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Post by Winge on Mar 15, 2010 21:13:18 GMT
Man City have a loyalty points system based on miles travelled to the games. It is calculated the number of miles from the home ground to the away ground the team are playing at. The further you travel the more loyalty points you get. This means that if you travelled to Sunderland you would get more points than say Old Trafford or Anfield....it works for them.
Derby did a scheme when in the Prem that you could pay £190 up front for an away season ticket. These people had first dibs ........ and £10 was taken off the face value of the ticket. If you did not go all the games the remaining money was taken off your season ticket the following year......again very fair and apparently worked very well.
Scholes is a cock as my mate now has a Platinum + membership and has never been an away game this season...yet i have up to now been 9 away games and am only able to buy a Platinum card.
I smell a rat with the 500 freebies ......just keep the click happy...pathetic and also unfair!!
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 15, 2010 21:16:24 GMT
I should qualify for a freebie Winge, but to date I haven't been informed of the fact.
The whole thing, as usual, is haphazard, ill-advised and poorly instigated.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 15, 2010 21:18:14 GMT
I was really disappointed by the Oatcake reaction to this scheme in Saturday's issue. We are all entitled to our opinions but as a bloke (team of blokes) who have travelled regularly over the years, watching us when we were really shit, I was amazed with their attitude towards this scheme. I still think it stinks. Every single loyalty scheme operated by other clubs has some measure of rewarding those that travel to to the most away fixtures during a season. I have put my feelings on this particular issue in writing to Mr Scholes today even though it will probably hit the bin alongside the rest of the other complaints. What was said Dave?
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 15, 2010 21:27:58 GMT
In a nutshell they said that it was no big deal, didn't understand why there was a furore about it and that as we are in the big league now, we should get used to such hair-brained schemes and go along with it.
No big deal was basically their conclusion.
Like I say, I was very disappointed in the reaction, particularly knowing some of the lads involved in the publication of the fanzine, but we are all entitled to our opinions.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 15, 2010 21:33:43 GMT
In a nutshell they said that it was no big deal, didn't understand why there was a furore about it and that as we are in the big league now, we should get used to such hair-brained schemes and go along with it. No big deal was basically their conclusion. Like I say, I was very disappointed in the reaction, particularly knowing some of the lads involved in the publication of the fanzine, but we are all entitled to our opinions. I'll need to it read before commenting any further Dave ... but I have to say that my initial reaction is one of real surprise.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 15, 2010 21:44:51 GMT
That was my reaction as well Paul. I was amazed to be honest.
These are guys that I saw at Millwall many years ago. Brian Little was manager, we were shit and we lost 2-0. They had 2 men sent off and played most of the game with 9 men and they battered us. Lee Collins made his debut for us having signed from Villa the day before. Suffice to say he made Mama look like Pele.
When celebrating on the pitch v Leicester a wee while back, I bumped into the Oatcake lads and that game was one we recounted as "pay back".
I was really really surprised on Saturday.
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Post by potterglen on Mar 15, 2010 22:21:50 GMT
Why is buying away tickets so complicated? I'd be interested to find out if other clubs have such issues/problems, it looks like the work of tight arsed Scholes worrying about selling allocation and making money instead of sending maximum supporters to away games.
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Post by mcf on Mar 16, 2010 7:18:26 GMT
Davejohnno Have you rung the club? ..and another thing you cheeky hypocritical cunt. What's this 'man of the people' farce when you are getting freebies off John Rudge? If that isn't some sort of preferential treatment and looking after 'yourself' then I don't know what is.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 16, 2010 11:02:14 GMT
MCF...I don't wish to appear "holier than thou" here but I have turned down plenty of free ticket offers because when it comes to Stoke I would rather pay my way. I accepted a free ticket for the Pompey cup match this season and also for Sunderland, which I gave away to a mate. I travelled to Sunderland on my own (with a fully paid ticket) and Rudgey offered me a free ticket. A mate of mine, who now lives in Whitby wanted to go to the game but couldn't afford, so I let him have the free ticket! That is the sort of bloke I am! I am not at all in favour of this new scheme and really do think it stinks. I haven't phoned the club but I did write to Tony Scholes with my own opinions on the subject.
