Another home match?

[Sccmkcyr]

Unfortunately though people are voting with their feet. It was an international weekend and normally you expect more to come than that. Obviously being down in Guildford I don't know how bad the weather was there yesterday, but that doesn't normally put that many off. I hadn't even asked before being told that the standard was poor yesterday, so it isn't just me being stupid, more people are noticing it. The word used was "terrible"

It's no good keep saying John Hill is the best manager we've had in 20 years. And i wonder how many agree with that statement?! If people don't want to come and watch then it's a huge problem

Luckily for John then that I'm 150% behind him then and he will be here for a long time.
John has been loyal to the club and turned down several offers to go elsewhere over the years so it's a two way street and the club will be loyal to him in return. I said this at the forum also but you were busy I will repeat it on here for you.

That's fine. I would have been at the forum had I not been working. Don't complain though when attendances drop further if that's your position

Have the club moaned about attendances?
News to me? We appreciate the support of the fans regardless if we have 100 or 1000 turn up.

[Yeltz27]

No you haven't, but there are people close to the club who want attendances to grow (as we all do), but it's going the other way at the moment. It is only just starting to happen but if it were to continue its going to become a problem.

It's all very well being 150% behind the manager, but if people don't want to watch what is served up then it's not much good is it. I am one who hasn't enjoyed watching the football at the Grove for 2+ years even though I still always go when I'm here. From what I gather, or how I interpret it, there's no pressure on the manager and as somebody who has to pay to go in, that's disappointing. I'm not necessarily saying there should be pressure at the moment (I'd love things to change personally) but it feels like there never will be no matter what happens

If you aren't concerned about falling attendances, the football on offer and will back the manager regardless of what happens....it doesn't appear as though you are actually bothered about what fans think. And the ones who dont like whats going on are just as important as the ones who do. Sorry for saying that but after reading the 150% comment I am finding it hard not to think that is the case

[RaidenYeltz]

There's certainly a noticible drop in attendances. There are probably many reasons for that, and not just one reason.

I'd be disappointed if the club aren't concerned with attendances this year. As a fan, I am. Especially as post Christmas we have just three home games in two months. Surely this will have a negative impact on the club?

[RobYeltz]

I think the recent drop in attendances is down to a number of things, including.

1. Crap weather (I've got soaked the last three games selling the 50/50 tickets)
2. A lot of home games in a short space of time - some folk are picking and choosing their games.
3. The quality of football being played and the expectations of supporters. This one unfortunately is subjective. Of course, we'd all like us to play better football, I'm sure the management team would as well. Unfortunately, what we have is what we have - a relatively new squad of players, a pitch that despite being better than last season still isn't conducive to the type of football some people expect and a playing budget below that of other clubs. Staying away from the club isn't going to help, and when things aren't as good as they should be that is when the club needs your support even more. Anyone can rock up and support a team who are top of the league and winning most weeks. I'd love to see 500+ folk inside The Grove every week as much as anyone but you have to appreciate it is non-league football and with all due respect to the players they're playing at this level for a reason, and that is they have elements of their game that stop them playing at a higher level. If more people got behind the team and the club in general then perhaps the outcomes might be better.

[Yeltz27]

I think the recent drop in attendances is down to a number of things, including.

1. Crap weather (I've got soaked the last three games selling the 50/50 tickets)
2. A lot of home games in a short space of time - some folk are picking and choosing their games.
3. The quality of football being played and the expectations of supporters. This one unfortunately is subjective. Of course, we'd all like us to play better football, I'm sure the management team would as well. Unfortunately, what we have is what we have - a relatively new squad of players, a pitch that despite being better than last season still isn't conducive to the type of football some people expect and a playing budget below that of other clubs. Staying away from the club isn't going to help, and when things aren't as good as they should be that is when the club needs your support even more. Anyone can rock up and support a team who are top of the league and winning most weeks. I'd love to see 500+ folk inside The Grove every week as much as anyone but you have to appreciate it is non-league football and with all due respect to the players they're playing at this level for a reason, and that is they have elements of their game that stop them playing at a higher level. If more people got behind the team and the club in general then perhaps the outcomes might be better.

I'm not advocating staying away. We still go. But it's a fact people are staying away. Stourbr*dge managed to get 200 more for a trophy game yesterday.

People keep on about the budget, but its relatively easy to pick holes in that argument. For example, we had Christie last season. All we did was smash it long. When I went away to Barwell they played good football. Is that down to budget or team instructions bearing in mind we are talking about the same player?

