FA Cup Semi Final draw - Brighton

[Georgian Maestro]

It’s not the cash for me. You could put me down as “can’t be arsed” but that only tells half the story. The truth is that it isn’t that big an attraction to me to give up a whole weekend to watch us trying to break down 11 men behind the ball.

10 years ago I’d have flown from Australia to see us in a cup semi final at Wembley. Now it’s not even in the top ten biggest games of the season. I’m getting older I suppose but the truth is that City, and me, have bigger fish to fry.

None of my close mates are going that I know of either.

This sums it up for me too

 

[BillCarlisle]

I can only speak for my own experience within our SC Branch. Up here in Cumbria we rely on our regular coach transport to matches. Public transport is expensive and inconvenient - at times impossible. For the semi we've struggled to get enough on the bus to keep the cost to our normal price level. In fact it's down to only 22 of us (compared with 35 for the LC Final). Basically the diehards. Looking at those who are giving it a miss it seems to be split between can't afford it and can't be arsed. Most of those not on the coach however are not going to Spuds or Palace away and didn't go to Fulham. Plus, very few of them go to CL games so even Spuds at home won't be a cost issue. Most of them will however want a ticket for the FA Cup Final should we get there, plus others who'll undoubtedly come scuttling out of the woodwork.
For anyone who can't afford it, or has to prioritise matches, then that is fair enough IMO. If the trend that we have witnessed here is mirrored nationally then it's likely that the 'can't be arsed' group is in sufficient number to account for a high percentage of the ticket sales shortfall. Perhaps all of it.

 

[gkmcfc]

This. I can't wait.

No matter how many times we've been over the last few years I still get a buzz before every game at Wembley, they're always great days out. FA Cup more so too I think after 2011.

I'll never tire of Wembley. Years of seeing my rag mates go there and wondering if I ever would. I'll always go when I can and will always enjoy the experience whatever the result!

 

[City & Blue Brazil]

I can only speak for my own experience within our SC Branch. Up here in Cumbria we rely on our regular coach transport to matches. Public transport is expensive and inconvenient - at times impossible. For the semi we've struggled to get enough on the bus to keep the cost to our normal price level. In fact it's down to only 22 of us (compared with 35 for the LC Final). Basically the diehards. Looking at those who are giving it a miss it seems to be split between can't afford it and can't be arsed. Most of those not on the coach however are not going to Spuds or Palace away and didn't go to Fulham. Plus, very few of them go to CL games so even Spuds at home won't be a cost issue. Most of them will however want a ticket for the FA Cup Final should we get there, plus others who'll undoubtedly come scuttling out of the woodwork.
For anyone who can't afford it, or has to prioritise matches, then that is fair enough IMO. If the trend that we have witnessed here is mirrored nationally then it's likely that the 'can't be arsed' group is in sufficient number to account for a high percentage of the ticket sales shortfall. Perhaps all of it.

I do think this is a fair point but you do also need to look at the reasons for the indifference if our fan base beyond saying everyone can't be arsed . I will be there but it was touch and go whether I decided to make the effort. I suspect that there are a lot of reasons that have combined to seemingly create a can't be arsed attitude rather than just one thing. Price, number of recent visits to Wembley, difficulty in traveling to the game, number of upcoming games, potential CL semi/finals, fa cup being less important etc etc

 

[M18CTID]

Fucking hell, at this rate they'll have to open up those last few blocks for sale! God knows where so many have disappeared to this morning but it looks like we could be approaching that figure of 29200 tickets sold that someone mentioned yesterday!

 

[gkmcfc]

Spot-on. Despite those who think we are attracting a lot of so-called tourists these days our fanbase has remained mostly the same since the takeover. (Except the bigger CL games). In some ways this is good as we stay true to our roots but we do need to attract new fans longer-term so a balance has to be struck somewhere. I am of the generation who would never miss a game at Wembley but I would never slag off those who are not going on Saturday.

It's not surprising really given it's only been 10 years. We'll see the difference in the next 10 years due to the larger number of kids that now support City in and around Manchester. It takes time. A lot of these kids can't come independently.

 

[Txiki Blinders]

With a 17.30 kick off there is no train I can catch back from any Wembley station that gets me back to Lime Street, so I am not going. I know of one other season ticket holder who lives on merseyside who is in exactly the same position. So that's 2 tickets that would have been sold if the kick off was earlier.
Now, you can call us bad fans if you like, but the simple fact is, our non attendance is entirely down to the kick off time.
I emailed the club to point this out to them and this is their reply:

"Thank you for your feedback and we are sorry to hear that you are unable to attend the game due to the kick off time.
This is not something that is arranged by the club, but the FA. Please be assured that your comments will be circulated back to the relevant contact for consideration ahead of future fixtures."

So whatever fans feel about other fans not attending, the simple fact is that a kick off time of 17.30 has consequences. In this case, 2 tickets not being sold.

Ain't there any trains back to Warrington Bank Quay? And then jump a cab....more expense I know but an idea none the less

 

[BillCarlisle]

I do think this is a fair point but you do also need to look at the reasons for the indifference if our fan base beyond saying everyone can't be arsed . I will be there but it was touch and go whether I decided to make the effort. I suspect that there are a lot of reasons that have combined to seemingly create a can't be arsed attitude rather than just one thing. Price, number of recent visits to Wembley, difficulty in traveling to the game, number of upcoming games, potential CL semi/finals, fa cup being less important etc etc

That's true and IMO none of the reasons you mention fall into the "can't be arsed" category (apart maybe from the FAC being less important). Cost is a big issue for a lot of fans and City haven't helped matters with the prices for the Spuds CL home leg. My point was that most of those in our SC Branch who aren't going simply can't be arsed !

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

It's not surprising really given it's only been 10 years. We'll see the difference in the next 10 years due to the larger number of kids that now support City in and around Manchester. It takes time. A lot of these kids can't come independently.

Agreed. However I was suprised how quickly the Chelsea fanbase changed after the Russian cash came in. Perhaps it was the London factor but one minute it was all "Chelsea Headhunters" and still a dodgy away trip then it moved quickly to posh people and tourists with selfie sticks! I met some hardcore Chelsea fans last year and they were all moaning that the club had lost its soul.

 

[Henkeman]

Hmm. If Brighton haven't completely sold out for their first semi-final in 35 years, and given a much easier and cheaper journey to and from Wembley, I think it's a bit harsh to be so shocked City are in the same position given all the other big matches coming up. Sure, Brighton's crowd is smaller, but for them it's a far bigger event and game.