I would like to add my views as a long time fan/previous employee.
On Stewarding: Mark an I have had numerous disagreements in the past on this issue, we almost never agree but I always come out of the discussion knowing a lot more than when it started. They have a really tough job in upholding some pretty extreme ground regulations but I think the true failure is not properly communicating with fans.
There are frankly, too many rude stewards.
The issue is not what they are doing it is how they are doing it. People stood in the walkway will happily move if asked nicely, but from my experience they rarely are. We have some great stewards at ASFC but unfortunately I believe they are outnumbered by the ones that have no issue with either being apathetic to the customers/fans experience or are blatantly aggressive or rude. This is something that has gone on for a long time is in my experience actually getting worse as the steward/fan relationship deteriorates, especially on the Clayton end.
On getting fans in:
Giving free/cheap to kids is a must and should be kept up, I honestly think he crowds would be much more embarrassing if the club had not been doing this over the last 8 or so years. Giving free/cheap to adults is almost pointless, there are too many who do not value Stanley enough to pay. We need to add VALUE to the experience rather than lowering the price. Too many walk away with bad experiences that have nothing to do with the result.
On the OSC:
I have been a long time critic of the OSC and will continue to be if it continues to exist as it does. The fans decided to cancel the meeting because the Founders Lounge was unexpectedly locked up? The Crown is literally a 2 minute walk away! The OSC has for a long time committed more time to criticisng the club than doing any hard graft to help it. I think there are good intentions but they rarely come to anything positive. The numbers at OSC meetings are shockingly low and that is because fans do not value what goes on. I am not blaming anyone individually, but seriously, 5 or 6 people turning up to meetings for the OFFICIAL supporters club, then cancelling rather than seeking refuge in a different nearby location?
To summarise, people bring people. The club can do any sort of promotion (Torquay game for free didn't even fill the ground) but in reality the only thing that is going to increase attendances is if we as fans pressure people we know to come along, pay their money and get hooked. We need to make it part of peoples routine. The supporters club needs to start generating support, the stewards need to learn how to speak to people and we need a cup run.
Adios
