Fair points but you have to remember that before this year we had increased crowds year on year and were flirting with the 8000 mark IIRC.

Things that have changed since last year that may have caused this sudden disinterest:

Franchising come in
Stadium application refused
Prices up to £18

any more? (obviously excepting the various bereavements we had- not sure they would impact crowd numbers)

Good Post.

I would also like to add that there are other clubs that are suffering poor crowds. We seem to be showing the decline the most but some of that could be down to the fact that we publish true crowd figures.

I also agree what you say about P and R. Games no longer have the same
intensity. Thats why the RL came up with the top8 system to give middle table teams something to play for. But like you said if the mid table clubs manage to scrape into a playoff place or just miss out on one, everyone knows it means sod all .

With regards to the relegation issue, the current average is above the seasons where the threat of demotion hung over the club (2007 aside when the club was in no real danger).

Without a doubt the main issue is the price. I realise I am becoming a broken record with it but it is just too much. How viable a decent price reduction (£12 admission price?) is I don’t know as it’s a fine balance between, improving turnover, improving the playing squad and enticing stay away support. If I didn’t have a season ticket this year I would have to pick and choose which games I would be able to attend, predominantly down to the cost.

Wakefield do seem to be the only ones on a down turn with respect to similar sized neighbours but there are mitigating factors which may explain the trends;

Castleford get decent gates IMO due to their civic pride the local population have for the area. In my experience ‘Wakefieldians’ don’t seem to have the same amount so the club can not draw on that ‘loyalty’ when things are tough.

Huddersfield’s improved attendances are a result of a clever marketing ploy funded by Ken Davey. Their issues may come next year if he is unable to sustain the discounted season tickets for a further season.

I'm not his accountant, but I can't imagine Ken Davey would really struggle to offer a similar deal again next season. Indeed, he may have to, if he wants to ensure that those who attended this season because of the cut price offer come back for more and really get hooked on the game.

The proof of the pudding will be when their season tickets return to the "normal" price, as only that will measure the real progress the club has made on the way to becoming completely self-financing. Increased merchandising may, in the meantime, have bridged the gap, or even increased revenue on last season, but with no figures to see, it's hard to speculate.

Our experience this year indicates that the club may well be forced into doing something along similar lines next season, assuming that the Huddersfield model has proven viable. Cutting costs now for those paying on the gate will always be a contentious issue for some who already hold season tickets and may question the sense of buying another next year, with the current pricing structure, as opposed to picking games and paying on the gate.

I just hope that we seriously address the question of marketing the club in Wakefield and beyond before the new stadium becomes a reality, as I can't see the novelty factor alone being sufficient to sustain it, if this season is anything to go by.

It is expensive at £18.

What is it at Bulls £17?

A new stadium in anew area of the city will generate interest



Any news on the stadium yet?