Fourdogs wrote:

pinky wrote:

salmson wrote:

_nobody_ wrote: How about getting rid of the Pavilion and making it a bar with television of the game...

I would have thought though that the Sportsground covers that base better than most with the enclosed stand. It's a fair few seasons since I was in there, but as I recall watching the match is very much secondary to having a few drinks.

Wash your mouth out with soap young man. Myself and More Miles (probably the best overall attender at all games by a country mile) are in the enclosed stand and where as there are advantages to having the bar beside you inside a warm and dry room. The game is always the most important element.

Not disagreeing with you for a second. For me personally I pay for a ticket to go to the game and watch it live. I don't see the point of not doing that!

But it does not necessarily need to have the match on live, have it a nice place to go for a drink before and after the game. For the few times a corporate meal is sold then it is closed.

Although I love the Clan bar it is not the most Glamorous. Have a nice bar in the tent with a greater selection of drinks that may attract people other than just the pint drinkers! I know it sounds terrible, and is a different clientele, but look at the RDS and the champagne bar. Full of women who are pushing to go to a game more than the husbands! We do not need a champagne bar, just somewhere with a bit more comfort for people who would not be the hardcore fans.

pinky wrote:

salmson wrote:

_nobody_ wrote: How about getting rid of the Pavilion and making it a bar with television of the game...

I would have thought though that the Sportsground covers that base better than most with the enclosed stand. It's a fair few seasons since I was in there, but as I recall watching the match is very much secondary to having a few drinks.

Wash your mouth out with soap young man. Myself and More Miles (probably the best overall attender at all games by a country mile) are in the enclosed stand and where as there are advantages to having the bar beside you inside a warm and dry room. The game is always the most important element.

Also - only got the hip done in Aug so up till then i could not stand for more than about 20 mins

salmson wrote:

_nobody_ wrote: How about getting rid of the Pavilion and making it a bar with television of the game...

The Pavilion is needed for hospitality packages for the InterPros and maybe one European match next year. For the other 10 games this is a genius idea.

Isn't that essentially what the Pavilion Club is?
Except that for some reason the TVs are normally off and when they were on they were showing Sky Sports News.

I agree that we need to make the games more appealing to people who might not necessarily be hardcore fans but might in time be converted. I started off going to games ten or twelve years ago as a social thing without really losing any sleep over the result and it grew on me over a couple of seasons.
I would have thought though that the Sportsground covers that base better than most with the enclosed stand. It's a fair few seasons since I was in there, but as I recall watching the match is very much secondary to having a few drinks.

_nobody_ wrote: How about getting rid of the Pavilion and making it a bar with television of the game...

The Pavilion is needed for hospitality packages for the InterPros and maybe one European match next year. For the other 10 games this is a genius idea.

A few very good points raised here!

- Season ticket holders are key! They are the base to build off. The drop this year was understandable and always going to happen with people purchasing for the first time last year. The drop for next year worries me!

- The 5 KO on a Saturday has prevented me from having a few drinks before. A Friday KO will lead to a few drinks to unwind after the week and then on into town.

- I have harped on about this before but hear me out. It needs to be a day for the whole family! I think the key to achieving this is to appeal to the ladies. I know there are plenty of hardcore female fans, who will be there every game and I love to see it. But there is still a huge market for others. Although I love it, the Clan is not the most glamorous place to be on a cold wet Friday evening! Leinster appealed to the other halves and have made it a social Friday evening. Wives go along and meet their friends. This may be happening in the Champagne bar at the RDS. How about getting rid of the Pavilion and making it a bar with television of the game which may attract some more women. If they enjoy their evening out then it is much easier for the men to go to the games and then that is two extra people at every game!

I think that the numbers have to be seriously looked at for the last two seasons. Look to see how much they made/lost by charging kids. See what attendances are like on Friday compared to Saturday. I hate using the word customers for fans (Like Saracens) but it is a business they are running.

Shelflife wrote: For me its going to be what kind of a package they put together for the customer.

Careful with the use of the C word Shelflife, it's a family show.

