Missing

[BoltonBlue]

All of the above....in addition as mentioned in other posts I know York as well as similar CN clubs are more proactively engaged in the local community resulting in larger attendances & and are more business minded when it comes to running their club, effectively making their club more sustainable long term.

So you're suggesting that Barrow AFC:

A. Become more involved in the local community?
B. Become more business minded?

Oldham - for last night's home fixture - allowed everyone in FREE. Result: 7,000 + Three times above their average gate.

Bang on TTK. It's not a critisism, I'd love to club to be a massively engaged with the next generation of Barrow fans by flooding South Cumbria schools & clubs.
Iv always believed the club is potentially a much bigger club than it currently is.

[The Tomahawk Kid]

It certainly needs a marketing strategy in the local/Furness community...

[Keith Nichols]

Guys, I think these are great suggestions. But to my disadvantage on here, unless you are talking about a rumour you heard in the pub, or what was on the box, you get a load of donkeys on here criticising you. I hope you continue with this intelligent line of discussion. Because I for one think you have some pretty effective suggestions.

[BoltonBlue]

Guys, I think these are great suggestions. But to my disadvantage on here, unless you are talking about a rumour you heard in the pub, or what was on the box, you get a load of donkeys on here criticising you. I hope you continue with this intelligent line of discussion. Because I for one think you have some pretty effective suggestions.

I wouldn't take it personally Keith some fans are probably concerned about losing some of the close club element & rapport which comes with being a non league club. Ultimately if we do reach the FL or the club does manage to get out of marketing dinosaur land this will happen regardless just like any business expansion.

[Wintergreen]

I think the thing to bear in mind is that the club is being run as something of a hobby and not as a viable business that has to show a profit to survive. It’s an unusual arrangement but it is what it is but we’ve been in a lot of worse situations before now as most would testify.

[BoltonBlue]

I think the thing to bear in mind is that the club is being run as something of a hobby and not as a viable business that has to show a profit to survive. It’s an unusual arrangement but it is what it is but we’ve been in a lot of worse situations before now as most would testify.

Fair point WG.

[Lancaster Branch]

I've highlighted your point regarding population - however, Barrow isn't that small and the best supported club in England - IMO Burnley - doesn't have a population much larger than Barrow - so that nullifies that point.

I'm not undermining your points of view.

No worries, it's a debate after all.

Agree re: Burnley, they are the role model in terms of getting a small town to back their side. I'd love us to be the Burnley of The Peninsula!

[Keith Nichols]

Guys, I think these are great suggestions. But to my disadvantage on here, unless you are talking about a rumour you heard in the pub, or what was on the box, you get a load of donkeys on here criticising you. I hope you continue with this intelligent line of discussion. Because I for one think you have some pretty effective suggestions.

I wouldn't take it personally Keith some fans are probably concerned about losing some of the close club element & rapport which comes with being a non league club. Ultimately if we do reach the FL or the club does manage to get out of marketing dinosaur land this will happen regardless just like any business expansion.

Thanks Bolton Blue. Keep your interesting points of view going.

[Ralph]

Perhaps there are people reading this thread who would have important contributions to make towards the joint project between BAFC and Lancaster Uni? I know the promised feedback from this group has been limited in the past, but I believe steps have been taken to improve this, significantly.

FANS' FEEDBACK
From the Barrow AFC Facebook page

Are you interested in having a chat with the Lancaster University students about Barrow AFC and helping us to shape our future? There will be a Fans' Feedback group held on Saturday 28 January at noon (before the Forest Green game). Refreshments will be provided. If you want to help and can spare an hour of your time before the game, please email barrowcommercial@gmail.com with your details.

[boyliegladbach]

The problem is, the club aren't bothered if there's 800 or 2000 in the ground.

[Jo am back]

Here's a conversation I had Monday,which is typical of many and fundamentally why we will struggle to build that fan base we all would love. This was with a work colleague who pre Christmas was according to him a regular,especially the big games,"oh aren't we doing well in the cup,can't wait for the Rochdale game,got my ticket all ready".
So Monday,I comment that I'm looking forward to Tuesdays match, he replies "na not going,off down to anfield on Wednesday "
That's why we struggle. And even better all that money he wasted to line the pockets of those overpaid ,over rated players supporting a town he has no affinity with,was a complete waste as they got beat at home,again,by a club they bought all there players from,makes me laugh.

[Keith Nichols]

Jo, I support Liverpool too. But I wouldn't dream of going when I could see Barrow as they performed most of this season, and particularly against Lincoln.

But I would be interested on peoples views as to how you attract people going to see Liverpool, Manchester United/City or even Arsenal, in favour of going to see the local team? Maybe the poor years of Barrow moved their minds to better football (at a massive hike up in cost) and now its a permanent set. That's a hard one to change people's minds vs the occasional Premier League visitor. Maybe a few good suggestions can be made. Suffolk Blue seems to present good ideas for example.

[BoltonBlue]

Jo, I support Liverpool too. But I wouldn't dream of going when I could see Barrow as they performed most of this season, and particularly against Lincoln.

But I would be interested on peoples views as to how you attract people going to see Liverpool, Manchester United/City or even Arsenal, in favour of going to see the local team? Maybe the poor years of Barrow moved their minds to better football (at a massive hike up in cost) and now its a permanent set. That's a hard one to change people's minds vs the occasional Premier League visitor. Maybe a few good suggestions can be made. Suffolk Blue seems to present good ideas for example.

Think you've more or less nailed your own question there Keith.
Consumers (supporters) set trends & habits based on previous experiences. At present Barrow AFC as a brand is not presentable enough to prevent people from leaving the town to attend premier league football or spend their weekends doing other things.
I'm very confident a large percentage of PL supporters/football fans in the town would happily attend Barrow games if the product was strengthened through various methods. With an aggressive marketing campaign I don't believe this would take too long to achieve.

[barrowfan_chris]

Its not the adults we need to be winning over its their children IMO all under 16s should be allowed in for free and those 16-21 or in full time education should be charged under £5.

Yes for a few years you lose a couple hundred quid but they build the affinity with the club and become adults paying full price.

[BoltonBlue]

Its not the adults we need to be winning over its their children IMO all under 16s should be allowed in for free and those 16-21 or in full time education should be charged under £5.

Yes for a few years you lose a couple hundred quid but they build the affinity with the club and become adults paying full price.

Nail on the head there Chris it's a no brainier.

If the club parting with cash to print promotions, vouchers is the issue, then I'm sure printing companies would be interested to do this in exchange for advertising boards/space in match day programs etc & will engage another local business in doing so.