Shorty
Paul Adey
Still here for Private Messages
Posts: 6,636
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Post by Shorty on Sept 22, 2006 17:18:07 GMT
There is nothing wrong in giving out tickets to sponsors and other large organisations. Its not like they are standing in Meadow Hall giving them out this time. Other revenue will be generated - car parking for certain.
The only thing that will gall me about it is when Mr Simms starts crowing about having the biggest attendance in the league since blah blah blah blah blah..........
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Post by lockerbie on Sept 22, 2006 18:11:00 GMT
Last year av 3,904 Over 3k present for our only home game so far this year. In fact we have never averaged less than 3,500. (The official stats show 3,800 and something, but this is with the London games removed. The figure I have quoted is all teams, all competitions) In part due to a large number of travelling Blaze fans
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Post by craigfx2o on Sept 22, 2006 20:35:38 GMT
HL in having a pop at Sheffield shocker!! Surely not.
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Post by ted on Sept 22, 2006 20:40:05 GMT
fair enough, fill up the stands with freebies... not really fussed, probably a good idea....
but I think it reflects on a wider issue.... why the hell cant the steelers shift any tickets! Theres something seriously wrong when 50% on the fans there are on freebies.... (going by a conservative 3500 paying fans)
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matt44
David Clarke
Posts: 3,085
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Post by matt44 on Sept 22, 2006 21:54:36 GMT
I agree with the fact Simmsy will be mouthing off about the biggest attendance ever blah blah blah, and if he does i'm afraid I may have to hunt him down and kill him. Veeeerrryyy slowly! hehe
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Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
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Post by Shaggy on Sept 22, 2006 22:15:32 GMT
Quite frankly.... who gives a damn?
Sheffield are choosing to chuck freebies around - fair enough, that's their choice. Those outside Sheffield appear to be writing it off as a useless exercise, those within it appear to think that it's the greatest thing since chocolate body paint.... the actual reality is likely to be somewhere in between IMHO. No doubt it will increase the takings from the various concessions on the night... and no doubt there will be a few returness, and maybe even some totally hooked. No doubt there will also be some paying customers who will be narked, and may even decline to pay for tickets themselves. Swings and roundabouts...
This is nothing new, nor is it any great or terrible news. It just is... <shrugs>
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Doom
Greg Hadden
Posts: 1,591
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Post by Doom on Sept 23, 2006 0:50:35 GMT
I'm tired and I've had a few Leffe's, but I'll do the best I can to contribute to this thread. I've always been a big fan of the ticket offers/giveaways, even though I've already paid for my tickets as a season ticket holder. I bought a season ticket for £260 to watch 24 games, at the time that was good value, what price others get in for now is irrelevant to me. When I first went to watch the Steelers over 10 years ago it wasn't the game that sold the sport to me, it was being part of a 10,000 crowd in a great atmosphere that captured my imagination. The Steelers won't get anything out of the food stalls or the car parking today, that all goes to SIV (Sheffield International Venues). What they will get is a lot of potential new customers turning up to watch a game they've never seen before in a fairly full arena. Hopefully some will be hooked by the sport and they'll return. Hopefully others will be hooked by the atmosphere and they'll return. One thing is for certain, if you don't get them there in the first place, you have little chance of converting them into hockey fans. 12 years ago this is how the Steelers built their initial fanbase, over the years that has been allowed to die, I applaud the efforts now being made once again to attract new fans to our sport.....It's called a loss leader. I just hope the game isn't spoiled by ZT Regards Doom
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Post by gsheriston on Sept 23, 2006 6:21:27 GMT
Last week I took five people with me to the Phoenix game. Four of them had never seen a game before, one hadn't been for years- all of them paid full price and they all said they'd be coming back. Two of them said they'd also bring their children as they'd love it. I'm wondering how many more people I'd have been able to bring along if I'd been able to say 'it's free', and how many more new fans we could have had from it... As people have said, though, what does it really matter (unless you've already paid for your ticket, in which case you've probably got a case for being a bit upset!) Might even consider making the trip up there myself to see how the Steelers cope with the Phoenix and particularly the Wolfe-Man
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Post by ajayy on Sept 23, 2006 7:47:25 GMT
I think the point of this exercise is being missed a little; these free tickets are not just being handed out 'willy-nilly'. They are specific promotions involving local businesses and organizations.
As far as I can gather, the point of a mass ticketing such as this is that by having the building full/fullish, the atmosphere should be better. Anyone of the newbies these tickets creates will have a greater chance of becoming a future paying customer if they go home thinking 'Wow, great game, great atmosphere, etc.'
Just gotta hope that the officials and players don't let us down by spoiling the game, zero tolerance style.
I say this as someone who paid to see his first game (also, by way of coincidence, against Manchester, in 1997, and yes, I was hooked and bought a replica shirt that night) and has paid for every ticket since. I don't begrudge the Steelers handing out tickets as part of forward thinking promotions such as the one tonight.