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Post by mcf on Mar 16, 2010 13:52:49 GMT
Bore off Father Johnno Given that you lot are giving Scholes a hard time, I might email to tell him what a great offer it is. We usually make fuck all off away tickets but we do this way. This money could subsidise us taking 6k allocations from Chelsea, instead of 3k allocations in the future. I don't mind subsidizing my fellow Stokies or club as long as I get something in return. Shame you selfish cunts can't see further than your own needs.
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Post by vestanpance on Mar 16, 2010 13:59:14 GMT
To each their own, there are valid points on both sides.
For my part though, there is something that smells a lot like money grabbing to this scheme, something that i feel on balance Stoke City FC have worked tremendously hard to circumnavigate since we got in this league.
I hope it's a one-off, and not the sign of things to come.
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Post by mcf on Mar 16, 2010 14:15:26 GMT
VP
I hope it makes money for the club otherwise their is no point.
I think it is a sign of things to come.
I reckon Platinum plus have a higher threshold (maybe 2k) next year, maybe even go up in price as well...
Way of the world but what do you expect with a Labour government in charge....
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 16, 2010 15:10:21 GMT
Come on MCF! Should the club really be looking to fleece even more money out of those that travel away from home.
It is expensive enough as it is.
In the premier league, where the club has made a profit for the first time in years and revenues are really going through the roof, do you really and truly believe that this scheme is both a necessity and more importantly fair.
There are many ways to achieve what they are looking for, but limiting numbers so that any tom dick or harry gets preference over those who travel to the largest proportion of games is scandalous.
Once again our club has implement a scheme that is ill-advised, poorly instigated and with no thought or consideration for those supporters that travel to watch them regularly.
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Post by mcf on Mar 16, 2010 16:56:12 GMT
I think the club needs to make money where it can.
What do you mean by regular?
I went to around 14 last year and around 10 this year.
Is that regular enough?
I'm thrilled with the scheme.
I know that I want to go to a reasonable number of away games (being in Huddersfield means that I want to go to the ones within 2 hours/100 miles away plus London midweek games) every year
For the sake of £50 (well, £250 for all the family) I don't have to worry about whether I will meet the criteria or not.
I don't have too many vices in this world and if paying a bit extra to ensure I get the away tickets I want, then surely both I and the club gain. It's not like they have sold off the entire allocation.
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Post by rhodesy on Mar 16, 2010 19:01:37 GMT
I think the club needs to make money where it can. What do you mean by regular? I went to around 14 last year and around 10 this year. Is that regular enough? I'm thrilled with the scheme. I know that I want to go to a reasonable number of away games (being in Huddersfield means that I want to go to the ones within 2 hours/100 miles away plus London midweek games) every year For the sake of £50 (well, £250 for all the family) I don't have to worry about whether I will meet the criteria or not. I don't have too many vices in this world and if paying a bit extra to ensure I get the away tickets I want, then surely both I and the club gain. It's not like they have sold off the entire allocation. Here here! Long may it continue! ;D
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Post by stokie25 on Mar 16, 2010 19:10:59 GMT
i thought you didn't go rhodesy ??? good job daddy sorts it for you
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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Mar 16, 2010 19:21:44 GMT
That was my reaction as well Paul. I was amazed to be honest. These are guys that I saw at Millwall many years ago. Brian Little was manager, we were shit and we lost 2-0. They had 2 men sent off and played most of the game with 9 men and they battered us. Lee Collins made his debut for us having signed from Villa the day before. Suffice to say he made Mama look like Pele. When celebrating on the pitch v Leicester a wee while back, I bumped into the Oatcake lads and that game was one we recounted as "pay back". I was really really surprised on Saturday. Dave, Can't really see why you are so surprised? Must we be against everything that the club do? I was against the ID Card scheme but I still got one. I didn't say I was in favour of the Platinum scheme, more that I'm choosing not make it a battle. There's a big difference. If it proves to be the thin end of the wedge then perhaps it would be time to stand up and speak out. If it's a one-off scheme then I'll live and move on. Things are going too well at the moment. I actually said that there is probably no scheme at all that is completely fair. I can highlight that point quite easily. Having not missed a single home or away game for 14 years (seven of them in the third tier of English football) I now find myself behind people in the queue for away tickets who never even owned an ID Card and who by their own admission have only started going to way games since we got in the Premier League. Is that fair? Not that I'm complaining mind you - just pointing out how things can turn against anyone. No scheme addresses all grievances and issues. We have never previously used an away-scheme based on the number of matches you went the season before so why had that suddenly become the 'norm' over the past two seasons? We have however, used something similar to this platinum scheme before, as we gave priority for away tickets to people who joined the Premier Club and the Legends Club when we first moved to The Brit. I don't believe the club can't be looking at this as a money-making scheme. It has to be for administrative reasons. If they wanted to make money then a simple '£20 across the board' rise in season-ticket prices would have made far more. For what it's worth I think the first dibs on away tickets should should always go to season-ticket holders, on a first come first served basis. Any that are left should then be made available on general sale. Don't agree with the new scheme Dave but not slapping on the war paint about it either.
