How to turn irregular into regular supporters

[sugrues flying headbutt]

I’m amazed at the number of fans we took to Wembley and the number who turned out on the streets of Aldershot on Monday night.

Several posts on here from long forgotten shotsweb posters suggest there were many for whom Wembley was the first game they have attended in many years if not decades. I remember a few were regular attendees back in the day and would comment on the match day threads most weeks.

I was at 20 ish games last season so I couldn’t claim to be hard core and that is about average for me in the 28 years since I first started attending. I very rarely travel away unless it’s a once in a decade game, eg Stoke, Carlisle away (play offs) or West Brom.

However there have been many memorable matches in the last two seasons which have been up there in my favourite shots games. Last seasons FA Cup run and Play Off Push and this season has been up and down but really entertaining, Woking FA trophy being one of those unforgettable moments.

I am not intending this to be a holier than thou type of post, but for the people for whom Wembley was their first Shots game in a long time, what would it take to get you to attend more regularly?

It seems to me this is the key to the club’s future, to attract the 16,000 or so fans who normally don’t make up the 2,500 we average. I get people are spread far and wide but the number of Aldershot residents lining the streets on Monday suggests there’s a captive audience if the offer is right, I’d start by getting season ticket offers going immediately.

[SteveyAsp]

These type of discussions crop up after every big game.
There's only one answer.....Success that's the only way.
Yes some from Sunday might come at the start of next season but when they realise that watching Aldershot is a hard slog most of the time they'll soon stop.

[redblueuptoyou]

These type of discussions crop up after every big game.
There's only one answer.....Success that's the only way.
Yes some from Sunday might come at the start of next season but when they realise that watching Aldershot is a hard slog most of the time they'll soon stop.

We’ve also got two or three months of no football for people to go off and do other things, perhaps forgetting about how good Sunday felt.

Think I saw someone say the trophy might be going on a tour of local community spaces? Let people get photos and lift it! Keep that engagement running.

[MikeB]

I will answer for myself instead of trying to generalise.

I had a season ticket for many years as a youngster, but as an adult I moved away from the area, got more important priorities, and it’s a 3-4 hour round trip to visit the Rec. I go to local away matches, but realistically I will only return to Aldershot for a few home games each season. Like most “occasional” fans I will pick and choose, and I’m more likely to come if we are doing well. I would have been gutted to miss Wembley, though - it was a real highlight of over half a century of supporting the Shots. But that doesn’t mean I am likely to turn up to watch us at home to Brackley (for example) next season on a Tuesday night.

[Fuggletim]

These type of discussions crop up after every big game.
There's only one answer.....Success that's the only way.
Yes some from Sunday might come at the start of next season but when they realise that watching Aldershot is a hard slog most of the time they'll soon stop.

Got to say that “Success” really is the key to gaining and retaining crowds. I always recall after the Man Utd game back in 2011, that people had to buy a ticket for the game after to be able to get a Man Utd ticket. As such you may have expected a 7000+ crowd at that subsequent game, but I think there were just over 3000 there (Burton Albion?).

A bigger than average crowd, but that average (according to Statto’s favourite website ) was 2488.

With football, I think a club really is as only as good as its last game and whilst I would love to see a “bounce” from this magnificent win, I rather think it will be short lived sadly.

[Silasgoldeen]

Not speaking for myself because I'll go anyway, and my kids probably won't, but I think the gap and the opportunity is families, especially with younger kids. There were loads at the parade. How to get them through the door at the weekend?

I think this then becomes about the facilities - old white blokes are used to **** toilets and bad food, but if you want a family to come along with younger kids you probably need to raise the game a bit.

I think success is kind of the answer in the sense of creating a buzz, but for most of us I'm sure the result isn't the be all and end all, and part of it is just about seeing the games and the season unfold, positive or negative. Realistically if they're only here for success they'll stop as soon as that does, which it surely will. I'm no less likely to go if the team's winning or losing and I suspect a good proportion of fans are the same.

So back to families, I think you build on the characters you have, build on the stories and maybe reach out to local schools more. Clearly everyone loves Josh Barrett, how do you leverage that? Marcus Dewhurst has an infectious energy that I think would appeal to kids, can that be used? My son was briefly very interested in Jonny Stuttle because he was borrowed from the Premier League. I don't know where I'm going with this, but there are some good personalities in the team and that might count for something somehow.

