City Matters thread

Saddleworth2 said:
It wasn't any of the above. There has been a target for either attending or selling your seat on the exchange for a couple of seasons (I think). The personal attendance target was introduced this season and will no doubt be increased in subsequent seasons.

We are in this category. We will genuinely struggle through a combination of distance (250 miles away), age/illness and kick off times. ironically when we cant make it our season tickets go on the exchange and are always sold. I fully expect us to lose our season tickets at the end of this season.
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Yes same here. Tomorrow will be my fourth home match of the season so I might struggle if games start to get moved at the back end of the season.

Missed Liverpool as the 4:30 Sunday kick offs make the drive back in the dark even less enjoyable and I had just done the same for the Bournemouth match. Missed the Derby due to my partner running her first marathon, which she booked long before the fixtures came out.

Booked the train tomorrow. Will have to leave the house 5:45 and get home about 11 but hopefully it will prove more relaxing than the drive. Sadly it’s not often the trains are affordable.

If the club take my season ticket off me I won’t ever set foot in the ground again.
 
franksinatra said:
Yes same here. Tomorrow will be my fourth home match of the season so I might struggle if games start to get moved at the back end of the season.

Missed Liverpool as the 4:30 Sunday kick offs make the drive back in the dark even less enjoyable and I had just done the same for the Bournemouth match. Missed the Derby due to my partner running her first marathon, which she booked long before the fixtures came out.

Booked the train tomorrow. Will have to leave the house 5:45 and get home about 11 but hopefully it will prove more relaxing than the drive. Sadly it’s not often the trains are affordable.

If the club take my season ticket off me I won’t ever set foot in the ground again.
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We have a four hour drive to the Etihad so it’s a whole weekend and overnight stay tfor us. Will do our best to do 10 games but it will be touch and go. It’s not as if we ever left our seats empty but it is what it is.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
We have a four hour drive to the Etihad so it’s a whole weekend and overnight stay tfor us. Will do our best to do 10 games but it will be touch and go. It’s not as if we ever left our seats empty but it is what it is.
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Same here my seat was always filed. When I’ve done over nighters the extra expense plus a day off work is a killer. Not expecting a pat on the back but don’t like being threatened with my ticket being removed.
 
franksinatra said:
Yes same here. Tomorrow will be my fourth home match of the season so I might struggle if games start to get moved at the back end of the season.

Missed Liverpool as the 4:30 Sunday kick offs make the drive back in the dark even less enjoyable and I had just done the same for the Bournemouth match. Missed the Derby due to my partner running her first marathon, which she booked long before the fixtures came out.

Booked the train tomorrow. Will have to leave the house 5:45 and get home about 11 but hopefully it will prove more relaxing than the drive. Sadly it’s not often the trains are affordable.

If the club take my season ticket off me I won’t ever set foot in the ground again.
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Big respect to you and @Saddleworth2 for continuing to make these journeys to Manchester. It can't be underestimated when you consider cost and the ever increasing journey times.

Before my enforced exclusion and loss of SC, I used to read comments from many people on here in disbelief, when they stated that it is surprisingly easy to change the habit of a lifetime and simply do things other than go to the footy. My journey was a 200 mile round trip, so tomorrow would be leave at 9am and get back maybe 9pm. Sacrifice a few Friday night beers in the local so as not risk being over the limit for the drive. Sunday gone in a flash, then back to work. Rinse and repeat for 9 months.

Truth is, I don't miss it half as much as I thought I would, mainly because I just don't recognise the club I've loved for 50 years anymore. We've become the club in Trafford we've hated for years. Legacy/FOC/Generational seasoncard holders are seen as an inconvenient drain on matchday revenue, and the fix is in. Dad's can't take their kids anymore without breaking the bank and jumping through hoops to get access to tickets, whilst the clubs official ticket touts hoover up tickets, rinse the paying public, then dump any excess into a dry market.

I miss the lads and lasses in 116, but that's just about.

TV snacks and beer...and about £10k per year richer.

Up the fucking Blues.
 
