What impact would conference football have?

[Bitchie Renault]

The last time we went down in 2007 we averaged 2633 in that final season. First season in the conference averaged 3125 and then strangely 2325 in the second, difficult to say if history would repeat itself but not an automatic assumption that attendances would fall. Probably a good idea NOT to use the 3 or 4 whinging old farts on here saying 'I won't be back if we go down' as an accurate yardstick. With 16 players out of contact it's pretty nailed on we'll be looking at a complete squad overhaul whatever league we're in, a good thing in my opinion, we'll need a very sound manager, board, squad and financial situation to be in place, none of which appear to be in situe. Presuming another Paul Bristow doesn't come along, it's going to be a tough re-building process, but with a good infrastructure in place we will still be an atractive prospect for some top end conference players and manager.
Some, as they did 5 years ago, are predicting the end of TUFC if we go down, I don't see it that way. Relegation would be a bitter pill to swallow but not the end of the world.

[Burnhamgull]

we support our club whatever league we are in dont we? for christ sake what are supporters for, people say they wont go if we get relegated, then how the f--k does anyone think we would get back without the fans, we have done it bfore and we will do again if the fans stick with it, what the hell is wrong with people, CALL YOURSELF SUPPORTERS, AND AS FREDDIE MERCURY SAID, I WILL BE HERE TO I FU--ING WELL DIE, AND SO WILL I, I BLEED YELLOW AND BLUE .

Yeah I fully understand that. However I'm not a sheep, I'm not going to follow and pay hard-earned money time and again on something that angers me and is boring. I'll still go to some games, I'll still follow but I don't want to feel like I HAVE to go as there are other things I can be doing on a Saturday afternoon! I admit I never thought I'd say that, but there you go.

That's my point. I love the club and have followed them everywhere over the years but there comes a time when enough is enough. With the rising cost of fuel and a product that's dull and lifeless, I won't continue to throw money at something that fails to impress me.

[AustrianAndyGull]

The last time we went down in 2007 we averaged 2633 in that final season. First season in the conference averaged 3125 and then strangely 2325 in the second, difficult to say if history would repeat itself but not an automatic assumption that attendances would fall. Probably a good idea NOT to use the 3 or 4 whinging old farts on here saying 'I won't be back if we go down' as an accurate yardstick. With 16 players out of contact it's pretty nailed on we'll be looking at a complete squad overhaul whatever league we're in, a good thing in my opinion, we'll need a very sound manager, board, squad and financial situation to be in place, none of which appear to be in situe. Presuming another Paul Bristow doesn't come along, it's going to be a tough re-building process, but with a good infrastructure in place we will still be an atractive prospect for some top end conference players and manager.
Some, as they did 5 years ago, are predicting the end of TUFC if we go down, I don't see it that way. Relegation would be a bitter pill to swallow but not the end of the world.

That's the way i see it too, i'm angry as all this could have been avoided but whatever the outcome of the season, so long as we have a reasonably competetive team in the BSP and playing to a decent standard for the level then it won't be the end of the world. We'll still have a club to be proud of and a club to support no matter what happens. It could be worse, look what happened to Darlington, Halifax, Chester, Scarborough and many other clubs whose fans have suffered through no fault of their own ( a bit like us this season ) but at least we have a solid base to start from again should we go down and a solid future if most of the fans stay on board.

[Jerry]

That's my point. I love the club and have followed them everywhere over the years but there comes a time when enough is enough. With the rising cost of fuel and a product that's dull and lifeless, I won't continue to throw money at something that fails to impress me.

Why should it be "dull and lifeless" just because it's non-league?

Fair enough if you don't want to go because the product is boring drivel (like now) but you're saying you won't go just because it's BSP football.

[ROADRUNNER]

well said jerry, no reason at all, keep behind the club like wrexham and luton and grimsby fans have, look how long luton have been down there and the fans still stick with them, and they could go in to london and watch premier games, but no, THEY STICK WITH THERE CLUB , DRIVEL OR NOT

[Kernowgull]

I personally have lost the passion for it. Like I said on another thread, I went to watch Plymouth Albion play rugby yesterday instead. I had a couple pints whilst watching the game and thoroughly enjoyed it!! I haven't thoroughly enjoyed a Torquay game since October.

