Season review: Lots of chopping and changing but end result the same as Bantams languish near foot of table (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

bwwb wrote:
Is it not the cheap season ticket deal that is holding the club back ? A significant number of people have bought season tickets but don't bother to turn up for games. The club budget is therefore built on bringing in large numbers of overpaid loan players who have proved totally incapable of building a team ethic required to get promoted. Even if they were successful the directors know that any increase in price of tickets would mean a fall off in ticket sales. Therefore the budget in L1 would be no larger than in L2 (and possibly less). The model of low prices and high sales (of season tickets) actually makes relegation (and lower wages) a more attractive business model. An example of this is the way the 25 year ticket works - Conference No Discount, L2 25% Discount, L1 50% Discount Championship 75% Discount and Premiership 100% Discount. The whole cheap ticket deal has held this club back for years and the sooner it is scrapped the better. Sales would definitely fall in year 1 (and probably income) but at least success would guarantee extra income and failure would not be an option

If City can keep the nucleus of good players that have emerged as well as adding a few decent 'others', then they should do better next season.
McLoughlin, Oliver, Ravenhill, Jones, Syers, Reid, Wells and Hanson are the ones to 'build around.' This 'team' needs to play regularly with the chopping/changing confined to instances of injury/suspension.
Hopefully, at home we will show enough ambition to try to win games with the 'cautious' approach (which 'PP' favours) confined to away games.

If City are an enjoyable football team to watch, produce a decent 'spectacle' at home-the crowds will turn up. And of course, "Success breeds success" so..I suppose the converse must also be true!!

We may think 'we've got a few probs. but..spare a thought for Cardiff City fans!!

Some 'stories' look like they've come straight out of the 'April 1st' book of japes-get this one:

Apparently, the Malayasian 'investors' in Cardiff City would like them to change their colours...from blue to..er..RED!! Well, since their nickname is 'The Bluebirds'..this could prove ..problematical! It seems..red..is a 'big' colour in the far east..and these investors are suggesting ..red is also...BIG in Wales! (so..NO PROB??!!) Well, putting aside the fact that if all Welsh teams played in red..there'd be a colour clash...what about..football tradition?!! ie the 'thing' that is important to football fans?

Well, since the Yorkshire rose is white perhaps City should....????...er.
..No!! I'd better NOT go there!!

bwwb wrote:
bwwb wrote: Is it not the cheap season ticket deal that is holding the club back ? A significant number of people have bought season tickets but don't bother to turn up for games. The club budget is therefore built on bringing in large numbers of overpaid loan players who have proved totally incapable of building a team ethic required to get promoted. Even if they were successful the directors know that any increase in price of tickets would mean a fall off in ticket sales. Therefore the budget in L1 would be no larger than in L2 (and possibly less). The model of low prices and high sales (of season tickets) actually makes relegation (and lower wages) a more attractive business model. An example of this is the way the 25 year ticket works - Conference No Discount, L2 25% Discount, L1 50% Discount Championship 75% Discount and Premiership 100% Discount. The whole cheap ticket deal has held this club back for years and the sooner it is scrapped the better. Sales would definitely fall in year 1 (and probably income) but at least success would guarantee extra income and failure would not be an option

This really makes no sense at all. It shows a blatant lack of awareness of what is happening in football and, indeed, the country as a whole. I'm afraid it's just ineffectual speculation, far removed from reality.

Like Cityman23 says, build on what we have and improve on consistency with no persistent chopping and changing of players.

What the supporters want to see some is signs of commitment by the club to keep the better players.

Compton was fairly consistent when given games. Look at what happened with his contract, couldn’t agree terms, then PP tried all season to replace him and failed abysmally. This apparent bullish stance at times by the club does not always justify the final costs in time and resources.

PP states he wants to build a tight squad of 22 players, Cityman23 as listed 8 that are good enough to play at this level; we have some other old faithful’s in the squad like Bullock and Ramsden (pay as you play) who can do a job.

We need some quick wingbacks who can support the attack and a quality right winger.

Announce that we are keeping the better players and I am sure season ticket sales will improve.

