' WE ARE GOING BACKWARDS '

' WE ARE GOING BACKWARDS '

In 2005/06 Cardiff City had 6,000 season ticket holders.

If City only shift 6,000 for the forthcoming season, which is not out of the question by any stretch of the imagination, then in my opinion that is bordering on criminal.

To go backwards 10 years is a sad indictment on this football club.

The club must address key issues to engage with supporters and reconnect with its fanbase.

The return to blue has simply not been enough of an incentive to entice supporters back next season. The issues the club have with the fans obviously run deeper than the colour.

Pricing is something I believe needs to be looked at and sooner the better.

Seating configuration within the stadium is another.

Identity is another issue, we don't have one, fans don't identify with the club and after the disastrous rebrand to an overnight marketing campaign named Bluebirds for Life was too much of a step in too quick a time.

An identity which can be felt by fans as authentic is needed not some tagline or spin that supporters see right through.

To reconnect with supporters, as a start, I would like to see the club offer two pairs of tickets for every game in the directors box. One pair per game next season offered to loyal supporters who have supported the club for through thick and thin, fans like Eric who have not missed a game for 35 years, or someone like Hef from Holyhead, who has only missed a handful of games over 30 years and that has been through ill health or just no transport on a bank holiday. There are many fans for reasons similar to just the two names I have mentioned as examples but you get where I am coming from.

The second pair can be a fan nomination, maybe someone who does great work in the community, or in recognition of an act of goodwill etc.

I hope that the club truly realises the issues it faces and there is work being done to try and repair the good work that has been evident and recognised in the last decade but has been undone in spectacular fashion because of the rebrand.

The football is not inspiring enough to bring thousands through the gates but that is only part of the problem, fans need to believe in what is trying to be achieved but at this moment does anyone really know what it is we are trying to achieve ?

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

In 2005/06 Cardiff City had 6,000 season ticket holders, if City only shift 6,000 for the forthcoming season, which is not out of the question by any stretch of the imagination, then in my opinion that is bordering on criminal. To go backwards 10 years is a sad indictment on this football club.

The club must address key issues to engage with supporters and reconnect with its fanbase.

The return to blue has simply not been enough of an incentive to entice supporters back next season. The issues the club have with the fans obviously run deeper than the colour.

Pricing is something I believe needs to be looked at and sooner the better.

Seating configuration within the stadium is another.

Identity is another issue, we don't have one, fans don't identify with the club and after the disastrous rebrand to an overnight marketing campaign named Bluebirds for Life was too much of a step in too quick a time.

An identity which can be felt by fans as authentic is needed not some tagline or spin that supporters see right through.

To reconnect with supporters, as a start, I would offer two pairs of tickets for every game in the directors box. One pair per game next season offered to loyal supporters who have supported the club for through thick and thin, fans like Eric who have not missed a game for 35 years, or someone like Hef from Holyhead, who has only missed a handful of games over 30 years and that has been through ill health or just no transport on a bank holiday.

The second pair can be a fan nomination, maybe someone who does great work in the community, recognition of an act of goodwill etc.

For the first time in nearly 10 years our club was not nominated for a single award at the Annual Football League Awards, we are going backwards off the pitch let alone on it.

I hope that the club truly realises the issues it faces and there is work being done to try and repair the good work that has been evident and recognised in the last decade but has been undone in spectacular fashion because of the rebrand.

The football is not inspiring enough to bring thousands through the gates but that is only part of the problem, fans need to believe in what is trying to be achieved but at this moment does anyone really know what it is we are trying to achieve ?

Carl I remember people saying that we would only get 10k last season and we got more a lot will renew closer to the start of the season loads I know will be renewing in the summer as they know there seats are safe

In 2005/06 Cardiff City had 6,000 season ticket holders, if City only shift 6,000 for the forthcoming season, which is not out of the question by any stretch of the imagination, then in my opinion that is bordering on criminal. To go backwards 10 years is a sad indictment on this football club.

The club must address key issues to engage with supporters and reconnect with its fanbase.

The return to blue has simply not been enough of an incentive to entice supporters back next season. The issues the club have with the fans obviously run deeper than the colour.

Pricing is something I believe needs to be looked at and sooner the better.

Seating configuration within the stadium is another.

Identity is another issue, we don't have one, fans don't identify with the club and after the disastrous rebrand to an overnight marketing campaign named Bluebirds for Life was too much of a step in too quick a time.

