" ITS TIME FOR ALL THE FANS TO RETURN, SAYS "

" ITS TIME FOR ALL THE FANS TO RETURN AFTER VINCENT TANS RECENT VISIT "


By Nathan Blake

Tuesday 16th Feb 2016

After Vincent Tan’s very positive visit to the Welsh capital last week, I feel there is a chance at last for Cardiff City to heal itself as a club.

The owner’s vow to turn debt into equity, write off more money owed and the promise to make the Bluebirds a debt free club by 2021 was extremely positive news and something that surely must be welcomed by anyone with the interests of the club at heart.

OK, we may have heard such pronouncements before, but hopefully this time we will see the promised action go ahead.

If that is the case then I think it is the best chance yet for everyone at the club to finally come back together as one. I really hope so, we need that.

The dwindling crowds this season, the sense of apathy you encounter amongst supporters who have previously devoted years to following the Bluebirds is a sad state of affairs that needs to be remedied.

We know the reasons for the fracture, the reasons behind the disconnect, the big one obviously being that loathed re-brand which even Tan himself now admits was a mistake and has reversed and is now attempting to move on from.



Personally I feel that the owner now has to be given some kind of chance, a bit of the benefit of the doubt, there needs to be a compromise and supporters at least have to meet the club’s hierarchy half way on this.

Now, I know there are those who have said, enough is enough, and that they will never return whilst the current regime is in charge.

I’m not knocking that, I can understand that in many ways, but I would like to see at least some more thought given to that stance right now.

More than that, I think there are plenty out there who have been unhappy for whatever reasons, but are open to returning to the fold.

It is to those I would suggest that Tan’s commitment right now might be enough to see them make the step and come back to the club.


A united, stronger club would not just benefit those in charge, it would benefit us all. The manager, the players and fellow fans.

I believe the door has been opened onto the chance to save our football club and I would love to see people step through it now.

I can only speak really as a former player, but I do know that as a player, when you step out onto the pitch on a Saturday, you can just tell automatically how your fans are feeling. If they are buoyant or low and right now I think at home that doubt and weariness even supporters who turn up for the games are feeling is being communicated to the side.

Unfortunately in my opinion its not as easy as that

Supporters have been disillusioned with the club and Slade and it will take a lot for people to return

I'm guessing the 10k plus we have lost have found other things to do on a Saturday

The only way fans will return is if we are winning Cardiff fans have always been fair weather supporters ,I don't think it's the prices as it cheap compared to recent years ,if we did sneak into the playoffs people will come back in there droves

Unfortunately in my opinion its not as easy as that

Supporters have been disillusioned with the club and Slade and it will take a lot for people to return

I'm guessing the 10k plus we have lost have found other things to do on a Saturday

I agree they won't come back as easy as this

The only way fans will return is if we are winning Cardiff fans have always been fair weather supporters ,I don't think it's the prices as it cheap compared to recent years ,if we did sneak into the playoffs people will come back in there droves

Wez,One game a season is no good, also I don't think we would get over 20,000 for the play-offs, plus with all the offers on this season a lot of games were only £16 and £18 if you bought the early bird ticket, City fans were paying £35, 2 yrs ago and we were sold out.

Its a results business and drawing against bottom teams wont help

I wonder what will happen if we drop further down table

I think we need to plan for next season now , I believe that Slade is one of main factors still .

Winning games will attract the fans back

Its a results business and drawing against bottom teams wont help

I wonder what will happen if we drop further down table

I think we need to plan for next season now , I believe that Slade is one of main factors still .

Winning games will attract the fans back

Correct Mike, Winning games, cheap season tickets for next season will get some to return

Fans will not return because of something like this, that's a fact.

I don't expect the fans to return this season if I'm honest, unless we're all shocked and we make a late surge to the top six.

I'll be renewing, but how many others fully intend on renewing? 8,000?

Where's the debt to equity? Were the accounts submitted yesterday? Can we see them yet?

There are a number of factors which affect attendances in my opinion and most have already been mentioned in this thread but cost tops the list.

You only have to look at Hull City to shoot down the winning football argument because in the PL they averaged over 24k for home attendances but in the Championship it's 16k. Little evidence of austerity at Hull City and currently looking very good for an immediate return to the PL so why have over 8k fans turned their back on the club If they do return to the PL what figure would you put on home attendances ? I would say a sell out at each home game so would the missing 8k prefer to watch the club struggle in the PL ?Who knows but with ticket prices similar the additional draw of PL football looks better value for money than watching Championship football.

