Boycott Or Not?

[speedies gonna get ya.]

We value and appreciate input and ideas from all. Was just explaining why a Saturday was chosen. Now it has, let's get behind it. Was not an attack or criticism of anyone.Moving forward, please do share ideas. 

Important to add that the majority of the coalition were still attendeding up to the turnoffthetaps campaign starting. There seems to be an assumption that we are all stay aways already and have been for years. We are not proposing anything that doesn't affect us the same as everyone else.

Edited yesterday at 12:47 by speedies gonna get ya.

[Mattyblue]

Wasn't aimed at you.

[speedies gonna get ya.]

4 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Wasn't aimed at you.

👍

[Dreams of 1995]

32 minutes ago, speedies gonna get ya. said:

I believe they do. You can make a freedom of info application but takes 3 weeks. We are looking at previous ones. 

The comparison with the last previous 3pm games will be a good graphic.

[MarkBRFC]

13 minutes ago, speedies gonna get ya. said:

We value and appreciate input and ideas from all. Was just explaining why a Saturday was chosen. Now it has, let's get behind it. Was not an attack or criticism of anyone.Moving forward, please do share ideas. 

 

Do you not think the idea of a boycott, for a game that shouldn't even be taking place if it wasn't for years of under investment would have been a much better idea that more will get behind though?

Especially when you factor in the opposition and what they have been through too.

Edited yesterday at 12:57 by MarkBRFC

[KidderStreetNoise]

58 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

Do Lancashire Police release official attendance figures for the games? The Clubs attendances can never be trusted

I've got a FOI request due by 9th January, you can find last seasons & a few from this season here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X5d3fIUZpbM7JAxUfVrb0oU4TDZ28tJh-94kvEqjsNo/edit?usp=sharing

[Hasta]

13 minutes ago, KidderStreetNoise said:

I've got a FOI request due by 9th January, you can find last seasons & a few from this season here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X5d3fIUZpbM7JAxUfVrb0oU4TDZ28tJh-94kvEqjsNo/edit?usp=sharing

Interesting. So last season on average 1 in 5 didn't attend who had bought tickets (or 20%).

However for league midweek games outside of the Christmas period this number is 30%

For Saturday games this number is 18.5%. The highest figure for a Saturday game is 24.3%

I suspect a large portion of this are kids who have been bought a season ticket (or even match ticket) because they are so cheap, therefore it's easy to "waste".

 

 

Edited yesterday at 13:30 by Hasta

[speedies gonna get ya.]

48 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Do you not think the idea of a boycott, for a game that shouldn't even be taking place if it wasn't for years of under investment would have been a much better idea that more will get behind though?

Especially when you factor in the opposition and what they have been through too.

I see your point and believe that many fans also would see it the same way. However, if we had targeted that game, not only would tickets from the abandoned game be valid, they would no doubt heavily discount prices out of spite. We needed time and no date was set for this game at time of open letter. 

[MarkBRFC]

6 minutes ago, speedies gonna get ya. said:

I see your point and believe that many fans also would see it the same way. However, if we had targeted that game, not only would tickets from the abandoned game be valid, they would no doubt heavily discount prices out of spite. We needed time and no date was set for this game at time of open letter. 

Fair point on the tickets being valid for the abandoned game, but that could have been said about any game you targeted though regarding discounted ticket prices.

Also the Watford game was included in the recent 4 game bundle they did, not that we probably sold many of them but if we did those people would already have tickets for that one too. The only Saturday 3pm in the bundle.

The details and date set for the rearranged game were actually released before the open letter was released to the public too.

Like I said, I'm behind it and truly hope it works, I personally just think the game targeted is a bit of an own goal.

Let's see.

 

[Vinjay]

If the club progresses to the FA Cup 4th round that could be the opportunity you need. Even if it's against Man United as the players might perform better with less fans there. That's a joke by the way...probably.

[BigUts]

3 hours ago, KidderStreetNoise said:

I've got a FOI request due by 9th January, you can find last seasons & a few from this season here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X5d3fIUZpbM7JAxUfVrb0oU4TDZ28tJh-94kvEqjsNo/edit?usp=sharing

That attendance versus Swansea is absolutely embarrassing

Will be interesting to see the real figures when the most recent fixtures are available as there will be some well below even that I imagine

[Tomphil2]

No chance of a boycott for a big cup draw because even if every regular stayed away another 10k part timers would just stroll up.

[aletheia]

3 hours ago, KidderStreetNoise said:

I've got a FOI request due by 9th January, you can find last seasons & a few from this season here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X5d3fIUZpbM7JAxUfVrb0oU4TDZ28tJh-94kvEqjsNo/edit?usp=sharing

Excellent post.

[Leonard Venkhater]

2 hours ago, Vinjay said:

If the club progresses to the FA Cup 4th round that could be the opportunity you need. Even if it's against Man United as the players might perform better with less fans there. That's a joke by the way...probably.

To adapt from Gilbert O'Sullivan.....We won't..

[...]

2 minutes ago, Leonard Venkhater said:

To adapt from Gilbert O'Sullivan.....We won't..

Just watched one of your tunes on YT in the Napia lol

[M_B]

6 hours ago, MarkBRFC said:

I was just about to post similar and is the exact same as where I am at.

It seems to me that the coalition don't want constructive criticism, the "the action has been chosen and that's that" comment I find disappointing.

