Spanish football clubs do stuff like that. On top of the free programme at most grounds, they'll give away hats, t-shirts, flags (all sponsored as well as having the club logo on) as an extra incentive to pay to watch the match.

So, say, a cheapo baseball cap with the logo on the front, then a sponsor on either side pays for itself. Extra publicity for the club, the sponsors, and you give them away on a telly game and every shot of the crowd has an extra advert for the sponsor....

In some marketing situations, I wouldn't disagree with a lot of your post; in this one however, I think that Ted and co have already devalued the product to such an extent that normal rules do not apply. Watching WTW currently has no value for the vast majority of the population of Wakefield, including large numbers of people who used to pay to do so, but have been disenfranchised to such an extent that they've voted with their feet.

In that circumstance, freebies, special offers and other incentives are a perfectly valid and reasonable way to get stay-aways and new supporters through the gates again; if that's done in conjunction with strengthening the squad, improving customer service and upgrading the facilities, the hope is that when the lost souls are sufficiently bought in, the product can once again be priced appropriately without fear of them walking away again.

For now though, there's a big job to do in terms of regaining the trust and confidence of the stay-away supporters - I think Mr Glover and his team are getting it about right and if that means a few more freebies and a slight devaluation of my ST, that's probably okay.

I know what you mean, the problem is when things are sorted and the value is back are people going to willing to pay for it and return AG his cash. Short answer, many fans are fickle, have short memories and shorter pockets and won't pay just moan and conveniently forget. Sad but true IMHO

i am not a fan of free tickets but to enhance the match day experience is a must. Like what the club have done so far with the chocolate offer as well as the £2.00 per pint but it is the stay-aways that need to come back. it is the ones who said i am not giving another penny to the club whilst TR is in charge. Well guess what - he aint anymore but I still don't see them flocking in. Makes you wonder if they were all talking big words but are simply not that bothered.
people seem to forget, a big home crowd would spur up the team and also boost the takings at the club. win in me thinks.

I know what u r saying, but I call it experienced not cynical. As someone who has been involved in various fund raising schemes over the last 20+ plus years I know what Wakefields fan base is like and how mean spirited many of our fans are. It's nothing to do with Ted either it goes way back. I could give you numerous examples but I will give you just one to prove it,

Squadbuilder! Leigh RLFC inspired us by gaining 1000 members paying on average £1 per week towards young local players. Both their and our Squadbuilder were fully independent of the club. This was common knowledge, we leafleted, e-mailed, advertised in the match day program and had lot's of free publicity on here, in the LE and the WE. We pushed it for years eventually being able to offer executive boxes as a prize. We had our own fanzine 4foxsake and a website on which you could join/donate on line. It was even linked to the club website. We also ran commemorative dinners.

The dinners and the fanzine (for a while) did ok though the price and content of the fanzine came in for endless criticism - to the point where the editor and myself had had enough. The dinners were always the same generous people, These same people were by and large the only ones who donated weekly and that is why as far as I'm aware we never got much above a hundred members of squadbuilder - never the 1000 tiny little Leigh managed.

A lot of Wakefield folk are full of it, they want everything for nowt. They always have an excuse, Ted, the credit crunch or they never knew (biggest lie ever).

AG will be happy for now, but eventually he will want your money to help push the club forward, and IMO he's in for a shock. When he asks all those people who are praising him now ....when he asks for help... just watch the tumble weeds. Maybe he will get a honeymoon period and might jolt a few into action but it won't last.

Cynical, maybe but until I see the rank and file put their money where their mouth are rather than the usual gang I'll stay that way, Whilst ever I come on here reading posts slagging off volunteers like Wisca I'll remain convinced that there is a large element at this club whoas I say are full of it.

Sorry to bring the mood down but that's the truth in my experience.

I forgot squadbuilder still exists I'll have to rejoin mine lapsed when I changed banks a couple of years ago. It must be 10 years since it was first launched maybe with the new owners and supporters trust now on board we should relaunch it.

I won't argue with your experiences - that would be unreasonable, even for me.

All we can hope I guess is that any bitterness and acrimony that's developed in recent years, for whatever reason, is diminished by progress, optimism and ultimately, success; all of which we have a much better chance of achieving under Mr Glover.

Bren I'm sure there is a window of opportunity here for both the club and the fans to get things back on track. As the season progresses I'm sure the people involved in Squadbuilder and also the club will launch fresh initiatives. I sincerely hope the Wakefield public will let bygones be just that. However it will take a massive leap in attitude for some and I fear that if things don't go well for the club the same old excuses for not helping will be wheeled out - I cross my fingers I am wrong.

I can start the ball rolling - I can produce and print a rough and ready fanzine for 50p a unit. We could sell this for a pound. At that price I reckon we could sell a 1000 copies maybe four editions a year.

To do this I need at least 20 posters on here willing to write maybe 2 articles a year. These can be e-mailed to me, I will do the rest.

If Feline is still up for it (badly phrased) she will need the help of at least 4 folks willing to help her sell it before matches.

This alone would raise £2000 per season. It might not seem much but 2k could be the difference between a promising youngster joining us instead of say Cas. It all counts.

Anyone interested?

I can't see you struggling to get the requisite articles - there are enough of us on here who like the sound of our own voices to fill a weekly rag, let alone a quarterly fanzine.

You might want to consider an electronic version by the way, that could be downloaded, or emailed to subscribers - cheaper to produce and easier to deliver?

Got three offers last time I asked but let's hope you're right - come on folks.

Count me in - I could proof read for spelling and grammar

I'm not sure how appropriate this is to the situation, but, look at what has been achieved over the last 3 weeks, as regards the player sponsorship. Nearly £2200 was raised on here alone - and not everyone came forward. There is a fantastic feeling within the club at the moment, and perhaps it's a perfect time to take advantage of it. I know that we have a young squad, and people say that all they want is effort, but how long will that be enogh for people. Even the most hardened of fan's will become disillusioned at some point. This fantastic feeling won't last forever. Let's take advantage whilst we can. After all;

This is Wakefield. Together we are stronger.

I mentioned it before, but a prize draw for all pre-paid tickets wouldn’t go amiss in encouraging new supporters. Perhaps the club could arrange some sort of sponsorship with a local Currys/Comet and offer an IPOD nano (or similar) as the prize to be drawn at HT.

For season ticket holders I always thought a Cash Prize of say £1000 to be drawn at half time of the first home game of the season may encourage a little more take up. This could be proportionate and if more tickets are sold then the cash prize goes up. If the club ever found themselves in a position of having 5K full price season ticket holders I think a prize of £10K would not be unreasonable. It would defiantly create a bit of a buzz during the off season.

We should get the old gold bar back from Francie - kick a goal from the half way line and win the loot!