Before reaching for the razor blades and aspirin, we should ask ourselves
1. How accurate is the 2500 figure?
2. How does it compare to other similar clubs?
3. How does it compare to our own sales for last season?

In the case of question 3, I'd guess it is a significant improvement.

So, [iif[/i the 2500 figure is correct, I don't think that's too shabby for a club that's won nothing of any significance since before [iany[/i of our current squad were born. And that's a long time when you consider how old some of our squad are.

[size=50(Another one for your collection there, Red-Devils-PAW.)[/size

I can understand Marwan's frustrations here to an extent, he's put his heart and soul into re-building this club from an almost irretrievable position in less than 12 months. However, I echo the thoughts of quite a few posters on here that we haven't fired a shot in anger yet so signing lots of marquee players (and some of them undoubtedly are despite what other clubs supporters have been saying here and on the VT) is very likely to not be enough to lure back those who have either been Salford supporters and regulars at the Willows in the past but have become so disenchanted that only a cup semi-final would lure them back or are completely new supporters of the game and choose Salford as their preferred destination. It also won't make them buy a season ticket straight off either, it's too big a gamble for those folk.

Marwan's frustration came through in a twitter exchange I had with him last night (amongst a few others) where I was suggesting exactly that. I pointed out that it (was more than) enough for me to buy a season ticket and I already had but frankly I'd have bought one even if we were still a basket case! I think we already know that Marwan waits for no man but I get the feeling that because he can't control the pace of take up or fathom the reasons why people still don't appear to want to sign up that his natural impatience is playing havoc with him!

I think the club is doing an amazing job in getting the message out about ticket deals, the new look team etc. and creating a real buzz of excitement, we just need to keep that momentum up until the season starts and then as Derek says 2 wins from 2 and some of that activity should convert to repeat sales, after all, that's what Marwan is after and I think, in time, he'll get it.

Roll on 16th February!

We achieved a total attendance of less than 2,500 on 6 occasions last season;

Hull KR – 1,989
London – 2,333
Wakefield – 2,327
Castleford – 2,306
Hull FC – 2,000
Catalan – 2,200

We also only managed only slightly above that v Huddersfield (2,78icon_cool.gif. Therefore, if the 2,500 (to date) season ticket figure is accurate and I see no reason by Marwan Koukash would lie about this then we have almost certainly already guaranteed to improve on every attendance figure we posted in 2013. When you consider the majority of games vs Yorkshire opponents are to be played on Sunday’s this season, you’d expect to see an increase in away support too.

The away take up will improve that's for sure, fans do like a good game and apart from the occasional upset Salford have been a bit of a whipping boy and people can take or leave a game in which they think they'll deliver a drubbing.

The usual lot of Wire/Saints/Wigan will bring fans and should bring a good atmosphere but i can see a few fans being more drawn to this fixture.

I hope Salford are a strong side this season, it's something i wish for every team.

Playing the Yorkshire teams on Sundays was a good decision. I can see a big boost in away support from across the pennines as it allows families the time to make the trip and even make a day of it with the Trafford centre next door. I think if we can gain some momentum on the field it'll have a knock-on effect with both home and away fans.

think we sold less than a thousand s/t`s last season so to be at the figure we are is a good effort , theres other ticket options i think fans are taking up because games are spread between thursday to sunday now , work commitments means missed matches , i missed quite a few on fridays cos i drive for a living now , still think there will be 6-7 k for the wakefield game and thats a good start

If you look at it in a very simple way, if every season ticket holder (if we have got 2500) really put the effort it (not much effort really) and brought just 1 extra fan to games, we'd have a 'basic' crowd of 5000 before any walk ups and away fans. Come on ST holders, we ALL need to take some responsibility for this.

Ps - Perhaps the club could give season ticket holders 2 guest passes a year where we can bring a 'first time guest' for £12.

Difficult for a season ticket holder to take someone in a fixed pre paid seat, only the standing areas are able to do that.

I'm getting a little troubled by a lot of peoples thought and worries on size in all this argument/debate/idle chit chat



Anyway just a couple of things from me, firstly I agree that the doctors expectations regarding how quickly his plan (Evil in some people's eyes) will come together, it's going to take time to rebuild what is a shocking relationship between the club and its fans before we can get everyone back on board, but with a few results this will/may happen, lets walk before we run would be my message to the good Dr.

