Open Letter on Season Tickets and Pricing | Club announce price freeze on "general admission season tickets & PL match tickets" for next season (p163)

[Tim of the Oak]

I think unfortunately :0(

That horse has bolted!!!

And it won’t be back in the Stables anytime soon!!! 0:(

It’s a storm in a teacup. The groups need to work together to get the best deal for fans.

 

[.db.]

Sadly, the club doesn't care about the fans now; they regard them just as customers to extract money from. The locals are being priced out and will be replaced by tourists. The club doesn't care where the fans come from as long as they can sell tickets. The days of cheap tickets, turning up, and paying at the gate at Maine Road are a distant memory.

Doesn’t even have to be paying on the gate at Maine Road.
The days of two-dozen local lads going to the Etihad together have become a distant memory.

There are hardly any boozers around our stadium (at St James’ in Newcastle there are 108 pubs within a 1 mile radius of the stadium, there are FOUR at the Etihad). Tickets are too expensive. Those who can afford to go are in stands that are diluted by absolute nobodies who don’t give a fuck about City deep down.

You’re right when you say the club don’t care though, they want us all gone so they can fill the ground with nobodies.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Doesn’t even have to be paying on the gate at Maine Road.
The days of two-dozen local lads going to the Etihad together have become a distant memory.

There are hardly any boozers around our stadium (at St James’ in Newcastle there are 108 pubs within a 1 mile radius of the stadium, there are FOUR at the Etihad). Tickets are too expensive. Those who can afford to go are in stands that are diluted by absolute nobodies who don’t give a fuck about City deep down.

You’re right when you say the club don’t care though, they want us all gone so they can fill the ground with nobodies.

The only time I see groups of young lads going to city matches now is fa cup games. You see it a bit in the south stand, but that’s it really for the league games.

The next generation have already been priced out.

 

[.db.]

Some lower level marketing person has then - whoopee do.

The club are not changing their ticket price policy because a few FOCs write a letter.

It pisses me off as much as everyone else but it's just a cold hard fact.

I guarantee when season ticket prices are announced for next season it'll be the same thing as the last god knows how many years - a cheeky 20 quid added to everyone's ticket. Very strategically done as it's an amount that most people will just pay, but compounded over thousands of tickets and over years and years makes them millions and millions millions.

They do not give a fuck what you, or me, or anyone else thinks about that.

Our leadership have made some great decisions on the pitch obviously, but are for the most part a load of detached gazillionaires who put up with the fans because they have to, not because they give a shit about them. Just like every other big club.

When that turncoat Rag weasel Omar Berrada said during lock down that the club is easier and better to run without the fans, that said it all.

Were you in Istanbul? Tens of thousands of City fans were treated like shit, including me and my 2 kids. Not a fucking dickie bird from our club, fucking disgusting, cuntish in fact

And then this was the day I realised the entire club don’t give a single fuck about us.

They wouldn’t care if every single ‘Legacy Fan’ (even calling us that is a disgrace!) jacked it in and never went to a City game again.

The Community Shield game against Arsenal was another example; instead of backing fans over the boycott, they worked ten times as hard to shift the tickets to overseas fans that the end pretty much sold out to tourists who all sat down all game and didn’t make one decibel of atmosphere for the entire game or penalty shootout. They probably rubbed their hands that we boycotted it.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

I don’t disagree with your sentiment but the increase in SC prices is so small it probably doesn’t even reach £1m and that’s the problem. The more seats they can sell at inflated prices the better hence why no new SC are released and why the club doesn’t care if a few people drop off. A £500 SC equates to just over £26 per game, yet it will be sold as a £40 seat if it’s match by match, an increase of £266, far more than they dare increase a SC. Every local kid under 16 has pretty much only known our success and the rags decline. Throw in the likes of Aguero, Silva, Vinny, Foden, Haaland etc and these are the fans that should be knocking down the door to attend. Yet they can’t at the expense of a tourist who won’t be around in a few years. Where have all our Bosnian fans gone or the Algerians? Get the locals hooked and they are fans for ever.

It is significant.

For the sake of argument say it is “just” £1m.

That’s £1m every year until the end of time.

Then they put it up by the same next year. So it doubles.

Then the year after that.

And after that.

It’s compound interest, it sounds small but over a long period of time yields enormous numbers.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

There's two people who can make the letter requests happen, Mansour and Khaldoon. But will they interfere with the running of the club, and force changes to what has already been agreed, and is ready to be implemented?

People are insanely naive if they think Khaldoon gives a fuck about some skint nobodies from Manchester.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Brilliant effort from City Matters - and Alex seems to try and do the right thing for all of us - thank you.

But I also read the cynicism, which I sadly share. 'Our' club has long been an asset of a Gulf State - and I am grateful to them for their investment and professionalism. It has allowed us to enjoy over a decade of triumphs that few of us FOCs could even dream of.

