European away games ticketing policy

[whitenoise]

those people on high points have got them points by going to games, when we were shit, average and good, so fair play to them, ones in supporters clubs who get tickets when they havnt even got a seasoncard pisses me off, go to maybe one european game and a cup final, that is just wrong in my opinion

Applause.
Add "when we were shit/average/good and the shitty unatractive midweek games even now"

 

[paul1894]

Sorry mate you sound completely detached from reality. The majority of games you mentioned are glamourous games but the issue there is the cost, taking time off work etc, it supercedes loyalty and that is why even those on the highest points who snap up the Utd, Pool tickets did not fill those seats either.

For a kid he has little chance of catching up with those on 18/20k. Even with all the games you have mentioned he would still not be able to catch up if the high pointers keep cherry picking the United, Stoke, Pool games etc.

It just seems wrong that a whole geberation of fans will have little chance of watching a Manchester derby at Old trafford etc. A weighted loyalty points to recent attendance and a small percentage given to ballot would at least give them an outside chance.

No mate not detached from reality,these kids your talking about probably don't think twice on spending £100 on a Friday night,I don't,I spend my £50 flying to Rome,etc,the trouble is you have an opinion and because it docent agree you become d etatched,as for cost it cost me £40 to go to the Swansea cup game, £12 match ticket & £28 on travel club coach,the Saturday match 4 of us in car,celtic 4 of us in car,bucharest £212 flight,barca £76 flight,big £82 flight,yes I think your right I suppose I am d etatched from reality

 

[squirtyflower]

@squirtyflower will have everything you need to know there

Indeed I do have every single one for the last five years.

Can't post it at the mo though as I'm a thousand miles or so from my lap top.

 

[beermusic]

The argument about loyalty is a difficult one - it is very difficult to catch up on points for some, due to the free for all points a few years ago, like 100 points for Reading or some of the Europa league games, and this 600 points for platinum all 3 schemes. I dispute that everyone on the cup scheme is 'more loyal' just because they agree to buy tickets which generally are way cheaper than away games. Some years you could have had 200 points for a domestic cup scheme without having to go to a game due to the draw. Renewing on platinum SC and all 3 schemes is 980 points before you even start - but on gold the same is 490. It would take you approx 25 away games to make that difference up, yet someone on platinum only needs to go to half that amount of away games to remain a rung ahead.

I support the points system as I can't see how else to reward those who go the most often, but the Gold/Platinum divide should be scrapped as essentially its a tax which maybe some choose not to pay on principle. The discussion is about how to stop people selling on, and there are more than a few on here who sell on away games several times a season...

 

[squirtyflower]

Well it should be as re-selling football tickets is illegal. And that's what points whoring involves. By ensuring the person buying the ticket is the one who uses it, the club is ensuring it's taken appropriate measures to comply with the law.

The points system has outlived its usefulness. It started to encourage people to buy tickets for less popular games with the prospect of being rewarded when tickets were given out for more popular games.

Similarly for supporters clubs, who took additional tickets and ensured there was less administrative hassle for the club.

Now it's relatively rare for a game to be generally available, unless it's a midweek game that most can't or don't want to go to because of the timing, travel or work. But the points system just encourages people to buy tickets, either to sell on or even not using them. Plus the horrible Platinum system, which is a disgusting attempt to squeeze yet a few more quid out of desperate supporters.

I suspect we're going to go to a ballot system. That may not be fair on people who do all our the vast majority of games without fail but the rags very round that by having a separate category in their ballot for fans with long-standing loyalty. They also force their executive club members (i.e. corporate seat holders) to apply for tickets via a ballot.

So a ballot nay not be perfect but, as well as getting rid of platinum, supporters club allocations and the dance of allowing corporate members to have as many tickets as they want, it would get my vote.

Brilliant response
A post for all those who pick and choose the games they go to for whatever reason.

 

[squirtyflower]

I agree there should be more chance of someone with 15,000 points getting away tickets than someone with far less points but no one has a God-given right to attend a game.

Personally I'd introduce a system based on the one the rags have but where anyone with, say, 13,000 or more points goes into one pot, corporates go into another and everyone else goes into a general pot. Then the number of tickets allocated to each pot will give the more loyal fans a significantly better chance of tickets.

A system that rewards those that want to go when they can/want I.e. Not Sunderland/Swansea mid week away on the league cup

 

[squirtyflower]

Does the rethink mean Chisholme is out of a job as his plan failed miserably at Celtic and with most people
staying in Duss and Kolne for Gladbach it was going to turn into another farce.

One can only hope

 

[Tim of the Oak]

i am beginning to think that this thread should be renamed "Super Fans".

I go to all the games I can because I love the days out, I enjoy our exciting football, I can afford to go (even when the Supporters Club tickets aren't free) and the hours I work can be flexible. Not every one is in the same boat but we are all Blues together.

One thing is certain. The Club won't find a ticket allocation policy to keep everyone happy.

 

[squirtyflower]

You couldn't make this up..
So i might be back to square one ref my point criteria but people who have over 18000 points might not get one if a ballot is introduced in the future.
As iv'e paid along with others who are on my points total for the Barca game i will be contacting the club for a refund of any monies outlayed if a ticket is not forthcoming for the game.

Barca will go to general sale

 

[beermusic]

I don't see how a ballot stops people selling on.

Isn't the issue ensuring people who buy tickets actually go? That seems fairly easy principle to implement.

I do think people who go to the most games should get first dibs on tickets. However it's clear a chunk of our away support in the last few years do not come under that category.