Increase in Attendances

[Kmcalpin]

As our standard of football is the highest its been for decades, its no surprise that our attendances have risen; certainly moreso that I would have expected at the start of the season. Over the past 20/30 years we've had a variety of short term initiatives to boost them, all with very limited temporary success. As many of you would have expected, success on the field and also entertainment value have had a lot to do with the encouraging statistics.  Stating the bleeding obvious I hear you say. Many of us felt that a average of about 5,500 - 5,900 was our absolute ceiling. 

So far this season, our average has been 7,944. That seems to be the highest since 1998-99, when the average was 8,511. Of course there are always annual factors such as top 6 success or number of games against the gruesome twosome that affect the detailed statistics. The bottom line is though, that our average this season is roughly 2,000 more per game than our long term average. Thats quite an achievement. It means a better atmosphere; bigger gate receipts; increased hospitality; increased catering income; higher programme sales; half time draw income; and boosted shop sales.  This will be reflected in the balance sheet. All good. Then we have increased wider benefits to our good friends in the likes of the New Century Bar, Steelworks, Upper Crust, Tim Hortons, Dalzell Bowling Club and last but not least the HMRC. Sadly, our one failure was our inability to save Club 100. Although I was never a customer, due to personal circumstances, I know quite a few of you were devastated at its demise.  

Our challenge now is to maintain this increase in future years irrespective of managerial and other short term changes. We have to retain these new or lapsed fans. This season does show though what can be done, if the product is right. It will give the Well Society a tangible fillip.       

[joewarkfanclub]

57 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

As our standard of football is the highest its been for decades, its no surprise that our attendances have risen; certainly moreso that I would have expected at the start of the season. Over the past 20/30 years we've had a variety of short term initiatives to boost them, all with very limited temporary success. As many of you would have expected, success on the field and also entertainment value have had a lot to do with the encouraging statistics.  Stating the bleeding obvious I hear you say. Many of us felt that a average of about 5,500 - 5,900 was our absolute ceiling. 

So far this season, our average has been 7,944. That seems to be the highest since 1998-99, when the average was 8,511. Of course there are always annual factors such as top 6 success or number of games against the gruesome twosome that affect the detailed statistics. The bottom line is though, that our average this season is roughly 2,000 more per game than our long term average. Thats quite an achievement. It means a better atmosphere; bigger gate receipts; increased hospitality; increased catering income; higher programme sales; half time draw income; and boosted shop sales.  This will be reflected in the balance sheet. All good. Then we have increased wider benefits to our good friends in the likes of the New Century Bar, Steelworks, Upper Crust, Tim Hortons, Dalzell Bowling Club and last but not least the HMRC. Sadly, our one failure was our inability to save Club 100. Although I was never a customer, due to personal circumstances, I know quite a few of you were devastated at its demise.  

Our challenge now is to maintain this increase in future years irrespective of managerial and other short term changes. We have to retain these new or lapsed fans. This season does show though what can be done, if the product is right. It will give the Well Society a tangible fillip.       

100%

Many scoffed when the Well Society/Board stated that outside investment was welcome, but they saw many short term gains that could be made that would put the club on a more stable footing and make it more attractive to investors.

Being the best version of ourselves before we reached out for investment from a position if strength is proving to be a sound plan.

We now have money in the bank and an asset rich playing squad.

How we manage that going forward will be key.

We need to maximise the return on our assets now whilst trying to re-generate them to ensure the entertainment factor remains high.

Get it right and the future could be self fulfilling.

Get it wrong and this season becomes yet another blip in an otherwise mediocre existence.

No pressure guys!

🧡❤️🧡