West Ham Fans

Not sure of the solution to this problem but I can say that I have seen men go into West Ham with season tickets bought at youth prices and there is no one to check, so if they are going to do something more to get the kids to the games they better enforce it as well, otherwise the average age will stay the same and gate receipts will drop.

Good stuff and I definately think your right about the reduced atmosphere. I didn't realise the average fan age was so high. I wonder what the average age was in the 80's? Lower I would bet. I think the older the crowd the less their rabid enthusiasm will be as a group. I'm not saying they are any less knowledgeable but they will, by the nature of their past experiences have experienced numerous 'false dawns' and they are likely to be more reserved in their vocal and unquestioning backing. As someone who operates in an industry where the average age in 53 (!) then the next generation is definately something that has been highlighted in the trade press. The root cause of the problems is different (prohibitive cost for football v. crap job no-one wants to do anymore) but the solution is equally unclear. Personally, I would like to see a greater reduction in kids prices but unfortunately the is NOT gonna happen while demand is so high. I know kids have The Premier League rammed down their throats by all forms of media but if they don't experience it for themselves they are not going to become the next generation of true fans. The clubs need to stop looking beyond the end of their noses and going for short-term gain and thinking about the future...more chance of Boa Morte scoring 25 next season!!

Pricing the working Man out of Football is a topic on many lips at the moment and it is a concern that a lot of potential supporters could be getting priced out of the game. I remember the excitement of going to my first West Ham game with the Old Man and that was it hooked on the Hammers for life. I would imagine that Mums & Dads have a few lively discussions over whether to renew season tickets and also whether you make your kids part of it. I don't get to UP that often now B but have you noticed a different type of supporter being attracted to games over the last few years. Is the working Man and his kids being priced out of the game to be replaced by the corporate type who see attending Football just as an extension of their working week. Watching from afar it has concerned me at the lack of atmosphere at home games but as Bas has pointed out we can still raise it for certain games. When we do the atmosphere is second to none but just does not happen enough and how bad is it when you can hear the away supporters taunting us. In general we still create a decent atmosphere at most away games and you do see a decent number of kids attending. You are correct the price is generally cheaper especially at some of the Northern games. Both my Boys have got the bug now and want to both attend many more games this season which the Missus is overjoyed at. I showed her the televised games last night and I could tell she had a little smug smile on her face when she saw that a lot of the games I was planning on going to were on a Monday night. It won't stop me going but may have to think twice about taking the youngest with school the next day. Is this another factor with the atmosphere with the increasing number of games on TV with Kids happy to watch at home & Dad happy to watch down the Pub. To conclude style of Football is also obviously important & Curbs needs to deliver better entertainment this season but unless the spiralling price of watching your team is halted many supporters of all teams will be lost to the game.

Very good point and one which i've never really considered before. It may well apply to a number of teams. The thing for me is, i dont care how old you are be it 9 or 99 when your at upton park and the team are playing good football i dont think theres anyone who will lack in passion, enthusiasm, support and voice. The atmosphere in the 2nd half against man utd this season was a prime example of that, that was the loudest i'd heard all season and rivalled that of the Bolton game the year before when Tevez run the show. If the football produced, matches the passion of every person inside that stadium there would never be a problem. For me the over riding factor is whether the team give the fans something to get behind right from the off, in fairness over the last 2 seasons that just hasn't happened.