CityMatters-LeeB said:
Will try to answer each point in one post if able to adequately

In relation to the city matters view on flexi, it was proposed by city matters prior to me joining as an option alongside traditional season tickets

Personally it’s being used by about 2000 people out of the full allocation of season ticket holders, so is an option, but most want a traditional season ticket

Re the 10 game attendance, as a practice city matters, like I’m sure all fans would want, is we want to see every seat being used for every game, with a great atmosphere in the stadium

My option on the 10 game policy, is it was poorly thought out and introduced and needs full scrutiny through the season.

City still have a higher percentage of season ticket holders compared to our rivals in the premier league and this will go up next season with the new season tickets (albeit flexi) in the north stand

In relation to where the season tickets are it’s not always the case that a season ticket that for whatever reason is not renewed is not like for like put back on sale to a new season ticket holder
That’s due to new season ticket holder might choose to sit elsewhere
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I struggle to understand how a flexible ticket is classed as a season ticket.
I would expect a season ticket to allow every home match in the premier league.
The reward for being a season ticket holder is you get to see every home match especially the Dippers,Rags,Arsenal,Chelsea, ect
 
Franny 1234 said:
I struggle to understand how a flexible ticket is classed as a season ticket.
I would expect a season ticket to allow every home match in the premier league.
The reward for being a season ticket holder is you get to see every home match especially the Dippers,Rags,Arsenal,Chelsea, ect
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A flexi ticket allows you to attend every Premier league match, you just have to confirm and pay for it approx 3 weeks before the match.
 
bluesmith said:
Your confusing it with a ticket that lasted for about one season. I think it was called a Silver season ticket, and even that one gave you the option of buying all games, you just had to pay full price for the 'biggest' 5 games
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Typical am stuck in past
Thanks for straightening things out.
 
Dodge said:
Big respect to you and @Saddleworth2 for continuing to make these journeys to Manchester. It can't be underestimated when you consider cost and the ever increasing journey times.

Before my enforced exclusion and loss of SC, I used to read comments from many people on here in disbelief, when they stated that it is surprisingly easy to change the habit of a lifetime and simply do things other than go to the footy. My journey was a 200 mile round trip, so tomorrow would be leave at 9am and get back maybe 9pm. Sacrifice a few Friday night beers in the local so as not risk being over the limit for the drive. Sunday gone in a flash, then back to work. Rinse and repeat for 9 months.

Truth is, I don't miss it half as much as I thought I would, mainly because I just don't recognise the club I've loved for 50 years anymore. We've become the club in Trafford we've hated for years. Legacy/FOC/Generational seasoncard holders are seen as an inconvenient drain on matchday revenue, and the fix is in. Dad's can't take their kids anymore without breaking the bank and jumping through hoops to get access to tickets, whilst the clubs official ticket touts hoover up tickets, rinse the paying public, then dump any excess into a dry market.

I miss the lads and lasses in 116, but that's just about.

TV snacks and beer...and about £10k per year richer.

Up the fucking Blues.
Click to expand...

Yes I fully understand that. The hardest thing about giving up is missing the connections with friends and the people you have sat next to for years. Now nearly every game is televised, one way or the other, you can still feel connected and watch the match, albeit it’s not like being there in person.

I felt similar missing the Liverpool match, dog walk on the beach, coffee a bit of lunch, jog round the woods, then went home and watched the match. In reality the day was much more enjoyable than 10 hours of driving and 80 quid cheaper.

Agreed about the club. Love the badge, always will, and City have been the defining and most constant thing in my life. But I know my support isn’t valued and I do think all the policies brought in are to push out fans who have followed the club through thick and thin.

Anyway on the train now. Seeing the weather report looks like I will be sat on the train, going home, soaking wet through. Up the blues.
 
East Level 2 said:
The protests took place over six months ago and I don't recall any action by the club to build bridges with the fans since then. Unfortunately I can't see them being sensible during the season if we sell a significant number of the extension seats once it opens.
What I'd really like is CL progress, an early collapse by Arsenal, City winning the PL and still empty seats at home (good line for a song) because the club fucked up. That might concentrate their minds for next season.
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The surest sign the club knows it's fucked up is reopening the fa cup scheme ,as something has to give a lot of people have sacked the schemes off ,City must have looked at the numbers still on it and gone shit we are going to have to find ways of shifting an extra 10k ? tickets now .
 
Dodge said:
Big respect to you and @Saddleworth2 for continuing to make these journeys to Manchester. It can't be underestimated when you consider cost and the ever increasing journey times.