[Sccmkcyr]

No you haven't, but there are people close to the club who want attendances to grow (as we all do), but it's going the other way at the moment. It is only just starting to happen but if it were to continue its going to become a problem.

It's all very well being 150% behind the manager, but if people don't want to watch what is served up then it's not much good is it. I am one who hasn't enjoyed watching the football at the Grove for 2+ years even though I still always go when I'm here. From what I gather, or how I interpret it, there's no pressure on the manager and as somebody who has to pay to go in, that's disappointing. I'm not necessarily saying there should be pressure at the moment (I'd love things to change personally) but it feels like there never will be no matter what happens

If you aren't concerned about falling attendances, the football on offer and will back the manager regardless of what happens....it doesn't appear as though you are actually bothered about what fans think. And the ones who dont like whats going on are just as important as the ones who do. Sorry for saying that but after reading the 150% comment I am finding it hard not to think that is the case

Your right over the time John has been here its been really painful I mean we just missed out on the play offs in his first season win the league in his second season with grown men crying at Belper with joy at the result and then over achieve last season giving the league winners 2 of there toughest games in the league(from FCUM fans opinion not mine.) and were unbeaten against Stour, so yes it has been very painful! I mean he should of been in the conference by now useless!
There is always pressure on the manager mainly put on by himself as he is his biggest critic he never stops trying to better the team the club and the players.
If he is not at training or matches he is meeting players watching players doing what he can to bring players in all this while holding down a full time job and squeeze in a home life.
His record as a manager is up there with the best ever at Halesowen which I am sure if you ask LLL for the stats he would oblige you,


Do I care what the fans think yes I do I speak to most every game and have never not answered a question when asked so I take exception to that comment. The only time you appear on here is when you think there is a chance to have a moan about the manager even when you have not been at the game, I thought yesterday was the proverbial game of 2 halves they were better first we were better second it was not a bad game nor was it a great game.

I hate losing as much as the next person and hate it even more if we do not perform and have no issue with fans critical about performances results its there right they pay to come in they are entitled to.

Raiden we do care about the fall in attendances be stupid if we were not but having been dealt so many home games in the first part of the season does not help when you clash with so many other local games but it is something we have to deal with, next season we may not be home often first part then home most of the tail part of the season every club has to take the hand dealt and deal with it accordingly.

[Yeltz27]

No you haven't, but there are people close to the club who want attendances to grow (as we all do), but it's going the other way at the moment. It is only just starting to happen but if it were to continue its going to become a problem.

It's all very well being 150% behind the manager, but if people don't want to watch what is served up then it's not much good is it. I am one who hasn't enjoyed watching the football at the Grove for 2+ years even though I still always go when I'm here. From what I gather, or how I interpret it, there's no pressure on the manager and as somebody who has to pay to go in, that's disappointing. I'm not necessarily saying there should be pressure at the moment (I'd love things to change personally) but it feels like there never will be no matter what happens

If you aren't concerned about falling attendances, the football on offer and will back the manager regardless of what happens....it doesn't appear as though you are actually bothered about what fans think. And the ones who dont like whats going on are just as important as the ones who do. Sorry for saying that but after reading the 150% comment I am finding it hard not to think that is the case

Your right over the time John has been here its been really painful I mean we just missed out on the play offs in his first season win the league in his second season with grown men crying at Belper with joy at the result and then over achieve last season giving the league winners 2 of there toughest games in the league(from FCUM fans opinion not mine.) and were unbeaten against Stour, so yes it has been very painful! I mean he should of been in the conference by now useless!
There is always pressure on the manager mainly put on by himself as he is his biggest critic he never stops trying to better the team the club and the players.
If he is not at training or matches he is meeting players watching players doing what he can to bring players in all this while holding down a full time job and squeeze in a home life.
His record as a manager is up there with the best ever at Halesowen which I am sure if you ask LLL for the stats he would oblige you,


Do I care what the fans think yes I do I speak to most every game and have never not answered a question when asked so I take exception to that comment. The only time you appear on here is when you think there is a chance to have a moan about the manager even when you have not been at the game, I thought yesterday was the proverbial game of 2 halves they were better first we were better second it was not a bad game nor was it a great game.

I hate losing as much as the next person and hate it even more if we do not perform and have no issue with fans critical about performances results its there right they pay to come in they are entitled to.

