stay away fans over the years

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:32 pm

what set of circumstances would make you less likely to go on the Turf?
Obviously fans don't go on in the same numbers when the team aren't doing as well.
We are more or less full now, but attendances drop considerably down the divisions.
I recently heard a few saying they wouldn't renew season tickets if dyche left. We often hear talk of Burnley till I die, but that seems to be the case for about 2000 hard core supporters who inevitably follow the club whatever the division.
It got bad when we were in the 4th division, very bad in fact. Less than 2000 for league matches
I assume most want top tier football, because we lose about 5000 if we aren't at that level.
coyle used to mention how unique the town was when he referred to the number of youngsters here wearing Burnley tops, as opposed to united etc.
He was probably right, but losing 18000 fans seems very drastic !
After all, if the club are still about playing home and away, why should it matter to loyal fans where we are in league terms?

I don't think it the money, it may be a factor for some, but certainly not enough to account for the huge drop off.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:35 pm

"proper fan" thread.....could be a 3 pager

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:36 pm

You should probably ask the Rovers fans this question too for a laugh.

Personally it's been down to money for me these last few years.
Now the money's sorted I've got season tickets for me and the kids and we are also trying to get away games in where possible.
Did Spurs and just got Bournemouth ones.

Value for money in regards to a season ticket might play a part in this.

Would you pay £400 a year for league one football after paying similar in the top flight?
Many wouldn't, they'd expect a drop in costs.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:41 pm

There were quite a number factors leading to the 2,000 gates. Following the Orient wake up call they wouldn't drop that low again. After that we had very good support in the lower divisions that other clubs would be envious of.

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:46 pm

Can't recall gates ever dropping to 2000
even when we were in old 4th division.
Quite surprised to hear that.

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:48 pm

Only my own financial restraints would stop me.

I occasionally gob off about “if diouf/Pearson/insert arsholey persons name here ends up at Burnley, I’m not going on” but it’s hot air. I’m a burnley lad and a Burnley fan. Only being skint would stop me going on. That and Owen Coyle coming back.

Oh. And playing MK Dons, as to me, they don’t exist, so that would be treated like an international break.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:49 pm

Proper fan here

I went on every home game during the dark years it was more duty than enjoyment TBH you just kept hoping it would turn. Some friends who stopped going on at the time if it wasn't financial due to marriage redundancy etc just got fed up of the dross and watching the team they love slowly die. What we have now really is dream time.

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 5:50 pm

Sure I’ve been on when there was around 1300 ish. Sure someone will confirm the gate or my talking ******** soon.

john'sroseyspecs · Post by **john'sroseyspecs** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:04 pm

Can't believe it was that low for a league game. Autoglass maybe!

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:07 pm

jurek wrote:Can't recall gates ever dropping to 2000
even when we were in old 4th division.
Quite surprised to hear that.

I was the match ball sponsor for the Burnley v Colchester Div 4 game in 1986/87 when we had our lowest League attendance. It was under 1,700.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:08 pm

Strangely enough, the better we have got/become, the less I have attended.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:11 pm

ClaretTony wrote:I was the match ball sponsor for the Burnley v Colchester Div 4 game in 1986/87 when we had our lowest League attendance. It was under 1,700.

Did you get to keep the ball and if so was it signed by both teams ?

Pimlico_Claret · Post by **Pimlico_Claret** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:18 pm

Diesel wrote:Strangely enough, the better we have got/become the less I have attended.

I know a good number of people who attended very regularly in the 70's,80's and 90's,yet rarely go on, if at all, since we first got into the Premier league.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:21 pm

Pimlico_Claret wrote:I know a good number of people who attended very regularly in the 70's,80's and 90's,yet rarely go on, if at all, since we first got into the Premier league.

Yep, same.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:38 pm

conyoviejo wrote:Did you get to keep the ball and if so was it signed by both teams ?

Money was so tight in those days they had to use it again!

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:42 pm

Distance and money were initially the reasons I stopped buying an ST. Although the finances are no longer a problem, I have family commitments added to add to the problem of the distance.

I can't imagine I'll ever stop going all together and hopefully when my son is old enough to go, taking him in the Turf will be part of my parental duties.

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:42 pm

I had a spell of not going on mid 80s when I honestly believed I'd played with better footballers.

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 6:58 pm

Cotterball did stop me for a season, i cam back for Coyle

Foshiznik · Post by **Foshiznik** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:10 pm

Living 250 miles from Turf Moor and not having any mates to meet up for the pre match ritual and enjoy the day out are my two main reasons. Going by yourself is not quite as amazing as I imagine it is with the lads.

welsbyswife · Post by **welsbyswife** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:12 pm

I'm in my late 40s and have been going since I was about 7 with my dad, including through the dark days. He's had a season ticket as long as I can remember. However bad the football got he used to say it was nothing compared to being dragged shopping by my mum! A means of escape for a lot of blokes!

