Scunthorpe 2015

[Paul Johnson]

Rob only meeds 100 people to come back next season, 200 would be great and we have a meeting in the new year to discuss ideas how to get them back.There is a massive source of fans in Hull.I know a few who come over already but has it been to long since sppedway in Hull closed down for speedway fans to be interested?Is there a hatred of Scunny from Hull and vise versa?Do Hull fans go to Redcar instead of paying 2 times to cross the bridge?Do Hull fans know a bus company are willing to drive fans to Scunny?

[Guest WTF1]

Rob only meeds 100 people to come back next season, 200 would be great and we have a meeting in the new year to discuss ideas how to get them back.There is a massive source of fans in Hull.I know a few who come over already but has it been to long since sppedway in Hull closed down for speedway fans to be interested?Is there a hatred of Scunny from Hull and vise versa?Do Hull fans go to Redcar instead of paying 2 times to cross the bridge?Do Hull fans know a bus company are willing to drive fans to Scunny?

As a previous poster has stated cost has alot to do with the fall in crowds and many like "Whiteliner" are avid supporters who come from afar to watch , Speedway to survive has got to start enticing the younger generation to start coming, look around Scunny on race night and it's like a scene from Dad's Army (me included) in anoraks.

I work as a carpetlayer around Scunny roughly going to around 25 properties a week x 50 weeks a year and i always try and spread the word about speedway but it's either ,oh i used to go years ago or where is it in Scunny or total disinterest, out of all the people i went to last year nobody went to Scunny speedway,

[Fozzie4388]

Rob only meeds 100 people to come back next season, 200 would be great and we have a meeting in the new year to discuss ideas how to get them back.There is a massive source of fans in Hull.I know a few who come over already but has it been to long since sppedway in Hull closed down for speedway fans to be interested?Is there a hatred of Scunny from Hull and vise versa?Do Hull fans go to Redcar instead of paying 2 times to cross the bridge?Do Hull fans know a bus company are willing to drive fans to Scunny?

 

That would be the bus company that 90% of their buses break down 500 yards from the depot. It is good that they advertise Speedway but I wouldn't trust travelling with them.

Don't know of any Hatred between Scunny and Hull Speedway wise and Hull's rivals where always Sheffield.

I live across the water in Hull and only came over the river once last season to see the Scorpions take on Edinburgh, I paid £17 to get in plus the £1 for Car Park, £1 for Programme and the £3 for the Bridge. I didn't feel I got value for the money that day like I have done other years that I have come over to watch the racing.

[scaramanga]

its all about value for money

speedway is getting to the point where the price is going up and the product is getting watered down

some teams are building to budget which means they are not as entertaining as they could and should be

most clubs you get 15 heats of speedway and thats it nothing to keep the kids entertained during intervells and delays

food outlets are overpriced and poor quality

and on the subject of race night/time for me i much prefer the darker nights under floodlights it just seams to make a better atmosphere

each club has to run at the best time/day for there suronding catchment area what works for 1 proberbly wont work for all

 

That would be the bus company that 90% of their buses break down 500 yards from the depot. It is good that they advertise Speedway but I wouldn't trust travelling with them.

Don't know of any Hatred between Scunny and Hull Speedway wise and Hull's rivals where always Sheffield.

I live across the water in Hull and only came over the river once last season to see the Scorpions take on Edinburgh, I paid £17 to get in plus the £1 for Car Park, £1 for Programme and the £3 for the Bridge. I didn't feel I got value for the money that day like I have done other years that I have come over to watch the racing.

thats part of the decline £22 before paying for fuel or any food or drink some people just cant pay that ever week to go watch 15 1 minute races

then theres the time it costs you on average a speedway meeting is dragged out to around 1.5 to 2 hours and for me theres a half hour each way travel time to considor so were looking at around 3 hours in total most days thats without delays and every thing else that holds you up

[IronScorpion]

I disagree with the "value for money" perception as, to me, it's about the love of the sport.

 

You can break down many other sports:-

 

Football home games - 30 mins travel time, car park fees, queues at the turnstiles. A game lasts almost 2hrs which includes 1/2 time, injury time. During the game there is about 25min of ball out of play, numerous back passes/side passes forward passes & this is where it gets exciting of which there are about 20-25 shots at goal, of which 9-12 were on target.