We are no different except that we are now in a third season of either unsuccessful football, austerity or both and that has taken it's toll as has the loss of PL status. This together with the end of the price freeze on ST has all helped to see our home attendances drop and, in my opinion, short of promotion to the PL we will continue to see attendances fall until the club gets a handle on what it cost fans to watch matches.

VT has proposed limits on player salaries but why are clubs not sitting down and agreeing maximum ticket prices and why doesn't the club offer "Loyalty" discount for fans who purchase ST season after season. Fans may well reconsider not purchasing a ST if it would result in them losing a 20% discount they had built up over say 5 seasons.

In my opinion the fans who buy ST year after year are the lifeblood of the club and as such should be given something in return. Offering a discount to fans who have held ST for multiple season also offers greater opportunity for the club to offer reductions in match day prices without upsetting the longstanding loyal fans.

In my opinion this is what is needed to not only attract fans back but keep them here.

Where's the debt to equity? Were the accounts submitted yesterday? Can we see them yet?

That will only show in this year's accounts last year's is the 13 million write off but what could be put in is a statement of intent

Its a results business and drawing against bottom teams wont help

I wonder what will happen if we drop further down table

I think we need to plan for next season now , I believe that Slade is one of main factors still .

Winning games will attract the fans back

Exactly.

Where's the debt to equity? Were the accounts submitted yesterday? Can we see them yet?

That will only show in this year's accounts last year's is the 13 million write off but what could be put in is a statement of intent

There was a hint of sarcasm in my post but we were told that the accounts would be submitted yesterday and they WOULD make a statement concerning the forthcoming debt to equity.

Where's the debt to equity? Were the accounts submitted yesterday? Can we see them yet?

That will only show in this year's accounts last year's is the 13 million write off but what could be put in is a statement of intent

There was a hint of sarcasm in my post but we were told that the accounts would be submitted yesterday and they WOULD make a statement concerning the forthcoming debt to equity.

The accounts submitted this week for the year to 31 May 2015 cannot possibly make any reference to the recent further debt to equity conversion and debt write off as they were signed off by the board as long ago as 30 September last year (and by the auditors two days later).

The statement on the recent developments could only be put on the club website , which it has been.

As soon as the rebrand was reversed I returned.

Everything else is just political drama within football !

There are a number of factors which affect attendances in my opinion and most have already been mentioned in this thread but cost tops the list.

You only have to look at Hull City to shoot down the winning football argument because in the PL they averaged over 24k for home attendances but in the Championship it's 16k. Little evidence of austerity at Hull City and currently looking very good for an immediate return to the PL so why have over 8k fans turned their back on the club If they do return to the PL what figure would you put on home attendances ? I would say a sell out at each home game so would the missing 8k prefer to watch the club struggle in the PL ?Who knows but with ticket prices similar the additional draw of PL football looks better value for money than watching Championship football.

We are no different except that we are now in a third season of either unsuccessful football, austerity or both and that has taken it's toll as has the loss of PL status. This together with the end of the price freeze on ST has all helped to see our home attendances drop and, in my opinion, short of promotion to the PL we will continue to see attendances fall until the club gets a handle on what it cost fans to watch matches.

VT has proposed limits on player salaries but why are clubs not sitting down and agreeing maximum ticket prices and why doesn't the club offer "Loyalty" discount for fans who purchase ST season after season. Fans may well reconsider not purchasing a ST if it would result in them losing a 20% discount they had built up over say 5 seasons.

In my opinion the fans who buy ST year after year are the lifeblood of the club and as such should be given something in return. Offering a discount to fans who have held ST for multiple season also offers greater opportunity for the club to offer reductions in match day prices without upsetting the longstanding loyal fans.

In my opinion this is what is needed to not only attract fans back but keep them here.

Another well considered post from 'castleblue'

Its a results business and drawing against bottom teams wont help

I wonder what will happen if we drop further down table

I think we need to plan for next season now , I believe that Slade is one of main factors still .

Winning games will attract the fans back

Correct Mike, Winning games, cheap season tickets for next season will get some to return

Annis, this season is gone for trying to attract supporters back.

IMO the club should be looking toward next season NOW;

1. Repay all the current season ticket holders for next season by offering an Adult ticket for £200 bought before August 1st.

