Empty seats.. worsening trend?

[Manchester1894]

We all see comments on social media by rival fans about it. Personally, I thought it was always over-exaggerated and not that bad. Sold out signs are up on most games, so it's presumably a case of people picking and choosing their matches. However... it's been worse this season.

How bad is it? Red circling is for Mr Lynch. But take this case as an example.. on the first row/right-hand of stand there is a 5 seat/4seat group I'm focusing on..

3 home games this month:
Burnley

Palace
[bigimg]http://i.imgur.com/tRGODRW.png[/bigimg]

Everton
[bigimg]http://i.imgur.com/Fw0W2yo.png[/bigimg]

November:
Swansea
[bigimg]http://i.imgur.com/U05Q3qA.png[/bigimg]


Rags..... Full house...
[bigimg]http://i.imgur.com/CTYJC7b.png[/bigimg]

Newcastle:
[bigimg]http://i.imgur.com/dnSCglO.png[/bigimg]


Family stand or not, should the club step in and say, if you want to attend one match(ie: the Derby) then pay hospitality rather than miss the majority of league games?

 

[dave_blue12]

Seems like there are wealthy individuals who buy season tickets to guarantee they can attend a handful of games.

 

[Bilboblue]

Didn't think yesterday was any worse than most of our games this season?

I reckon the family stand area is too big, maybe should make it just the lower level instead?

 

[Davs 19]

It's the same everywhere. Stop worrying about what other people think of us and enjoy your life.

In answer to your question, you buy your SC, it's yours, you attend whatever games you choose to.

If you buy a new coat, the shop doesn't tell you when to wear it ;.)

 

[Aguero_Element]

its interesting, mabye they dont like the view down there. We should definetly do something like bayern did to stop it, its just annoying

 

[LoveCity]

I'm not sure it's worsening... it's been like this for ages now. The Family Stand is definitely the most noticeable, but it's everywhere. 4 season ticket holders in front of me are regularly absent. Look back a few years and the Family Stand will probably be the same. Is it true that seats are reserved for academy families which don't get taken up except for the big games?

City are more concerned about their image than most of its fans are, so I'm surprised they haven't tried to address this as United fans have made sure this trend has gone viral and now it is actually believed by many that we never sell out and have a half full stadium, both of which are so far from the truth. And from a brand/image perspective, you want people believing you are popular - which we are compared to most (top 15 attendances in Europe, soon to be top 8) - but a different image has been created by this.

I don't find it 'embarrassing' but if I worked for City I wouldn't be happy as I'd see it as detrimental to the brand.

City and Arsenal are basically the two teams who seem to have the most season ticket holders who no-show, which is fascinating considering we are basically at the opposite end of the spectrum for supporter income. City have some of the poorest fans, Arsenal have the wealthiest fans.

 

[IanBishopsHaircut]

Oh look..a thread about empty seats..not seen one of these before

 

[Davs 19]

its interesting, mabye they dont like the view down there. We should definetly do something like bayern did to stop it, its just annoying

Why does it annoy you ?

 

[Manchester1894]

It's the same everywhere. Stop worrying about what other people think of us and enjoy your life.

In answer to your question, you buy your SC, it's yours, you attend whatever games you choose to.

If you buy a new coat, the shop don't tell you when to wear it ;.)

TBH it reminds me of the Italy back in the 90's... peaked, then crowds dipped. They only difference is people ARE buying our tickets, then not turning up? I'm not worried about attendances falling, our signings will make it difficult for people to stay away, but if this is the way our support is heading - people turning up to 1 or 2 in 6 games, is that good for the game/team/atmosphere?

 

[Tim of the Oak]

This is where I usually suggest the Bayern approach of requiring season card holders to attend at least half of the home games (or lose the right to a season ticket the following year).

I still think this is the relight approach although it does carry a risk of losing some revenue, particularly at a time when we are expanding the stadium.

That said, I would still give the Bayern approach a go as there can't be more than a couple of hundred season card holders who don't go to at least half the games. Nobody has a right to a season card - especially if they are just turning up for the Derby and maybe one ir two other games.