Founders bar

[The Beautiful Game]

People are saying they chose seats that are just general seats, not in any kind of special Founder's area, which was out of necessity anyways after moving from BCB. Then when they no longer want to pay for Founder's it turns out these seats are reserved for Founder's? Sounds odd.

In theory I could have sat in the same seat for ten years, decided to try Founder's last season, came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it, but stand to lose my seat as it became a designated Founder's seat.

If someone else wanted to move to Founder's but keep their current seats, do the original seats get released with the new seats locked to Founder's, or would those people have to move to Founder's seats?

All a bit messy.

Thanks mate. I think some people might be a bit defensive because it comes off as criticism of the club and that's not really my intention. Messy is the right word. Its not like the other hospitality areas where members are sat in a designated premium area with a padded seat etc. If I was in Quinns and wanted to downgrade, I wouldnt expect to keep my seat for exampl, although I might expect to get first refusal ahead of the waiting list with 20+ years of season ticket history. If we'd decided not to move, these seats would be about a grand cheaper.

The club are saying that if we don't renew, these two seats would only be available as founders seats going forward so i suppose that makes it better.

I’ll be honest mate and say that doesn’t sound great. I can see why you are pissed.

I'm not even pissed off to be honest. Just frustrated. Been going for decades and it just doesnt feel like it counts for anything. We used to be a group of 5/6 and are down to 2 now.

 

[Sgt Pepper]

It's still a good deal higher, at least one level, maybe 2. I've sat in both, there's no comparison.

So have I. Just feels like what it is to me - theirs about a block higher .

 

[Hank Scorpio]

People are saying they chose seats that are just general seats, not in any kind of special Founder's area, which was out of necessity anyways after moving from BCB. Then when they no longer want to pay for Founder's it turns out these seats are reserved for Founder's? Sounds odd.

In theory I could have sat in the same seat for ten years, decided to try Founder's last season, came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it, but stand to lose my seat as it became a designated Founder's seat.

If someone else wanted to move to Founder's but keep their current seats, do the original seats get released with the new seats locked to Founder's, or would those people have to move to Founder's seats?

All a bit messy.

At the very least the club should be looking at people who've had hospitality over the past X amount of years and have them to the front of the queue if they wanted to move to a regular season ticket.

When the idea of the founders was first raised, it was designed to just be a “top up”. I’m not sure why they introduced season tickets

 

[HorsePills]

When the idea of the founders was first raised, it was designed to just be a “top up”. I’m not sure why they introduced season tickets

Yeah, that would make miles more sense. Keep your seat and Founder's is an add on.

Thanks mate. I think some people might be a bit defensive because it comes off as criticism of the club and that's not really my intention.

I don't think there's anything wrong with criticism when it's warranted mind. Just because the club get more things right than wrong these days doesn't mean they can't be called out on the things they do get wrong.

 

[Hawkings Boots]

People are saying they chose seats that are just general seats, not in any kind of special Founder's area, which was out of necessity anyways after moving from BCB. Then when they no longer want to pay for Founder's it turns out these seats are reserved for Founder's? Sounds odd.

In theory I could have sat in the same seat for ten years, decided to try Founder's last season, came to the conclusion it wasn't worth it, but stand to lose my seat as it became a designated Founder's seat.

If someone else wanted to move to Founder's but keep their current seats, do the original seats get released with the new seats locked to Founder's, or would those people have to move to Founder's seats?

All a bit messy.

At the very least the club should be looking at people who've had hospitality over the past X amount of years and have them to the front of the queue if they wanted to move to a regular season ticket.

I don't think there is any specific founders area to be honest.

I know a few who sit in front of me are in there in L21

While it would be good for the club to have a specific founders block I assume people are just sat wherever they can get and founders is like an add on so like you say, all a bit of a mess

If we were still in the Championship I suspect they could have made a specific block just founders but when we were promoted season ticket demand obviously shot up meaning they had to just do what they could

 

[HorsePills]

If we were still in the Championship I suspect they could have made a specific block just founders but when we were promoted season ticket demand obviously shot up meaning they had to just do what they could

Yeah agree with you there. I had started a post saying it all felt a bit make-do for those displaced from BCB. I don't even think the original intention for Founder's was to be a 'Premium' offering, the initial talk was just for a sports bar to replace the club shop.

 

[Wearson]

There's barely a poor seat in the stadium in truth. There are obviously some better than others and personal choice too. I wouldn't like to sit in the Premier concourse, too high a view point for me but they are certainly are not bad seats.

Yes but I heard that some Founders Club seats are down in the NW corner, I would have expected far better seats than those if I was in corporate.

We shall see what the Founders pricing is next season and if it is sold out or not.