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Post by Winge on Mar 16, 2010 19:39:07 GMT
I think the club needs to make money where it can. What do you mean by regular? I went to around 14 last year and around 10 this year. Is that regular enough? I'm thrilled with the scheme. I know that I want to go to a reasonable number of away games (being in Huddersfield means that I want to go to the ones within 2 hours/100 miles away plus London midweek games) every year For the sake of £50 (well, £250 for all the family) I don't have to worry about whether I will meet the criteria or not. I don't have too many vices in this world and if paying a bit extra to ensure I get the away tickets I want, then surely both I and the club gain. It's not like they have sold off the entire allocation. i went with my daughter to 10 away games last season and i am currently on 10 away games this season.....yet i could not purchase a Platinum + membership ....how is this fair, especially when some have had it for free?? Why the limit on these Palt + members .... smells like looking after the click and guaranteeing them tickets......hows that fair. I have bought a Plat card but would have been willing to purchase a Plat +...... but couldn't......it's all bullshit in my eyes .... looking after a select and giving them it for free!!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2010 19:40:24 GMT
I'm probably in the minority here, hardly missed home or away for 10 seasons prior to us going up due to a change in job and a baby find myself way down the queue now.
I take the pragmatic approach to this, if I'm free and can make the game I'll see if I can get a ticket, if I can't I don't go end of story.
Not been fleeced on this and if that means missing the trips to Old Trafford, The Emirates and the like than so be it. After a few seasons of mid-table mediocracy or God forbid relegation interest will die off and I'll slip back into Portsmouth away on a Tuesday night and the like.
I don't like a lot of things that come with Premier League football and this money making scheme is one of them. It stinks imo but not going to lose any sleep over it I'll just do something else instead
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 16, 2010 21:15:00 GMT
Smudge...I don't disagree with much of what you say, but you had the opportunity to be at the front of the queue when tickets were allocated from your attendence of all fixtures in the Championship. From there on in, you either qualify or you don't.
The current system is fair and gives EVERY season ticket holder the chance of a ticket. NO game sells out on the priority system we currently have and at least 50% of tickets ALWAYS make general sale to season ticket holders.
In attending every game as I do, it simply means I don't have to bother with the queues that go with general sale. I have two people that wanted West Ham tickets who don't quality on games attended, so got them all together, this morning. I arrived a 9.10am and left the ticket office just before 10am.
Had I got them last week, when I and 4 others qualified for tickets, I wouldn't have had to queue.
As for MCF's comment, once again, attending as you do means that you have first dibs on all away tickets anyway. You can currently get whatever tickets you want without some shitty card.
It is a con and whilst it may not stir everyones anger, it frustrates the hell out of me. It is a scheme to far for me and I will be neither a platinum plus on platinum member. I was offered my free platinum plus upgrade on renewing my season ticket yesterday and told them that I didn't want it.