Success on the field will only come through winning which in turn breeds confidence. Recruiting players who can create this spirit of success will remain a complete lottery - our problem (and that of all lower league teams) is that any truly talented players coming through our junior ranks are whisked away before they get anywhere near the first team. So, good luck to PP in acquiring some "hidden gems" over the summer. I say "good luck" because it never ceases to amaze just how ineffectual many recruits from Division One and above are in our division- either as signed players or loanees.
I live in hope that one of these days a squad will "click" and we will see the start of a gradual climb back up the ladder - which is why, as usual, I have paid up for a new Season Ticket despite the advice of my psychiatrist !

I am willing to write this season off and get behind Parkinson again next season. I will be interested to see who he brings in, hopefully he will keep the majority of the players who have performed well this season and add some quality. A right winger is number one prioirity! And not a Fagan style winger, an out and out winger who gets down the flank and crosses in for Hanson.

After this season its hard to see Parky getting us promoted but I think next season will be a huge improvement on this one.

SHAMBLES OF A MANAGER!!.
Shambles of a Season!!............
Simple Really!!
"Deadbeat" OUT!!.

Peter300 wrote:

bwwb wrote: bwwb wrote: Is it not the cheap season ticket deal that is holding the club back ? A significant number of people have bought season tickets but don't bother to turn up for games. The club budget is therefore built on bringing in large numbers of overpaid loan players who have proved totally incapable of building a team ethic required to get promoted. Even if they were successful the directors know that any increase in price of tickets would mean a fall off in ticket sales. Therefore the budget in L1 would be no larger than in L2 (and possibly less). The model of low prices and high sales (of season tickets) actually makes relegation (and lower wages) a more attractive business model. An example of this is the way the 25 year ticket works - Conference No Discount, L2 25% Discount, L1 50% Discount Championship 75% Discount and Premiership 100% Discount. The whole cheap ticket deal has held this club back for years and the sooner it is scrapped the better. Sales would definitely fall in year 1 (and probably income) but at least success would guarantee extra income and failure would not be an option

This really makes no sense at all. It shows a blatant lack of awareness of what is happening in football and, indeed, the country as a whole. I'm afraid it's just ineffectual speculation, far removed from reality.

I agree, it makes no sense.

If supporters buy a season ticket but don't turn up to the games, how does that affect the budget, when we still have the money???

shaun from richmond wrote:
SHAMBLES OF A MANAGER!!.
Shambles of a Season!!............

Simple Really!!
"Deadbeat" OUT!!.

You really are boring you old ****! Is your life that boring that you constantly moan on here and irritate people? You need a hobby or your lass needs to put out more. Who you get to replace him? He is the man for the job! Just do us all a favour and go and rot away somewhere

shaun from richmond wrote:
SHAMBLES OF A MANAGER!!. Shambles of a Season!!............ Simple Really!! "Deadbeat" OUT!!.

Lets see what he can do next season when he doesn't have to clear up Jacko's mess first...You did read the bit above stating that Jacko didn't want to give Wells a trial didn't you!

bigchris221 wrote:

shaun from richmond wrote: SHAMBLES OF A MANAGER!!. Shambles of a Season!!............ Simple Really!! "Deadbeat" OUT!!.

You really are boring you old ****! Is your life that boring that you constantly moan on here and irritate people? You need a hobby or your lass needs to put out more. Who you get to replace him? He is the man for the job! Just do us all a favour and go and rot away somewhere

I don’t even get the nickname deadbeat? It has no relevance to Phil Parkinson?

It's not a clever play on words? or a pun or an abbreviation, it has no relevance to anything to do with PP? What does it all mean?

Is it even classed as a nickname if the only person calling him it is the same person that started it, with zero relevance to anyone else.

Will never catch on because its just so cr@p.

Lets say that of the 10400 average gate last season 8000 were full price season tickets at £200 = £1.6m plus 1000 kids at £75 - £75k 1000 U11 (free) plus 400 pay on the gate (£20 x 23) - £184k
That gives total gate income of £1.859m
If the price of an adult ticket went up to (say) £350 (still a 25% discount to POTG) then sales would undoubtedly fall by 50% and guaranteed income
would be £1.4m against £1.6m
However that would leave about 2000 (former s/t holders) fans who want to watch a successful team but won't gamble to watch dross.
If City play like this season the club will be out of pocket but a promotion push would persuade those 2000 to watch say 12 games at £20 bringing in £480k.
It doesn't take a genius to work out that more success would be rewarded with more income but that failure would lead to more of a struggle.
As for having a lack of awareness of what is going on I would suggest that the 5 seasons of heavily discounted season tickets has led to continual decline at City and that every "budget" since that time has been wasted on celebrity big name signings such as McLaren, Doherty, Branston etc along with a plethora of "couldn't care less" loan players

Come on now chaps and chapesses you are doing exactly what shaun wants and BITING. Just ignore him

We won't get crowds like that bwwb, if there were no such thing as season tickets and we all paid £20 per game City would have crowds of approx 5-7k if we were lucky.

