[Tha Knows...]

Skywalker, on 21 July 2014 - 11:22 AM, said:

I don’t think 7000 was a ‘ridiculous estimate’ to make last year especially when you consider the previous 2 seasons attendances. We made some very good signings last summer and our squad was considered by just about every L2 Manager as being the best. In addition, we were in the Top 3 pretty much all season and the quality of the football was pretty special.

A lot of home games were far from special tbh

[brianclose]

Skywalker, on 21 July 2014 - 11:22 AM, said:

I don’t think 7000 was a ‘ridiculous estimate’ to make last year especially when you consider the previous 2 seasons attendances. We made some very good signings last summer and our squad was considered by just about every L2 Manager as being the best. In addition, we were in the Top 3 pretty much all season and the quality of the football was pretty special.

The previous 2 years attendances which were 6,530 (in L1 with 2 Sheffield derbies, Notts County and numerous other big games), and 5,431 when we finished 8th in L2?

I would definitely think on that evidence that 7,000 was a ridiculous estimate!

This post has been edited by brianclose: 21 July 2014 - 11:30 AM

[Hitit]

Brookie, on 21 July 2014 - 11:22 AM, said:

True but we have to share this with Derby County, I know of Chesterfield people who go to Derby and not Town, the cricket club can legitimately claim the whole of Derbyshire

Yes, with you all the way. The trick is to Pull in the new ones and hopefully turn a few of the older Floaters. But like you say those who are Well Dug In County Fans could take a Little Longer.

[Tha Knows...]

brianclose, on 21 July 2014 - 11:28 AM, said:

The previous 2 years attendances which were 6,530 (in L1 with 2 Sheffield derbies, Notts County and numerous other big games), and 5,431 when we finished 8th in L2?

I would definitely think that 7,000 was a ridiculous estimate!

Absolutely. People forget we had recently been promoted from L2

[SpireRam]

Skywalker, on 21 July 2014 - 11:22 AM, said:

I don’t think 7000 was a ‘ridiculous estimate’ to make last year especially when you consider the previous 2 seasons attendances. We made some very good signings last summer and our squad was considered by just about every L2 Manager as being the best. In addition, we were in the Top 3 pretty much all season and the quality of the football was pretty special.

I agree on that but there was one local derby last season. There were hardly any high profile games. They even put Pompey on a Tuesday night who would have brought more on a Saturday.
Away fans must have brought on average 400 fans tops and for that reason I find it ridiculous.
More than that though, it looks like they never actually took into account 'what if we don't hit those attendances''. They should have used that as a best case scenario. Is that not common sense on their behalf.
Recently I've learned that they seem to have none of that.

[Skywalker]

brianclose, on 21 July 2014 - 11:28 AM, said:

The previous 2 years attendances which were 6,530 (in L1 with 2 Sheffield derbies, Notts County and numerous other big games), and 5,431 when we finished 8th in L2?

I would definitely think on that evidence that 7,000 was a ridiculous estimate!

Apologies Brian, I had attempted to banish 2012 from memory. I was basing my point of view on the Championship year (2010).

[rs1978]

a kick in the balls, on 21 July 2014 - 10:39 AM, said:

gates will be around 7000 average this year - the sell out games against Blunts, Donny, Barnsley and Coventry will see to that. Chuck in Notts county and a few other localish sides like Vale, Wallsall and the extra away support they will bring - we will be ok for attendances.

I'm not as convinced as some that fans will turn out (to the point of a 'sell out') in numbers for games against Doncaster, Barnsley and Coventry (maybe not even Sheff Utd)...especially if we are not doing very well. Higher than average due to larger away support certainly, but I'm not sure these games are all that enticing for a 'floating' fan.

[Tha Knows...]

rs1978, on 21 July 2014 - 11:35 AM, said:

I'm not as convinced as some that fans will turn out (to the point of a 'sell out') in numbers for games against Doncaster, Barnsley and Coventry (maybe not even Sheff Utd)...especially if we are not doing very well. Higher than average due to larger away support certainly, but I'm not sure these games are all that enticing for a 'floating' fan.

[longeatonspireite]

brianclose, on 21 July 2014 - 11:28 AM, said:

The previous 2 years attendances which were 6,530 (in L1 with 2 Sheffield derbies, Notts County and numerous other big games), and 5,431 when we finished 8th in L2?

I would definitely think on that evidence that 7,000 was a ridiculous estimate!

Did any of the board/financial wizz kids know what a contingency plan was? What happens if? If last year was 7000, what is estimate for this year...8000??? Some real estimating will be needed know and what to when we are not in the top half!

