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!

🧡❤️🧡

[grizzlyg]

Just shows if you have an entertaining product people will come.  Even for old firm home games our home attendance is well up.

It's important we keep building and making sure youth academy is invested in but also being brave I transfer market.  We seem financially sound and obviously buying just, said, longelo for fees with possibility selling them on for large profit (,but obviously want them to stay)

If club can prove we want to progress then hopefully JBA sees immediate future with ourselves 

COYW

[David]

What has encouraged me most is the return of supporters who had drifted away, alongside newer fans beginning to feel at home. If we nurture that properly, it is something that can endure well beyond any single season.

It's right to highlight that the real test lies in maintaining this momentum. Positive results on the pitch will always play their part, but it is the development of lasting habits that transforms a strong season into a stronger club over time. When people enjoy coming to games, feel connected to the club, and recognise genuine progress, they are far more likely to remain involved, I think.

From the perspective of supporter ownership, increased attendances bring benefits that extend well beyond the matchday experience. They reinforce the club’s overall resilience and support the framework that keeps it in the hands of its fans. A larger and more committed following provides a firmer foundation for the future.

There is a real opportunity in front of us if everyone works together with a shared purpose. The aim should be to ensure this period is not simply remembered as a great season, but recognised as a moment that helped move the club forward.

Long may it continue.

[dennyc]

Average attendance is the official measure and it's fantastic to witness the growth that has been achieved this season. But I suspect excluding the away stand numbers would reveal even more progress. As that would focus on the growth within the home support. For me that is the true tell of the Askou appointment. Comparing the numbers pre split avoids the extra OF home game skewing the numbers from a top 6 finish.

Celtic and Rangers can be guaranteed to fill their stand so that is more or less a constant season upon season. However it looked to me as if most of the other visiting teams brought less fans with them this season.  In fairness, Falkirk as newbies far outstripped the numbers brought by the team they replaced.

Taking Kilmarnock in isolation. From what I can find online, their two visits last season brought in a total of 9312. This season that total climbed to 14163. An increase of just under 5000. But from where I was sitting it looked like this season Killie brought far less fans this season than last. So by that calculation our home support increased by at least 5300 over the two games combined. An average home support showing an increase well in excess of 2500. Happy days.

The totals I found online quoted 11209 for Sunday v Rangers. So that suggests to me the figures are accurate and not based on BBC guesswork.