Before my enforced exclusion and loss of SC, I used to read comments from many people on here in disbelief, when they stated that it is surprisingly easy to change the habit of a lifetime and simply do things other than go to the footy. My journey was a 200 mile round trip, so tomorrow would be leave at 9am and get back maybe 9pm. Sacrifice a few Friday night beers in the local so as not risk being over the limit for the drive. Sunday gone in a flash, then back to work. Rinse and repeat for 9 months.

Truth is, I don't miss it half as much as I thought I would, mainly because I just don't recognise the club I've loved for 50 years anymore. We've become the club in Trafford we've hated for years. Legacy/FOC/Generational seasoncard holders are seen as an inconvenient drain on matchday revenue, and the fix is in. Dad's can't take their kids anymore without breaking the bank and jumping through hoops to get access to tickets, whilst the clubs official ticket touts hoover up tickets, rinse the paying public, then dump any excess into a dry market.

I miss the lads and lasses in 116, but that's just about.

TV snacks and beer...and about £10k per year richer.

Up the fucking Blues.
Click to expand...
So you are not a fan of the £45 for 5 year olds then ?
 
franksinatra said:
Yes I fully understand that. The hardest thing about giving up is missing the connections with friends and the people you have sat next to for years. Now nearly every game is televised, one way or the other, you can still feel connected and watch the match, albeit it’s not like being there in person.

I felt similar missing the Liverpool match, dog walk on the beach, coffee a bit of lunch, jog round the woods, then went home and watched the match. In reality the day was much more enjoyable than 10 hours of driving and 80 quid cheaper.

Agreed about the club. Love the badge, always will, and City have been the defining and most constant thing in my life. But I know my support isn’t valued and I do think all the policies brought in are to push out fans who have followed the club through thick and thin.

Anyway on the train now. Seeing the weather report looks like I will be sat on the train, going home, soaking wet through. Up the blues.
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I missed the Liverpool game too. We fully intended to attend. Got down to Carlisle in horrible weather. Then the car started acting up. Call to RAC at Tebay and they couldn’t guarantee a fix so we limped home in time to see the game and our empty seats on TV. The thing that bugs me is that even after discussion with City Matters and the Club there is not one person that has explained this 10 game rule with anything that stands up to a little scrutiny. I know that City Matters are doing their best to get it canned/ amended but I think it’s here to stay. Anyway we are just about to try again and set off for Manchester. Let’s hope the sun shines a little on us today and the team. :-)
 
Saddleworth2 said:
Love the club - always will.
Dislike some of what the current owners are doing. There is a big difference.
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Spot on mate. I’m struggling to understand why some posters can’t tell the difference. This is a thread to air our concerns about certain club policies that are affecting the fans. It’s not a thread for praising the directors for bringing in draconian ticketing policies that are in danger of fucking over some of our fans, some of whom were here long before those career employees - who are directly responsible for these policies - rocked up at the club.

I’m sure you get behind the lads as much as I do at the match. Yet here you are in danger of losing your season ticket and people are having a pop at you for daring to complain about it. Do these posters think I was moaning like fuck all day last Saturday? No - I was on the lash in Newcastle enjoying myself and mixing with fellow blues. Posters on here give @jrb stick for “moaning” yet they haven’t got a fucking clue what he’s like as a person. I know him and I can assure everyone that he’s not always moaning about the club - he just has the same concerns as many other fans. He’s also one of the most active and enthusiastic participants in the North Stand construction thread and gets up off his arse in his spare time spending hours taking photos of the ongoing development. How many of those moaning about moaners are doing the same?

Unless something unexpected happens, I’m in no danger of losing my season ticket this season due to the 10 game “in attendance” policy but that doesn’t stop me having empathy for those fans who may be affected. Perhaps certain posters on here could do the same.
 
Saddleworth2 said:
I missed the Liverpool game too. We fully intended to attend. Got down to Carlisle in horrible weather. Then the car started acting up. Call to RAC at Tebay and they couldn’t guarantee a fix so we limped home in time to see the game and our empty seats on TV. The thing that bugs me is that even after discussion with City Matters and the Club there is not one person that has explained this 10 game rule with anything that stands up to a little scrutiny. I know that City Matters are doing their best to get it canned/ amended but I think it’s here to stay. Anyway we are just about to try again and set off for Manchester. Let’s hope the sun shines a little on us today and the team. :-)
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Funnily enough my car broke down the weekend of the Bournemouth match at Warwick services. Car got towed back to the south west and I got a hire car through the RAC. This was on the Friday so had time to resolve the matter.

