Saturday 21st August

[MadJohn]

We lack a county these days, and though we are still part of County Durham for ceremonial purposes, there is no other FL team. As far as Hartlepool Unitary Authority is concerned, our main rivals would be Sunday League outfits plus FC Hartlepool in the Wearside League. I have no doubt that some of those sides will be better organised off the pitch than HUFC, but none of them have ever reached the semi-finals of the northern section of the Sherpa Van Trophy. So we win.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Think you need a geography lesson, only the Sheffield clubs dwarf us in South Yorkshire not like we want to be associated with that place. But I’d be interested to know who the other 4 are?

Think I just showed my knowledge of all things Yorkshire by putting you in the south

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Think I just showed my knowledge of all things Yorkshire by putting you in the south

At least you didn’t say Lancashite

 

[SELatic]

Depends on your criteria and weighting towards the current moment in time. We’re a shadow of what we have been/could be but I would imagine our not-too-distant history couldn’t be matched by many at this level (fa cup semis, league cup final, couple years in the prem etc).

Based on where we are at the moment in terms of crowds etc we’re absolutely no bigger than most in the division.

We’re all where we deserve to be anyway - fourth division tin-potters

 

[Conker]

Depends on your criteria and weighting towards the current moment in time. We’re a shadow of what we have been/could be but I would imagine our not-too-distant history couldn’t be matched by many at this level (fa cup semis, league cup final, couple years in the prem etc).

Based on where we are at the moment in terms of crowds etc we’re absolutely no bigger than most in the division.

We’re all where we deserve to be anyway - fourth division tin-potters

A few on here need to read that, and accept it!

 

[Devon_Lad]

I'm not sure what you mean?

We averaged 8k last time we were in L2, last I checked average L2 attendances was roughly 4k?

Yea, in a promotion season. What were your attendances when you were relegated from this league? I doubt they were double the average that season?

You couldn't even sell out our small away and we're only an hour away from you.. I don't think you're as big as you or Joey make out.

 

[Chris FGR]

Think you need a geography lesson, only the Sheffield clubs dwarf us in South Yorkshire not like we want to be associated with that place. But I’d be interested to know who the other 4 are?

Going by his apparent knowledge of Yorkshire geography, could be Leeds, Hull, Middlesbrough and Real Madrid.

 

[Gassy]

Yea, in a promotion season. What were your attendances when you were relegated from this league? I doubt they were double the average that season?

You couldn't even sell out our small away and we're only an hour away from you.. I don't think you're as big as you or Joey make out.

Joey, yes. But me? Why, how big have I made us out to be?

Considering it seems that everyone agrees that we’re in the 2nd group behind Bradford, it sounds like you have more of an issue with our size than anyone else.

Regarding not selling out Exeter, can you not lie/make things up please? If you want to debate that’s fine, but let’s do so using facts and statistics rather than making it up as we go along, hmm?

 

[denzel ecfc]

Joey, yes. But me? Why, how big have I made us out to be?

Considering it seems that everyone agrees that we’re in the 2nd group behind Bradford, it sounds like you have more of an issue with our size than anyone else.

Regarding not selling out Exeter, can you not lie/make things up please? If you want to debate that’s fine, but let’s do so using facts and statistics rather than making it up as we go along, hmm?

You were given 1300 tickets and you turned up with 1059.

Thats a FACT for you.

What your club puts on Twitter is another matter

 

[Reremnart]

I`d be interested to see what kind of crowds Bradford would get if they paid normal prices for season tickets instead of what they have been doing and selling them dirt cheap hoping to make up the shortfall on food, programme and club shop sales. If it`s working for them and it certainly seems to be for a long few seasons now more power to their elbow but I remember going there several times after they dropped out of the PL and the Championship prior to this season ticket deal and seeing crowds around 7 to 8 thousand and for a city the size of Bradford thats not that good.

 

[Conker]

Bradford main problem is just being a notoriously under achieving club, Mansfield vs Bradford in L2 sounds right and that’s all you need to know!

 

[Gassy]

You were given 1300 tickets and you turned up with 1059.

Thats a FACT for you.

What your club puts on Twitter is another matter

Clearly you don’t understand the difference between selling out in advance, and those who don’t turn up on the day.

