Clipstone working hard to attract new fanbase

With the Premier and Football League officially starting last weekend the uncertainty of when spectators are allowed back into watch their beloved clubs is still unknown.
Clipstone saw a good crowd for their pay what you like fixture against Chesterfield.Clipstone saw a good crowd for their pay what you like fixture against Chesterfield.
Clipstone saw a good crowd for their pay what you like fixture against Chesterfield.

Since the F.A. announced that fans are allowed back into non-league last month Clipstone Football Club took the decision to allow spectators to “pay what they like” with the aim to lure some of the locals to see what they’re about.

Motivations vary for making such an offer, it can be tied in with a fundraising effort or act as a piece of positive publicity to spread the word about a club to the local population.

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Clipstone came under the latter with the claim they wanted to get people back out to enjoy what they love without the worry of stressing over money.

Clipstone say they will keep trying new ways to boost the gate. Pic by Dan Walker.Clipstone say they will keep trying new ways to boost the gate. Pic by Dan Walker.
Clipstone say they will keep trying new ways to boost the gate. Pic by Dan Walker.

“With over 120,000 jobs furloughed in the Nottinghamshire County alone this seemed the morally right thing to do," said Dan Walker, of the Clipstone media team.

“There was no catches, literally you didn’t have to pay a penny if you didn’t want to. Football without fans is nothing.

“We hit the Chesterfield match hard on social media and we got great numbers on the reach. When matchday arrived I was a little worried how many people will turn up due to Storm Francis.

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"When we counted up the track and trace numbers we got a crowd of 137 come through. We were delighted and it was just the sort of reaction we wanted from the locals, the hard work we put in was rewarded, football is back and so were the people wanting to get their live fix.”

Clipstone are keen to get more fans in. Pic by Richard ParkesClipstone are keen to get more fans in. Pic by Richard Parkes
Clipstone are keen to get more fans in. Pic by Richard Parkes

This was the start of a good run for the Cobras winning their next two games before their final match of pre-season which was at home against Renishaw F.C. again the Cobras made the fixture a “pay what you like” game.

“Again, we hit social media hard,” added Dan. “This time we didn’t get the numbers we had hoped for.

"A total of 61 people turned up which was a shame as it was a half decent day weather wise, thankfully we got another win which helped gloss over the attendance.

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“As a club we keep looking for new ways to get people through the gate. We’ve done brilliantly over the lockdown period to improve the clubs facilities and we hope more people will come down and use them and get behind what we are doing.

“I think we try to do things a bit differently to others in our area, the first couple of home league games we hope to put on a BBQ along with fun activities for the kids; speed tunnels, penalty shootouts etc.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Cobras are playing their first competitive home fixture of the 2020/21 season this Saturday in the F.A. Vase against Radford.​​​​​​​

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