I think it was yourself earlier in the thread that said the coalition don't seem to understand the mindset of the majority of the remaining match going fanbase, and I agree.

I truly do hope this works and is the start of something, but the numbers for this game I think will be no more noticeable than it was the game against Milwall a few weeks back.

I'll definitely be attending, and everyone I've asked, and there's been a few, is also going. 

That's not to say I'm happy with what is happening at the club.

The way this has been organised has become extremely divisive, it's being portrayed as some do or die cliff edge moment when we all know it's anything but, and the ridiculous rhetoric will only be ramped up even more as next weekend approaches.

It should be obvious to anyone that most will still attend, a lot won't even know about the "boycott".

Rather than attempt to drive a wedge between the two factions, which was an obvious consequence of the whole idea, if there was a visual protest inside the ground to run alongside the number staying away, it would have been a way to unite the whole thing, holding up a red card at a certain time for example. 

The whole boycott thing is riddled with contractions, but I could get on board with showing frustrations within the ground. 

 

[TugaysMarlboro]

On 04/01/2026 at 23:17, TugaysMarlboro said:

Eloquent post.

 

@chaddyrovers I’m tagging you deliberately because you’ve explained why the boycott doesn’t work for you and you’re exactly the kind of committed match going supporter the coalition would need on side to have a huge impact.

Setting aside past arguments and personalities, I’d genuinely like to ask this in practical terms.

If this were a straight “how could the coalition get you onside?” question, what one or two specific actions or commitments from the coalition would make you more willing to engage with it? Not necessarily to agree with everything, but enough to feel it was moving in a direction you could support.

I’m not asking why you don’t back it now and I’m not asking you to defend your position. I’m asking what would actually change things for you.

If the coalition wants to grow beyond its current base, understanding what would persuade supporters like you feels very important.

@M_B would you mind having a look at the quoted post and adding your thoughts. You seem like a good alternative person to ask.

 

Edit: I posted this prior to seeing you'd read my mind and almost responded to it entirely!

Edited yesterday at 20:06 by TugaysMarlboro

[M_B]

39 minutes ago, TugaysMarlboro said:

@M_B would you mind having a look at the quoted post and adding your thoughts. You seem like a good alternative person to ask.

 

Edit: I posted this prior to seeing you'd read my mind and almost responded to it entirely!

I'd just add, there were a lot of comments on here about the number of absentees at the Leicester game last night.

Imagine if there was a visual show of frustration, running alongside the boycott, from the ones who actually attended. 

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

39 minutes ago, M_B said:

I'd just add, there were a lot of comments on here about the number of absentees at the Leicester game last night.

Imagine if there was a visual show of frustration, running alongside the boycott, from the ones who actually attended. 

Excellent suggestion IMO.

The two potential flaws in the boycott plan are a) it completely depends on action by fans not currently aligned with the coalition, and b) should it fail to be noticeable, it would be spun by the club as showing the coalition was just a splinter group unrepresentative of the fanbase. In-ground action by those who attend would negate both issues.

[speedies gonna get ya.]

Many fans do not feel comfortable being seen to be involved in some form of visual protest. These sort of things never gather any steam and are brushed off as a minority. If we ask those attending to do some form of protest then it really is a mixed messages. Please do not attend, but if you do show them you are not happy. Marches, banners etc all be done. All been ignored. This is definitely worth a shot imo. The Coalition have been really careful to appeal to fans and try and persuade, not to dictate or intimated. In all honesty it has been some of those who will not boycott who have insulted and belittled the coalition. 

The visual protest in the ground is empty seats.

Can I respectfully ask you 2 questions.

What in ground protest do you propose?

 

Why will you will not boycott?

Edited yesterday at 21:40 by speedies gonna get ya.

[47er]

1 hour ago, M_B said:

That's not to say I'm happy with what is happening at the club.

Just not willing to do anything about it!

[M_B]

3 minutes ago, 47er said:

Just not willing to do anything about it!

On the contrary, I've just posted an idea. 

Just because it isn't your idea doesn't mean it's wrong. 

[speedies gonna get ya.]

5 minutes ago, M_B said:

On the contrary, I've just posted an idea. 

Just because it isn't your idea doesn't mean it's wrong. 

Always appreciate new ideas ans suggestions. Could you let me know your plan please?

[...]

6 minutes ago, M_B said:

On the contrary, I've just posted an idea. 

Just because it isn't your idea doesn't mean it's wrong. 

But why go if you aren't happy with the owners?  Trying to make an Impact is surely the more proactive thing to do rather than keep going expecting things to change. Turning up during a boycott is just going against all the people that aren't happy with the club. Its aiding those who haven't stuck to honouring Jack's legacy. 

[M_B]

7 minutes ago, ... said:

But why go if you aren't happy with the owners?  Trying to make an Impact is surely the more proactive thing to do rather than keep going expecting things to change. Turning up during a boycott is just going against all the people that aren't happy with the club. Its aiding those who haven't stuck to honouring Jack's legacy. 

Look, just because a few people who I don't know have come up with an  idea doesn't mean it becomes gospel. Who are they to call it "Official" anyway ??? They didn't ask my opinion, did they ask yours? 

Tell you what, the boycott is OFFICIALLY OFF and everyone has to attend the Watford match. There you go, 25000 crowd against Watford coming up, don't forget, you have to turn up because it's OFFICIAL because I said so.