Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Aug 25, 2019 22:02:14 GMT
Game 01 / Challenge Cup Group C / 31 August 2019, 7.00pm | | P1: None. P2: Davies, Dowd, Meland. P3: St Pierre, Johnson, Eberle, Armstrong, Bettauer. | | P1: Matheson, Loiseau, Herr. P2: None. P3: Herr. | Twitter: PanthersIHC / Match Report: OS / Game Sheet: EIHL |
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Post by wgray on Aug 26, 2019 18:54:53 GMT
I can’t believe we’re 5 days away from the official season opener, against the Steelers of all teams, and there doesn’t seem to be any chatter or sign of excitement, from anyone, about the season starting.
The away end has sold poorly, so far, for Saturday, which surprised me, but what’s even more surprising is the Sunday home game is nowhere near a sell-out. The Steelers have sold out blocks 1 and 2, and they look set to be taking the majority of 3, but the rest of the home blocks are far from full.
So, what gives? We’ve got a new structure in place that has decided to construct a team which differs from the norm, a team that looks as though they will give their all and will deserve to be supported, yet it looks as though a lot of Panthers fans won’t be attending the opening weekend games.
Have multiple season’s of disappointment finally taken their toll on a lot of fans, or are a lot of people waiting for payday?😂
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iginla
Chick Zamick
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Post by iginla on Aug 26, 2019 19:00:04 GMT
The challenge cup group stages are pretty much a meaningless farce and this years opening few weeks game schedule is crap. Couple that with pre season ticket prices being far too high and i think that’s your answer.
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Shaggy
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Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
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Post by Shaggy on Aug 26, 2019 19:22:45 GMT
Maybe, just maybe, the endless over-hyping of the rotting corpse that was the so-called 'rivalry' between the Panthers and the Steelers has finally gone on for too long. I know that I'm far from the only one who doesn't hate the Steelers, who doesn't see them as our biggest rivals... but who is just sick and tired of them. They're just not important any more... I'm not even sure they ever really were.
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Post by Bagheera on Aug 26, 2019 19:25:14 GMT
I can’t believe we’re 5 days away from the official season opener, against the Steelers of all teams, and there doesn’t seem to be any chatter or sign of excitement, from anyone, about the season starting. The away end has sold poorly, so far, for Saturday, which surprised me, but what’s even more surprising is the Sunday home game is nowhere near a sell-out. The Steelers have sold out blocks 1 and 2, and they look set to be taking the majority of 3, but the rest of the home blocks are far from full. So, what gives? We’ve got a new structure in place that has decided to construct a team which differs from the norm, a team that looks as though they will give their all and will deserve to be supported, yet it looks as though a lot of Panthers fans won’t be attending the opening weekend games. Have multiple season’s of disappointment finally taken their toll on a lot of fans, or are a lot of people waiting for payday?😂 Many many things play into it. Iggy touches on some. Im not going because I am away but not in the slightest bit sad to be missing it. The CC is a farce this year. Im sure many others are still on holiday too. I also think that having 2 pre season games against EIHL clubs has had a big impact. A lot of people are desperate to see the team so spend their money to be there pre season. They then perhaps cant afford to go the first competitive game. Im fairly certain it happened last season too. And yes, although there appear to be plenty of positives with the changes apathy is still there for many. Last year was a new era and look how that turned out. As promising as it looks now plenty will still be causious of another false dawn. The key factor will be holidays and availability for most id guess.
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Pies
Forum Moderator
Reluctant Chief of ITK
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Post by Pies on Aug 26, 2019 19:30:12 GMT
To be honest, the hockey season is starting a week too early for me. It’ll still be the school holidays and a lot of people will be away.
People moan when Panthers push the rivalry and then mock when they don’t sell out. It’s a lose-lose situation.
