Big stadium, small attenance. Where are you guys? A city like Richmond which supports so much soccer should have a larger fan base. Speak up! Why do the Kickers have such small attendance?
Unfortunately, like many other cities in this country, Richmond is not a big sports town. I've lived near it all my life, and nothing (short of the NASCAR races) really draws that well. Not really an excuse, as I'm at almost every game, but despite a successful team and one of the best front offices around, people just don't come out. I wish I knew the solution.
Unfortunately, the Richmond Speed (AFL2) even outdraws the Kickers. Well, let's see how we do for the USNT/New Zealand game on Sunday...
I heard they're expecting betwen 12 to 15,000 for Sunday. I wonder how many will stick around for the 2nd game?
Promotions I have not been in Richmond long, but I did come from Metrostarsland and have a few points. 1. Where are the team jerseys? How can you promote a team without offering jerseys to it's supporters. I use the Queen's English for this point because it is a more direct interpretation of what you and I do by paying $10 to show up. A fan is a machine that blows wind. A supporter shows up to a game so that a franchise does not fold. Charleston, Rochester, and many others have jerseys for their fans, why not us? 2. Promoting a sport involves more than having a reserves team and a Ukrops sponsership. I have yet to see a really cohesive grassroots promotions scheme. It just seems so slapdash. 3. Richmond supports sports. People will show up if they know. The Nats are coming in a matter of days and I have not seen one television, radio, or newspaper promo on it. Disgusting. Absolutely unacceptable marketing. The team that is going to the Confederations Cup and will play Brazil is going to this and there is nothing out there. Fans do not come because you set up the only lemonade stand for 40 miles. It's slack, arrogant, and simply incompetent of a frachise to sit on it's butt and EXPECT people to show up. I refer all to Rochester and Charleston to see how a professional club is run. Opinions? Rants? Hook me up.
I've been puzzled by the lack of advertising for the Sunday double-header. No reason not to sell this one out, but will take it as a wee victory if Richmond can top the 12,282 that managed to find their way to see USA / Wales in San Jose. That seems especially piss-poor. The Kickers attendance has been cursed with rain this year -- I missed the bushwhacking of Cincinnati but every other home game was in the rain, or drizzle, or just after a downpour. But even so it's a disappointment and I think the promotion could be a bit better.
Re: Promotions Dude...tell everyone how you really feel.... I see your point and it's a very good one. I understand the frustration and it's unfortunate.