An identity which can be felt by fans as authentic is needed not some tagline or spin that supporters see right through.

To reconnect with supporters, as a start, I would offer two pairs of tickets for every game in the directors box. One pair per game next season offered to loyal supporters who have supported the club for through thick and thin, fans like Eric who have not missed a game for 35 years, or someone like Hef from Holyhead, who has only missed a handful of games over 30 years and that has been through ill health or just no transport on a bank holiday.

The second pair can be a fan nomination, maybe someone who does great work in the community, recognition of an act of goodwill etc.

For the first time in nearly 10 years our club was not nominated for a single award at the Annual Football League Awards, we are going backwards off the pitch let alone on it.

I hope that the club truly realises the issues it faces and there is work being done to try and repair the good work that has been evident and recognised in the last decade but has been undone in spectacular fashion because of the rebrand.

The football is not inspiring enough to bring thousands through the gates but that is only part of the problem, fans need to believe in what is trying to be achieved but at this moment does anyone really know what it is we are trying to achieve ?

Carl I remember people saying that we would only get 10k last season and we got more a lot will renew closer to the start of the season loads I know will be renewing in the summer as they know there seats are safe

Wez, I am not having a pop just for having a pop's sake, I am hopeful that constructive criticism can in fact help the club reconnect with fans, I hope that 16,000 renew but it is simply not going to happen.

Do you agree with any of the points I have put forward ?

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Yes winning again will help however Carl is correct fans have lost faith in the club and they need to quickly start building bridges with the fans, great ideas by the way, lets hope they listen to them.

Before we got promoted we were always knocking on the door of the play-offs and despite the setbacks we had the fans always looked forward to next season. It's going to take another Play-off / Promotion winning season before the fans come back.

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Ryan, winning will help but it is not the only answer. We will not win every game, fans must feel part of something.

Clubs like Everton are not a club who wins trophy's yet they sell out every game, season tickets are always sold in large numbers, why ?

Because the club is well run and the fans believe in what the club does, just one example but showing that it is not only about results.

I asked a question recently, which club in the top four as a neutral would you go and watch if you weren't watching City, Arsenal was the popular choice, it has been some years since Arsenal won a trophy and they are least successful out of the top four in recent times but supporters believe Arsenal play entertaining football, the answers that came from that thread wasn't about seeing a winning team or a trophy winning team.

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Yes winning again will help however Carl is correct fans have lost faith in the club and they need to quickly start building bridges with the fans, great ideas by the way, lets hope they listen to them.

Didn't Mehmet Dalman and Ken Choo said that the club are trying to build bridges with the fans let's see if it will improve next season.

We are reducing the debts and making the club sustainable. That's the biggest step forward we have made since the early 2000s

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Yes winning again will help however Carl is correct fans have lost faith in the club and they need to quickly start building bridges with the fans, great ideas by the way, lets hope they listen to them.

I will be meeting Mehmet for a coffee soon and will put forward some ideas that I hope will help. Fans often come up with ideas that can help the club, I want the club to succeed as much as anyone and if I can do a little bit then I will at least try.

We are reducing the debts and making the club sustainable. That's the biggest step forward we have made since the early 2000s

We are reducing our outgoings that is correct, I hope that as a result we reduce the debt.

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Absolutely summed up in one sentence.

Don't shoot me down for this but don't you think trying to persuade Mr Tan to turn up more than once a season would be a massive step forward. and show the thousands of lost customers/fans that there is real commitment from the owner and that everyone is pulling in the same direction? It might also help if he stopped trying to buy football clubs in every other country in the world

For me I would like clear , believable, communication on what is the club's strategy going forward. What is Tans plan with the debt , are we going to make a serious atempt at promotion or keep things tight and hover around mid table , what is our youth policy ?
If we are serious about promotion why are we wasting money on solid , but older players that would struggle to step up , even if we got there .
Too many unanswered questions for me.

In 2005/06 Cardiff City had 6,000 season ticket holders, if City only shift 6,000 for the forthcoming season, which is not out of the question by any stretch of the imagination, then in my opinion that is bordering on criminal. To go backwards 10 years is a sad indictment on this football club.

The club must address key issues to engage with supporters and reconnect with its fanbase.

The return to blue has simply not been enough of an incentive to entice supporters back next season. The issues the club have with the fans obviously run deeper than the colour.