Man Utd sell out every game but only had 72k against Leeds in a 76k crowd.

Come on now, be sensible and use your brain. Just because you used capitals doesn’t change the fact that we sold out the allocation.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Going by his apparent knowledge of Yorkshire geography, could be Leeds, Hull, Middlesbrough and Real Madrid.

Suppose Real are a bit bigger

Funny enough in all seriousness though I don’t think Hull dwarf us at all, in fact controversially I think we’re a bigger club than them which I know many won’t agree with. Club size is somewhat subjective imo and depends on what era you were brought up on to some degree. When I started going in the mid 90’s we were constantly above Hull and their stadium was a complete dump, from the mid 00’s it changed but I still see them as a rugby town like Wigan who have just had a spell of being well run and over performing. If Hull and Wigan had spent as long as we have over the past 15 years in this league cheap tickets or not they wouldn’t have anywhere near the support. In fact Bristol Rovers would most likely be getting more fans and they’re in a two club city and play at something that looks like it should be hosting bargain hunt.

 

[Chris FGR]

Tbf Bradford have been to the semi finals of a European Competition, not many League 2 sides (or Hull) can say that.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

I`d be interested to see what kind of crowds Bradford would get if they paid normal prices for season tickets instead of what they have been doing and selling them dirt cheap hoping to make up the shortfall on food, programme and club shop sales. If it`s working for them and it certainly seems to be for a long few seasons now more power to their elbow but I remember going there several times after they dropped out of the PL and the Championship prior to this season ticket deal and seeing crowds around 7 to 8 thousand and for a city the size of Bradford thats not that good.

I believe last time we were in the championship we sold around 14,000, I can’t remember the prices as I was to young but think they were about £350. It dropped to about 8,000 when we were relegated to league 1 after 2 admins. League 2 we started the cheap campaign so don’t really have any clue how we’d do. Suspect about the same as league 1. The fact you think £200 for 4th division football is dirt cheap though is a reflection of how much football fans are ripped off, it’s probably about right for the football on offer which is often terrible.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Tbf Bradford have been to the semi finals of a European Competition, not many League 2 sides (or Hull) can say that.

I was devastated how shit we played against Zenit thought we’d win and got destroyed. Arshavins professional debut.

 

[Reremnart]

I believe last time we were in the championship we sold around 14,000, I can’t remember the prices as I was to young but think they were about £350. It dropped to about 8,000 when we were relegated to league 1 after 2 admins. League 2 we started the cheap campaign so don’t really have any clue how we’d do. Suspect about the same as league 1. The fact you think £200 for 4th division football is dirt cheap though is a reflection of how much football fans are ripped off, it’s probably about right for the football on offer which is often terrible.

Couldn`t agree more about being ripped off. Scunthorpe are changing us a buy on the day ticket price of £ 25 on Saturday. When you realise that it`s only 30 quid for an away ticket for the PL it`s not difficult to consider that a rip off.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Clearly you don’t understand the difference between selling out in advance, and those who don’t turn up on the day.

Man Utd sell out every game but only had 72k against Leeds in a 76k crowd.

Come on now, be sensible and use your brain. Just because you used capitals doesn’t change the fact that we sold out the allocation.

Don't you think its a bit odd that 250 of your fans didn't turn up when they supposedly had tickets.
When United turned up at our place, they were given 1300 tickets and 1300 turned up. Now THATS a big club.

 

[Gassy]

Don't you think its a bit odd that 250 of your fans didn't turn up when they supposedly had tickets.
When United turned up at our place, they were given 1300 tickets and 1300 turned up. Now THATS a big club.

Not really. Happens all the time with all clubs, it’s not difficult to comprehend.

Let’s have a quick google, shall we? Exeter Vs Plymouth 2019 - sell out. Attendance 700 didn’t show up. As I said, happens all the time.

You’re actually comparing us to Man Utd now on club size? Christ you’re desperately clasping at straws there

 

[loz]

Bradford main problem is just being a notoriously under achieving club, Mansfield vs Bradford in L2 sounds right and that’s all you need to know!

Fingers crossed, with a slight difference, it may seem even more right next year.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Not really. Happens all the time with all clubs, it’s not difficult to comprehend.

Let’s have a quick google, shall we? Exeter Vs Plymouth 2019 - sell out. Attendance 700 didn’t show up. As I said, happens all the time.