[shots1965]

With all the media coverage of our recent FAT win

Maybe there were a few potential buyers looking in
Impressed with our fan support etc

Maybe wanna invest in our club
Great catchment area,lots to like
Can't really understand why this has never happened yet.

Could do a lot worse than ATFC

Oh well..

I'll just keep on dreaming

[Fuggletim]

Not speaking for myself because I'll go anyway, and my kids probably won't, but I think the gap and the opportunity is families, especially with younger kids. There were loads at the parade. How to get them through the door at the weekend?

I think this then becomes about the facilities - old white blokes are used to **** toilets and bad food, but if you want a family to come along with younger kids you probably need to raise the game a bit.

I think success is kind of the answer in the sense of creating a buzz, but for most of us I'm sure the result isn't the be all and end all, and part of it is just about seeing the games and the season unfold, positive or negative. Realistically if they're only here for success they'll stop as soon as that does, which it surely will. I'm no less likely to go if the team's winning or losing and I suspect a good proportion of fans are the same.

So back to families, I think you build on the characters you have, build on the stories and maybe reach out to local schools more. Clearly everyone loves Josh Barrett, how do you leverage that? Marcus Dewhurst has an infectious energy that I think would appeal to kids, can that be used? My son was briefly very interested in Jonny Stuttle because he was borrowed from the Premier League. I don't know where I'm going with this, but there are some good personalities in the team and that might count for something somehow.

There is comment on another thread about facilities and how they might affect attendance and whilst I can accept there are some who feel this is the key, I still feel that a successful team (which remains successful) and exciting football is more likely to be what a majority of people want to see. I have yet to talk to any football supporting acquaintance who tells me they only come here for the architecture and the gourmet burger!

I think attracting a younger element (and I mean there IS a younger element who attend) is a challenge insofar as that watching Aldershot v Tamworth doesn’t have quite the appeal of say Liverpool v Arsenal or AC Milan v Barcelona. I love “Live” football, but to a lot of the younger fans, it is more exciting and convenient in the digital media age to watch a big name on TV rather in the comfort of their own home than go and watch some lower level of football. Too many adults probably feel this way as well, and as such the incentive to watch football elsewhere is just not encouraged.

I hear comment that “Oh, you don’t get the skill etc” at a lower level. However, I really think that many who make this sort of comment probably haven’t really gone to many games at a lower level, if at all. Football at ANY level is potentially exciting and it doesn’t need to be PL, Champions League etc.

The challenge, I feel, is to realise the prospect and reality of lower league football exciting to start off with, and then maintain that excitement.

[Sean Chambers]

Success on the pitch is the key along with the match day experience as apart from the Corporate facilities are poor.
Until we improve then we won’t generate more funds, the ground redevelopment is still along way off, that’s if it actually happens at all.
We have lost more money this year therefore the debt has risen.
We have borrowed as well, Shahid,Deane and John Leppard can’t keep putting money in.

[Silasgoldeen]

Not speaking for myself because I'll go anyway, and my kids probably won't, but I think the gap and the opportunity is families, especially with younger kids. There were loads at the parade. How to get them through the door at the weekend?

I think this then becomes about the facilities - old white blokes are used to **** toilets and bad food, but if you want a family to come along with younger kids you probably need to raise the game a bit.

I think success is kind of the answer in the sense of creating a buzz, but for most of us I'm sure the result isn't the be all and end all, and part of it is just about seeing the games and the season unfold, positive or negative. Realistically if they're only here for success they'll stop as soon as that does, which it surely will. I'm no less likely to go if the team's winning or losing and I suspect a good proportion of fans are the same.

So back to families, I think you build on the characters you have, build on the stories and maybe reach out to local schools more. Clearly everyone loves Josh Barrett, how do you leverage that? Marcus Dewhurst has an infectious energy that I think would appeal to kids, can that be used? My son was briefly very interested in Jonny Stuttle because he was borrowed from the Premier League. I don't know where I'm going with this, but there are some good personalities in the team and that might count for something somehow.

There is comment on another thread about facilities and how they might affect attendance and whilst I can accept there are some who feel this is the key, I still feel that a successful team (which remains successful) and exciting football is more likely to be what a majority of people want to see. I have yet to talk to any football supporting acquaintance who tells me they only come here for the architecture and the gourmet burger!

