A disgraceful undermining of the Ticket Points system - again

[beermusic]

What pisses me off is i attend all home games, have a platinum season ticket nearly 24k pts but get further behind every season......

How the fuck does that work?

Because there are flaws in the ticket system so if you buy second ticket for someone linked to you, you get the loyalty points. Check your points history. And people were doing another thing for years, buying away tickets for others and passing them on, amassing points but not attending the games.

The top band of points seems to increase year on year by more than the actual possible annual points if your platinum, on all cup schemes etc

After the OSC fiasco on final tickets I don’t see how the club can charge for platinum anymore but as we don’t seem to have any proper fan representation within the club, it will carry on

 

[BlossomBlue]

This deserves its own thread because it's an absolute disgrace and needs calling out properly.

It's become clear this morning that Supporters Club members were given the exact same booking window as those sitting on 20k+ loyalty points and members of the Cup Scheme. Let that sink in. Fans in some cases without season tickets, who have atttended a grand total of one game this season, the League Cup Final, were given their choice of ANY SEAT at the same time as supporters who have grafted for years, gone to every cup tie and shelled out god knows how much to get into this position. The £80 seats in the lower tier have all gone in the first window because of this, leaving those on 15 - 20k points to pay £125 if they want to be in the lower tier.

I respect the supporters clubs and I understand how great they have been for the clubs following and I understand that lots of SC members would qualify in their own right HOWEVER it is not right that a member not on the cup scheme, or even without a ST can jump the queue. I know for a fact that a lot of OSC members only apply for finals & big home games. Do they really deserve their pick of any ticket over someone on 19k points who's been to every cup home game for years? This is the first time this has happened I believe for a final, supporters club usually select a category and they get what they are given. That system was still not ideal, but felt slightly fairer.

What is the point of the Cup Scheme any more? The whole structure of how this club allocates tickets to its most loyal supporters has been completely undermined & while we're at it, the 1894 Group once again ringfenced the "cheaper" £80 seats at the front of the stand, again you didn't need a season ticket to get one of these seats. For the group whose purpose is supposedly generating atmosphere. Every single person who has ever set foot in a football ground in their life knows full well that the atmosphere is built from the back of the stand, not pitchside.

& I'm not even going to get started on corporate allocations.

Brilliant work all round.

I'm fuming about this and so is every loyal match going supporter I've spoken to this morning. The club needs to explain itself.

apologies if this has already been said, but just a correction on the singing section part of your post. a section of seats have been 'reserved' as a singing section. 1894 collected a list of names of people who would like to be in that section. I think they posted it on their socials? so anyone had the opportunity to put themselves in.

there is no queue jumping benefit to this. you can still only purchase when you qualify. but that small section of probably 100 or so seats will only be available to people who put themselves on the list. still first come first served, based on points/cup scheme etc. I'm on the list, but I haven't qualified yet. if there are any seats in their section left on Wednesday when I qualify, then I can buy one. if not, I'll take whatever I can get!

and I'm assuming they've gone for the front of the block because the back is safe standing? so in theory, the atmosphere will already be good in that section. also, maybe they have a display planned that means they need to be at the front?

 

[SouthStandStander]

The lotalty point system died when they introduced platinum season tickets and let people buy points. Those who had supported city through the bad times were suddenly caught up by the plastic new-comers. Money talks and its the most important thing to the club.

Spot on.

 

[franksinatra]

i would agree with that, my sympathy has always been the ones who are victims of their age not support, the fact is anyone could have done aways when loyalty points were truly earnt as tickets were anywhere from 35 quid to 64 quid and City often took reduced allocations and places like Bolton and Wigan saw very small away followings considering the distance. It's not beyond the wit of man to introduce a rolling system as the present method is flawed, what happens to 18-25 year olds when they become 26 they fall off a cliff. It will never be perfect but it could be so so much better.

Rolling system and remove Platinum.

Football is no different to anything else in life. If people get out of the habit of doing something (going aways) then they completely drop out of trying.

Loyalty points are great but if it’s constantly the same people then you reduce the pool of people who will be interest in going and then you end up struggling to shift tickets for matches with larger allocations. Supporters clubs do keep a wider number of fans engaged in going as from my experience your name goes in a hat and so it’s completely random (besides attendance at supporter clubs meeting).

The rolling system would definitely keep more fans engaged in the process.

 

[Tbilisi]

Rolling system and remove Platinum.

Football is no different to anything else in life. If people get out of the habit of doing something (going aways) then they completely drop out of trying.

Loyalty points are great but if it’s constantly the same people then you reduce the pool of people who will be interest in going and then you end up struggling to shift tickets for matches with larger allocations. Supporters clubs do keep a wider number of fans engaged in going as from my experience your name goes in a hat and so it’s completely random (besides attendance at supporter clubs meeting).

The rolling system would definitely keep more fans engaged in the process.