No I don’t think it stands up to scrutiny and the fact games are struggling to sell out, plus an extra 8k of tickets to shift shortly, you wonder what the club thinks the benefits of this policy are.

If the ticket was not being used or the ticket not listed on the exchange I can better understand the club potentially taking action but this just seems another policy to punish fans.
 
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Oddball suggestion that might work depending on why the club is imposing the 10-game minimum:
Classify all nineteen games a category A, B or C with A being rags, dippers, Arse, three other "attractive" fixtures and the final home game. B would be the next 6 "attractive" games and C the remainder. ST holders would have to attend a certain number of category B and C games to prove they aren't just buying the ST for "big" games. This has an added advantage of category B and C games being less likely to be moved for TV so the "odd KO time" excuse might not apply.
 
Once the ten game minimum was applied to Flexi-golds, with the logic "if you are so desperate for a season ticket then you can't go to less than half the games", it is difficult not to apply it to normal ones.

The daft thing is dropping down to Flexi if you don't make it which also has a 10 match minimum, but then without the minimum it would just be a cherry picker ticket.

A lot of people's habits changed after COVID, and those in the SE saw extortionate rail cost rises, and City encouraged fans not to go with the ease of transferring them and the exchange, which became in higher demand in 2022. Once encouraging people to transfer an sell this then gets criticised by the club, despite texting them to sell tickets for big games on the exchange.

From the City Matters feedback, thousands seem to be affected or borderline, and there is no criteria for exemptions either "case by case". Once an in person policy was introduced there is no workable way to apply taking into account everyone's circumstances, and the FG alternative mitigates none of the issues.

The 16 game criteria could be worse for those who have transport or illness problems on the day, and while there is the possibility to transfer, at a late stage someone able to go may not be on your list or a paid member, and it may be difficult to give them away. If you do transfer and then the person you transfer to doesn't bother, then is that a life lost?

The Early CM meetings were pushing for "attendance" to be rewarded rather than just having a ticket, so it has been the direction of travel since then.
 
M18CTID said:
Spot on mate. I’m struggling to understand why some posters can’t tell the difference. This is a thread to air our concerns about certain club policies that are affecting the fans. It’s not a thread for praising the directors for bringing in draconian ticketing policies that are in danger of fucking over some of our fans, some of whom were here long before those career employees - who are directly responsible for these policies - rocked up at the club.

I’m sure you get behind the lads as much as I do at the match. Yet here you are in danger of losing your season ticket and people are having a pop at you for daring to complain about it. Do these posters think I was moaning like fuck all day last Saturday? No - I was on the lash in Newcastle enjoying myself and mixing with fellow blues. Posters on here give @jrb stick for “moaning” yet they haven’t got a fucking clue what he’s like as a person. I know him and I can assure everyone that he’s not always moaning about the club - he just has the same concerns as many other fans. He’s also one of the most active and enthusiastic participants in the North Stand construction thread and gets up off his arse in his spare time spending hours taking photos of the ongoing development. How many of those moaning about moaners are doing the same?

Unless something unexpected happens, I’m in no danger of losing my season ticket this season due to the 10 game “in attendance” policy but that doesn’t stop me having empathy for those fans who may be affected. Perhaps certain posters on here could do the same.
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Having a pint on the Concorse just now. Is there a scientific reason why it always pisses down in Manchester? We drove through a bloody monsoon on the M61.
 
East Level 2 said:
Oddball suggestion that might work depending on why the club is imposing the 10-game minimum:
Classify all nineteen games a category A, B or C with A being rags, dippers, Arse, three other "attractive" fixtures and the final home game. B would be the next 6 "attractive" games and C the remainder. ST holders would have to attend a certain number of category B and C games to prove they aren't just buying the ST for "big" games. This has an added advantage of category B and C games being less likely to be moved for TV so the "odd KO time" excuse might not apply.
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Not a bad suggestion at all
One to take forward
 
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