Open Letter on Season Tickets and Pricing | Club announce price freeze on "general admission season tickets & PL match tickets" for next season (p163)

[Edghill OG]

I agree with a lot of your post, but I don't think cheaper seasoncards are the problem with lesser games, the punishment for not attending, transferring or exchanging (when its really easy to do so) are too soft. I appreciate I am in a minority when I say that because the club tried to lessen the amount of games you can miss and there was a fightback from city matters. But I don't see the point buying a seasonticket if your seat is going to be empty 5/19

I haven't missed one this season or last. Season before that I had a best mates wedding and missed one. I think with the changing kick-off times the number it's currently at is ok. If they wanted to increase the number of games you need to attend they'd have to allow you to stick it on the exchange on the day of the game itself. People get ill, have children to care for, shift workers, things turning up unexpectedly etc. It was a lot easier to have a season ticket when you were fairly confident most games would kick off at 3pm on a Saturday.

 

[Edghill OG]

Can someone explain what all this drama is about to save me reading a million posts of people slagging each other off and getting their blue handbags out?

One has an official handbag and the others don't.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

I agree with a lot of your post, but I don't think cheaper seasoncards are the problem with lesser games, the punishment for not attending, transferring or exchanging (when its really easy to do so) are too soft. I appreciate I am in a minority when I say that because the club tried to lessen the amount of games you can miss and there was a fightback from city matters. But I don't see the point buying a seasonticket if your seat is going to be empty 5/19

No issues with disagreeing with me mate.

However (and I appreciate that it's a touchy subject) there's a slight misconception that everything would improve following a reduction in price, when in reality, a significant number of our older supporters are affluent enough to pick and choose their games.

I agree that the punishment for missing games should be harsher, but I'm not sure that the club could ever enforce it without upsetting supporters who miss a game for genuine reasons

Similarly the new system for away games (no points allocated) has resulted in those supporters with higher points being able to pick and choose their games without slipping down the pecking order.
Whilst this actually benefits me directly I'm not sure that this was ever the original intention
It was just an unintended consequence of something that wasn't discussed properly

 

[CoventryBlue]

Similarly the new system for away games (no points allocated) has resulted in those supporters with higher points being able to pick and choose their games without slipping down the pecking order.
Whilst this actually benefits me directly I'm not sure that this was ever the original intention
It was just an unintended consequence of something that wasn't discussed properly

Exactly this. The debate at the time was all about (rightly) protecting those that had been putting the hard yards in when we were shit but you've now got younger fans doing the same now without any real credit for it.

When do their hard yards outweigh the hard yards an old boy put in 10 years ago but now picks and chooses??

The evidence of a third of away tickets being "whored" was strong enough for a unanimous vote from CM at the time though to remove points but I'd like to know what that evidence was. Always had a level of anxiety that it was the clubs intention to put us on the first step to a ballot

 

[Damocles]

I don’t know what you’ve done for any fellow Blues but if you genuinely care for fans being priced make a ticket available for free to somebody on here for Saturday’s game and I will do likewise.

This sort of shit is why everybody thinks the OSC is one of those pathetic jobsworth Committees that exist at Labour Clubs and social clubs.
You've shit the bed here Tim, in the worst way

 

[Brunswick Blue]

It doesn't really matter how much they put up season ticket prices the real fans will beg, steal or borrow to buy again.

 

[jrb]

The James Bomd line was a compliment mate.

I’m not a fan of the decision that was made but the OSC might have had cast iron assurances about the meeting to come.

I don’t like Danny Wilson for no other reason than he’s a Bolton fan and the only time I asked for help it didn’t go well. That’s probably my short sightedness.

I know Danny is held up as a top bloke by you and many other Blues whose opinions I respect. I can understand the Branch Secs not wanting to throw Danny under the proverbial bus for offering a meeting too early that would have displeased his seniors. That’s just my theory. It could be wrong.

I'm more 001 than 007. :-(

I can't lie, I like Danny Wilson as a person. He's always been OK with me. I honestly do think he has the fans best interests at heart, but his hands are tied by those above him, and he has to do what they task him to do.

At the end of the day he is a director, and he has a job to do, and he is expected to produce results, not only for Soriano, but also for Khaldoon.

That's not to say that he hasn't had to make difficult and unpopular decisions that have angered the fans.

The truth is none of us know what goes on in the boardroom at City, and via live video links to Khaldoon, and maybe to Mansour in Abu Dhabi.

 

[liamctid]

Thanks Dave. It’s always good to hear from the Couldn't Handle 2 Cans of Woodpecker Branch of the OSC. It’s clear you have the strategies to unite our fanbase and secure a reduction in season card and match day ticket prices.