Whatever you think of how a supporter should act Roadrunner, being a Torquay dupporter doesnt define me. I have a lot going on in my life, and lots competing for TUFCs affection. I am sure hundreds of others do to, and if TUFC dont win that battle then many others wont automatically choose them over more value for money and enjoyable activities. Going to Torquay doesnt offer what it used to, the group I used to stand with has diminished due to death, ilness, people moving to the bench so if the footy isnt up to scratch then its hard to use the reason "because youre a supporter" as reason enough to go regularly.

[Burnhamgull]

That's my point. I love the club and have followed them everywhere over the years but there comes a time when enough is enough. With the rising cost of fuel and a product that's dull and lifeless, I won't continue to throw money at something that fails to impress me.

Why should it be "dull and lifeless" just because it's non-league?

Fair enough if you don't want to go because the product is boring drivel (like now) but you're saying you won't go just because it's BSP football.[/quote]

I haven't said I won't go because it's BSP football. I've said I won't go because the current product is dull and lifeless. Our style of play for two seasons has been sneak a goal and then defend for our lives. Last year it worked and we got lucky on more than one occasion. This year, teams have worked us out and we've suffered for that. We've been crying out for more striking options since October yet nothing has been done to rectify that until Benyon was brought in and he has been a failure.

[ROADRUNNER]

Thats fine kernow we are all entitled to our opions, i too have a lot going on in my life without football, im just stating that they are the team i support and always will regardless, we may not always enjoy it but thats life, but rest assured no club can survive witout the fans and that is fact.
and as you will be aware plymouth albion have been having the same problems, crowds dwindling and money problems, we all have other things in our life competing for our affections and there nothing wrong with that, im just getting my point over, NO FANS , NO CLUB, FACT!

[hector]

quote ROADRUNNER we support our club whatever league we are in dont we? for christ sake what are supporters for, people say they wont go if we get relegated, then how the f--k does anyone think we would get back without the fans, we have done it bfore and we will do again if the fans stick with it, what the hell is wrong with people, CALL YOURSELF SUPPORTERS, AND AS FREDDIE MERCURY SAID, I WILL BE HERE TO I FU--ING WELL DIE, AND SO WILL I, I BLEED YELLOW AND BLUE . "

Yeah I fully understand that. However I'm not a sheep, I'm not going to follow and pay hard-earned money time and again on something that angers me and is boring. I'll still go to some games, I'll still follow but I don't want to feel like I HAVE to go as there are other things I can be doing on a Saturday afternoon! I admit I never thought I'd say that, but there you go.

This is how I feel. I have a busy job, two young children, money is tight. Why would I want to waste it on something, like Nick says, that just pisses me off and bores the hell out of me. After a hard week at work, the last thing I want to do is travel 30 miles to home game to watch us lose at home to Stockport or Barrow. For an extra 5 quid I can watch Exeter Chiefs, have a few pints, be a in a stadium that is not like a library and just enjoy my weekends.

I expect I will still go to Plainmoor but I imagine I will be fussier. At the moment - because of my season ticket, I go to every game I can. I rarely make the midweek games because I cannot get there in time, even though the club have my money for it. I will not give away my cash for the Conference, when I have children to clothe and feed and there are better things to do.

The club cannot complain if supporters desert them. It is their own fault.

[Glostergull]

It'll kill us. Gates would fall to 1300/1400 average, I'd say about 40/50% of ST holders wouldn't renew (I wouldn't either Modgull).

We'd be more of a Lincoln/Stockport/Darlington than a Grimsby/Wrexham. It'd be awful.

Last time it was a novelty, we were winning more than we were losing, but this time, well no chance. At least we have a big screen to look at...

