Low attendances
We have all seen the Keepmoat rocking when full, if you was at the playoff semi final against Southend, you will know exactly what I mean. Rovers thrashed Southend, the copps show as many people call it, with him bagging one of the most stunning hattricks you will ever see in football. Us fans were buzzing, and with lots of reasons to be, the stadium was full, it was a big occasion, we played great and we was winning. However recently even the bigger matches we haven't got near the 15000 capacity attendance, even with us winning League 1 last campaign. This could be for many reasons, many people put this down to expensive ticket prices, people often say they cannot afford to go to watch Rovers play no more. Whilst this maybe true, the club has put and got many offers in place to help bring down the ever growing cost of watching football, but we don't get great reaction from these offers. This maybe down to the offers not being good enough, however people need to remember we are playing second tier football, not quid a kid conference no more. Another reason could be people just are not interested in supporting little old donny, but if this was true why do so many fans come out for the big games, the fans that were at stoke, Cardiff and Wembley? Many people put our low attendances down to our recent history, whilst our local rivals can boast ex premiership history, maybe we should shout more about our rise through the football league in recent years. I have also read how people have recently stopped going to the Keepmoat due to poor atmosphere and not enjoying it any more, I find this a poor excuse. My thoughts, take advantage of any offers the club put on, take your mates, get your kids involved, the more positive response the clubs gets from its offers on tickets, the more likely they are to have further incentives, thus increasing the attendance. Let's face it, theres no quick fixes due to recent history, but it will come round in our favor!
The Keepmoat on it's first game against Huddersfield, the club put a red or white shirt on every seat for fans, creating the hoops around the home stands.
Singing Section
Great idea on paper, takes it's idea from away games where all the singers are together instead of dotted about around the stadium. As one we are quiet, as many we are mighty, or something like that. Remember standing on the pop when everyone around you was singing? People get more involved when everyone is doing it. The Keepmoat doesn't have a kop, the singing section failed in the east and at the time of writing will be trialed in the west stand on saturday against barnsley, the biggest problem with this idea failing, is the singing section not singing. Especially if the time goes 1-0 down, it defeats the objective of a singing section. A further problem would be where to put it, there is limited room for growth in the west stand towards the away fans, and it would be unfair to move season ticket holders that have sat there since the Keepmoat opened.
The game against Barnsley has now been played and the singing section had Iit's first outing, it was not bad for a first attempt with small numbers but if it will have any effect it needs to be much bigger. For me the main worry is location and lack of space, dispite being far away from the away fans, the South stand might be the place to have it. Or maybe the best idea is keeping it in the West until there are more numbers and then try and move to the East Stand near the away fans. Here the section will have space to grown and still be close to away fans, without the need for Doncaster Rovers to attempt to move season ticket holders sat in the West that don't sing.I really think one thing that is important is the singing section should be able to get in by pay on the gate, this could further increase numbers.
The game against Barnsley has now been played and the singing section had Iit's first outing, it was not bad for a first attempt with small numbers but if it will have any effect it needs to be much bigger. For me the main worry is location and lack of space, dispite being far away from the away fans, the South stand might be the place to have it. Or maybe the best idea is keeping it in the West until there are more numbers and then try and move to the East Stand near the away fans. Here the section will have space to grown and still be close to away fans, without the need for Doncaster Rovers to attempt to move season ticket holders sat in the West that don't sing.I really think one thing that is important is the singing section should be able to get in by pay on the gate, this could further increase numbers.
We was in full voice in Cardiff winning the JPT
Standing
many people put lack of atmosphere throughout the countries football grounds down to all seated stadiums. We look at teams such as Dortmund and get jealous, of course dortmund have such a large standing stand. The FSF are currently working on bringing safe standing to England, with progress being made. It is likely to be years before we see any effect as the club would have to pay for the conversion which wouldn't be cheap. Again talking about the old days, the pop rarely had atmosphere problems, we was standing back then. I honestly think this does make a difference. We go to away games make lots of noise and stand up all game, at home we sit down and shut up. I really think having the option to sit or stand can improve things. Over the last few day, safe standing has moved another step closer with Bristol City hopeful to installing it during the summer.