In the first years of their ownership, I think they largely got the balance right between the legacy they had inherited, and the ambitions they planned. Personally, like top flight football across the Premier League, the balance has flipped in the last few years, and with the pressures of FFP and all the other shite the EPL, FA and UEFA invent to safeguard the historic cartel, I think the reality of football today is broadly utterly shite for the legacy fan.

Tourists, VAR, Half & Half Scarves, away ticket allocations, annual season card uplifts, reduction in discounts, yet more tunnel clubs, the light shows, the commercialisation of absolutely everything, is sadly the inevitable future of football.

However, I do think the legacy of the connection to Manchester and the unique experience of being at a game (which I sadly think is now only found away, like at Leicester, Luton and hopefully tomorrow at Orient) - is worth fighting for. We may have to one day surrender to the tidal wave of tourists and day trippers - but I love this Club too much not to fight - which is why I fully support these efforts and yet again, would argue that we need to urgently crack on with setting up a properly democratic and independent Supporters Trust.

100%.

The co ordinated action of these supporter groups should now lead to a professional approach to establishing a supporters trust.

It's a necessary next step.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

When that turncoat Rag weasel Omar Berrada said during lock down that the club is easier and better to run without the fans, that said it all.


And then this was the day I realised the entire club don’t give a single fuck about us.

They wouldn’t care if every single ‘Legacy Fan’ (even calling us that is a disgrace!) jacked it in and never went to a City game again.

The Community Shield game against Arsenal was another example; instead of backing fans over the boycott, they worked ten times as hard to shift the tickets to overseas fans that the end pretty much sold out to tourists who all sat down all game and didn’t make one decibel of atmosphere for the entire game or penalty shootout. They probably rubbed their hands that we boycotted it.

There are so many people - including on here - that are so distracted by the glitz and glamour of shiny trophies in recent years that they can’t see what’s happening behind the scenes.

Look at the new stand. All that increased capacity and not a single additional season ticket.

I said years ago that I thought the end game was to scrap season tickets entirely, slowly getting rid of them as old fans literally die out, and I still maintain that position.

 

[jrb]

People are insanely naive if they think Khaldoon gives a fuck about some skint nobodies from Manchester.

He came out with a statement about looking at ticket prices.(forgot his exact words)

The North stand expansion, and the letter gives him the opportunity to follow up on his words.

We will see in the coming months when prices for next season's season tickets are made public, which will reflect match day ticket prices as well.

The club can't freeze season ticket prices, if they do, whilst increasing match day ticket prices. That will cause a split in the fan base, and a lot of discontent amongst match day ticket purchasers.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

He came out with a statement about looking at ticket prices.(forgot his exact words)

The North stand expansion, and the letter gives him the opportunity to follow up on his words.

We will see in the coming months when prices for next season's season tickets are made public, which will reflect match day ticket prices as well.

The club can't freeze season ticket prices, if they do, whilst increasing match day ticket prices. That will cause a split in the fan base, and a lot of discontent amongst match day ticket purchasers.

Don’t get me wrong I hope this letter has some impact. I am a season ticket holder and as I’ve said a few times on here I’ve been close to sacking it off since Covid really.

I’m in the fortunate position that the money isn’t an issue but the principle of the club slowly increasing prices while clearly finding us little more than an inconvenience irks me.

Nobody in the executive leadership really gives a toss about or understands the fans. And with some of his weird comments over the years, as brilliant as he is I partially include Pep in that.

I’m repeating myself but any genuine consideration for everyday fans went out of the window with Garry Cook.

 

[jrb]

There are so many people - including on here - that are so distracted by the glitz and glamour of shiny trophies in recent years that they can’t see what’s happening behind the scenes.

Look at the new stand. All that increased capacity and not a single additional season ticket.

I said years ago that I thought the end game was to scrap season tickets entirely, slowly getting rid of them as old fans literally die out, and I still maintain that position.

City should introduce a scheme where you can pass your season ticket on to a named family member or friend with a citizens card once you can no longer attend matches, or if you pass away.

A friend if mine sadly passed away last year. His wife gave his season ticket back to the club. His seat is now a match day ticket. His best mate now sits next to a different City fan each home game.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

City should introduce a scheme where you can pass your season ticket on to a named family member or friend with a citizens card once you can no longer attend matches, or if you pass away.

A friend if mine sadly passed away last year. His wife gave his season ticket back to the club. His seat is now a match day ticket. His best mate now sits next to a different City fan each home game.

Sorry to hear about your friend pal. My condolences.

And yep that is the perfect example of this.

About a year ago I reported some vile racist abuse coming from our stand from another “blue”. The club didn’t take it seriously. I told the bloke from the club I was considering not renewing my ticket as a result of their lack of seriousness.