Cutting my nose off to spite my face? Maybe, but if I can't get tickets going forward, then so be it. I will fall out of the habit and find other things to do and when we are shit again, which no doubt we will be, I will laugh my bollocks off at us having followings of 250-300 again to places like Norwich, or worse still, Colchester, on a Tuesday evening.
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Post by Winge on Mar 16, 2010 21:25:09 GMT
Smudge...I don't disagree with much of what you say, but you had the opportunity to be at the front of the queue when tickets were allocated from your attendence of all fixtures in the Championship. From there on in, you either qualify or you don't. The current system is fair and gives EVERY season ticket holder the chance of a ticket. NO game sells out on the priority system we currently have and at least 50% of tickets ALWAYS make general sale to season ticket holders. In attending every game as I do, it simply means I don't have to bother with the queues that go with general sale. I have two people that wanted West Ham tickets who don't quality on games attended, so got them all together, this morning. I arrived a 9.10am and left the ticket office just before 10am. Had I got them last week, when I and 4 others qualified for tickets, I wouldn't have had to queue. As for MCF's comment, once again, attending as you do means that you have first dibs on all away tickets anyway. You can currently get whatever tickets you want without some shitty card. It is a con and whilst it may not stir everyones anger, it frustrates the hell out of me. It is a scheme to far for me and I will be neither a platinum plus on platinum member. I was offered my free platinum plus upgrade on renewing my season ticket yesterday and told them that I didn't want it. Cutting my nose off to spite my face? Maybe, but if I can't get tickets going forward, then so be it. I will fall out of the habit and find other things to do and when we are shit again, which no doubt we will be, I will laugh my bollocks off at us having followings of 250-300 again to places like Norwich, or worse still, Colchester, on a Tuesday evening. Totally agree pal.... if i could give you some karma i would.
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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Mar 16, 2010 21:51:45 GMT
Smudge...I don't disagree with much of what you say, but you had the opportunity to be at the front of the queue when tickets were allocated from your attendence of all fixtures in the Championship. From there on in, you either qualify or you don't. The current system is fair and gives EVERY season ticket holder the chance of a ticket. NO game sells out on the priority system we currently have and at least 50% of tickets ALWAYS make general sale to season ticket holders. In attending every game as I do, it simply means I don't have to bother with the queues that go with general sale. I have two people that wanted West Ham tickets who don't quality on games attended, so got them all together, this morning. I arrived a 9.10am and left the ticket office just before 10am. Had I got them last week, when I and 4 others qualified for tickets, I wouldn't have had to queue. As for MCF's comment, once again, attending as you do means that you have first dibs on all away tickets anyway. You can currently get whatever tickets you want without some shitty card. It is a con and whilst it may not stir everyones anger, it frustrates the hell out of me. It is a scheme to far for me and I will be neither a platinum plus on platinum member. I was offered my free platinum plus upgrade on renewing my season ticket yesterday and told them that I didn't want it. Cutting my nose off to spite my face? Maybe, but if I can't get tickets going forward, then so be it. I will fall out of the habit and find other things to do and when we are shit again, which no doubt we will be, I will laugh my bollocks off at us having followings of 250-300 again to places like Norwich, or worse still, Colchester, on a Tuesday evening. Hi Dave, First off, I can't understand why you would turn down something offered to you for free? You earned it, so why not take it? I respect your decision but I do fear you have cut off your nose to spite your face here. You say this is a scheme too far (what were the others that preceded it) but then some said the ID Card was the same and you still got one, as did I. Why support that scheme and not this one? We may have done it through gritted teeth but we both still signed up for a scheme that many other fans hated. This is a great time in the club's history and I think they have been more than fair with us over the course of the past few seasons. Millions have been invested (sums we wouldn't previously have dreamed of) and practically all of it is now going to be completely written off. I am in dreamland mate and if the club are asking fans to stump up for £30 quid for this scheme then while we're in the Premier League then I'm not going to rock the boat (though the letters pages are still there for people to air their views and we will always accept printed articles from anyone who feels strongly about it). I'm pretty sure the day will come again when we're back down to smaller away followings in a lower division and when that happens the scheme will disappear up its own backside. I think the club know that too. We've been through an awful lot down the past couple of decades haven't we mate and I'm sorry if you feel let down that on this one issue the fire doesn't burn as intensely for me as it appears to for you. I am only being honest about it though. I honestly don't feel the club are taking me for a ride on this and in the past would they have been so thoughtful as to offer free cards to those who actually earned them? *** Just to explain my own position, regarding the queue. Because