Charlton do need to attract a younger fan base, that's why having a competitive team is so important. Keeping hold of decent young players, and adding quality is vital. When most other kids are supporting premiership teams doing well, it is important that Charlton are not completely mediocre. Good that the club acknowledge the challenge. An ad strategy alone is not going to do it.
It seems to me in recent years those working at the club see the way to go is to market the 'glam' end of things. Private boxes, lounges, meals and catering are all very well, but it is the bulk work like schools initiatives which lacks much glamoured or per head return, but which would be more effective in building attendances. We needn't sweat the asset, but we need to involve the local community in as many ways as possible.
This is an excellent idea. I wouldn't have a choice as to what to do in the winter months then and could waste my life for 6 months in Florida rather than trying to schedule holidays with the wretched fixture list which promptly gets changed as soon as I've booked up something.
some sort of kids competition at half time between a Charlton Junior Reds youngster and an away team youngster with a decent prize would entertain 7 to 12 year olds. Maybe we could get Smyths toyshop to sponsor. I’d have a couple of rounds – first being a penalty shoot-out type thing, then a half time score competition where they are told the home score and they have to guess the away one and the more points they get the nearer they can stand to the centre spot. They then have to kick the ball the nearest to the spot to win the prize. Even if a Nil-Nil draw in the football – the kids will lap this up and it would encourage Junior red membership too.
Really can't understand why we don't do this sort of thing - penalty comps, relays around the pitch, perhaps even some coaching of just one skill, 5 minute 5 a side - encourages kids, parents and is actually more interesting to watch than nothing for everyone!
some sort of kids competition at half time between a Charlton Junior Reds youngster and an away team youngster with a decent prize would entertain 7 to 12 year olds. Maybe we could get Smyths toyshop to sponsor. I’d have a couple of rounds – first being a penalty shoot-out type thing, then a half time score competition where they are told the home score and they have to guess the away one and the more points they get the nearer they can stand to the centre spot. They then have to kick the ball the nearest to the spot to win the prize. Even if a Nil-Nil draw in the football – the kids will lap this up and it would encourage Junior red membership too.
Really can't understand why we don't do this sort of thing - penalty comps, relays around the pitch, perhaps even some coaching of just one skill, 5 minute 5 a side - encourages kids, parents and is actually more interesting to watch than nothing for everyone!
I think it is down to lack of imagination. Some people (most people I suspect) just have difficulty viewing the matchday experience from the eyes of a child. I think we are certainly missing a trick as they are easier to engage than adults in many ways. Give a nice scalextric set away as a prize - £100 nice big colourful box - probably get it cheap or free using sponsorship/advertising - impresses kids no end and they know they have a decent chance of having a go at winning it in future if they go to matches and are junior reds. Maybe have 9 Junior reds and 1 away fan competing for prize. Could call out lucky junior red numbers on big screen - computer will say they are present.
Kids will nag parents to take them!!! Parents might then go when otherwise they wouldn't.
Comments
We needn't sweat the asset, but we need to involve the local community in as many ways as possible.
Kids will nag parents to take them!!! Parents might then go when otherwise they wouldn't.