Season Ticket Sales look static from last season

[Skashion]

The thing is it was all school kids and day trippers in that section for that Wigan game. Loads of the vocal fans around the ground just thought "fuck moving for one game, it's too much hassle at too short notice!" so didn't bother with it!

As I said earlier, I'd be willing to give it a try for a season to see if people can be arsed relocating for that length of time.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

The club were looking into swapping the away fans with the 111 area a few years back, we had a poll on here and it was about evens for and evens against IIRC. Too many City fans didn't want to be moved so the club didn't bother doing anything. It's nothing to do with the club not udnerstanding Maine Road or whatever bollocks like that people are trying to make up, cos the club looked into it. It was the fans who took the wind out of that sail, unfortunately

I thought the atmosphere was good last season but if we had a proper end we'd be laughing

 

[Deleted member 14625]

That's what you've got but that's what's damaging the atmosphere.

I think what's damaging the atmosphere is that we've only got 4,000 who can be arsed singing for most of the time in most matches.

Prior to that Wigan game, I was hammering on for the south stand to be made bigger so that we've got more in that section. I thought there must be pockets scattered around the ground who will move for the atmosphere and then join in the singing when they don't ordinarily. I'd still be willing to give that a try but it would require an upheaval and shoving the away fans up in EL3 and relocating everyone in EL3 around the ground after our pockets of vocal support had relocated to the south stand. Simply rearranging the south stand is not appealing to me. The banter that goes on between both sections and between the away fans is worth keeping unless I can be convinced that putting us together without any enlargement makes us so much noisier.

This is what I posted earlier about this. It isn't that the rest of the ground "can't be arsed", it's becuae the current situation isn't condusive to the rest of the ground joining in. I sit in a none-singing area and I can tell you that if the singing is loud enough and not too remote, lots of people will join in. Not every song, but the "bigger" ones. We've had far too many big games, like derbies etc, where we get 15 minutes of "We are not really good at darts till I die" from the 2 singing ends, frequently drowned out (becuase it's not one coherent song) by the away fans. After a while the rest of the ground stop joining in because you can't join in with a mud of noise.

I'll tell you why the club don't do anything:

They don't understand the history of the stadium and the Maine Road stands. They don't realise that songs from the South Stand will never catch on around the grund because on the one side they have the old Main Stand, who aren't the singing types. On the other side they have the away fans who make sure that the other side of the ground don't hear them.

Also, the club don't believe the demand is there because of the people who actually sit in the singing ends. When you are in there you think the atmosphere is great. What you don't realise is that a great atmosphere is not 300 lads singing "WHo's the faggot in the pink?", it's a whole stadium booming a song.

So when this debate comes up, the people who are passionately for it are the ones who sit in the main stadium itself rather than the singing areas. These people realise that if a song starts up loud and defined enough it will drift downt he East Stand Side and often get the whole ground going. that's why the better atmospehres at COMS tend to be once the singing and excitement has died a bit. When things are at fever pitch in the stadium all you can hear is a mud of noise - "We are Not really standing alone till I die" from the 2 City ends, and the away fans together.

When both singing areas sing together it will not catch on round the ground.

But the people who sit in the singing areas don't realise this, they think that it's just the rest of the ground being "boring". It isn't.

Sorry, I could go on all day about this. This would make a big difference to our entire club, probably even the performacnes on the field.

The above highlighted above is bang on! I've stood over in the South Stand and in the East Corner and been quite impressed by the noise when I'm stood there, when you're part of it it sounds loud. Back in my normal seat in 105, even in big games, I can't hear the vocal sections. Sometimes when there are very few away fans it's still difficult to hear exactly what's being sung by the minute vocal sections we have (it's only on level one and it's only 1500 one side and 1800 the other side of the away fans). When Chelsea or the Rags come these numbers are easily drowned out, easily! Even though the people in them think they're outsinging the away fans, they aren't!

It's even noticable on tele. I Sky+ every live City game and Football First and when I've been at the game and even thougt we did produce a good atmosphere, it doesn't sound like that on tele. Yet at the Stadium of Light Sunderland fans will sound MINT! [I reckon, when they have the attendance right, they are the loudest fans in our league! WHY?: because their stadium is designed properly with big masses of fans grouped together!]

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Not convinced at all Dave.

I promise if you spent a season sitting at the opposite end of the ground you would be. Or even just a big game; There are regular moments in a big game where songs naturally start, and both City ends, and often the opposition, start a different song at the same time.