[azul]

Turner has not learned, he thinks we should be getting 7000 against the likes of Yeovil and MK Dons next season

The man is absolutely deluded even before DA's pronouncement

Mind you in the same interview he was still talking about signings, BUT they had to be quality

[Guest_freelander2_*]

Skywalker, on 21 July 2014 - 11:22 AM, said:

I don’t think 7000 was a ‘ridiculous estimate’ to make last year especially when you consider the previous 2 seasons attendances. We made some very good signings last summer and our squad was considered by just about every L2 Manager as being the best. In addition, we were in the Top 3 pretty much all season and the quality of the football was pretty special.

I think the point here is that it's OK to budget, but once it became apparent that the 7K figure was unachievable, the budget gets revisited and controls are put in place. From the outside looking in, we've continued to spend based on crowds of 7K, that's the problem

[LuSiVe]

Surely budgets should be set on a pessimistic scenario, not out and out the best we were going to get?

A budget based on 6000 would have been sensible, allowing us to overspend.

[newboldsteve]

Skywalker, on 21 July 2014 - 11:27 AM, said:

So in essence we are talking about the club basing attendance estimates on 2.8% of a 250K catchment area. Not un-realistic IMO.

sheff wed and utd get about 40k between them in a city of 1.4 mill so sheff utd get just over 1% and Wednesday 1.5 % so yea 2.8 is to many

[Guest_freelander2_*]

LuSiVe, on 21 July 2014 - 11:48 AM, said:

Surely budgets should be set on a pessimistic scenario, not out and out the best we were going to get?

A budget based on 6000 would have been sensible, allowing us to overspend.

Come over here, let me give you a kiss.

[Duckys Moved]

We have a lot to be thankful for with regard to Mr Allen and he has every right to structure HIS business however he see's fit. What puzzles me and judging by the responses on here is the timing, all these facts have been known to them for a while. What really worries me is if we cannot survive as a viable business on crowds of 6300 a thriving corporate side and a Wembley visit then we are in trouble.

If things were that tight why have we employed a very expensive new physio and kept the old one?

[Hitit]

longeatonspireite, on 21 July 2014 - 11:37 AM, said:

Did any of the board/financial wizz kids know what a contingency plan was? What happens if? If last year was 7000, what is estimate for this year...8000??? Some real estimating will be needed know and what to when we are not in the top half!

There is the other way of looking at it.
To sign Higdon and perhaps 2 others whilst maintaining current squad would require attendances of XXXX. Considering projected attendances this figure cannot be reached, therefore said signings cannot be made. Board action is to inform supporters. Which seems like what has happened. Result supporters not happy.

Perhaps last season they were in a similar position but considered with Good Football, Better Players and another Promotion Push there would be sufficient increase to Buy Into a Forward Moving Club.

[spireiterob]

Duckys Moved, on 21 July 2014 - 11:52 AM, said:

We have a lot to be thankful for with regard to Mr Allen and he has every right to structure HIS business however he see's fit. What puzzles me and judging by the responses on here is the timing, all these facts have been known to them for a while. What really worries me is if we cannot survive as a viable business on crowds of 6300 a thriving corporate side and a Wembley visit then we are in trouble.

If things were that tight why have we employed a very expensive new physio and kept the old one?

Think thats half the problem, the conflicting messages coming out of the club! Talking to Higdon etc last week from the Clubs twitter, Turner on about signing quality players and now this.

[Hitit]

longeatonspireite, on 21 July 2014 - 11:37 AM, said:

Did any of the board/financial wizz kids know what a contingency plan was? What happens if? If last year was 7000, what is estimate for this year...8000??? Some real estimating will be needed know and what to when we are not in the top half!

There is the other way of looking at it.
To sign Higdon and perhaps 2 others whilst maintaining current squad would require attendances of XXXX. Considering projected attendances this figure cannot be reached, therefore said signings cannot be made. Board action is to inform supporters. Which seems like what has happened. Result supporters not happy.

Perhaps last season they were in a similar position but considered with Good Football, Better Players and another Promotion Push there would be sufficient increase to Buy Into a Forward Moving Club.

[trickytrevsfanclub]

Skywalker said:

So in essence we are talking about the club basing attendance estimates on 2.8% of a 250K catchment area. Not un-realistic IMO.

Take out all the people who have no interest in watching live football, all those who have no interest in football at all, all the toddlers and babies, all the elderly and infirm in care homes, all those who want to come but can't afford it. All the Saturday workers who would love to come but can't, all the blades, bowels, manure and scouse fans and that £250k dwindles rapidly.

This post has been edited by trickytrevsfanclub: 21 July 2014 - 12:04 PM

[Rodney's Moustache]

Spireite_UK, on 21 July 2014 - 10:13 AM, said:

What were the grounds for budgeting 7k crowds last season?
Why only come out with all this now?

Something doesn't add up

Because that way you can use it as an excuse to say due to lower than expected attendances the playing budget ie recruitment has been slashed.