The problem probably arose because this hospitality package was created at a time when season ticket holders have most of the best seats. If the club start taking seats from season ticket holders for corporate customers, then things will get sour.
Maybe we need an extension????


The first few rows of the Premier Concourse are arguably the best seats in the ground.

 

[legend7]

Move to where? At present SC are sold out. Any moving day will totally be dependent on how many don’t renew.

Yes but if some come free you have a chance to move.
Not stuck at the back of the queue with people who dont currently have a season ticket.
Its absolutely shocking

 

[Big Twisty]

I’ve had a season ticket for 38 years. Last 4 seasons I’ve been lucky enough to have a seat in one of the boxes, I pay it myself and don’t have a company to write it off into. It’s gone from £2400 per season (L1) to next season £5k.
Totally understand the increase and we want the club to be successful. I can’t however afford the £5k and to be honest the service/food is extremely average, it’s not worth the money as an individual really. We don’t even get a bottle of mineral water on the table included and drinks are separate. It’s also only going to keep going up as long as we are in the prem.

So I asked our account manager if I can swap to a GA seat; was told I’d have to just join the waiting list. I complained and said it’s not fair or reasonable for somebody with 38yrs consecutive season ticket to go to the back of the waiting list. Her responce……send an email to ask/safc.com. I was shocked at this, unprofessional and the person involved shouldn’t have any position handling customers.
I reckon I’ve put in £13k last 4 seasons when there have been boxes empty and the club desperate for corporate clients.

It’s left me feeling really upset but mainly angry at how they have handled it and treated loyal fans. Never expected it from Sunderland to be honest.

I’ve been told now they are “looking into it” but right now after 51 seasons since my first game, I have no idea if I will have a ticket next year! And you know if I get screwed over, I would never go back ever

 

[xtrouble]

How much are they charging for this ? The seat next to me in L21 used to be my granddaughters , but she lost interest, so I gave it up. I would get it for my son, but it's only available through founders bar now. It's been empty all season, apart from 2 games, which is really annoying, but I may buy it that way if I have to.

 

[legend7]

Absolutely shocking like.
If there are no seats to move to fair enough but shouldn't be lumped in with new admissions.

 

[dancingradio]

I’ve had a season ticket for 38 years. Last 4 seasons I’ve been lucky enough to have a seat in one of the boxes, I pay it myself and don’t have a company to write it off into. It’s gone from £2400 per season (L1) to next season £5k.
Totally understand the increase and we want the club to be successful. I can’t however afford the £5k and to be honest the service/food is extremely average, it’s not worth the money as an individual really. We don’t even get a bottle of mineral water on the table included and drinks are separate. It’s also only going to keep going up as long as we are in the prem.

So I asked our account manager if I can swap to a GA seat; was told I’d have to just join the waiting list. I complained and said it’s not fair or reasonable for somebody with 38yrs consecutive season ticket to go to the back of the waiting list. Her responce……send an email to ask/safc.com. I was shocked at this, unprofessional and the person involved shouldn’t have any position handling customers.
I reckon I’ve put in £13k last 4 seasons when there have been boxes empty and the club desperate for corporate clients.

It’s left me feeling really upset but mainly angry at how they have handled it and treated loyal fans. Never expected it from Sunderland to be honest.

I’ve been told now they are “looking into it” but right now after 51 seasons since my first game, I have no idea if I will have a ticket next year! And you know if I get screwed over, I would never go back ever

Yous need to all get together and take this up with the club properly. Have Bruce come out and say it with his own mouth he is happy with these fans being treated this way. Hiding being ask safc and rules is pathetic and you shouldnt accept it

 

[Big Twisty]

Yous need to all get together and take this up with the club properly. Have Bruce come out and say it with his own mouth he is happy with these fans being treated this way. Hiding being ask safc and rules is pathetic and you shouldnt accept it

Unfortunately the opinion ground swell of most fans is a dislike of corporate customers anyway, so I”m not sure a public show of outrage would be generally supported. I think some of our fans would find it amusing.
What I do know for a fact is the vast majority of people in corporate are genuine Sunderland supporters who just wanted a better match day experience. Now it’s just getting too expensive.

The easiest solution is a window opening before the waiting list gets access, where exiting corporate clients can pick what’s left of GA seats

 

[TradingPlaces]

I’ve had a season ticket for 38 years. Last 4 seasons I’ve been lucky enough to have a seat in one of the boxes, I pay it myself and don’t have a company to write it off into. It’s gone from £2400 per season (L1) to next season £5k.
Totally understand the increase and we want the club to be successful. I can’t however afford the £5k and to be honest the service/food is extremely average, it’s not worth the money as an individual really. We don’t even get a bottle of mineral water on the table included and drinks are separate. It’s also only going to keep going up as long as we are in the prem.