The team is good and Im disappointed I can’t be at the game Saturday but I think it’ll be a split series with home advantage coming through each game
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Post by PantherG on Aug 26, 2019 20:20:41 GMT
A group of us were season tickets for years but last year decided it would be out last feeding the cash cow, and after seeing what other big clubs have signed vs what we have done We are all really happy with that decision.
Instead of paying for a season ticket to go most weeks, I’ll probably go 2-3 times during the season, but the way I feel at the moment I’m not sure when the first game will be tbh, I have zero enthusiasm about it, but will keep an eye on the scores over the weekend...
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Post by allingtonskates on Aug 26, 2019 20:27:05 GMT
If I could only have gone to one home game out of the pre season vs blaze or CC vs steelers I’d have picked Blaze. Fed up of the steelers games, mainly because over the years we have played them a insane amount of times.
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Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Aug 26, 2019 20:46:38 GMT
I might buy the webcast for this one.
I'm not a Sunday game person, so that's why I'll avoid that one, but I am surprisingly (to me) keen to see the new team in action having not taken in any of preseason. I think most long term Panthers fans will be slightly wary of preseason hopes, as they've tended to fade as the days get shorter, but hopefully not this time.
Agree with Pies that August feels too early to start, but that does seem to have been the way in recent years, maybe the Olympic qualifying has pushed it back one too?
It's a strange start to the year as Iggy alludes to, I'd imagine those Clan games will be a double sell out at the end of September.
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Post by John Casey on Aug 26, 2019 20:56:00 GMT
I know that we opened against The Steelers last season but to me, maybe we should have played someone like The Stars first and then ease into The Steelers games.
Also it could be the case that fans are considering the start of the season to be the 28th September due to the huge gap between home games.
Aren't we be meant to be playing The Steelers 2 more times in the group stage after the weekend?
There is also a Boxing and Wrestling PPV this weekend as well (Fans of all 3 may pay for those instead)
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Post by wgray on Aug 26, 2019 21:23:15 GMT
The challenge cup group stages are pretty much a meaningless farce and this years opening few weeks game schedule is crap. Couple that with pre season ticket prices being far too high and i think that’s your answer. Poor decision making from the club and the league then really.
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Post by spik on Aug 26, 2019 21:48:53 GMT
I can only presume that when this team shows it is not here just 'up till Christmas' the fans can roll back in. Whilst the club still avoid good fan interaction and believing there are always more 'punters' in the sea, some will drift away. It will be interesting to see what transpires if we falter or improve on the last few seasons.
This may be what's to come as the new 'roll-up after a beer fan' - won't be anything like the old structure that has a supporter engaged in regular attendance.No signs of improved ST sales this season as far as I know.
On track as regards what wgray had noted ...Elite has sold us a ridiculous format for the CUP, not all the public are just there for a churned up - game after game - scenario. Meaty competition is required too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2019 22:03:19 GMT
The challenge cup group stages are pretty much a meaningless farce and this years opening few weeks game schedule is crap. Couple that with pre season ticket prices being far too high and i think that’s your answer. Poor decision making from the club and the league then really. Not the clubs fault/problem that the arena doesn't have ice availability. Belfast always start their seasons on the road. What's the difference here
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Post by ted logan on Aug 26, 2019 22:15:23 GMT
A group of us were season tickets for years but last year decided it would be out last feeding the cash cow, and after seeing what other big clubs have signed vs what we have done We are all really happy with that decision. Instead of paying for a season ticket to go most weeks, I’ll probably go 2-3 times during the season, but the way I feel at the moment I’m not sure when the first game will be tbh, I have zero enthusiasm about it, but will keep an eye on the scores over the weekend... Same here. No more cash cow and very little enthusiasm.
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iginla
Chick Zamick
Posts: 13,422
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Post by iginla on Aug 26, 2019 22:37:16 GMT
I’ve just had a look at the seating plan,crikey it is very poor. Must admit having always had a season ticket,I never realised just how expensive tickets were these days either,I always reckoned the average cost per ticket was about £13 or £14 each but it’s closer to £17 when you weigh up all the different options. 😳
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EMB
Randall Weber
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Post by EMB on Aug 27, 2019 6:27:53 GMT
With the drop in season tickets I wouldn't be surprised to see a half season ticket touted somewhere around Christmas.