That's why you often get better communal singing when there are fewer, or quiet, away fans. Or later in a game when songs are starting less frequently, so the two singing ends can actually hear each other.

The height of the roof, and the fact that the singing starts at ground level and not at that back, means the noise and sings lift and collect upwards, not outwards. They aren't anything like as audible from other parts of the stadium as you think. They don't "project" like they did at Maine Road or like you hear at places like Spurs and Stoke.

Wembley had the saqme problem actually. For large parts of our games there all you could hear was a wall of noise from the City fans rather than defined songs. Having tiers makes it much worse too.<br /><br />-- Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:31 pm --<br /><br />

The club were looking into swapping the away fans with the 111 area a few years back, we had a poll on here and it was about evens for and evens against IIRC. Too many City fans didn't want to be moved so the club didn't bother doing anything. It's nothing to do with the club not udnerstanding Maine Road or whatever bollocks like that people are trying to make up, cos the club looked into it. It was the fans who took the wind out of that sail, unfortunately

I thought the atmosphere was good last season but if we had a proper end we'd be laughing

I said that in an earlier post. The fans who put the kibosh on this, I reckon, were the ones who sit there who don't realise how little their songs actually carry.

I'd love to give the club a presentation on this. And the historical demographic of each stand is relevant whether you call it bollocks or not. There is a different crowd in the Colin Bell than there is in the East stand. That's a fact. Songs have to go round the entire ground for there to be any chance of the Colin Bell joining in. So the existing South Stand are singing into a vacuum most of the time.

 

[Skashion]

Not convinced at all Dave.

I promise if you spent a season sitting at the opposite end of the ground you would be. Or even just a big game; There are regular moments in a big game where songs naturally start, and both City ends, and often the opposition, start a different song at the same time.

That's why you often get better communal singing when there are fewer, or quiet, away fans. Or later in a game when songs are starting less frequently, so the two singing ends can actually hear each other.

The height of the roof, and the fact that the singing starts at ground level and not at that back, means the noise and sings lift and collect upwards, not outwards. They aren't anything like as audible from other parts of the stadium as you think. They don't "project" like they did at Maine Road or like you hear at places like Spurs and Stoke.

Wembley had the saqme problem actually. For large parts of our games there all you could hear was a wall of noise from the City fans rather than defined songs. Having tiers makes it much worse too.

The moments where the one end is drowned out and can't hear what the other are singing are minimal. A minority of the match for at most three or four big games a season. If your argument held true the games with the best atmosphere would be against Wigan, Fulham et al. when we can easily hear the other end and those are not our best games for atmosphere, they're our worst. Banter with the away fans currently produces more noise sadly. Feeding off them creates more noise. I'd only get rid of them in the middle of us for an expanded section with more people singing more often.

 

[1.618034]

Anyone got a link for viewing these seating charts then....?

 

[The Northern Baptist]

we sold out of season tickets last season, how can you sell more?

I got to this post and stopped reading the thread as its absolutely spot on.
There is only a certain % of the capacity we can sell as season tickets, last season we sold all these, which is why there was a waiting list.

The problem with the attendances is the filling the seats which arent season tickets.
We aren't that cheap a club to watch if you buy tickets on a match-by match basis.
Also, if the game is on tv and it costs you a ton to take your family along to the game, in these times what are you going to do?

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I've heard the "police" reasons, but that doesn't bear scrutiny. I can't think of another Premiership ground that is so strongly policed as at our place, and I can't think of any other team that blocks off the exits to allow away fans unhindered access to the coach parks.

Everywhere else it's open the gates and best of luck lads!

I can only think of The Hawthorns where they make away fans go a segregated route out of the ground. Every other ground you can walk out and mix with the home fans without any hassle. I really don't understand why we are the exception.

But as regards season tickets, perhaps the seats available on the planner are not all actually available as season tickets. Maybe there are a number of seats you can choose from but a much smaller number of new season tickets available?

 

[Didsbury Dave]

we sold out of season tickets last season, how can you sell more?

I got to this post and stopped reading the thread as its absolutely spot on.
There is only a certain % of the capacity we can sell as season tickets, last season we sold all these, which is why there was a waiting list.

The problem with the attendances is the filling the seats which arent season tickets.
We aren't that cheap a club to watch if you buy tickets on a match-by match basis.
Also, if the game is on tv and it costs you a ton to take your family along to the game, in these times what are you going to do?