Lots of valid points that I agree with.
I'm not a fan of 5pm Saturdays, mainly because I have to make that difficult call about whether to go to the pub straight after or go home for dinner. I sometimes start off doing B and end up doing A, with predictable results.
But I would put up with it if it was genuinely the right option and it was bringing in people from the rest of the province, etc., but I'm pretty sure it's not achieving that aim (if that indeed was the aim).
If they want to boost attendance from outside Galway, there are probably better ways to do it. I can't speak with much authority on the subject as I'm an optimistic walk from the Sportsground, but they were touting free buses for season ticket holders at one point and I think that evaporated. They announced that deal with Farrell Travel over discount group travel this season but you had to pretty much organise it all yourself and when I enquired about it they said there was only a fiver discount for season ticket holders and no discount for kids.
I'm hoping (but not really expecting) that the deal with Citylink might lead to some improvement on that front next season. They have buses coming from Athlone and Clifden so they should be able to arrange some deal for free travel for STHs. For other towns they should be organising buses for some games, maybe not every game from everywhere, but a free bus from somewhere each game, rotating around between places. Cheaper season tickets if you're a long way away would be desirable too, though I appreciate that would probably be wide open to abuse.
If the 5pm slot is due to the dogs, it's interesting to note that very few other tracks have meets on 3 consecutive nights www.igb.ie/Racing/Upcoming-Events/Race-Nights-Times/ You would assume that leaving one out would just boost attendances at the other two. Not sure how much compo they have to pay for postponing a meeting but if it's going to boost attendances as much as I suspect, it's probably worth it.

Next season will be a challenge, especially if as expected, we are in the lower tier in Europe, albeit a stronger lower tier. I suspect that the Pavilion Club might be folded up as I don't think it is doing much corporate business. Opening it up the last few games, while making it better craic, is basically an admission that the sixty quid premium didn't work. That makes it all the more important to get the Clan Bar looking shipshape for next season. Insulate the roof, pull the shutters down after the half time rush is over and let people use the side door if coming in after the game. Hook up the tellys so people can watch the other games afterwards in relative comfort and they would shift a lot more booze.

This is a huge issue for a team like Connacht who made huge strides in a few years off the pitch but then fell into the trap of assuming that the heavy lifting was done and all that was left to do was the milking.
The support increase was based on new facilities and participation in the elite competition. The facilities needed to continue to be improved upon and the results also needed to improve especially at home to keep and grow the crowd. Add in increased cost of attending games in terms of surcharge, online charge and dearer season ticket charge and people start to stay away. But the biggest mistake of all IMO was charging parents for their kids. In addition to the other increases a parent now had to pay per child or pay a babysitter. The ground used to have lots of kids watching the games. Those kids would grow into Connacht fans and regular attenders.I would say something if the sports ground was full every week but the average attendance is 50%-60% Max of capacity. It was a stupid move. By all means charge for clan terrace if that's where people want to be but there are 3 other parts of the ground where they could be accomadated very easily.
I personally haven't attended this season at all because of surcharge and kids charge. I know others who feel the same.

The times of games is an issue for every team in the league. IMO if its to be a Friday in gal way it must be a 7.30 kick off to allow non city fans a chance to make it. Munster fans would prefer a 6-6.30 kickoff on Saturday as there are more fans from outside limerick. Leinster seem to prefer Friday too.

The league itself needs to be improved also to make it a better product. The times themselves being better will help as will better timings of head to heads during season. Neutral officials and tmos has to be brought in immediately and more TV money must be put aside for prize money( tiered from top to bottom). When the product is improved the crowds will also.

Borders no.2 wrote: Its the greyhound board's stadium but really at this stage they have to be struggling to justify the expense.

Its actually owned by The Galway Agricultural & Sports Society Ltd and leased to Irish Greyhound Board. IGB sublet the main pitch to Connacht Rugby. Clan stand, side pitch training areas etc are leased by Connacht from GASS.

Agree branch need to be more proactive in getting better kick off times and televised games but TV companies call the shots. Hopefully a bid for RWC 2023 will involve a new venue for us (not an upgraded Pearse Stadium).