Raiden we do care about the fall in attendances be stupid if we were not but having been dealt so many home games in the first part of the season does not help when you clash with so many other local games but it is something we have to deal with, next season we may not be home often first part then home most of the tail part of the season every club has to take the hand dealt and deal with it accordingly.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Whilst I take your points about the overachieving and the FCUM fans comments, how about the Barwell fan who said to me at the away game "why do you pay to watch this rubbish, it's an embarrassment", or the Darlington fans who said we are the worst team they've seen at this level at the home game? I had the misfortune of listening to a rugby podcast last night on the way back from Guildford last night and Matt Dawson said it's only about winning. Somebody called in and said it's not for people who have to pay, a level of entertainment should be provided and I haven't been entertained at the Grove for a long time

[Sccmkcyr]

No you haven't, but there are people close to the club who want attendances to grow (as we all do), but it's going the other way at the moment. It is only just starting to happen but if it were to continue its going to become a problem.

It's all very well being 150% behind the manager, but if people don't want to watch what is served up then it's not much good is it. I am one who hasn't enjoyed watching the football at the Grove for 2+ years even though I still always go when I'm here. From what I gather, or how I interpret it, there's no pressure on the manager and as somebody who has to pay to go in, that's disappointing. I'm not necessarily saying there should be pressure at the moment (I'd love things to change personally) but it feels like there never will be no matter what happens

If you aren't concerned about falling attendances, the football on offer and will back the manager regardless of what happens....it doesn't appear as though you are actually bothered about what fans think. And the ones who dont like whats going on are just as important as the ones who do. Sorry for saying that but after reading the 150% comment I am finding it hard not to think that is the case

Your right over the time John has been here its been really painful I mean we just missed out on the play offs in his first season win the league in his second season with grown men crying at Belper with joy at the result and then over achieve last season giving the league winners 2 of there toughest games in the league(from FCUM fans opinion not mine.) and were unbeaten against Stour, so yes it has been very painful! I mean he should of been in the conference by now useless!
There is always pressure on the manager mainly put on by himself as he is his biggest critic he never stops trying to better the team the club and the players.
If he is not at training or matches he is meeting players watching players doing what he can to bring players in all this while holding down a full time job and squeeze in a home life.
His record as a manager is up there with the best ever at Halesowen which I am sure if you ask LLL for the stats he would oblige you,


Do I care what the fans think yes I do I speak to most every game and have never not answered a question when asked so I take exception to that comment. The only time you appear on here is when you think there is a chance to have a moan about the manager even when you have not been at the game, I thought yesterday was the proverbial game of 2 halves they were better first we were better second it was not a bad game nor was it a great game.

I hate losing as much as the next person and hate it even more if we do not perform and have no issue with fans critical about performances results its there right they pay to come in they are entitled to.

Raiden we do care about the fall in attendances be stupid if we were not but having been dealt so many home games in the first part of the season does not help when you clash with so many other local games but it is something we have to deal with, next season we may not be home often first part then home most of the tail part of the season every club has to take the hand dealt and deal with it accordingly.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Whilst I take your points about the overachieving and the FCUM fans comments, how about the Barwell fan who said to me at the away game "why do you pay to watch this rubbish, it's an embarrassment", or the Darlington fans who said we are the worst team they've seen at this level at the home game? I had the misfortune of listening to a rugby podcast last night on the way back from Guildford last night and Matt Dawson said it's only about winning. Somebody called in and said it's not for people who have to pay, a level of entertainment should be provided and I haven't been entertained at the Grove for a long time

Barwell was poor yes but Matlock away was great for every poor game I can think of several that were good where it was great value for money.
Have you ever thought of being a politician? They cherry pick information to suit a purpose to?

[Yeltz27]

Isn't cherry picking what you are doing also? With your FCUM comments etc. We all do it. The reason I posted that was to balance out the argument.

Most of the people who don't like whats going on are staying away if you haven't noticed. 200 odd on an international weekend tells you all you need to know, even though some on here will tell you it's nothing to worry about. And I'm not even staying away when I'm able to go! The difference between me and those staying away is that I'm saying what I think and not voting with my feet and it's not proving to be very popular, and to be honest, I don't care. There's definitely a culture at club these days of if you don't agree or stay away you will be insulted, and people don't like it

[RobYeltz]

Isn't cherry picking what you are doing also? With your FCUM comments etc. We all do it. The reason I posted that was to balance out the argument.

Most of the people who don't like whats going on are staying away if you haven't noticed. 200 odd on an international weekend tells you all you need to know, even though some on here will tell you it's nothing to worry about. And I'm not even staying away when I'm able to go! The difference between me and those staying away is that I'm saying what I think and not voting with my feet and it's not proving to be very popular, and to be honest, I don't care. There's definitely a culture at club these days of if you don't agree or stay away you will be insulted, and people don't like it

So, what are the solutions then?