When the club in the 90s were successful the large part of the big crowds were on the back of free kids places and schools being involved.
As we are on the up again would it be a good idea to get some free tickets out in the schools and handed out in town on a Saturday.
An idea would be "2 free kids with one paying adult"
Kids make for a great atmosphere with there shouting and screaming.
This may entice a few adults who would bring there child and maybe a friend along who cant afford the £5 which is charged for under 16s.
It worked when there was money around in the 90s, but could work even better now that there is not as much spare cash around.
The club would know how successful it was by how many tickets came through the gate to how many were handed out.
Only an idea, anyone else with any thoughts?

Good idea and in my opinion the club can't lose. Naturally kids under 6 are free so it would need to be targetted in the right areas but given the work that Obst, Korky and Co do it's worth a crack.

Could not agree more,times are hard,target the Halifax and Batley games I would go even further 2 kids for free and accompanied by up to 2 adults at £10 each,I know its a little tough on us season ticket holders but for me its worth a go.
The Batley game, is the game I would target the most,the Olympic Torch is due through town around 15.40pm,move the kick off to 17.30pm,The streets will be packed hand out the free tickets in the afternoon,use volunteers,reserve players who ever is at hand,plus as you said hit the schools and town in the weeks leading up to the game,and advertise there is a game of Rugby League on as well as the Olympic torch,come on Cougars June is the month to start winning the fans back.

Theres no need to upset season ticket holders.
£14 is a fair price to pay with 2 kids in for free.
As well as the gate money theres drinks, crisps and maybe a beef burger or a pie.
Halifax would be a great game to target as there will be a big crowd.
Theres nothing to loose exept the cost of printing the flyer with the tickets on the bottom.
Anyone that uses the tickets at the gate give them another ticket for the next home game.
We need to target new fans, not just rely on the old faithfull.
What better time than now.

This

The Kick Off should definitely be moved so folk can see the torch.

Seeing as though it is an event that we'll probably never see again in Keighley in our lifetime I'd go as far as handing out a couple of thousand adults in for a fiver vouchers and try and get a huge crowd down at CP.

I would agree on reflection,fiver sounds a great idea,just hope the powers that be have the bottle to go for it, its a chance we have to take on a once in a life time opportunity with the Olympic Torch being in town.

So what time would you think is right? Before or after the HALIFAX ATHLETE carrying the torch passes through KEIGHLEY?

It's a shame that Keighley doesn't have anyone deemed fit to carry the OT through their town but Halifax has so many that they have to encroach on us! Halifax 6 Keighley 0!

That said, we need to build on the work being done by the players in the schools.

Couldn't Ikram Butt become involved to develop the potential in the local schools?

Definitely think they need to take advantage of the crowds for the Olympic torch....

Getting kids into the game is the best way forward for the club. My friends at secondary school had been part of the coach trips of the early 90's, they made me interested in the game and then I convinced my Dad to take me to the first game of '96 season. Basically I think kids at school have a much better chance of spreading the word than someone later in life in the workplace.

How many people from Keighley were nominated to carry it?

May be wrong but I'm sure I read somewhere that John Dennis ,who has done amazing things for sports participation in the Keighley Area , was nominated but not chosen , if thats the case then there is surely something badly flawed with the selection system !!

If you are in a roundabout way refereeing to the old nugget of the getting the local Asian Population interested in the game ...????

Its a massive ask , and while he is not involved with any of the Foundation Schools Programme , Your Sporting Chance based at the Club does have Ash Choudry , a highly experienced local Youth worker , as operations manager . Ash has taken on the voluntary role of Equality and Diversity Officer for the club alongside his other duties with YSC and has plenty of valuable contacts within the local Community.

Also I'm aware the Foundation has an excellent working relationship with Saima Hussain, Saima was a winger of the Keighley Cats Ladies team for many years and also the first Asian Female to take up Open Age Rugby League , her skills eventually finding her a place on the GB team. She has worked in sports development for many years and is always happy to help and advise her home town Pro Club in voluntary capacity.

Small steps but in the right direction..

You maybe right that the system is flawed. I'm sure I read somewhere that Steve Prescott was nominated many times to carry it through St Helens but didn't get the honour.

Then again, as we don't know the criteria, it maybe that the ones carrying the torch are more deserving of the honour.

When you get Will I AM and a footballer carrying it.
You know the whole things a farce.

There is someone from Keighley carrying the torch but sadly not through our town..... See this... www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/news ... the_torch/

There is someone from Keighley carrying the torch but sadly not through our town..... See this... www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/news ... the_torch/

So Rach, why don't the Cougars tell everyone about it?

For 'outsiders' (and a supporter like me for over 50 years) then information like this needs to be made public.

That said, we still need to convert the effort into crowds!

Over to you!!!