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Post by gsheriston on Sept 23, 2006 8:15:19 GMT
I think the point of this exercise is being missed a little; these free tickets are not just being handed out 'willy-nilly'. They are specific promotions involving local businesses and organizations. Oops... yes, sorry, I missed that one. (note to self - don't respond without reading the thread at least twice) I don't begrudge the Steelers handing out tickets as part of forward thinking promotions such as the one tonight. Agree with you there too- I hope it's a success and the Panthers/other teams consider similar things. More fans would be good for the sport. Maybe something to consider for midweek games, when attendance is down? Though I can also see the point of going for a full house Saturday evening to give much better atmosphere.
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Post by Nemesis on Sept 23, 2006 9:15:45 GMT
Every team does different things, I have always liked the mass leaflet drop you lot used to do. SWFC bring 1000's of school kids in for nowt. Any effort to attract new fans is to be supported IMO for teams that are not a solid as you. If the sport went down the pan, you would be the last one standing as your core support is solid, no other team in the league is as assured of their future as you, please don't knock our attempt to make sure we have the support to continue on for a few more years.
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Post by Heanor Lair on Sept 23, 2006 9:46:01 GMT
This is a petty attack on an attempt to get more people to watch ice hockey. It is beneath you HL, I had come to seek out your posts and respect and learn from their content. Still, you will probably change your view next time we talk at the Steelers. Wrong Sooty, it was not a petty attack. Firstly I was informing people of what Shuff was doing, secondly, yes I made some tounge in cheek remarks, but I dont actually believe I dismissed was Shuff were doing. If you want my opinion to what Shuff are trying to do; its admirable, but nothing comes for free in this world and the proof of the pudding will be if you can actually get punters to pay to watch Shuff who have previously come on a freebie (like me ;D) HL
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Post by LooseChippings on Sept 23, 2006 10:06:54 GMT
Last Sunday in the British Inline Puck Hockey (BIPHA) Central Under 16 League all players were given 2 complimentary tickets for tonights game v Manchester.
On the team that Scuff and I run we had 11 players on the day so we were given 22 tickets, 2 of the players have season tickets so we passed on theirs to a large family that had never been to an ice game before.
Using our team as an average we would think there were about 150 tickets given away with about the same number from the U12s the previous day.
Most of our players said they would take a friend and parents said they would also attend so we expect around 300 - 450 extra people through the doors from that 1 giveaway last weekend - about the same number as an average visiting team support!
What did it cost the Steelers?
Costs of printing the tickets + the cost of Betty traveling to the inline rink to hand over the tickets.
What do the Steelers get from it?
Possibly a lot more noise and atmosphere tonight.
Possibly a few that return a few times.
Possibly a few that return for every home game.
And possibly a few that even decide to take in an away game in Nottingham!
It may work, it may not but as the old saying goes ...
'It is better to regret your actions than regret your inactions'.
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Post by Nemesis on Sept 23, 2006 11:06:23 GMT
Ahmen to that brother chippings!
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David
Forum Moderator
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Post by David on Sept 23, 2006 12:09:52 GMT
They might show up, be disappointed, and want to come to Nottingham to see a better game
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Post by LooseChippings on Sept 23, 2006 13:13:06 GMT
They might show up, be disappointed, and want to come to Nottingham to see a better game And possibly not get one and be put off for life. ;D I think anyone thinking about going to a game is more likely to consider a free ticket rather than a £13 ticket. I wonder why lots of cosmetic and suchlike companies give away free samples, maybe there is something to this give away.
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MP
Paul Adey
Hail hurts and rain is cold. Summer in the mountains
Posts: 6,811
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Post by MP on Sept 23, 2006 13:38:37 GMT
I wonder why lots of cosmetic and suchlike companies give away free samples, maybe there is something to this give away. Well, they're trying to sell an overpriced product of dubious benefit that no one really needs......... ;D Come to think of it..... ;D
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Post by LooseChippings on Sept 23, 2006 13:49:23 GMT
I wonder why lots of cosmetic and suchlike companies give away free samples, maybe there is something to this give away. Well, they're trying to sell an overpriced product of dubious benefit that no one really needs......... ;D Come to think of it..... ;D Got to laugh.
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MP
Paul Adey
Hail hurts and rain is cold. Summer in the mountains
Posts: 6,811
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Post by MP on Sept 23, 2006 13:55:41 GMT
LoL! ;D Good luck to you though - it's been a shock to the system seeing those empty seat at HoS these past couple of years. For the sake of British hockey it would be good to see crowds on the up again.
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LUFC
Ashley Tait
Game On!