Guitargeorge · Post by **Guitargeorge** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:18 pm

I remember our first season ticket in the Cricket Field stand. We could only get seats in the wings, almost up to the wall. As the 70’s and 80’s seasons progressed we moved more and more central until we ended up right behind the goal. Stayed there until the James Hargreaves stand was built

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:43 pm

I have been on most years since 60s, either as a lad paying every game or usually with a season ticket. I actually managed to complete 5 seasons without missing one home game in early 70s which was difficult at times when some games were played weekdays to save on floodlights during the miners strike / 3 day week periods.

This was not the case during the early eighties when I just picked and chose a handful of games because I had 2 young children. Had to rely on local radio (no internet those days).

Resumed back as season ticket holder for some pretty awful seasons including the year we nearly imploded as a football club. Wondered at times what I was doing on some very cold night matches with just a few thousand in attendance. But wouldn't have ever given it up and have enjoyed the journey(s) since.

Keeping in mind our beleaguered past always makes me grateful for the level we have reached of late and ensures that I enjoy it to its fullest.

The Hung Juror · Post by **The Hung Juror** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:54 pm

I've been a Claret and going on the Turf for over 50 years and it's always been down to personal circumstances and financial considerations, rather than how the team has been performing and in which league we've been in. When we were in the 4th division I followed them all over. Mansfield, Hartlepool, Cambridge, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Torquay and the rest. But I've also had spells when I didn't go on regularly.

The constant has always been that no matter where we've been in the football hierarchy, I've always had some fantastic times and days following the Clarets. I enjoyed and celebrated the play off win against Sheffield Utd no more or less than I did our play off win against Stockport. The day out and the game at Northampton Town (Andy Marriots last game for us I think), the weekend in Torquay with the lads were as equally euphoric and enjoyable to me as was our draw at Wembley against Spuds with my lad and daughter many years later.

In answer to your question, it doesn't really matter to me where we are, the highs and lows in football can come at any time and in equal measures. My excitement and enjoyment of following the Clarets has never been determined by our location in the football pyramid. For the life of me I've never understood why fans just stop going because their team gets relegated. As someone once told me it's not the losing that kills you, it's the expectation.

I'm first and foremost a football and Claret fanatic and therefore it will be personal issues and circumstances at that particular moment in time outside of football which will determine whether or not I will be supporting my beloved team in person.

criminalclaret · Post by **criminalclaret** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:27 pm

Pretty interesting post and some great responses.

My dad and his family had Burnley connection, so he was going as a kid in the 50's and became a season ticket holder plus many away games all the way upto the mid 80's. Then kids came in quick succession and redundancies came a thick and fast. He didn't have a holiday in 5 years and said if he couldn't take his family away there's no way he could pay to go to football week in week out. As a adult I totally respect that, seeing the minibus of mates disapear on a Saturday morning must have felt quite disheartening.

Fast forward 10 years he started going again with me in League 1 days (as is now). Then he season tickets, and away games....being a 3rd Burnley fan in a pretty much utd / rovers dominated school as a bugger never left me but I was always proud of who I supported.

At 20 after 8 years of season tickets I left the area, then after a while left the country. Every person sees my shirt thinks I'm a an Aston Villa fan. Get back every season for a couple of home games and about 5 away games. Seen us play at every pretty much every London club bar Upton Park. Now with the beauty of global premier league I see them pretty much every week.

It's in our blood, though I envy you lot who go on every week!

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:27 pm

conyoviejo wrote:Did you get to keep the ball and if so was it signed by both teams ?

The whole thing showed the state of the club. Can’t remember what I paid but it was supposed to include 4 seats in directors box and we had to present the ball to the ref on the touchline by the tunnel.

They owed money to the photographer so he didn’t turn up and they didn’t give us any seats in the box. We had to sit in the cricket field stand. We were allowed into what is now the Harry Potts Lounge after the game but director Bernard Rothwell came in trying to get us thrown out. I did get the ball, signed by I think three players.

ClaretEngineer · Post by **ClaretEngineer** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:33 pm

Living in Leicester I could say the distance is a bit of an issue, it’s more the financial constraints that prevent me from going.

That and trying to keep the wife happy by not buzzing off to the Football every weekend.

I always listen or watch games on tv if I can’t get to the ground. Everything stops for football much to my wife’s chagrin “not the bl**dy football again”

criminalclaret · Post by **criminalclaret** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:44 pm

ClaretTony wrote:
They owed money to the photographer so he didn’t turn up and they didn’t give us any seats in the box. We had to sit in the cricket field stand. We were allowed into what is now the Harry Potts Lounge after the game but director Bernard Rothwell came in trying to get us thrown out.

Jesus, I was fortunate to be too young to witness that. It's like something from Phoenix Nights.

These times must be even more magical for you and that generation at the moment.

BFCmaj · Post by **BFCmaj** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:02 pm

I used to go most home games in the late 80s with my mates. I stopped going when I was at uni but then started going on again in the late 90s. Stopped going on as much in the mid 2000s due to having young children but try to go on a couple of times a season, finances permitting. Never miss either tv or radio commentary though.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:55 pm

criminalclaret wrote:Jesus, I was fortunate to be too young to witness that. It's like something from Phoenix Nights.

These times must be even more magical for you and that generation at the moment.