We used to survive on crowds of 1,500- 2,000 some weeks, Workington Town on a wet Wednesday wasn't always the most popular or glamourour match to attend.

When we played Hereford we had a chance to bring more fans to games often but we played utter dross. Will these people come again when the price is £1 because when they have they watch rubbish. We probably weren't worth £1 that day.

bwwb wrote:
Lets say that of the 10400 average gate last season 8000 were full price season tickets at £200 = £1.6m plus 1000 kids at £75 - £75k 1000 U11 (free) plus 400 pay on the gate (£20 x 23) - £184k That gives total gate income of £1.859m If the price of an adult ticket went up to (say) £350 (still a 25% discount to POTG) then sales would undoubtedly fall by 50% and guaranteed income would be £1.4m against £1.6m However that would leave about 2000 (former s/t holders) fans who want to watch a successful team but won't gamble to watch dross. If City play like this season the club will be out of pocket but a promotion push would persuade those 2000 to watch say 12 games at £20 bringing in £480k. It doesn't take a genius to work out that more success would be rewarded with more income but that failure would lead to more of a struggle. As for having a lack of awareness of what is going on I would suggest that the 5 seasons of heavily discounted season tickets has led to continual decline at City and that every "budget" since that time has been wasted on celebrity big name signings such as McLaren, Doherty, Branston etc along with a plethora of "couldn't care less" loan players

OR!!!......We could get rid of "Deadbeat" and put 5-7k on the gate straight away!!.
Simple...."Deadbeat" OUT!!.

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
We won't get crowds like that bwwb, if there were no such thing as season tickets and we all paid £20 per game City would have crowds of approx 5-7k if we were lucky. We used to survive on crowds of 1,500- 2,000 some weeks, Workington Town on a wet Wednesday wasn't always the most popular or glamourour match to attend.

5000 paying £20 per match over 23 games equates to income of £2.3m - 50% more than the current gate receipts.

I doubt if we are getting so bad as we want to play Workington Town as they are a third tier Rugby League team

bwwb......what PCBA meant is when City used to have to play such as Workington Town at home on a wet Wednesday night, it wasn't exactly a game to draw spectators. Only we City diehards used to watch those games......I guess with your comment that you are too young to remember Workington Town in the league, or a game that I wish we could see again soon. City versus Avenue in the Football League.

Tinybantam wrote:
bwwb......what PCBA meant is when City used to have to play such as Workington Town at home on a wet Wednesday night, it wasn't exactly a game to draw spectators. Only we City diehards used to watch those games......I guess with your comment that you are too young to remember Workington Town in the league, or a game that I wish we could see again soon. City versus Avenue in the Football League.

Having been a season ticket holder since 1963 I can assure you I remember Workington AFC very well - not least Wednesday 22nd April 1964 when 17974 turned out on a Wednesday night to see City lose 2-0 in Division 4

However they are not called (and have never been) Workington Town - which is the name of the Rugby League club

bwwb wrote:
Lets say that of the 10400 average gate last season 8000 were full price season tickets at £200 = £1.6m plus 1000 kids at £75 - £75k 1000 U11 (free) plus 400 pay on the gate (£20 x 23) - £184k That gives total gate income of £1.859m If the price of an adult ticket went up to (say) £350 (still a 25% discount to POTG) then sales would undoubtedly fall by 50% and guaranteed income would be £1.4m against £1.6m However that would leave about 2000 (former s/t holders) fans who want to watch a successful team but won't gamble to watch dross. If City play like this season the club will be out of pocket but a promotion push would persuade those 2000 to watch say 12 games at £20 bringing in £480k. It doesn't take a genius to work out that more success would be rewarded with more income but that failure would lead to more of a struggle. As for having a lack of awareness of what is going on I would suggest that the 5 seasons of heavily discounted season tickets has led to continual decline at City and that every "budget" since that time has been wasted on celebrity big name signings such as McLaren, Doherty, Branston etc along with a plethora of "couldn't care less" loan players

Still makes no sense.

