I'm not bigging up UK trains. And I'm not saying a lot of European cities don't have better transport. It was the 24 hours comment, that I've read a lot on here, not specifically from you, that I always find a bit strange. I get out plenty, but can't recall too many with trams, trains whatever running all through the night.You need to get out a bit more. I have travelled extensively on trains across Europe and other countres. The UK is a disgrace, even compared to former Soviet Bloc countries. I have used high speed rail in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary, and more.There are multiple overnight trains, travel times are lower, and so are the fares. Most European football stadia have special buses, late trains, etc after matches. I would say Italy was the worst but still has much later trains than this country. Even Switzerland, which mostly shuts down at 9pm is better than here. I went via Geneva to Berne for our match, The transport was fantastic
If you’re referring to my post/dissertation then I would just like to say (as cliche and corny as it sounds).Just reading the last.couple of pages and we've got some posters literally turning their backs on the club due to the price of the tickets, and others with enough spare cash to have a great time drinking and dining before a midweek match, just after Christmas, New Year and a late Sunday kick off v Chelsea when presumably they did similar.
Somewhere in the middle lies a degree of tact.
I wasn't referring to your post specifically but more the general sense from 3-4 posts that some supporters are having to make lifestyle changes that don't involve spending on such ridiculously priced tickets.If you’re referring to my post/dissertation then I would just like to say (as cliche and corny as it sounds).
I haven’t turned my back on the club. The club turned their back on the loyal fans.
Yesterday was a strange one. Wife is Brighton fan and youngest supports Brighton (he is only 6). Eldest is a city fan (aged 10) and bas been since birth really.
We live 20 mins from Brighton and have season tickets at the Amex (hence why I keep banging the drum re van hecke in transfer forum!).
My wife and I previously held season tickets at city prior to the youngest being born. My son’s first game was when he was 18 months v Burnley in the cup. We used to regularly make the trip because we loved it. Even though I have no family connection to Manchester I’ve supported Manchester City for 26 of my 33 years.
Over the past 6 years or so my love for city has been slowly fading. I think it was the super league fiasco or maybe the fact we where unable to get my youngest a season ticket near us three but something in me changed. Rather than force my youngest to follow city I left him to make his own mind and now he has settled on Brighton (understandable really given we watch them a lot).
This brings me to yesterday. Due to cost i reluctantly agreed to watch the match from the away end (I just couldn’t stomach paying the city prices when the away tickets are capped). In total we paid £90 for the four of us to attend. For comparison the last league game we attended at the Etihad was last year against January. Can’t remember exactly what we paid for that but it was around £150 for east stand level 1 and we where surrounded by tourists.
The experience in the away end was miserable. It felt really odd and I didn’t enjoy the game at all. But I will say the atmosphere wasn’t that bad from the city fans within the away section.
The point of this post? After the game my son got a shirt from his fav Brighton player)and now I fear I’ve lost him as a city fan... This made me feel really sad tbh but I can’t blame him. After all this isn’t the same Manchester City I fell in love with.
My first game was with my dad at 10 against Chelsea. We lost 5- 0 but I waited by the coach and met some of the players and got my programme signed. In previous away games with my son we wait by the coach (he insists and I reluctantly agree) and they just ignore all the kids. Don’t even acknowledge them. Breaks my heart. They are kids ffs. When did they become this desensitised or arrogant?
Game that really sticks out was ironically Brighton away (was in away end that day!)few years back. It was a weeknight and city had won the league. Players came out in drabs which meant many players where just sat on a coach for a good 30 mins waiting for their team mates. I just don’t get how they haven’t got it in them to sign a few programmes or have a photo etc. a lot of people waiting where kids from Manchester. Long long trip and the players couldn’t give a toss nor understand the commitment these fans have made. For comparison Brighton players often stop and sign. I know they aren’t “superstars” but if they can I don’t see why the city players can’t.
The difference between communication and community spirit at Brighton and Manchester City is stark. The kids are regularly invited to player signings and you can feel Brighton heavily in the community throughout Sussex. It’s how football should be. At city signing events seem limited to international fans during pre season. These fans seem to get a lot more exposure to city players than the local fans!