Nowhere near as good or professional as Phoenix Nights. It's hard to imagine someone putting some desperately needed money into the club and a director trying to throw him out. I'd three friends with me that night, none of them Burnley fans. They were appalled. It would have been worse but three players that night were absolutely brilliant with us after the game - Joe Gallagher, Leighton James and Billy Rodaway.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:08 pm

The OP goes from one extreme end of the spectrum to the other. You can not compare the state of football (in general, not just Burnley) in the 80's to nowadays.

I went on throughout the 80's and, has it has always been, it was as much to do with the day out as it was the actual football.
From around 1986 onwards, the before match pint rule was raised to 8 pints, such was the need for anaesthetic.

They were actually great days.

Incapacitation would stop me going.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:18 pm

jurek wrote:Can't recall gates ever dropping to 2000
even when we were in old 4th division.
Quite surprised to hear that.

The 1986/7 season saw 14 attendances below 3,000
5 of which were below 2,000.

The visit of Preston only attracted an attendance of 5,786 which was the highest attendance until the Orient game.

Wolves game attendance was only 2,974

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 11:28 pm

conyoviejo wrote:Did you get to keep the ball and if so was it signed by both teams ?

could have got it signed by everyone in the crowd as well !!!

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sat Nov 11, 2017 11:35 pm

Bin Ont Turf wrote:The OP goes from one extreme end of the spectrum to the other. You can not compare the state of football (in general, not just Burnley) in the 80's to nowadays.

I went on throughout the 80's and, has it has always been, it was as much to do with the day out as it was the actual football.
From around 1986 onwards, the before match pint rule was raised to 8 pints, such was the need for anaesthetic.

They were actually great days.

Incapacitation would stop me going.

miserable ****, it was a fair question, trust you to take exception for absolutely nothing. just like the post and change your attitude for once!!!

Jimmymaccer · Post by **Jimmymaccer** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:00 am

Been going on since the Late 70’s......strangely really enjoyed the 80’s..........now would love to “retire “ and have a place in Spain, but what about my beloved football......

I think as long as my son is happy and he came to see me regularly I,d possibly be happy with a few games a season, and the rest in the bar in La Cala.......

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:05 am

Wile E Coyote wrote:miserable ****, it was a fair question, trust you to take exception for absolutely nothing. just like the post and change your attitude for once!!!

The question was fair, but the case you put forward for the question was crap.

I remember going to Old Trafford in the Milk Cup 1984 ish and even at 4-0 down we embarrassed the supposed Red army.

Life, geography and finance have always played a part with our fan base, and not passion.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:11 am

Aye we were singing our hearts out then Robson smashed one in after 15 seconds...?

What I also remember Is those scummy Nelson reds to our right with their flag.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:12 am

"The question" was anything BUT crap, you ignorant dog ****, anyone with 1/2 a brain cell can see it was a a decent point, and the case is blatantly obvious also, massively diminishing crowds, and the question was crystal ******* clear ! "What set of circumstances etc""

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:13 am

Dazzler wrote:Aye we were singing our hearts out then Robson smashed one in after 15 seconds...?

What I also remember Is those scummy Nelson reds to our right with their flag.

I think it was nearer 35 seconds?

Them Nelson Reds got panned in town a week later.

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:25 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:
Them Nelson Reds got panned in town a week later.

All's well that ends well, and all that.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:25 am

Wile E Coyote wrote:"The question" was anything BUT crap, you ignorant dog ****, anyone with 1/2 a brain cell can see it was a a decent point, and the case is blatantly obvious also, massively diminishing crowds, and the question was crystal ******* clear ! "What set of circumstances etc""

Would you like someone to call a family member about your obvious breakdown?

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:33 am

Lord Beamish wrote:All's well that ends well, and all that.

They were taking the royal p*ss and some, to us lot in the corner.

I had no part in the 'panning', but I did smirk at the news.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:39 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:Would you like someone to call a family member about your obvious breakdown?

no, they would just say some two faced **** called us, and wouldn't take the call seriously.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:46 am

Wile E Coyote wrote:no, they would just say some two faced **** called us, and wouldn't take the call seriously.

Don't be going and spoiling your own thread now.

You can sit it this one out, if you're incapable.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:50 am

incapability is not my thing Bin, but thanks for the tenth rate advice.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:15 am

apologies genuine responders, but there's always one isn't there.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:23 am

No apologies needed...enjoyed that

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:36 am

Wile E Coyote wrote:apologies genuine responders, but there's always one isn't there.

Yes there is.

miserable ****

you ignorant dog ****

two faced ****

Drink or drugs, that you can't handle?

groove · Post by **groove** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:39 am

If we ended up with owners like Venkys, Oystons etc I'd probably stay away.

wickdkewlclaret · Post by **wickdkewlclaret** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:03 am

Must admit, while I was watching vs Newcatle, I thought that 'This is ******* ****". I would't renew my season ticket if I had to watch that every week.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:04 am

groove wrote:If we ended up with owners like Venkys, Oystons etc I'd probably stay away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etviGf1uWlg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;