We have seen it all before:- It WAS something new and exciting and fast and furious but it isn't anymore.
In Manchester the 17,000 crowds were in the second? season I believe. The Steeler large crowds were in early seeasons. Nottingham's recent surge is in the second season of their becoming "respectable" (no offence panthers). The Belfast thing cannot be hailed as the greatest thing in ice hockey - it's like those that have gone before it's the latest thing.
SO the Good thing about hockey was that it was something NEW. I remember seeing my first games - when it was the most exciting sports all round entertainment I had seen and I couldn't wait to take the mates along.
And there lies the salvation in my opinion. We need something NEW.
An approach to the arena packed with stalls and things of interest such as the Radio Sheffield Van - live on air. A demo of roller blading. Merchandise stalls.
The arena opened much earlier than at present with better catering facilities such as a restaurant or catering marquee and a bar to have a game and pick up the chat before the game.
A concourse so full of side shows that it's impossible to see them all in the period breaks. With some interesting things - not just Steeler Grand with a different mask on. Something to have a GO at such as hockey games and side shows in the wasted end of the arena. Injured players hob nobbing with the mignions on concourse. Quizzes and entertainment for the period breaks with some interaction - not just pretend pop stars mimeing to some indescernable crud.
At Christmas make it like a pantomime with the kids up on the stage in the breaks. Announce the long standing fans as well as the newcomers.
All in all a package so full that there will always be something NEW to see.
A total revamp to the Simmsy thing. It's all old hat now. Was good but now all the same lines have become boring. New approach to the warm up. New approach to the music and the entertaining - not just a rehash of the same stuff. Why not get Simmsy with a pal taking the mickey out of each other like that brummy and his mate on telly - A sort of double act.
Have the Zanboni man Tim never reset the ice in the same way twice. How many routes can you take to mow an ice pad? My kids used to be mesmerised but now it's predictable. A flash paint job on the Zamboni perhaps. Do it in the dark now and then like Manchester once did.
Why did Steeler Dan stop absailing and making a grander entrance - now even he's predictable.
On the ice - lets have some fistycuffs back. Let's have the odd bench clearance that hits the headlines. There's one thing worse than bed publicity so they say - NO publicity like we get at the moment.
Stuff the wage cap, stuff the bench size limits, get rid of anything that holds back the game. You can never win in ice hockey - NEVER. If Belfast win the league this season they'll be accused of cheating the wage cap - the rumours are already flying along with the cover up and conspiracy theories.
Let's take everything that is right with the game and overdose on it. Constantly re-invent things. Make it so that if a new comer asked a seasoned fan "what's going on there then?" he/she'd have to say "I dunno - that's a new one on me"
Radical thinking is needed here: If you don't agree with what I post here - I don't give a damn. STOP being negative - START being positive and overdose the powers that be with great ideas such that the odd few might get adopted.
Lots of good points Fozzy. Hope its a sign of things to come this year from everybody. Maybe a bit tongue in cheek but what the hell it made me think today. thanks
Bloody hell Fozzy, have you overdosed on coffee? Some excellent points and ideas though.
I've always maintained that you need atmosphere to attract more people in. However, this is a bit of a chicken and the egg situation. The more people you get in, the better the atmosphere will be, and the more likely they will be to come back again. However you've got to get them in in the first place.
This is where free tickets and reduced admission costs come in. I've been harping on about reducing the cost to £8 for adults (£20 for family of 4), for quite a while now because I believe it's the only way of saving our sport. At the end of the day, 6,000 people paying £8, brings in a lot more money than 4,000 paying £10. It'll also generate a better atmosphere (see paragraph above) thus attracting more people.....creating a snowball effect, if you like.
This would have to be backed up by much better advertising....when was the last time you heard or saw an advert for the Sheffield Steelers?
It seems pretty obvious to me that this is the way forward, but what do I know, I'm only a supporter.