If season tickets were £350 and not £300 like they will be after May, then no-one would buy any at all.

They would all buy 50/50's.

23 games plus 50/50 card equals £280. Unless you're suggesting we get rid of the best option we've had for years to bring in floaters/weekend workers.

I used to work weekends and could only attend about 10 matches a season. If the 50/50 had of existed then I and many others would've bought one, and we would have tried to get more time off work or make more time to attend more matches.

Cheaper prices, will bring in more fans and more money. 50/50 is the best thing for non season ticket holders for years, and with the more matches they attend, the more it might persuade them to buy a season ticket the next year.

Danstarr69 wrote:

bwwb wrote: Lets say that of the 10400 average gate last season 8000 were full price season tickets at £200 = £1.6m plus 1000 kids at £75 - £75k 1000 U11 (free) plus 400 pay on the gate (£20 x 23) - £184k That gives total gate income of £1.859m If the price of an adult ticket went up to (say) £350 (still a 25% discount to POTG) then sales would undoubtedly fall by 50% and guaranteed income would be £1.4m against £1.6m However that would leave about 2000 (former s/t holders) fans who want to watch a successful team but won't gamble to watch dross. If City play like this season the club will be out of pocket but a promotion push would persuade those 2000 to watch say 12 games at £20 bringing in £480k. It doesn't take a genius to work out that more success would be rewarded with more income but that failure would lead to more of a struggle. As for having a lack of awareness of what is going on I would suggest that the 5 seasons of heavily discounted season tickets has led to continual decline at City and that every "budget" since that time has been wasted on celebrity big name signings such as McLaren, Doherty, Branston etc along with a plethora of "couldn't care less" loan players

Still makes no sense. If season tickets were £350 and not £300 like they will be after May, then no-one would buy any at all. They would all buy 50/50's. 23 games plus 50/50 card equals £280. Unless you're suggesting we get rid of the best option we've had for years to bring in floaters/weekend workers. I used to work weekends and could only attend about 10 matches a season. If the 50/50 had of existed then I and many others would've bought one, and we would have tried to get more time off work or make more time to attend more matches. Cheaper prices, will bring in more fans and more money. 50/50 is the best thing for non season ticket holders for years, and with the more matches they attend, the more it might persuade them to buy a season ticket the next year.

Don't see how 50/50 will attract floating fans? You need to attend 5 games to get your money back and you need to know that you will attend these games in advance. More of an option for a wannabe season ticket holder who know they won't attend enough games to justify a season ticket. The floating fans will still have to pay £20 'cos they won't have a 50/50 ticket.

It's all supposition anyway. Season ticket prices are set to attract as many people as possible and at £200 they are extremely good value. I would personally rather sell 7000 season tickets at £200 than 4666 tickets at £200 as more fans will be at games.

I'm more concerned that the 50/50 deal is too attractive and that people will happily pay £50 up-front instead of £200 up front. If they attend less than 15 games then they are better off. I don't personally think this is a very good idea for the club.

Danstarr69 wrote:

bwwb wrote: Lets say that of the 10400 average gate last season 8000 were full price season tickets at £200 = £1.6m plus 1000 kids at £75 - £75k 1000 U11 (free) plus 400 pay on the gate (£20 x 23) - £184k That gives total gate income of £1.859m If the price of an adult ticket went up to (say) £350 (still a 25% discount to POTG) then sales would undoubtedly fall by 50% and guaranteed income would be £1.4m against £1.6m However that would leave about 2000 (former s/t holders) fans who want to watch a successful team but won't gamble to watch dross. If City play like this season the club will be out of pocket but a promotion push would persuade those 2000 to watch say 12 games at £20 bringing in £480k. It doesn't take a genius to work out that more success would be rewarded with more income but that failure would lead to more of a struggle. As for having a lack of awareness of what is going on I would suggest that the 5 seasons of heavily discounted season tickets has led to continual decline at City and that every "budget" since that time has been wasted on celebrity big name signings such as McLaren, Doherty, Branston etc along with a plethora of "couldn't care less" loan players