What do you mean by rolling system?

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

The newcomers were so far behind in 2011 they were not catching anyone.

There was a 13 year start and those who actually went to aways all bought platinum and no one caught anyone.

It was the price of one away ticket, so those spending £5k a season on aways weren't put off by £50. The big blues who never went away used it as an excuse for having no points, but the damage was done before that.

Prior to 2012, I could get tickets for all away games bar Old Trafford, despite only having middling points (say 8k when 12/13k was the top level of points). And prior to the takeover we'd often only take half the tickets, as we didn't think we could sell the other half.

The problem has been success, with demand far exceeding supply. That affects whatever system you put in place. The other problem is the ridiculous pricing of Wembley tickets, and that leads to issues around OSC members getting cheaper tickets, without necessarily having the points, while those who do have the points and don't go through an OSC may have to pay top whack. The family members I would normally go with have paid £125 for their tickets, plus trains and food and drink, and I refuse to do that, so I'll be watching on TV at home.

I don't have a fundamental issue with OSCs getting tickets but on special occasions like an FA Cup final, then points should take priority. OSC members who don't have the points should only get access to tickets once a certain criteria has been reached.

 

[franksinatra]

What do you mean by rolling system?

Only count points from say the last 3 or 5 years so younger fans coming through have a more equal chance of gaining tickets rather than losing out to people who accrued points before they were born.

For example you could have a starting point, based on loyalty points as they are, but if those with a high volume of points are now not regularly going, then those who want to can get a head of them in the pecking order have opportunity.

 

[Blue Maverick]

The points system is pointless now (pardon the pun) I gave up platinum about 5 years ago I’ve got less than 15k, even once they stopped giving points for away games I think the top points now are 30k plus, there is zero chance of ever getting up there, when you see away games it’s the same people plus tourists going, nobody else can get a look in. Once you factor in the 18-25 lot, then I’ve just given up ever getting one. The fact it seems you don’t even need any now to get FA cup final tickets is a fucking joke.
Maybe for away games they should only allow you so many a season, obviously you are going to want the big ones but at least it will give others a chance, I mean if we fuck up in next few weeks Bournemouth will be on open sale, or if we could win it there then it will sell out in minutes.

 

[Tbilisi]

Only count points from say the last 3 or 5 years so younger fans coming through have a more equal chance of gaining tickets rather than losing out to people who accrued points before they were born.

For example you could have a starting point, based on loyalty points as they are, but if those with a high volume of points are now not regularly going, then those who want to can get a head of them in the pecking order.

League games : I have over 24k points (46 years as a season ticket holder) but would support a rolling system if it was equal as regards how supporters get tickets for each game.
Reading some of the posts on here re the Cup Final its clear there are people who choose their games and are jumping the points system through OSCs. I think every one should source their own tickets on the City ticket site and that's the only way to get them.

Cup games : I agree with Cup Final tickets going to those on Cup Schemes and members on cup schemes who attend so that takes care of itself.

 

[#5-]

Any substantial sanctions for the 115 that allow us to preserve Premier League status but banish Ferran Soriano will be welcome.

 

[wearethesouthstand]

Just to clarify re 1894 we always ask for singing sections we got one v Arsenal league cup when we did tueart display worked fine then noise wise. We do sing backwards and upwards at other tiers / blocks to help.

The seats we asked for are not actually the cheapest seats. If we would have gone higher (like someone said to have more chance of sparking atmosphere) we’d have been accused of stealing the cheapest seats. If all season tickets holders are buying tickets it won’t get to match day members it means that people who have asked to be in our end won’t get a ticket the club then takes them and ensures fairness and passes them to people who qualify. It’s an aspiration to get 230 singers at the front however we don’t always get what we want and can’t expect people on higher criteria to miss out.

Our 230 is not ringfenced indefinitely just initially. If there is pressure for the tickets we have to give way. Like we had to v Palace last year.

There are people who have asked for tickets in our section but they can’t buy yet as have to wait for their partner or family member to also qualify etc. They may not get to Tuesday or Wednesday. If club request access to our area we have to comply.

I personally had to send a list to City and the data included season ticket holders on cup scheme, season ticket holders who aren’t and then matchday members. So we get a favour for getting an area where we would like to set up but not any favours with regards to qualification points

 

[mcfc315]

apologies if this has already been said, but just a correction on the singing section part of your post. a section of seats have been 'reserved' as a singing section. 1894 collected a list of names of people who would like to be in that section. I think they posted it on their socials? so anyone had the opportunity to put themselves in.

there is no queue jumping benefit to this. you can still only purchase when you qualify. but that small section of probably 100 or so seats will only be available to people who put themselves on the list. still first come first served, based on points/cup scheme etc. I'm on the list, but I haven't qualified yet. if there are any seats in their section left on Wednesday when I qualify, then I can buy one. if not, I'll take whatever I can get!

and I'm assuming they've gone for the front of the block because the back is safe standing? so in theory, the atmosphere will already be good in that section. also, maybe they have a display planned that means they need to be at the front?