Posts: 1,819
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Post by LUFC on Sept 23, 2006 14:38:47 GMT
I know this isnt in everyones post on this thread,
But for the life of me i cant get why the officials are getting the blame in some peoples posts for ZT. They are only doing their jobs as they HAVE to do them by international hockey ruling.
If they didnt do this we would be a league on our own full of idiots who cants skate, cant play but can rough about and clutch play. Personally ide rather see fast flowing hokcey. So leave the frigging ZT stat out of your posts, dont like ZT leave the sport, cause it's here to stay! in ALL leagues world wide.
If a match is "spoilt" by ZT then it's the players to blame NOT the officials.
K Thanks
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Post by ajayy on Sept 23, 2006 15:13:26 GMT
I know this isnt in everyones post on this thread, But for the life of me i cant get why the officials are getting the blame in some peoples posts for ZT. They are only doing their jobs as they HAVE to do them by international hockey ruling. If they didnt do this we would be a league on our own full of idiots who cants skate, cant play but can rough about and clutch play. Personally ide rather see fast flowing hokcey. So leave the frigging ZT stat out of your posts, dont like ZT leave the sport, cause it's here to stay! in ALL leagues world wide. If a match is "spoilt" by ZT then it's the players to blame NOT the officials. K Thanks I don't know if this was aimed at my post, but I'll bite anyway. I agree that ZT is all about the officials calling the game according to the rules. It's introduction was aimed at eliminating the 'Clutch and Grab' play that was slowing the game down into a defensive goon-fest. What it was not intended was that clean, physical play would be penalized. The one game at the House of Steel was called as though it was non-contact at times. By all means, stick-work, hooking and holding should be called, but fair hits should not be called roughing or charging, they still have their place in the game. Late hits are a different matter, if the puck has gone it should be called. The point that I was attempting to make, was that any newcomer is not going to appreciate the attributes that make our game so special if the players are either being called for clean physical play or are afraid to check because it will draw a minor penalty. By now, I'm hoping that the players will have worked some of the bone-headed tripping and other stuff that is blatantly going to be called. As you can see in my original post, the blame lies both with the officials AND players. Apologies if I took the thread slightly off topic.
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LUFC
Ashley Tait
Game On!
Posts: 1,819
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Post by LUFC on Sept 23, 2006 16:00:36 GMT
Bite? you feel you have to take a bite out of me, nice mate.
Ok my 4pence back at you.
I still dont get nomatter how many times you write it how an official can be blamed for calling the game by the rules. I dont know what hits you've seen that could be called charging but here in the nottingham games there have been instances where you think that was a fair hit, but then realise actually he went in stick high or elbows etc so yes the call was correct. now the officials may of gotten afew calls wrong, but there is a kind of rule. if in doubt it's better to call a hit illegal than be wrong next time and someone get injured because a player felt he could lead with his elbow and get away with it.
At the end of the day it's up to the players to keep the game flowing, and entertaining for the fans alike. If the game is stop start stop start then it really only lies at the players feet, those who are infringing the rules. These rules are not new, they are just being properly enforced.
If people dont like this then dont watch it. But it will get better as the players start playing how they should be according to the rules, those very rules an official (who you blame for the way the game currently is) follows.
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Zukiwskyfan
Simon Hunt
ENL heavyweight champ
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Zukiwskyfan on Sept 23, 2006 22:05:32 GMT
I don't think you can blame the officials but also at the moment I dont think you can blame the players either. You can't expect them to just switch to a new style of play overnight. If a guy goes past it's reaction for them to give them a little hook. It's the way they have played the game since they started so it's going to be like playing a different game. Im no fan of ZT but I know that it's here to stay and I also know in the long run it will be good for the game. I would like to see next season the rules changed to maximum tolerance just to see which works best though ;D Come christmas and I think it will be a completely different story with the fans. ZT will not get a mention as we will all be used to it. It's just as new to the players and officials as it is to us. Back to the main topic, as the Panthers are in Edinborough I decided to go to the steelers game tonight and it was nice to see a big crowd in the house of steel. The match did have it's moments due to ZT but overall was a good game to watch. Any newcomers tonight can't be too dissopointed as they saw 8 goals and 5 fights so action wise it was a good one for the steelers to use for there promotion night.
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Post by LooseChippings on Sept 24, 2006 7:10:03 GMT
Come on Heanor Lair & Jono72 - What was the 'Newbie' crowd reaction like from where you were sat?
In 219 they were a bit quiet to start but by the end of the first they were starting to get vocal, in the second they were getting to their feet and in the third they were bouncing around like the regulars.
If 5% return as regulars I will be happy.
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Post by ted on Sept 24, 2006 7:30:01 GMT
no the officals are taking ZT as ZC (Zero Contact).... you land a big hit... its called. I thought we had introduced ZT to make the game faster and allow bigger hits?
The way they are calling it NOW (inconsistent ref to ref, even period to period) is a joke and im not suprised if it puts people off.
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