Pricing is something I believe needs to be looked at and sooner the better.

Seating configuration within the stadium is another.

Identity is another issue, we don't have one, fans don't identify with the club and after the disastrous rebrand to an overnight marketing campaign named Bluebirds for Life was too much of a step in too quick a time.

An identity which can be felt by fans as authentic is needed not some tagline or spin that supporters see right through.

To reconnect with supporters, as a start, I would offer two pairs of tickets for every game in the directors box. One pair per game next season offered to loyal supporters who have supported the club for through thick and thin, fans like Eric who have not missed a game for 35 years, or someone like Hef from Holyhead, who has only missed a handful of games over 30 years and that has been through ill health or just no transport on a bank holiday.

The second pair can be a fan nomination, maybe someone who does great work in the community, recognition of an act of goodwill etc.

For the first time in nearly 10 years our club was not nominated for a single award at the Annual Football League Awards, we are going backwards off the pitch let alone on it.

I hope that the club truly realises the issues it faces and there is work being done to try and repair the good work that has been evident and recognised in the last decade but has been undone in spectacular fashion because of the rebrand.

The football is not inspiring enough to bring thousands through the gates but that is only part of the problem, fans need to believe in what is trying to be achieved but at this moment does anyone really know what it is we are trying to achieve ?

Carl I remember people saying that we would only get 10k last season and we got more a lot will renew closer to the start of the season loads I know will be renewing in the summer as they know there seats are safe

Wez, I am not having a pop just for having a pop's sake, I am hopeful that constructive criticism can in fact help the club reconnect with fans, I hope that 16,000 renew but it is simply not going to happen.

Do you agree with any of the points I have put forward ?

not having a pop at you people in general on this site recently ,if we are wining the crowds will come back ,I don't think the season ticket prices are bad ,I would let children go in all parts of the ground except the canton stand

Surely sales depend on success? Get relegated they drop (usually) promotion the go up! Of course if show intent in summer by good signings that will help, but seriously got no chance of keeping 75%of last seasons fans as we are not successful same will go for lot of clubs through out leagues!

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Yes winning again will help however Carl is correct fans have lost faith in the club and they need to quickly start building bridges with the fans, great ideas by the way, lets hope they listen to them.

Building bridges will only go so far. Just like the return to blue it will only appeal to dies hards who want changes made.

The other 10,000 ST's will be back when we are successful. Face it that's what football has become.

How about a supporters bar under the Ninian stand.
Not selling expensive piss.
The gloomy grey concrete is soul less.

How about less over zealous stewarding.

How about cheaper walk up tickets @ £20

End change to increase volume and atmosphere?

Sit by your mate tickets/ seats whopper.

Safe standing?

Make the stadium our home, not an open air box for us to come and watch silent bleak and white movies.

Welcome us as fans not customers

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Ryan, winning will help but it is not the only answer. We will not win every game, fans must feel part of something.

Clubs like Everton are not a club who wins trophy's yet they sell out every game, season tickets are always sold in large numbers, why ?

Because the club is well run and the fans believe in what the club does, just one example but showing that it is not only about results.

I asked a question recently, which club in the top four as a neutral would you go and watch if you weren't watching City, Arsenal was the popular choice, it has been some years since Arsenal won a trophy and they are least successful out of the top four in recent times but supporters believe Arsenal play entertaining football, the answers that came from that thread wasn't about seeing a winning team or a trophy winning team.

I agree the style of football is another reason and you never know we could play good football next season we did at Forrest so it could be the start of something and I think the ambition of the club is to get back into the premier league but on a substainable platform but a lot of fans are not convinced and I can understand why and like I said winning consistently will be pivotal next season and didn't Dalman and Choo say that the club are trying to build brides with the fans let's see if it will improve next season.

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Quite right. Nothing else matters.If you win, they will come.

Start winning and we will go forward again simples.

Ryan, winning will help but it is not the only answer. We will not win every game, fans must feel part of something.

Clubs like Everton are not a club who wins trophy's yet they sell out every game, season tickets are always sold in large numbers, why ?

Because the club is well run and the fans believe in what the club does, just one example but showing that it is not only about results.

I asked a question recently, which club in the top four as a neutral would you go and watch if you weren't watching City, Arsenal was the popular choice, it has been some years since Arsenal won a trophy and they are least successful out of the top four in recent times but supporters believe Arsenal play entertaining football, the answers that came from that thread wasn't about seeing a winning team or a trophy winning team.

