Damned If You Do… Damned If You Don’t

by Brian Kennedy

(first published in the April 2009 Monaghan United programme)

The last home game against Longford produced our poorest turn-out of this new season so far. In an attendance unlikely to be beaten (except by Chorley Athletic’s home game against Sutton United in The Unibond Premier this weekend) a mere 300-400 turned up to watch Willie John Kiely give United their first home win of the season.

I’m not about to go into cliché after cliché about the times we’re in, GAA etc, but how disheartening it must have been to all concerned at the club to see such a paltry attendance. Apart from people crying about how poor the football at the RSC is (this normally comes from people whose only attendance here would be to watch Carrick United in last year’s FAI Junior Cup or the occasional Under-21 international), it seemed 200-300 had been wiped off the attendance due to Liverpool’s tie at Craven Cottage.

Unfortunately it’s not only Sky, barstools and a recession that United have to compete against, but it’s the “don’t know, don’t care” taunts from the majority of a city that, no matter if Sky wasn’t available and pubs closed down, they would still have to endure until such time as the club win the Premier three times in a row and it’s free admission to the RSC!

In the UK, children play a bit part in bulking up the numbers at lower league clubs. Most are let in for free, or collect a set of vouchers in the local paper that would give them free admission for a month, should they collect say 10 vouchers over ten weeks. Although the club desperately needs the revenue it’s something that might be worth a look at.

Half term season tickets, where you could purchase one for say the remaining 10 home games for around 80-100 euro is a way of generating immediate income, whilst if the corporate ticket (the one that lets fans have a drink in the bar before & during game) was promoted and advertised in any literature the club had coming out, even during the season – at a half-season rate – might make a few people opt for a hot brandy on a cold September night when its -40 and we’re 1-0 down to Mervue United.

Trying to get the public onside is a thankless job, however a well advertised open day might be an idea. Leave WLR broadcast from the ground, have a few giveaways and rope the mayor, oh and Mr. Cullen (as he’s supposed to be Minister for Sport as well as Arts and Tourism now) to pop down, minus the helicopter (we might be able to stretch a taxi from Rapid Cabs) and make a day of it.

Unfortunately for United, almost 35% of match day income for English sides, even Conference teams, come from hospitality – an option which isn’t available to Waterford, and not really touched upon by League of Ireland clubs nearly as much as it should. It’s great knowing you’re sponsoring a home game and helping the cause but if there was an option of free tickets, a three-course meal, sponsors photos, match ball presentation, man of the match decision, match drinks, and a signed & framed shirt then it would make things more appealing, however without conference facilities these options aren’t really viable, however they are used even in the 5/6th tier of English football with clubs that draw in crowds of even just 400/500.

Just last week Cork City offered free admission, plus a free pint of Beamish at the club to try bolster their attendance against Drogheda United. Sign of the times really. A couple of years ago 3,000 odd thousand would easily be expected for such a game but times have changed.
Maybe the introduction of some scantily clad cheerleaders, or a free lap dance with your admission ticket would spice things up. I’m sure Secrets would love to sponsor that! However seeing more kids at the ground might help and make more noise – though of a healthy age mind – unlike the clown at Old Trafford that had an eight week old baby in his hands asleep whilst watching the United/Porto game.

It’s a case of damned if you do … damned if you don’t when trying to promote Waterford United but all you can do is fly in the face of adversity… and Sky, Premership, GAA etc. People can say there’s a recession – but the barstool isn’t seeing it at 7pm on a Saturday night.