of my son's swimming commitments I have actually missed more away games in the past three years than the previous twenty put together. Those are my circumstances and I'm not complaining about it. It does sting just a little bit though that we decided to instigate a loyalty test (of sorts) in a promotion season and then two seasons in the uber-hyped Premier League. So screw those who did stand with 200 of their fellow fans in the pouring rain at some god-forsaken hole for a night game. I got on with it and this is the first time I've ever mentioned it but, no, that's not fair either is it. Funnily enough though there has not been a single game yet that I have been forced to miss because of tickets. By hook or my crook, every time I've needed a ticket for an away game I've got one. I'm sure all of the genuine fans will do likewise in the future too, irrespective of any Platinum Scheme. Take care mate.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 16, 2010 22:20:26 GMT
Smudge...I don't disagree with much of what you say, but you had the opportunity to be at the front of the queue when tickets were allocated from your attendence of all fixtures in the Championship. From there on in, you either qualify or you don't. The current system is fair and gives EVERY season ticket holder the chance of a ticket. NO game sells out on the priority system we currently have and at least 50% of tickets ALWAYS make general sale to season ticket holders. In attending every game as I do, it simply means I don't have to bother with the queues that go with general sale. I have two people that wanted West Ham tickets who don't quality on games attended, so got them all together, this morning. I arrived a 9.10am and left the ticket office just before 10am. Had I got them last week, when I and 4 others qualified for tickets, I wouldn't have had to queue. As for MCF's comment, once again, attending as you do means that you have first dibs on all away tickets anyway. You can currently get whatever tickets you want without some shitty card. It is a con and whilst it may not stir everyones anger, it frustrates the hell out of me. It is a scheme to far for me and I will be neither a platinum plus on platinum member. I was offered my free platinum plus upgrade on renewing my season ticket yesterday and told them that I didn't want it. Cutting my nose off to spite my face? Maybe, but if I can't get tickets going forward, then so be it. I will fall out of the habit and find other things to do and when we are shit again, which no doubt we will be, I will laugh my bollocks off at us having followings of 250-300 again to places like Norwich, or worse still, Colchester, on a Tuesday evening. Hi Dave, First off, I can't understand why you would turn down something offered to you for free? You earned it, so why not take it? I respect your decision but I do fear you have cut off your nose to spite your face here. You say this is a scheme too far (what were the others that preceded it) but then some said the ID Card was the same and you still got one, as did I. Why support that scheme and not this one? We may have done it through gritted teeth but we both still signed up for a scheme that many other fans hated. This is a great time in the club's history and I think they have been more than fair with us over the course of the past few seasons. Millions have been invested (sums we wouldn't previously have dreamed of) and practically all of it is now going to be completely written off. I am in dreamland mate and if the club are asking fans to stump up for £30 quid for this scheme then while we're in the Premier League then I'm not going to rock the boat (though the letters pages are still there for people to air their views and we will always accept printed articles from anyone who feels strongly about it). I'm pretty sure the day will come again when we're back down to smaller away followings in a lower division and when that happens the scheme will disappear up its own backside. I think the club know that too. We've been through an awful lot down the past couple of decades haven't we mate and I'm sorry if you feel let down that on this one issue the fire doesn't burn as intensely for me as it appears to for you. I am only being honest about it though. I honestly don't feel the club are taking me for a ride on this and in the past would they have been so thoughtful as to offer free cards to those who actually earned them? *** Just to explain my own position, regarding the queue. Because of my son's swimming commitments I have actually missed more away games in the past three years than the previous twenty put together. Those are my circumstances and I'm not complaining about it. It does sting just a little bit though that we decided to instigate a loyalty test (of sorts) in a promotion season and then two seasons in the uber-hyped Premier League. So screw those who did stand with 200 of their fellow fans in the pouring rain at some god-forsaken hole for a night game. I got on with it and this is the first time I've ever mentioned it but, no, that's not fair either is it. Funnily enough though there has not been a single game yet that I have been forced to miss because of tickets. By hook or my crook, every time I've needed a ticket for an away game I've got one. I'm sure all of the genuine fans will do likewise in the future too, irrespective of any Platinum Scheme. Take care mate. Thoughtful Smudge? The only reason they made 250 available for free was as a direct result of so many people kicking up a fuss the day the scheme was discovered on here (you couldn't really call it an annoucement) ... with the sole purpose of trying to 'shut up' those who would most likely to be the loudest voices against it's implementation. I guess as far as Dave is concerned, it comes down to principal ... it sure as hell wont ever be free again.