Still makes no sense. If season tickets were £350 and not £300 like they will be after May, then no-one would buy any at all. They would all buy 50/50's. 23 games plus 50/50 card equals £280. Unless you're suggesting we get rid of the best option we've had for years to bring in floaters/weekend workers. I used to work weekends and could only attend about 10 matches a season. If the 50/50 had of existed then I and many others would've bought one, and we would have tried to get more time off work or make more time to attend more matches. Cheaper prices, will bring in more fans and more money. 50/50 is the best thing for non season ticket holders for years, and with the more matches they attend, the more it might persuade them to buy a season ticket the next year.

No one is going to buy a 50/50 ticket and attend 23 games. As you say that would cost £80 more than buying a season ticket. In fact a 50/50 ticket can only make sense if you intend to watch no fewer than 6 games (cost £110 with a 50/50 ticket) and no more than 14 games (cost £190). Any fewer you should pOTG any more you should buy a season ticket

We shall never really know but i think with hindsight the cheap season ticket deal was a mistake. the idea i suppose was to bring in a city legend to manage. give him a good budget. get the crowds up with the cheap deal. get promoted. then gradually edge the prices as we gained a bit of momentum. unfortunately in reality we have had no success. another poor season and the worst recession in decades. and city are now faced with the prospect of dwindling crowds and low prices. lets hope the season ticket sales do pick up or it could be grim! I think the 50/50 deal is a desperate measure.

Shaun, if City get into the play offs next year will you say that you were wrong?

Shaun is a jacko lover end of and has it didnt work out he took his anger on PP and I guess whoever took over would have got the same treatment.I have asked shaun over the course of the season different questions which as yet he has answered none.

bwwb, I stand corrected, it is Workington AFC.

My son is in possession of his 50/50 and may attend every match, he plays in a band so this is dependant upon recording days and gigs. He may get to one match or all 23, so you are not correct in saying someone who has a 50/50 won't go to every game, everyone has mitigating factors.

In my opinion the club has done it's best to try avoid the situation we had in L1 where a more than half empty stadium saw results get worse and wqorse and every negative comment or shout could be heard from one end of the stadium to the other. The season ticket deal was a means to avoid this and also try gaurantee a broad fan base attending matches. Any change in this policy will end in tears.

Bwwb, I half retract my earlier agreement, they have also competed as Town, a google search of matchday programmes shows some printed as AFC and some as Town.

Workington Town Football Programmes Memorabilia
www.footballzone.co.
uk/all-football-team
s.../workington-town
-416/
Products 1 - 16 of 16 – Workington Town Football Memorabilia, Football, Football Programmes, Football ... Crewe Alexandra v Workington Town 1960 FA Cup ...
Exeter City v Workington Town 1969 - Multi Autographs 1960s ...
www.footballzone.co.
uk/exeter-city-v-wor
kington-town-1969-mu
lti-...
Football Zone UK : Football Programmes : Football Memorabilia : Sports Memorabilia. Football Zone ... Exeter City v Workington Town 1969 - Multi Autographs .

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
Workington Town Football Programmes Memorabilia www.footballzone.co. uk/all-football-team s.../workington-town -416/ Products 1 - 16 of 16 – Workington Town Football Memorabilia, Football, Football Programmes, Football ... Crewe Alexandra v Workington Town 1960 FA Cup ... Exeter City v Workington Town 1969 - Multi Autographs 1960s ... www.footballzone.co. uk/exeter-city-v-wor kington-town-1969-mu lti-... Football Zone UK : Football Programmes : Football Memorabilia : Sports Memorabilia. Football Zone ... Exeter City v Workington Town 1969 - Multi Autographs .

The fact that some obscure website quotes the name Workington Town on various programmes (non of which actually shows the word Town) they are selling does not change the reality. Workington Town are the Rugby League team. Workington AFC are the ex Football League team that now play in the Blue Square North. This can be confirmed by their website (google Workington AFC)
You can also Google Workington Town if you have an interest in Rugby (which I dont)

Nice to get the Workington issue sorted. I put a post on two years ago about City once winning 1-0 against Workington Town with a Ken Leek goal and got roundly castigated for calling them Town.