Airwair Survey Results
The following is a copy of the Report we have sent to the club following the Survey undertaken at the end of December to find out what Peter De Banke supporters thought of a possible switch of ends. We said we'd share the results as soon as we could - so here they are !!
The content of the Report will be discussed at the next Supporters Group meeting which is planned for mid-February, so we have no response from the club as yet, I think they may have more pressing things to think about at the moment ;o) !!
I think it is all fairly self-explanatory. Any response from the club will be posted up on the messageboard. There are no surprises in the findings to be honest !!
If you have any comments please feel free to ask questions on the messagebaord or email me on diamondpigman@aol.com - or those that know me, ask when you see me in Strikers!!
Cheers
Pigman_RDFC
"We're the Airwair over here"
Summary of Feedback Received from Fans Survey
1. Aim of this Report
This report aims to present the findings of a Survey recently conducted by the Rushden and Diamonds FC “Supporters Group” (made up of volunteer representatives from the Supporters Club, Independent Supporters Association and www.rdfcnet.co.uk).
2. Background
In October 2004 Jane Corby, External Affairs Manager R&DFC, approached the Supporters Group and asked for our views on a possible change of ends, switching home fans to the Airwair Stand and making the Peter De Banke Terrace (PDB) away fans only. This would effectively make the stadium an all-seated ground for home supporters.
We decided to undertake a survey of supporters in the PDB to find out what supporters thought of the proposal. We recognised that it would be an extremely emotive subject for supporters.
As part of the consultation exercise the club, at our request, agreed to allow PDB Supporters to have the opportunity to sample the “Airwair Experience” on the 27th November vs Macclesfield Town. The aim of this was to enable supporters to give their views having had the opportunity to try the Stand out at no extra cost.
Sadly the take-up of this offer was very low, estimated at approximately 70 supporters on the day.
3. Survey Method Used
A Survey Questionnaire Form was developed by the Supporters Group. The club offered the incentive of a new away shirt as a lucky dip prize to try and encourage supporters to complete the forms. The winner was drawn by Jane Corby and has already been notified.
Approximately 430 questionnaires were given out at the Scunthorpe United game on the 18th December 2004. Supporters were asked to return them by the 26th December 2004. Questionnaires were handed out at the turnstiles and only people attending on the 18th December were issued with the forms.
A disappointing total of just 77 completed forms were returned (17.9%).
We aimed for a return rate of 20% (84 forms), which we believe is what would normally be expected for this type of survey. Although we fell just short of this figure we were close enough for the results to act as a reliable source of information.
This report provides a valuable insight into what supporters think of such a proposal.
4. Results of the Survey
The following is a summary of the findings:
Question 1: How often do you attend matches and stand in the Peter De Banke Terrace?
1-10 times a season 1 (1.3%)
11-20 times a season 8 (10.3%)
20+ times a season 68 (88.4%)
Question 2: Are you a season ticket holder in the PDB?
Yes 53 (68.8%)
No 24 (31.2%)
Question 3: Did you take advantage of experiencing the Airwair Stand on the 27th Nov 2004 when we played Macclesfield Town FC?
Yes 18 (23.4%)
No 59 (76.6%)
Question 4: The big question – are you willing to change ends and make the Airwair Stand a home only end?
Yes 9 (11.6%)
No 62 (80.6%)
Maybe 6 (7.8%)
Question 5: If you answered no to question 4, please state the main objections/concerns you have in the space provided below:
From the comments provided the main thrust of the argument against changing ends is as follows (in no particular order):
• Preference to stand, don’t like sitting down;
• Increased costs, the Airwair Stand is more expensive and supporters resent being asked to pay more for a seat they don’t want;
• Flexibility of bringing friends and standing where they like, not so easy to organise in seated areas;
• Ability to move around if smokers, people swearing etc are affecting enjoyment of the game;
• The Airwair Stand is more exposed to the elements (wind/rain);
• Seats are uncomfortable for taller supporters;
• The position of the sun was raised by many, along with the realisation that there was nothing the club could do about this – but it was a big factor for many.
• The fear that the camaraderie/special atmosphere a terrace forms will be lost;
• Supporters will naturally stand in the seated area, thus increasing the possibility of conflict with stewards and of course creating a health and safety risk;
• Supporters leaving the match early will affect enjoyment;
• Easier to keep warm when standing;
• Perception that the stewarding of away fans is easier if they are located in one area of the ground, rather than seats and a terrace;
• Loss of bar and catering facilities for away fans, thus lost revenue for the club;
• There is currently no evidence/information being provided by the club to back up the need for the change to be introduced.
