City Matters thread

[johnbmcr]

one of the issues that the club could have help with but refused with the first City matters iteration was to support CM reps polling via the city mailing list it's easy to do and CM even offered to get an independent body to over see the questions and feedback

The fact is no one really knows what the majority of fans think about prices food drink expansion ect
the OSC was also offered the same facility to gauge thier members run by MMU stats staff but said no
until we have some independent engagement with fans it will always be down to the views of the reps...

or straw polls here or with the1894.
A wider view is needed after all a large % of fans responding to proper consultation would be a powerful driver of change .
Most large orgs do this routinely.

I understand the club doesn't want to ask but until we do something the don't ask properly policy will allow any group to claim they are representing fans and the club can say your just a few out oftens of thousands, or its someone pursuing a personal agenda.
A better example of groundhog day would hard to create

 

[jrb]

There is absolutely no reason why City should be charging fans an extra £150 to buy a season ticket, never mind a club regulated Fexi-Gold season ticket.

As other fans have constantly pointed out, it's just another excuse by the club to increase revenues via stealth, and then to paint it as something positive when selling Flexi-Gold season tickets on the OS. Read the guff put out by the club.

Flexi-Gold that was dreamt up, implemented, and signed off by the very Directors and Managers at City who take part in the meetings with the City Matters Reps.

I bet not one of those Directors and Managers at the City Matters meetings can a give a justified reason why they introduced the £150 additional charge, bar from admitting it's to increase season ticket revenues, on top of season ticket price rises, and they will never admit that.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

QUESTION -:

Has the question of making SS2 & 3 City only, by the relocation of away fans down to ESL1/SSL1 (round the corner flag), ever been raised with the club.

It can be achieved without compromising the licencing/GMP protocols and with very little capex.

Relocated City fans would be in a more atmospheric location and still be close to (above) away fans.

Two City ends will be much more atmospheric than one, the matchday experience will be more energetic and attractive, the team could be more motivated and sponsors would prefer a big atmosphere not a mausoleum.

How does such a proposal get on to CMs agenda ?

 

[Tim of the Oak]

I've spoken to 3 1894 members who are all FG card holders and all three reiterate the point that they would prefer a normal seasoncard. They got their FG card to 'get on the ladder'.

I honestly do not understand any benefit to FlexiGold (compared to a normal SC). I've yet to hear a valid argument in their favour. My views are:

- they are more expensive (£150 if you attend every game)
- they are less flexible (you have to sign in 3 weeks early and buy a ticket for every game)
- you cannot transfer to friends/family for league games
- no access to ticket exchange for league games

Flexigold is far less flexible and more expensive. It's the only option to many fans who've never had a seasoncard so they don't understand why it's worse (they are comparing FG to a matchday membership).

If the club offered every seasoncard holder the chance to change their ticket to FlexiGold, I honestly think less than 1% would. If the club truly wants to offer flexibility, give fans the choice of FG or normal SC OR as a minimum, drop the £150 charge.

Flexi-golds were primarily introduced to help change our aging demographic and get younger fans / families on the season card ladder. These are often families who can’t make all the midweek games where season card seats might go empty. The families I know are delighted with the flexi golds.

Then additional flexi-golds were made available to adults and seniors who would really like season cards. I’m guessing your contacts fall into this category. The Blues I know who fall into this category are happy with flexi golds.

I’ve said many times that the starting fee is too much but having a lower charge can be justified by being able to kick and choose games. It would defeat part of the object of flexi golds if people were getting them with the intention of reselling them.

1894 friends have said on here many times that they sometimes struggle to give away free tickets for less popular midweek games and I’ve had the same experience. Given everyone who’s ever wanted a season card one would exacerbate the problems of shifting tickets for the lower profile or midweek games. It would also do nothing to solve the real problem of season card hoarding that makes it difficult for families of Blues to get season cards together. The new North Stand is a chance to address this as well as improve the atmosphere.

Why would the Club offer existing season card holders flexi-golds. Credit to any Blues who recognise they can’t make a significant chunk of games and looks at flexible alternatives that gives fellow Blues more chances of tickets together.

I’m hoping there will be plenty of new season cards in the new North Stand they are acquired by Blues who will attend the majority of games.

 

[Manchester33]

It’s been a great solution for many fans too. There’s several Blues, including young families, on my Supporters Club coach that are delighted to
Have flexi- golds. They wouldn’t be able to make all midweek games so the flexi-golds are ideal. City just need to reduce the set payment.

It’s easy to be Grinches telling other Blues that they have non or second class season cards when in fact they are ideal for many people.

People will criticise the season card rep on City Matter with just cause but turn a blind eye to assuming fans views on flexi-golds / accidentally misrepresenting them

Yes it will definitely work for some (tiny minority) of fans…

The point I’m making is that it won’t work for the majority so the club should offer the choice and remove the £150 charge.

Then everyone wins?

 

[Stephen230]

QUESTION -:

Has the question of making SS2 & 3 City only, by the relocation of away fans down to ESL1/SSL1 (round the corner flag), ever been raised with the club.

It can be achieved without compromising the licencing/GMP protocols and with very little capex.

Relocated City fans would be in a more atmospheric location and still be close to (above) away fans.

Two City ends will be much more atmospheric than one, the matchday experience will be more energetic and attractive, the team could be more motivated and sponsors would prefer a big atmosphere not a mausoleum.

How does such a proposal get on to CMs agenda ?

Jesus mate, I know this is your thing but it’s been explained numerous times by multiple posters why it’s never going to happen.

By constantly disagreeing with the reasoning, isn’t going to make it a possibility.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

Yes it will definitely work for some (tiny minority) of fans…

The point I’m making is that it won’t work for the majority so the club should offer the choice and remove the £150 charge.

Then everyone wins?

I think most fans should continue to have season cards but flexi-golds better reflect the attendance patterns of the majority on Blues. Hopefully, the number of season cards will increase with the expanded North Stand.

Families of Blues with flexi-golds are just as worthy as any Blues, regardless of who’s got season cards.

 

[HelloCity]

I think most fans should continue to have season cards but flexi-golds better reflect the attendance patterns of the majority on Blues. Hopefully, the number of season cards will increase with the expanded North Stand.

Families of Blues with flexi-golds are just as worthy as any Blues, regardless of who’s got season cards.

Is that true though or just based on you seeing a few empty seats?

I'd be amazed if most season ticket holders went to only 50% of games.

Maybe do a survey and ask all season ticket holders if they fancy swapping it for a flexi gold...

 

[Beaker]

With regards to Flex-Gold, if a supporter has kept it and utilised it for a period of time, maybe three seasons, then they should be given the chance to convert it to a standard Gold membership.

If, as I suspect, the Flexi-Gold is going to be the only seasonal membership offered going forward indefinitely, then I think it stinks and we have a real problem.

 

[jockblue]

With regards to Flex-Gold, if a supporter has kept it and utilised it for a period of time, maybe three seasons, then they should be given the chance to convert it to a standard Gold membership.

If, as I suspect, the Flexi-Gold is going to be the only seasonal membership offered going forward indefinitely, then I think it stinks and we have a real problem.

Yes, that's the real problem. If the club stop selling new season tickets (as they have done this year) even when 6000 new seats have opened up, then the flexi-ticket becomes very unattractive compared to the season ticket. However, it remains attractive for the fan that can't commit to every game but wants to attend regularly. So, there's two distinct markets with different benefits.

Hopefully the club will relent on this point.
Have to admit, I'm clueless on the price per game that flexi holders pay on top of their £150, compared to walk up prices or 1/19th of the season ticket in that area. As a result I don't know if the £150 is sensible pricing or not.