D
Deleted member 1486
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I wouldn't normally post stuff like this, but the Facebook conversations (between Jim and others, I'm just a lurker) turned into a bit of a mini Q&A and I know many don't have Facebook (and being on Facebook this is already open for anyone to see, so I hope I'm not breaking any confidences here).
I've paraphrased the questions and have deliberately not named any questioners. Jim's answers are verbatim.
JP: "Preseason has been ace so far. Love the positivity we are seeing in all things United, both on and off the pitch. Coming away from matches four goals up is something I could get used to. What I really like is seeing people we thought had more really bring it. I am really hoping we can attract (back) to the club new (and former) ST holders, who haven't purchased so far, but want to join us in this season's promotion campaign. The better atmosphere we create at the Lane the better our chances. Can #FortressBramallLane be restored this season? I think it can. All the signs are there"
Q: How's season ticket sales gone compared to last season?
"Numbers wise, we are close to last year; money-wise, nearly even. It's the numbers that matter though. What we are trying to create is the most conducive environment possible in which to stage a serious promotion push. The home atmosphere is key to this. We already know we have the league's best away following. We also have its best home following. Now we need to turn it up at the Lane. I think the positive style of play will help and the emphasis on putting balls in the back of the onion bag will create excitement. We want visiting clubs though to feel the heat when they come to our house. Last year we kind of laid out the welcome mat, mainly perhaps because we seemed too often to be playing for a point. This year we need to be more electric, more switched on, more intimidatingly loud. My best day at the Lane so far (I know I am still very new) was season before last Charlton at home in the FA Cup quarter finals. I know what kind of atmosphere we can deliver. If we are more like that more of the time, our home form will get the 12th man advantage every time. UTMB!"
Q: too negative/too many changes last season?
Best not to answer. Let's look forward. One day, I will talk openly about it, but not now when the future beckons and requires 100% of our attention
Q: Why not fill empty seats with free tickets to schools?
I hate seeing those empty seats, not only commercially, but for the reasons you suggest. We do give thousands of tickets away each year to schools, etc., through the Sheffield United Community Foundation. We are under some constraints FL rules-wise about the deals that we offer and how frequently during the year we can offer them. I think there is almost certainly a better way to do season tickets and match day ticketing than the way we currently do these things, one that is simpler, more straightforward and on average cheaper for the fan, but more apt to sell the stadium out, producing more atmosphere and more revenue. If we did it right, we would never be discounting in a way that offended ST holders. While I think I can see this clearly, I won't be imposing change on the organisation by fiat, but rather will continue working to persuade and to do things in a well thought out, consensual and sustainable fashion. We will go along changing things as we go and, hopefully, learning. Of course, the fastest way to sell the empty seats is to start winning games on a highly regular basis, both home and away. For this year, we will do the handful of permissible one offs, continue helping community organisations and schools through the foundation and make winning matches in an entertaining way the core of our plan to fill the empty seats.
Q: Any plans on live match streaming or Blades TV?
I think we will get there, though not straight away. The new TV/media deals might give us more latitude I am led to believe.
Q: 442 please?
Think we will see more 442 and 433 this year than anything else, but the ability to change up constantly is great and being well organised going into matches will help a lot, too.
I've paraphrased the questions and have deliberately not named any questioners. Jim's answers are verbatim.
JP: "Preseason has been ace so far. Love the positivity we are seeing in all things United, both on and off the pitch. Coming away from matches four goals up is something I could get used to. What I really like is seeing people we thought had more really bring it. I am really hoping we can attract (back) to the club new (and former) ST holders, who haven't purchased so far, but want to join us in this season's promotion campaign. The better atmosphere we create at the Lane the better our chances. Can #FortressBramallLane be restored this season? I think it can. All the signs are there"
Q: How's season ticket sales gone compared to last season?
"Numbers wise, we are close to last year; money-wise, nearly even. It's the numbers that matter though. What we are trying to create is the most conducive environment possible in which to stage a serious promotion push. The home atmosphere is key to this. We already know we have the league's best away following. We also have its best home following. Now we need to turn it up at the Lane. I think the positive style of play will help and the emphasis on putting balls in the back of the onion bag will create excitement. We want visiting clubs though to feel the heat when they come to our house. Last year we kind of laid out the welcome mat, mainly perhaps because we seemed too often to be playing for a point. This year we need to be more electric, more switched on, more intimidatingly loud. My best day at the Lane so far (I know I am still very new) was season before last Charlton at home in the FA Cup quarter finals. I know what kind of atmosphere we can deliver. If we are more like that more of the time, our home form will get the 12th man advantage every time. UTMB!"
Q: too negative/too many changes last season?
Best not to answer. Let's look forward. One day, I will talk openly about it, but not now when the future beckons and requires 100% of our attention
Q: Why not fill empty seats with free tickets to schools?
I hate seeing those empty seats, not only commercially, but for the reasons you suggest. We do give thousands of tickets away each year to schools, etc., through the Sheffield United Community Foundation. We are under some constraints FL rules-wise about the deals that we offer and how frequently during the year we can offer them. I think there is almost certainly a better way to do season tickets and match day ticketing than the way we currently do these things, one that is simpler, more straightforward and on average cheaper for the fan, but more apt to sell the stadium out, producing more atmosphere and more revenue. If we did it right, we would never be discounting in a way that offended ST holders. While I think I can see this clearly, I won't be imposing change on the organisation by fiat, but rather will continue working to persuade and to do things in a well thought out, consensual and sustainable fashion. We will go along changing things as we go and, hopefully, learning. Of course, the fastest way to sell the empty seats is to start winning games on a highly regular basis, both home and away. For this year, we will do the handful of permissible one offs, continue helping community organisations and schools through the foundation and make winning matches in an entertaining way the core of our plan to fill the empty seats.
Q: Any plans on live match streaming or Blades TV?
I think we will get there, though not straight away. The new TV/media deals might give us more latitude I am led to believe.
Q: 442 please?
Think we will see more 442 and 433 this year than anything else, but the ability to change up constantly is great and being well organised going into matches will help a lot, too.