(Note: We haven’t listed the actual comments made as they were somewhat repetitive).
There were a small number of people who said they may decide not to come to games in future if this move were to become a reality.
Question 6: If you answered no how would you measure your opposition to a move on a scale of 1-6 (6 being firmly opposed, 1 being slightly opposed):
1 1 (1.3%)
2 1 (1.3%)
3 2 (2.6%)
4 5 (6.5%)
5 13 (16.9%)
6 41 (53.2%)
No answer 14 (18.2%)
Question 7: If the club were to address the majority of your objections/concerns, would you support a move?
Yes 6 (7.9%)
No 42 (54.5%)
Maybe 22 (28.5%)
No answer 7 (9.1%)
Question 8: If you answered maybe to questions 4 and 7 (or both), what steps would the club need to take to enable you to support the move?
From the comments provided the main objections/concerns that would have to be overcome are (in no particular order):
• Remove some seats and provide a standing area in the Airwair Stand (or create a standing area elsewhere in the ground);
• Make the stewarding more relaxed for people who did stand for periods of the game, effectively providing an area towards the back of the stand where standing would not be frowned upon;
• Introduce unreserved seating to allow easier mixing with friends and guests, there was a genuine fear that unless this was allowed there would be a loss of atmosphere/enjoyment for those attending;
• Reduce the ticket price, probably no more than is charged in the PDB at present;
• Need for supporters to be convinced of the financial case for the move – the club need to prove it will benefit them financially and is necessary to do for its future survival;
• Remove parking charges in car park behind the Airwair Stand;
Question 9: Would you want there to be a Special Fans Forum Meeting to enable supporters to discuss this issue in more detail?
Yes 55 (71.4%)
No 22 (28.6%)
Question 10: Would you attend such a Forum Meeting if one were organised?
Yes 49 (63.6%)
No 28 (36.4%)
We also asked an additional question asking if respondents would be interested in joining a fund-raising committee. 3 supporters replied that they would be interested in helping out; their contact details have been supplied to the club.
5. Summary of Feedback
68.8% of respondents were season ticket holders, 88.4% attended more that 20 home games a season. Only 23.4% of those who replied had tried out the Airwair Stand on the 27th November, although some commented they had tried it before and didn’t like it.
When simply asked the question “are you willing to change ends” the vast majority (80.6%) of respondents said no. 54.5% of people still said no to the move even if the objections/concerns they had could be removed, a large number (28.5%) still said only “maybe” even then, only another 6 (7.9%) said they would support a move in those circumstances.
Strength of feeling amongst those saying no to a move showed 53.2% were firmly opposed (marked it 6) and a further 16.9% were just one point off of that.
The evidence provided by this survey provides only a snapshot of opinion from a very small sample. On average we estimate there is approximately 500 people attend matches and standing on the PDB. A response of only 77 means these results need to be treated with a little caution.
There is, however, strong anecdotal evidence to indicate there is considerable opposition to this move. Messages on the www.rdfcnet.co.uk message board, whilst not forming part of this survey, threw up many people saying they would stop coming if they were forced to sit, they felt their enjoyment of the game would be affected to that extent. Whether or not this is just bravado on their part we don’t know, but with low attendances at the present time it would seem foolish to attempt something that could potentially further erode our support.
There was strong support (71.4%) for a Fans Forum to discuss the issue further and 63.6% of respondents said they would attend.
We think the feelings of many supporters are summed up by the comments made by one supporter. These were “I have stood on the PDB for many years and would like to stand there for many more!! I choose to stand because I prefer to watch football that way and I feel more comfortable. However, I want a club to support and if the club are able to convince me that unless the move was implemented its existence would be in jeopardy, then I would sit”.
It is down to the club to make a convincing argument. We feel there are many supporters who feel like this, but who haven’t participated in the survey because the club haven’t expressed an opinion on the matter at present.
Recommendations
Looking at the evidence to hand from this survey we recommend the following:
• There is no further consultation at this time. Attendances at present show there is little to be gained financially. There is unrest enough amongst supporters about results on the field without fuelling further dissent with issues off it – especially at a time when the extra seats are not required;
• Should the situation change and marketing initiatives prove successful and the club need to consider a move in the future, and have sound financial evidence to back up the need for such a move, we recommend they call a Fans Forum and explain these reasons in an attempt to win over hearts and minds. The results of this survey show that the argument “for” will need to be a compelling one to do so;
• The results of this survey are shared with the supporters via the Official Website, rdfcnet.co.uk and the match day magazine.
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