 

Cricket even greater travel times, queues, uncomfortable seats, 7hr match which includes 2 main breaks plus drink breaks, 90 overs of which there might be 8-16 wickets taken in a day, 20-25 shots to the boundary, runs between the wickets, etc

 

All sports can be broken down to differing levels of enjoyment but what entertains some people does not entertain others. Our own sport comes into this category. Some tracks are not prepared for entertainment but just for winning, as also, is the making of teams. In the SS, G Patchett slates the Scunthorpe Management for assembling a joke of a team, far too low in team build up. We decided to join the league late, we did not have the pick of decent riders paying them over the stipulated wages to buy themselves better gear but brought together a bunch of youngsters who wanted to get on the first step of the racing ladder, to see if they could make it. Yes, we did get hammered in a lot of meetings where promoters had to pay out larger sums to their riders, but looking at the statistics for Cradley, their worst home defeat in 2014 was ....oops, they didn't have one. Their worst home result was a 57-35 win, a 22pt winning margin to another top of the table team. Away from home, their worst result was their only defeat, 43-46, again against Coventry. Win at all costs! No, not for me or for my fellow Scorpion supporters. We enjoy being entertained. Even our title winning teams in '06 & '07 were too strong & didn't entertain me.

[spin king]

I disagree with the "value for money" perception as, to me, it's about the love of the sport.

 

You can break down many other sports:-

 

Football home games - 30 mins travel time, car park fees, queues at the turnstiles. A game lasts almost 2hrs which includes 1/2 time, injury time. During the game there is about 25min of ball out of play, numerous back passes/side passes forward passes & this is where it gets exciting of which there are about 20-25 shots at goal, of which 9-12 were on target.

 

Cricket even greater travel times, queues, uncomfortable seats, 7hr match which includes 2 main breaks plus drink breaks, 90 overs of which there might be 8-16 wickets taken in a day, 20-25 shots to the boundary, runs between the wickets, etc

 

All sports can be broken down to differing levels of enjoyment but what entertains some people does not entertain others. Our own sport comes into this category. Some tracks are not prepared for entertainment but just for winning, as also, is the making of teams. In the SS, G Patchett slates the Scunthorpe Management for assembling a joke of a team, far too low in team build up. We decided to join the league late, we did not have the pick of decent riders paying them over the stipulated wages to buy themselves better gear but brought together a bunch of youngsters who wanted to get on the first step of the racing ladder, to see if they could make it. Yes, we did get hammered in a lot of meetings where promoters had to pay out larger sums to their riders, but looking at the statistics for Cradley, their worst home defeat in 2014 was ....oops, they didn't have one. Their worst home result was a 57-35 win, a 22pt winning margin to another top of the table team. Away from home, their worst result was their only defeat, 43-46, again against Coventry. Win at all costs! No, not for me or for my fellow Scorpion supporters. We enjoy being entertained. Even our title winning teams in '06 & '07 were too strong & didn't entertain me.

 

I think in general if people enjoy what they see they will return to watch a sport. They may not go week in week out, but they still go.

 

A lot of what you are saying about Cradley was said about Scunthorpe towards the end of their days as a stand alone Conference/ National League team, the difference is that Scunthorpe have their own track and moving up a division was far easier transition than for Cradley who don't have their own track.

[scunny1]

Last year I attended as many home meetings as work would allow, Friday nights been far easier to attend as" my quality time" rather than family shopping, weekend events and work call outs. Racing 90%+ is better at night due to better more stable track conditions ( even if it is so much colder ).

 

I followed the Scorpions as far South as Rye House, as far West as Somerset, as far North as Glasgow along with several tracks nearer to home - on each occasion not to watch us win, but to be entertained and part of the speedway thing. We all want to be entertained, with slick presentation, friendly faces and good racing of course, so Promoters have to try harder to keep spectators engaged- Personally roving microphone interviews and Rob's banter I like. Also Refs need to move things along, too much gardening, too much returning to pits , to eager to call off meetings when tracks to us regular attendees look quite raceable etc.

 

I also try to engage work colleagues, friends, relatives etc to attend speedway ,sometimes it works other times not -usually after long drawn out meetings for whatever reason.

