Observations as a new supporter

[tom]

So I’m a newish follower because of moving to the area and thought I’d just share my observations so far as a new comer.

1. Eastleigh in terms of the playing squad is very similar to my team (Exeter) ex player’s 1st manager job, has a decentish 1st 11 plays good football at times, not sure about quality in depth or that stand out player though to get promotion. I like how the season tickets are affordable and long may it continue 

2. supporters seem friendly so far, a bit too nice maybe? Never seem to hear opposition clubs/managers/players get stick apart from odd referee decisions, .

3. More marketing and media content is needed. The club should invest in a full time media and marketing team to produce quality social media and web content and make the most of decent marketing opportunities in town. 

4. The ground could do with feeling a bit homely e.g. blue and white seats with Eastleigh fc on behind the goal or a giant flag? 

5. Better lighting outside the ground (agree this isn’t entirely the clubs fault) and promotion of of public transport or a shuttle bus directly to the ground might be useful. Comments on the website like supporters are encouraged to drive to the match aren’t really acceptable on this day and age I don’t think and puts off sections attend8ng,

6. Better use of scoreboard e.g. adverts, team lineups, other scores at half time etc. 

otherwise not a bad little set up 

PS Spotify is meant to be for personal use not publicly broadcasting music  

[spitfiresteve]

Welcome Tom. Good to have you on the forum and thanks for an excellent and perceptive post. Yes we operate on a small squad, partly through choice but also financial constraint now Stewart Donald has left. That's fine until you get a lot of injuries (currently Wynter, Reda Johnson, Greener, McKnight, Barnes all injured). Stewart Donald went for affordable and at this level it is the right way to go. When I first started watching 10-11 years ago it was in crowds of 300 to 500. I think current management will do their best to keep tickets affordable.

Would rather we were too nice than have some of the problems of other clubs - although we could be a bit noisier in our support! We did have one supporter banned for racist abuse the other season. Media and marketing is something some of us have moaned at the club about for some time. No presence in the town and little advertising. Web site is not great, programme is poor value (the one at Welling last week was better than ours). The club seems to concentrate on twitter as first port of call. And yes the use of the screen is poor, but then so is its reliability - we amuse ourselves with how long it will last during a game. I know the club is hugely frustrated over its reliability too. They did try putting the teams up with pictures earlier this season, and also playing a video of highlights of a previous game.

You might be interested that (I think) the green seats came from Exeter Rugby club. The longer term plan was to replace those temporary seats with a proper stand within the shed already built - with facilities such as loos and catering underneath. Unlikely to happen now unless we come into some money. As you can see there is a lot of development going on in the area surrounding the ground - hopefully in time this environment will get better -with lighting/footpaths. We also in my view need to make a second entrance to/exit from the car park. Many of us do drive but we share lifts so normally take a full car over. Don't get me started on just how bad public transport is around here - as an ex Londoner I know how good reliable and frequent public transport can make a big difference.
Your comment about Spotify is also interesting (we assume the club has the appropriate licences for playing music!) - there are times when we operate like an amateur rather than a professional club and we are certainly still learning.

But overall we are a great little club and have had a fantastic journey over the last decade.Hope you continue to enjoy your football at the Silverlake.