I'd have to say that as a club we've come to a line in the sand.....be bold and come out with an initiative to boost gates or accept that we'll never change the status quo and sink back to a level where the gates will accomodate.
We're between a rock and a hard place...always have been and always will be.....albeit two championship ( and aspiring Premier League teams) within a very short drive either side.
Both offer a far more attractive value for money package to the floating supporter. Better facilities, supposedly better standard of football.
We had the "novelty factor" when we won the Conference and got back into the league. Apart from the odd high profile game (such as a decent cup tie or important league or play off game) that's gone.
Whilst I'd agree that we've got to balance the books......we've got to try and make the Crown & A.S.F.C. an appealing and viable option......Let's face it...the ground and facilities are absolute bobbins compared to our neighbours! !!! We've tried Friday nights ( which were seemingly a success ) what about Sunday's???? Play games on a regular basis and at a price where it appeals to the floating fan on either day...put an extra 4-500 on the gate...surely that helps the situation????
All I'll say is we can never move forward as a club if we can't get those turnstiles clicking with greater frequency and get bigger gates....maybe one of the reasons Coley took the Rochdale job.
Regardless of how great a job Cooky & Leam do recruiting young lads with a point to prove, even if the young lads fight and perform way above the widely considered "punching weight" a club of our stature should effectively perform....fact remains... A.S.F.C. needs 2000+ gates to remain a fighting force within league football.
We might continue to confound the protagonists with our continued ability to "punch above our weight"....however.....if things don't change....inevitable that our inability to draw fans through the turnstiles will catch up with us