 

This up coming season we have a blend of entertainers in the team and certainly at home the spectators should see some cracking racing. Will we be Champions ,who knows, but proper racing is what we want to see, no trick tracks, no gate and go ,just four riders trying their best and being hard but fair to each other. Rob and his band of helpers will try their damndest to ensure Speedway survives at the EWR, we Supporters can also do our bit to embrace their efforts and try and put more bums on seats.

 

See you all in a few months and a Happy New Year!

[Guest WTF1]

Last year I attended as many home meetings as work would allow, Friday nights been far easier to attend as" my quality time" rather than family shopping, weekend events and work call outs. Racing 90%+ is better at night due to better more stable track conditions ( even if it is so much colder ).

 

I followed the Scorpions as far South as Rye House, as far West as Somerset, as far North as Glasgow along with several tracks nearer to home - on each occasion not to watch us win, but to be entertained and part of the speedway thing. We all want to be entertained, with slick presentation, friendly faces and good racing of course, so Promoters have to try harder to keep spectators engaged- Personally roving microphone interviews and Rob's banter I like. Also Refs need to move things along, too much gardening, too much returning to pits , to eager to call off meetings when tracks to us regular attendees look quite raceable etc.

 

I also try to engage work colleagues, friends, relatives etc to attend speedway ,sometimes it works other times not -usually after long drawn out meetings for whatever reason.

 

This up coming season we have a blend of entertainers in the team and certainly at home the spectators should see some cracking racing. Will we be Champions ,who knows, but proper racing is what we want to see, no trick tracks, no gate and go ,just four riders trying their best and being hard but fair to each other. Rob and his band of helpers will try their damndest to ensure Speedway survives at the EWR, we Supporters can also do our bit to embrace their efforts and try and put more bums on seats.

 

See you all in a few months and a Happy New Year!

Definately agree that if it's a straightforward unsatisfactory start without any falls all riders should return to the start immediately and any rider returning to the pits should be excluded,

would also like to see the return of the old fashioned tactical substitute of 6 points behind to replace a rider with another and not just dump the black and white helmet on some no hoper who happens to be in that race when 10 points behind,

If this rule was reinstated we might see the visiting number 1 before a match is lost as he comes out in heat 5 but you don't see him again till heat 11 when it could all be over, just a thought.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND AN INJURY FREE SEASON TO ALL RIDERS!

[Broadsider]

Agree wholeheartedly that, for the converted, it is all about love of the sport. Personally, I was enticed back on regular basis in 2012 after years on the outside following Bradford’s demise in 1997. It didn’t take me long to re-ignite the interest and re-establish that regular weekly habit all over again. As basically I get it? But new and floating supporters are fully justified in being selective over their entertainment and rightly will demand value for money.

 

The Scunny faithful will acknowledge that Rob does a pretty darn good job of reliably delivering competitive and exciting racing on an always fair and consistent track. Served up by what are a very supportable team of riders. I would certainly still call it value for money even though I also have a significant round trip to get there.

 

What has to happen is to convert the fringe supporter and get them to fall in love with the sport again.

 

A major key for the fringe supporter is being able to easily appreciate and identify with what’s going on; but also essentially recognise that the Scorpions riders are out there representing not only the club, the town but also the supporters themselves. A togetherness if you like, where there is mutual respect and belief. Establishing this connection is what draws you in as regular supporter getting to know and appreciate the individual and character behind the helmet and feeling that bond.

 

The riders do have a large responsibility all in this and to be fair, compared to many sports, the riders always remain pretty much accessible and do mix readily. But in some instances they could do a few more simple things to keep that vital link with the crowd buzzing. I do always like rider themes such as Ryan’s “Land down under.” Have each rider chose a distinctive signature tune that fits! And play it! If we win a race, come around and take the chequered flag for a lap of honour! Wave it and salute the fan’s, you’ve earned the accolades and applause!

 

If Scorpions win the meeting do the bike parade but also how about a team hand-in-hand salute to the fans much like in the German Bundesliga. It works and goes to further build the rapport and deepens the team-fan relationship.I also particularly like the idea of team race suits, possibly costly? But again it is all about identifying as being the same and displaying a collective togetherness.

 

I appreciate Rob and others are keen to do some work on attracting back the fringe support on a regular basis. In this respect, it’s back to promoting basics and getting out there talking to the locals and telling them all about the Speedway and that they must come and see for themselves. Thinking further about awareness and establishing the rider team supporter relationship. How about taking a little time out at say Tesco on the roundabout. It’s on the doorstep and there’s a huge local footfall goes through there.

