Attracting families to el games

**Schumi** · 19/03/2007, 2:33 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It certainly is not. Waterford or Drogheda by far the worst, Sligo and Cork have them too.

Haven't found anywhere worse than Bray although Pats were a clear second up to a couple of years ago. Never noticed anything in Drogheda or Sligo.

**Poor Student** · 19/03/2007, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I can't remember a single trip to Bray when I haven't come across at least one of these irritating sh!tes.

Exactly. Out of all the grounds I've visited the most unpleasant experience with the opposing team's fans always stands out as Bray on every occasion. Skangers, knackers, cretins, call them as you will but there's a distinctly larger crowd of irritating little creatures at the Carlisle.

**sligoman** · 19/03/2007, 3:17 PM

Worst for me is Athlone Town, by a mile. Then probably Bray, then Galway.

**Raheny Red** · 19/03/2007, 3:26 PM

Can't remember how many times our coach has been bricked up in Drogheda

**Student Mullet** · 19/03/2007, 3:44 PM

Originally Posted by Philly

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.

For any Bray officials reading, I have highlighted the cause of the problem.

**Aaron** · 19/03/2007, 4:13 PM

At the Brandywell we used to allow under 14's in for free when accompanied with an adult. We cant know due to season ticket holders. Our problem is our ground. When its re-developed, we should have a family stand where a family and children should be allocated with a shope there for refreshments.

**fbtn** · 19/03/2007, 4:44 PM

As a parent, I have to agree that bringing your kid to eLeague games can be on the expensive side. Especially if they are young as you have to take them into the seated areas as they get tired quite quickly if they have to stand.

On the topic of Bray and Bohs, I normally bring my young lad but made a point not to on Friday night as I had a good idea what it would be like.

Shels fans at their usual antics before, during and after the game in Ballybofey on Friday night. Hope they enjoyed their 'ruck' when they finally got one.

The locals don't usually show the same restraint as Harps fans so hopefully they will have learned their lesson.

Normally who we would be playing is what my decision to bring my son is based on. Any other parents like that or are you happy enough with the security arrangements at grounds? Our own, incidently is a joke at present.

**kdjaC** · 19/03/2007, 4:50 PM

Originally Posted by Niall

Was charged 10 euro to bring my 6 year old to the Waterford v Pats match last night. Now before anyone complains I tight , I'm not but how in the name of God is a club like pats going to attractive someone with more than 1 child to a game? Surely a token few quid, atttract the parents and put bums on seats would be a more appropriate approach to expand the support base in this area?

Lol i bring 3 , its cheaper to go on the beer for the night

kdjac

**Magicme** · 19/03/2007, 6:05 PM

Originally Posted by Tazskool

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..

bar the mascot all of those things are almost in place at Mons.

**stann** · 19/03/2007, 7:29 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It certainly is not. Waterford or Drogheda by far the worst, Sligo and Cork have them too.

What are you on about?

**Da Real Rover** · 19/03/2007, 7:46 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.

You see you dont have to call them 'knackers' as this word has many conotations which arent really suitable. It can be perceived as upper class snobbery, all you hve to do is call them cheeky little ****s that need a proper slap to cop the fuk on. Believe me i know, bray is full of them, the pre puberty green army.

**Tazskool** · 19/03/2007, 8:55 PM

At the end of the day the KIDS are the main people you need to please...

I'll explain why...

Pleasing the adults you get 1 lot of gate money.. and if the parent takes a child in you are not certain of the parent being happy with a nagging kid or unhappy child...

Provide good entertainment and get the child wrapped up by the club you get the child FORCING the parent to take them to the game.. Yes do you not get the gate money from letting the U-12 into the game BUT you do get the extra sales based on food, souvies and so forth..

ALSO you get them as a fan for many years... and then you get them as hooked when they have a family..

The parents are happy with seeing good football.. yes the kids are the same but the attension span is never as long as the adults...

Its simple maths which some clubs do not understand.. not just in Ireland.. but the world...

**pineapple stu** · 19/03/2007, 9:32 PM

Originally Posted by Da Real Rover

You see you dont have to call them 'knackers' as this word has many conotations which arent really suitable. It can be perceived as upper class snobbery, all you hve to do is call them cheeky little ****s that need a proper slap to cop the fuk on. Believe me i know, bray is full of them, the pre puberty green army.

What are you on about?! How is it "upper class snobbery" to expect to go somewhere and not have your flag ****ed on/spat on?!

I'm aware of what the term "knackers" means, and I find it quite suitable, thank you. If you want to start adding in extra "connotation", that's your own look out.

Anyways, back on topic - Tazskool is right, obviously.

**RonnieB** · 19/03/2007, 10:15 PM

Knackers is to good a term for them.

**SligoBrewer** · 19/03/2007, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by RonnieB

Knackers is to good a term for them.

now now now... thats offending the travelling community..

lets be more specific and call them urban scumbags

**Bald Student** · 19/03/2007, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by SligoBrewer

now now now... thats offending the travelling community..

lets be more specific and call them urban scumbags

You mean suburban scumbags?

But I think we're being a bit harsh here. Kids left unsupervised will act the maggot like that. The problem is that the Wanderers are being used as a babysitting service on Friday nights and the stewards aren't interested in keeping the kids under control.

**LeixlipRed** · 19/03/2007, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by fbtn

Shels fans at their usual antics before, during and after the game in Ballybofey on Friday night. Hope they enjoyed their 'ruck' when they finally got one.

The locals don't usually show the same restraint as Harps fans so hopefully they will have learned their lesson.

Didn't make it myself Friday night. Any details as to what went on? PM me if you wish. Anyhting that can be used as a stick to beat these lads into not following our club anymore would be appreciated

**Dodge** · 20/03/2007, 7:22 AM

Originally Posted by stann

What are you on about?

Waterford have a hugh proportion of little knackers trying to **** off away fans. As do Drogheda. Other clubs have an element but its most obvious in those two venues. Clear enough for you?

**bigmac** · 20/03/2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Waterford have a hugh proportion of little knackers trying to **** off away fans. As do Drogheda. Other clubs have an element but its most obvious in those two venues. Clear enough for you?

Never noticed it in Waterford to be honest and I sit over near the away fans block in the stand.

On a separate note, thought there was a good crowd in Inchicore on Friday night - 20 yoyo very steep considering we still had to stand to see anything though. How much of the crowd was down to the Kerr effect and how long will it last?

**Dodge** · 20/03/2007, 11:26 AM

I'd say a fair bit was down to all the Kerr/Kelleher publicity plus the club were promoting it all week. Loads of flyers sent out to surrounding areas (Clondalkin, Tallaght, Palmerstown, Crumlin etc) offering a deal for that game and the next two @ �45 (and the aforementioned family deals). I'd say it doesn't hurt to have beaten Cork 3-1 live on TV the monday beforehand either. As ever with these things, the marketing/PR can only get people to go to one or two games but a winning side (playing attractive football it has to be said) may get them coming back regularly. I have to say I thought the crowd was a good deal north of the 1,800+ official figure