Secondly I can only recall 4 times in the last 30 years we've averaged over 5k (and too be fair one of them would be like believing in the tooth fairy

) so, with the alleged 2.5k season tickets already account for, and I for one know a number of people who will be purchasing them for definite before the season starts, and with matchday walk-up and away fans we should have no fear of reaching that number again. The Warrington, Wigan, Leeds & Saints matches should see us ok for that.

To look to the future (to use a cliche), the size of the crowd is only one factor; the match experience needs to be the same.
Think of our last match at the Willows and the first match at Barton. Both had good crowds but the game was disappointing. I can think of matches where the crowd was increased by free tickets given to school children when we were abysmal and the opposition excellent. I'm sure we turned several young Salford children into Bulls, Tigers etc.

I'd rather have 4000 enjoying Salford Red Devils than 6000 watching us being boring or us losing. In the first instance, the 4000 will grow. In the second, the 6000 will plummet.

As an outsider looking in, I would suggest 2500 if that figure is correct is a superb effort considering some of the attendances quoted earlier in the thread.

You've got a squad littered with star players and some with great potential (Fages) which is considerably enhanced from last season.

Your crowds are guaranteed to rise.

Your owner will back the coach moving forwards as he has done over the last year.

You're now recruiting top youngsters from all over the North West and are competing with Saints/Wigan etc... (this is from what I read)

Enjoy the ride......

Thanks Vila,
I'm assuming that you're a Saints Fan. Can't wait for the Saints games next year.
I think the Hit ups between Lama Tasi and Mose Masoe will be worth the entry money alone!!

TODAY'S MEN
Koukash upset at lack of take up
"After having done so much and more, I am bound to be disappointed and frustrated."

The season tickets will not be a reflection of crowds this season imo. It's hard to undo decades of false dawns and promises. There will be lots of lapsed supporters who will be walk-ups, that I have no doubt about. There's also going to be quite a few who wont be buying ST's because home games are spread over different days this season and might not fit around their commitments. These people will still turn up as walk-ups. Home crowds will be pretty decent this season. The Dr has just got to be a little more patient, especially as this team hasn't even played a game together yet.

I'm a little worried by the wording of the interview with the Doc, not that he might pull out as I'm pretty certain at least he will want to see Salford right at the very top.

I'm worried what sort of advice he is being given? surely someone who has a deeper knowledge of the club will point out that after years of nothing but abject failure fans will not just blindly flock back on the back of new investment in playing staff and a re brand. I have said it before and I'll say it again but should we have a good 2014 then I would be more worried if I were the Doc if season ticket sales didn't hugely improve in 2015.

I'd love to actually know what percentage increase in season ticket sales we have over say the last season at the Willows and then the first at Barton as don't think you can take last season as a good indicator when the tickets didn't actually go on sale until the very last possible moment.

I'm not concerned by any of this at all. Koukash is as ambitious as they come, but I dont know he thought at this stage of his "masterplan" we would have shifted more season tickets than we have. Granted he's signed some very good players, but even the most optimistic Salford fan will admit on paper we've still probably only got the 6th or 7th best team in the competition. Also signing players is one thing, getting them to gel and play well on the pitch is another.

Whilst I can understand Koukash's frustration, he needs to realise that the people of Salford wont come flocking back in their droves until they see a successful team on the pitch. If we still had 2,500 season ticket holders 3 years down the line after excellent league campaigns and good cup runs then start moaning but until then have faith in what he's doing. Rome wasnt built in a day.

PS - this time last season we had 0 season ticket holders.

Someone on Facebook seems to be suggesting that the devil imagery is putting people off.

The money spent assembling the team is nothing more than a bigger foundation for the club to grow going forward. The investment offers nothing more than potential right now.

I don’t entirely buy these comments about boat loads of stay away fans because of past failures, what fans? With respect we have played in three Challenge Cup semi-finals since 1988 and only managed to take about 5000-5500 fans. That’s shockingly disappointing for a city the size of Salford.