You’re actually comparing us to Man Utd now on club size? Christ you’re desperately clasping at straws there

I don't know where you made that figure up from.

 

[loz]

I`d be interested to see what kind of crowds Bradford would get if they paid normal prices for season tickets instead

Probably higher than you might think. The cheap availability over a few seasons turned out to be a good ploy as it really increased our loyal fan base. Just look at our away attendances 2 seasons ago when we were serving up absolute rubbish.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Joey, yes. But me? Why, how big have I made us out to be?

Considering it seems that everyone agrees that we’re in the 2nd group behind Bradford, it sounds like you have more of an issue with our size than anyone else.

Regarding not selling out Exeter, can you not lie/make things up please? If you want to debate that’s fine, but let’s do so using facts and statistics rather than making it up as we go along, hmm?

I'm not overly bothered by what your club tweets - The fact is you didn't sell out our away end and the tickets we gave you. Anyhow, you said you're a big club for this league - I'm just saying I don't think you are. It's your natural level. You've been between this league and the league above for pretty much all your history, with a brief trip to the league below. You get more fans than the average club but nothing spectacular or anything to rave about. Bradford, Vale, Swindon, Tranmere, Oldham, Northampton and potentially even Wallsall are all clubs i'd say are bigger than you. The idea that teams are going to play better because it's Bristol Rovers (Going back to what Joey said, not you) is laughable to put it politely. Opposition teams aren't going to bed on the Friday (or Monday) night excited because the second best team in Bristol is coming to play them.. You're just another tinpot league 2 club like the rest of us

 

[Devon_Lad]

I don't know where you made that figure up from.

I think he's confusing seats taken away for segregation as fans who didn't turn up - Checking stadium capacity and taking that away from the attendance doesn't show you how many people didn't turn up, lol...

 

[Devon_Lad]

Not really. Happens all the time with all clubs, it’s not difficult to comprehend.

Let’s have a quick google, shall we? Exeter Vs Plymouth 2019 - sell out. Attendance 700 didn’t show up. As I said, happens all the time.

You’re actually comparing us to Man Utd now on club size? Christ you’re desperately clasping at straws there

Oh look, everyone who decided to not turn up all happened to sit together at the end between the home fans and away fans. Maybe their bus broke down on the way.

 

[Indian Dan]

Ridiculous to say Northampton and Walsall are bigger clubs than Rovers. Oldham, too, probably although their not too distant history gives them some kudos.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Ridiculous to say Northampton and Walsall are bigger clubs than Rovers. Oldham, too, probably although their not too distant history gives them some kudos.

Depends again on what you define as a big club, the history, fans, facilities? Rovers ground is the worst of the lot* (bar Oldham, their history gives them status above Rovers, surely?) - that being said, i do like the terrace.

*In upkeep and facilities, not size

 

[SELatic]

Ridiculous to say Northampton and Walsall are bigger clubs than Rovers. Oldham, too, probably although their not too distant history gives them some kudos.

From what I can tell on Wiki (yeah, I know) we’ve spent more than double the amount of time Bristol Rovers have in the top two tiers.

However, there’s no doubt they’re in a far better place than we are at this moment in time and they’ll be back at that level sooner than we will given our situation which comes back to the point that it depends on what your criteria is.

 

[Indian Dan]

Depends again on what you define as a big club, the history, fans, facilities? Rovers ground is the worst of the lot* (bar Oldham, their history gives them status above Rovers, surely?) - that being said, i do like the terrace.

*In upkeep and facilities, not size

I said in a previous post, I reckon it’s potential. Stick us or Rovers in a decent stadium and we’d have a chance of bettering ourselves quite a bit. Some clubs it would just be like putting lipstick on a pig.

 

[MadJohn]

I spent a lot of time in Hull in the late 90s, and I'd agree that it never seemed to be a big football place, though I did spend most of my time in quite studenty areas (Bev Rd/Newlands Av/De Grey) where many of the residents weren't locals. That said, their attendances have always held up pretty well. Pools have never played a match there with a sub 3k attendance, something we've done several times at Bradford (even sub 2k). The record attendance to watch a Hartlepool league match was at Hull, a Div Three (North) game with an attendance of over 35000