All those empty seats

[scouseclaret]

I'd have said 14-15k tops oday. I think it's fair to say that the are always a god few no shows at this time of year due to holidays etc, but I'd have thought there'd be plenty of people who couldn't wit to get back on the Turf after 18 months away. Disappointing.

[Jamesy]

League isn't relevant, it's supply and demand. There isn't a big enough demand for tickets to charge premium prices.

Nailed it pal.

[KRBFC]

I don't know why the club don't give away more tickets to schools and less fortunate families. The seats are gonna be empty for games like today anyway, a good opportunity to put a smile on a couple of really poor young families. I guess people who paid would complain tho.

I remember as a kid, you could pay £15 (i think?), you would turn up in the morning at the gym building across from the turf, play hours of 6 a side football with the staff there, then the staff would take you on the game and you'd even get pie and peas. Was a really good thing for 20-30 kids, well supervised, fed and looked after by the staff for a small fee, certainly gave my parents a good break from me

[Jamesy]

I think that was Junior Clarets? My youngest brother used to do that. It did give kids a sense of belonging to our community football club.

[Papabendi]

League isn't relevant, it's supply and demand. There isn't a big enough demand for tickets to charge premium prices.

Ok Keynes. It was a statement of fact rather than analysis, having lived in both places I am aware of the dynamics...

[ClaretTony]

Just seen pictures of the stands on Twitter and the lower longside and Lower JM were half empty.

No wonder they won't post the attendance.

They did post it, it was 16,910.

[Burnley1989]

Hands up.. I was wrong... I really thought all those saying they wouldn't be going because of our style of play, Covid, Americans being in charge etc were joking.... Obviously not.

I genuinely remember you commenting on it

[Burnley1989]

**** fanbase, it’s as simple as that. We have a core base of about 8000 fans, the rest are just hangers on.

I’d say 10-12 but yeah it’s that area

[Granny WeatherWax]

Might as well disband the ‘supporters liaison groups’ or whatever they are called. Quite clear they are making zero difference whatsoever. Tickets needed to increase in price for sure, but £50! The PR on that is a nightmare

[claptrappers_union]

I’d say 10-12 but yeah it’s that area

I think you have to ask yourself the question, if we were playing in League One or League Two, what would our attendances be?

[clarethomer]

Few gaps around me in JHU/NSU - just assumed holidays as the first game of the season.

Also picked up on the comments on the radio lance interview from Alan Pace where I had interpreted that work within the ground was progressing slower than he would like. I can't recall his exact words but could it be some of the seats we have seen empty were those corporate seats which were being created and they haven't got them ready in time?

I guess we will get a better feel for attendance in the coming games

[clarethomer]

Might as well disband the ‘supporters liaison groups’ or whatever they are called. Quite clear they are making zero difference whatsoever. Tickets needed to increase in price for sure, but £50! The PR on that is a nightmare

I think given all the work CT and Leisure have put in over last 18 months in the efforts to be that link between fans - I couldn't disagree anymore with the call to disband the supporters' liaison group.

Some tickets were increased to £50 not all - The PR on this is only exaggerated by people who want to ignore the whole story and just pick the bits out that suit their agenda.

[alwaysaclaret]

16.910. Make of that what you will.

Didn't look so many on to be fair, I'd have thought a thousand less than that.

[joey13]

Global branding going well though

[BurnleyFC]

I don't know why the club don't give away more tickets to schools and less fortunate families. The seats are gonna be empty for games like today anyway, a good opportunity to put a smile on a couple of really poor young families. I guess people who paid would complain tho.

I remember as a kid, you could pay £15 (i think?), you would turn up in the morning at the gym building across from the turf, play hours of 6 a side football with the staff there, then the staff would take you on the game and you'd even get pie and peas. Was a really good thing for 20-30 kids, well supervised, fed and looked after by the staff for a small fee, certainly gave my parents a good break from me

They’re not going to do initiatives like that when they charge an absolute fortune for local grassroots teams to play on the pitch at half time.

[joey13]

They’re not going to do initiatives like that when they charge an absolute fortune for local grassroots teams to play on the pitch at half time.

So much for caring about the community

[claret wizard]

Will never be convinced that these supposed £50 seats, of which I happen to know that only a small number even exist for sale (in the Longside at least), are to blame while there are £30 tickets for sale.

Doesn’t matter how many there are, it’s just that they even exist that ends up putting people off. “Shall I go on the Turf? Ahh, they put the price up to £50, won’t bother.”

Obviously not true of everyone but that thought process will go on for many people. They won’t even go and check the prices.

[Vegas Claret]

we are the least interesting team to watch in the PL

[NewClaret]

Some tickets were increased to £50 not all - The PR on this is only exaggerated by people who want to ignore the whole story and just pick the bits out that suit their agenda.

