Great points James. Giving away tickets just devalues the product long-term and as previously articulated, the issue with kids, is that they simply do not want to be going to the games.
Always thought the Ipitch should be used more, before and after games. Kids should be allowed to turn up early to games and play with their mates before the games, nothing structured just a casual kick around, surely that would allow kids to mutually enjoy the game and the event.
Think I'm right in saying last year the club published some attendance goals which obviously fell by the wayside, but IIRC they worked out to an average of about 3200....
On the last SL spell, another factor to bear in mind is the lack of momentum and the dead seasons beforehand.
2010, 5th place, NRC Runners-Up, Box already ticked, average attendance 2852.
2011, 5th place, up by April, awful second half of the season, average attendance 3709 bolstered by ticket promises for SL.
2002-05 spell at least had a brilliant end to 2001 to provide impetus.
All said and done though, think its 20 years ago this month we appointed Neil Kelly, I would argue we are in pretty much the same place we were then!
The other issue with 2012 was the monthly Stronghold nonsense - which effectively meant there was no marketing to sell season tickets in the build up to the Super League return, because we didn't have them.
The other issue with 2012 was the monthly Stronghold nonsense – which effectively meant there was no marketing to sell season tickets in the build up to the Super League return, because we didn’t have them.
Stronghold was a waste of time, didn’t increase attendances if anything made it more complicated to buy a season ticket.
James, would you consider an interview with Neil Kelly, his time at the club is largely undocumented?
also, I agree success doesn’t automatically equate to attendances but I do wonder the dominance of saints, Wigan and Leeds has had on smaller teams attendances. For example, those teams mentioned, will always attract fans, however, imagine if Wakefield, Salford etc had 6 or 7 years of success.
For Rl to grow, you need the small teams to attract higher gates, the big teams you can’t take for granted.
Very good analysis James, I agree with most of your points but think that free tickets for children playing for our local clubs is a winner.
IMHO once things settle down after Covid, and if we play attractive rugby regularly on a Sunday afternoon - with something for the children on the car park before the game, we will slowly grow the fan base,
Widnes has a population of 61,500 and St Helens a population has a population of around 181,000, so in comparative terms our average attendance of 4,900 in 2018 compared relatively favourably to St Helens with an average of 11,500. The City of Leeds had an average attendance of 12,800, with a population of 780,000. Similarly, Wigan with a population of around 317,000 only had an average attendance of 11,700.
Wigan, St Helens and Leeds have a long history of success in rugby league and have managed to retain a decent fan base over the years, although losing spectators in recent years. Widnes has struggled as a club for around 30 years since the successful period in the 70's, 80's and early 90's, which will have impacted on local interest.
Many supporters drifted away from the game altogether over this period. Also, I would guess that the core support is mainly from Widnes, with little from the other part of Halton in Runcorn and the influx from Liverpool over the years has probably not bought into rugby league.
I believe that with a decent period of success in the Championship and promotion to SL (or whatever it will develop into) will see an increase in attendances. Maybe the club should be looking to attract support from the whole of Halton ie Widnes and Runcorn, with a long term aim of achieving crowds averaging 7,000/8,000. Until then, we will just have to be happy with average crowds of around 4,000/5,000. which is good in the Championship.
The other issue with 2012 was the monthly Stronghold nonsense – which effectively meant there was no marketing to sell season tickets in the build up to the Super League return, because we didn’t have them.
Completely forgot about the Monthly Strongholds!
As a student then, looking back it was an absolute joke that I was getting a direct debit every month to watch Rugby...
If you think back to that time too, we had the 'new coach' debacle: not to mention Leigh put 50 on us twice in a month.
I do take issue with Frankg's poor regard for support from south of the river. I have travelled to Widnes for many years and the column of cars heading that way after each game shouldn't be discounted!
The club/VIQI could tell us quite easily what that support amounts to and it would be intrresting. With the new bridge access is easy and with hardly any sporting competition in Runcorn doen could maybe be enticed to try it.
Regarding soccer I have many friends wbo are dyed in the wool Liverpool and Everton 'supporters'. Most are pub supporters and never get to a live game anyway, so a lively 'live' experience, well marketed, might be attractive in the summer.
I do take issue with Frankg’s poor regard for support from south of the river. I have travelled to Widnes for many years and the column of cars heading that way after each game shouldn’t be discounted! The club/VIQI could tell us quite easily what that support amounts to and it would be intrresting. With the new bridge access is easy and with hardly any sporting competition in Runcorn doen could maybe be enticed to try it. Regarding soccer I have many friends wbo are dyed in the wool Liverpool and Everton ‘supporters’. Most are pub supporters and never get to a live game anyway, so a lively ‘live’ experience, well marketed, might be attractive in the summer.
Most Widnes fans are pub supporters, that’s my point Sand. Too many people in the town, want a rugby team “oh it’s good for the town that we are back in SL” but still won’t step foot into the ground even if they were giving a free ticket, a free taxi ride and a free pie”
The towns relationship with the club is and has always been extremely bizzar
Another issue with 2012 was the team.
Unlike their 2002 counterparts that hit the ground running in Super League, the 2012 team was underwhelming and under prepared - probably an unfortunate by product of the wretched licencing system (knowing they couldn't be relegated).
I think that generally people are lazy and want things on a plate for them. In the 50's without road bridges, we regularly walked across the railway bridge and along by Fisons to Naughton Park, and then back after the game. Not these days!
Generally you can see why the RFL look to big cities because even a low percentage of supporters would be enough. But that doesn't work in London!
Super League came too late for us.1992 would have been great but by 96 we were a pale shadow of the team we once were.
Compared to the 50s though, there are far more distractions, so the communication with fans and potential fans is even more important. As is a sense of belonging and engagement which was lacking for a good 5 or 6 years from 2012 onwards.
Look at Widnes itself compared to even 20 years ago, far more down the town centre....
What Town Centre? Rows of shops some closed or Charity Shops. Very few, if any clubs in the town anymore. At least the "Old Town Hall" area was surrounded by clubs and Pubs. Long gone since the Council closed road and diverted traffic around the "Centr".
I do take issue with Frankg’s poor regard for support from south of the river. I have travelled to Widnes for many years and the column of cars heading that way after each game shouldn’t be discounted! The club/VIQI could tell us quite easily what that support amounts to and it would be intrresting. With the new bridge access is easy and with hardly any sporting competition in Runcorn doen could maybe be enticed to try it. Regarding soccer I have many friends wbo are dyed in the wool Liverpool and Everton ‘supporters’. Most are pub supporters and never get to a live game anyway, so a lively ‘live’ experience, well marketed, might be attractive in the summer.
Nothing personal and I have every respect for those Runcornians (?) who trek across the river for games. I can well remember many years ago travelling in the opposite direction going to the Scala and the New Inn and the Linnetts Club.
Maybe the club market the game on both sides of the river if they don't do so already.
I think the ever changing day for games didn't help over the years.