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David Cursons.'s avatar

Yes Trev especially when I see people complaining it takes them an hour to get to the Hive. As far as financial help if you cannot necessarily attend every game some of us are luckier than others if we can do a little bit but if you are not in that position it dose make you any less of a supporter even at a distance. Think it is like being on drugs for us all without the awful side effects. Like your comment re porn on Twitter never like this before Musk took over.

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David Cursons.'s avatar

Was not suggesting there is some different level of support depending on how far you had to travel it is not a competition. I was just trying to show a level of understanding for all the people who live some distance but still support the club they grew up with rather than switch to a more local club. Sure we will match other clubs level of support if we can get back into Barnet itself which was my point.

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Trevor Knell's avatar

I know David, there are some out there and not suggesting they are within our fanbase that take how many games as to how committed you are. I was more suggesting we're all equal in how we support our clubs. I think naturally people like yourself and others in parts of the country away from Barnet and The Hive appreciate the difficulty more than some.

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David Cursons.'s avatar

As usual Trev I agree with your well thought out comments, here are a few of my own. I believe the route problem is location which is why it is so important we return to the town which bears the clubs name. There are as you elude to short comings in the match day experience at the Hive but compare this with the facilities at Underhill which we used to pack week after week (can you imagine the crowds now given our league position). From what you say Bromley have a ground with many short comings but they appear to fill their ground despite this I would suggest because they play in the town, wonder what would happen to their crowds if they had to relocate to say Croydon. On the travel front I understand exactly with what you say, as I have mentioned before I live in Spain so my visits are limited although I try and still support the club financially as far as I am able, never the less when I do get to a game it has cost me about £250 return flight and yes I do get to see my family and have managed to turn my Grandson and his Dad, a West Ham fan into supporters. Also when living in in the Uk near Ipswich I attended every home game including the evening ones in fact playing Colchester & Leyton Orient were my home games. Please understand I not trying to big myself up just expressing my understanding of fans who support a club which is not on their doorstep. So on a final note I do not think even with better marketing we will ever completely solve the attendance problem while we remain at the Hive which is why we have to pin so much on returning to where Barnet Football Club truly belong.

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Trevor Knell's avatar

Everyone is a fan David regardless of where they live, a 5 minute or 5hr journey makes anyone no less of a supporter.

Bromley do have the same competition from Palace, Charlton and Millwall despite not being on the doorstep and I would like to think we match their levels playing back in Barnet.

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Danny Peacock's avatar

As a 'northener' I travelled down on Tuesday and must admit, all be it Eastleigh and not much rivalry or support on show themselves, I was disappointed with the crowd and wondered 'why' so low... The Hive isn't that far from Barnet but has it had that much of an effect since moving? Would a Tuesday night at Underhill be much higher? I suppose 'catchment' and 'choice' in those parts offers a lot more to do than watch Barnet on a Tuesday night... But second in the league and playing well, the ground is worthy of a hop, maybe everyone has been there done it? But it deserves more support than the clubs getting... I'm not sure however how it can get it? Saturday 3pm, local derby ahead of England playing on non league day? They might be all saving themselves for that???

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Trevor Knell's avatar

Hard to put your finger on it exactly Danny but a combination over the 10 yrs at The Hive I feel.

Club have nothing on for NLD this afternoon, not a single thing, its crazy given the proximity to Wembley.

£22 tho is the worst price point, only beaten by Bromley charging that for an away end open terrace with disgusting toilets.

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Danny Peacock's avatar

Completely agree! Discounted entrance for fans with an England ticket would have been great incentive.

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Tom Pearson's avatar

Good piece

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Trevor Knell's avatar

Thank you Tom!

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