Child ticket with the Adult ticket £100 if also a current season ticket holder.

With that a £50 voucher for the shop to be used by Sept 30th.

2. To entice supporters back, if they are previous season ticket holders/ambassadors Adult ticket £230 Child £150.

3. New Supporters Adult £300 Child £180

Obviously the upper stand would have to be a little extra, it's got to be all about bums on seats that should be the priority.

Tan should get rid of the current food outlet company and put his own in and drop prices for food and drink across the board.

Surely selling more at a lesser price is better that selling less at a stupid price

The only way the fans will return is when we are top 6 and winning games. Nothing to do with what colour the team is or the debt side of it.

The accounts submitted this week for the year to 31 May 2015 cannot possibly make any reference to the recent further debt to equity conversion and debt write off as they were signed off by the board as long ago as 30 September last year (and by the auditors two days later).

The statement on the recent developments could only be put on the club website , which it has been.

Teach me to believe the south Wales Echo. Here is a quote from their piece last week.....

"The figures for 2014-15 will officially be filed at Companies House and are also set to show the reduction in the club’s debt to owner Vincent Tan has begun"

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... s-10885330

The accounts submitted this week for the year to 31 May 2015 cannot possibly make any reference to the recent further debt to equity conversion and debt write off as they were signed off by the board as long ago as 30 September last year (and by the auditors two days later).

The statement on the recent developments could only be put on the club website , which it has been.

Teach me to believe the south Wales Echo. Here is a quote from their piece last week.....

"The figures for 2014-15 will officially be filed at Companies House and are also set to show the reduction in the club’s debt to owner Vincent Tan has begun"

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... s-10885330

It will show it ,13 million was written off and 3 million debt to equity

Top post castleblue.thats it in a nutshell.people ain't interested in city bumping along being the eternal also rans .a long period in the top flight is required ala Fulham Bolton Wigan Blackburn etc etc.

What Nathan Blake is rightly pointing out, is that it makes it easier for many of the stay aways to return to the club, not that it indeed will do. I would think that the ones, who are staying away now and still sight Tan as the reason are few and far between, most are now staying away, because they have fallen out of the habit and are in no hurry to watch tedious football, that ends in us grasping defeat or draws from the clutches of victory. At least one by one the reasons for disillusionment are being dismantled by Tan. It really is now just down to what's happening on the pitch, cost is a slight issue, but at the prices currently being charged, I don't see it as a main reason.

When will next years season ticket prices be announced? Im definately looking to get mine back.

I wonder how much Nathan Blake pays to watch the city and if he was paying would he still be going.....he attends as its his job......

Its a results business and drawing against bottom teams wont help

I wonder what will happen if we drop further down table

I think we need to plan for next season now , I believe that Slade is one of main factors still .

Winning games will attract the fans back

Correct Mike, Winning games, cheap season tickets for next season will get some to return

Annis, this season is gone for trying to attract supporters back.

IMO the club should be looking toward next season NOW;

1. Repay all the current season ticket holders for next season by offering an Adult ticket for £200 bought before August 1st.

Child ticket with the Adult ticket £100 if also a current season ticket holder.

With that a £50 voucher for the shop to be used by Sept 30th.

2. To entice supporters back, if they are previous season ticket holders/ambassadors Adult ticket £230 Child £150.

3. New Supporters Adult £300 Child £180

Obviously the upper stand would have to be a little extra, it's got to be all about bums on seats that should be the priority.

Tan should get rid of the current food outlet company and put his own in and drop prices for food and drink across the board.

Surely selling more at a lesser price is better that selling less at a stupid price

Karl, I'm with you on this and that's the way forward

There are a number of factors which affect attendances in my opinion and most have already been mentioned in this thread but cost tops the list.

You only have to look at Hull City to shoot down the winning football argument because in the PL they averaged over 24k for home attendances but in the Championship it's 16k. Little evidence of austerity at Hull City and currently looking very good for an immediate return to the PL so why have over 8k fans turned their back on the club If they do return to the PL what figure would you put on home attendances ? I would say a sell out at each home game so would the missing 8k prefer to watch the club struggle in the PL ?Who knows but with ticket prices similar the additional draw of PL football looks better value for money than watching Championship football.

We are no different except that we are now in a third season of either unsuccessful football, austerity or both and that has taken it's toll as has the loss of PL status. This together with the end of the price freeze on ST has all helped to see our home attendances drop and, in my opinion, short of promotion to the PL we will continue to see attendances fall until the club gets a handle on what it cost fans to watch matches.

