A Win!

Tenth game of football of the season and a first competitive win for the team I was supporting. (I did see Leeds win at Tynecastle back in July but that was just a friendly). Spartans hosted Forfar and a scrappy game was decided by a penalty for the home team in the second half. Right at the death it looked like Forfar might have got a penalty of their own but the player's theatrical dive perhaps counted against him in the referee's mind.  
 
Met T at the game and we talked about the club's ambitions - they need to try and attract more supporters through the turnstiles. A little over 400 there today. Something of a dip from earlier in the season. As well as efforts in the immediate neighbourhood perhaps they could do more to reach people like myself, living in Edinburgh but fans of another team that feels a little too far away to go and see regularly. Unlike Hibs and Hearts, Spartans feel like a comfortable local 'second team' that don't compromise my primary allegiance. T himself is a Partick fan and we were joined by a Hibee who hadn't gone through to Glasgow for their game. Spartans have offered half-price entry for season ticket holders from the bigger Edinburgh teams in the past but maybe it isn't just about cheaper tickets. People need to feel a connection (that word again) to encourage them along. Maybe free entry for under 16s is a way to go, or reaching out in other ways. Perhaps a voucher to bring a friend for free? Especially if the team make it into the promotion play-offs - adding to the atmosphere as well as encouraging future fans. 
 
Up in Dundee United beat Raith 2-0 to go four clear but having played a game more. By all accounts a good performance and if they can just keep it going for the last five games they might be able to clinch the title. I imagine the team that misses out at the top will have a difficult psychological task to lift themselves for the play-offs.