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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Mar 16, 2010 22:29:10 GMT
Hi Dave, First off, I can't understand why you would turn down something offered to you for free? You earned it, so why not take it? I respect your decision but I do fear you have cut off your nose to spite your face here. You say this is a scheme too far (what were the others that preceded it) but then some said the ID Card was the same and you still got one, as did I. Why support that scheme and not this one? We may have done it through gritted teeth but we both still signed up for a scheme that many other fans hated. This is a great time in the club's history and I think they have been more than fair with us over the course of the past few seasons. Millions have been invested (sums we wouldn't previously have dreamed of) and practically all of it is now going to be completely written off. I am in dreamland mate and if the club are asking fans to stump up for £30 quid for this scheme then while we're in the Premier League then I'm not going to rock the boat (though the letters pages are still there for people to air their views and we will always accept printed articles from anyone who feels strongly about it). I'm pretty sure the day will come again when we're back down to smaller away followings in a lower division and when that happens the scheme will disappear up its own backside. I think the club know that too. We've been through an awful lot down the past couple of decades haven't we mate and I'm sorry if you feel let down that on this one issue the fire doesn't burn as intensely for me as it appears to for you. I am only being honest about it though. I honestly don't feel the club are taking me for a ride on this and in the past would they have been so thoughtful as to offer free cards to those who actually earned them? *** Just to explain my own position, regarding the queue. Because of my son's swimming commitments I have actually missed more away games in the past three years than the previous twenty put together. Those are my circumstances and I'm not complaining about it. It does sting just a little bit though that we decided to instigate a loyalty test (of sorts) in a promotion season and then two seasons in the uber-hyped Premier League. So screw those who did stand with 200 of their fellow fans in the pouring rain at some god-forsaken hole for a night game. I got on with it and this is the first time I've ever mentioned it but, no, that's not fair either is it. Funnily enough though there has not been a single game yet that I have been forced to miss because of tickets. By hook or my crook, every time I've needed a ticket for an away game I've got one. I'm sure all of the genuine fans will do likewise in the future too, irrespective of any Platinum Scheme. Take care mate. Thoughtful Smudge? The only reason they made 250 available for free was as a direct result of so many people kicking up a fuss the day the scheme was discovered on here (you couldn't really call it an annoucement) ... with the sole purpose of trying to 'shut up' those who would most likely to be the loudest voices against it's implementation. I guess as far as Dave is concerned, it comes down to principal ... it sure as hell wont ever be free again. Paul, So what about principals for the ID Card? How do we differentiate between the two when there are people who signed up for one (and the majority of people with a Stoke City affiliation DID NOT sign up) but are now against this? Principals are in danger of looking a little flaky here aren't they. As for the thoughtful thing... you may well be right about why the club acted. But they did act. I don't think it would have been too long ago that they just said stuff it and tough titty to anyone who felt short-changed. Like I said, I'm sorry if the fire doesn't burn as intensely for me as it appears to for some other people. I just don't see this as a subject about which I'm going to work myself into a frenzy over.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 16, 2010 22:38:58 GMT
Maybe I will mellow Smudge, who knows! Stoke City is a MASSIVE part of my life and in times of strife, is a real godsend...for 1 day each week (or 90 minutes at least) I forget the serious illness in my family and the fact that I am going through a heartbreaking and very expensive divorce. The thought of not going to a game, home or away, is one I would never dare contemplate, but right now, this scheme really has tipped me over the edge.
There is no point me having the platinum + card when only 1 of my mates qualifies anyway. I would only end up getting tickets at a later date anyway. Maybe we will all agree, when we meet at the weekend, to sign up to the Platinum membership to at least give ourselves a fighting chance of tickets, but it will very much be a case of what the majority of us want to do. I would prefer to opt out, but if I am out-voted, then I will go along with what everyone else wants. Our spirit is very much "one for all and all for one" and is one of the things that makes away days so special.
I signed up for the Legends club (£ 300 for 10 seasons) as at the time I was young and stupid and thought it would benefit me when we made the premier league.
Whilst despicable, I signed up for the ID card because I had been away enough to realise that something needed to be done about our lunatic core and if I had to swallow an ID card, then I thought so be it. I didn't agree but could see the reason for it being implemented.
On this scheme, however, I don't see any reason at all for it being implemented. Tickets may well be available for every game, even with this scheme, but the thought of someone getting a ticket for Manure ahead of someone who goes to a good proportion of away fixtures makes me feel sick. I would rather not bother to be honest.
I much preferred sitting amongst the 500 who went to Sunderland. I knew almost every one of them by face and it took me back some years. At Chelsea last week, I was stood one row, and directly behind a Vale fan for fucks sake.
There is something raw about being a Stoke fan away from home and when that disappears, the attraction will disappear a bit for me.
Prestwichpotter (posted above) is my cousin and he came to every game with me for years and years. He doesn't bother anymore. Whilst he puts that down to new family commitments, I feel sure that it is more the expense, the ball-ache and the experience not being worth the ridiculous money we pay currently that is more the reason.
I don't agree with the scheme for many reasons of which I have mentioned above. However, whilst agreeing that things are great at Stoke right now, behind the scenes we are still 3rd division. This scheme is poorly thought out, has been instigated in the most appalling manner possible and is designed purely to fleece even more money out of its loyal supporter base.
It is that that I thought would be more worthy of comment in the Oatcake, but as I said previously, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I am not knocking anyone for their views or doing what suits them.
There are loads of schemes that would be more preferable than this and the references to the likes of Man United, Wolves and Derby couldn't be further from the truth. Our new system bears no resemblence to any of the schemes implemented by these clubs.
I think I have said enough on this subject. I am off to bed, safe in the knowledge that our 6 West Ham tickets are on my stairs waiting for use on the 27th March.
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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Mar 16, 2010 22:42:07 GMT
One thing I would like to add to my other comments, concern the club's handling of this whole issue. In truth it's been little short of farcical.
If they had just come out and announced the scheme, everything that was involved and stuck to their guns they'd have made life so much easier for themselves.
Regardless of what anybody thinks of the scheme it has been handled in a very amateurish fashion and shown the club come out of it looking like they're making things up as they go along.
It's hard to imagine they couldn't have thought of the scheme and then introduced it, with all of the terms and conditions in place.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Mar 16, 2010 22:43:05 GMT
Paul, So what about principals for the ID Card? How do we differentiate between the two when there are people who signed up for one (and the majority of people with a Stoke City affiliation DID NOT sign up) but are now against this? Principals are in danger of looking a little flaky here aren't they. As for the thoughtful thing... you may well be right about why the club acted. But they did act. I don't think it would have been too long ago that they just said stuff it and tough titty to anyone who felt short-changed. Like I said, I'm sorry if the fire doesn't burn as intensely for me as it appears to for some other people. I just don't see this as a subject about which I'm going to work myself into a frenzy over. Smudge the schemes are completely different, implemented by the club for two completely different sets of reasons. With the greatest of respect, I don't see how you can have a discussion about principal when peoples motives for or against either one would surely be very different. I don't know if I agree with you, indeed there isn't really any evidence to suggest if that would be the case one way or another ... however there is quite clear evidence to suggest that by supporters not just taking it lying down, that some (if very little) good has resulted for a few supporters. No frenzy fella, just voicing my opinion on something that I think is unfair.
