How do we change the 'cultural' make up of football crowds?

[pauliewalnuts]

I didn't know about that Bolton game. Interesting but I still find it separatist and seeing as it has been tried and not successful then I guess it didnt work?

Who said it wasn't successful?

I vaguely recall the General saying in a reply to a question about trying to attract locals that the game being discussed was seen as not working very well, as there hadn't been an increase in local sales as a result.

Whether that's the case or not, I don't know, but it was certainly worth trying. Bobby seemed to be a bit perturbed that we had a go.

I'm glad we did (and I say that as one who usually has next to no faith in the board at all these days).

I thought it was one of those moments when they had a genuinely good idea and tried something different. Sadly, those days don't happen too often any more.

[dave.woodhall]

You mentioned a game against Bolton in 2007/2008 where a section of the stadium was alcohol free and sold halal products, correct?

Refer to sentence one.

Is that said area still in operation?

You said you were not aware if the trial were successful but you see more asain people attending matches, were as I asked if that was the case?

If so then why still the debate as we have the formula already.

Refer to sentence two.

To answer your questions, I have no idea if it were a success as I couldn't give the data of the racial dynamic at Villa Park prior or post the trial. I have also stated, I knew nothing about the trial, so I would be intrigued to see more detail.

I still haven't got much idea what you're taking about but as has been pointed out, there was a game at which initiatives that had been brought up in previous consulations with supporters were carried out. On the day they brought people to Villa Park who had probably not been there before. I would hope you agree that this is a good thing.

We're not sure whether they have returned in any great numbers but certainly since then, a section of the community has been attending in increasing numbers. I would hope that you agree this is also a good thing.

[Risso]

I think Bobby's got a point though when he says that the main thing to get people in is a winning football team.  I think Villa as a set of fans react very strongly to perceived effort from the board and the club as a whole, which is why we averaged 40K under O'Neill, and now have lost thousands off the gates.  When you have people who consider themselves staunch Villa fans not bothering to regularly attend, it's going to be next to impossible to get locals along who don't really give a stuff in the first place.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think Bobby's got a point though when he says that the main thing to get people in is a winning football team.  I think Villa as a set of fans react very strongly to perceived effort from the board and the club as a whole, which is why we averaged 40K under O'Neill, and now have lost thousands off the gates.  When you have people who consider themselves staunch Villa fans not bothering to regularly attend, it's going to be next to impossible to get locals along who don't really give a stuff in the first place.

I think everyone would agree with that winning team thing.

That doesn't mean it's not also worth trying other ways of stimulating interest in the club too, mind.

Especially when the winning team bit is proving so utterly elusive. It's a miracle we get the bodies we do get through the doors when you consider our abject home record for the last two years.

[VillaBobby]

I think Bobby's got a point though when he says that the main thing to get people in is a winning football team.  I think Villa as a set of fans react very strongly to perceived effort from the board and the club as a whole, which is why we averaged 40K under O'Neill, and now have lost thousands off the gates.  When you have people who consider themselves staunch Villa fans not bothering to regularly attend, it's going to be next to impossible to get locals along who don't really give a stuff in the first place.

At last!

And in response to Dave, I have said umpteen times on here its good to get as many in as we can, I just think that it doesn't sit comfortable with me if we start only encouraging certain sections of our society and the whole society.

As John Lennon once said, "there is only one race, the human race".

[Risso]

Unfortunately, the new TV deal makes attendance less and less important financially in relative terms, so I think you'll see fewer such initiatives.  What's the point in getting 1,000 locals in paying a tenner each on a cheap deal, when it wouldn't pay a week's salary for a youth team defender.

[danlanza]

People are interested when a football club is winning, not because they have an alcohol free area or they sell samosas or if they sell Halal products, to be honest. Although these are good things they are not going to bring hoardes of people through the door are they really.

[dave.woodhall]

I think Bobby's got a point though when he says that the main thing to get people in is a winning football team.  I think Villa as a set of fans react very strongly to perceived effort from the board and the club as a whole, which is why we averaged 40K under O'Neill, and now have lost thousands off the gates.  When you have people who consider themselves staunch Villa fans not bothering to regularly attend, it's going to be next to impossible to get locals along who don't really give a stuff in the first place.

At last!

And in response to Dave, I have said umpteen times on here its good to get as many in as we can, I just think that it doesn't sit comfortable with me if we start only encouraging certain sections of our society and the whole society.