Price
With the ever growing price of football, we have seen a class change in supporters. People in the stadiums today are usually a higher class then the ones that were stood on the old terraces. Mainly due to the price of going to watch football. With campaigns such as 20s plenty, we could hopefully see the ticket prices come down slightly, in theory making football available to the masses again.
Family friendly
Nowadays clubs try to be more family friendly which could have an effect on the old hostile atmosphere, for me this is a move in the right direction. But maybe by having designated sections the atmosphere can still be good for example and family stand, and a singing section.
Drum
Contrary to some people's believes a drum doesn't make an atmosphere. You can have a great atmosphere without, I cannot recall a drum on the pop. I do remember the guy with the trumpet mind. A drum can be used to make a good atmosphere better, but you need a good atmosphere first, otherwise it's just a loud annoying noise. The drum at the Keepmoat was donated to fans by the club and recently removed for the drum persistently standing on the stairs. The club have said that if a fan brought their own drum it would be aloud, however, the drum cannot be used in the singing section in the west stand due to the press boxes. Therefore it's original place in the south stand is the only location it can be affect. However if the singing section is in the west towards the away fans, a drum in the south would be completely pointless. Also the person that does the hitting needs to be capable, and it is incredibly annoying when a bunch of kids hit the drum to literally no tune with no one singing. Now I'm not knocking the drum, it is good but needs to be used correctly, and if you are the drummer, fair play, it takes some balls to be doing it, but please, do it right.
What can we learn from other grounds and clubs?
Unfortunately I couldn't make the trip to the amex this time round, but did go for it's opening game. Which I enjoyed besides the Sharp, Hayter incidents and the result. The ground was nice, one thing Rovers should learn from this ground to improve the match day experience is branding. The Keepmoat is a soulless bowl, however it has recently improved with big banners of players on the outside etc. And is set to improve with the heritage provide, credit to IRWT and the club, one thing we should learn from the amex in Brighton was, in the concourse, clips from past games was played on projectors even in the away end our rovers past moments. Now this is simple, and I am aware this isn't going to make the atmosphere much better. But just image walking into the Keepmoat, stood having a beer with your mates, or a coke and a burger, watching Copps destroy Southend or Spike scoring at the millennium. Small things like this would add up and make a difference. What I basically mean that if the overall match day experience is improved by adding or changing little things, then the attendances could improve, therefore making a good atmosphere much more possible.
Another thing we should learn from is our neighbors, a lot of people mention recently "even Barnsley had more fans then us' and the reason why is because they have gave away tickets, Rovers should be in schools around Doncaster given kids free tickets, given sunday league teams tickets. Not only would this boost attendances, but think long term, it took me one time watching rovers to want to go again, and it would be the same with other kids. Encouraging the next generation of supporters. The club would even be making money short term, a free kid would go to the game with a paying adult, thats two people through the gate that the club wouldn't have. Before you know it "I want a rovers shirt for Christmas" and "can we go and watch rovers again" I'm not aware if the club are currently doing this, but the community team should do this every week, the club should give away thousands of tickets and really push this. It would improve the atmosphere too, kids love to join in with the songs, most don't have the lack of confidence some of the older fans seem to have.
Maybe supporting football is changing in England, stadiums will become quieter as people sit at home watching games on the TV, but as Rovers fans we need to do everything we can. Credit to the fans that have set up the singing section for last Saturday, and the club for allowing it. Hopefully this could be the start of something. But where ever you are sat on Saturdays, make some noise, cheer us on to 3 points every week. 12th man!
We are asking you;
What did you think about the singing section? Was in it?
How could the atmosphere and match day experience be improved?
How can we improve attendances at the keepmoat?
Thanks for Reading, as always check us out on twitter and facebook. I would also like to remind people that my idea for this blog is to get everyone involved, I will hopefully be running some voting polls shortly in the forum and creating articles about this. I also don't want to be doing this alone, I would like this blog to be a fans blog, so if you have any ideas or want to write your own article, about anything Doncaster related, email me at thedonnypop@gmail.com
Everyon has been fantastic so far and we have had many views on the fansite and blog, however very few have got involved. You do not have to write articles to get involved, simply a comment in response or some feedback is showing some support.