And what really sums it all up? As someone who supported city during that period I was really upset the club didn’t do something in regards to Kevin keegan. Just a message and a photo on the board. How hard could that be? (Apologies if I missed something but I was waiting for it and didn’t hear or see anything - I know city did a tweet but that isn’t enough imo)
I hope this doesn’t come across as me saying how great Brighton are and city are shit etc because I don’t mean or want it to. I’m just putting across my experience and how I personally feel right now. I feel the club don’t care about fans like me. But as yesterday shows fans like me will stop going, their kids will never get the city bug and when that happens and the tourists stop the seats will be empty.
The club has lost itself in all its success imo. I will always follow city but I’m not sure I support them anymore (I think that makes sense).
Apologies for long post. It’s been a very reflective period for me and just trying to word it best I can.
Purely due to the actions of the car-hating bastards on the local council. I've no problems with parking restrictions on residential street but to impose them on non-residential streets is petty-minded stupidity, particularly when public transport is so poor.After 50 odd years of having a season ticket I'm probably going to call it a day they main reason parking it's a massive pain in the arse I don't mind getting the train ( from Warrington ) but night matches there's no late trains home, the trams back to town are a joke, it all just takes the enjoyment out of what use to be the highlight of my week.
Because they are often seats that the club sells via ticket websites. It’s often the same rows - if you have a look on our ticket websites they’ll always be greyed out.Just watched MOTD and the empty seats were notable. Why are they always in swathes, rather than the odd one or two, for example where a couple couldn’t make it? It’s more noticeable that they’re what looks like groups of 10-20 seats at a time.
That’s my point, it’s impossibleBecause they are often seats that the club sells via ticket websites. It’s often the same rows - if you have a look on our ticket websites they’ll always be greyed out.
Block 107 - my old block. There was a row of four seats that were empty every game, tried asking the club and they said they aren’t available
I would be amazed if 3 rows of city fans all decided they weren’t attending!
The rags have four tram stops which is great escaping after their latest defeat, but all use the same corridor into Manchester so it's not that much better unless they can run trams close together. - They seem to be able to do this in some sectors but not around the Etihad stop for some reason.Travel has a major role in people fucking off wednesday’s game.
Like many have said on here, parking and the tram is a ballache.
God help us when this new stand open’s.
Let’s look at the facts between us & the Rags
United : 75,000
Tram Stops : 4
Old Trafford. Trafford Bar. Wharfside. Exchange Quay.
(chuck in that there’s trams lined up waiting for you after the game)
Buses
Car park
Street parking near(ish)
City : 61,000 or 81,000 (with the Co-op)
Tram stop : 1
Etihad Campus
(You’ll be lucky if a double turns up in 15mins)
Buses
Car parks
No street parking for miles due to the Co-op
They have four different tram lines in all directions so it is much faster. Street parking is much easier as well. No comparison to the Etihad which has just one line.The rags have four tram stops which is great escaping after their latest defeat, but all use the same corridor into Manchester so it's not that much better unless they can run trams close together. - They seem to be able to do this in some sectors but not around the Etihad stop for some reason.
There also seem to be a huge number of large, private match day car parks around the swamp but far fewer at the Etihad unless that's just the way I go to the ground.
I accept it's faster going away from town.They have four different tram lines in all directions so it is much faster. Street parking is much easier as well. No comparison to the Etihad which has just one line.
Spoke to a blue who rarely goes to PL games for that very reason. There’s a desire to go but they simply can’t justify the outlay. Prices for the thousands of younger blues - under 25s really need addressing. Club is missing a trick.I actually think we do have the fanbase - not all the plastics like they have, but long term fans who have been priced out. Against Exeter it will be full. Full of families and people who can’t afford to go regularly.
As above, a lot of these empty seats are seats that are greyed out and assigned to ticket websites. Because we aren’t winning, the glory hunters aren’t buying those seats and proper fans don’t have access.
I also wouldn’t expect long term fans to come running back after getting out of the habit though
5 homes games in Jan is pretty extraordinary at a time when people are skint! Personally I’m not surprised people are being picky.Blocks had 50-150 unsold on the exchange each.
It was a low demand match all around for obvious reasons.
A lot of the loyal fans still go mate. Yes the ticket prices are often excessive and it’s sad to read of priced out fans. Many of us protested about this.If you’re referring to my post/dissertation then I would just like to say (as cliche and corny as it sounds).
I haven’t turned my back on the club. The club turned their back on the loyal fans.