Empty Seats

[Jakubs Tash]

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many empty seats inside Turf Moor these last few home games. Every single stand seems to have large patches of space. It’s quite alarming. I wonder what the chairman thinks….

I can understand that the weather hasn’t been great recently but maybe supporters aren’t that bothered about watching the turgid football on show. Maybe they’re happy to spend their money elsewhere rather than parting with £30-50 as a walk-on when there isn’t anything on show to get them on the edge of their seat.

Loads of people are clearly not bothered about missing games this season….and I can’t say I blame them.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Boring football. A lot of our fans have brains

[123EasyasBFC]

Or maybe it had something to do with the big crash on the motorway

[blatherwickstattoos]

Or maybe it had something to do with the big crash on the motorway

No crash. A lad threatened to jump of gannow top bridge. All cleared

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Wish my seat had been empty tonight. I am pretty much just going to chat to my brother at the minute, that was the only enjoyment.

[Vegas Claret]

Arguably the worst side we've seen for a decade, no surprise.

[Woodleyclaret]

Fao Poulton-le-Claret
We've moved a month ago from Reading to Poulton and it's now 50mins to the Turf not 4.5hrs .That and another point towards promotion is the only positives from tonight

[BigGaz]

There's tonnes free in the padded Bob Lord seats. I'd heard they'd put the season ticket for that up from 2 to 3 which might explain why that looks dead.

[123EasyasBFC]

No crash. A lad threatened to jump of gannow top bridge. All cleared

Said crash on the radio, I had already missed it when I got into Burnley

[daveisaclaret]

Missed the Boro and Derby games as a ST holder for non-football reasons. Can't say I've missed much though. I don't think Pace and ALK are aware how close we are to a half-empty Turf at any given moment,

[blatherwickstattoos]

Missed the Boro and Derby games as a ST holder for non-football reasons. Can't say I've missed much though. I don't think Pace and ALK are aware how close we are to a half-empty Turf at any given moment,

I don’t want to go on games anymore. I’m going to Norwich Sunday (free ticket in the box my mates a Norwich fan) I’m going to get blind drunk so I forget the football

[cartel47]

Agree with the OP, but what is more worrying, given that so many of our games are live on TV, how many will renew S/T next season , especially those that travel some distance, regardless of which division we are in.

[TsarBomba]

I don’t think Pace particularly cares if there are empty seats and fans grumbling. We’ve seen time and time again under this ownership that we’re low down on the list of priorities.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Fao Poulton-le-Claret
We've moved a month ago from Reading to Poulton and it's now 50mins to the Turf not 4.5hrs .That and another point towards promotion is the only positives from tonight

Yes that is a much better drive. I moved over from Sleaford in Lincolnshire last year, and I am so happy that I am not currently in the car doing the nearly 3 hour drive there right now!

[Goliath]

I don’t think Pace particularly cares if there are empty seats and fans grumbling. We’ve seen time and time again under this ownership that we’re low down on the list of priorities.

Oh he will when season ticket renewals come around

[Commy]

My seat is empty as I really have not got the inclination to drive a 9 hour round trip, and spend a load of money on fuel, to be put to sleep. Plymouth and Preston pretty much killed me off.

[TsarBomba]

Oh he will when season ticket renewals come around

Sorry, I should have caveated it with whilst we’re 3rd and in receipt of parachute payments.

[bobinho]

Or maybe it had something to do with the big crash on the motorway

No it didn’t.

[bobinho]

Arguably the worst side we've seen for a decade, no surprise.

Yet we still couldn’t break them down…

[Silkyskills1]

The display from both teams tonight is squeezing the life out of football for me. Our approach to a game is frustratingly negative and boring to watch. No anticipation that anything is likely to happen and players 'drilled' into safety first most of the time. As for the opposition their supporters seemed thrilled at the fact that they hadn't lost. Their players time wasted from the 2nd minute onwards, feigned injury wherever they could and generally seemed intent on spoiling 90 minutes of what is supposedly deemed as entertainment.
Is this what supporters have left to look forward to? It's like a scene from a dystopian novel where the only winners are those that don't bother attending. Someone somewhere hasn't 'read the room' but the warning signs are as clear as they could be for a small town club like ours that the future, despite our league placing, is looking bleak.