Anyway you’ve put me in exalted company with Colin. A Blue who led the fight (along with City Rabin) against the CAS FFP conspiracy against the mighty Blues.

I’ve done nothing in comparison but I have done a few things like buying up 10 tickets and given them away on here to Blues who couldn’t afford to go to Zabba’s last game. I’ve also made the rip off Ticket Exchange less popular and signposted many Bkues to affordable tickets.

I don’t know what you’ve done for any fellow Blues but if you genuinely care for fans being priced make a ticket available for free to somebody on here for Saturday’s game and I will do likewise.

Thanks

I cannot be the only person who's laughed his bollocks off at this?

 

[Quinny851]

Thanks Dave. It’s always good to hear from the Couldn't Handle 2 Cans of Woodpecker Branch of the OSC. It’s clear you have the strategies to unite our fanbase and secure a reduction in season card and match day ticket prices.

Anyway you’ve put me in exalted company with Colin. A Blue who led the fight (along with City Rabin) against the CAS FFP conspiracy against the mighty Blues.

I’ve done nothing in comparison but I have done a few things like buying up 10 tickets and given them away on here to Blues who couldn’t afford to go to Zabba’s last game. I’ve also made the rip off Ticket Exchange less popular and signposted many Bkues to affordable tickets.

I don’t know what you’ve done for any fellow Blues but if you genuinely care for fans being priced make a ticket available for free to somebody on here for Saturday’s game and I will do likewise.

Thanks

If you've written that with a straight face then I fucking applaud you

 

[Dodge]

When the OSC8, as they have called themselves, make a decision on behalf of 32K paid up OSC members, many who do not agree with their decision, they have to be accountable for that decision. They shouldn't hide behind no names, no named positions with-in the OSC, and poorly worded and sarcastic replies on the OSC, X page.

It wasn't a routine OSC meeting. It was an important OSC meeting. A meeting that included a discussion and a vote on supporting or not supporting the City Matters Reps who have stopped meeting and talking to the club.

The decision has been made by the OSC8. I have to abide by that decision, even though I don't agree with it. But as a paid up OSC member I want to know who made that decision and why. So do many other OSC members.

It's all about transparency and accountability to the OSC membership.That isn't too much to ask for, is it mate?

So we now have an external Hateful 8 and an internal Hateful 8.

Time to invoke the spirit of our greatest No 8..

ding dong..

..Round 1.


Stand Blues...no runners.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I cannot be the only person who's laughed his bollocks off at this?

You're not.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Exactly this. The debate at the time was all about (rightly) protecting those that had been putting the hard yards in when we were shit but you've now got younger fans doing the same now without any real credit for it.

When do their hard yards outweigh the hard yards an old boy put in 10 years ago but now picks and chooses??

The evidence of a third of away tickets being "whored" was strong enough for a unanimous vote from CM at the time though to remove points but I'd like to know what that evidence was. Always had a level of anxiety that it was the clubs intention to put us on the first step to a ballot

I'm convinced that "points whoring" was always more anecdotal than factual, but it was undeniably a cyclical debate that usually resurfaced (along with the anti OSC posts) whenever the ticket criteria for the Old Trafford was announced

However as I posted earlier the new system has bedded-me-in quite nicely, and thanks to people lobbying against something that I wasn't convinced ever existed, I can now pick and choose,.and still qualify for Bournemouth Liverpool and the Swamp etc

For what it's worth I do believe that the current system is not fit for purpose and should be replaced by something far more relevant.

I'll be 61 in August and whilst I still travel to the vast majority of away games it's utterly ridiculous that loyalty points for attending a preseason friendly at Halifax in 2001 (when many City fans weren't even born) should still be on my account

As you say, the hardcore should still be
recognised and rewarded, but let's keep it to the last 4-5 seasons and have a rolling system for the other tickets.

Similarly, the current ticket situation for European Away games is farcical

Take out Bratislava and the other group games were all a bit "samey"

Regardless of points If you attended at least two from Lisbon, Juventus and PSG then you should be in the first window for next season
The second window should be open sale.

 

[City Raider]

The club needs success. It’s easier to steamroller fans when trophies are piling up. This has been brewing for years. The more successful we’ve become, the more disconnected I’ve felt. What a shit season.

 

[franksinatra]

I agree with a lot of your post, but I don't think cheaper seasoncards are the problem with lesser games, the punishment for not attending, transferring or exchanging (when its really easy to do so) are too soft. I appreciate I am in a minority when I say that because the club tried to lessen the amount of games you can miss and there was a fightback from city matters. But I don't see the point buying a seasonticket if your seat is going to be empty 5/19

I have probably fallen into the category of missing at least 5/19 matches (I do pass it on or stick on the exchange) with all the midweek games/sunday matches and living 250 miles away and with a finite holidays allowance.