Really I think the branch need to flex their muscles a bit more regarding kick off times. I was at the greyhound racing on a Friday night a few months back and the crowd was pathetic and by all accounts that's the usual.

Its the greyhound board's stadium but really at this stage they have to be struggling to justify the expense.

Alternatively I think even a 6.00 or 6.30 kick off on Saturday would be helpful and it'd still be done and dusted before the dogs. 5 is just too early, its great for a lot of families but Saturday is a busy day for most people and I'd genuinely question how many extra people from other areas of the province or further up the country are willing/able to attend. To travel from Mayo or Sligo and back home etc. basically takes the guts out of your Saturday. Also you are ruling out a good chunk of AIL people every week with the kick off time.

Another small point that might be raised, when I have asked some on and off supporters if they'll go to a match at 5.00 there is usually a 5.30 premier league game on a Saturday. Its a reality that if you offer someone the option of spending €22 watching Connacht v an understrength Edinburgh or someone can sit at home watching Man City v Chelsea on the TV and have a few drinks and a good evening for less than half the price, most people will choose the 2nd option. People may scoff at that but its a reality.

Overall its not working. The atmosphere is dead and while that can be partially attributed to results, I remember some great atmospheres when we were on that dreadful losing run a couple of years back.

Connacht are not in the best financial health so need to keep their options open. Ploughing ahead with the same old won't do.

I'd also agree re: season tickets. The branch need revenue but your season ticket holders are your revenue so need to be kept happy. I still think they are fairly competitive but they need to be careful re: the pricing (i.e. another hike for 2014/15 isn't justified) and they can stop wasting time and resources on stupid things like that autograph book. Keep it simple, for example, food voucher for the family ticket this year good idea, scarf and hat good idea, free pint at every game was a good idea but probably over generous, €1 or €2 off your first drink/food item at every game would be worthwhile and relatively cheap to run. Free ticket for those who had attended all the games to date, excellent idea. They have a huge amount of information at their fingertips regarding who is coming to matches and who isn't and where are these supporters from, who has lapsed as a season ticket holder etc.

I also think the surcharge and all that nonsense should be done away with and prices should be brought back to more realistic levels. €20 is more than enough to see Connacht playing, maybe at a push €25 for interpros or Heineken Cup games. If we are in the Amlin it should be no more than €20.
If the branch go charging €30 to watch Connacht against some part timers from Italy or Spain they don't deserve any support.

You want to get people into the habit of going to Connacht games. If season ticket holder drift away they will look twice at the admission prices on the days they can go and will ask is that value and in the majority of cases the answer will most definitely be no.

There are a a good few points made here and maybe some of them sent in an email to the branch might bring some of them to light. Let's out the doggy crowd

As mentioned the STH is or should be king , I would settle to just been listened too, I know a number of fans that have not been back this year and its not the quality of rugby or the results its purely the times of KO.

It does not matter to me if its Friday night or Saturday night, I can make both I prefer Friday but I know it can be a hassle for people outside of Galway, Saturday at 5pm is nuts with kids and sports pickups, shopping(the wife) etc. I think anyone at the games can clearly see people are not coming in on Saturday at 5pm in the same numbers as last year.

The weather cannot be blamed as it has generally not peed on top of us much this season. This year in my view the STH got a raw deal from Connacht. STH should be cherished as they pay up front, but I am guessing and this is why I will not be renewing or attending games next season it will be more of the same guff from the branch. I am not sure if they talk to the supporters club or what goes on behind closed doors but they certainly have turned from an okish spectator friendly organisation to one that suits itself.

Saying attendances are down on Saturdays (as opposed to Fridays) is a bit of a nonsense when every game bar one has been on Saturday. Attendances are down would suffice. I have no idea whether this is because Saturday doesn't work for people, because the HEC novelty wore off, or something else entirely.

