My current emails to Garry Cook (had a real person ring me about the first but no reply to the others)
Sirs,
After receiving no reply to the below email, I would like to take this opportunity to confirm the following.
1) I have still not received my renewal pack.
This is even though I only have next week to renew under your proposal.
I understand that I have to do this in person even though as you can see from my address I live in West Yorkshire.
I understand that tickets are so limited as we are being evicted into spare seats based on this years seasoncards I will have to give up my bank holiday to queue for a seat
in a area I do not want for a grossly inflated price over the ticket of my choice.
2) If you make the North Stand a family stand how is this going to be used for our midweek european/cup and league matches as a large proportion of children will not attend
night matches and the club cannot utilise these seats as it is a 'family' stand and you would need to be a child to attend.
3) People in the North Stand Lower are there for a reason. It is the cheapest ticket available and the people in this stand choose this stand as it falls within our budget.
Being charged a 28% increase to move to another area we don't want is a tax on your poorest fans that will continue to be enforced for the life of the ticket.
Why have we had no prior warning like the CB and East Stand level 2 ticket holders?
Please do not try and argue the rise is a lot less than 28%, it is only less is we move to level 3. This is not a comparable seat and to some parties (like my own), level 3 is
not physically acceptable.
4) I understand from your own ticket office that there is no room in the South stand for anybody to move.
I cannot have one of your discount tickets because you cannot guarantee I will still sit with my family.
For the sake of a family stand you are splitting up families, this is not right and it is not fair on hard working people who spend there hard earned money on the club they love.
5) Our family is one of the featured stories in 'Blue Moon Rising' about how we got our first season ticket.
This could possibly be the story of how I stopped having a season ticket and became an armchair supporter.
Email sent 23/4/10
Sirs,
Further to my below email and telephone conversation with one of your representatives Friday 23 April, I feel compelled to further detail my frustration and disappointment with
the club over this matter.
Following on from my telephone conversation I have further analyzed my options for next season and detail them out as follows:
1. Move to the South Stand - This is not an option as my father would be unable to stand for the entire length of the match as is the custom in this stand. I also do not believe
there are any available tickets as this is the 'hard core' section and is always full. Conclusion=NOT ACCEPTABLE
2. Move to the East or Colin Bell Stand - Blocks 121 and 110 are not an option as they have exactly the same characteristics as the South Stand. This then leaves out of the
entire ground Blocks 131 & 142 these are priced at £475 against my ticket of £369 last season. This gives an increase in cost to me of £106 or 28.73%. Conclusion=INCREASE
IN COST OF 28.73% FOR A WORSE VIEW/EXPERIENCE
3. Stay in North Stand - Taking into account I am 1 of a party of 3 adults, if we purchase 3 adult tickets and 2 child tickets (for non existent children) the total cost would be £1,405
divide this cost between the 3 adults = £468. Conclusion=CHEAPEST OPTION AVAILABLE TO ME AND GIVES ME MORE ROOM AROUND SEAT DUE TO TWO UNUSED
SEATS (I know this is not what you foresaw with this option but the math's do not lie)
*All seats not on level 1 have not been looked at as they are physically not acceptable to my party.
I would also like to further note that you are imposing this move on ALL North Stand members who do not now fit the qualification criteria and requesting that we finalize our move
between 3-7 May. Why not move all members who now qualify for the 'new' Family Stand out of the rest of the stadium before we have to select our new seats. This would at
least give ourselves more seating options within the small areas left in the stadium that are financially attainable to ourselves.
I applaud the club for its commitment to child supporters, as no one can argue that they are the future life blood of this club. However I cannot hide my dismay that I am being moved
to a worse viewing area of the ground and being asked to pay considerably more for this, as you would describe 'customer experience' (and consequentially more year on year).
As is shown by my calculation for the cost of staying in the North Stand, childless supporters are subsidizing these tickets disproportionately. Of course cost is a factor in my
frustration but the lack of credible choice in an acceptable alternative seat is my major concern with little time or options given to ourselves by the club.
I am supposed to be looking forward to my trip to Arsenal this weekend and to the coming important matches towards our push for Europe and unfortunately all I can think about
is how this will be my last season of watching my beloved Blues in the flesh due to the onerous restrictions and excessive cost increases made to my ticket.
I can with all my heart say that for me this season has been badly tainted by the clubs actions in dealing with all my fellow North Stand season ticket holders in this matter.
Email 22/4/10
Supporter 211110
As a eleven year season ticket holder I find it amazing to be treated in the way you are proposing, with the announced new season tickets.
I have held the same seat with my father and sister from the Platt Lane stand at Maine Road to the North Stand at COMS.
I am now being told that I am no longer entitled to keep this seat as it is being used for a new family stand.
If I choose to move to an equivalent area in the South Stand I face a 9.75% increase in the price of the ticket (not the advertised headline 5%).
The South Stand is not an acceptable relocation for myself as my father would find it difficult to stand for the length of the match, as is the want of the fans in this stand.
This then leaves the next cheapest options being the East Stand meaning a 39.57%, 35.50%, 28.73% increase on last years ticket (£369), depending on area.
I understand that ticket prices have been pegged back in recent years and have been thankful for that fact, considering the turgid football I have experienced in some seasons.
The fact that I am being moved from my seat against my wishes and then being asked to pay a premium for the privilege has made me question for the first time whether I
renew my ticket for next year or not. This considering I sat through three years of football under Stuart Pearce is a big statement on my behalf.
I like to think of myself as a dedicated blue and have this year personally introduced new supporters to the club as well as bringing corporate customers. My family are one of
the subjects in the film 'Blue Moon Rising' and I was until this morning looking forward to a successful conclusion to this season and the excitement of the season to come.
With the current state of the economy as it is I cannot understand how you can treat longstanding customers as you are. I do think you are taking advantage of the fact that
following a football club is an emotional connection that is hard to break. I am however close to breaking point with my family having to find at least an additional 28.73% each.
I hope that you consider the above and look forward to your reply.
