Question Are We a More Committed Fanbase Now Than Ever Before?

[Voice of Reason]

I do think the premier leagues obscene image has turned the younger generatione towards lower league footie. Youngsters can feel a part of something at this level that they wouldn't experience higher up the ladder. Secondly they can probably get a season ticket for the price of a couple of visits to a premier ground. Let them get greedier and greedier and sufc and their like can benefit for years to come

 

[BALDY]

Am I right in thinking that the amount of "entitled fans" has been reduced?

 

[catholic blue boys]

Over half a million people live in the SS Postcode alone area is growing massively and lots of people don't want to watch premiership football.

If we get it right on the pitch the potential is massive

 

[The Original Tribal Chief]

It does seem that way, I've mentioned it before but we only got about 6,000 (including a fair few away fans) for our 'historic' first game in Div 2 against Bristol City. That's a disappointing attendance for us now in Non-League. We need to give this new fanbase something worth watching.

 

[CanveyCastle]

Agree G about the medical but the reference was to Hooly the self proclaimed idiot

I bet Mr Jones had one leg shorter than the other two.

 

[BEERMONSTER]

It does seem that way, I've mentioned it before but we only got about 6,000 (including a fair few away fans) for our 'historic' first game in Div 2 against Bristol City. That's a disappointing attendance for us now in Non-League. We need to give this new fanbase something worth watching.

Yes I was one of those 6000 and remember feeling disappointed that we hadn't seemed to have increased our fanbase, although I might be wrong but I think we did see more of the 'faithful' purchase a ST.
I do remember hitting the local pubs on returning from the Bury game, falling out the Railway way past 2.00am and I recall the apathy among a lot of the locals about what we had just achieved, it was a case of well it's only the 2nd division attitude, times have changed thankfully.

 

[Booma]

Post Covid I wonder if people initially started returning to local games/clubs to get back out, see friends, avoid long journeys with masks etc.

Coupled with the near demise of the club people thinking this might be the end so turning up for a final time and realising what they’ve been missing.

Finally the positivity from COSU and the engagement has undoubtedly brought a feel good factor back to the club, and the success of last season, if 1% of the “day trippers” come to more games next season that’s another 250 ish people a week. With continued success and engagement the fan base will continue to grow and become more committed.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Population of southend has increased by about 50k since the 80s and is set to continue to increase.

Parent can't afford to take the kids to West ham, arsenal, Chelsea or spurs etc. Tickets aren't easy to get.

We are a far more friendly and cheaper option for families.

Our support is fantastic. IF we had a newer stadium or one with bigger capacity and facilities then I'd expect us to average 10k in this league.

I still expect us to have between 7-8.5k average this season, which is amazing for a non league club.

 

[Bobby dazzler]

Do not underestimate the effect winning the playoffs at Wembley 10 years ago had on things. We took thousands of local kids who remained Southend fans and in that moment we gained a groundswell of youth who 10 years later are in their late teens or early twenties.
The fact Ron has gone has led to many old timers stepping back into the fold which has helped.
Back in the day we had a good following away but nothing like we have now. I think it was 42 of us who finally got to Grimsby away just before Xmas having been postponed days before for fog. Today’s away support is unmatched by anything I ever saw previously and that includes our promotion winning years.

 

[Tommy2holes]

Population is increasing and people are leaving premier league clubs duen to cost.

If we are doing well next season then I'd expect about an 8 average...

If and when the east stand is comolete the 10k average is possible.
.
Umt then, about 8k average is about mwx

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Numbers are UP, home and away.
Considering all that has happenened over the last ten years, some of the dross football, the state of The Hall; really quite remarkable.
But also the numbers aren't anything fantastic for a supposed City and catchment area;- I suggest Ipswich/Norwich comparison as a measure.
We are big fish in a small pond, or in the current (NL) set up a muddy puddle; get out of it and then will the crowds grow for Div4? or stay the same with a few more awayers?

 

[Leeboy]

Agree G about the medical but the reference was to Hooly the self proclaimed idiot

@Hooly didn’t like Graeme Jones?
He kept that quiet, never mentioned it…….

 

[fbm]

So many valid reasons, ownership and the new vision being right up there. For the first time since I don't know when (probably never in my supporting lifetime, which started in 1969), everyone, including the owners, seem to be pulling in the same direction.
I think there is a huge groundswell of optimism about what is to come, it's exciting and it really does feel like a new era for the club.
And, extremely reluctantly, I feel that one of the few good things that came out of RM's tenure was the introduction of the "Kid for a quid" scheme and the vastly reduced season ticket prices for kids is the Family stand. That got the club into the blood of the youngsters and we all know that once that happens, there's nothing you can do about it.

 

[lreed567]

I definitely think so, as others have pointed out the cost of the prem now has put people off and fans at our club I believe feel part of something rather than just a number.

