LadywellToi

But since the mid 80's the population of Motherwell & Wishaw has increased by what, 15,000 with all the new housing estates and developments. We haven't pursued these new people.

Leading on from another thread I started on here, I was rather surprised at the strength of apathy with respect to season ticket renewals. It would appear his has been motivated by cost/value and a perception (by some) of disenfranchisement as to the benefits/flexibility of holding a ticket over paying at the gate. Surprisingly it can't be argued that its down to our on field performances which I think every fan is in agreement exceeded our pre-season aspirations. I suppose we benefit that both the commercial and media departments of our club have accounts on this site and regularly contribute and even, god forbid .... listen (East Stand security checks for example). I certainly think this is a credit to the club and as a result we can use this to help if and when we can. Communication has improved however comments recently have highlighted a few alternative avenues going forward. It's evident MFC's traditional way of disseminating information needs to be looked at and different methods approached, "change" is the current buzzword isn't it? Therefore onto the point of this thread, we all witnessed the debacle of fixtures handed down to us from on high, as a result we find ourselves in the top 6 without any real tangible reward other than an increase in earnings from league placement and Europa qualification. With recent attendances at Parkhead and their bhoycott of away grounds because they feel hard done by, I'm not sure if the loss attributed to not playing Celtic at FP is as much as quoted. In an attempt to inject some atmosphere and maximise turnstyle revenues, we've lowered the prices in a move to increase the attendance and mitigate the losses due to it being a mid-week televised game. It's a brave and hopefully, first of many initiatives to increase a dwindling support. It's came to my attention from reading comments on here and from a conversation I had tonight with a lifelong Motherwell fan that so many of the target audience just don't know about the £10-£1 deal. When I told him it was £1 for the kids (he has three) I think that convinced him to go tonight. The club has to do something to address this immediately as word of mouth can't be relied upon, the Falkirk bring a buddy initiative is evident of that. There is no point in having a good idea or product unless as many people as possible know about it. Look at websites such as Quidco.com for example, it works because they have a large customer base and as a result its mutually beneficial for the buying public, retailer and website. Also, whiteboxdeals.co.uk, saynoto0870.com, hotukdeals.com and 5pm.co.uk are excellent ideas but so many don't know about them and what they offer. I suggested approaching NLC with respect to the prominent position at the foot of Airbles Road where there is currently the sign advertising countless tribute acts and AmDram Panto's at the Civic. I don't even want to guess how many pass this sign on a daily basis and how many again sit and passively view this when sitting waiting for a green light on the way home. Even OF drivers may have a neighbour or family member who they may mention "I see your mob are offering £10 entry on Wednesday night". It could be put to the council that its mutually beneficial to help MFC. As for how to address it then its either a separate hoarding to the side or combining the two. NLC may be in favour if the cost is apportioned fairly. They may jump at it if it brought something new (i.e. a screen) however vandalism, cost and future austerity measures may scupper that suggestion. I'd add that it would be clever to add a temperature reading and time, I know I always tend to have my eyes drawn to them at the Newbridge roundabout in Edinburgh and the Motherwell Bridge one at the roundabout at the foot of Wishaw. It would highlight forthcoming games, prices and initiatives to a significant portion of the public who either don't listen to L107 or buy the Wishaw Press/Motherwell Times. I lived in Motherwell since I was 2 and the Motherwell Times was bought twice in my household, once on my first day at Primary and the second on starting at Dalziel. As for cost of manufacture (if its a traditional paper pasted hoarding), well the club is involved heavily with the logintolearn.com thing and a good relationship with Motherwell College. As a major faculty is trades, surely a fabrication project where a) the students put something back into their community and b) see something tangible they have made as a permanent fixture would be something that has merit among the academic and political types - they all love a photo op with a big cheque or with teens in boiler suits and hard hats standing behind them (not the title of an obscure porno before anyone interjects). In time additional hoardings could be looked to be extended to the main arterial hubs into the area. I have witness first hand how an oversight in awareness and recruitment can affect things locally. I used to play football for Dalziel FP's, we had three teams and an under 21's. I continually advocated at AGM's that we actively had to attract local kids in 5th/6th year (specifically from Dalziel, Braidhurst, Our Lady's, Taylor, Brannock, St. Aidens and Coltness) to come up, ideally in groups to keep the camaraderie. Unfortunately the club didn't do this and the teams tended to cast their net wider for players. As a result there wasn't the same spirit, loyalty and proximity to the club and they are now down to a 1st team and under 21's. If anyone has alternative or supporting ideas how the club can promote itself then please add your ideas and initiatives. This is the 1st of some alternative ideas I have but as I'm sure you'll agree I've already written too much and my fingers hurt.

