Away tickets - Loyalty points . . .

[HarrogateMackem]

Buying and selling on needs sorting (ID checks are a good start) and branches using numbers to fill buses needs sorting (no idea how branches operate with that so not sure if ID checks help there) but beyond that I say we wait at least till the end of next season and probably the end of the season after before even floating the idea of changing things

As you say, I still feel that as soon as we stagnate in the PL or go back down you presume that those who are desperate to go now will start to pick and choose a bit again - it's a really expensive hobby to go every single week after all. But the interesting thing will be that if the exiles/ branches who used to pick up the spares for Swansea away on a tuesday or whatever, will be see the games falling to GS?

I've said it on here before, but I think if they really wanted to create a fair system you'd have something like the below (but I accept it's creating more work for the club, which they don't want). To be clear this wouldn't benefit be especially, I'm just trying to be objective.

• Same rolling three year system we have now with the various bands.
  
  
• 2 points available for every away game for SC holders - one point for just applying for a ticket to any match, one point if you get a ticket and go to the game in the various bands same as right now (So that you can still build points even if you’re on a low points). But very strict ID checks to ensure those going actually are using their ticket, you're banned if you are caught passing on tickets.
  
  
• But alongside that, I’d love to see the club offer a scheme for those without SC, so they pay a fee each season for a membership - which entitles you to half a point for application and half a point if you get a ticket for away games. So exiles can still build points, but at a slower rate then if you have a SC.

That scheme as a whole rewards those who go home and away every week, season ticket holders is still the best way to build points as they’re the lifeblood of the club, but it gives an opportunity for those lower down to build points without it being a closed shop (if they’re prepared to go all over the shop when tickets do come available) and in terms of fairness it also gives exiles an opportunity to build points still in their own name.

 

[Hawkings Boots]

As you say, I still feel that as soon as we stagnate in the PL or go back down you presume that those who are desperate to go now will start to pick and choose a bit again - it's a really expensive hobby to go every single week after all. But the interesting thing will be that if the exiles/ branches who used to pick up the spares for Swansea away on a tuesday or whatever, will be see the games falling to GS?

I've said it on here before, but I think if they really wanted to create a fair system you'd have something like the below (but I accept it's creating more work for the club, which they don't want). To be clear this wouldn't benefit be especially, I'm just trying to be objective.

• Same rolling three year system we have now with the various bands.
  
  
• 2 points available for every away game for SC holders - one point for just applying for a ticket to any match, one point if you get a ticket and go to the game in the various bands same as right now (So that you can still build points even if you’re on a low points). But very strict ID checks to ensure those going actually are using their ticket, you're banned if you are caught passing on tickets.
  
  
• But alongside that, I’d love to see the club offer a scheme for those without SC, so they pay a fee each season for a membership - which entitles you to half a point for application and half a point if you get a ticket for away games. So exiles can still build points, but at a slower rate then if you have a SC.

That scheme as a whole rewards those who go home and away every week, season ticket holders is still the best way to build points as they’re the lifeblood of the club, but it gives an opportunity for those lower down to build points without it being a closed shop (if they’re prepared to go all over the shop when tickets do come available) and in terms of fairness it also gives exiles an opportunity to build points still in their own name.

The job in the ticket office is yours!

 

[Towers76]

50% of allocated amount to STH with 70+ (65/60 could be set at whatever level) points. 50% plus anything leftover from above phase into a ballot system STH only with a deadline to enter the ballot.

Mate of mine is a Man Utd STH and this is along the same lines as what they do. Out of the ballot this season hes had City, Spurs and Arsenal. Usually get between 15k and 20k in the ballot per game.

And whoever makes the point 'wasn't like this in League 1' spare a thought for those that did the hard yards in L1 but lost a load of loyalty points in the 3 season cull at the beginning of this season. There'll be a few who did the undesirable aways in L1 who've got no chance of a PL away game under the current system.

But its not just about L1, its about the three seasons before the current season? Everyone lost in the cull

 

[Hawkings Boots]

But its not just about L1, its about the three seasons before the current season? Everyone lost in the cull

I cannot imagine there are many people who went to loads of aways in L1 then suddenly stopped going in the Championship who have been affected by the cull of the last L1 season

If you're dragging yourself to aways in L1, you're the type of fan who goes to any aways like Swansea, Cardiff, Plymouth etc.