I keep posting this.

We can sell 95% of the ground as season tickets.

 

[Scully]

we sold out of season tickets last season, how can you sell more?

I got to this post and stopped reading the thread as its absolutely spot on.
There is only a certain % of the capacity we can sell as season tickets, last season we sold all these, which is why there was a waiting list.

The problem with the attendances is the filling the seats which arent season tickets.
We aren't that cheap a club to watch if you buy tickets on a match-by match basis.
Also, if the game is on tv and it costs you a ton to take your family along to the game, in these times what are you going to do?

Every game is live on TV these days, and we seem to have loads of home games on Sky as well. Definitely puts off a lot of potential fans, as why pay all that money? Times are in deed hard.

 

[whitt]

I'll probably get called bull shit on this, but a lot of the time the south stand and the singing section seem reluctant to join in with each other's songs and want to compete instead. I've stood in both sections and it can be hard to hear each other at times but not always.

The rivalry is good but this isn't what we need. We need everyone together. Fuck the away fans off into the corner, I'm sure that would make it easier to police anyway!

 

[jrb]

Sorry to be a.............

But not being able to move the away fans had nothing to do with City fans not wanting it to happen, unless that is a fact and has come from secret meetings with OSC's members and other City fans?

City looked at the issue in detail. I was shown a presentation by Danny Wilson who went through the issue/s at length and explained why moving the away fans couldn't be done.

The away fans couldn't be moved for various reasons. Access in and out of the stadium, coach parking, access for disabled fans, catering issues, H&S, policing, FA rules, Council etc. It's not just a case of moving the away fans and it's done. The amount of rules and regulations surrounding such a move is.............(fill in as appropriate)

Not saying all those issues led directly to any move of the away fans being shelved, but some did contrubute to it not happening.

The move won't happen. It will only happen if and when the stadium is expanded. Until then get used to where you are now and the current layout of COMS.(Etihad)

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Sorry to be a.............

But not being able to move the away fans had nothing to do with City fans not wanting it to happen, unless that is a fact and has come from secret meetings with OSC's members and other City fans?

City looked at the issue in detail. I was shown a presentation by Danny Wilson who went through the issue/s at length and explained why moving the away fans couldn't be done.

The away fans couldn't be moved for various reasons. Access in and out of the stadium, coach parking, access for disabled fans, catering issues, H&S, policing, FA rules, Council etc. It's not just a case of moving the away fans and it's done. The amount of rules and regulations surrounding such a move is.............(fill in as appropriate)

Not saying all those issues led directly to any move of the away fans being shelved, but some did contrubute to it not happening.

The move won't happen. It will only happen if and when the stadium is expanded. Until then get used to where you are now and the current layout of COMS.(Etihad)

If you were to look to move them to the top tier then that maybe relevant. But accross the south stand is nothing. They sit there anyway for cup matches.

It would be easy to do this for the world's richest club.

 

[The Northern Baptist]

we sold out of season tickets last season, how can you sell more?

I got to this post and stopped reading the thread as its absolutely spot on.
There is only a certain % of the capacity we can sell as season tickets, last season we sold all these, which is why there was a waiting list.

The problem with the attendances is the filling the seats which arent season tickets.
We aren't that cheap a club to watch if you buy tickets on a match-by match basis.
Also, if the game is on tv and it costs you a ton to take your family along to the game, in these times what are you going to do?

I keep posting this.

We can sell 95% of the ground as season tickets.

So why is/was there a waiting list for Season Tickets?
Surely if people wanted a season ticket last season and there is space for them, why would the club turn down their custom and risk having empty seats and losing that revenue?
The club have to keep a certain % available for sale on an individual, match by match basis.

We have to offer the travelling club 10% of the capacity or 3000 (unless we restrict them due to past behaviour), whichever is lower. 3000 as a % of 48,000 is 6.25% so we couldn't sell 95% of the ground as season tickets.

 

[whitt]

Sorry to be a.............

But not being able to move the away fans had nothing to do with City fans not wanting it to happen, unless that is a fact and has come from secret meetings with OSC's members and other City fans?

City looked at the issue in detail. I was shown a presentation by Danny Wilson who went through the issue/s at length and explained why moving the away fans couldn't be done.