[Enola Gay]

Missed Friday’s game for a Christmas do.

Will miss December 21st for another one.

Not remotely bothered about not seeing either to be honest.

[what_no_pies]

An enthusiastic crowd could have won that game for us tonight and not very long ago they likely would have done.

[Beagle]

An enthusiastic crowd could have won that game for us tonight and not very long ago they likely would have done.

There are only two things that could have won that game for us tonight even if we’d played it for another four hours: a penalty or a Derby own goal.

[Burnley87]

Not been on the last 3 games out of choice. Not watching that garbage when it’s freezing cold or raining. This has never affected me before. The most negative Burnley Manager in my lifetime and I’m 37. Worse than Cotterball. Added to that our attacking players lack of quality and final product makes it absolutely turgid to watch

[bigdavethemaddog]

evening games are always smaller attendances. especially in December when its cold, money is tight and other things like xmas parties and kids school plays are on. Doesnt help either that both games were available to watch on TV at home or the pub where its warmer and cheaper to sit and watch with a beer or two.

[appleton]

If I knew how to post a screenshot I'd share my activity from my Garmin sports watch showing this 72 year old season ticket holder dozing on the sofa for the second half.
And slightly off topic I'm out with relatives in Liverpool tonight and the topic of 9 - 0 will surely come up.

[Dyched]

Agree with the OP, but what is more worrying, given that so many of our games are live on TV, how many will renew S/T next season , especially those that travel some distance, regardless of which division we are in.

So much nicer as well. Comfy seat, warm, nobody getting up trying to get past. Something nice to drink, no queuing. Nice smelling bathroom, can wash my hands properly. Something nice to snack on. The only downside is the cat jumping up to the telly, but that actually makes the game more entertaining. I thought she used to try and get the ball but now I’m pretty sure she’s telling Flemming where to make runs.

On a serious note, football has changed. People want more. Even if the football is terrible a choice of decent food and drink goes a long way.

[GetIntoEm]

Just hope the ones not using them don't renew their season tickets next season, then the ones who want to go watch premier league football have more choice.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

No surprise to see so many empty seats with the style of play and near enough every game being on tv. Was on last night and at times it was similar to being on a cricket match you could hear peoples conversations around you as there was nothing happening on the pitch for large parts of the match.

[Flixtonclaret1]

A 2 hour drive to watch another drab 0-0 is a hard
watch currently.

If I wanted to watch clean sheets I’d be better off
in the local launderette.

Onwards….

[Murger]

It’ll only get emptier if this brand of football continues.

[RVclaret]

Weirdly there were many empty seats in the Kompany promotion season (example below). Was it style of play then too?

[bumba]

Weirdly there were many empty seats in the Kompany promotion season (example below). Was it style of play then too?

Whoah whoah whoah you can't say that.....you have to understand the ground didn't have an empty seat under VK, the football was non stop entertainment in every game every week and we won every game creating 700 chances a match!

[NL Claret]

Always been empty seats for midweek championship games, it's nothing new.

Worst side for a decade if we forget last season.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Weirdly there were many empty seats in the Kompany promotion season (example below). Was it style of play then too?

That bottom picture is from the 99th minute of a game to be fair.


There is no getting away from the fact the football this season is slow and negative.

[RVclaret]

That bottom picture is from the 99th minute of a game to be fair.


There is no getting away from the fact the football this season is slow and negative.

Used it so could see the BL stand too. The below is earlier and it’s the same.

I personally don’t find playing on the front foot and dominating teams as ‘negative’. Is it frustrating we aren’t scoring more, yeah obviously, but we’d just won 4 in a row playing, in the main, really well - and had an entertaining, if not miserably wet and windy, game on Friday night.

[jrgbfc]

This new TV deal will be a disaster for midweek attendances. And we either aren't bothered about walk ons anymore, or if Pace thought people would be willing to pay 40 quid for games last night then he's living in a fantasy world.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Just hope the ones not using them don't renew their season tickets next season, then the ones who want to go watch premier league football have more choice.

