Tuesday 15 January 2013

Steelmen hoping to strengthen position in community following ‘Pay What You Like’ success

Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town recently saw a rise in attendance figures as the club held a ‘Pay What You Like’ day for their home clash with Bala Town on January 5th.

The Town are challenging for a place in European competition next on the back of three straight victories under new manager Scott Young, and hope that attendance figures continue to rise alongside on-field success.

They have been disappointed with recent attendances at the GenQuip Stadium, and press officer Matthew Burgess told the Mid Glamorgan Press Agency that the initiative was part of the club’s overall goal to strengthen their position in the community.

He said: “We had 285 turn up, which is an increase on recent figures. We were hoping for a bit more to be honest, but the coverage gained in the local media as well as nationally, with the BBC and Talksport covering us, helped raise our profile.

“On the whole the day was a success, and we hope that we will run the scheme again in the near future.

“Attendances are low and should be higher. Although, Swansea [City] also playing [home] that weekend also affected things. On average, we think most fans paid between £4 and £5 to enter.”

The fans’ match-day experience was an enjoyable one as an entertaining game finished 2-1 to the hosts; goals from David Brooks and Chad Bond helping the Town survive a late Bala resurgence.

The figure was actually the second highest to see Port Talbot play this season, with 324 attending their 1-0 win at Carmarthen on December 21, and Mr Burgess hopes that the game might make more local people think of backing the team in the run-in.

“We are committed to doing all we can to improve our relationship with the town. The club want more fans from the local community and hope that being a family-friendly club close to the top of the league, on a run of three-straight wins, will help.

“Hopefully we can continue that run at Bangor City next week.”

Fifth-placed Port Talbot travel to Bangor in third knowing their place in the top six is secure before the mid-season split.

0 comments:

Post a Comment