Chipp_Bluebird wrote:

I agree with some of what has been said on here. The general feel of a home game is well off and hasn't been the same for a good 12-18 months. The sad sight of the drummer taking the drum back through the bar at half time said it all really, i am guessing like most of us in the ground he was utterly fed up of what he was witnessing. Some of the football has been borderline dreadful at home this season, if you had shown up for a first game on Saturday, there is no real incentive to return. There have been good moments and on the pitch it hasn't always been bad this year but the good times feel a lot more harder to come by.

The ground was more energetic, welcoming and inspiring in the Southern League days as well compared to the present day. The group who tried to create an atmosphere behind the goal which was at times strong in numbers have been suffocated by over reactions and long term club bans over the past couple of seasons for relatively minor indiscretions in the grand scheme of things and I counted only 3 or 4 of them there. They are not everybody's cup of tea but they at least tried to create some sort of an atmosphere and now there is nothing.

In recent games I have felt a pressure to part with my money, as soon as you get in the ground you are accosted for money with 50:50 golden goal programme club shop all being mentioned within seconds of you entering, the food is a rip off at a tenner for a poorly made burger and cold chips. one of the visiting fans also made this observation about money grabbing. It is almost like the club want to see how much they can take off of me from the second i enter the ground. No sort of initiatives going forward or seemingly thoughts about either the future or the past successes of the club. I have been coming to the ground for many years but it has become uninspiring, soul less and a shadow of what it used to be sadly and needs a boost ahead of next season or the dwindling numbers will only get worse.

Just about sums it up, couldn't have put it better myself. Been coming to watch Chippenham for the last 24 years and for some off that time was a season ticket holder and volunteered on several occasions to help the club out. But now I pick and choose what games I go too and even then rarely leave feeling that I've been entertained. As stated the club don't appear to engage with the fans as the did in the Southern league days.

"........the food is a rip off at a tenner for a poorly made burger and cold chips. one of the visiting fans also made this observation about money grabbing......"

The catering is franchised so, in all fairness, the club can't do much about that other than get another supplier in I guess.  I never buy food in the ground but has anyone complained directly to the caterers?  Give them some "feedback" (no pun intended) if the food is substandard for the price.

 

Last edited by Insideleft (24/3/2025 7:28 PM)

Insideleft wrote:

"........the food is a rip off at a tenner for a poorly made burger and cold chips. one of the visiting fans also made this observation about money grabbing......"

The catering is franchised so, in all fairness, the club can't do much about that other than get another supplier in I guess.  I never buy food in the ground but has anyone complained directly to the caterers?  Give them some "feedback" (no pun intended) if the food is substandard for the price.

 

Food is an interesting one, especially when you see what you can get at other clubs. It’s an area a lot of clubs have truly harnessed, and a reason why a lot of casual fans will choose going to one club’s game over another now.

Think I’ve seen Pizza at Hampton, Pulled Pork Fries at Hemel, Caribbean Food at Slough, Gyros at Dulwich. Chippenham you get the standard low quality burger, chips all for a crazy price. I know the club can’t control, but do have the chance to see what other clubs do…

And now the club hit us with some quite honestly ridiculous season ticket prices.
£315 for an Adult Early bird
£17 Match day price.

For reference Forest Green Rovers
£289 For an Adult Standing Early bird
£17 Standing match day price.

Some is taking the mick and advantage of loyal fans.
Based on this I’ll be attending less games next season to offset the increase. Normally spend around £40 at home games on entrance, food and beer.
False economy by the club I think.

Popped on as I thought todays announcement would set a couple of forum users off and I wasn’t let down.

Some observations.  From what I can see, our ticket prices are in line with Bath City and Weston Super Mare. These clubs charge children to enter and charge them more than we do.

Another observation, taken from Football web pages, our average attendance this season is the highest it has ever been in this division. We have always floated between 580 - 700 at this level so it would appear that those who moan that crowds are dwindling, would be incorrect. However, while we have increased by about 5%-10% a lot of other clubs have increased their average gate by a greater %, although these are much bigger clubs and have bigger catchment areas.

The club will not lower ticket prices to attract more numbers as they do not have the know how on how to engage with the community and new supporters on a consistent basis to get more bums on seats that would make up for the loss of income from cheaper tickets. We do not do online ticket sales, yet other clubs sell tickets online for a cheaper price than on the gate despite those costs. Why?  They get a phone number and an email address - a chance to engage and communicate with supporters on a regular basis once they have visited. Do any supporters get regular communication from the club on tickets, travel, club shop offers or offers in the bar?  Does the club know how much per head is spent on a Matchday? 

Coupled with the above is the drab atmosphere, which is not helped by age of supporters and clubs attitude to younger fans - you only need to look at Westbury and Melksham’s growing young fan base - they wouldn’t last very long here before being banned or frowned upon. The Matchday experience is a reflection of the board - that is not said to be nasty but merely an observation based on the people and conversations I see. Hard working people with the best intentions but lacking ideas, energy and persona to change things or give it longer than a few weeks before aborting.  It’s a survive first mentality.  When the above is taken into consideration, it is almost a footballing miracle, not that we survive, as teams can do that year on year with scratch budgets, but that we compete and survive so comfortably every season.  We are a step 4 club living in a step 2 world and that world is getting tougher and tougher every season.

Huge credit must go to the Chairman and players/staff for maintaining our status and level every season.

Last edited by Sofa Score guy (Today 1:25 AM)