Never started one of these as I was unsure if there was a hierarchy or procedure, however considering there is one usually 3-4 days before a match, I reckon 20 hours to go its worth starting one. For my tuppence worth, form goes out the window tomorrow, its going to be like a cup semi final, just hope the hype and planned atmosphere matches my expectation and the spectacle on show. Definitely our most important and high profile domestic game for 2-3 years. Happy Zemamaamamaama is out after he ripped Viewtoakill a new derrier. Chuffed players likely to leave the club in the summer are going to go through pain barrier to be in contention. Warms my cockles. Don't have a clue on the prediction.

Juan, I'll admit I borrowed that from your post in the other thread, upon reading it I thought the initiative used by Bradford was/is excellent. I just wanted to highlight the extra income only 250 extra season tickets bring in, however as this thread has gone on I'm beginning to realise that retention is going to be a bigger issue for us this summer than new business despite achieving much more than we thought we would 1 year ago. 250 tickets earn the club over £60k, 1000 is £250k give or take. A fair bit of that could be returned to the fans if the club was willing to break even or take a relatively small cut. Desperate times call for desperate measures. We aren't desperate yet however I think its only 3 years away maximum. Finlay, I must admit I have generally agreed with most of what you have written on here, I think our views regarding the business and the footballing side are more often than not mirrored. However I agree the sub £200 season ticket is a little bit away, its still worth merit discussing the numbers involved that facilitate it. It would need a commitment and a gamble from the boardroom. I can't help feeling if Leeann didn't have to deal with the search for a new manager, Hugh Dallas "you've got mail", Gannon resigning, Pitch and top 6 fixtures then more credible initiatives could have been in place for next season. As for Boyle, I reckon this season he'll have to dip into his pocket to the tune of at least £100k, I don't know what percentage of his total net worth that is, however you can't disagree it must hurt - even when on paper we've bucked the trend and had a successful season.

Anyone reckon he's better than anyone mentioned in the relegation buying thread?

How about as a start asking NLC if we can have a billboard beside the Civic Theatre one at the Strathclyde/Airbles/Dual Carriage Way junction? Next game, prices, offers Think how many pass through there daily on their way to Motherwell/Wishaw Next is the Raith interchange and then at the M8 at Newhouse and Whifflet cutoff

Ya Bezzer What sort of money could you justify paying to renew? This is the sort of thing Leeann and the board need to know, because if we attract x new season ticket holders and are prepared to break even on this years income then at least its a start. Based on 250 increase paying £250 = £62,500 extra income £62,500/3000 season ticket holders = £20.85 call it £20 for admin and handling. So its feasible we could reduce the season tickets by multiples of £20 for every new 250 season ticket holders from the 2009-10 season. That is if we don't increase revenue from season tickets. So (I may get shot down here) we could get a £190 ticket if we get 1,000 new season ticket holders. I'm also being overly simplistic. If the club wants to make something from this then it could be £15 to the fans and £5 to the club per 250 fans, an extra £20k if it works, not much but as they say in the credit card ads: Season Ticket: £250 Puma (?) strip: £40 Atmosphere: Priceless Also from the FT: 1952 Average wage: £589.59 Per week: £11.33 and therefore 30p an hour roughly Entry to FP in 1952: ?

Interested to know if there are any on here who are of an age and internet savvy, our highest attendance was in 1952 how much was it to get in and secondly how much was the average wage back then, just to draw a comparison to see if its way out of kilter. Safe to say there was less to do in the shire 7 years after the War than there is now, no Wii's and Sky telly. From BBC: Average wage in UK 2008 = £20,801 gross Weekly: £400 gross Entry to FP: £18 Based on 37.5 week: 1 hour 40 mins work to gain entry 1952?