Yes but the tickets are still ring fenced off for the 1894 group, so say someone who wasn’t aware of the 1894 section with 16k points who wanted a category 3 ticket for £80 went on to buy at 1pm yesterday but all the tickets in that section were sold out. Yet say someone who signed up to the 1894 section with 8k points and are able to purchase theirs on Tuesday at 10am, if there’s tickets left in that section they’ve essentially reaped a benefit of being part of 1894 than someone with far less points. I think that’s what @cityutopia is saying

 

[bluemc]

Any substantial sanctions for the 115 that allow us to preserve Premier League status but banish Ferran Soriano will be welcome.

Bizarre take.

 

[i kne albert davy]

I'm in the same boat. Season ticket since Maine Rd. Just under 10k points.
I dont have the time or the money to go to loads of away games. Dont farm points by doing platinum either.

The platinum deal screwed the points system for supporters like us.

Joined an OSC a few years back. Mainly for minibuses and coaches. But it does have other perks.
Like 2 Wembley tickets on row 2, block 134 for me and my lad. :-)

Row 2, take your boots :-)

 

[Tim of the Oak]

1894 do a fabulous job and sometimes it must feel like flogging a dead horse. The benefits they are getting for Wembley are tiny.

On a lighter note, what does someone have to do to get rejected from joining the Lincoln Branch of the OSC.

 

[Tbilisi]

Prior to 2012, I could get tickets for all away games bar Old Trafford, despite only having middling points (say 8k when 12/13k was the top level of points). And prior to the takeover we'd often only take half the tickets, as we didn't think we could sell the other half.

The problem has been success, with demand far exceeding supply. That affects whatever system you put in place The other problem is the ridiculous pricing of Wembley tickets, and that leads to issues around OSC members getting cheaper tickets, without necessarily having the points, while those who do have the points and don't go through an OSC may have to pay top whack. The family members I would normally go with have paid £125 for their tickets, plus trains and food and drink, and I refuse to do that, so I'll be watching on TV at home.

I don't have a fundamental issue with OSCs getting tickets but on special occasions like an FA Cup final, then points should take priority. OSC members who don't have the points should only get access to tickets once a certain criteria has been reached.

I paid £80 each for mine and one of my lads. Our kid is on the cup scheme but as his window comes up Tuesday pm he will be paying top dollar. He went to the semi and the Salford/Exeter games so that does not sit well.

Agree with you, I think my ceiling is £125, I certainly would not pay more than that and would go to the local pub and watch it.

FA = robbing barstewards.

 

[fathellensbellend]

Prior to 2012, I could get tickets for all away games bar Old Trafford, despite only having middling points (say 8k when 12/13k was the top level of points). And prior to the takeover we'd often only take half the tickets, as we didn't think we could sell the other half.

The problem has been success, with demand far exceeding supply. That affects whatever system you put in place The other problem is the ridiculous pricing of Wembley tickets, and that leads to issues around OSC members getting cheaper tickets, without necessarily having the points, while those who do have the points and don't go through an OSC may have to pay top whack. The family members I would normally go with have paid £125 for their tickets, plus trains and food and drink, and I refuse to do that, so I'll be watching on TV at home.

I don't have a fundamental issue with OSCs getting tickets but on special occasions like an FA Cup final, then points should take priority. OSC members who don't have the points should only get access to tickets once a certain criteria has been reached.

what a sad state of affairs when you are priced out of an fa cup final, i agree with your stance, and i respect the fact you won't pay the obscene prices, but you should be there, a day at wembley used to be the pinnacle. my ticket for 1981 was 3 quid, the FA should be ashamed

 

[fathellensbellend]

1894 do a fabulous job and sometimes it must feel like flogging a dead horse. The benefits they are getting for Wembley are tiny.

On a lighter note, what does someone have to do to get rejected from joining the Lincoln Branch of the OSC.

apply, and that is the 100% truth

 

[PistonBlue]

Playing devil's advocate here, but one possible explanation for this is the number of semi final tickets that were left unsold. Maybe as a result of that, the club just wanted to shift the tickets to whoever will buy them.

 

[Tbilisi]

Its always been the same with Cup Final tickets, in fact I think it was worse in the past.

I remember in the 1980/81 season by October we had not won an away league game and for Brighton away we struggled to fill the mini bus, it was half full.

For Wembley v Spurs I was the only one on that bus that got a ticket as I was a season ticket holder (a couple of the other lads were students so had given theirs up due to distance and lack of funds) but the guys in the pub that didn't want to go to Brighton all got tickets as daddy knew someone.

I got an extra one as I sold City Lottery tickets and gave it to one of the student lads who was on the minibus at FV, always remind him of it when I see him lol.