I went to the Killie game on Saturday with my son and decided to sit in the Main Stand for a change so that we would get a better view of the game. £42 is a fair bit to pay for a day out during a recession but seemed worthwhile. We queued at the first turnstile and asked for one adult plus one under-16 ticket - "sorry, don't take cash, try turnstile 4" was the answer when we eventually reached the front of the line. Went to turnstile no.4 and joined the queue there - "sorry, no under 16 tickets, can only give you a £21 concession". So we decided to go to the North Stand as normal. On our way to the far end of the North Stand, two very kind lads (who we'd never met before) offered us spare complimentary tickets. So we got in to the game for free! Sorry ICT - you lost our £42 on Saturday thanks to your Main Stand turnstile ticketing policies which seem to act as barriers rather than entry points to the game!

We normally buy season tickets but decided to pick and choose our games this season after the shocking discipline we witnessed at home games last season - players sent off, penalties conceded and own goals scored. Well our team played a fabulous opening 20 minutes and showed some urgency after the break. Overall we were second best to Killie and fortunately got an ill-deserved 1-1 draw (although I accept that our new team will take time to gel - and some of our new guys look promising). And yes - deja vu - our team gave away a penalty (brilliantly saved by Ryan) and finished the game with 10 men after a bout of routine stupidity by one of our players!

Meantime, the Main Stand was sparsely filled and the North Stand less than half full. There were 3,012 people at the match on a beautifully sunny August day. Thankfully Celtic are here next otherwise we could expect a crowd of less than 3,000. So ICT, if you want better crowds, rethink your pricing/turnstile policy - and forcefully remind our players that the ill-discipline that results in things like sendings off and penalties being conceded will well and truly scunner your fans, prevent you from winning games, disillusion your supporters and lead to lower attendances!!

At least I didn't feel compelled to ask for my money back on this occasion!!

Was there not a study done a couple of years back where they took the population of each town and city, the amount of teams that place has etc, and it came out that ICT did fairly well in regards to the average attendance, compared to the size of the town? Presumably with this season's average attendance, it's probably more in line with every other team in the SPL.

Yeh think it was from our first season back up.

Think he's talking about the 'good old days' not te calderwood days

Aberdeen averaged nowhere near 24000 in the heady days of the 1980's .

Think he's talking about the 'good old days' not te calderwood days

Aberdeen averaged nowhere near 24000 in the heady days of the 1980's .

im just guessing. i dont know i wasnt there.

.

. Back when Aberdeen were sucsessful, they played to nigh on 24 000 for most home games,

Don't think so. Average gate was about 14000.

Well....im really remembering the European nights, when the place used to sell out. But even then...i reckon their average was more than just 14 000.....but hey...even then, it was a lot higher than todays attendances

Was there not a study done a couple of years back where they took the population of each town and city, the amount of teams that place has etc, and it came out that ICT did fairly well in regards to the average attendance, compared to the size of the town? Presumably with this season's average attendance, it's probably more in line with every other team in the SPL.

I remember this...and it was partly what i was basing my post on. I dont think we are in much worse shape than anyone else.

Out of interest, does anyone know countys attendance on saturday. It didnt look that many

County had over 4000 on Saturday , about 1000 more than we managed for our home fixture against Killie !!!

Why are people in such a rage about county getting 4000? The novelty will wear off soon enough.

Why are people in such a rage about county getting 4000? The novelty will wear off soon enough.

There is also the novelty factor for away crowds. I think away fans will choose an away day there over us just now as its all new. Once that passes numbers will drop.

County had over 4000 on Saturday , about 1000 more than we managed for our home fixture against Killie !!!

Killie also took about 6 times the number of fans. That said, there would likely have been more fans in the home end c.f. our game the other week.

Oddly enough, our games against Killie have never really been that well attended despite all the goals so the attendance, whilst disappointing, wasn't exactly unexpected.

I remember that study, where it expressed average crowd size as a percentage of local population - if I can find a URL, i'll post it.. We were on a par with most non OF sides. In 2010-11, we averaged 4526 (9th), 2011-12 4023 (12th) and this year so far 4556 (11th) so we are actually sliding around a similar area year on year. What that does mean is that we barely scrape by and there is nothing in the kitty for the investment that will improve matters on the pitch to where people will come back. It's a chicken and egg thing really. What it does indicate is that, as has been widely rumoured, Uncle Roy's investment across the bridge is not sustainable. We are seeing an initial surge in a new product that everyone (including away fans) want a llok at. Once they see that it's nothing special - and it's not - they will tail off and the crowds shared between the two sdes in the catchment area will stabilise.

Obviously give C(o)unty credit for pulling in a decent support for the size of the place compared to us , yes I know they come from all over Ross shire but still.....

OK that's enough credit!

When teams make their second visit of the season they tend to bring about half as many as the first visit. Loads of examples from our place of teams like Partick, St Mirren, Dunfermline and even Hearts & Hibs who couldn't be bothered the second time round. I don't think the cabbagemen will see 4000 again for the 6 teams outside of the Dons, Hearts, Hibs, Celtic and us. Especially if they keep getting 0-0. Mind you they could get up to their old tricks and I'll be wrong

give c#unty credit for feck all!!!!!! that is all

Why are people in such a rage about county getting 4000? The novelty will wear off soon enough.

Who's in a rage over County getting 4000 ?

Why are people in such a rage about county getting 4000? The novelty will wear off soon enough.

Who's in a rage over County getting 4000 ?

People I've spoken too. Usually part time fans I must say though. I always have to explain to them how it usually works but their always in denial about it.

if 4000 dwellers are in one place at one time every second saturday then less of them are settin up camp elsewhere.

thats a positive thing

I've been unable to get through to the ticket office the last 2 days , the lines always busy ! Has the number changed or is ir still 222880 ?

222880 is the reception (who can put you through). Direct line for ticket office/shop is 227451.

Our future is bright - the Orion Constellation still burns bright and will send down the meteor storms.

Thanks for that CaleyD , sorted now .

Our future is bright - the Orion Constellation still burns bright and will send down the meteor storms.

ps Happy 25th aniversary to the constellation crew, enjoy the weekend away.