The away fans couldn't be moved for various reasons. Access in and out of the stadium, coach parking, access for disabled fans, catering issues, H&S, policing, FA rules, Council etc. It's not just a case of moving the away fans and it's done. The amount of rules and regulations surrounding such a move is.............(fill in as appropriate)

Not saying all those issues led directly to any move of the away fans being shelved, but some did contrubute to it not happening.

The move won't happen. It will only happen if and when the stadium is expanded. Until then get used to where you are now and the current layout of COMS.(Etihad)

Time to take your tampons out and start making some noise then ES/ CB!

 

[cyclops]

Danny Wilson explained this to me before the start of last season.

He said that the club have a maximum level of season tickets set because if there is a big cup game and the opposition supporters take up their full allocation i.e the whole of the South Stand. The season ticket holders from the South Stand would have to be able to buy tickets for that game in another part of the ground. The club HAS to presume that EVERY season ticket holder will purchase a ticket for cup games because it is in the terms and conditions when you purchase your season ticket.

I hope that makes sense, it did to me at the time.

 

[Manchestercitychorlton]

even thexfamily stand i louder than the east and collin bell stand.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Danny Wilson explained this to me before the start of last season.

He said that the club have a maximum level of season tickets set because if there is a big cup game and the opposition supporters take up their full allocation i.e the whole of the South Stand. The season ticket holders from the South Stand would have to be able to buy tickets for that game in another part of the ground. The club HAS to presume that EVERY season ticket holder will purchase a ticket for cup games because it is in the terms and conditions when you purchase your season ticket.

I hope that makes sense, it did to me at the time.

Yes, that's correct, i've given a breakdown above.

the club can sell 40,000 season tickets.

IT IS A MYTH THERE IS LOWER CEILING THAN THIS!!!!!!!!!!

The club might set one, they did last year, but they only stopped selling season tickets one week into the season.

 

[The Northern Baptist]

The atmosphere is shit but what do people expect with games kicking off early Saturday, Sundays at 2 and 4 and Monday nights?

The atmosphere is good when people have had a few to drink, which is why its good on Saturday kick offs at 3 and half 5, people have the chance/opportunity to get to the pub before hand and generally there's no work the next day and there's no need to worry about having a bit of a hangover.

Its not rocket science, all this about moving away fans etc is horse shite.<br /><br />-- Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:36 pm --<br /><br />

Danny Wilson explained this to me before the start of last season.

He said that the club have a maximum level of season tickets set because if there is a big cup game and the opposition supporters take up their full allocation i.e the whole of the South Stand. The season ticket holders from the South Stand would have to be able to buy tickets for that game in another part of the ground. The club HAS to presume that EVERY season ticket holder will purchase a ticket for cup games because it is in the terms and conditions when you purchase your season ticket.

I hope that makes sense, it did to me at the time.

Yes, that's correct, i've given a breakdown above.

the club can sell 40,000 season tickets.

IT IS A MYTH THERE IS LOWER CEILING THAN THIS!!!!!!!!!!

The club might set one, they did last year, but they only stopped selling season tickets one week into the season.

40k of 48k is 83% not 95%

 

[Didsbury Dave]

The atmosphere is shit but what do people expect with games kicking off early Saturday, Sundays at 2 and 4 and Monday nights?

The atmosphere is good when people have had a few to drink, which is why its good on Saturday kick offs at 3 and half 5, people have the chance/opportunity to get to the pub before hand and generally there's no work the next day and there's no need to worry about having a bit of a hangover.

Its not rocket science, all this about moving away fans etc is horse shite.

-- Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:36 pm --

Danny Wilson explained this to me before the start of last season.

He said that the club have a maximum level of season tickets set because if there is a big cup game and the opposition supporters take up their full allocation i.e the whole of the South Stand. The season ticket holders from the South Stand would have to be able to buy tickets for that game in another part of the ground. The club HAS to presume that EVERY season ticket holder will purchase a ticket for cup games because it is in the terms and conditions when you purchase your season ticket.

I hope that makes sense, it did to me at the time.

Yes, that's correct, i've given a breakdown above.

the club can sell 40,000 season tickets.

IT IS A MYTH THERE IS LOWER CEILING THAN THIS!!!!!!!!!!

The club might set one, they did last year, but they only stopped selling season tickets one week into the season.

40k of 48k is 83% not 95%

I know. But you have to take off the away fans and corporate.

I've broken it down earlier in the thread.