Premiership TV money - granted, however we don't have a Premiership wage bill. The thought of Motherwell even increasing its attendance next season by 250 seems to be quite a mountain to climb, even more so considering the bring a mate deal that didn't seem to boost attendance by much at all. If that happened the club could reduce the season ticket by approx £20 per season ticket holder and still achieve the same revenue.

When this is cheaper than a East Stand ticket and the chasm in quality compared to the two it just shows how out of touch our league now is. Granted the owner is super minted however for £12.50 a game you get to see Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, etc. OK, so you'll get an odd West Brom and Stoke however we'll get a Caley Thistle. Wigan £250 deal

Ruddy reminds me of big Sieb, prone to the odd moment of madness (however more infrequent and no bar swinging - as yet). There have been a few howlers this season, lets not forget, before he was subbed against Falkirk his last game was Dundee Utd away and there was a couple of crazy moments. However he has pulled off a couple of amazing saves that conservatively have given us an extra 10 points this season at least even if he has cost us some, keepers are always going to attract extra criticism due to their role. I think the issue with him over Fraser is that he commands his box and nobody is in any doubt of that certainly not the defence, remember Reynolds reaction when a ball was played over his head and ended up going out for a corner. I still feel that little pang of angst when a high ball is floating in the box when Fraser is playing. As I've said before on here, when Ruddy is in between the sticks when the ball is played I'm already looking to see who's free on the halfway line. Fraser has attracted unfair criticism, but he's had big boots to fill and despite being injured I think you can still be coached and absorb advice on positioning and technique. However goalkeeping is all about confidence and you get that from pulling off a few saves. Despite being against Falkirk and 4,000 fans can't say his heart wasn't pumping 10 to the dozen.

I think most Motherwell fans would be underwhelmed if these hyped announcements are nothing to do with the transfer market. Will we have a strip next year - undoubtedly, will it be Canterbury - probably not, am I that bothered - not unless it changes the colours or makes Craigan look a mile out. Season ticket deal, does it affect me - no but think in essence its promising, vast majority of the support opt for the East stand and unless there is something that affects me in the pocket its all been a bit of a damp squib.

Really looking forward to the grandstand finish to the season. For me, the most exciting game for quite a while. Out of interest, been thinking about it since I saw Gareth Southgate was on telly today, but can anyone advise the last time Motherwell were involved in a competitive penalty shoot out?

Chicken, Mushroom, Veg or Mixed?

Anyone see the Motherwell Times Exclusive: Motherwell FC's whole team in 'bribe' allegation High flying Motherwell FC has reportedly agreed to take a £2.54 bribe to lose at least four goals on Saturday. The Motherwell Times says it has video of the defence and management team making a deal in the East on Friday. Mr Brown is quoted as saying they feared for their safety at the time. "We met in a hotel, chatting about Spanish mortgages, we thought they were mafia, we asked them for soap in a hope the deal may break down" There is no suggestion Motherwell FC thrown or fixed a match before.

So its safe to say: Announcement 1: Cooper season ticket, two kids free (good for a small portion of our support) Announcement 2: Tempted to say Jennings however nothing on the official website which leads me to think it was something else, which has yet to be delivered. Think Flow may bite his tongue in future.

I'd just prefer meaningful pre season games opposed to friendlies against Gillingham and Wrexham. I don't know anyone that thought that last summers games didn't generate interest and extra excitement. Plus European qualification does raise our profile and may get transfer targets to give us that little more consideration. Also, on a side note, the two pieces of news this week are the season tickets in the Cooper and ........?

From what I saw, Saunders, however as above, I was hovering over the null vote button.

Now that's an impressive 2nd half collapse

Got to love the "Kilul-marrrrr-nockh" Aberdeen getting beat though 2-0

Jesus, can't anyone google stuff anymore: Player: http://www.tvunetworks.com/downloads/player.html then when its running put KTV in the search window and select KTV 3 Job done.

Anyone know what the Arabic is for "Contrast & Brightness buttons". I'm composing a complaint letter.

What about Ruddy's throw out there? Fantastic

anyone know how to delay the BBC commentary by about 30 secs?

The Kuwaity one works a peach