Last year the majority of the games were on Friday. They generally got better attendances than Saturday, but then again that could be due to the "good" games being televised on Friday and the low profile ones being on Saturday. Even here we see a contradiction: last year Leinster on Friday night saw 5800 tickets sold as opposed to a Saturday this year which sold 7200. I'd argue that the day is irrelevant, and that this year's fixture fell at the tail end of the Christmas school holidays probably made all the difference.

Our three biggest games this year were Saracens (Friday 2000) Leinster (Saturday 1915) and Ulster (Saturday 1845).

Last season Friday games tended to start between 1900 and 2000. Later starts on Friday might work (I suspect the time rather than the day is actually what's important here but either would require agreement from the dogs). The "traditional" 1830 Friday kickoff is a relic of when we got 1200 people at a game.

Friday games are a bit of killer for us (not Galway based)but having said that people are right, the atmosphere is better on Fridays. Personally i'd like to see a mix of both Friday\Saturday games.

For me its going to be what kind of a package they put together for the customer.

The STH is the lifeblood of the game, they have made a committment to go to all of the home games and will usually drag someone along with them, this year ive brought 4 different people to the games and will continue to do so.

Ive been to all the home games, just missing one in the last 3 years, I really enjoy it and the craic is good.

Speaking recently to a former STH and he hasnt been to any games this year, he said he always intended to go to most of them but something always popped up.

There in lies the difference, even with the best of intentions,if you dont have the ticket in hand theres always something that will easily distract you.

Basically the STH is king and needs IMO to treated like one, they pay in advance,go to every game and usually spends money at the game and on merchandise. They also bring paying customers with them on occasion and in my case are constantly encouraging people to go to matches.

The price has to be right this year, assuming amlin rather than HC the price will have to be adjusted downwards, they should scrap the marquee add on and just let STH in every game, a better freebie than this year even another hat would be grand as id give it to someone else and that would be another Connacht colours being worn about the place.

Dont fob us off with "free entry to eagles games" its free to everyone, dont give us crap gifts like the autograph book. I liked the idea of free gifts to STH who were at certain games, maybe more of those.

More events exclusive to STHs, more meet ups with players after the games in the marquee again exclusive to STHs.

What im really saying is that they need to make the ST desirable, if they make it attractive people will buy and fill the grounds.

A few points come to mind!

The branch cannot win with this one. As I am based outside Galway Saturday games personally suits me. I think the atmosphere at a Friday game is much better though. I know it makes Connacht seem as a Galway only team but would not mind seeing the figures for people attending from outside on a Saturday. If attendances are down on Saturday then it needs to be addressed.

I would vote for a Friday. I feel rushing to get to a game is worth it for the atmosphere and better entertainment on a Friday!

With regard to GBFM, I noticed a tweet by Rob saying that Connacht were not to blame last weekend. Were iRadio not a radio partner a number of years ago? Listening to a Hurling game last weekend that only 60 people bothered to show up to was a low point for me!

Media coverage, whether it's TV, radio or print is paltry at best for Connacht. TG4 showed their fair share of matches last year, but have been less interested this season and it could be because of the Saturday kick-offs.

GBFM drive me insane as they're usually my only method of getting my Connacht fix, but they insist on having the news and then the death notices before joining the game 20 minutes into the first half. Either they or Connacht couldn't care less, possibly a little of both, about the coverage and there seems to be no interest in accommodating a radio friendly kick off. But I guess the market interest in the radio coverage is minuscule.

I was talking to Rob Murphy in December and he said attendances are down on the Saturdays (I think his words were flat out "it hasn't worked"). This could be for a number of reasons, people unable to come, people outside the province still not interested/invested in coming on the Saturday, slow take up, the already lower season ticket sales etc.

It's a fine line to walk before knowing for certain that Saturday kick offs have not worked, because you need to give it time to bed in. But at the same time you need to be honest with the experiment and say it hasn't worked. Who knows when that time is the right time.

If the evidence is there that Connacht will get more people through the gate if they return to Fridays then it can't be ignored. It won't matter if this makes people feel they're Galway only, it will be the best thing to do whether we non-Galwegians like it or not. Moving back to Friday might also get more interest from TG4 as well.