 

How about for a couple of weekends pre-season, we try and get a couple of riders and their gear in the main Tesco entrance? Say, David Howe & Wilko perhaps would be perfect, David with his family, International Speedway & Grasstrack Rider, a photo montage (Alex Summerfield could possibly run up some of his stunning action shots on a banner stand?), dvd’s showing action, the chance of a pic on a bike, opportunity to ask questions, a few giveaways, fixture lists hand outs etc.. Again this is all about awareness, getting to know what’s going on weekly down at the EWR, identifying with the riders and beginning to establish that rider/team and supporter bond.

 

Thinking about it? With a name like Nike Lunna our new Finn should be a promoters dream? The only hope being of course that he can actually live up to any hype? I appreciate he’s in a foreign country and young but perhaps he could be just the type of character to spark interest with the potential younger support?

 

Remember were not out there asking for a donation as such, we’re actually giving the public something and a chance to come along to the EWR and sample again what’s on offer. Hopefully they’ll like the entertainment and be back for more? Admittedly, it would certainly help, once they go, if the meeting was a thriller(fare chance with the 2015 lineup?) and on a great night weather wise with no hold-ups? But once there, the public have got to feel welcome, comfortable and able to get to grips easily with what’s going on. They can mark a race card but for those less inclined would a simple centre field score board help to show where we are going with the heat result and cumulative score? I don’t need it but it might help new comers?

 

Actually, how about for a little extra Scunny value for money we, as a club add an extra couple of heats after the main meet for the Scunny Rider of the Night? Finally always wang a cracker up!

 

How about a publicised fans open afternoon, press & practice day? Get the local press in etc.. but let folks have a look around, cordon off a walk through in the pits area, chance of a photo with a rider/ the team, supervised groups to walk the track and watch from the infield to get an entirely fresh perspective?

 

On race night, I do like Rob on the mike. I think most do and appreciate his downright honesty. I get him he’s my era, but how about expanding a bit and get say Carter or another rider/ex-rider(always someone wandering around?) to say few words intermittently about the racing, track, riders etc… as the meeting goes on? It helps to inform and keep things flowing.

 

I have attended baseball in the USA, not just the majors but also the minors & for instance Fort Myers Miracle. Not massive attendances at minor league baseball but I will say one thing, they know how to pull out the stops to put on a show to please and encourage the fans. Quality basic stadia and reliable weather help of course but they really seem to focus on involving the fans and particularly the kids.

 

There’s a Guy with the roving mike keeping everyone entertained and informed on everything Miracle. And to keep the show going during an innings break, there were on field games for the kids. Check out the season programme and there are regular theme nights, i.e. barbecue, free Bud night, free tee-shirt night, free flag night, free hat night, where basically local companies sponsor giveaway’s to the fans which all go to make it a little more interesting and enticing night for the supporter.

 

Basically watching the Scorpions has to become a habit and unmissable again, particularly for the folks of Scunthorpe.

 

Personally, I’m really looking forward to a great season and would like to wish everyone involved a safe and successful 2015!

 

Cheers all

[eric i]

On race night, I do like Rob on the mike. I think most do and appreciate his downright honesty. I get him he’s my era, but how about expanding a bit and get say Carter or another rider/ex-rider(always someone wandering around?) to say few words intermittently about the racing, track, riders etc… as the meeting goes on? It helps to inform and keep things flowing.

 

I agree more rider interviews in the intervals would be great.

In terms of getting more people through the gates I think there is still plenty of Hull Vikings fans that could be tempted back to the sport. Hull only takes half hour in the car and bridge is only £3 return, maybe some advertisement on the other side of the Humber might work....... Radio Humberside? Hull Daily Mail? Posters?

[Willowman]

Agree wholeheartedly that, for the converted, it is all about love of the sport. Personally, I was enticed back ......, particularly for the folks of Scunthorpe.

 

Personally, I’m really looking forward to a great season and would like to wish everyone involved a safe and successful 2015!

 

Cheers all

Quality well thought out and comprehensive post. Well impressed.

