Commercial side

[tictactoe]

This area at our club is shocking and I've been giving it some thought. Can't you tell it's close season lol.

The fact that we haven't got shirts available again is rubbish, or at least details of availability, price, sizing etc. Year after year we fail on this.

Some ideas

1. Kids - It's hard enough getting kids interested in us but when they are, what have they got available to buy? IMO we should introduce a "pocket money" range, not tat but cheap enough items that kids can buy with their pocket money or that won't cost their parents a fortune.

2. Shirts need to be available in all sizes and women's shirts too. They are shaped I differently and fit better. There should also be a better range of other clothing, t-shirts, jackets, etc.

3. Have other products available. Why not venture into bags, belts, jewellery, teddies, baby wear, car window visors etc.

4. corporate needs to be used more. Yes, this hasn't been a priority because the income hasn't been as needed, but it's good to get businesses interested and on our side so to speak. If money isn't vital, maybe offer a corporate package to a charity, free to a smaller business, fans etc, once they've experienced it they may pay to do it again.

5. the cross bar facility should be advertised more for parties etc. The face lift is temporary and not 100% but the place looks better than it has in ages and is a good venue for functions. We don't make enough of this IMO.

6. Big idea maybe, what about weddings - some fans might fancy it, a big marquee on the pitch for the day time and the cross bar for night. Obviously this would probably have to be close season but isn't that when most weddings take place.

7. Not sure how, but need to do more to get youngsters interested. I know from working in a primary school that the barrow afc community initiative run their after school clubs, but at our school I think Meeks may have come once and maybe Jason, but I bet the kids didn't even know who Meeks was. The players should be involved in this more. Once the course has completed that's it the kids usually lose interest until the next course begins, and that can be a while.

I know most of this has been said time and time again, but the commercial side of our clubs shocking, and if it can't be improved now under pc's guidance then it never will.

[Stu1]

I'm sure umbrellas with badge would sell well too

[Moribund]

This area at our club is shocking and I've been giving it some thought. Can't you tell it's close season lol.

The fact that we haven't got shirts available again is rubbish, or at least details of availability, price, sizing etc. Year after year we fail on this.

Some ideas

1. Kids - It's hard enough getting kids interested in us but when they are, what have they got available to buy? IMO we should introduce a "pocket money" range, not tat but cheap enough items that kids can buy with their pocket money or that won't cost their parents a fortune.

2. Shirts need to be available in all sizes and women's shirts too. They are shaped I differently and fit better. There should also be a better range of other clothing, t-shirts, jackets, etc.

3. Have other products available. Why not venture into bags, belts, jewellery, teddies, baby wear, car window visors etc.

4. corporate needs to be used more. Yes, this hasn't been a priority because the income hasn't been as needed, but it's good to get businesses interested and on our side so to speak. If money isn't vital, maybe offer a corporate package to a charity, free to a smaller business, fans etc, once they've experienced it they may pay to do it again.

5. the cross bar facility should be advertised more for parties etc. The face lift is temporary and not 100% but the place looks better than it has in ages and is a good venue for functions. We don't make enough of this IMO.

6. Big idea maybe, what about weddings - some fans might fancy it, a big marquee on the pitch for the day time and the cross bar for night. Obviously this would probably have to be close season but isn't that when most weddings take place.

7. Not sure how, but need to do more to get youngsters interested. I know from working in a primary school that the barrow afc community initiative run their after school clubs, but at our school I think Meeks may have come once and maybe Jason, but I bet the kids didn't even know who Meeks was. The players should be involved in this more. Once the course has completed that's it the kids usually lose interest until the next course begins, and that can be a while.

I know most of this has been said time and time again, but the commercial side of our clubs shocking, and if it can't be improved now under pc's guidance then it never will.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 001531.htm

[Hadrian]

Thought I had read that use of hospitality packages was up last season?

[HenneysKnee]

We should have a shop in town

[tictactoe]

Moribund I was only putting out ideas I had thought of to try and better a side to our club that is lacking - no ulterior motive, no personality disorder. Sorry if this offends you. Oh and if you actually new me, I hate attention and am actually quite a private person, just not afraid to open my mouth if I believe in something and not afraid to fight my corner

[Jonty]

Some ideas-

1. Kids - Kids want autogrtaphs and photos and to meet the players- Players in schools with the conf north championship Trophy next season?. Some freebies for kids- flags, scarves?. Junior Bluebird club perhaps? Schools / guard of honour when teams come out- But it all needs managed.

