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HARTLEPOOL v SCUNTHORPE UNITED MATCH PROGRAMME NOTES 12-8-08
Football has been, and always will be, the major sport to me. However, perhaps football should look at other sports to see how they market and price themselves.
I have always firmly believed that you should support your local side but as we know, the shirts of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea etc are often more prevailent in the schoolyards than those of the local team.
A kid can now watch his Premier League favourites on TV on a Saturday lunchtime or Saturday evening and the appeal of actually going to a game is less than it used to be in my youth.
Mid-week fixtures often clash with Champions League games on the TV and the first round of the Johnstone Paints Trophy usually has less appeal than the chance to watch Barcelona v United to most supporters (beyond the hardcore).
The big boys have no concern for the rest of football as their millions continue to roll in from TV revenue. Their games will continue to be spread across the week so they get maximum TV coverage.
This leaves no time for the rest of football to arrange games when fans do not have an armchair alternative.
The truth is that football in the lower divisions is often far more entertaining and players are less dishonest than their highly paid colleagues in the Premiership.
Cricket is one sport that has reinvented itself of late. The Twenty20 format has proved not only far more entertaining than the three/four/five day game but has been priced correctly and marketed well.
What can football do to make the game more "sexy" and appealing to the stay away fans? Well probably not a lot in terms of the game itself but the pricing structure has to reflect the affordability of fans.
More initiatives need to be made in the schools to get youngsters into the habit of going to games. As always though a successful side will attract higher attendances and greater revenue for the manager to strengthen the squad.
On the subject of success, tonight's Carling Cup game presents an ideal opportunity. The tie comes quickly after Saturday's opening game and it is another admission price to find. The attendance is likely to be down on that for a normal League game and perhaps understandably so.
It is, however, a vital game to both clubs. This is not for the chance of lifting the Cup, but in terms of income. Success tonight and the chance of drawing one of the big boys in a money spinning game in the next round is so important.
Despite a potentially smaller crowd, night games often produce a better atmosphere. So let's get behind the team and hope that they respond and get the luck of draw in the next round this weekend.
Enjoy the game.
Catch me on my Football Phone in from 6-7 pm every Saturday on Alpha 103.2 and call me on 01325 25 55 55.
To read my other columns or listen to the shows online go to my website.
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