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Post by tel2u on Jan 20, 2004 13:44:15 GMT
Hi there everyone
The Fans Forum are currently awaiting a date from Stoke for our second meeting about ticket prices for next season.
The first meeting was very positive and encouraging,and very sympathetic towards a realistic pricing policy that supporters would find attractive.
But before we next meet, I would like you all to post your own opinions on how the prices should be structured for next season or alternatively email me at
terryhughes_2@hotmail.com
Thanks
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Post by adesgonnagetyer on Jan 20, 2004 13:47:42 GMT
The Boothen End simply has to have a ceiling of £15 for adults, £10 for kids.
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Post by Admin on Jan 20, 2004 13:51:08 GMT
My own opinion is that prices should remain as they are and that the season-ticket 'deadine' should be pushed back until the season has finished.
I accept that the club are probably not in a position to be able to lower prices, whatever my own feelings about the benefits of that are. They should though at least try to keep them the same.
I sincerely believe we are on the brink of wiinning back some of our own fans. If the team continue to do well, the board continue to support their manager (as they have done this season) and a sensible and considerate approach is taken towards pricing and season-ticket deadlines.
Smudge
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Post by Pugsley on Jan 20, 2004 13:53:54 GMT
Please excuse my cynicism, but being positive and sympathetic has not stopped SCFC hiking prices in the past and I doubt it will in the future.
I would like to see match grading system. i.e pay higher for the likes of West Ham, Leeds, and pay less for no-marks like Crwho? and Walsall.
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Post by adesgonnagetyer on Jan 20, 2004 13:59:22 GMT
It does seem a bit perverse that a uniquely low waged area is charging £19 for it's 'popular' end, while most midlands/northern Div 1 clubs have areas of £15 seating.
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Post by steelcitystokie on Jan 20, 2004 14:00:37 GMT
Definitely need to get rid of the ridiculously early deadline for season tickets. Many people can't afford to pay for a ST in March when they are still forking out for tickets for the current season!
Not sure what the current deals are for kids? The family stand seems noticeably emptier this season to me. Maybe cheaper season tickets for kids are needed. Some clubs offer £50 season tickets or, even better, a quid a game i.e. £23 for the whole season. Maybe this is unrealistic for our club but the cost of football for families has got to be looked at.
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Post by RobPa on Jan 20, 2004 14:01:29 GMT
2 rates, yeah that is good
say West Ham £17 adult
£10 Junior
say Gilliningham £15 adult
£9 junior
or summit like that
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 14:02:56 GMT
In my opinion the prices should be (Boothen End) £15 adults, £10 kids with £17/£11 on the gate
Agree that the season ticket deadline should go back to the old date of the end of june. Perhaps they should still keep the idea of and extra discount before the end of the season that people who renew their season tickets every season no matter what could take advantage of, but they should still keep some sort of worthwhile discount running until the end of June.
Certainly there should be NO price rises for any of the matchday prices or season ticket prices.
The strategy Leicester used while they were in Division 1 last season should also be looked at, where they graded their games as either class A B or C and adjusted the prices accordingly. Using the Boothen End as an example, a class A game could be the current prices, class B down to £15 adult £10 concessions (£17/£11 on day) and class C £13 adult £8 concessions (£15/£9)
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Post by JR on Jan 20, 2004 14:05:08 GMT
not quite sure what the season ticket rule is but Livingstone do a very cheap junior ticket when purchased with a full paying adult.
They also do a free junior ticket with every full paying adult on matchdays. Not saying we should do that but perhaps something like 2 full paying adults should be able to buy say two junior tickets for say £2 each at the same time, a kind of encouraging families to come incentive.
Say a season ticket is £300 or whatever, a junior purchased with it should be say £40.
If this is already in progress forgive me, I just think we should be able to encourage parents to bring their kids by making it more affordable every week.
A season ticket for grumpy old men from Telford with walking sticks should be £5000 and anyone who has to sit next to him should be given the Purple Heart bravery award.
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Post by spiderpuss on Jan 20, 2004 14:07:37 GMT
I've two issues with the current pricing:
a) season ticket deadlines are getting silly and apart from getting money early from people does not encourage more people to buy season tickets and probably reduces the numbers. Season tickets should be available upto August. It gives people a chance to save for them in their own time. If the club cannot do this then perhaps a small extra saving if you buy in may. However in the main prices should be maintained until August.
b) Match day prices should not be 2 quid extra. What are you getting for your extra 2 quid? That's right nothing. This whole 2 quid extra policy is losing the spontaneity of going to the match. Please cease this annoying feature of pricing.
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Post by seth on Jan 20, 2004 14:14:45 GMT
Have to agree with smiley, as an exile and only occasional attender, that paying extra just to pay on the day is a bit ridiculous.
Main issue however, even though I don't have any, is kids prices. There's no way a child should be paying any more that half the adult cost (more or less). I would go for £15 adult (which is still absurdly expensive) and £8 child. Should also be a concessionary price for those between 14-18.
