The way forward

[WestLondonYellow]

i guess you're right. needs to be something a lot more solid than spiel.

Having said that, to put out there that there is no ambiton and we're happy just to survive in L2 is very demoralising, i seem to rememebr this was Bateson consistent line, still at least he never took us down.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Don't take it the wrong way WLG, I fully praise you for thinking of constructive things. It is more than a lot of people do I just don't think anyone would buy that for one minute unless we had been taken over or had a shed load of cash come our way then it may be a way to take advantage but as it stands people would just laugh.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I'm also not saying I laughed at you for suggesting it either. :Oops:

[tomogull]

No offence tomo. :na:

No offence ever taken - water off a duck's back and all that !! :-| You're probably right - in other words, it all boils down to apathy. However, whilst we've got the current Newton Road, Newton Abbot may just as well be in Outer Mongolia. When completed, the new link road may well be a bonus for the club.

Another strategy tried at other clubs is 'Kid for a Quid'. I seem to recall that we tried it once but it sort of fizzled out. Even 'Kid for a Couple of Quid' (allowing for inflation) at selected games could bring in a few extra plus dads. And don't limit it to the bliddy Family Stand !! The seats are darn uncomfortable and it's the worst place to watch the match !!

[WestLondonYellow]

I'm also not saying I laughed at you for suggesting it either. :Oops:

No worries, didn't take it the wrong way.

[WestLondonYellow]

Here's a controversial one, put home fans in the babbacombe end, they'd be more squashed in and would generate a much better atmosphere, give, the family stand end of the pop to away fans and a 3rd of the other end of the pop to home fans, again, this would create better atmosphere as they would be much closer together, possible need for a strong fence?

As it is can away fans get a beer in the ground? In fact, correct me if i'm wrong, the only place to get a beer is b&l, why not have a bar in each stand? At the moment i go in the Bench when i attend, do they serve beer under the popside or is it just snacks and soft drinks?

[Plymouth Gull]

I'm confident that we'll be seeing more of this sort of stuff come to fruition over a period of time guys, the club know they need to market themselves more and better, and though it'll probably start with baby steps, hopefully over a time we will see some difference! Good ideas though, keep them coming.

WLY, I also thought about the away end the other day. If there was a way that that could be turned into a home end, I think it'd improve the atmosphere around the place.

[WestLondonYellow]

I'm confident that we'll be seeing more of this sort of stuff come to fruition over a period of time guys, the club know they need to market themselves more and better, and though it'll probably start with baby steps, hopefully over a time we will see some difference! Good ideas though, keep them coming.

WLY, I also thought about the away end the other day. If there was a way that that could be turned into a home end, I think it'd improve the atmosphere around the place.

I hope so, but i'm wondering if there are some proactive things we as fans can do to help. We want to see the club succeed, does our responsibility end after we pay at the turnstyle?

[Plymouth Gull]

What sort of proactive things were you thinking, if you had any in mind? I guess our responsibility is to make noise and support the side, both of which are being slightly neglected at the minute, especially at Plainmoor!

[AustrianAndyGull]

Should have been at Wycombe Nick, we gave it a real go brother!

I nailed YELLOW ARMY for about 5 minutes and just wouldn't stop! Loved it!! I would not have actually stopped but I seriously ran out of breath and couldn't physically carry it on anymore.

[Dave]

Very admirable thread W-L-Y. However a lot of what is being said here is being done, or has been done, Frank Prince and his in the community coaching team, are running football coaching clubs in schools, holiday clubs, players from time to time attend, they give out tickets as prizes I believe.

They hold match day birthday parties as well, in fact there has been a birthday party at our last two home games, last season the club was giving free tickets to pioneer league clubs for the family stand, I don't know whether they are still doing this, the club has done so much over the years.

The amount of kids wearing TUFC kits and clothing is growing,and becoming more visible, however, how many of these kids are actually getting to the match's for one reason and another sadly not many.

[brucie]

We started the season with a crowd of 3800 - not bad in the summer holidays. This was due to some feelgood factor and some optimism.
Basically that lasted precisely ninety minutes after which time it was blindingly obvious that we would struggle again.
We started badly and have been going downhill ever since - thats why the crowds are dropping.

[ferrarilover]

We started the season with a crowd of 3800 - not bad in the summer holidays. This was due to some feelgood factor and some optimism.
Basically that lasted precisely ninety minutes after which time it was blindingly obvious that we would struggle again.
We started badly and have been going downhill ever since - thats why the crowds are dropping.

I know, I know, I should be doing the more important things, but here I am, once again, falling for a very obvious wind-up.

Someone tell him why the bit in red is complete crap.

Matt.

[Scott Brehaut]

Brucie,

The red highlighted part of your statement is complete crap because Matt said so

[hector]

I know, I know, I should be doing the more important things, but here I am, once again, falling for a very obvious wind-up.

Someone tell him why the bit in red is complete crap.

Matt.

It was 3441 - still, a thousand more than last game and not many Wimbledon fans. If it wasn't a feelgood factor and a sense of optimism, then what did account for a larger than average crowd?

The only thing that will increase crowds is something that comes from the club. Simply imploring the South Devon public to do their duty will not work. Bemoaning them will make it even less likely.

Mike Bateson used to talk down the ambition of the club all the time. So what was in it for fans thinking of committing to the club? What was the point? If you knew the best you could hope for was 17th, then there is little to entice paying customers to commit their time, their money, an emotional stake and their hope in a football club.

Supporters do need to be able to dream and aspire, so the club has to show this and I think the poster who made the point releasing a 5 yr plan has a point. If you can see the direction the club is trying to head, you can feel more comfortable about embarking on that journey with them. I think they need to focus on the matchday experience. It's non-existent.