VT has proposed limits on player salaries but why are clubs not sitting down and agreeing maximum ticket prices and why doesn't the club offer "Loyalty" discount for fans who purchase ST season after season. Fans may well reconsider not purchasing a ST if it would result in them losing a 20% discount they had built up over say 5 seasons.

In my opinion the fans who buy ST year after year are the lifeblood of the club and as such should be given something in return. Offering a discount to fans who have held ST for multiple season also offers greater opportunity for the club to offer reductions in match day prices without upsetting the longstanding loyal fans.

In my opinion this is what is needed to not only attract fans back but keep them here.

Gary, Some fair points there, but they have had big problems with their owner as well over their name change etc.

Our actual attendances have been as low as 10,000 this season and we need to stop the rot now and entice fans back for next season

We all know it's simply down to a winning team and /or successful team rather than cost or anything else for that matter, history proves it! as it was only a short while ago, we were getting twice as many supporters, paying higher prices and even when playing in red with a dragon badge

I bet that the club could bring prices down to £5 entrance across the board for the rest of the season and it would make little difference to attendances. However, put a string of 10 wins together, playing attractive football with the bonus of a charismatic manager in charge and the club could charge what it wanted and supporters would be squabbling over tickets

I agree with Nathan Blake for the good of ccfc lets return to watch our team .
I have been one right from the off too slang tan and I was right to do so I kept going for the team I love but it was horrible.

I think tan has realised his been wrong and he's trying to rectify it and I think we should give him a chance to put it all right so yes I agree with Nathan on this

We all know a combination of things must happen for fans to return as lots have different excuses/agendas but some of the obvious pointed out today with regards pricing the club can control! They won't come back overnight but a decent summer and more positivity coupled with cheap tickets food and beer will have a major impact, but ultimately City fans always had a huge floating support more than most. A Good CArdiff team in the Prem would attract huge crowds, an average one in the championship. Say no more

There are a number of factors which affect attendances in my opinion and most have already been mentioned in this thread but cost tops the list.

You only have to look at Hull City to shoot down the winning football argument because in the PL they averaged over 24k for home attendances but in the Championship it's 16k. Little evidence of austerity at Hull City and currently looking very good for an immediate return to the PL so why have over 8k fans turned their back on the club If they do return to the PL what figure would you put on home attendances ? I would say a sell out at each home game so would the missing 8k prefer to watch the club struggle in the PL ?Who knows but with ticket prices similar the additional draw of PL football looks better value for money than watching Championship football.

We are no different except that we are now in a third season of either unsuccessful football, austerity or both and that has taken it's toll as has the loss of PL status. This together with the end of the price freeze on ST has all helped to see our home attendances drop and, in my opinion, short of promotion to the PL we will continue to see attendances fall until the club gets a handle on what it cost fans to watch matches.

VT has proposed limits on player salaries but why are clubs not sitting down and agreeing maximum ticket prices and why doesn't the club offer "Loyalty" discount for fans who purchase ST season after season. Fans may well reconsider not purchasing a ST if it would result in them losing a 20% discount they had built up over say 5 seasons.

In my opinion the fans who buy ST year after year are the lifeblood of the club and as such should be given something in return. Offering a discount to fans who have held ST for multiple season also offers greater opportunity for the club to offer reductions in match day prices without upsetting the longstanding loyal fans.

In my opinion this is what is needed to not only attract fans back but keep them here.

Gary, Some fair points there, but they have had big problems with their owner as well over their name change etc.

Our actual attendances have been as low as 10,000 this season and we need to stop the rot now and entice fans back for next season

It'a well documented that Hull City Tigers fans have had similar issues with their owner as we have had, but they recently stopped selling half season tickets for 2015/16 with adult prices starting at £288. When they were in the PL notwithstanding their owners and his rebranding they averaged 24k per home match. This season despite being in and around the automatic promotion places they average 16k. Their full ST prices start at over £550 for adults and that has had a massive effect on ST sales.

We all know how badly our attendances have dropped off despite being on the tails of the playoffs. How many ST do you think we would sell if adult prices started at £550

Affordability is a massive consideration and getting ticket prices at the correct level is a huge factor in deciding if you are going to buy a ticket. Loyalty discounts I believe would also be a very important factor but does our club have the appetite for rewarding those fans that have remained as ST holders.