Cornish Pirates - Friday Night Matches

[gary]

I just spotted an announcement by Cornish Pirates (see below). Very sensible in my opinion. I hope other clubs copy this (ourselves included).

'Pirates Announcements

As TESCO always say the customer comes first and they vote with their feet when they dont like the offering.

The first major indicator that we had it wrong with Friday night rugby was a reduction in season tickets sales year on year of 21%-a lot of much needed funding.

Subsequently poor crowds nowhere near budgeted numbers for the first two games confirmed that to get to the western tip of England on a Friday night (and get home again) wasn’t just a problem for visiting teams but also our much valued supporters.

Consequently the Board decided over the weekend that this drain on financial sources couldn’t continue so we are looking to return to Sunday afternoon fixtures for the rest of the season if we can organise that.'

[Westcountry Mose]

I was informed by Pirates supporters that the Friday night fixtures was a recommendation from Josh Lewsey. It may have worked in the south east but sure as heck it was never going to be a success down here!

When I approached Pirates last week about a discount on tickets (based on Mrs WCM sharing the driving) I was informed that they did not do discounts on small ticket allocations but as a gesture of goodwill they would wave the £1.50 booking fee! That's looking after the supporters - thank goodness we have people like Bill Redwood.

[vincebrum]

I agree with Gary's sentiment. I haven't bought a season ticket this year as choice has been taken away from those of us for whom Saturday afternoon is the only available time to watch Moseley. 2 friendlies and 2 games in the season not on a Saturday, following the 3 Friday games last year suggest that the club are not interested in long standing supporters who don't happen to live near the ground.

[lboromose]

Absolutely right Gary and Vincebrum. Travelling on a Friday is awful and usually requires leaving work early for those coming any distance. This is not always possible. It will be interesting to see the attendance figures for the Friday night games this season.