I happened to look at the central blocks in the longside upper (the £50 seats) when buying my wife a ST in case I couldn’t get a seat near ours. There were hardly any available & pretty much all singles. That was weeks ago. Suspect there are a very small number of “£50 seats” available for sale, but as you say, that small fact seems to escape some.

[alf_resco]

Let's just say you're a neutral in the area.
You'd quite like to watch a game.
Would anyone serously shell out £50 to watch Burnley v Brighton?

[Burnley1989]

I think you have to ask yourself the question, if we were playing in League One or League Two, what would our attendances be?

Under 10, the crazy thing is I had a season ticket for 15 years and went to a good number of away games but once my children were born I decided not to get a season ticket, funnily enough I’ve that many friends and family I had a free ticket for most games with them sick, on holiday, working etc.
I’d probably be more likely to get another season ticket in the championship, it sounds stupid and probably bullshit to most, can’t really explain why… because we were **** most of the time but I just fell out of love with the actual match. I still enjoy the day out though, always will.

[clarethomer]

Let's just say you're a neutral in the area.
You'd quite like to watch a game.
Would anyone serously shell out £50 to watch Burnley v Brighton?

and they wouldn't have to either.

[tim_noone]

Let's just say you're a neutral in the area.
You'd quite like to watch a game.
Would anyone serously shell out £50 to watch Burnley v Brighton?

Plenty of football tourists would...

[clarethomer]

So much for caring about the community

Yep - how about the foodbank and BFC in the community working together with supporters to provide 4500 parcels since start of the year providing food to 10,500, which 4000 of which were children.

Also providing a recent donation of £10k to MIND in terms of helping support for those with mental health issues.

What about the free game that they balloted at the end of the last season and when those turned up - provided a free facemask, bottle of water and hand sanitiser?

I'm pretty sure too that this is evidence of how Burnley is a community club. It's not about providing access to the premier league for nothing to those on low incomes.

It sounds harsh but you can get reasonably priced tickets and season tickets. If they are not affordable then that is unfortunate but the way that they can continue to help the community and town is by being a successful football club on and off the field.

To do this they have to generate commercial income and whilst I am not suggesting the club should have a blank cheque to charge what they want, I think the recent changes to pricing were inevitable given the years of price freezes.

[ClaretLoup]

I happened to look at the central blocks in the longside upper (the £50 seats) when buying my wife a ST in case I couldn’t get a seat near ours. There were hardly any available & pretty much all singles. That was weeks ago. Suspect there are a very small number of “£50 seats” available for sale, but as you say, that small fact seems to escape some.

Indeed, there are very few £50 seats available so the amount of money the club will make on them even if they are sold is negligible, but negative publicity it’s attracted isn’t.

[Swizzlestick]

Exactly other teams will at least have a new signing or two to unveil, whereas we line-up with the same core that finished last term, plus allied to the holiday season, and Brighton hardly setting the pulses racing, it should come as no surprise if a few decided not to bother.

The worry is we seem to having a lot more bad days at the office these days.

Not just the same core as last season, the same core as four seasons ago. It’s flabbergasting really. Ally this complete inability to sign somebody to improve the starting XI, a highly functional style of football, a tough 18 months both socially and economically and a walk on price increase against unattractive opposition, then you’re going to have empty seats.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Some people can't wait to find a new angle to have a dig. Give your collective heads a wobble

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Does the op think it's unique to our club? Have they looked at attendances over the top 4 divisions or is it another loud mouth who can't wait to have a dig

[Vegas Claret]

I can see the club looking at giving the CF exclusively to away fans again unfortunately. Only a handful wouldn't sell it out. It would kill the atmosphere but all the empty seats prove a point

[rats]

Not a loud mouth stating facts .
How many premier clubs will be 2/3 full just the one,Take your blinkers off at least 7000 empty seats!!

[Srg1882]

People have simply lost interest. And during covid people have found other things to do on a weekend. I know I have

[Top Claret]

Crowd needs stimulating, taking McNeil of for Brownhill will drive the supporters away in droves

[2 Bee Holed]

I would buy a ST even at £360. That's £20/match with 18 games left.
I will not pay £30, when I could pay £20.

On principal, I will not drive (80 mile round trip) to Burnley in order to buy a ST.
I have just checked, they are still not for sale online.
Last time their excuse was, that there isn't time to post one out.
Now, I wonder, what the excuse is?

They clearly, aren't bothered if I am there or not.
I am getting to that point too.

16,910. I doubt there were that many on.
Even so, is that not our lowest ever Premier League attendance?