Yup we have some who wouldn't dream of missing Luton or Brighton at home in the Prem while in a relegation fight, but Derby at home while 3rd in the Championship is beneath them.

Then in a couple of years when missing out on a big away game we will have a clamour to reset the loyalty points as they don't have enough points to go to a cherry picked away game.

Was it good last night - no it was s**te, do we have a divine right to win every game - no. Yet some wonder where the entitlement view comes from. If those who whinge all through match threads went to games and put as much effort into supporting the team we would have the best atmosphere in the country.

[Goliath]

This new TV deal will be a disaster for midweek attendances. And we either aren't bothered about walk ons anymore, or if Pace thought people would be willing to pay 40 quid for games last night then he's living in a fantasy world.

Spot on.

[Bordeauxclaret]

I’ve never met a single Burnley fan who believes we have a divine right to win every game.

I don’t think I’ve seen anyone on here post that they think that either.

[The Shire Claret]

Time of year - weather - Sky

Most importantly hiking the price of tickets up

Don’t get to the premier league this season and keep the walk on prices the same and it will naturally get worse

Even Burnley have fair weather fans but we also will have many fans now that have been priced out

It’s only reasonable now if you get a season ticket

Nearly £20 for three pints last night too …

It all adds up as to why people choose to do something else

[Hipper]

Not been on the last 3 games out of choice. Not watching that garbage when it’s freezing cold or raining. This has never affected me before. The most negative Burnley Manager in my lifetime and I’m 37. Worse than Cotterball. Added to that our attacking players lack of quality and final product makes it absolutely turgid to watch

Worse then Cotterball? Worse then some of Dyche's stuff? I don't see that.

We were in the match, particularly in the first half, and despite the team selection. It was for us to get over the challenges Derby offered. We couldn't do it. Derby was a new challenge, a team that often pressed us high up stopping us playing our usual game - passing out from goalkeeper, centre back, fullback/winger etc.. We had to find another way and we did two or three times in that first half. Unfortunately we don't have top quality finishers and the opportunities were missed. Get one of them and things might change.

It worries me a bit that other teams will see how we struggled against this high pressing and we may see it again. Our next two opponents, Norwich and Watford, seem to play more open games so we may be able to play better - as we did against Bristol City and Stoke.

[jlup1980]

I met an old uni pal in Manchester last night, so decided against the Turf. It wasn't really a difficult decision to be honest. I've said a few times this season that the football we're playing is only acceptable when we win. Otherwise it's just a bore fest, particularly at home. It doesn't make you look forward to matchdays.

I've only seen us score 8 goals in the 9 games I've watched in person this season. The period between our goals vs Plymouth and Swansea was a particular highlight for me. Over 7 hours of live football without a goal, sandwiched by two penalties; real edge of the seat stuff!!

Rovers 1-1
Pompey 2-1
Plymouth 1-0
PNE 0-0
QPR 0-0
WBA 0-0
Swansea 1-0
Coventry 2-0
Boro 1-1

[Jakubs Tash]

Used it so could see the BL stand too. The below is earlier and it’s the same.

I personally don’t find playing on the front foot and dominating teams as ‘negative’. Is it frustrating we aren’t scoring more, yeah obviously, but we’d just won 4 in a row playing, in the main, really well - and had an entertaining, if not miserably wet and windy, game on Friday night.

It’s quite clear in that image that you have posted that the Jimmy Mac Lower is much fuller than recent games - last night it was barely half full. Nobody said it was a sell out every week under Kompany - but it was nowhere near as empty as it has been recently. Fans are voting wth their feet - and who can blame them?

I also wouldn’t say we played “really well” on the 4 game winning run. The Swansea game was almost as bad as last night, Bristol City was a ‘job done’ type of performance, first half v Boro and 30 mins in the second half v Stoke were encouraging but we’re hardly putting teams to the sword.

Negative team selections, boring tactics/patterns of play and players who just lack the ability needed to open teams up and ultimately finish in the automatic promotion spots.

[AlargeClaret]

It’s called midweek ,midwinter ,championship football against poor opposition ,that’s shown live on TV! You gotta laugh at the clowns who think there’s empty seats as “ the football is boring “
For the record I thought the ground was a bit fuller than it’s been on recent freezing cold televised midweek games ?

