New Staff

[gs50]

Looks like they are after a sponsor for first game of season.

[Blue_and_Gold]

Looks like they are after a sponsor for first game of season.

Does anyone have idea how much they want for it? If people were made aware of the cost, they may consider it.

[Mallard]

Why not treat your employees or invite some important clients and sponsor our first game of the season against
@SUFCRootsHall
 - it will be an electric atmosphere with the return of fans and Southend’s first ever game in non-league.  A historic moment and one to relax and enjoy

There we go.  Point in case

Surely the Club can be more professional than this.  A random Tweet to try and grab a match day sponsor for the opening day of the season against a relegated League Club.

Come on SC you are better than this.

[Blue_and_Gold]

mmmmm....not sure that an electric atmosphere can go hand in hand with relaxing.

 

[KES80]

Just not good enough......no real attempt to connect with the core fans all pre season and then a limp attempt to try to entice people to the first match..... should be way, way better than this....it seems to be just assumed that The Walks will be full and provide the atmosphere, that the team requires...WRONG...attendance comes from feeling involved, wanting to support YOUR team and liking the match day package and fayre.........next SC will be complaining about the level of attendance......just plain poor in my book

[Mallard]

How long before SC comes out with use it or lose it story.  Well not for 12 weeks I guess. 

Let’s hope he has gauged the mood of the fans correctly in setting admission at such a high level.  If he gets it wrong has he the funds to support it ?

[samsdad]

Last year it was £500 with a 3 course meal. Signed match ball too.

The three course meal isn’t amazing but food all the same. Half time you get free drinks but again last year we had an occasion where we weren’t served. I love the club but as it’s been touched on the match day experience has stayed many levels below what we play at. Simple things like locations to get food/drink haven’t exactly excelled, pre season friendlys the food was one side of the ground and that was it.

I feel half the time these are the small fixes that are overlooked.

Our hall of fame has three players.. why not engage the fans to vote on new members? I understand asking more money to push the club forward but the fans also need something out of this

[Blue_and_Gold]

Just not good enough......no real attempt to connect with the core fans all pre season and then a limp attempt to try to entice people to the first match..... should be way, way better than this....it seems to be just assumed that The Walks will be full and provide the atmosphere, that the team requires...WRONG...attendance comes from feeling involved, wanting to support YOUR team and liking the match day package and fayre.........next SC will be complaining about the level of attendance......just plain poor in my book

All of this would presumably come under the remit of the Commercial Manager. This is such an important job at this level. Its not one for volunteers. It requires a full time salaried position. It needs to be an all year job, not be closed for business when the season ends.

If anyone feels that the Club can't afford this, that would surely mean that we are punching above our weight and that we are at least one step too high.

Investment needs to be on going off the pitch as well as on it, to ensure long term viability.

[KES80]

Agreed, Samsdad.....it has to be a two way street.

The meals provided should be a good standard........but for those who can't afford that there should be a quality burger stall and a good quality jacket potato stall in the ground, with a selection of soft drinks, teas and coffees, all at reasonable prices.

There should be greater emphasis on club merchandise too....have some offers on scarves, hats etc
Give a free club mug to the first 50 through the gate and I am sick of going on about masks bearing the club logo.

It just seems like there isn't anybody at the club, thinking of positive initiatives, to get fans onside....it really isn't rocket science...........with the lack of a commercial side worthy of the name, it puts greater emphasis on getting good attendances.......   I think there needs to be a wake up call....I believe this coming season is make or break for the club, I really do.

[Blue_and_Gold]

Our hall of fame has three players.. why not engage the fans to vote on new members?

What? Let the supporters have a voice?

Wherever would that end.

[KES80]

Just not good enough......no real attempt to connect with the core fans all pre season and then a limp attempt to try to entice people to the first match..... should be way, way better than this....it seems to be just assumed that The Walks will be full and provide the atmosphere, that the team requires...WRONG...attendance comes from feeling involved, wanting to support YOUR team and liking the match day package and fayre.........next SC will be complaining about the level of attendance......just plain poor in my book

All of this would presumably come under the remit of the Commercial Manager. This is such an important job at this level. Its not one for volunteers. It requires a full time salaried position. It needs to be an all year job, not be closed for business when the season ends.

If anyone feels that the Club can't afford this, that would surely mean that we are punching above our weight and that we are at least one step too high.

Investment needs to be on going off the pitch as well as on it, to ensure long term viability.

Quite agree

[kenny r]

Pre-2009 there was a very popular Vice President's Club ( probably 50 VPs at that time) where the matchday sponsors mixed with the VPs. Tea / coffee and biscuits at half time and basic hot food after the game and a very lively atmosphere.
There was also a pre-match carvery for supporters which was always a sell-out. I don't think it produced a huge financial return as it was priced to sell BUT it gave supporters a feeling of involvement and opened up other income streams.

I can't see any of the above happening again, sadly.

[Blue_and_Gold]

Pre-2009 there was a very popular Vice President's Club ( probably 50 VPs at that time) where the matchday sponsors mixed with the VPs. Tea / coffee and biscuits at half time and basic hot food after the game and a very lively atmosphere.
There was also a pre-match carvery for supporters which was always a sell-out. I don't think it produced a huge financial return as it was priced to sell BUT it gave supporters a feeling of involvement and opened up other income streams.

I can't see any of the above happening again, sadly.

An experienced Commercial Manager, not interfered with and left to their own devices, would be onto all these kind of things. It would be like second nature to them.

[MARCUS ROSE]

Agreed, Samsdad.....it has to be a two way street.

The meals provided should be a good standard........but for those who can't afford that there should be a quality burger stall and a good quality jacket potato stall in the ground, with a selection of soft drinks, teas and coffees, all at reasonable prices.

There should be greater emphasis on club merchandise too....have some offers on scarves, hats etc
Give a free club mug to the first 50 through the gate and I am sick of going on about masks bearing the club logo.

It just seems like there isn't anybody at the club, thinking of positive initiatives, to get fans onside....it really isn't rocket science...........with the lack of a commercial side worthy of the name, it puts greater emphasis on getting good attendances.......   I think there needs to be a wake up call....I believe this coming season is make or break for the club, I really do.

Apparently it's £1k per game to have your burger wagon in the ground. That would price most people out.

[Gordon Chilvers]

Pre-2009 there was a very popular Vice President's Club ( probably 50 VPs at that time) where the matchday sponsors mixed with the VPs. Tea / coffee and biscuits at half time and basic hot food after the game and a very lively atmosphere.
There was also a pre-match carvery for supporters which was always a sell-out. I don't think it produced a huge financial return as it was priced to sell BUT it gave supporters a feeling of involvement and opened up other income streams.

I can't see any of the above happening again, sadly.

Somewhere about 2004/5 the meals that Les used to produce upstairs were amazing. Going through divorce at the time these meals were very welcoming along with bringing friends and family. At that time good commercial manager, amazing clubshop (according to Peterborough, Cambridge Utd and Wimbledon, real supporters club with away travel to all games and the social events including the 3 day events in the marquee at the end of the season. EVERY game was sponsored prior to the season starting. When i sponsored games or matchballs in those days it was not DEMANDED in cash as was my last experiences with this regime. Yes that club went tits up but the supporters experience under this regime is crap.
Try hiring the Blue and Gold. You will need a mortgage. Use your own DJ and you have to pay extra to plug into the electric supply. Something is seriously wrong.
People need to smell the coffee.

The FA should NEVER allow one person to own a club without a board as back up. But then who would be daft enough to want to be on that board.