The guy literally laughed at me down the phone and said “someone else will have your seat mate”.

 

[East Level 2]

He came out with a statement about looking at ticket prices.(forgot his exact words)

The North stand expansion, and the letter gives him the opportunity to follow up on his words.

We will see in the coming months when prices for next season's season tickets are made public, which will reflect match day ticket prices as well.

The club can't freeze season ticket prices, if they do, whilst increasing match day ticket prices. That will cause a split in the fan base, and a lot of discontent amongst match day ticket purchasers.

The north stand expansion is the crucial point. We have to fill an additional 7,000 seats and it's going to be almost impossible without a large number of additional season tickets at sensible prices.
We'll fill the ground for the rags, dippers and arses but I really can't see us selling out many other PL games as the current capacity usually only sells out in the last few days before the game.
The only solution is more relatively cheap STs, or cheaper match day prices, and both would be applauded. There's also the possibility of heavier marketing on touting partner sites but I think (and hope) we've reached capacity for that channel.

 

[urban genie]

City should introduce a scheme where you can pass your season ticket on to a named family member or friend with a citizens card once you can no longer attend matches, or if you pass away.

A friend if mine sadly passed away last year. His wife gave his season ticket back to the club. His seat is now a match day ticket. His best mate now sits next to a different City fan each home game.

A close friend of mine passed on a year ago and after they asked the club informed his family his season card could be passed to a family member but all his points would be wiped and the new season card holder would have to start afresh.

there was a proccess also where you had to prove you were related to the previpus owner it was made so it was easier to just give it up than mess about.

 

[Eric Hitchmough]

Sorry to hear about your friend pal. My condolences.

And yep that is the perfect example of this.

About a year ago I reported some vile racist abuse coming from our stand from another “blue”. The club didn’t take it seriously. I told the bloke from the club I was considering not renewing my ticket as a result of their lack of seriousness.

The guy literally laughed at me down the phone and said “someone else will have your seat mate”.

WTF that’s horrendous mate

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

The north stand expansion is the crucial point. We have to fill an additional 7,000 seats and it's going to be almost impossible without a large number of additional season tickets at sensible prices.
We'll fill the ground for the rags, dippers and arses but I really can't see us selling out many other PL games as the current capacity usually only sells out in the last few days before the game.
The only solution is more relatively cheap STs, or cheaper match day prices, and both would be applauded. There's also the possibility of heavier marketing on touting partner sites but I think (and hope) we've reached capacity for that channel.

They’ll fill the north stand with tourists and corporate seating - similar to the champions league. That’s one of the only reasons it’s being built.

The hotel and corporate sections aren’t for your average city fan.

 

[East Level 2]

They’ll fill the north stand with tourists and corporate seating - similar to the champions league. That’s one of the only reasons it’s being built.

The hotel and corporate sections aren’t for your average city fan.

They might try, but I really can't see the demand from tourists and corporate being sufficient to fill that many additional seats for the majority of PL games and CL mini-league games. And it will be empty if they expect anybody to pay sky high prices if we miss out on the CL and end up in the Europa. We may have the longest continuous run for English clubs in the competition, but that is not guaranteed to continue.
The only good side is that there will be a lot of cheap seats for domestic cup ties when there is less interest from tourists and corporate, but the worry is that too many long-term fans have got out of the habit of going. Also, some former regulars don't want to be restricted to a few games a season when the club can't sell at higher prices.

 

[jrb]

With 400 hotel rooms, there could be up to 1000 City fans staying in the hotel for a home match, depending on the hotel room sizes, availability, and the fixture.

For arguments sake, let's say they all buy seats on NSL2. That's 1000 seats seats already sold, either as match day sales, or as hotel packages.

So 1000 seats have already gone without new NSL2 - Flexi-Gold season ticket holders, and match day tickets holders (not staying in the hotel) buying seats.

I would assume most of the 3000 safe standing seats will be season ticket and Flexi - Gold season tickets, as the club will want the same vocal people in the (unofficial) Safe Standing (singing) section for every home match? Especially if most of those people relocate from other parts of the ground?

 

[kippax_blueboy]

Why are we allowing this?
Where are the protests?
We want
Cheaper tickets
More season tickets
Assistance to engender inter generational support

When do want it.
NOW!!!!

 

[RACHACE]

I've had my season ticket since we moved to Coms and the wife has had hers since Maine Road.

We've got a 1 year old and if she cant get a season ticket (when shes of the age of being interested) ,sat with us, so we can enjoy watching City as a family then we'll both be giving up our season tickets.

I'm really confused as to why City seem quite happy allowing their local, more traditional supporter base just basically evaporate. To be replaced by soulless goons that likely hop from club to club depending on who's the flavour of the month.