[Alan Young]

I’m a ST holder and live locally. Decided not to bother in the end last night.

Admittedly, I’ve never been a fan of midweek games and personal circumstances play a part but last night’s game was entirely predictable.

Not necessarily the result but that a bottom half team would sit deep and invite us to break them down whilst we huff and puff for a solution. It’s a tough watch at the best of times but on a cold Tuesday night in December when it’s on TV it’s no surprise people chose to stay home.

Whether it’s a combination of personal circumstances, time of year, kick off times etc, I don’t think I ever missed an evening game in our last Championship season. That’s not meant as a criticism of Parker but there’s very little in this current squad to get bums off seats (or on them more to the point).

[RVclaret]

It’s quite clear in that image that you have posted that the Jimmy Mac Lower is much fuller than recent games - last night it was barely half full. Nobody said it was a sell out every week under Kompany - but it was nowhere near as empty as it has been recently. Fans are voting wth their feet - and who can blame them?

I also wouldn’t say we played “really well” on the 4 game winning run. The Swansea game was almost as bad as last night, Bristol City was a ‘job done’ type of performance, first half v Boro and 30 mins in the second half v Stoke were encouraging but we’re hardly putting teams to the sword.

Negative team selections, boring tactics/patterns of play and players who just lack the ability needed to open teams up and ultimately finish in the automatic promotion spots.

Its very similar and point being my example was a midweek game, in November, and against an unattractive opponent. And that was before this new tv deal where every single match is shown.

Opinion on what’s boring or not will change from person to person, but here we are talking about empty seats cause of style of play, and I have provided an example where it was very similar when we apparently played the best football ever and created one million chances per game (yes I’m exaggerating).

[NottsClaret]

The attendances sound ok because of ST sales, which were high because of all those years in the Prem or smashing the Championship. People were in the routine, expect success and didn’t want to lose their seat.

Carry on as we are, and it’s going to be a real eye opener for Pace. Nobody will be worried about losing their spot next season. And at £40-50 and so many games on TV, our almost nonexistent walk-ons will vanish completely.

Back to the Cotterill era, which is pretty apt given what we’re watching.

[TommyPicks]

Missed last night due to a stinking cold I’ve picked up, and the Boro game because I was at a gig.

I have generally struggled for motivation this season and I’m increasingly finding it disinteresting. Think the empty seats issue is a few reasons:

- The brand of football is poor. These attritional, possession based 0-0’s or 1-0’s will do little for attendances.

- Sky Sports +. In years gone by I’d have dragged myself onto the Turf, even with a cold so I could watch the game. For those who are in two minds about attending, these extra TV games are another discouraging factor for attendances.

- As Burnley fans, it’s less exciting for us being in a promotion battle, compared to how other clubs would view it. Whilst we all want promotion, we’ve been in this position many times in the last 10 years, and perhaps the novelty has worn off. We also know ‘what’s coming’ with PL football and there’s a futile feeling to going up (VAR, big club bias, losing every week, likelihood of instant relegation etc). It’s not just us either. Apparently the atmosphere at Leeds this season has been flat.

- I think society is changing and everyone’s hobbies have shifted. Before the internet everyone’s lives were more regimented. We all had the same 5 TV channels to watch, the same few newspapers to read etc. The odd football game was on TV, but it’s now completely over saturated. Now with YouTube, social media and various streaming devices people are occupying their free time in countless different ways. I feel like the traditional norms of automatically going on the Turf without question isn’t there anymore.

- Time of the year and it being a midweek fixture also didn’t help last night.

[It Is What It Is]

No wonder empty seats are growing match by match.
Last 3 homes games have done my head in.
3 hour round trip and 2 hours inside a pretty disgruntled Turf Moor with insomnia curing football.
Spectators all around me are forever criticising our style of play and tactics and the disappointment grows each game.
Yes we will probably get promoted by literally grinding out boring results... only for us to be the whipping boys of the EPL, and come straight back down again.
I just hate all the doom and gloom and just wish at least that we put in a totally different wing back attacking style, and oh...some shots on target would help.