I'm getting extremely worried about the attendances. I read last week that Hull were getting 20,000+. If they can draw that many in the 3rd division, then surely we can.
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 14:17:39 GMT
In my opinion I'd grade the sides in this division as this: (in crowd-pulling status)
Class A: Derby, Forest, West Ham, West Brom, CrWho?, Cardiff, Sunderland
Class B: Norwich, Sheff Utd, Ipswich, Wigan, Preston, Reading, Millwall, Coventry, Palace, Burnley, Watford
Class C: Walsall, Rotherham, Gillingham, Bradford, Wimbledon
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Post by JR on Jan 20, 2004 14:27:14 GMT
Class A C rewe????
Surely Gills, C rewe, Watford, Walsall and Rotherham , Dons the least attractive.
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 14:31:34 GMT
Class A C rewe???? Surely Gills, C rewe, Watford, Walsall and Rotherham , Dons the least attractive. In terms of club size etc yes, but remember CrWho? are still classed as local rivals and that'll still attract a bigger crowd than most games could, especially when you consider that they'll probably bring a large following too. Same as if Vale get promoted (God forbid!) |
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Post by spiderpuss on Jan 20, 2004 14:43:27 GMT
Really don't like the idea of scaling games. Isn't between 15 and 17 quid enough to pay for games? I generally associate scaling games with rip-off mechants. You pay for two hours entertainment full stop. If we scale games then games such as Crwho would be more expensive! Cast your mind back and what was probably the least entertaining game this season--- Crwho!
Are we really suggesting that we should have paid more for that dross? Some of the most entertaining games can be the least attractive fixtures. Its upto the club to entice us to come to Stadium not to put us off just because Forest are in town.
cheers
Spider
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myatt
Academy Starlet
Posts: 194
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Post by myatt on Jan 20, 2004 14:45:37 GMT
I think the different prices depending on the opposition is a great idea. Last season Leicester had three prices: £20, £15 and £10. This would maintain revenue for the club and allow all fans to attend at least some matches.
As for season tickets, i suggest keeping the prices as they were in March last year but available until the end of June.
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 14:49:49 GMT
Really don't like the idea of scaling games. Isn't between 15 and 17 quid enough to pay for games? I generally associate scaling games with rip-off mechants. You pay for two hours entertainment full stop. If we scale games then games such as Crwho would be more expensive! Cast your mind back and what was probably the least entertaining game this season--- Crwho! Are we really suggesting that we should have paid more for that dross? Some of the most entertaining games can be the least attractive fixtures. Its upto the club to entice us to come to Stadium not to put us off just because Forest are in town. cheers Spider I can see your point, but thinking back to last season Leicester used this system and it was very successful and popular, they got a full house for most games (and you can't say Leicester have a hugely greater fanbase than ourselves) and it ensured the club maximised the revenue from the games that will attract good crowds no matter what, aswell as giving an incentive for fans to come and watch the more unattractive/midweek games. And remember the prices I'm suggesting for Class A games are THIS SEASONS prices, no price rises from what we're already paying for crap games this season! This means that for all games that aren't Class A, the prices will be a REDUCTION from the previous two seasons prices, which is about 3 quarters of the games! I can't see why people think this is a bad idea? |
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Post by spiderpuss on Jan 20, 2004 15:00:00 GMT
Myatt,
But why is it such a great idea? Key games people will stay away! We hardly get great attendances for Forest at the moment, bump the price up to 20 quid and guess what will happen....
I think the club have got to endear themselves to the part-time fan for a season or two. People will also be keen to criticise that the match they wanted to go and see is now too dear. Drawing comparisons with Leicester is also a dangerous. They were top of division/recent ex-premiership. We are recent ex-div2/struggling at times.
I'm not so sure about this...
Spider
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Post by Pugsley on Jan 20, 2004 15:05:19 GMT
There are pro's and cons to each side of the arguement re. scaling games. Since my first post I have changed my mind. It may work in the Prem but not in Div 1.
One thing we all should agree on is that £19 on the day is outrageous for a bottom half Div 1 team in one of the poorest areas in the country.
£14 in advance/ £15 on the day is the very maximum.
Don't be suprised if it is £20 on the day next season.
