A quarter of EFL fans hesitant at returning to matches after
Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:31 am
A quarter of EFL fans hesitant at returning to matches after long Covid-enforced absence
Daily Mirror
Sunday 18th July 2021
Fans of clubs across all three divisions filled in our survey to let us know how the pandemic has affected their normal match-going habits
The hope among all in football is that the 2021-22 season finally seems a return of full grounds once more.
After nearly 18 months of matches played to a backdrop of empty stadiums, clubs in the EFL are reliant on the return of punters through the turnstiles.
The Covid-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through all of society and the financial impact has been hard on everyone.
But there is a glimmer of light in sight for clubs lower down the leagues.
With the cap of outside stadium capacities being scrapped from next Monday, we wanted to gain an insight into whether the match-going habits of fans is likely to change.
Next season will see cardboard cut-outs replaced by real fans once again
We ran a survey asking fans if being away from grounds for so long had made them hesitant to return.
Almost two-thirds of EFL supporters who responded said that they would not be hesitant, and that the protocols in place would be safe.
Nevertheless, 26 per cent of those who filled in the survey said that the pandemic had made them more cautious when it comes to returning to grounds.
Perhaps reflecting the uncertainty right now, ten per cent said they were not sure about how they felt.
Another knock-on effect of the pandemic was the amount of games that were streamed on iFollow, the EFL's dedicated video platform.
Of course, during the season when games were played in empty stadiums dedicated fans had no alternative but to watch through this service.
But what about next season?
The EFL have said the service will be scaled back to protect matchday attendances. It means Saturday 3pm games won't be streamed live. Midweek matches however will be.
With grounds opening back up we asked whether people would be more inclined to pay £10 and watch a long away trip from home or whether they would relish the chance to travel to grounds again.
The results were tight, although 41 per cent did say they would be more likely to watch from home in future although of course this would depend on the amount of travel involved.
Two-thirds of respondents also told us that they will be purchasing or already have purchased a season ticket for their club.
Of those that said they wouldn't be doing so, the costs involved was the over-riding factor.
Just a handful cited uncertainty over Covid.
Daily Mirror
Sunday 18th July 2021
Fans of clubs across all three divisions filled in our survey to let us know how the pandemic has affected their normal match-going habits
The hope among all in football is that the 2021-22 season finally seems a return of full grounds once more.
After nearly 18 months of matches played to a backdrop of empty stadiums, clubs in the EFL are reliant on the return of punters through the turnstiles.
The Covid-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through all of society and the financial impact has been hard on everyone.
But there is a glimmer of light in sight for clubs lower down the leagues.
With the cap of outside stadium capacities being scrapped from next Monday, we wanted to gain an insight into whether the match-going habits of fans is likely to change.
Next season will see cardboard cut-outs replaced by real fans once again
We ran a survey asking fans if being away from grounds for so long had made them hesitant to return.
Almost two-thirds of EFL supporters who responded said that they would not be hesitant, and that the protocols in place would be safe.
Nevertheless, 26 per cent of those who filled in the survey said that the pandemic had made them more cautious when it comes to returning to grounds.
Perhaps reflecting the uncertainty right now, ten per cent said they were not sure about how they felt.
Another knock-on effect of the pandemic was the amount of games that were streamed on iFollow, the EFL's dedicated video platform.
Of course, during the season when games were played in empty stadiums dedicated fans had no alternative but to watch through this service.
But what about next season?
The EFL have said the service will be scaled back to protect matchday attendances. It means Saturday 3pm games won't be streamed live. Midweek matches however will be.
With grounds opening back up we asked whether people would be more inclined to pay £10 and watch a long away trip from home or whether they would relish the chance to travel to grounds again.
The results were tight, although 41 per cent did say they would be more likely to watch from home in future although of course this would depend on the amount of travel involved.
Two-thirds of respondents also told us that they will be purchasing or already have purchased a season ticket for their club.
Of those that said they wouldn't be doing so, the costs involved was the over-riding factor.
Just a handful cited uncertainty over Covid.
Re: A quarter of EFL fans hesitant at returning to matches a
Sun Jul 18, 2021 11:37 am
Personally, I can't wait to get back to the CCS and then to selected away games...
The excitement and atmosphere of being at the stadium for a game far outweighs any negatives I can see, as things currently stand
I am mindful this is a Daily Mirror article, so there has to be a question over who the respondants were and has to be taken with a pinch of reality
People have the freedom to make a personal choice, so if they don't feel they can go, then they can stay home
Notwithstanding the sympathy I have for those who will still not be able to attend for genuine health (Covid or not) reasons
The excitement and atmosphere of being at the stadium for a game far outweighs any negatives I can see, as things currently stand
I am mindful this is a Daily Mirror article, so there has to be a question over who the respondants were and has to be taken with a pinch of reality
People have the freedom to make a personal choice, so if they don't feel they can go, then they can stay home
Notwithstanding the sympathy I have for those who will still not be able to attend for genuine health (Covid or not) reasons
Re: A quarter of EFL fans hesitant at returning to matches a
Sun Jul 18, 2021 11:55 am
Sven wrote:Personally, I can't wait to get back to the CCS and then to selected away games...
The excitement and atmosphere of being at the stadium for a game far outweighs any negatives I can see, as things currently stand
I am mindful this is a Daily Mirror article, so there has to be a question over who the respondants were and has to be taken with a pinch of reality
People have the freedom to make a personal choice, so if they don't feel they can go, then they can stay home
Notwithstanding the sympathy I have for those who will still not be able to attend for genuine health (Covid or not) reasons
indeed ..its says 2/3 rds of those that filled out the survey { i didnt even see the survey to fill it in } either were or intended being ST holders this season.... the other 1/3 rd ?
think this would mean more if it was a survey of bona fide ST holders...
personally i think the return of fans medium term will depend largely on what sort of experience they have on the first visit back to the stadium...