 

[Towers76]

Didn't realise there was more than one tbh

Probably because I was nowhere near enough points to get close to entering it

Aye, I got three for Luton but couldn't help but think that probably everyone got one as I'm never that lucky and I'm not sure our TO was capable of holding a ballot lol

 

[safcsafc]

As you say, I still feel that as soon as we stagnate in the PL or go back down you presume that those who are desperate to go now will start to pick and choose a bit again - it's a really expensive hobby to go every single week after all. But the interesting thing will be that if the exiles/ branches who used to pick up the spares for Swansea away on a tuesday or whatever, will be see the games falling to GS?

I've said it on here before, but I think if they really wanted to create a fair system you'd have something like the below (but I accept it's creating more work for the club, which they don't want). To be clear this wouldn't benefit be especially, I'm just trying to be objective.

• Same rolling three year system we have now with the various bands.
  
  
• 2 points available for every away game for SC holders - one point for just applying for a ticket to any match, one point if you get a ticket and go to the game in the various bands same as right now (So that you can still build points even if you’re on a low points). But very strict ID checks to ensure those going actually are using their ticket, you're banned if you are caught passing on tickets.
  
  
• But alongside that, I’d love to see the club offer a scheme for those without SC, so they pay a fee each season for a membership - which entitles you to half a point for application and half a point if you get a ticket for away games. So exiles can still build points, but at a slower rate then if you have a SC.

That scheme as a whole rewards those who go home and away every week, season ticket holders is still the best way to build points as they’re the lifeblood of the club, but it gives an opportunity for those lower down to build points without it being a closed shop (if they’re prepared to go all over the shop when tickets do come available) and in terms of fairness it also gives exiles an opportunity to build points still in their own name.

That won’t make much difference.
Most Season ticket holders can’t get tickets as it is. Adding a point to them while still giving the same + an extra point for those who can currently get away tickets keeps the gap the same, it just moves the threshold up.
The 0.5 point membership fee fleeces fans for money with no real hope of getting close to them who are racking up 2 points per game. Other than a slim chance of an fa cup games.

Haven’t got an alternative mind other than a percentage of all away tickets going into a ballot.

 

[North Yorks Mackem]

As you say, I still feel that as soon as we stagnate in the PL or go back down you presume that those who are desperate to go now will start to pick and choose a bit again - it's a really expensive hobby to go every single week after all. But the interesting thing will be that if the exiles/ branches who used to pick up the spares for Swansea away on a tuesday or whatever, will be see the games falling to GS?

I've said it on here before, but I think if they really wanted to create a fair system you'd have something like the below (but I accept it's creating more work for the club, which they don't want). To be clear this wouldn't benefit be especially, I'm just trying to be objective.

• Same rolling three year system we have now with the various bands.
  
  
• 2 points available for every away game for SC holders - one point for just applying for a ticket to any match, one point if you get a ticket and go to the game in the various bands same as right now (So that you can still build points even if you’re on a low points). But very strict ID checks to ensure those going actually are using their ticket, you're banned if you are caught passing on tickets.
  
  
• But alongside that, I’d love to see the club offer a scheme for those without SC, so they pay a fee each season for a membership - which entitles you to half a point for application and half a point if you get a ticket for away games. So exiles can still build points, but at a slower rate then if you have a SC.

That scheme as a whole rewards those who go home and away every week, season ticket holders is still the best way to build points as they’re the lifeblood of the club, but it gives an opportunity for those lower down to build points without it being a closed shop (if they’re prepared to go all over the shop when tickets do come available) and in terms of fairness it also gives exiles an opportunity to build points still in their own name.

Would you advocate banning someone from going to away games if they are caught passing on their ticket once? If so thats absolutely crackers.

They have strict id checks in italy (names printed on tickets) and it can be an absolute ball ache getting into ground.

 

[BarnesPark]

And you are making up a number of how many sell on their tickets for every game

Think you’re reaching a bit here. I don’t remember putting a number or percentage on it.

Just said there are numerous examples from people on here saying they regularly pass on tickets (some of which I’ve benefitted from).

 

[Keb]

If you're going down the ballot route, it should still reward higher points holders with a better chance at tickets but not exclude that just starting. eg:

3000 allocation:
Everybody applies for tickets

Phase 1 - 60 BCP - 1400 - guaranteed
Phase 2 - 45 BCP - 1000 tickets = first come first served basis or those with the highest points
Phase 3 - Ballot - 200 tickets - 30 BCP - includes those that missed out in Phase 2
Phase 4 - Ballot - 200 tickets - 15 BCP - includes those that missed out in Phases 2 & 3
Phase 5 - Ballot - 200 tickets - 0 BCP - includes those that missed out in Phases 2, 3 & 4.