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 15:06:57 GMT
Myatt, But why is it such a great idea? Key games people will stay away! We hardly get great attendances for Forest at the moment, bump the price up to 20 quid and guess what will happen.... I think the club have got to endear themselves to the part-time fan for a season or two. People will also be keen to criticise that the match they wanted to go and see is now too dear. Drawing comparisons with Leicester is also a dangerous. They were top of division/recent ex-premiership. We are recent ex-div2/struggling at times. I'm not so sure about this... Spider I think that if my suggestion is followed and this seasons prices are frozen for the 'Class A' games, and the prices for the Class B and C games are a clear reduction on this seasons prices then it would work and be popular with the majority. I agree that if the club adopted the grading policy but then bunged the Class A prices up through the roof that it would put fans off the most important games, but by keeping the prices at this seasons level for the most attractive/important games whilst all the other games are a reduction from this seasons pricing levels it can only succeed from both the clubs and the fans points of view? Most people seem to want a blanket reduction of prices around the ground by about £2, e.g. the Boothen end most people think £15 adults is a fair price. We know that the club won't do that, no club offers a blanket all round reduction for every game like that unless they get relegated. I think the grading system would be a good way to introduce reductions for the majority of games, whilst the club can still maximise the revenue from the games that will attract the crowds no matter what (and remember than even these most expensive games will only be the same prices as this season) |
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Post by adesgonnagetyer on Jan 20, 2004 15:13:28 GMT
If they're not willing to reduce prices to about the £15 mark in the Boothen End, they're pi££ing in the wind.
They can make all the right sympathetic noises, but that's the only way they'll get people through the turnstiles in this area.
It's horses for courses.N.Staffs is in a uniquely depressed state, and any higher is just ludicrous.
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 15:17:18 GMT
My pricing suggestion for the different 'class' of games would be: (for the Boothen End, price reductions should be applied on a similar scale to the other stands)
Class A: This seasons prices i.e. £17 adults, £10 concessions (£19/£12 on gate)
Class B: £15 adults, £9 concessions (£17/£10)
Class C: £13 adults, £8 concessions (£15/£9)
The games that I would regard as being in the respective classes are on the other page of this thread.
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Post by Rex on Jan 20, 2004 15:30:50 GMT
I dont think scaling games will help whatsoever.
If you look at the Forest attendances you will see they hit the 20,000 mark purely cos of their prices for season tickets. I have mentioned this to the club and they have probably had a look at it.
I'd say be radical and charge in between £199 & £230 for a season ticket, if enough people bought one then it would easily increase the crowd size on a match day and the club would not lose any money because of the increased crowd, you would still get your pay on the day punters as well to keep the cash coming in throughout the season.
How many would buy a season ticket at those prices?
Rex
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 15:35:49 GMT
I dont think scaling games will help whatsoever. If you look at the Forest attendances you will see they hit the 20,000 mark purely cos of their prices for season tickets. I have mentioned this to the club and they have probably had a look at it. I'd say be radical and charge in between £199 & £230 for a season ticket, if enough people bought one then it would easily increase the crowd size on a match day and the club would not lose any money because of the increased crowd, you would still get your pay on the day punters as well to keep the cash coming in throughout the season. How many would buy a season ticket at those prices? Rex The problem with that suggestion is the area we live in. Many people just can't find £200 upfront to buy a season ticket, especially if they have a family. Even such a radical discount I don't think would attract the extra numbers to make the discount worthwhile. Many people can only afford to attend the games on a week by week basis, picking and choosing the games they go to. Thats why i think scaled prices could be a good idea because it would encourage those fans to come to the less attractive games aswell. |
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Post by skemstokie on Jan 20, 2004 15:38:34 GMT
Scrap the £2.00. surcharge for matchday purchases why should i be penalised for living 60 miles away.
Also could they not make car-park tickets available on-line,pay your money, give car reg, print of reply from the club to act as ticket?
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Post by Rex on Jan 20, 2004 15:40:18 GMT
Muel, dont mean to offend, but that is complete bollox !!
if people go for the payment plan, they get it at the same price, and the payments finish in December, that way the club get money througout the summer (when their is no football) so you are not paying either and it works out at less than a tenner a game, theirs poverty and wanting it free, what camp are you in?
Rex
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Post by SamB_SCFC on Jan 20, 2004 15:45:28 GMT
Muel, dont mean to offend, but that is complete bollox !! if people go for the payment plan, they get it at the same price, and the payments finish in December, that way the club get money througout the summer (when their is no football) so you are not paying either and it works out at less than a tenner a game, theirs poverty and wanting it free, what camp are you in? Rex None taken, all about opinions isn't it! Doesn't the payment plan though charge interest so you end up paying more over the 6 months or whatever that you pay it over? |
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Post by Rex on Jan 20, 2004 15:48:11 GMT
Not too sure on that muel as I cant remember, but if they did charge I think its only something like £18 extra, please dont take this as fact as it could well be wrong.
Hopefully someone else will remember
Rex
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Post by rower on Jan 20, 2004 16:00:53 GMT
maybe the club should think about opening a pay-on-the-day gate in each stand,as some people find it very difficult to get to the ground (or the store) during midweek.
and the queues at the ground can get ridiculously long prior to kick-off
rower
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Post by Rex on Jan 20, 2004 16:04:24 GMT
Rower, the point is, if you buy a season Ticket, you dont have to queue at all. and with only 6,000 season ticket holders there is plenty of room in the ground for a few more, its not like we are packed out every week is it? And how much would it cost to build and man these new pay on the gates?
Rex
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