Does Mark Lawn read the Guardian?

[eurobantam]

From todays edition, by Paul Kelso

Bradford City scheme may be just the ticket

While we await signs of life from the twitching remains of Game 39, it is worth mentioning another potentially revolutionary innovation floated recently by a visionary who, for sheer chutzpah, may rival Richard Scudamore. Last month Mark Lawn, co-chairman of Bradford City, announced that next season the club will be giving away 9,000 season tickets. The deal is this: if Bradford's existing 9,100 adult season-ticket holders renew for £150 each, they will each get a free season ticket thrown in. Valley Parade season-ticket holders already pay just £6.50 a game thanks to a price cut last year that led to average gates swelling from 7,000 to 12,000 despite relegation to League Two, and revenue reach £1.4m, the highest in the division. "I want to return football to the working classes," Lawn says. Rest assured, it will never catch on.

[Dr Wisey]

There was an article in The Times online yesterday as well about City - whatever is said it would be great to kick off next season at VP in front of a crowd of approx 20,000!

[Jantje]

Its exciting for the lower division clubs as City have shown it can be done but i wouldn't imagine the Premier League doing anything but looking sniffily down their corporate noses at such a notion...................working classes indeed!!! Can't be having those plebs in our stadiums.

Dripping sarni instead of Prawn Sandwich brigade anyone!!!

[Ed]

Its exciting for the lower division clubs as City have shown it can be done but i wouldn't imagine the Premier League doing anything but looking sniffily down their corporate noses at such a notion...................working classes indeed!!! Can't be having those plebs in our stadiums.

Dripping sarni instead of Prawn Sandwich brigade anyone!!!

Dave Whelan at Wigan said he was intrested in seeing how city's scheme went didn't he? due them rarely filling their stadium.

[Jantje]

Dave Whelan at Wigan said he was intrested in seeing how city's scheme went didn't he? due them rarely filling their stadium.

Don't know Ed, i didn't see that. Fair enough in that case.

I read that Blackburn have announced a price freeze on their ST's if bought before a certain date. Thats the only one i've heard so far.

[Mallorcabantam]

Thing is -- if you grounds full -- why bother -- if its not have a go

Then if those with the grounds full start to find they have empty seats due to fans going elsewhere for their football -- they might try to follow suit -- some though maybe too late!

[Superfatbantam]

Nope, he's clearly a daily mail reader!

[Jantje]

Thing is -- if you grounds full -- why bother -- if its not have a go

Then if those with the grounds full start to find they have empty seats due to fans going elsewhere for their football -- they might try to follow suit -- some though maybe too late!

I know Mall, the Big Boys know they will fill their grounds anyway with the 'more fashionable' punters so they don't need to consider discount ticket schemes.

I just find it sad that normal working people are increasingly being priced out of watching their clubs by the greed and chase for cash that the Premier League seems to be about these days.

When i hear on the radio that a couple of 'average' Chelsea fans now have to fork out nearly £200 a match to take their children, i fear for the 'fans' that were there before the money men took over. They risk losing a whole generation of kids just to chase a quick buck for 'now'

[tony d]

They risk losing a whole generation of kids just to chase a quick buck for 'now'

That is why this idea is genius for the smaller clubs... If they can tap into the fans of the bigger clubs who are out pricing them it could start a whole new growth and revenue string for smaller local clubs.

We are fortunate in that all the clubs around us are shite so folk coming to see City are coming because they want to not due to a better team being too pricey..

The weekend would be great if every ground you went to was full on match day..

Clubs coffers would be better and secure and the whole circle would be enhanced...

More fans = better finances = better signings= more money for youth team players advancement = better future = better football to watch = more fans etc etc..

I hope it comes off and others follow... The smaller clubs will be in a better position to keep hold of their local youth talent instead of having to flog it to break even..

[Superfatbantam]

That is why this idea is genius for the smaller clubs... If they can tap into the fans of the bigger clubs who are out pricing them it could start a whole new growth and revenue string for smaller local clubs.

We are fortunate in that all the clubs around us are shite so folk coming to see City are coming because they want to not due to a better team being too pricey..

The weekend would be great if every ground you went to was full on match day..

Clubs coffers would be better and secure and the whole circle would be enhanced...

More fans = better finances = better signings= more money for youth team players advancement = better future = better football to watch = more fans etc etc..

I hope it comes off and others follow... The smaller clubs will be in a better position to keep hold of their local youth talent instead of having to flog it to break even..


Good post, perhaps the issue is a simple case of basic economics.

The Supply and Demand are not in alignment. Effectively the Clubs are overcharging for the standard of football from top to bottom. Wigan/Blackburn in Prem are not filling the ground right down to our level and below. Maybe if more Clubs take notice of what we have achieved this season and what we are aiming for next season then the overall pricing arrangements may come down and fit in more with people's expectations.

The reasosns the grounds aren't full is in my opinion because of the price not because of the lack of support.

[briggus]

That is why this idea is genius for the smaller clubs... If they can tap into the fans of the bigger clubs who are out pricing them it could start a whole new growth and revenue string for smaller local clubs.

We are fortunate in that all the clubs around us are shite so folk coming to see City are coming because they want to not due to a better team being too pricey..