 

[tsbl2000]

I'm no longer local (job moves away in the 1990's), but still come back to Essex to watch us when I can, and now I bring the grandsons. In the late 1960's and in the 1970's every sporting pupil in our school would go to Roots Hall on a Friday night when we played at home. On a Saturday we would either go to watch our First Division teams (if London based) or would be playing in the Southend and District League or Borough Com. The commitment to the team meant we talked about little else at school and would go on our own (Crewe etc) by train or go in the Away Club coaches to Col U, Brentford, Bournemouth, Cambridge etc. So, I was more committed then, but mainly because I was local and SUFC in the Billy Best era was my life (until the summer when I switched to Essex CCC).

 

[* ORM *]

I do think there is a an increasing trend across all leagues moving away from both the extreme prices of Premier League and the crap football on offer, VAR just one example.

I suspect the majority of attendances outside PL are on an upward trend but at the same time I’d put us in the top 10 percent of fan base increase over, say, a 10 year span. Purely a guess.

Notwithstanding that our fans, home and away, have been simply phenomenal. A reduced size FF would have been a disappointment because I’m sure we’d have filled a new stadium with 21st century facilities and corporate etc and a couple of promotions. Now COSU have got to try to do that in situ. Twice as hard IMHO

 

[BEERMONSTER]

Numbers are UP, home and away.
Considering all that has happenened over the last ten years, some of the dross football, the state of The Hall; really quite remarkable.
But also the numbers aren't anything fantastic for a supposed City and catchment area;- I suggest Ipswich/Norwich comparison as a measure.
We are big fish in a small pond, or in the current (NL) set up a muddy puddle; get out of it and then will the crowds grow for Div4? or stay the same with a few more awayers?

Fair points and I agree it is remarkable how our numbers are holding up, especially when you consider everything this club and fanbase have been through over the past decade. The loyalty is incredible.
On the comparisons to Ipswich and Norwich, I do think it’s worth remembering that the demographics historically are different. Both clubs have benefited from long periods in the upper leagues, with steady investment in infrastructure, stadiums, and squad, something we've unfortunately lacked for decades. They also had wealthy owners willing to put long-term plans into action, which has helped cement their status.
Geography played a big role too, limited transport links historically meant their local population was more ‘captive’ in terms of footballing loyalty, while we’ve always had to compete with the lure of London clubs just a short train ride away. That makes building and sustaining generational support harder.
Arguably we're only now beginning to reap the rewards of a truly generational fanbase, maybe 3rd or 4th generation support at best while they’re well ahead in that department. We have 30 years of missed opportunity to build real infrastructure at Southend, whether that’s training facilities, stadium upgrades, or community engagement.
That said, the fact we’re seeing growth now, despite being in the NL, suggests there’s real untapped potential here if we can just get things right off the pitch and a decent level of performance on it.
Let’s hope a more stable future lets us finally build on that and we too can reap the benefits that the likes of Ipswich & Norwich get from their populations today.

 

[EastYellowsNutter]

Fanbase has always been there but I think its about connection with the club, now the rat has gone and what we have been through has brought fans together, young and old we want to get behind Southend as we have all realised just how much this club means to us, nearly going out of business has played with our emotions and now that wave of happiness and love of our club is dragging alot of fans out of the woodwork.
Southend United is not just a club its part of life even if you don't get to games, you still in your heart love the club for what it means.
The memories I have from Southend will stay with me forever.

 

[Jai]

Fanbase has always been there but I think its about connection with the club, now the rat has gone and what we have been through has brought fans together, young and old we want to get behind Southend as we have all realised just how much this club means to us, nearly going out of business has played with our emotions and now that wave of happiness and love of our club is dragging alot of fans out of the woodwork.
Southend United is not just a club its part of life even if you don't get to games, you still in your heart love the club for what it means.
The memories I have from Southend will stay with me forever.

Agreed with this. We have a very compelling story. The triumph against adversity narrative has instilled a lot of pride in people in the city and also made a lot of people want to be a part of it.

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

Fanbase has always been there but I think its about connection with the club, now the rat has gone and what we have been through has brought fans together, young and old we want to get behind Southend as we have all realised just how much this club means to us, nearly going out of business has played with our emotions and now that wave of happiness and love of our club is dragging alot of fans out of the woodwork.
Southend United is not just a club its part of life even if you don't get to games, you still in your heart love the club for what it means.
The memories I have from Southend will stay with me forever.

This ^^^^^^^^ resonates with me @EastYellowsNutter. Particularly the 'highlighted' bit, I've been watching Southend United, on and off, all my life. Perhaps more recently, more off than on.

However, for the first time ever I have committed to a Season Card (West Stand) for the upcoming season. And I'm fancying this season's rather smart shirt as well, to add to my HI-TEC / Beaver (1991 / 92 season) one!

I guess, once a Shrimper, always a Shrimper...