[Paul Johnson]

I like a lot of what broadsider says, promoting in tescos or morrisons is good,theres plenty of room for a display, or even the parishes?, its just getting a rider willing to do it and volunteers to hand flyers or vouchers for discounted entry out,if done professionally with proper logo'd shirts etc could be a winner,

i mentioned earlier about Hull, some do, its a massive market to tap into, i wonder if speedway has been dead too long there for people to come to us.?

Rob is brill on the mic, problem is he is jack of all trades but does it in his boiler suit, on first impression or from the away team you may wonder who he is?

A couple of friends from work have said that they would love to go to speedway but baulk when i say the price, best part of £20. entry fee and say food, so maybe a "bring someone new for a fiver night"? they will probably spend more on food and drink and they have a friend to ask what its about,if they get their ticket stamped and come back let them in for a tenner.its better to get them there and then say they dont like it than not going at all.

I dont know about other tracks but the pits are always accessable till about 7pm for people to walk around, maybe the riders could have "rider cards" i know Matt Williamson had some last year and the riders could hand them out to fans before they get busy, a bit of interaction to make the fan feel closer to a rider,

i have a friend who plays the guitar and he may play to enertain the crowd before the match.theres plenty of room near the ice cream van.

The Pa system from the refs box needs looking at ,as sometimes its goes on or off, but robs is fine,and i would like to see maybe 2 more bits of lighting, one for the concrete steps near the canteen and one for the seating as it gets dark and hard for people to fill in the prog,

Theres loads of things that can be done to make people feel part of the club, The raffle for one, as well as winning the money what about letting them watch a race from the middle? same if its your birthday or something, if you know someone is going to be there on their birthday or anniversary etc, give the club some notice and maybe the club could give them a card or view from the middle.

[Guest WTF1]

I like a lot of what broadsider says, promoting in tescos or morrisons is good,theres plenty of room for a display, or even the parishes?, its just getting a rider willing to do it and volunteers to hand flyers or vouchers for discounted entry out,if done professionally with proper logo'd shirts etc could be a winner,

i mentioned earlier about Hull, some do, its a massive market to tap into, i wonder if speedway has been dead too long there for people to come to us.?

Rob is brill on the mic, problem is he is jack of all trades but does it in his boiler suit, on first impression or from the away team you may wonder who he is?

A couple of friends from work have said that they would love to go to speedway but baulk when i say the price, best part of £20. entry fee and say food, so maybe a "bring someone new for a fiver night"? they will probably spend more on food and drink and they have a friend to ask what its about,if they get their ticket stamped and come back let them in for a tenner.its better to get them there and then say they dont like it than not going at all.

I dont know about other tracks but the pits are always accessable till about 7pm for people to walk around, maybe the riders could have "rider cards" i know Matt Williamson had some last year and the riders could hand them out to fans before they get busy, a bit of interaction to make the fan feel closer to a rider,

i have a friend who plays the guitar and he may play to enertain the crowd before the match.theres plenty of room near the ice cream van.

The Pa system from the refs box needs looking at ,as sometimes its goes on or off, but robs is fine,and i would like to see maybe 2 more bits of lighting, one for the concrete steps near the canteen and one for the seating as it gets dark and hard for people to fill in the prog,

Theres loads of things that can be done to make people feel part of the club, The raffle for one, as well as winning the money what about letting them watch a race from the middle? same if its your birthday or something, if you know someone is going to be there on their birthday or anniversary etc, give the club some notice and maybe the club could give them a card or view from the middle.

Must have read my mind with the bring a friend for a fiver, my only concern with this was how it would be implemented and not abused by current Scunny supporters, it's also true that the supporters have to be more involved in some way,

Although it would be good to attract support from such as Hull i tend to find that a large majority of supporters already come from out the area of Scunny, Scunthorpe like most towns and cities has a very high foreign population who are not interested in speedway and you would have more chance of prising out your teeth than prising £15 out of their wallet's (just do a car boot sale at Hemswell and you will know what i mean).

[Paul Johnson]

I think we we have to trust the supporter to bring someone new seymour, if they care about the club and want it to survive. my thinking was that when you pay to get in each paying adult gets a voucher " this voucher allows entry for £5 for a new supporter accompanied nb an existing supporter"

With the small crowd anyway, id like to think the lovely ladies on the turnstyles seem to know nearly everyone anyway.so a newbie would stand out, also if you were to abuse it are you really bothered about the future of Scunny?