[Top Claret]

I can see the club looking at giving the CF exclusively to away fans again unfortunately. Only a handful wouldn't sell it out. It would kill the atmosphere but all the empty seats prove a point

I agree and if this happened we would lose more support because a lot would not want to be relocated due to the lack of atmosphere in the other stands

[Joe14]

I would buy a ST even at £360. That's £20/match with 18 games left.
I will not pay £30, when I could pay £20.

On principal, I will not drive (80 mile round trip) to Burnley in order to buy a ST.
I have just checked, they are still not for sale online.
Last time their excuse was, that there isn't time to post one out.
Now, I wonder, what the excuse is?

They clearly, aren't bothered if I am there or not.
I am getting to that point too.

16,910. I doubt there were that many on.
Even so, is that not our lowest ever Premier League attendance?

No. Last season was considerably lower.

[DCWat]

When was the last first game of a season that we had a signing that might have brought a bit of excitement? Without wishing to discredit what we have achieved, people (not all - plenty are there come what may) do want to be entertained.

We could all have predicted that starting eleven two seasons ago, last season and this season. Whether those of us who go come what may like it or not, there hasn’t been much to draw the less frequent supporter to games.

Ultimately, it’s an entertainment business. We do amazingly well to be at the top table, but just being there isn’t enough for many, particularly when there’s little new to get excited about.

[rats]

Spot on DC entertainment
very small catchment area many people ive spoken too been on given match day experience a go then say don't know how you watch that week in week out.You will struggle to get many back having already giving it a go

[Bordeauxclaret]

Seemed to be a full block empty in the Longside Lower near the Jimmy Mc.
Seemed odd, presumably they were not selling tickets there?

[Top Claret]

Seemed to be a full block empty in the Longside Lower near the Jimmy Mc.
Seemed odd, presumably they were not selling tickets there?

I thought they normally packed that block with school kids on freebiz?

The club need to do more to get kids on board our fan base looks ancient

[cockneyclaret]

Spot on DC entertainment
very small catchment area many people ive spoken too been on given match day experience a go then say don't know how you watch that week in week out.You will struggle to get many back having already giving it a go

Exactly this..
Ok when we play the top teams will get alot back in but like any business (football certainly is now) if the product your selling is the same/boring/poor your going to lose custom.!
You wouldn't frequent a pub/restaurant if it constantly served up rubbish.

[claptrappers_union]

Just looked on the website and there no way to buy a season ticket, you have to send an email?

[Belial]

Seemed to be a full block empty in the Longside Lower near the Jimmy Mc.
Seemed odd, presumably they were not selling tickets there?

They used to use that block for schools and workplace scheme tickets (i.e. get x amount of tickets for these 3 games for a discounted price). I don't know if they still do that but there were a handful of people still in the block.

Overall though a very disappointing turnout but sadly understandable

[ClaretPope]

Not surprised with the empty seats; our group of six all missed because of a couple of positive tests and uncertainty about the safety.

[JR1882]

Combination of factors for me.

Bad PR over ticketing/pricing (not saying it’s wrong)

All seemed to be cobbled together too close to the start of the season.

Inability to market season tickets due to covid - OR do they want to market season tickets? Maybe in their big picture selling loads of them isn’t a priority as they will aim to sell more match day tickets??

People loosing interest - this was happening pre covid, there was a noticeable apathy creeping in, poor away followings etc.

“The Product” is boring, the core 12k are fine with that as it keeps us up and we see the bigger picture, but if you want to fill out a stadium, that needs new signings, goals, excitement, of which there has been close to zero for a while.

The “match day experience” as a whole is pretty gash, if you travel away you see the difference.

It’s not really criticism, it’s just how it is and a combination of factors. It’s also the reason the other 19 clubs think we don’t belong here.

[Quickenthetempo]

Not surprised with the empty seats; our group of six all missed because of a couple of positive tests and uncertainty about the safety.

If you bought tickets, then you will still be counted in the attendance.

[Dinks]

People are bored,it's a great day is Saturday during the football season the build up to the game is brilliant a few beers and Banter with your buddies...but then you have to watch the same old same old on the pitch,let's face it,its boring simple as that,people are bored with the same 11 players and the lame excuses,its dying a death

[ClaretPope]

If you bought tickets, then you will still be counted in the attendance.

I appreciate that, I was commenting on empty seats.

[fidelcastro]

People are bored,it's a great day is Saturday during the football season the build up to the game is brilliant a few beers and Banter with your buddies...but then you have to watch the same old same old on the pitch,let's face it,its boring simple as that,people are bored with the same 11 players and the lame excuses,its dying a death

Don't go then.

[Dinks]

Don't go then.

Exactly that's why there is so many empty seats.

[bobinho]

Some people’s finances took a battering with being furloughed & still playing catch up especially when things are tight at the best of times.

Judging by the queue for the “sniff boxes” in the CFS at half time, doesnt appear to be a shortage of money round these parts.