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Post by bobness on Aug 27, 2019 8:31:36 GMT
With the drop in season tickets I wouldn't be surprised to see a half season ticket touted somewhere around Christmas. Has that "drop" been confirmed? Or is it just speculation? Yes, there's normally the "more season tickets than ever" press that hasn't happened, but is it a fact or an educated guess based on which seats aren't available for general sale?
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grrm
Pat Casey
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Post by grrm on Aug 27, 2019 8:32:56 GMT
Jord maintains the Panthers org don’t read the cage - well they should, because if the did they would have seen the numerous warnings about fan dissatisfaction at the general performance of the club, both on and off the ice.
The warnings over lack of interest in the renewing of season tickets was well documented.
I fear it will take at least a season of much improved performances before many fans are prepared to truly back the club with their cash again.
You reap what you sow Panthers.
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Jord v4
Ken Westman
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Post by Jord v4 on Aug 27, 2019 8:44:09 GMT
Jord maintains the Panthers org don’t read the cage - well they should, because if the did they would have seen the numerous warnings about fan dissatisfaction at the general performance of the club, both on and off the ice. The warnings over lack of interest in the renewing of season tickets was well documented. I fear it will take at least a season of much improved performances before many fans are prepared to truly back the club with their cash again. You reap what you sow Panthers. Well I'm constantly told they don't... perhaps just lip service.
How much of the fan base & it's views to we actually represent.
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Aug 27, 2019 9:18:46 GMT
After last year? People still keen to watch that crap are pretty thin on the ground and once the decline starts it's very very hard to pull back.
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Jord v4
Ken Westman
Harbinger of Doom
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Post by Jord v4 on Aug 27, 2019 9:47:56 GMT
Season ticket wise, maybe... But IF the team start winning the regulars will return & there's always the 67 Steelers games to 'sell out'.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2019 10:17:22 GMT
Saturday nights will always sell well no matter if ST holders contribute or not. Theres plenty of casuals who will fill those seats.. its sundays where you may see a difference this year .. I doubt you wont get as many walk ups as well
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Post by bobness on Aug 27, 2019 10:24:10 GMT
Jord maintains the Panthers org don’t read the cage - well they should, because if the did they would have seen the numerous warnings about fan dissatisfaction at the general performance of the club, both on and off the ice. The warnings over lack of interest in the renewing of season tickets was well documented. I fear it will take at least a season of much improved performances before many fans are prepared to truly back the club with their cash again. You reap what you sow Panthers. Well I'm constantly told they don't... perhaps just lip service.
How much of the fan base & it's views to we actually represent.
That's an interesting point. There are what, 30 regular posters on here? A dozen "power posters"? I think we can generally say that those dozen are mostly "disaffected". The sample is self-selecting, almost, and thus biased? What's that as a percentage of 6,000 on a Saturday night? There may be some very valid points raised on here, but it's folly to think that this represents the fanbase as a whole? At the back end of last year, even at the end of the "worst season ever" (that had Panthers finish in their best league position for 6 years) weren't most games close to sold out? I suspect next Sunday's game will be very well attended.
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Aug 27, 2019 10:39:57 GMT
Saturday nights will always sell well no matter if ST holders contribute or not. Theres plenty of casuals who will fill those seats.. its sundays where you may see a difference this year .. I doubt you wont get as many walk ups as well Casuals = Beer swilling drunks continually getting up to go to the bar during play usually
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Robbie Nud
David Clarke
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Post by Robbie Nud on Aug 27, 2019 10:40:32 GMT
I think a fair bit will depend on how Saturday goes, we win or the game is a bit chippy then tickets for sunday will sell. If it is a dullish game, then possibly not.
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