This coming Saturday, April 18, will mark the end of United's 2014/15 home campaign, with promotion chasing Faversham Town due to visit the Pilot Field for a 3.00pm kick off, no doubt keen to avenge the 5-1 thumping that they suffered at the hands of the U's at Salters Lane back in November.
The two clubs' fortunes have contrasted rather wildly since that afternoon, with United having become steadily embroiled in a relegation battle which threatens their place in the Ryman League for next term. Indeed, if Ramsgate win their game in hand at home to Guernsey tomorrow evening, Nigel Kane's side will go into the penultimate weekend in the bottom three and in desperate need of only their fifth home win of the season.
Despite the fact that results and performances have, on the whole, been hugely disappointing, United can still boast the third highest average attendance in Division One South, trailing only Guernsey and champions Burgess Hill Town in that respect.
As a gesture of sincere thanks to those who have continued to support the U's throughout such a tough campaign, and to perhaps entice a few more to come along for this vital fixture, the Club has decided to offer free admission to everyone on Saturday, so please spread the word and let's see the Pilot Field as busy as possible.
By way of compensation, existing season ticket holders will be entitled to claim a £5 discount if and when they renew for the 2015/16 campaign, but this year's ticket must be retained as proof of eligibility to take advantage of this offer.
Great idea and well done to Dave O and the club. Burgess Hill and Folkestone have both done something similar this season and pulled in over 1000, Surely we can beat that. Should be a fantastic atmosphere and let's hope the players can repay us on the pitch.
fantastic gesture on behalf of the club.In whats been a truly miserable season its great to see the club give something back to the supporters.As Lenny mentioned,our crowds have been good considering our position and poor performances.As we stand,our fate is out of our hands at the moment so the team needs all the support we can muster.Lets hope we can make some noise and get a positive result which will leave us in with a shout of staying up.
Further signs of the new regime attempting to re-engage with supporters. Great idea. Somehow doubt whether this would been suggested a month ago. Well done. Now it's up to the team to put in a performance that may encourage a few more to come back next season.
Very sensible idea to do both in terms of increasing support for the game and also to encourage new fans to attend a game where the stakes are high and the crowd large and atmosphere hopefully buzzing!! Hope there are enough bar / food staff laid on to cope with the hopefully much higher crowd! Shame there's only a few days to go as hope enough new people hear about it in time!
I fully agree that a free admission day will, hopefully, drag in potentially new fans.
The only thing I do disagree with is the "£5 discount" for next years season ticket holders.
IMO this does not repay the loyalty of season ticket holders. Surely a £10 discount would be the way to go, after all that's what the entrance fee is.
Would love to be there but will have to follow from afar on Twitter and the Footballwebpages site. Hate the idea of County Bumpkinship football next season and want United to finish out of the bottom 3 and not rely on just 2 going down etc etc as so often seems to happen. But even if it does happen - the recent events should make us all look forward to next season wherever we end up.
Best of luck Saturday boys - and as I tap away I find myself being a Guernsey supporter for the next 8 hours or so.....
Yes well done Utd. Why not get in touch with Radio Sussex and Arrow FM as well as the Observer ,as I'm sure you will do,to publicise free entry. With much of the local football finishing should attract a great crowd.
Been shared on all the clubs social media ( Facebook page, Supporters facebook group, Twitter etc, Faversham have also picked the news up and have spread the word to their fans to encourage more down, Am going to post on Brightons 'North Stand Chat' message board as they dont have a home game that day and may get some of their locally based fans in as well.
yep, just created an event on the Supporters Club page ( Link Below ), please join it and share it as wide as possible!!! over 4000 people have now seen the post on the main FB page according to the insights on there so hopefully will have a effect!!
This is all great stuff but let's not forget we need a result too!! We don't need an abject display in front of 3,000. Let's hope Nigel and the players will rise to the challenge.
Great gesture from Dave O and the board. Hope we get a good crowd and entertain them but most important three points.
Can't be there on Saturday, I'm on a stag weekend, but will be there in spirit.
Ive been offline most of the week , cheers EE for that. ! Just want to say what a great idea by the club this is . Don't know about you but my fee is going towards next weeks charities for the charity match now !