As John Lennon once said, "there is only one race, the human race".

Nobody's said we should only encourage certain sections of the community. Most of us say that we should include everyone, and take note of what it is that will encourage them to attend. Except you, for some reason.

[danlanza]

A couple of Asian players, however, good Asian players would change things totally. Maybe that is a way to get more of the local community really interested.
And get really into the Asian marketing side of things. Worked for some teams in the Far East, did it not ?

[Percy McCarthy]

I mean that football fans usually choose to watch football matches and its not forced or created. Football is a culture within our culture and has taken generation upon generation to develop. I don't believe that can be instilled into people but has to come from time and experience.

Aston Villa are not exclusive in this which should say something.

I also think the club should be doing more to get fans they have lost back and again I will state, that will only come with an improvement on the pitch.

People shouldn't be encouraged to attend Villa Park because they either want to or they don't. I wouldn't apply for any sales &  marketing jobs if I wer you. And who is the 'us' in 'our culture'?

I don't need to apply for any jobs as I run my own successful company, but thank you for the thought.

I had assumed from your username that you were a copper, which would have explained a lot.

Best in the world etc.

[tomd2103]

A lot of this discussion seems to focus on one particular ethnic group only.  With the recent influx of people from Eastern Europe to the area, why not try and attract some of them?  I know it may be a bit of a generalisation, but they tend to come from countries where football is a national sport and having been to international games featuring the likes of Poland and other countries from that region, they always create a good atmosphere at games. 

[VillaBobby]

I think Bobby's got a point though when he says that the main thing to get people in is a winning football team.  I think Villa as a set of fans react very strongly to perceived effort from the board and the club as a whole, which is why we averaged 40K under O'Neill, and now have lost thousands off the gates.  When you have people who consider themselves staunch Villa fans not bothering to regularly attend, it's going to be next to impossible to get locals along who don't really give a stuff in the first place.

At last!

And in response to Dave, I have said umpteen times on here its good to get as many in as we can, I just think that it doesn't sit comfortable with me if we start only encouraging certain sections of our society and the whole society.

As John Lennon once said, "there is only one race, the human race".

Nobody's said we should only encourage certain sections of the community. Most of us say that we should include everyone, and take note of what it is that will encourage them to attend. Except you, for some reason.

That nots true Dave, others have mentioned the enthnic mix of Aston, ala Paulwalsomethingoranother, being 80% asain. Also creating alcohol free and halal products zones is very specific.

We are going around in circles because we don't want to admit my initial and continual response is correct, forget where we are going to find 10,000 fans from to fill the empty seats until we have a competitive team. Also, we are not the only club that suffers from this situation in the UK.

[VillaBobby]

I mean that football fans usually choose to watch football matches and its not forced or created. Football is a culture within our culture and has taken generation upon generation to develop. I don't believe that can be instilled into people but has to come from time and experience.

Aston Villa are not exclusive in this which should say something.

I also think the club should be doing more to get fans they have lost back and again I will state, that will only come with an improvement on the pitch.

People shouldn't be encouraged to attend Villa Park because they either want to or they don't. I wouldn't apply for any sales &  marketing jobs if I wer you. And who is the 'us' in 'our culture'?

I don't need to apply for any jobs as I run my own successful company, but thank you for the thought.

I had assumed from your username that you were a copper, which would have explained a lot.

Best in the world etc.

What does that insinuation refer too?

[Percy McCarthy]

I mean that football fans usually choose to watch football matches and its not forced or created. Football is a culture within our culture and has taken generation upon generation to develop. I don't believe that can be instilled into people but has to come from time and experience.

Aston Villa are not exclusive in this which should say something.

I also think the club should be doing more to get fans they have lost back and again I will state, that will only come with an improvement on the pitch.

People shouldn't be encouraged to attend Villa Park because they either want to or they don't. I wouldn't apply for any sales &  marketing jobs if I wer you. And who is the 'us' in 'our culture'?

I don't need to apply for any jobs as I run my own successful company, but thank you for the thought.

I had assumed from your username that you were a copper, which would have explained a lot.

Best in the world etc.

What does that insinuation refer too?

I'm not arguing with someone who can't spell 'to'.

[Dave Clark Five]

There is a place right outside the ground selling Halal food. It has been open for two years and I have only ever seen one customer in there. I think it proves that opening Halal food outlets inside the ground, which would be at the expense of existing counters, would be a waste of time.