The weekend would be great if every ground you went to was full on match day..

Clubs coffers would be better and secure and the whole circle would be enhanced...

More fans = better finances = better signings= more money for youth team players advancement = better future = better football to watch = more fans etc etc..

I hope it comes off and others follow... The smaller clubs will be in a better position to keep hold of their local youth talent instead of having to flog it to break even..


True Tony - a modicum of success would further enhance the numbers passing through our turnstiles - fingers crossed for next season!

[panther]

Like I said on an earlier thread, this can only be a good thing, our profile raised yet again... when was the last time we made it into any of these newspapers.. tup:

Not many will know this, but JR has wanted to virtually give away tickets for years in some form or another but has never been able to, so top marks this time for finally making sure it happened.. tup:

we are the envy of many of the clubs, not only in this division, but in the higher ones as well.. long may it continue..

[Superfatbantam]

when was the last time we made it into any of these newspapers.. tup:

When we were in the shit and we were trying to raise a quarter of a million to save our club! ;)

[panther]

When we were in the shit and we were trying to raise a quarter of a million to save our club! ;)

that was my point SFB.... roflmao:

[Superfatbantam]

that was my point SFB.... roflmao:

There aren't enough media luvvies around City these days! :D

[panther]

There aren't enough media luvvies around City these days! :D

jawdrop: I feel another mission coming on tup:

[tony d]

There aren't enough media luvvies around City these days! :D

I do my best when i go away to get the club in the news articles i do on tour lol..jump:

Still will, even though the Club didnt help me for my charity this time around...Hated flogging that signed Leeds Photo Master Bates sent me..Although we were very grateful for his generosity lol.....

[panther]

I do my best when i go away to get the club in the news articles i do on tour lol..jump:

roflmao:

[Blue Monday]

I do my best when i go away to get the club in the news articles i do on tour lol..jump:

Still will, even though the Club didnt help me for my charity this time around...Hated flogging that signed Leeds Photo Master Bates sent me..Although we were very grateful for his generosity lol.....

Tell me about it! I have enough tickets for the bulls to fill a stand:)

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Wonder if MrTopping has forgot about me:rolleyes:

[panther]

Tell me about it! I have enough tickets for the bulls to fill a stand:)

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Wonder if MrTopping has forgot about me:rolleyes:

I know it probably won't come to anything, just as with Tony, but have you tried the club?

[Blue Monday]

I know it probably won't come to anything, just as with Tony, but have you tried the club?

Yep. The only letter/email out of 30 that I sent that have not replied:mad: Bulls were the only one to donate. But letters/e-mails were responded to in a polite manner from Man utd, Liverpool, Blackburn, Rangers, Leeds utd and Rhinos and many more, wishing me good luck with my charity raising

Just have one more who may be willing to sort something outtup:tup:tup:;););)

[tony d]

I know it probably won't come to anything, just as with Tony, but have you tried the club?

My issue wasn't the fact they didnt donate anything as Leeds get 450 folk a week asking for charity help. My issue was that i didnt even get a thanks but we are unable to help due to..........

Out of the few hundred letters and emails we sent out only a slack handful failed to reply..

Manners cost nothing you tight bastards lol....

[Superfatbantam]

Can i suggest you address the email to an individual who may help rather than the club contact compuserve addy?

Try Dave Baldwin, he seems to have his head screwed on.

[panther]

Can i suggest you address the email to an individual who may help rather than the club contact compuserve addy?

Try Dave Baldwin, he seems to have his head screwed on.

erm... you mean the man who 'answers all his emails' !!

thats the one T wrote to on my suggestion... tup:

My issue wasn't the fact they didnt donate anything as Leeds get 450 folk a week asking for charity help. My issue was that i didnt even get a thanks but we are unable to help due to..........

Yeh I know - I had a blonde moment there... I knew what I meant.. roflmao:

[Superfatbantam]

erm... you mean the man who 'answers all his emails' !!

thats the one T wrote to on my suggestion... tup:



Yeh I know - I had a blonde moment there... I knew what I mean.. roflmao:

Alright, give him Julie's contact details then! :rolleyes:

[panther]

Alright, give him Julie's contact details then! :rolleyes:

but if I did that then I would have to Sniper: him :rolleyes: devil:

[Ed]

but if I did that then I would have to blow him

You told me you and JR had already ......

[Superfatbantam]

but if I did that then I would have to Sniper: him :rolleyes: devil:

I'll give him his number then! :rolleyes:

And no Ed we haven't! jawdrop:

[eurobantam]

The average age of a Premier League season ticket holder is 39. Its the young supporters who are being priced out, the 16-20 year old lads who dont have a lot of money and want to go with their mates, not thyeir parents. Those Premier League clubs that are pricing people out are going to have hard time of it in say 10 years when they find new blood coming though the gates.

[panther]

jawdrop: but, but. but, that was supposed to be..... what I meant to say was dont believe all those videos KK posted about me... roflmao:

[panther]

I'll give him his number then! :rolleyes:

And no Ed we haven't! jawdrop:

nooooooooooooo you cant do that...... honest....

[Superfatbantam]

nooooooooooooo you cant do that...... honest....

He's not just your bitch, bitch! :rolleyes: