Wonto
Youth Player
Posts: 335
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Post by Wonto on Mar 23, 2008 10:41:21 GMT
Can a member of administration please pin this message up.
Has anyone else received their letter throwing them out of their seats in the Family Area for daring to have children of 14 years of age.
Does anyone think this would have happened had there not been a sniff of the premiership in the air when they think they can sneak it in.
Once again no consultation, no proper notice. Tony Scholes really is a snake oil salesman.
14 year olds don't tend to go to matches alone and as a parent I appreciate the behaviour in the Family Area.
Any suggestions for protests.
Please put your comments on this thread so that I can bring the clubs attention to peoples feelings.
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Post by Northy on Mar 23, 2008 10:49:04 GMT
used to go in the family area my lad is 14 and I've moved to block 26, my own choice; but I wouldn't be happy with this if it was against my wishes. A family is a family after all, unkless you fly and they become adults at 12  |
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Post by dadofsam on Mar 23, 2008 10:58:55 GMT
I'm pretty pissed off about this as well. I've got a good seat in the Family and I know and like the people who sit round me.
My daughter is 14 and the club clearly thinks this is too old to still be a "kiddie" so we are being more or less forced to move to another part of the ground probably with a worse view.
I was told yesterday that adults who come without children will not be allowed in, well what about some night matches when it's school next day or exams or just the millions of things kids have to do - won't I be able to sit in my seat? What will they do, sell it to someone else? I can't see how they'd be able to.
And what about families with one child who's young - say 5 - and one who's 14 or 15 what do they do.
I'd be very interested to know just who it is who's complained about the current family stand setup and what their problem is.
Bad thinking on this one and I'm suspicious of the motives.
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jcscfc
Youth Player
City 'Til I Die
Posts: 443
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Post by jcscfc on Mar 23, 2008 12:02:42 GMT
Lets spell it out here:
Two seasons ago my ticket in the family area was £299, this season £309. Next season if I want to watch from the Seddon stand it will be £379. An astonishing rise of £80 in two seasons. Think of it as a percentage and compare it to inflation. What a joke.
To say I'm not amused is an understatement.
BUT there is a certian element in the 'young kiddies area' who abuse it. We had an incident happen behind us at the Newcastle FA Cup game. A new STH this season who is very vocal and not too selective with his choice of shouting (in footballing terms 'foul and abusive') was confronted by a STH who has had season tickets in that area for at least the last 6 years to my knowledge.
Maybe this kind of shouting has caused this issue.
The letter sent out does say 'If you have any query as to how the changes affect you or what choices you have for your season ticket please contact our Customer services manager, Chris Gater, in person at the club or by email on chris.gater@stokecityfc.com'
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Post by skiptanbroonacari on Mar 23, 2008 12:07:24 GMT
What bugs me is what the club consider to be a family.
I go with my brother, his missus and four juniors aged 9, 14, 16 & 17 (two sons, one daughter and a nephew)
Next year I've got to go with the 9 year old alone, and if he cant come I've got to change my seat at a cost of £2 a time.
Additionally there are other "families" around us who have to move, one is a son-dad-grandad group - presumably these are no longer classed as a family.
There's a guy in front of us who's had his seat with his family for 7 years and he's got to move.
Finally, I feel stitched up because I have to find a new place to sit. In 10 years at the Britt I've had 8 season tickets, now I'm worse off than people who have bought the mini-season ticket a few weeks ago. The seat they have is guaranteed for them next season. I'm concerned that the options left will be for inferior seats. I think its possible that instead of being able to renew my seat on the 25th I'll have to get in the queue with everybody else on the 31st March
It is the normal thing with Stoke, loyalty comes second behind making money.
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Post by leekpotterman on Mar 23, 2008 12:19:13 GMT
I've had a season ticket at the Brit since we moved there and now go with a large family group comprising of 3 adults, a 17 year old, 16 year old, 15 year old, 12 year old, 10 year old and 8 year old! My children don't go to every game for various reasons, the night matches being the most obvious because of School. It says in the leaflet I have to change my ticket at least 2 hours prior to the game at the ticket office. I live in Leek and work late and so usually get to the ground just as we kick off.
I've e-mailed the Commercial Manager for clarification - hope I get a reply but Stoke have never yet replied to any of my communication so I'm not holding my breath. A bit of an own goal this one! Very disappointed and now considering what to do next... one option is not to bother.
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Post by BristolMick on Mar 23, 2008 13:24:33 GMT
I can understand why the club want a family area set aside for Children (and that really is under 14's). My son and I had a ST in there for many years, but as a late teen he no longer wants to sit in an area where the back of his seat keeps getting booted by the young children behind or we are surounded by a good number of people (mainly kids) who dont really want to be there.
Maybe an under 14's section rather than U21's is better. However this stupid 2 hour rule where you have to turn up at the ticket office 2 hours before kick off to exchange your ticket for another area if you dont have an under 14 with you is pathetic and ridiculous!
So Stoke expect you to be at the ground BEFORE 5.45 for a night game when you need to exchange your ticket or they will refuse to let you use the season ticket you have paid good money for!
Totally unreasonable and totally impractical for most supporters.
BM
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Post by mermaidsal on Mar 23, 2008 13:56:39 GMT
Signed too - we're not going to have this problem for another few years, my lads are both 10, but I think it should be moved to 16 realistically. You can't go encouraging families with one hand then moving them on with the other, especially when there's a spread of ages.
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Post by uttoxeterpotter on Mar 23, 2008 14:45:53 GMT
My personal concern is that when my 7 & 4 year olds don't attend night matches because of school I will have to move from my regular seats to elsewhere in the stadium.
On top of this I will have to do it at least 2 hours before kick-off meaning making a decision at the previous home match, making a special trip in the week or getting there before 5.45 on matchnight - not easy when you don't get in from work until 5.30 in Uttoxeter.
I am going to e:mail as the letter suggests. I am going to suggest that the club may be able to provide some kind of ticket/voucher to parents to show to the turnstile operator that children are not attending because of school.
I would state that these vouchers could only be issued for parents with children under 10 years of age - an upper age would have to be set and I think 9-10 years of age is about right.
What do others think of this idea?
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jcscfc
Youth Player
City 'Til I Die
Posts: 443
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Post by jcscfc on Mar 23, 2008 16:11:12 GMT
My thought is the club have n't thought about this before going to print.
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Post by nikola zigic on Mar 23, 2008 16:28:16 GMT
the point is people go in the family stand who havent got kids,and this is what they are trying to address
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Post by BristolMick on Mar 23, 2008 16:29:39 GMT
My personal concern is that when my 7 & 4 year olds don't attend night matches because of school I will have to move from my regular seats to elsewhere in the stadium. On top of this I will have to do it at least 2 hours before kick-off meaning making a decision at the previous home match, making a special trip in the week or getting there before 5.45 on matchnight - not easy when you don't get in from work until 5.30 in Uttoxeter. I am going to e:mail as the letter suggests. I am going to suggest that the club may be able to provide some kind of ticket/voucher to parents to show to the turnstile operator that children are not attending because of school. I would state that these vouchers could only be issued for parents with children under 10 years of age - an upper age would have to be set and I think 9-10 years of age is about right. What do others think of this idea? I think that they should simply scrap the unreasonable two hour rule for everyone who has paid good money to buy a season ticket. |
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Post by dadofsam on Mar 23, 2008 16:32:41 GMT
The more I think about the implications of this, the angrier I'm getting.
What's getting me at the moment is that after many years of season ticket ownership and introducing 2 new season ticket holders (son & daughter) I'm now having to go to the back of the queue as far as decent seats are concerned. The simple fact is that all the best seats are taken and I'm going to move to the leftovers - I'm even further back in the queue than the mini season ticket newbies.
I might well not bother.
Like my arse Stoke you've treated me like shit.
If the problem is people going into the FS without kids why not just say you can only buy an adult ticket if you're buying a kid's?
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Post by BiddulphStokie on Mar 23, 2008 16:32:58 GMT
i sit in there and i am 15 this year. Sorry but im glad its the worst stand in the world. No atmosphere, kids taking bloody action men sitting in front waving them in your face, kids kicking your chair etc
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Post by BiddulphStokie on Mar 23, 2008 16:36:02 GMT
i sit in there and i am 15 this year. Sorry but im glad its the worst stand in the world. No atmosphere, kids taking bloody action men sitting in front waving them in your face, kids kicking your chair etc
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Post by BristolMick on Mar 23, 2008 16:50:51 GMT
The more I think about the implications of this, the angrier I'm getting. What's getting me at the moment is that after many years of season ticket ownership and introducing 2 new season ticket holders (son & daughter) I'm now having to go to the back of the queue as far as decent seats are concerned. The simple fact is that all the best seats are taken and I'm going to move to the leftovers - I'm even further back in the queue than the mini season ticket newbies. I might well not bother. Like my arse Stoke you've treated me like shit. If the problem is people going into the FS without kids why not just say you can only buy an adult ticket if you're buying a kid's? There are plenty of good seats in block 29 mate, which is about the equivalent to block 33 where I previously sat in the FS. BM |
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Post by daverichards on Mar 23, 2008 17:14:13 GMT
What a right royal fuck up this is Stoke , they know how to shoot themselves in the foot still
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Post by Stafford-Stokie on Mar 23, 2008 18:46:29 GMT
I am not saying the club are going the right way about this but somthing clearly needs doing with some people in the fs. Did we not have a case of the stewards chasing some piss head around the stand for about 5 mins a couple of months ago. I wouldn't like my kids in there at times to be honest.
Not taking nowt away from your gripe though sir.
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Post by potters11 on Mar 23, 2008 18:53:32 GMT
I always thought the family stand should have been kept in the block 26 / 27 area of the ground.
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Post by OldStokie on Mar 23, 2008 19:40:17 GMT
This is a difficult area for the club to address. At some point, a 'family' stops being a 'family' if the Family Stand is set up to accomodate families with YOUNG children. I won't enter into the debate as to what age a child stops being a child, but there has to be one. Surely, those who use the Family Stand took into consideration the fact that, one day, they would stop being an eligible 'family' if the stand is set for for YOUNG children?
Me and my lad have just started taking all my grandsons. I considered the Family Stand but because I couldn't get six seats together at the time, I've decided to stay in the Boothen instead. That will cost us an extra £216 a season but I'd rather have that than all the hassle the Family Stand has to offer. Plus, It seems to me on the issue of bad language, from what I can gather, they are no worse off in the Boothen than in the Family Stand. It doesn't bother me particularly. I teach them that what they hear in the ground stays in the ground.
OS.
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Post by Tubes on Mar 23, 2008 20:10:29 GMT
hmmm, good post OS.
There has to be some age where you simply shouldn't be allowed to benefit from the cheap seats available to those bringing young children.
However, I think the club need to look at the situation where a parent with a season ticket is not allowed to sit in their own seat because the child cannot be with them, for one reason or another.
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Post by OldStokie on Mar 23, 2008 20:14:39 GMT
Tubes, I agree with you. That's one of the reasons I decided not to have season tickets in the FS. My youngest grandson is 4 and the eldest 7. There's no way they can attend night matches so that means me and my lad would have to change seats regularly.
OS.
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Wonto
Youth Player
Posts: 335
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Post by Wonto on Mar 23, 2008 20:15:42 GMT
Thanks for these comments everyone - please keep them coming as I mean the club to see them. It seems I can undertake the consumer research the club has obviously failed to do.
The 2 hour rule when you don't have your child - yes there have been times when my son hasn't come with me, especially at night games on school nights when his mum wouldn't let him go.
The solution - why not just be able to take along your childs season ticket and have the ticket ripped off as normal thus proving no-one else is using your ticket.
Is this too simple?
Also what about the fans forums - who & where are these people. Can anyone give me details of how to get hold of any of them?
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Post by panini2001 on Mar 23, 2008 20:56:55 GMT
My children have season tickets 8 and 11 years old, no way they go night matches on school nights I go on my own. You dont get off that bloody South car park until past 10, get home at 10.30. The club have fucked it up and I personally think the season tickets have gone up too much especially when I buy for three.
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Post by northantsmike on Mar 23, 2008 21:16:52 GMT
I believe that the club have tried to address the Family Stand as being for "Parents" with children. I understand that this was not always the case and there were groups who were using it as a place for cheaper seats.
I do not have any answer to how this can be better handled but certainly a "parent" having to change seats because their child cannot attend - is a nonesense. That needs to be rethought.
I do know as well that the club are looking for supporters from all parts of the ground to work with the Fans Forum in addressing all such issues and i know that if one of the people on this Message Board wanted to represent the views of the Family Stand to the club they would be most welcome within the Fans Forum. A message to the Forum Chairman at
tel2u2@btinternet.com
would get a response
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Post by robin1302 on Mar 23, 2008 21:34:41 GMT
the prices for U17's and Adults is the same in both Seddon and Family Area next year, just reading the programme from yesterday
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Post by fezipeg on Mar 23, 2008 21:48:26 GMT
Just when things seemed to be going so well at Stoke they go and do this!
I think this is a serious mistake by someone at the club. They have always given the impression that they want to encourage families but all this will do is lose them support.
Like in my case, I've had the seats since the stadium opened and expected to be able to sit there until both my kids reached 17 - I will need to move under these new rules.... and looking around where I sit on a night match the Family Stand will be pretty empty.
And those with younger kids having to pay an extra £2 after having already forked out the money on unused tickets, and having to do it 2 hours before kick off - an extra visit? - this is one reason why people have tickets in the first place - and what happens if you live out of the area?
I hope the club see sense - or will we all have to join the scrum for tickets further down the stand - just think how many will have to move in one go.
Absolute rubbish Stoke! - and I'm trying to be polite.
I hope you can get some response from the club sooner rather than later, cus this needs sorting ASAP.
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Post by trend....... on Mar 23, 2008 21:55:14 GMT
first ive heard of this... doesnt affect me, but, what a load of bollocks! what are Stoke playing at? if they dont sort it out, this will be one almighty balls up.
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Post by garymoore26 on Mar 23, 2008 22:09:00 GMT
me and my mate sat in the boothern end alone when we were both 13
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Post by slimyouth on Mar 23, 2008 23:04:05 GMT
My son and i are both season ticket holders in bl 32,the same goes for me as pretty much all the replies to this post,what a load of crap.aggree with you uttoxeterpotter,something simple like you suggest with the production of the childs ST book.why would we have to go through all that mither of exchanging seats for any game as we have shelled out good money for ST in the first place,where you have people around you that you get on with,the same faces week in,week out,sitting in your chosen area.hope the powers that be take in your(our)opinions.
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