Increasing The Attendance At Dens

[Gedee]

There has been a long (interesting) topic on Season Tickets.      So although that might be part of this topic, I was thinking, more of the general situation of attendance.

There has been some interesting ideas & suggestions as to how to get fans/supporters motivated towards attending Dens on a regular basis. (Some of course cannot)

I am now wondering if we are just getting bogged down, by maybe too many gimmicky ideas.  I may have mentioned this already  (I know some others have anyway)

The first step in increasing DFC numbers through the turnstiles is both simple (& difficult) Get  eleven skilled, driven players, on the park with an obvious desire  to win.

Whoever we are playing, the least we can expect is players giving 90 minutes effort ....whether it be against one of the better teams, or ones from the lower divisions,

reliant on part-time players. This is not a direct criticism of the Club/ Manager/ Players. Nor do I want it to be seen as a negative post. Although it concerns me that F/T

reasonably paid, professional players, find it so difficult to beat the P/T players from lower divisions. I do believe there are a lot of good things happening with our Club.

Generally under the guidance & support of our BOD & Manager, the future looks good for DFC (imo)    I really do believe all at DFC & specifically, PH is working hard to

build a team we can all be proud of. At the same time, when finance is tight,do all they can as well, to hold on to our best players..

But at the end of the day it is what happens on the park that decides regular (maybe increasing) attendances. All supporters want to see attractive football. Hard working,

players, giving their all for the DFC Club/Supporters, who pay their wages. Ultimately, good performances & winning displays is the real way to boost attendances.

[Reverend Lovejoy]

Attendances at Dens are what they are. We can introduce things like alcohol and h/t entertainment and reduce prices, we can hand out free tickets to kids and offer multi game deals etc. Attendances may well increase due to the novelty factor but will soon level out again. Once new punters see what is on offer will they really be encouraged to come back?.

Under Scottish football's current guise unless there's the unlikely scenario that the Dundee economy sky rockets and DFC find the winning formula at the same time then I cant see many new/lapsed/pick & choose supporters becoming regular attendees.

Something radical and sustainable needs to be done across the whole of Scottish football, not just at DFC, to increase attendances. Monetary and entertainment values should be the authorities first port of call.

[Gedee]

Thanks for responding Rev' .... And your post makes a great deal of sense. 

I'd never want to put DFC supporters off the idea, of buying Season Tickets  (although finding a chunk o' money in these difficult times, must be really difficult for many)

If it follows a successful season when the fans believe the Club & Players have given their all, then there might be that extra effort to  commit theirselves to finding the lump sum for that season ticket. However, having paid for it, if they find during the course o' the season they have had to endure some poor dispirited performances, having paid in advance, they probably continue to go go back, hoping for an improved performance. If this does come along .... well that's fine. And they may again look forward to buying another season ticket when the time comes around again.

We'd like to think, the same would apply to most of the supporters, who pay at the gate. And thankfully, will take the view that after a bad result/performance ...things will be much better the next time, and then hopefully turn up again for the next game. Some however will not .... especially if they feel the players are not giving there best.

There are of course,some other bigger issues to consider,  by the SFA & DFC to take into consideration (as you point out Rev')

But keeping it simple, I'm trying to focus the issues around decreasing/increasing attendances on just DFC performance/results

And although there might well be other ideas, that will/could, enhancethe numbers, the priority (imo) is team performanceresults.

[FanDee]

How about we make it easier for fans to get in,its criminal you can't walk up to the Derry or coxy and not pay to get in. Plus open the turnstiles back up at the bottom of the provie. All very simple,and what about safe standing at that dead part if the ground beside the Derry.

If we sell stewart or hemmings (i hope we don't),we should use the money to spruce up the Derry. Put a new roof on it,preferable all the way down and fix the terracing and put proper seats in. Actually basically rebuild it!

[Derry Drummer]

5 minutes ago, FanDee said:

How about we make it easier for fans to get in,its criminal you can't walk up to the Derry or coxy and not pay to get in. Plus open the turnstiles back up at the bottom of the provie. All very simple,and what about safe standing at that dead part if the ground beside the Derry.

If we sell stewart or hemmings (i hope we don't),we should use the money to spruce up the Derry. Put a new roof on it,preferable all the way down and fix the terracing and put proper seats in. Actually basically rebuild it!

 

Your suggestions are costing money and wont improve the attendance

[md20/20]

The only way to increase attendance is success on the pitch!

[barkblue]

22 minutes ago, FanDee said:

How about we make it easier for fans to get in,its criminal you can't walk up to the Derry or coxy and not pay to get in. Plus open the turnstiles back up at the bottom of the provie. All very simple,and what about safe standing at that dead part if the ground beside the Derry.

If we sell stewart or hemmings (i hope we don't),we should use the money to spruce up the Derry. Put a new roof on it,preferable all the way down and fix the terracing and put proper seats in. Actually basically rebuild it!

And with no money for players, get relegated...

Nice sentiments, but wholly impracticable. I'd love to see the Derry steps back in use, but it would cost a FORTUNE to implement as would safe standing.

Simple? Maybe. Costly? Definitely. 

[islaydarkblue]

Quote

 

I would like to put forward a suggestion regarding PATG.

For a trial period the club should open a turnstile in the Bobby Cox stand which is PATG but exact money only. Anyone who requires change should purchase their ticket from the club shop. This saves the turnstile operator having to carry a float and it would help speed up the queues during the period 2.45pm to 3pm.

 

[Gedee]

37 minutes ago, md20/20 said:

The only way to increase attendance is success on the pitch!

Well that's now the conclusion I have now reached as well md20/20.

Any other improvements of facilities, would be appreciated I'm sure.

But it would have no signifcant effect on increasing the attendance.

A consistency in results & perfomances coupled with a clear display

of ambitious intent by Club/Players. As well as nae daft uninspiring

results/performances, against supposedly poorer lower opposition.

(The ither lot appeared to have lifted their game last night against

much poorer opposition) We are the Club in premier pole position.

It's time for the DFC players to step up to the plate in every game.

Taking another step to increase attendances, as the Top City Club.

 

[Spiritof62]

Results like Saturday do nothing to help attract fans it gives the impression of lack of effort, disorganisation and lack of will to win.

Our fans are sick of us consistently being let down, particularly against poor opposition.

 

[CC33]

Just now, Spiritof62 said:

Results like Saturday do nothing to help attract fans it gives the impression of lack of effort, disorganisation and lack of will to win.

Our fans are sick of us consistently being let down, particularly against poor opposition.

 

Good point.
Its been going since i can remember following the dees

[Reverend Lovejoy]

Saturday's result really has to put into perspective. It wasn't nearly as damaging as some would have us believe.