Also i heard 2 ideas at last saturdays amateiur meet...1.. for say £18 you get entry, a programme and a small meal with a drink, 2,, it may be too late for this year but why not try season tickets? or a half season ticket for us on shift work? the club gets money up front and the supporter has already paid so if they dont turn up they are "robbing themselves" it would stop some from saying " oooh shall i go or not this week" or if moneys was tight you have already paid.

[June]

We need another " Kenny" he was approachable to every fan. If they wanted to know anything, ask any question fans knew he would be in the bar ( after the meetings ) for a chat. Riders used to go in too, don't think they do nowadays, not sure, even we stopped going. We haven't had a social get together. Didn't even have rider of the year. We didn't have a press meeting. A lots gone wrong with the club. even fans stopped going on the forum for fear of being told off. We need to put that back to how it used to be!

[montie]

. A lots gone wrong with the club.

 

What has really gone wrong with the Club?

 

Won the PL league, Won the NL, made playoffs,track of the year many times,always a competaive team and paid the bills!!!

 

Not a great deal wrong with that record i dont think

 

Problem is alot of the time is folk contiually puliing the club[not just Scunny,speedway clubs in general] down

[thebaron]

Blooming heck ! I think Broadsider has some excellent points in his epistle. Not hard or costly to implement most of it either; aside maybe the race suits. Although on the latter I agree a uniform image is easier to identify with. Not for old speedway sages like yours truly mind but for the newbie helpful for sure. Because most of us on here 'get speedway' we forget that to some one entirely new; they may not see what we see.

 

To us we recognise the Scorpions instantly but to the new guy; do they actually look like a team representing Scunthorpe?.

 

Basically a new supporter will be following the helmet colours. The race jackets cannot easily be made out; especially if mud splattered. I once saw a meeting where each rider had his helmet colour on a 'day glow' arm sleeve that was easy to see from the terraces. Is that a helpful little idea if race suits are too expensive.

 

Again very much looking forward to the new season. Hope everyone else is too.

[Shadders]

One of the best racing tracks in the country, usually track competitive sides and the second best pie & peas in speedway. If you can't attract crowds with that you're really in trouble

[June]

You got the point Montie! I now consider myself having been told off!!! ......The promotion, the track the racing & riders are all very good and Rob is brill with the mike.

[Albert]

On track, there's no problem at Scunny. Rob usually puts together a competitive team, track is normally top notch and the racing as entertaining as anywhere. Take away the team/racing element, things could be much improved.

 

Minor things.....Track facilities are improving slowly but some of the improvements made haven't had the desired effect. Take for instance the seating, there was a crying need for it...the elder supporters needed somewhere to sit, however the steps were made a tad steep and some of those supporters just couldn't manage to climb them. Result, they stop going.

 

Lighting could be better, on and off track. I hear of supporters not being able to fill programmes in because its too dark. The poor PA system, every week you hear complaints from supporters that hasn't heard announcements. Little things I know....but!

 

Time to take stock.. Look at what they do best now... whilst also looking back the past 9 years or even Quibel Park days to see what they did so well then....combine the good bits and ditch the bad.

 

I remember back to the 70/80's, our supporters club thrived, the social side of supporting our local team was brilliant. we had our own football team playing in the local sunday league, we had regular functions, our boxing night do's at the Baths Hall were legendary, always sold out. Loads of money was made and distributed to riders in need. Supporters felt part of it.

 

However, attempts to resurrect the supporters club were generally poo poo'd by the promotion, it was never felt wanted and never really stood a chance. Eventually I guess it gave in. Likewise, our forum which was once a nice pleasant site was ruined by a few individuals (or one particular poster from within the club, who posted under several names) basically killed it. Caused Apathy, Why?...June hit the nail on the head when she mentioned Kenny...he was the one person that recognised a need to engage with its supporters. He was so approachable, everyone this side of the fence got a 'hello' and he always made himself available for a chat in the bar after a meeting. He was a great ambassador for the club, one that will never be replaced.

 

Now more than ever, promotions up and down the country should EMBRACE their supporters, make them feel part of the their club. Too many fans fallen by the wayside because of ill feeling or whatever. Its these we need to win back, we can't afford to lose anymore.

 

Scunny supporters don't want to see the speedway fold, they are offering to help in anyway they can. Time for supporters and promotions to gel, work together...maybe together we can find ways of attracting more through the turnstiles.