Thanks once again
Rail seats, allow people to stand, stopping any rush forward, whilst still providing a seat when needed
Price
With the ever growing price of football, we have seen a class change in supporters. People in the stadiums today are usually a higher class then the ones that were stood on the old terraces. Mainly due to the price of going to watch football. With campaigns such as 20s plenty, we could hopefully see the ticket prices come down slightly, in theory making football available to the masses again.
Family friendly
Nowadays clubs try to be more family friendly which could have an effect on the old hostile atmosphere, for me this is a move in the right direction. But maybe by having designated sections the atmosphere can still be good for example and family stand, and a singing section.
Drum
Contrary to some people's believes a drum doesn't make an atmosphere. You can have a great atmosphere without, I cannot recall a drum on the pop. I do remember the guy with the trumpet mind. A drum can be used to make a good atmosphere better, but you need a good atmosphere first, otherwise it's just a loud annoying noise. The drum at the Keepmoat was donated to fans by the club and recently removed for the drum persistently standing on the stairs. The club have said that if a fan brought their own drum it would be aloud, however, the drum cannot be used in the singing section in the west stand due to the press boxes. Therefore it's original place in the south stand is the only location it can be affect. However if the singing section is in the west towards the away fans, a drum in the south would be completely pointless. Also the person that does the hitting needs to be capable, and it is incredibly annoying when a bunch of kids hit the drum to literally no tune with no one singing. Now I'm not knocking the drum, it is good but needs to be used correctly, and if you are the drummer, fair play, it takes some balls to be doing it, but please, do it right.
What can we learn from other grounds and clubs?
Unfortunately I couldn't make the trip to the amex this time round, but did go for it's opening game. Which I enjoyed besides the Sharp, Hayter incidents and the result. The ground was nice, one thing Rovers should learn from this ground to improve the match day experience is branding. The Keepmoat is a soulless bowl, however it has recently improved with big banners of players on the outside etc. And is set to improve with the heritage provide, credit to IRWT and the club, one thing we should learn from the amex in Brighton was, in the concourse, clips from past games was played on projectors even in the away end our rovers past moments. Now this is simple, and I am aware this isn't going to make the atmosphere much better. But just image walking into the Keepmoat, stood having a beer with your mates, or a coke and a burger, watching Copps destroy Southend or Spike scoring at the millennium. Small things like this would add up and make a difference. What I basically mean that if the overall match day experience is improved by adding or changing little things, then the attendances could improve, therefore making a good atmosphere much more possible.
Another thing we should learn from is our neighbors, a lot of people mention recently "even Barnsley had more fans then us' and the reason why is because they have gave away tickets, Rovers should be in schools around Doncaster given kids free tickets, given sunday league teams tickets. Not only would this boost attendances, but think long term, it took me one time watching rovers to want to go again, and it would be the same with other kids. Encouraging the next generation of supporters. The club would even be making money short term, a free kid would go to the game with a paying adult, thats two people through the gate that the club wouldn't have. Before you know it "I want a rovers shirt for Christmas" and "can we go and watch rovers again" I'm not aware if the club are currently doing this, but the community team should do this every week, the club should give away thousands of tickets and really push this. It would improve the atmosphere too, kids love to join in with the songs, most don't have the lack of confidence some of the older fans seem to have.
Maybe supporting football is changing in England, stadiums will become quieter as people sit at home watching games on the TV, but as Rovers fans we need to do everything we can. Credit to the fans that have set up the singing section for last Saturday, and the club for allowing it. Hopefully this could be the start of something. But where ever you are sat on Saturdays, make some noise, cheer us on to 3 points every week. 12th man!
We are asking you;
What did you think about the singing section? Was in it?
How could the atmosphere and match day experience be improved?
How can we improve attendances at the keepmoat?
Thanks for Reading, as always check us out on twitter and facebook. I would also like to remind people that my idea for this blog is to get everyone involved, I will hopefully be running some voting polls shortly in the forum and creating articles about this. I also don't want to be doing this alone, I would like this blog to be a fans blog, so if you have any ideas or want to write your own article, about anything Doncaster related, email me at thedonnypop@gmail.com
Everyon has been fantastic so far and we have had many views on the fansite and blog, however very few have got involved. You do not have to write articles to get involved, simply a comment in response or some feedback is showing some support.
Thanks once again
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