So I asked our account manager if I can swap to a GA seat; was told I’d have to just join the waiting list. I complained and said it’s not fair or reasonable for somebody with 38yrs consecutive season ticket to go to the back of the waiting list. Her responce……send an email to ask/safc.com. I was shocked at this, unprofessional and the person involved shouldn’t have any position handling customers.
I reckon I’ve put in £13k last 4 seasons when there have been boxes empty and the club desperate for corporate clients.

It’s left me feeling really upset but mainly angry at how they have handled it and treated loyal fans. Never expected it from Sunderland to be honest.

I’ve been told now they are “looking into it” but right now after 51 seasons since my first game, I have no idea if I will have a ticket next year! And you know if I get screwed over, I would never go back ever

Absolutely disgraceful that mate, they really couldn’t give a fuck about loyal fans, never thought I’d see the day where SAFC put money before everything, the “caring club’. Honestly don’t see how they can put people right at the back of a waiting list when they’ve had season cards for years, they can’t be allowed to get away with this. Maybe it’s worth getting in touch with the RAWA fans group and see if anything they can do to put pressure on the club.

 

[Jasper]

Yes but I heard that some Founders Club seats are down in the NW corner, I would have expected far better seats than those if I was in corporate.

We shall see what the Founders pricing is next season and if it is sold out or not.

The problem probably arose because this hospitality package was created at a time when season ticket holders have most of the best seats. If the club start taking seats from season ticket holders for corporate customers, then things will get sour.
Maybe we need an extension????


The first few rows of the Premier Concourse are arguably the best seats in the ground.

Guarantee that will happen to me. That's why the prices if I had been a new season ticket holder for this season would have been a 98% increase for me. It'll get up to that price next season probably and they'll just try to price us out rather than run the risk of pissing people off by moving them.

 

[Big Twisty]

Absolutely disgraceful that mate, they really couldn’t give a fuck about loyal fans, never thought I’d see the day where SAFC put money before everything, the “caring club’. Honestly don’t see how they can put people right at the back of a waiting list when they’ve had season cards for years, they can’t be allowed to get away with this. Maybe it’s worth getting in touch with the RAWA fans group and see if anything they can do to put pressure on the club.

I’ve had an email from the club telling me “the senior management team are currently reviewing” in responce to an email I sent to D Burke where I explained my situation.
Guess I will have to wait for this. The corporate renewal deadline is 27th March, I’ve told them I can’t afford to renew it.
Although I believe there is a straight forward solution, fans of other premier clubs have been screwed over in recent years and taken for granted. I never expected Sunderland to be like that, and can only hope they see a sensible outcome for us

 

[Randy Savage]

I’ve renewed my founders ticket and joined the waiting list for general admission. Will see what happens I guess.

 

[Violet Club]

I’ve had a season ticket for 38 years. Last 4 seasons I’ve been lucky enough to have a seat in one of the boxes, I pay it myself and don’t have a company to write it off into. It’s gone from £2400 per season (L1) to next season £5k.
Totally understand the increase and we want the club to be successful. I can’t however afford the £5k and to be honest the service/food is extremely average, it’s not worth the money as an individual really. We don’t even get a bottle of mineral water on the table included and drinks are separate. It’s also only going to keep going up as long as we are in the prem.

So I asked our account manager if I can swap to a GA seat; was told I’d have to just join the waiting list. I complained and said it’s not fair or reasonable for somebody with 38yrs consecutive season ticket to go to the back of the waiting list. Her responce……send an email to ask/safc.com. I was shocked at this, unprofessional and the person involved shouldn’t have any position handling customers.
I reckon I’ve put in £13k last 4 seasons when there have been boxes empty and the club desperate for corporate clients.

It’s left me feeling really upset but mainly angry at how they have handled it and treated loyal fans. Never expected it from Sunderland to be honest.

I’ve been told now they are “looking into it” but right now after 51 seasons since my first game, I have no idea if I will have a ticket next year! And you know if I get screwed over, I would never go back ever

The admin team looking after corporate are very poor. Asked a simple ticketing query to my Account Manager, 6 weeks and 4 chasers later, still no response.

 

[dancingradio]

The admin team looking after corporate are very poor. Asked a simple ticketing query to my Account Manager, 6 weeks and 4 chasers later, still no response.

They are proper embarrassing for high level service. I went to one of the gigs and got a proper vip package and the service from start to finish was crap. Felt proper low end

 

[TradingPlaces]

The admin team looking after corporate are very poor. Asked a simple ticketing query to my Account Manager, 6 weeks and 4 chasers later, still no response.

Who’s your Account Manager? Have to say, the lass who I deal with has been very good, very quick to get back to me whenever I email her, can’t fault her.