2. Shirts need to be available in all sizes and women's shirts too. They are shaped I differently. I don't buy the shirts but the club could perhaps announce a shirt release date and start taking pre-orders for shirts now? Ladies shirts is a good idea btw. My daughter would defo have one. Maybe a shirt / season ticket package deal?

3. Have other products available. Why not venture into bags, belts, jewellery, teddies, baby wear, car window visors etc. Think they'll probably start introducing this sort of stuff- It's standard merch. But how much would a club our size sell of this sort of stuff

4. corporate needs to be used more. Yes, this hasn't been a priority because the income hasn't been as needed, but it's good to get businesses interested and on our side so to speak. Fan Corporate on match day will be rammed next season for sure, so long as they keep the deal to what the Barrow fans want. It's a good do. Soon as the fixture list is out then that is when match day sponsorship packages should be out- same day. The usual stuff- matchball, man of the match opportunities. Also kit sponsorship / player sponsorhips for season (these could start now). (Pitch squares used to be a good too).

5. the cross bar facility should be advertised more for parties etc. The face lift is temporary and not 100% but the place looks better than it has in ages and is a good venue for functions. We don't make enough of this IMO. Agree. Although it is available free of charge I believe. Unfortunately it's off the circuit. Maybe band nights fundraiser for the Trust?

6. Big idea maybe, what about weddings - some fans might fancy it, a big marquee on the pitch for the day time and the cross bar for night. Obviously this would probably have to be close season but isn't that when most weddings take place. Don't think we are quite ready for this sort of thing yet!! maybe when the ground is redeveloped with function suites etc.

7. Not sure how, but need to do more to get youngsters interested. Junior clubs could be involved with matchday ball boy / girl duties. Then opportunities to meet players afterwards for a team photo on pitch- give them the full matchday experience. See what Stockport do.- http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/art ... 21265.aspx

I know most of this has been said time and time again, but the commercial side of our clubs shocking, and if it can't be improved now under pc's guidance then it never will.

[Steeley]

We should have a shop in town

There's nowt in the one we have now!

[tictactoe]

Yes jonty cross bar is out of the way but for private functions isn't that better?

[blue nige]

I thought spirit had covered this before so why don't we wait for the kit launch and I'm sure you can put your views forward on the night because it's pointless banging on here about it because you are achieving nothing apart from starting the same arguments again!

[boyliegladbach]

I think a commercial manager that knows what he is doing would sort a lot of the problems out, but I suppose he should be given time. After all he's only been doing it nearly 12 months.

[McMark]

I think getting pre orders in for the new shirts is a very good idea as I would think there will a fair demand out there. But some information needed also like true sizes, anticipated stock date would help even a picture of the shirt on the clubs website! People like a little information it keeps them interested, it shouldn't have to be a guessing game all the time!

[K-Man]

I mentioned this to a director last summer before the start of the season and his response was along the lines of "Do you think we need the money".

[ant]

I mentioned this to a director last summer before the start of the season and his response was along the lines of "Do you think we need the money".

Sorry but i don't believe that for a minute.sounds like miscommunication?

[The Real Slim Azza]

Imagine the backlash had I posted this originally haha.


Taking pre orders on shirts is common sense. We always used to run out before everyone got one EVERY YEAR without fail. If you pre order a shirt then the club has a rough idea of how many to order. ( 50 pre orders = 50 more shirts which = 50 times however much you charge for the shirt ( depending on if one or two pull out) )

The original poster is right though, if the club wants to be self sustainable in the future then commercially we need a reshuffle. We need the club generating as much of its own money as soon as possible.

Fathers day this sunday and loads of clubs in the football league and the conference have shirts in ready to sell and other bit of useless rubbish everyone buys because it has the clubs name on. My girlfriends dad is a huge Barrow fan and she doesn't know what to get him. Wouldn't it be great if her and countless others could go to the club shop and buy a Barrow AFC fathers day card with a "Barrow AFC slipper , hat and scarf set". Then when people come to buy these the staff at the counter could then offer out other products ( oh does he come to games often? does he have a season ticket? Well we have these early bird prices for next season ill give you a leaflet ETC). Even if that got one more season ticket holder it would be worth it and its much more professional than "do yer wan a bag for that m8"


Who knows maybe the commercial director can keep taking a wage for another 12 months and still have very little in place for the future. Hell who knows maybe in ten years he might be closer to finding his feet


We have money now , that doesn't mean we will always have it.