Women and children show potential for bigger support base at Chesterfield FC
THE eyes of the football world are fixed on the World Cup at the moment but clubs in the EFL hope it can all whet the appetite for the return of domestic action later this summer.
That includes Chesterfield, where the desire to drive up interest is reflected in Project 9K initiative to try and turn more people into the regular habit of enjoying a matchday at the SMH Group Stadium.
A start has already been made through improvements to the ground, the moving of the family stand to improve the experience for families and plans to reach out to demographic groups and geographic areas where support is weaker.
While chairman Ashley Kirk has already said hitting a regular target of 9,000 home supporters per game won’t be done in one season, there is potential for growth trajectory providing the team can keep challenging for promotion.
Assistant manager Danny Webb, for one, likes seeing blue shirts in and around town rather than ones from Premier League teams.
He said: "I know Ash Kirk and John (Croot, CEO) have spoken about Project 9K and trying to get 9.000 people and we have shown we have the potential fanbase to do that.
"I think the gaffer (Paul Cook) has said that when he was here last time in League One there were 5,500 in. We ended up getting 8,000 in the Conference (National League) and 8,000 or 9,000 in League Two.
"The fanbase has grown and I think we have a much more diverse fan base with women and children as well. It has always been a family club but it has really increased in that department and I think that’s a credit to the club and the powers-that-be in promoting that in the community.
“I’m a part of getting the players out there into schools etc and trying to get the younger supporters onside who would probably go and buy a Man United or a Liverpool shirt.”
Supporters can get a first taste of the action in Saturday’s run-out against Clay Cross Town (3pm kick-off) which could feature newcomers Junior Eccleston from Sutton United and George McEachran from Grimsby Town.
Added Webb: "Pre-season always starts with a local one, which is nice. We have started with that a few times now and the Clay Cross owners are very enthusiastic about being in a relationship between the two clubs.”