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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Mar 16, 2010 22:46:43 GMT
Maybe I will mellow Smudge, who knows! Stoke City is a MASSIVE part of my life and in times of strife, is a real godsend...for 1 day each week (or 90 minutes at least) I forget the serious illness in my family and the fact that I am going through a heartbreaking and very expensive divorce. The thought of not going to a game, home or away, is one I would never dare contemplate, but right now, this scheme really has tipped me over the edge. There is no point me having the platinum + card when only 1 of my mates qualifies anyway. I would only end up getting tickets at a later date anyway. Maybe we will all agree, when we meet at the weekend, to sign up to the Platinum membership to at least give ourselves a fighting chance of tickets, but it will very much be a case of what the majority of us want to do. I would prefer to opt out, but if I am out-voted, then I will go along with what everyone else wants. Our spirit is very much "one for all and all for one" and is one of the things that makes away days so special. I signed up for the Legends club (£ 300 for 10 seasons) as at the time I was young and stupid and thought it would benefit me when we made the premier league. Whilst despicable, I signed up for the ID card because I had been away enough to realise that something needed to be done about our lunatic core and if I had to swallow an ID card, then I thought so be it. I didn't agree but could see the reason for it being implemented. On this scheme, however, I don't see any reason at all for it being implemented. Tickets may well be available for every game, even with this scheme, but the thought of someone getting a ticket for Manure ahead of someone who goes to a good proportion of away fixtures makes me feel sick. I would rather not bother to be honest. I much preferred sitting amongst the 500 who went to Sunderland. I knew almost every one of them by face and it took me back some years. At Chelsea last week, I was stood one row, and directly behind a Vale fan for fucks sake. There is something raw about being a Stoke fan away from home and when that disappears, the attraction will disappear a bit for me. Prestwichpotter (posted above) is my cousin and he came to every game with me for years and years. He doesn't bother anymore. Whilst he puts that down to new family commitments, I feel sure that it is more the expense, the ball-ache and the experience not being worth the ridiculous money we pay currently that is more the reason. I don't agree with the scheme for many reasons of which I have mentioned above. However, whilst agreeing that things are great at Stoke right now, behind the scenes we are still 3rd division. This scheme is poorly thought out, has been instigated in the most appalling manner possible and is designed purely to fleece even more money out of its loyal supporter base. It is that that I thought would be more worthy of comment in the Oatcake, but as I said previously, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I am not knocking anyone for their views or doing what suits them. There are loads of schemes that would be more preferable than this and the references to the likes of Man United, Wolves and Derby couldn't be further from the truth. Our new system bears no resemblence to any of the schemes implemented by these clubs. I think I have said enough on this subject. I am off to bed, safe in the knowledge that our 6 West Ham tickets are on my stairs waiting for use on the 27th March. All fair comment Dave. I understand where you're coming from but I'm cutting the club some slack for now. Let's wait and see if it is the thin end of the wedge. At the moment I don't feel like I'm being taken for a ride but maybe I'm being slow to wake up to the reality of what's actually happening? See you at West Ham.
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Post by salopstick on Mar 16, 2010 22:53:49 GMT
One thing I would like to add to my other comments, concern the club's handling of this whole issue. In truth it's been little short of farcical. If they had just come out and announced the scheme, everything that was involved and stuck to their guns they'd have made life so much easier for themselves. Regardless of what anybody thinks of the scheme it has been handled in a very amateurish fashion and shown the club come out of it looking like they're making things up as they go along. It's hard to imagine they couldn't have thought of the scheme and then introduced it, with all of the terms and conditions in place. fair point smudge but it is tempered by the fact that stoke have made every effort to make home tickets both singles and season tickets as cheap and accessible as they can (ok the multibuy was a flawed but the reason behind it was valid) it would have been easy for the club to have made as much money in our expected only season in the prem with cheap tickets and installment plan has been a great gesture
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Post by sheikhmomo on Mar 16, 2010 23:05:12 GMT
When you consider how the Oatcake was conceived, born and all it came to represent, I find some of the preceding comments as depressing as the late eighties itself.
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