The following detailed responses were given to the AFC Rushden & Diamonds Fans Survey 2016. They are neither sorted nor edited, apart from the odd typo – just reproduced in the order they were given on the set of surveys.
Question 7 Responses – How do you feel the Club could increase attendances on matchdays?
- Diamond Divas
- Improved toilets, promote girls/womens football
- Family tickets/more seating
- more advertising/link with BBC Radio N’ton
- special offers – win a ticket to bring a friend
- more publicity in local area
- All U14s free/ 3 adults for the price of 2
- Promotional Offers
- Actively promote games – ET/flyers. PWYW games
- Local marketing – Nene Valley News
- not too sure
- playing well, scoring goals, maybe it’s the stadium
- Bring a friend, BOGOF deals, PWYW
- special price promotions, advertise in Bedford area
- invite local schools 11+ free, another way of bringing fans to the ground from Rushden
- reduce ticket prices maybe?
- keep winning matches
- more visibility in Wellingborough
- special offers targetting new supporters, better bar facilities
- more flyers to new estates
- keep playing well
- more child-friendly, bouncy castle etc. better advertising of games
- by playing good football
- more short game offers
- incentives (buy 2 get 3rd free), kids for a quid, local schools free tickets
- half time entertainment/cheerleaders
- deals – kids for a quid, buy 2 get 3rd free
- bring in more people from the community – better comms in the local area – player presence in the local area etc
- Don’t know
- Approach local schools, bring a friend for free, loyalty card
- Keep winning
- keep winning
- more mentions on local radio
- Target kids and families, leaflets in Rushden, handing out leaflets on Rushden High St on a Sat morning
- nothing obvious aprt from winning games/promotion
- Own ground
- more advertising with free local paper/get a front/back page wrap in return for matchday sponsorship
- promote better on radio Northants and other free publications. Posters detailing games in local pubs/clubs etc and local companies
- maybe a good advert in local shop windows
- Improve player discipline
- own ground
- Adults pay, children free
- This is difficult, overall the crowds are good but are impaired upon by tendency of pitch to flood.
- make club officials smile every now and then (not those Gordon Brown smiles)
- Success on the field
Question 8 Responses: How do you feel the Club could increase membership?
- Cheaper
- promote members’ discount scheme
- 1 season only special low price
- emphasise members’ role in decision making
- Promotional Offers
- Exclusive offers/items, improved membership pack, junior Diamonds
- mail all st holders with benefits of membership
- more offers
- don’t know
- offer more perks for members
- various incentives
- make cost for oaps more attractive
- approach supporters at games
- keep playing well
- cheaper, more involvement, discounts at the gate/burger bar on production of card
- adverts
- promotional offers, get our name known more
- increased publicity
- still feel that far too many local people are unaware of the club’s existence, a bit more marketing may help as more fans could equal more members
- as Q7 – also target people who already attend matches but are non-members
- family perks
- keep winning, move back to local area
- Target kids and families
- not sure – mainly advertising comes to mind
- an emphasis on cost of membership helping the future of the club. Discounts as local retailers – who are they? I am a member and have no idea.
- not sure on this one
- Improve player discipline
- internet announcements / ET / public address
- try to get more interest from Radio Northampton
- perhaps have an introductory offer for new members of say £10 for the first year
- Success on the field
- try communication with the people of Rushden / Higham / Irthlingborough. Where is our ‘presence’ in these areas? In the words of Delia “where are you?
