Fans at Margate FC
By Chris Murphy
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
12:17 PM
Club officials keen to attact more families to Hartsdown Park
While attention has been focused on the bad language on the pitch of players like John Terry, one club is trying to cut out the swearing on the stands.
Margate FC play in the Ryman Premier, and have their eye on a promotion push. Club officials are keen to improve crowds and match-day income by bringing more families through the turnstiles.
But mums and dads are less likely to bring their children along if there are obscene chants on the terraces.
So now club officials have called on the club's loyal supporters to drop the swearing, and signs have gone up at the Hartsdown Park stadium reading "Please respect the well being of our children! No foul language."
Club spokesman Steve Wells said: "It all started last year when there was a particular incident around language and behaviour of some of our supporters.
"The directors are acutely aware the need to continue to develop the club's good community credentials.
"We are keen to attract families and we don't want excessive bad language to put people off coming along to see the matches.
"Following this incident in the away game, the directors received some complaints, not only from parents, but also some of the older supporters.
"Our CEO Cliff Egan did go and speak with some of the supporters who add to our atmosphere and ask them to change some of the chants to make them cleaner, and to be fair they have responded well, and now include the word 'shark' for another word. The fans have really taken this on, and we are even seeing some inflatable sharks being waved around.
"Some of the fans who use the language are also those that create some of the atmosphere as well."
Like many clubs, Margate FC has seen slow decline in supporter numbers - dropping to around 400 from 1,400 a decade ago.
Mr Wells said the club were making efforts ar to attract more fans, like free child tickets if they are with a paying adult, and partnerships with local organisations and colleges.
He said: "The signs we have put up basically say we want a more family friendly atmosphere and to keep the language down and they are having a positive effect."
And the Northern League, the world's oldest, is reported to be introducing 'swear police' to monitor language on the pitch.
Sign in to leave your comment
1 comments
wheres the team, that made that fantastic start to the season,
Add your comment | Report this comment
allanlyn
Thursday, October 25, 2012