or are committed to football anyway. You need to tap into the masses too. We did it with a rugby club I worked with, where the local football club sat on their haunches as the only game in town, within a year we had 80 kids training each weekend, almost all from the schools, and it's maintained the momentum. It was tough to begin with but you need to stick at it.

**Mr A** · 07/04/2010, 8:25 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Whats the normal admission charge for adults and children - i.e. whats the cost of the bus?

€10 for an adult and €3 for U12, so bus is €8 and €7. Given the time for 'refreshments' before and after the game though I guess this is mostly aimed at adults.