Many apologies if there is also some scheme like this already going at Stanley that I don't know about (which is highly likely !), but as I don't live in the area and can generally only attend away matches, I wanted to try to help as much as I could by at least seeing what we might be able to borrow in the way of ideas from other clubs.
This posting has been blatantly copied direct from the Torquay United site in response to the cost of a child being a "mascot" for the day (which I know Stanley have), but the writer goes on to talk about what happens at Doncaster Rovers in relation to children (the next generation of Stanley supporters), and I was wondering if there is anything which we could usefully take from this ?
TAKEN FROM THE TORQUAY WEBSITE (sorry about the alignment - am no computer expert here !
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OK here's an alternative perspective, and one that I have first hand experience off as it is my job, and also why I have been so busy for the last few weeks I have hardly posted.....
At Doncaster Rovers the matchday mascot package is totally free, and this includes 1 child and 2 adult match tickets, stadium tour, free 6 x 4 colour photo of the picture with the captains and also a disk with all the pictures of their day on. 9 times out of 10 we will also get them a photo with their fav player, always a photo with the fluffy mascot (donny dog) and all they have to do is wear there kit (and it can be any kit not just this seasons).
HOWEVER the only way to be a mascot is to join the "Junior Rovers" club. This costs £5 per year and for each game we draw out upto 4 kids to be mascots. There are also other benefits to joining like a team poster, pin badge, signed birthday card & membership card, plus we run other social events like last weeks "Spooky Skate" party at the local ice rink.
At present we have about 350 kids enrolled in Junior Rovers and this is growing. On balance the whole thing just about pays for itself and is helped because we get sponsorship and support from businesses (i.e. the ice rink gave us the venue free for the Google Page Ranking).
What we gain as a club is not just the (massive) goodwill of the 350 members and their families, but we have all their fanilies data on our database so we can mailshot them with upcoming events, kit launches, etc that bring in money. Junior Rovers also get a discount in the club shop and we track how much they & their family spend (cos they show their membership card) and trust me its a substantial amount.
As I said this kind of breaks even over the year, and all it takes is someone to have a bit of vision and time and effort to get it up and running. Although I am employed by the club, Junior Rovers only takes up about 5 hours a week of my time and I am helped on matchdays by 3 volunteers who sign up new members, run the ground toursm etc. Now OK we can make the hard £65 by doing a direct sell, but I ask which would you rather have - a few disgruntled parents and about £1500 of income or 350 very happy parents and the same amount?
This is just one example of many things that our club could do so much better without any massive expense or risk, simply by employing a professional person and having the vision, desire and positive attitude to marketing the club which we just dont have. Lets hope Mr Roberts is able to sort it out in the summer....
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