Points for phases will change during the season.

 

[Towers76]

I agree with the OP that the only thing I would change would be to reduce the number of points between phases (15 is almost a full season), I also agree that there are a lot of people speaking purely from a position of self interest and others who exaggerate how many tickets are not used by the original purchaser in the hope that if there is enough noise then maybe they'll change the system. Of course it happens (I've done it myself as most have) but the overwhelming vast majority attend the games. So I'm not really for change but what I would like to see is more away tickets being available. Clubs may resist this as the current £30 cap would work against them and I'm sure there are all sorts of logistical reasons why it couldn't happen but a big away following really adds to the atmosphere (didnt we all love Everton?) and after all there are two teams playing. Why not 5000 per away game with clubs below 30000 capacity giving 3000 instead of the current 10% which is pathetic really. You want to play in the big league get a decent ground or give away 3000 per game. Then maybe you would be able to take 10 or 20% and put them into a ballot. It'll never happen of course

 

[HarrogateMackem]

That won’t make much difference.
Most Season ticket holders can’t get tickets as it is. Adding a point to them while still giving the same + an extra point for those who can currently get away tickets keeps the gap the same, it just moves the threshold up.
The 0.5 point membership fee fleeces fans for money with no real hope of getting close to them who are racking up 2 points per game. Other than a slim chance of an fa cup games.

Haven’t got an alternative mind other than a percentage of all away tickets going into a ballot.

But if there’s strict ID checks, would you risk applying for a ticket to Swansea away on a Tuesday night? As you can’t go to work the next day etc,

Or is everyone going to the home cup game?

There’s a percentage of people who give a fuck about points and keeping them up etc, but most of our fan base aren’t sat there thinking about this stuff on a daily basis. They’ll just apply for what they can go to and build points as they can.

 

[Southern Monkey]

It’s a tough situation. As has been said I suspect if we hang around in the PL for a few years demand will ease off giving more people opportunities.

Living in Kent I’ve never had a season ticket. In previous PL seasons lots of games went to GS and I used to go to 3 or 4 aways a season, some London but also on occasion the likes of United, City, Birmingham etc. And in the championship and league 1 days again tickets went to GS for some games which I went to, such as Cambridge, Ipswich, Gillingham, Charlton, Portsmouth etc.

We used to sell out most games but often via GS giving lots more people a chance to go. Those days have gone at least for the time being. Being in the home end at West Ham near the away supporters was anything but fun last Saturday!

 

[HarrogateMackem]

Would you advocate banning someone from going to away games if they are caught passing on their ticket once? If so thats absolutely crackers.

They have strict id checks in italy (names printed on tickets) and it can be an absolute ball ache getting into ground.

To make any system work, that had to be the first step. Otherwise why not keep it how it is.

They’re already banning people after doing ID checks fwiw.

 

[abridgetofar]

It will be interesting to hear what is mentioned by the club ( if it’s brought up ) at the RAWA meeting

 

[Towers76]

To make any system work, that had to be the first step. Otherwise why not keep it how it is.

They’re already banning people after doing ID checks fwiw.

They're banning people?

 

[BarnesPark]

Being in the home end at West Ham near the away supporters was anything but fun last Saturday!

It was utter shit, wasn’t it.

3-0 down and listening to that bubble song again and again. Still, I stayed to the end unlike a lot of their fans around me.

 

[SAFC2012]

To make any system work, that had to be the first step. Otherwise why not keep it how it is.

They’re already banning people after doing ID checks fwiw.

Hopefully people are aware it's a criminal offence to dispose of tickets without a license.

Unfortunately a full ID check seems a long way off as to ID check 3K isn't practical as it's the home club dealing with the administration process.

Sunderland send 6 stewards to every away game as it's a requirement of the premier league.

They're banning people?

Yes

 

[Hawkings Boots]

To make any system work, that had to be the first step. Otherwise why not keep it how it is.

They’re already banning people after doing ID checks fwiw.

Good to hear - I suspect that will be the club's response to away tickets questions at the meeting

 

[YES WE GYAN]

Heads hurting on this.

Id be up for it but surely as the hardcore plus applicants get a point each the gap will never decrease?

The three year cut off for points should help to close the gap, with those getting a point who were unsuccessful in getting a ticket.

 

[SAFC2012]

They're banning people?

Someone was caught selling tickets on facebook and has had their season ticket cancelled for the remainder of this season and they'll not be able to renew next season they'll only be able to purchase a new season ticket once the waiting list has been sorted. Could be effectively banned from having a season ticket for a number of years.