Attracting families to el games

**Kildare Lad** · 18/03/2007, 2:29 PM

Originally Posted by Grey Boy

There are plenty of annoying (I wouldn't call them knackers and either should you by the way) kids at the Carlisle, but I've been going there for 22 years and can honestly say I've never seen any incidents of violence from any Bray fan and to suggest that they have some sort of organised firm is just not true. Last season for a Bohs home game there were some kids I'd never seen at the Carlisle before or since who were clearly looking for trouble. But not to open up a can of worms here, another famous Dublin club were fixtureless that night.
I only mentioned yourselves and Longford to make the point that it would be ludicrous to suggest you have any dodgy element.

Most Clubs In Ireland have some sort of schooligan element with some young fans, just some much more than others, most of them are "inspired" from watching Greentsreet and they instantly want to start fights with other clubs "firms".

You say Bray dont have any of these kind of people at their club, but I would imagine they do (more than likey a small figure) but when they know clubs with a reputation such as Bohs or Rovers are coming down they will tell others around Bray there will be a fight and Voila.

Fortunatly most clubs dont have these problems regularly but some do, and they need to find a way to stop it

By the way this isnt a slag at anyone or any club, just stating What I believe is true.

**pineapple stu** · 18/03/2007, 5:08 PM

Originally Posted by Grey Boy

There are plenty of annoying (I wouldn't call them knackers and either should you by the way) kids at the Carlisle

Why not? Don't go for this PC nonsense myself, to be honest. There are knackers at Bray games, and I don't see why I can't refer to them as such.

**BohsFans** · 18/03/2007, 9:11 PM

No student tickets anymore?

�20 into that dump? F_UCK OFF Pat's

Is it worth it? I doubted. You should of had more than 2,000 last Friday.

**Dodge** · 18/03/2007, 9:47 PM

Last year that game got about 800 at it...

And it was €15 into it, same as I have to pay into the ****ing death trap that is the Des Kelly stand, so Bohs fans get down off their high horses on that one

**SligoBrewer** · 18/03/2007, 9:54 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Why not? Don't go for this PC nonsense myself, to be honest. There are knackers at Bray games, and I don't see why I can't refer to them as such.

in order to attract families to el games the schooligan elements in all clubs have to be stamped out immediately! 10 year bans from clubs should sort them out for "bringing the club into disrepute"

also a family ticket, family season ticket wouldnt go astrauy either

**Kivlehan** · 18/03/2007, 10:01 PM

Minor League Baseball does some great work from a marketing perspective to bring families to minor league baseball games in the USA. Essentially they are in the same situation as the LoI vs. the English/Scottish leagues: the bigger leagues are more interesting to the majority due to quality of players and more readily available on TV, but these smaller leagues are closer to home for many people.

Their tactics include discounts for families, fun promotions (giving away free swag or free food). Having a section of the stands where beer isn't allowed. Generally making themselves known in the community through radio ads, sponsorships.

Here is an article outlining how MiLB does big business in the USA, despite being lower quality leagues :

http://www.recmanagement.com/200203fe04.php

**pineapple stu** · 18/03/2007, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by Kivlehan

Having a section of the stands where beer isn't allowed.

That'd be a successful promo here!

have to say it does appear as if there are moves to promote the league properly in localities of late. The likes of the open days - with clubs giving away goody bags and season tickets - loyalty cards, CPOs hitting schools and clubs and various other items. Hopefully it'll do some good.

**Grey Boy** · 19/03/2007, 8:57 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Why not? Don't go for this PC nonsense myself, to be honest. There are knackers at Bray games, and I don't see why I can't refer to them as such.

Yeah! Well we can't all be located in Dublin 4 though.

**Da Real Rover** · 19/03/2007, 9:31 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Why not? Don't go for this PC nonsense myself, to be honest. There are knackers at Bray games, and I don't see why I can't refer to them as such.

