Out of the 30k plus Wigan fans that turned up on Saturday how the hell do we entice the floating fan to become a regular?
Discounting the 12k that turn up at home games come hail rain or shine, there were approx 18k more Wiganers there on Saturday. I know some of this is down the RFL to increase the standard of rhe competition but there must be something the club can do to make game day more attractive.

I've often said that I think a couple of big-name signings would help.

That seems like a pretty pathetic comment after our patched-up team of homeboys won the Grand Final so heroically only two days ago, but I always think the main advantage of a marquee signing is the amount of shouting you can do about it.

Unbelievable though it may seem, I know people who still haven't returned to the Wigan fold since the end of the Hanley / Edwards era because they only want to watch stars. You may think those types worthless as fans, but if it's purely about getting bums on seats, it's got to be a policy now and then.

I reckon a major coup - and I'm talking about the unexpected capture of someone like Sam Burgress - would add 4,000 to the following week's gate.

Of course, in this day and age it isn't that simple.

stoping playing games on a thursday night would be a good start!

Agreed. Working 6-2 / 2-10 shifts means that Thursday games are a no-no for me every other week (I finish early on Fridays so that's not an issue).

I also think that on the gate prices are too high as well for casual/part-time/Category F fans. Think it's either £24 or £25 to go in the East Stand on match days so assume it's a bit more of the West and a bit less for the South.

Agree totally, also start playing some "non" sky games on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon! I'm sure this would attract more families to the game.

I'd agree with that.

I also don't think other game day experiences have a great deal of effect. I am talking about entertainment or activities pre-match and at half time. The main product is the game itself so you have to make that the best you can.

I think our average attendance will increase next season due to:

Good Friday v Saints at home (sell out).
Leigh at home bigger gate than Hull KR, in fact if they made this a 'Big One' match this could also very well sell out (or close to it).

It would not surprise me if the RFL made that fixture our first game of the season and if they do then not much chance of marketing it as the 'Big One'.

Spot on. One thing I do wish they'd bring back, though, is the under-age matches at half time. I used to enjoy them, and they did used to bring in quite a few youngsters (and parents, of course) to watch them, who could possibly be converted into fans. I also suggested in the survey that they (along with Latics, obviously) look at "safe standing", something which IL mentioned briefly in a recent Wigan TV interview.

Could be first of the season at Leigh and then near the end of the season at Wigan the big one.

I wonder how they're going to give out the 2 points at Magic? The assumption is that whoever plays Leigh will be gifted a win (although personally, I'd not count on that at all) and the loss of KR puts the whole contrived derby nonsense into a cocked hat anyway.

Hull vs Leeds
Wakefield vs Castleford
Huddersfield vs Salford
Widnes vs Catalan
St Helens vs Warrington
Wigan vs Leigh

Probably not a bad shout that - I still say it should be the CC 5th round though (although I've lost the will to live trying to work out the format recently)

A few ways to increase attendances:

1. Make ST no more than £200 in the West/East and £150 in the South. With the regular switching of games, less and less folk are willing to stump up front when there is a high probability they will have to miss 2-3 games of the first 11 home games, and possibly a couple of the super 8s. Ticket prices should be capped at £20 for West/East and £15 for South. True, it generates less revenue, but we don't have to pay for the upkeep of the stadium like Saints, Leeds & Wire do, so our admission prices should reflect this.

2. Play any non-televised home game on a Sunday afternoon up to the end of April and thereafter on Friday nights, taking advantage of the (slightly) warmer Sunday afternoons in Feb/Mar/Apr and slightly cooler Friday evenings in Jun/Jul/Aug.

3. Stick to the kick-off dates/times and if there is a potential clash with the football, let the fans know at the outset rather than maintaining radio silence for weeks on end. There's nothing more likely to alienate a casual fan than a lack of information.

4. Promote the least attractive games through Groupon etc to maximise attendance. As the ST holders will be getting a significant discount on the match-day price, then there is more opportunity to do £10 tickets for when the likes of Catalan, Wakey & Huddersfield play here.

More likey to pair Leigh with either Salford or Widnes, I think.

Wigan v Wire
Saints v Widnes
Leigh v Salford
Hull v Leeds
Wakey v Cas
Hudds v Catalan