PSG ticket prices - Protest options v West Brom.

[Prestwich_Blue]

I can't understand why Soriano has taken such flak from some quarters (well, one poster in particular). Our ticket prices, up to this season, are probably lower than any other of the so called top clubs.

I guess that's me you're referring to. You hate it when other people personalise this but have no problem in doing the same to others. But that's by the by.

I totally agree that the club have done a lot to make season tickets affordable across a range of pockets. You can pay from £299 to £1750 for one. But it's a bit of a myth that we're cheaper than other big clubs. I've shown that for what would be Category B games, you can get a cheaper ticket than our cheapest standard adult ticket at all but West Ham this season. That includes Old Trafford, Anfield, Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane. We're completely comparable to all those clubs but we haven't got the demand or wealthy demographic that most of the others have. And then there's this nonsense about paying more or less if you sit a row in front or behind someone. That's just naked greed for an income stream that's just not critical any more.

There's no communication with the fans whereas Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool board or board members all meet with their fan committees regularly. From a pure business sense it seems to be very well run but my beef is that they're in danger of alienating the people who really represent the soul and face of that business. The season ticket prices will be a big test of how far they're prepared to do that.

 

[moomba]

I think part of the problem, is those wanting to protest against prices don't really seem to be saying what they are asking for. The twenty a plenty campaign had one clear aim, and most were happy with the £30 compromise If the club sat down tomorrow and said lets see if we can come to an agreement what do the fans want, there isn't any plan to negotiate around.
I posted what I thought was a workable idea, it could well have been a nonsense idea but I haven't seen anybody else post a workable plan. Lots of posters being angry and protesting about prices is one thing but it' doesn't mean much without agreement on what they are looking for.

Maybe, although a lot of people have said exactly what their concerns are.

Could see down the track one of the supporter groups (1894, CityWatch, Points of Blue etc) trying to put together something together detailing what we want from the club in relation to ticketing.

 

[jrb]

Maybe, although a lot of people have said exactly what their concerns are.

Could see down the track one of the supporter groups (1894, CityWatch, Points of Blue etc) trying to put together something together detailing what we want from the club inrelation to ticketing.

Meeting the fans face to face once again would be a good start.

 

[moomba]

Meeting the fans face to face once again would be a good start.

Very much. A lot of the discontent I think is down to the fact the club doesnt seem to be interested in listening to supporters, or even that fussed in communicating to supporters.

That statement was a "thats just the way it is, tough shit". Almost as if they didnt care that people were unhappy.

 

[jrb]

Very much. A lot of the discontent I think is down to the fact the club doesnt seem to be interested in listening to supporters, or even that fussed in communicating to supporters.

That statement was a "thats just the way it is, tough shit". Almost as if they didnt care that people were unhappy.

Faces and face to face meetings have been replaced by survey emails.

TBF City still probably do the invite only question and answer meetings at the club when they feel if there is a need.

Wasn't there one just about the unhappiness regarding ticket prices?

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Faces and face to face meetings have been replaced by survey emails.

TBF City still probably do the invite only question and answer meetings at the club when they feel if there is a need.

Wasn't there one just about the unhappiness regarding ticket prices?

The problem with surveys is that they can ask whatever questions they want in whatever way they want. And you can only answer how they want you to. So they could ask "What would you pay for your season ticket next season?" and the lowest answer could be higher than the current price. That gets interpreted as "People would be prepared to pay more". A bit cynical maybe but you get the point.

A face-to-face meeting would alow people to make the point that the current range of pricing is fine but that tickets have gone up every year for the last few years whereas ticket income is less and less of our overall turnover. Plus we could make the point about the age demographic, encouraging people who have given up to come back, rewarding loyalty through length of tenure, etc. And they can give feedback on these things of course and sell their vision and ideas to the fans. It's not just a one-way process.

As an example, at Points of Blue the issue of catering always came up but the club explained that a lot of things that could be done were constrained by the catering outlets not being big enough (they needed to more space from front to back). Another issue was standing, where Peter Fletcher was persuaded to relax the heavy-handed attitude to standing that they originally had and take a more pragmatic view. The agreement reached was that basically standing would be allowed in the South Stand and up to 109/110 and that anyone in these areas who didn't want to stand would be helped to move. That took quite a while to sort out but we got there in the end and it could only be done via face-to-face meetings. The blue signage on the stadium, City Square and the ATM were all ideas raised by PoB members, not the club. And they've all been for the better.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

As an example, at Points of Blue the issue of catering always came up but the club explained that a lot of things that could be done were constrained by the catering outlets not being big enough (they needed to more space from front to back).

This is utter fucking bollocks (not you P_B)

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

This is utter fucking bollocks (not you P_B)

I know it wasn't aimed at me and that you're a man of some expertise in this field (on both sides of the bar). I can't recall the exact conversation but I think it was to do with more efficient dispensation of beer and that they couldn't install the machinery they needed as there wasn't enough depth.

Having said that, they did talk a lot of bollocks at times.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I know it wasn't aimed at me and that you're a man of some expertise in this field (on both sides of the bar). I can't recall the exact conversation but I think it was to do with more efficient dispensation of beer and that they couldn't install the machinery they needed as there wasn't enough depth.

Having said that, they did talk a lot of bollocks at times.

The dispense argument is a red herring.

With the right people (or possibly even person) in place, this problem could be significantly ameliorated between home games. It's that quick a fix.

 

[CC1]

Maybe, although a lot of people have said exactly what their concerns are.

Could see down the track one of the supporter groups (1894, CityWatch, Points of Blue etc) trying to put together something together detailing what we want from the club in relation to ticketing.

PBlue. I wasn't referring to anyone in particular. Indeed, you're not the only one who has made the points to which I referred. I have a lot of respect for the things you write - you are far more knowledgeable than I on all financial matters and I have followed your FFP comments avidly.

As an ordinary - perhaps niaive - City fan, I just happen to feel that the club has done more right than wrong & doesnt deserve being publicly dragged through the shit. The media needs little encouragement to besmirch us.

As I keep saying, I feel we should have reserved judgement until the ticket prices were released but it's too late now. The press are waiting with bated breath to report that City have lost the respect of their main source of strength - the fans.

Just as some want to stress their anger at this issue - I want to stress my tolerance which I'm surely allowed to do without being accused of personal vendettas. It's hard to have a discussion without raising other people's points. But I draw the line at calling them clowns etc & those that continually do so should, in my humble opinion, be banned. (& that wasn't you either!!)