And what would be your defining factors of a knacker?? Lack of daddys mirk, no cavier for lunch, glasses instead of a monacle, or just wearing a tracksuit instead of a bowler hat??

**Jaime** · 19/03/2007, 9:54 AM

We need two separate threads here. One for all the mongos to complain about the schooligans, and a separate one for looking at Pat's fans squirming trying to justify how they can charge 33% more than any other Dublin club for covered seating on the basis that you get a free programme; something that away fans should be able to choose whether or not to buy.

**Dodge** · 19/03/2007, 11:03 AM

where has any Pats fan tried to justify the €20? You read our MB,. you know the outrage it caused.

**Jaime** · 19/03/2007, 11:18 AM

I read the gambling section. I'm glad it caused outrage but the outrage won't get the punter any change from his 20 bob, will it?

**Stato** · 19/03/2007, 11:20 AM

Not trying to justify it but if you're like me and buy a programme at all matches the most expensive club is still Drogheda. They were first with €20 a seat and given that most clubs haven't put their prices up in a few years (Pats last did it at the start of 2002 I think), I'd guess a few more will follow suit soon enough.

Just like Drogheda you still have the choice of paying €15 to stand on the terrace.

And if €2 extra a match is the price to pay for the start we've had this season then I'm more than happy to pay it!

**pineapple stu** · 19/03/2007, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Grey Boy

Yeah! Well we can't all be located in Dublin 4 though.

Originally Posted by Da Real Rover

And what would be your defining factors of a knacker?? Lack of daddys mirk, no cavier for lunch, glasses instead of a monacle, or just wearing a tracksuit instead of a bowler hat??

Oh dear God almighty...

Bray have knacker "fans" who are always ready to throw stuff at away fans, mess with away fans' flags, and stuff like that. I can't remember a single trip to Bray when I haven't come across at least one of these irritating sh!tes. You can choose to ignore the fact if you want to; doesn't make it not true. And ridiculous comparisons such as the two above don't prove anything either.

**Tazskool** · 19/03/2007, 11:36 AM

Ideas to get families into grounds and secure a bigger following in years to come...

Free for under 12's <- already suggested i know!
Prematch or HT kick about with some of the non selected team for that match..
A Club mascot always makes for good PR with kids
A kids supporters club whereby they get free newsletters emailed out to them .. something simple.. 1 or 2 pages..
A "kids" day where by anyone under 12 can see and meet the players and have a little kick about. (Twice a season)
Kids food at grounds...

more to follow..

**pineapple stu** · 19/03/2007, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Tazskool

A Club mascot always makes for good PR with kids

All club mascos must die!

The Open Day idea you mentioned is already there. UCD also run summer soccer camps (I'm sure we're not alone)

Not sure about kids' food though. (a) We already have chipper vans and the likes anyway and (b) I don't agree with pandering to kids' tastes for fatty foods - they should be encouraged to eat properly.

**Tazskool** · 19/03/2007, 12:09 PM

I am not saying fatty foods and such as a whole on the menu.. make the food more "inviting" to kids..

Its an old saying..but the kids are the clubs future fans and players... look after them or lose them..

Also as a parent I am happy to see a club give that bit extra to the kids to ensure they enjoy the day.. keeps them quiet and makes me able to enjoy the match that bit more..

**Philly** · 19/03/2007, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Oh dear God almighty...

Bray have knacker "fans" who are always ready to throw stuff at away fans, mess with away fans' flags, and stuff like that. I can't remember a single trip to Bray when I haven't come across at least one of these irritating sh!tes. You can choose to ignore the fact if you want to; doesn't make it not true. And ridiculous comparisons such as the two above don't prove anything either.

Ditto...

I remember a few years back we had to run two or three little *****s away. One was actually just about to take a leak on our flag. The steward laughed.

Shels also have an element, though they are far outnumbered by sound fans. It mostly seems to be a Dublin club thing.