The big two issues preventing me giving up is the disparity between the cost, per match, of season tickets to one off tickets and also part of the match day experience is the people you sit around.

When I heard about the Flexi scheme this sounded perfect for me, but unless i am misinformed (which I could be) the 150 pound upfront fee and not being able to revert back to a season ticket (if circumstances change) ruled out this option.

I think a lot of fans feel a bit stuck, potentially not being able to commit to every match but if they did get rid of their season ticket, then being priced out by the one off ticket costs. For me the moment I give up
my season ticket would probably be my last game as paying upwards of 60 quid a ticket, 100 pound in petrol/toll to sit on my own would probably kill any enjoyment.

 

[franksinatra]

I'm convinced that "points whoring" was always more anecdotal than factual, but it was undeniably a cyclical debate that usually resurfaced (along with the anti OSC posts) whenever the ticket criteria for the Old Trafford was announced

However as I posted earlier the new system has bedded-me-in quite nicely, and thanks to people lobbying against something that I wasn't convinced ever existed, I can now pick and choose,.and still qualify for Bournemouth Liverpool and the Swamp etc

For what it's worth I do believe that the current system is not fit for purpose and should be replaced by something far more relevant.

I'll be 61 in August and whilst I still travel to the vast majority of away games it's utterly ridiculous that loyalty points for attending a preseason friendly at Halifax in 2001 (when many City fans weren't even born) should still be on my account

As you say, the hardcore should still be
recognised and rewarded, but let's keep it to the last 4-5 seasons and have a rolling system for the other tickets.

Similarly, the current ticket situation for European Away games is farcical

Take out Bratislava and the other group games were all a bit "samey"

Regardless of points If you attended at least two from Lisbon, Juventus and PSG then you should be in the first window for next season
The second window should be open sale.

The rolling system for tickets has always been the correct way to go or loyalty points alongside a ballot with more ‘chances’ based on the number of games you apply to attend.

I’ve been going 40 years, always stayed with Gold (as against the principle of buying loyalty points although I fully understand why people have to) and will probably never get access to a Derby away ticket (accept possibly through a supporters club). Must be many in a similar boat and does not seem correct either.

 

[CoventryBlue]

Giving up your SC right now, whatever principles you may have, would be the craziest thing you can do. Breaks my heart to read and hear people having to do it based on money.

Keep at all costs and try to arrange a deal with someone offline to take the games off you as you give it up, you're never getting it back.

My dad (couldn't be arsed with travel) and brother (became a dad himself) gave up after covid, I tried to keep 3 tickets going and use the exchange for what I could but after too many warnings from the club of not using them, I let them go 2 years ago. Biggest mistake I made

 

[levets]

What was your username on In The Know mate? ;)

In the know was a good site, but not as good as TPOM ;-)

 

[levets]

What was your username on In The Know mate? ;)

M 14 was me

 

[pottsy]

Prestwich Blue. Concerned about xenophobia ?

No, just a hypocrite and a clown with no self awareness

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I have probably fallen into the category of missing at least 5/19 matches (I do pass it on or stick on the exchange) with all the midweek games/sunday matches and living 250 miles away and with a finite holidays allowance.

The big two issues preventing me giving up is the disparity between the cost, per match, of season tickets to one off tickets and also part of the match day experience is the people you sit around.

When I heard about the Flexi scheme this sounded perfect for me, but unless i am misinformed (which I could be) the 150 pound upfront fee and not being able to revert back to a season ticket (if circumstances change) ruled out this option.

I think a lot of fans feel a bit stuck, potentially not being able to commit to every match but if they did get rid of their season ticket, then being priced out by the one off ticket costs. For me the moment I give up
my season ticket would probably be my last game as paying upwards of 60 quid a ticket, 100 pound in petrol/toll to sit on my own would probably kill any enjoyment.

The point of Flexi-gold was for people like you, and others I know, who simply can't do a significant number of games. You could keep your seat but only go to the games you wanted to, without the need to sell or list your ticket on the exchange.

The club could have made extra revenue by selling an increased number of seats at the full price if someone hadn't taken up their ticket. Instead they took the opportunity to be greedy and rip people off.

I felt quite betrayed by the way they corrupted my original proposal, which was designed to give them a better solution for no-shows, into a blatant money-making scheme that completely ignores the original objective. That's the point at which the scales fell from my eyes and I saw them for what they really are.