We’ve had a poor following now since the late 1960’s after row after row of terraced housing in the area was bulldozed to the ground and many Salfordian’s moved further away to other parts of the city like Little Hulton and Irlam.

The only way to increase the fanbase significantly is to win some major silverware and have an extremely entertaining team with a few superstars that people will pay to watch.

That's just about the limit of what he can do to lift our crowds though, so his disappointment is understandable. Obviously if that investment pays dividends on the field we'll all expect numbers to increase but I don't think the Doc's alone in hoping all that media attention and numerous personal appearances/pleas would have attracted more customers.

Season Tickets for the East Stand aren't fixed this season, so casual fans can sit with mates.

Secondly people still have money concerns and the stability of the club following on from the 5 year deal not honoured news may cause concern.

Lastly many years of neglect and disillusionment of fans will take something to overcome. I've had a seasonticket for many years but still thought hard about whether to renew. If you miss a couple of games then it isn't a great deal.

The walk up crowd is the important bit, make the experience one not to be missed.

I've said before, a lot of people can't commit to a season ticket with work commitments and matches being spread over different days. You'll see the majority of supporters paying as they go.

I am disappointed the Dr is disappointed but in the defence of the non-season ticket holders for 2014 there are a number of possible reasons for their procrastination.
With the Red Devilution not getting underway until 5th September it meant season tickets had been purchased by the followers of the soccer clubs nearby.Then the most expensive time of the year;for those with/without children and paying utility bills.
The uncertainty of the RFL/Super league clubs meeting - will a top 8 place still mean play-offs ? Will there be relegation ? Will the salary cap be removed ? Will there be a breakaway ?
A possible lack of research - given the limited timescale may also be a factor - even our first opponents in 2014 have done it [url=http://www.leighcenturions.com/news/24in the past[/url

I am sure things will improve as the year and the team,progresses. ( I shall try for those posters,shortly - again ! )

I think 2500k STs is great for a club at this stage of a re-birth. How many starting Test players do you have? A couple of England squad players and one former England player.

The marquee players aren't quite good enough to guarantee real success yet.

London had 700 ST holders last year and our home crowds were similar to yours. If you've already got 2500 ST holders you should comfortably get 5k averages which is excellent, it's concerning that the Dr. doesn't see that as good progress.

Indeed.

London's average attendance was 2200 (ish) last season. If they sold 700 season tickets, then their average attendance to season ticket ratio was 22/7. If Salford's ratio is similar, we'd be looking at an average attendance of about 7850 next season. Can't see too many people complaining about that.

At this rate we'll have drunk at more last chance Saloons that Shane MacGowan...

Judging by the reported season pass sales the Dr / Club has done a great job on galvanizing the core support.

open days & info through facebook twitter he is preaching to the converted, ie fans who actively seek out news & info .

expressing ' disappointment ' at this stage ( 39 days before the opening fixture ) seems counter productive , and contra to the ' more goods news ' policy .

After all so far all the marketing has been word of mouth and viral , now the club is asking the same people being criticized to paper the town with posters & cajole colleagues and friends to attend. ... they're aren't going going to fork out for a season pass < £200 on a say so before a tackle has been made .. no way.
If you are a new or lapsed supporter , what news would you have seen would you have seen , if you didn't read the local rag or visit the club web pages?
traditionally the Weaste crowd was a walk up attendance, so there's no past history of massive season ticket sales even in the good times.

I would be more concerned to address the cash turnstile problem & the AJ Bell & transport /Access to the Stadium.

In the Film industry 50 % of a new movies budget is put aside to publicize it .:- Movie costs $100M , spend another $50 Million to tell everyone about it . you'd laugh if some invested millions in a Film Budget but balked at investing in advertising and relied in viral - word of mouth info to make the film a success, then complaining pre sales aren't as big as they they hoped a month before the films release..
yet we have a club investing million/s , and marketing budget cannot be ignored,

For some big games last season I remember Wigan running TV adverts in the NW Granada Area..

I no saying we have to go to these lengths in order to get the word out , but at least exhaust all areas of marketing and closer to game time before they run up the white flag.

there's great progress so far and it still good news from what I can see , but they need to cast their net wider.