No Carl. You are over complicating things. The football played by Malky's promotion winning team was hardly enthralling, especially during the second half of the season. People jump on the bandwagon as long as we are winning. That's all there is to it. In fact, that's all there's ever been to it.

Surely sales depend on success? Get relegated they drop (usually) promotion the go up! Of course if show intent in summer by good signings that will help, but seriously got no chance of keeping 75%of last seasons fans as we are not successful same will go for lot of clubs through out leagues!

That's it in a nutshell.

Don't shoot me down for this but don't you think trying to persuade Mr Tan to turn up more than once a season would be a massive step forward. and show the thousands of lost customers/fans that there is real commitment from the owner and that everyone is pulling in the same direction? It might also help if he stopped trying to buy football clubs in every other country in the world

No -winning is the only answer.

For me I would like clear , believable, communication on what is the club's strategy going forward. What is Tans plan with the debt , are we going to make a serious atempt at promotion or keep things tight and hover around mid table , what is our youth policy ?
If we are serious about promotion why are we wasting money on solid , but older players that would struggle to step up , even if we got there .
Too many unanswered questions for me.

This....

For me I would like clear , believable, communication on what is the club's strategy going forward. What is Tans plan with the debt , are we going to make a serious atempt at promotion or keep things tight and hover around mid table , what is our youth policy ?
If we are serious about promotion why are we wasting money on solid , but older players that would struggle to step up , even if we got there .
Too many unanswered questions for me.

I agree, fans need something to identify with. A strategy maybe.

If it was said that we will reduce the debt, spend sensibly and consolidate our championship status for 2-3 years to become a self sufficient club, a change of direction maybe but a sensible and understandable plan.

Surely sales depend on success? Get relegated they drop (usually) promotion the go up! Of course if show intent in summer by good signings that will help, but seriously got no chance of keeping 75%of last seasons fans as we are not successful same will go for lot of clubs through out leagues!

Of course sales will drop, nobody is denying that Allan but to lose possibly 10,000 between two seasons is more than just a drop for crying out loud.

Something far more severe is wrong when you drop by approx 60%.

The club haven't got a clue,they have no idea what the fans want,and they don't care,perfect example for me is the £200,000 they were given to help with away fans,most clubs spent it helping their own fans,Stoke give free away travel,cardiff spent most of it to help the away fans experience at the ccs,whilst we were treated like shit at their ground

How about a supporters bar under the Ninian stand.
Not selling expensive piss.
The gloomy grey concrete is soul less.

How about less over zealous stewarding.

How about cheaper walk up tickets @ £20

End change to increase volume and atmosphere?

Sit by your mate tickets/ seats whopper.

Safe standing?

Make the stadium our home, not an open air box for us to come and watch silent bleak and white movies.

Welcome us as fans not customers

Eddie, nearly every point you have suggested are doable by the club.

Furnishing the concourses is something I agree with wholeheartedly.

Stewarding is a problem and the club must start to change its strict policy, too many blurred lines over the 5 years that make the issue worse.

Ticketing prices need to be looked at.

Safe Standing a definite yes from me

Surely sales depend on success? Get relegated they drop (usually) promotion the go up! Of course if show intent in summer by good signings that will help, but seriously got no chance of keeping 75%of last seasons fans as we are not successful same will go for lot of clubs through out leagues!

Of course sales will drop, nobody is denying that Allan but to lose possibly 10,000 between two seasons is more than just a drop for crying out loud.

Something far more severe is wrong when you drop by approx 60%.

Probably right Carl but not surprising as football generally is suffering from lack of sales at ordinary clubs!
PS you paying for the coffee? As club on money saving mode.

Surely sales depend on success? Get relegated they drop (usually) promotion the go up! Of course if show intent in summer by good signings that will help, but seriously got no chance of keeping 75%of last seasons fans as we are not successful same will go for lot of clubs through out leagues!

Of course sales will drop, nobody is denying that Allan but to lose possibly 10,000 between two seasons is more than just a drop for crying out loud.

Something far more severe is wrong when you drop by approx 60%.

Probably right Carl but not surprising as football generally is suffering from lack of sales at ordinary clubs!
PS you paying for the coffee? As club on money saving mode.

He invited me so I better bloody not be