It’s hard not to think that nobody cares about Rovers 2018/19 season at this point. Not even those people getting paid for it still. Is 43 points enough? Because that looks like the point that we’ve taken our foot off the gas. That starting line up though... ?

First shot on goal.

He stood out largely because of his energy levels and ability to get up and down the pitch - and he liked to put a tackle in. Don’t forget he played right back for most of his time there.

It’s ridiculous what happened to the ladies team last season. It has put fire in their bellies but it must be bittersweet with every hammering the dole out. The football authorities are just rank bad at their jobs, yet they have the gall to bang on about integrity in the game.

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Think we need Accy’s chairman in charge at Rovers!

That’s exactly what it is. Business. It certainly doesn’t encourage fans to drink in there instead of elsewhere, let alone increase attendance. Although the 800 fans a week who happily pay the surcharge are probably delighted at the match-tax on beer. Presumably after they’ve jovially handed over their £2 (is it now?) for the privilege of getting in to buy food and drink. Maybe they need to start charging people to go into the club shop as well...?

The most worrying thing is that Waggott thinks these are “deals” in the first place. So if they don’t get the uptake they’ll think, ‘fans don’t respond to deals’. An early bird reduction (on last year’s prices) advertised and in sale at at the Oxford game was what was needed but they instead tried to cash in on the feelgood factor of promotion for short term game rather than getting bums on seats and looking longer term. In a business context short-termism is the modus operandi of people looking to impress their bosses and add to their CV prior to a career move. Pretty incongruous with the long term approach which seems to be peddled of Manager and recruitment strategy. It will be interesting to see what price next year’s season tickets go on sale at. Last season prices started from £319 at early bird, and £349 after. That’s quite a hike. A similar arrangement this year will be £389 after early bird. In theory that will now be the starting price in the BBE so it’s likely we will break through the psychological £400 barrier after the early bird. Maybe Waggott will go for a £379 early and £399 late for the BBE to avoid that one? That takes us to £17 per game which probably pushes walk-ons up towards £25-£27. Let’s see if Waggott does anything other than “set ambitious targets for ST sales” [and bemoan the lack of commitment from fans]?

...and keep empty seats at the numbers they are. This probably isn’t the thread for you, Chaddy. A good idea might be to avoid this one altogether and create a thread about how loyalty throughout Venkys terrible ownership era should be rewarded. You could start it off with cheaper STs. Maybe one free match for every 10 consecutive years of holding one...?

Why are you so desperate to pick fights? This mentality was decidedly absent from the board not that long ago.

Why should they? You are looking at that from a personal perspective. You have a ST so you should get the best benefit. Someone who can’t afford the outlay of a ST might say “I pay over £20 per ticket why can’t I get a better deal”. If we stop giving ST cash back that goes back into the budget to bring in the numbers by making better offers. Personally I would reduce prices across the board while Venkys are propping us up. There will be plenty of late teens, early 20s who won’t have any real clue about how bad Venkys have been for this club so they aren’t staying away out of principle, they aren’t getting in the door because it’s cost prohibitive. They will go if it’s a tenner though. If this is our market we need to find a way to get them in the door. Because empty seats add precisely zero to the bottom line.

Bit rich that first line, Chris. So you are saying a financial incentive is a factor for some fans but only for “loyal ST holders”? That’s kind of contradicting your argument that financial considerations shouldn’t be a factor for anyone buying tickets. I said the 1875 club could be improved to make it more attractive. The current “discount” has resulted in 18,000 empty seats with only 40% of the ground in use . What we “already have” doesn’t address that so new ideas are needed. What suggestions do you have? Because “you can’t have it your own way” really isn’t the kind of thing to include in your C.V. for a role in the club’s marketing department. Even if it might impress Waggott and a few of the FF members.

Excellent post

Ladies could only manage a 2-1 win today against Sunderland. Sack the manager!

I think we need a bit more imagination than that though. Having 18,000 twice a season through a £10 offer would be good but it doesn’t really get numbers back consistently. It appears to have garnered zero discussion but I quite like the idea of beefing up the 1875 club to offer access to cheaper tickets. If the club was to put up a scheme it would need to have some value in its own right but low cost to Rovers. Free or early access to certain events or away tickets, merchandise discount. Might be controversial but I’d also stop the “club cash” scheme for season ticket holders. Add in £10 tickets for a limited number number of games, e.g. 10, (subject to availability) and it gives people flexibility, in theory guarantees extra ticket sales. Would it impact ST sales? Possibly, but they just need to get the numbers right to make it match the total revenue of today. The beauty of such a scheme is that you could continue to charge away fans (and normal walk ons) the normal price. I’m buying my ST for convenience and certainty of mine and my family’s fixed fortnightly seats.

Like Tyrone I don’t like the current kit. I don’t like the washed out citeh blue. But the logo looks awful. If sponsors are insisting on a black logo (which ruins the look of the shirt) it won’t inspire fans. However, the Bet UK that sponsor Swansea would have made such a difference. A shirt that the sponsor works with the shirt.

Astonishing way to view it. It’s no wonder you are disappointed. They can and will “have it their own way”. This isn’t a dictatorship it’s a commercial enterprise. If people don’t think the price is right then they won’t buy a ticket, it’s that simple. We do not have 20,000 die hards, we have about 8,000 (currently). The rest are people who are sensitive to value for money - I.e. standard of football v enjoyment v price. The use of “they” though - even unintentionally - is very telling. An ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality.

You really need to stop this. At no point have I insulted you. And in the first instance you inserted yourself into a discussion that didn’t involve you.

If that is true - and it’s a view - then Venkys are doing nothing at all for this football club. Using their collateral to make up any annual deficit and adding it to the debt pile (of money owed to them).

We absolutely should be trying to get punters in those seats. The reason why many don’t support cheap tickets is because of resentment... “I’ve paid £15 - £17 per ticket, why should anyone get one for a tenner”. So one answer is reducing the price for all. Would a £199 ST double current season ticket sales? If not, what would the increase be? Or a £249 one. Right now there is no attempt being made to find that sweet spot. Instead, it seems to be - keep increasing until we see the numbers drop. We already have (or had) free tickets for Under 8s. If this is still an offer then it isn’t being marketed very well. Could they offer large reductions on the 18-25 demographic? Group discounts if purchased together? There is an upcoming ‘ST holders can bring a friend for a tenner’ against Boro but that would mean moving or sitting them by themselves somewhere. 1875 club members can also get in for £10. At least it’s a start. Maybe a 10 game deal for 1875 club members as a voucher book (or online credit) as a Premium membership. Pay £30 membership and get to buy up to 10 games at £10 each (subject to availability). Fans are suggesting these things, is anyone at the club motivated to do likewise?

As someone who thinks clicking the laugh emoji in order to laugh AT someone sarcastically is acceptable, you are the least qualified person on here to comment. Your lack of self-awareness is breathtaking.

All excellent suggestions in my view.

It’s a good deal for regulars like us. Except we’ve already got season tickets. Offers need to be aimed at bringing in new future season ticket holders. Even if loss-leaders.

Unfortunately you aren’t able to debate the reasons this isn’t cause and effect. Sorry but when you stick sarcastic laugh emojis on posts where the counter-argument is put forward you can’t expect to be taken seriously.

That’s two games in a row that people have been critical of Travis. What is it he did or didn’t do, in your view? Because from my perspective we lose the midfield battle when he isn’t in it.