You have no evidence to back this up i suspect. I can see your frustrated. but look at the actual facts. When we did go down we actually had higher gates. In fact when we have been at the hard end of the league we always seem to have had better gates than when we did well. When we did well only in the last very few games did attendances pick up at all. I cannot remember a game in the last few years when we had a sell out bar the excretia playoff. yet if you look at several years when we have done badly we have had higher gates. doesn't make sense to me but that's the fact.

Andy, I know your a reet miserable sod at times but this is one truly great post. it looks at the facts. asked a few well thought out questions and actaully was pretty positive. it's the sort of spirit we need to survive.
I have no doubt the club will survive.. I don't think for one minute we would fall further than the BSP. But i have seen this coming generaly for all clubs as reality bites. The Premier league laid the foundations with their greed and sucking all the money from our legaues. I can see a day in maybe 5 or 6 years when there is a real danger of leagues one and two seperating from the Championship and we will effectively join tbe BSP to have 3 divisions at that level. You can scoff. but if it happens I will at least have the grace to refrain from coming back on here and saying "Told you so"

[hector]

"NickGull"It'll kill us. Gates would fall to 1300/1400 average, I'd say about 40/50% of ST holders wouldn't renew (I wouldn't either Modgull).

We'd be more of a Lincoln/Stockport/Darlington than a Grimsby/Wrexham. It'd be awful.

Last time it was a novelty, we were winning more than we were losing, but this time, well no chance. At least we have a big screen to look at...

You have no evidence to back this up i suspect. I can see your frustrated. but look at the actual facts. When we did go down we actually had higher gates. In fact when we have been at the hard end of the league we always seem to have had better gates than when we did well. When we did well only in the last very few games did attendances pick up at all. I cannot remember a game in the last few years when we had a sell out bar the excretia playoff. yet if you look at several years when we have done badly we have had higher gates. doesn't make sense to me but that's the fact.

Andy, I know your a reet miserable sod at times but this is one truly great post. it looks at the facts. asked a few well thought out questions and actaully was pretty positive. it's the sort of spirit we need to survive.
I have no doubt the club will survive.. I don't think for one minute we would fall further than the BSP. But i have seen this coming generaly for all clubs as reality bites. The Premier league laid the foundations with their greed and sucking all the money from our legaues. I can see a day in maybe 5 or 6 years when there is a real danger of leagues one and two seperating from the Championship and we will effectively join tbe BSP to have 3 divisions at that level. You can scoff. but if it happens I will at least have the grace to refrain from coming back on here and saying "Told you so"

I don't think you can base a 2nd spell in the Conference on what happened last time. Last time it was the start of a new era. It felt exciting to be rid of Bateson, all the new players and we were just grateful to have a team. Also, Exeter were already in that division so it just didn't seem so bad. My feeling is that it is going to be a long haul this time. Just hope some miracle happens and we stay up.

[ROADRUNNER]

thats fine chaps do what you have too, i dont like rugby myself so wont be going there, torquay fan i am and always will be, we all have our own opinion and this is mine, im with gloucester on this one, UNITED WE STAND!

[royalgull]

sub 1000 league gates, home defeats by Hyde and Braintree, loss of respect/finance from the football league and seasons in the abyss Stockport style just with half of their crowds. Oh and our remotely average players would all leave leaving us with a pile of steaming crud managed by Alan Knill who is sacked in October with us 19th after losing 3-0 at Welling.

[SuperNickyWroe]

sub 1000 league gates, home defeats by Hyde and Braintree, loss of respect/finance from the football league and seasons in the abyss Stockport style just with half of their crowds. Oh and our remotely average players would all leave leaving us with a pile of steaming crud managed by Alan Knill who is sacked in October with us 19th after losing 3-0 at Welling.

agree royal - plus.............

how about a disaster? embarrassment? will they do?

to those that scoffed at my idea of 20yrs guaranteed league 2 football - what do you think now?

as it looks more like 20yrs of BSP - if we are lucky.

[Glostergull]

thats fine chaps do what you have too, i dont like rugby myself so wont be going there, torquay fan i am and always will be, we all have our own opinion and this is mine, im with gloucester on this one, UNITED WE STAND!

Oh, you mean me, sorry I thought for one minute you were going to follow all your football in gloucester.