I think attracting a younger element (and I mean there IS a younger element who attend) is a challenge insofar as that watching Aldershot v Tamworth doesn’t have quite the appeal of say Liverpool v Arsenal or AC Milan v Barcelona. I love “Live” football, but to a lot of the younger fans, it is more exciting and convenient in the digital media age to watch a big name on TV rather in the comfort of their own home than go and watch some lower level of football. Too many adults probably feel this way as well, and as such the incentive to watch football elsewhere is just not encouraged.

I hear comment that “Oh, you don’t get the skill etc” at a lower level. However, I really think that many who make this sort of comment probably haven’t really gone to many games at a lower level, if at all. Football at ANY level is potentially exciting and it doesn’t need to be PL, Champions League etc.

The challenge, I feel, is to realise the prospect and reality of lower league football exciting to start off with, and then maintain that excitement.

yeah I've been trying to impress this on people: the best player at your school wouldn't be nearly good enough for National League.

Definite issue around younger folks. It's a different world now and they're apparently more interested in the highlights, the stars, etc. I always find it weird when I see kids in Real Madrid or Inter Miami shirts but that's just how it is now.

[Tazzle]

The attraction for me was Wembley, and I'm sure it's the same for many others who were there. However the simple answer to improved gates is success. I've absolutely now doubt if, by some miracle, a wealthy investor came in, Aldershot Town could replicate what Bournemouth has done, and easily fill an 11,000 seat stadium for premier league matches.

[NTR_12]

The simplest answer is to win more games, but that’s easier said than done. Facilities are a major issue, but that’s not going to resolved over the summer.

Two things that the club can do in the short term;

Season tickets - On Monday morning after Wembley the club should have put on an early bird season ticket offer, say £290 and u11s go free, offer valid until the end of the week. You could have really capitalised on the feel good factor and hooked some new fans who were still on a high from Wembley. Some might lose interest around November, but the club will already have their money. Also, some won’t and will become hooked for life like a lot of us!

Secondly, to get kids away from watching Man City or whoever on TV, I think we should recognise the power of social media and team up with some football influencers to show what The Rec in its current form has to offer.

Guinness realised what influencers can do and in one summer they went from being a drink for old men and rugby fans to being the go to drink for 18-24 year olds in this country.

To have this level of interest in a team that almost got relegated is not to be taken for granted, I hope they opportunity doesn’t pass us by.

[Aldershot_Rob]

I think this then becomes about the facilities - old white blokes are used to **** toilets

What sort of lazy and inaccurate stereotype is that?

[Cph.shots]

The simplest answer is to win more games, but that’s easier said than done. Facilities are a major issue, but that’s not going to resolved over the summer.

Two things that the club can do in the short term;

Season tickets - On Monday morning after Wembley the club should have put on an early bird season ticket offer, say £290 and u11s go free, offer valid until the end of the week. You could have really capitalised on the feel good factor and hooked some new fans who were still on a high from Wembley. Some might lose interest around November, but the club will already have their money. Also, some won’t and will become hooked for life like a lot of us!

Secondly, to get kids away from watching Man City or whoever on TV, I think we should recognise the power of social media and team up with some football influencers to show what The Rec in its current form has to offer.

Guinness realised what influencers can do and in one summer they went from being a drink for old men and rugby fans to being the go to drink for 18-24 year olds in this country.

To have this level of interest in a team that almost got relegated is not to be taken for granted, I hope they opportunity doesn’t pass us by.

Good point about the "influencers" it seems like they are the way ahead for getting younger fans in.
I see some videos from something called "The padded seat" where they go around trying different clubs trying hospitality, clubs at all levels and in different countries. I think a lot can be learnt from looking at other club's setups, the food, the atmosphere, the facilities, etc.
More and more women are attending football, mothers bring children, I think some decent toilets and better food selection would make the match day experience better for a lot of people.
There are some positives about The Rec, old school ground, close to station and pubs and it would probably do, if it could be updated (quite) a bit.

One more thought, really try to get people in to the pre season games, make then dirt cheap and maybe they'll come again.

[karlready]

I think this then becomes about the facilities - old white blokes are used to **** toilets

What sort of lazy and inaccurate stereotype is that?

Actually,a pretty fair comment about the facilities I think, there’s a fair few old school that revel in the reputation of grottiness.
A majority of the Wembley attendees were on a day out, a chance to get a relatively cheap view of the national stadium,the football being a sideline. There’s a chance some will come to a game or two at the start of the season, but it’s not an attraction for the indulged casual.